TT MATCH VERDICT
Steve Harris – @steveharris84
Steve discusses the opening day win
TORQUAY UNITED 3-1 ENFIELD TOWN – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – 09.08.25
SUMMARY
Torquay United got their 2025-26 National League South campaign off to a winning start against Enfield Town at Plainmoor. Early goal from debutant Louis Dennis and Jordan Young set United on their way before Cody Cooke added a third from the penalty spot. Former Gulls’ youngster Mickey Parcell pulled one back in the second half, but, despite withstanding from heavy pressure, United emerged as victors.
The Gulls were in front on nine minutes when Cooke flicked on a goal kick from keeper James Hamon into the path of Dennis who marked his debut with United’s opener. Two minutes later, United doubled their lead when a precision pass from skipper Matt Worthington found Young who brought the ball under control before cutting inside onto his left foot before finding the top corner.
In the 24th minute, Lamar Reynolds threatened for the Towners after United failed to clear a long throw, but Hamon turned his shot onto the post before smothering it. On 32 minutes, Worthington attempted a long range effort which Towners keeper Rhys Forster turned behind for a corner.
In the 41st minute, Young latched onto a through ball from Dennis before he was felled by Enfield defender Joe Payne. Cooke then stepped up to make it three from the spot on 41 minutes after Joe Payne felled Young. Four minutes into the second half, Hamon was called into action to deny Enfield striker Tommy Wood.
United then managed to carve out a couple of chances as Young and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton both forced saves from Forster. Enfield reduced their arrears in the 59th minute skipper Mickey Parcell pulled one back against his former club after United failed to deal with a long throw. Ten minutes later, Hamon was later called upon to deny a headed effort from Wood.
There was a brief stoppage in play on 75 minutes following a collision between Cooke and Enfield defender Xavier Benjamin. When played did get underway, Hamon was called into action to deny one-time United triallist Harry Lodovica, who came off the bench for the visitors. Lamar Reynolds then missed a chance for Enfield before Jay Foulston drew an easy save from Forster, as the Gulls sealed all three points.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. HAMON 7: Made an important stop in the first half to deny Lamar Reynolds and made a string of other saves in the second.
3. FOULSTON 7: Defensively strong and got forward to good effect.
26. THOMAS 6: Didn’t get forward as much as he normally does.
4. DYER 6: Didn’t carry the same threat in both boxes as last season.
5. DREYER 6: Solid, but unspectacular and made a couple of important clearances.
18. WORTHINGTON 8: PLAYER OF THE MATCH
24. LO-EVERTON 7: A tidy display and had a chance in the second half.
11. MORGAN 7: Showed glimpses of promise with a couple of dangerous runs.
7. DENNIS 7.5: A cool finish for his first goal and displayed a good range of passing.
8. YOUNG 7.5: Struck with an early goal of the season contender with United’s second and looked a threat when in possession.
9. COOKE 7: Led the line well before being substituted
SUBS
20. HAYFIELD 6: Solid, but unspectacular.
6. SUNDIRE 6: Kept things ticking over in midfield.
27. JAY 6: Busy and lively, but didn’t get on the ball enough to make things happen.
16. PALMER 6: Was brought on to help bolster the defence.
EDWARDS N/A: Son of assistant manager Mike Edwards made his debut with a late cameo to replace Matt Worthington.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – MATT WORTHINGTON
It was a debut to remember for new skipper Matt Worthington; not only did he dictate play with a great range of passing, as evidenced by his assist for Jordan Young’s second goal, he also dropped back to shield the back four. Has the potential to become as influential a captain as Chris Hargreaves (2007 and 2010) and Asa Hall (2018 to 2024), who both skippered the side from midfield.
TACTICS
Paul Wotton started off playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Matt Worthington and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton as a central midfield two with Jordan Young, Louis Dennis and Dylan Morgan playing as an attacking three behind Cody Cooke.
OPPOSITION
Just as United have built on the squad they had this time last year when they played Enfield on the opening day of the 2024-25 campaign, so have the Towners. Gavin McPherson’s side posed a particular threat from long throws, one of which led to their goal, and former Maidstone striker Lamar Reynolds looked dangerous throughout.
THE OFFICIALS
In my opinion, referee Harry Warner was one of the better officials that we’ve seen at Plainmoor in recent times.
CONCLUSION
The opening day of the season is seldom ever perfect and Paul Wotton will no doubt have spotted things that he would like to improve on. One of the biggest positives about today was the way that the new signings have blended into the squad, most notably Matt Worthington and Louis Dennis.
COYY – Steve
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