TTT MATCH VERDICT

Danny Burnell

Danny reports back from the game at Farnborough

FARNBOROUGH 1-3 TORQUAY UNITED – 05.11.2025

SUMMARY

Torquay provided the fireworks inside the opening 11 minutes on bonfire night as they ran out clear and deserved winners in Hampshire. Paul Wootton opted for the same starting XI that took to the field against Hornchurch, the only change on the bench saw Palmer return after sitting Saturday out.

It took the Gulls’ just two minutes to take the lead on a night they needed to be at their explosive best to banish their away day hoodoo. A fast and furious start saw United zip the ball round with intent, and a neat passing move down the left, involving Foulston, Jay & Dolan, saw the latter’s right outside-of-the-foot cross being steered home by striker for the evening, Louis Dennis. 0-1.

United were free flowing and in complete control when the former Bromley & Pompey man was again on hand for the simplest of finishes. A floated free kick from the impressive Foulston saw a melee in the box, Dreyer swung, as did plenty of the Boro defenders, but LD did what all good #9’s do and capitalised on some poor marking to slam home for 0-2. With just 11 minutes on the clock, the away day Whites’ were in complete & utter control and it remained that way for the lion share of the game. Dolan was a nuisance, Young was back to his brilliant best, and it was those two looking the most likely to give United a third before half time. Young’s trickery saw him find space in the box, but his snapshot forced a smart save from the increasingly busy Jack Turner. Dolan hit the target on more than one occasion in a game United were forcing the keeper to work. You certainly couldn’t fault the intensity Torquay were showing, and you certainly couldn’t fault the shooting!

On the very rare occasion Boro ventured into the United half, the defence remained undeterred and never looked likely to be breached. The home side’s best, and only, opportunities came from the customary long throws, but the threat remained minimal. United’s first disappointment of the night however came in the shape of an injury. Dennis limping off on the half hour mark to be replaced by Sonny Fish. The keen youngster, eager to make an impression, and show his fitness, was immediately in the thick of the action after a lovely ball through from the Lo-Everton. Again the keeper saved, but the chances kept coming, again through the lively four-some in attack.

The half time whistle blew with the crackling of fireworks in the background. It was a excellent 45 for the Gulls’ as they marched in 0-2 to the good.

As we’ve seen with many-a-game this season, it was hoped Torquay wouldn’t rest on their laurels in the second half, and rest they most certainly didn’t. Just a few minutes after the break, Fish should have probably made it 3 after a clever ball in from the right. The high press continued to cause the home side problems, and it was the ever willing Matt Jay who was next to test the Boro #1 who again had to be sharp to keep the score line down.

Whilst the game was distinctively quieter, that suited the away side. That is to say chances kept falling the way of Fish, Dolan & Young who continued to champion this new attacking away day vibe. As Farnborough committed, gaps opened up in middle of the park, allowing the attacking quartet to exert, whilst the midfield duo kept calm and collective in keeping the game ticking over. The Hampshire side created their first real opening of note on the hour mark when Dom Poleon got in behind but with Dreyer closing in, his shot was high, wide and not at all handsome into the impressive half empty ‘Jewson Stand’.

Just after the 70 minute mark saw the next big chance come as Lo-Everton’s driving run saw sim lay it off to Jay. His low slot looked destined for the bottom corner only for Boro’s MOTM to again deny the Gulls’. But that defiance finally caved in, as from the resulting Young corner, Dyer peeled off at the back post to nod home, albeit via a slight deflection. It was 0-3, and United were living up to their billing as the ‘best side we have seen this season’ according to the Farnborough commentary trio (well two of them at least).

Providing absolutely no threat, it was almost inevitable Boro were given the opportunity to reduce the deficit. Just two minutes after the Dyer goal, a ball into the box was adjudged to have been handled by Lo-Everton, and a penalty kick resulted. The spot-kick was converted and United’s chance of a clean sheet was gone. Harshly I may add. Whilst that sparked a mini-surge from the home side, it was all huff, but no puff and the 5 minute spell quickly came to an end to mitigate any possibility of Boro inconvincibly getting something from the game. They did come close again at the death but somehow the ball stayed out to keep the score line more reflective of the evenings work. Ed Palmer finished the game as United’s frontman as substitute Sonny Fish became subee by being replaced late on, you would think with fitness being top of the agenda. United saw the last few minutes out with zero fuss to give them just their second win on the road, and propel them to the dizzy heights of 6th ahead of a crunch game in neighbouring Berkshire this coming weekend.

3 points. 3 goals. Good performance. UTG!

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 7: Had very little to do. Could have helped out in the tea bar for 80% of the game. Very cleverly ‘managed the game’ just as Boro were finding their first wind after their goal.

3. FOULSTON – 8: Really solid performance, nullifying his counterpart at every turn.

4. DYER – 8: Excellent alongside his partner and notching his first of the season with his trademark corner routine.

5. DREYER – 8: Again, not much else to say rather than extremely solid. Did what he needed to do very well.

26. THOMAS – 8 – Very solid and probably his best game in a Torquay shirt. Didn’t let anything past him all night.

18. WORTHINGTON – 7: Worked extremely hard in the middle of the park and won back possession countless times.

24. EVERTON – 8.5: See MOTM

10. DOLAN – 8: A constant threat. On his left, on his right. He is dangerous and causes defenders no end of problems.

8. YOUNG – 7: An impressive first half, and again a constant danger. His trickery and quick feet are such an asset.

27. JAY – 7: Feel that his best position and where he wants to play is in that #10. Showed tonight he can do a good job in there, and kept the game ticking over nicely. Unlucky not to score.

7. DENNIS – 8: On the money with two more goals before his night was cut short. Hoping its not a serious one.

Subs

11. MORGAN – 6: Had a few moments against a tiring defence, game had already been won by then.

17. FISH – 7: Certainly raw, but puts in a shift. Plays on the shoulder and can see him putting a few goals away when up to 100% fitness.

16. PALMER – N/A: Only saw the last few minutes. Came on up front. Love it.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Sonny Lo-Everton

Hard one picking MOTM this evening, but thankfully for all the right reasons. Everton was very impressive throughout, controlling the game superbly and dictating the tempo alongside Worthington. Some excellent through balls to boot. A worthy MOTM performance.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

I picked Everton, but it could have gone to any number of players. The full backs, Foulston & Thomas were excellent and had their counterparts cards marked. Could have easily have given either of these two MOTM. Without a doubt, Thomas’ best performance in a Gulls’ shirt, whilst Foulston was as solid as a rock. Dolan was superb all night as his stock rises with each passing week.

As always, the fans who made the trip east, when they could have easily of watched it on the box, or go to their local firework display, deserve a massive shoutout.

TACTICS

Unchanged from the side that started against Hornchurch. This system remained in place all game as like for like subs came on. The injured Dennis made way for Fish, who later himself made way for Palmer. Morgan replaced Dolan on the left hand side.

THE OPPOSITION

Not. Very. Good. And I don’t mean to be ‘billy big b******’ about it, but that is my honest assessment, maybe i’m being harsh and it was just us not letting them play. Injustice that they got a goal for their nights work in truth, a more clinical United could have stuck in 6 or 7, but for the Boro stopper. No doubt their best player, and maybe their savour as the season progresses. (Andy Marriot in 05/06 anyone….!). Their battles will come playing teams in and around them, and to be fair to them, they’ve had some good results earlier this season. I’m sure they will play better, starting against Dorking on Saturday would be handy!

THE OFFICIALS

Only one real decision he had to make this evening and that was for the penalty. Arm looked to be out so maybe the decision was warranted but other than that fairly anonymous, which generally makes for excellent viewing.

CONCLUSION

We simply had to win this evening. Anything less would have been a catastrophe and would have only heaped further pressure going into the Maidenhead game. We needed to start fast, and we did just that. What I liked is that we continued to press even at 0-2. If there’s one slight criticism it was maybe our clinical-ness in front of goal, but we are NLS for a reason. It was a well rounded victory which we didn’t really need to get out of third gear for. The threat, or lack of, they offered was perfectly dealt with by a resilient defence, and going forward, we caused issues down the left, down the right, and through the middle.

Of course we should be winning these games anyway, but after years of being a Torquay fan, we certainly know nothing is a given. We’ll take the points and we’ll ride the highs, before concentrating and what will undoubtedly be a sterner test against Maidenhead. But we shouldn’t fear, approach the game in the same vein and reap the rewards. The Magpies’ are going through a sticky spell as it is, lets add to it shall we!