TT MATCH VERDICT

Ben Wade

Ben reports back from the game at Maidenhead

MAIDENHEAD 1-2 TORQUAY UNITED – 08.11.2025

SUMMARY

Following a dominant display at Farnborough on Wednesday, The Gulls had a brisk turnaround and travelled to Maidenhead in search of a second three points on the road in three days. They do say never change a winning team and Paul Wotton did just that naming an unchanged eleven from Farnborough’s victory. This was very surprising considering the tricky trip three days before and the fact that numerous players were dealing with knocks but Paul believed that we could battle through it.

Unfortunately, it was a disappointing start for The Yellow Army as captain Matt Worthington went off with a tweaked hamstring after 10 minutes. Dan Hayfield slotted into the midfield alongside Sonny Blu. We got off to a decent start though as we were winning all of the 50/50s and competing well. We were clearly the better of the two sides and got into some good attacking positions without being able to force the deadlock. Jordan Young had an early chance but took it around the keeper allowing a defender to recover and clear a tame shot off the goal line. The Magpies were playing a very direct style of play and won a few set pieces with former TUFC striker Josh Umerah being key to their hold up play. Super Sammy Dreyer didn’t give him anything to work with though, keeping our defence strong and unbeatable in the first 45.

Finally, a slick Gulls move gave Callum Dolan space to cut inside a drill a ferocious effort into the near post for a well deserved 1-0 lead to TUFC on 40 minutes. Just seconds later, Dennis chested it down in the box and blasted a volley narrowly over the woodwork. With moments left of the first half, Maidenhead captain and number four De Havilland clearly swung a punch at Dyer and consequently there was a slight kafuffle before it all settled down again. Hayfield and Hamon were pointing at the linesman on the far flank adamant that he must have seen it. The referee spoke to the lino but they pretty much bottled it and gave Dyer and De Havilland yellows to the frustration of the away fans. The half time whistle blew soon after and were had played a convincing first 45 minutes.

The second half got under way and The Gulls continued to pile on the pressure. Young had a couple of promising free kicks and his and Dolan’s quick feet created opportunities on countless occasions. Louis Dennis was replaced by Sonny Fish after nearly an hour which was a remarkable effort from LD considering him coming off after half an hour at Farnborough. TUFC kept piling it onto The Magpies who were very poor and sloppy. Jordan Young went on a gorgeous run on the right and curled a delicious cross towards Sonny Fish at the back stick but the centre back at the front post had to do something but headed it past his own keeper for a much deserved two goal cushion for The Gulls!

Maidenhead were still lumping it forward and trying to get a goal back but the United defence stood strong. Ed Palmer replaced Young in the closing minutes. It was only in the 93rd minute that the hosts could finally breach the Torquay United defence. The ball ricocheted to Dulston on the counter attack who slid it past the helpless Hamon. The remaining two minutes of added time went on forever with a couple of corners and throws getting punted into the six yard box but we stayed firm and defended incredibly. Thomas limped off with hopefully just cramp or fatigue in the dying seconds and Denzel replaced him. The referee blew the full time whistle though and The Gulls claimed a well earnt three points!

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 7: He had a solid and dependable performance and his distribution with his feet was superb.

3. FOULSTON – 7: He was brilliant at stopping the opposition winger and bombed forward with affective overlaps often.

4. DYER – 8: Another phenomenal display away from home, his partnership with SD5 is great.

5. DREYER – 8: Back to his best for United.

26. THOMAS – 8: That is his best performance in a yellow shirt, exceptional from him.

18. WORTHINGTON – N/A: We can just pray that the injury is nothing serious.

24. EVERTON – 9: See MOTM.

10. DOLAN – 8: His touch and control is amazing, if we can get him at full fitness he will be even more unstoppable, which isn’t very believable.

8. YOUNG – 9: Outstanding. Ball control, runs, crosses, all that was missing was a goal for himself. Now, it makes it look even sillier that he didn’t play at Dorking.

27. JAY – 7: It was certainly one of his more productive games, he dictated much of the play and was key to us progressing forward.

7. DENNIS – 7: Number 9 is not his natural position but he does a job up there, his first half volley was agonisingly close.

Subs

11. MORGAN – 7: Lively off the bench.

20. HAYFIELD – 7: He was an exceptional replacement for Worthington. He was key to our progression going from defence to attack.

17. FISH – 7: He is still not fully fit but he looks lively. A goal would kickstart his TUFC career.

16. PALMER – N/A: Our new number 10!

2. AKYEAMPONG – N/A.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Sonny Lo-Everton

My Player of The Match award goes to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. In the absence of captain Matt Worthington he led the midfield brilliantly. He just dictates play phenomenally and his touch and passing abilities are great. I also admire his forward runs which bamboozle the defence and open up space for Young and Dolan to cut inside. All in all, a lovely display from Sonny.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

My first honourable mention goes to Jordan Young. His ability to dart through defences is great and the fact that he often contributes to the goals and assists tally is an added bonus. He was playing with the Maidenhead defence, close control, quick feet, he has everything to be a brilliant NLS winger.

I have got to give a joint shout out to the centre back partnership of Sam Dreyer and Jordan Dyer. We were unfortunate to concede late on but these two were class. That has to be the best centre back pairing in the division.