TT MATCH VERDICT

Danny Burnell

Danny reports back

TORQUAY UNITED 4-2 SLOUGH TOWN – NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH – 06.09.25

SUMMARY

It was back to home comforts for the Gulls’ after successive trips to the capital region. On this warm, late summers’ afternoon, Wotton made two changes to the side that drew 2-2 at Hampton, with Palmer & Hayfield dropping to the bench. Worthington overcame his injury to slot in with home debutant Keane Anderson, whilst Jay took his place on the wing in a familiar 4-2-3-1 line up.

The game started frantically, with United cutting through the Slough defence at will. The Yellow Army didn’t have to wait too long for the first cheer of the afternoon, as with the game just 50 seconds old, Jay swept into the box to see his rebounded effort fall to Cooke who tapped in from close range. The cheers were short-lived however as Mr Linesman deemed Cody in an offside position, much to the frustration of the home crowd faithful.

United continued to dominate possession in the early exchanges, and got their just rewards as a near identical move saw Jay and Dennis link up down the left. The former Bromley man took his time to pick out his man as he sauntered into the box, and that man was Jordan Young, who connected perfectly with the low cross to open proceedings, and the floodgates, to what would be a very eventful first 45.

In complete control, the away side posed little threat, but a lapse in concentration saw Slough equalise as the speedy Rebels’ winger latched onto a through ball to slot neatly past a helpless James Hamon. Torquay were pegged back just 3 minutes after going in front.

Enraged with the mishap, the Gulls’ hit straight back in concise fashion. The ever-willing Jordan Young winning an unlikely corner after tireless work pressing his man. The ex-Glover took up his corner duty and floated a perfect ball in where Louis Dennis was on ‘head’ to nod home from close range. A smart header from a difficult position to regain the Gulls’ deserved lead. 2-1 with just 13 minutes on the clock.

With the game opening up, and resembling a Lakers’ match, both sides saw opportunities come and go, but Torquay always looked the likelier to score the next goal. And they duly obliged as the Slough defence once again had their orders from Moses’ to part like the Red Sea and allow Worthington’s through ball to reach an on-rushing Dennis. Bearing down on goal, Torquay’s #7 slid a dangerous cross in the direction of Cooke who looked a shoe-in for a tap in, only for his glory to be taken away from him by the Slough midfielder, Johnny Goddard who diverted into his own net past an increasingly downbeat Adam Desbois in goal.

Desperate to put on a real show, Torquay continued to play free flowing attacking football, leaving their opposition bamboozled. Attack after attack with United looking likely from every counter. And just past the half hour mark, the Slough destroyer, Louis Dennis, continued his terrorising to put it on a plate for Cody Cooke. This time, down the right, Dennis nutmegged the full back before effortlessly finding Cody at the back post for the simplest of finishes. There was no danger of this one being chalked off, as the Torquay frontman registered his first goal of the season from open play. 4-1 and enjoyment aplenty.

Not content with just the 4, Young went mightily close to adding number 5 as his left foot curler whistled millimetres past the post. Comfortable & at ease, Torquay once again lapsed in concentration as the routiest of Route One balls alluded everyone to find Makowski. With Hamon in no mans land, the striker lifted the ball into an empty net to give Slough a way back into the game. And they could have been even closer to parity when Hamon made his first real save, a fine one at that, to deny an acrobatic shot just before the interval.

The referee soon called time on a very eventful first half, containing 6 goals, the only surprise being Torquay scoring ‘only’ 4 of them.

The second half started, and to cut a long story short, it was dire. Dennis made way for Hayfield as the half kicked off due to an injury concern. Baring a delightful Hamon ping to Young who saw his effort sail just over, it was a half of little entertainment, little quality and little to write about. Torquay lacked the first half intensity, Slough couldn’t pass wind, and the game fizzled out with a minimum of fuss as the Gulls’ secured a much needed 3 points. It was probably asking too much for a game as good as the first half to continue in the same vein, so all in all, a good day’s work for the men in yellow. 4 goals, 3 points and a much needed boost ahead of our FA Cup journey next week.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 6: Not awfully involved. Seemed to be caught in two minds for the second goal, did pull off a great save to avoid going into the break 4-3.

2. AKYEAMPONG – 7: Really solid performance from Denz, tackled well and can’t recall him putting a foot wrong. Looks a smart addition.

3. FOULSTON – 5: Caught a few times down his side, and will no doubt have better games.

5. DREYER – 6: OK. Sound enough. Dealt with a physical frontman well.

4. DYER – 6: See Dreyer.

22. ANDERSON – 7: Felt he really got stuck in and produced some fine passes. Very busy in that crowded middle third, but certainly played his part.

18. WORTHINGTON – 7: What we’ve come to expect from our captain. Commanding without needing to excel, as the flair players took the limelight.

7. DENNIS- 9: MOTM, see below.

8. YOUNG – 8: Doing Jordan Young things. Getting into great positions, causing the opposition headaches.

27. JAY – 6: Had little effect on the game, but didn’t do anything wrong. Quiet, but as we know, can produce a worldie at a moments notice.

9. COOKE – 7: Typical Cody performance. Lacked support when Dennis was taken off at HT. Put his body about and won numerous duels.

SUBS

16. PALMER – 6: Came on into a back three. Just did Ed Palmer things. Solid enough.

20. HAYFIELD – 6: Played in the ‘Dennis’ role. Struggled to make an impact in a overall lacklustre half.

12. PHILLIPS – 6: A few lively runs, but as above, struggled to make any real impact.

29. EDWARDS- N/A: Late sub, not fair to score.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – LOUIS DENNIS

Different gravy. Only played 45 but worth the admission fee alone. Set up three and scored the other one, Louis was simply faultless. No surprise the game fizzled out in the second half without his spark. Done the LB up like a kipper for goal number 4, and looked threatening in every attack. Hope he was brought off as a precaution because he is vital to this team.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS – DENZEL AKYEAMPONG

Pleasing performance from our relatively new addition at RB. Looks dependable and not shy in the tackle. His throw is a weapon, and a good run in the team will work wonders for his fitness. Although, as a team, defensively not at our best, he looked to get the better of his opponent and nullified plenty of threats.

TACTICS

Reverted back to a 4-2-3-1, with Worthington & Anderson in a midfield two. Jay & Young provided the width with Dennis in behind Cooke. Changes in the second half seen us go to a back 3, with wing backs.

OPPOSITION

Not that good to be honest. They’ll be glad to come away from Plainmoor scoring two goals and only conceding four. Their defence looked laboured and had little by way of attacking threat. Many misplaced passes in the second half as they pressed for more goals, but in truth, Hamon was rarely troubled. To be fair, the keeper could ping a pass, and the winger had a bit about him, but I suspect the Rebels’ won’t be too far from last season’s 16th place finish.

THE OFFICIALS

Was alright, by NLS standards. A few questionable decisions but nothing that majorly affected the game. Young could have had a penalty in the first half, and the offside looked close. I’m sure, actually, I know 100%, we’ll have worse refs this season.

CONCLUSION

It was a game won in the first half hour. United’s explosive start sealed the three points and never threatened to be anything other than that. There are concerns around the goals being conceded, with just 4 teams in the division having let in more. By contrast, the attacking threat is in overdrive as United top the charts for goals scored. PW will want to tighten that defence ahead of sterner tests over the coming weeks, but its up to 4th for the Plainmoor loving Gulls’!

Home form isn’t the issue for the free scoring goals. Address the away form, and we are cooking on gas!

Onto the FA Cup!