TT MATCH VERDICT

Clive Hayward – @Byehorse

Clive reports back from Plainmoor

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TORQUAY UNITED 0-2 MAIDSTONE UNITED – 15.11.2025

SUMMARY

Football fans have short memories. When your team plays like Torquay did this afternoon, that’s probably just as well!

The annual debate about whether the Trophy is worth taking seriously can be put to bed for another 12 months, and by the time we run out against Eastbourne next week this depressing defeat will probably not be at the forefront of Yellow minds.

It all started quite well. There was some “performance politics” as we joined the National League in a 3 minute delay to kick off to support the likely-doomed “3 Up” promotion campaign. Our heroes looked good in an all-purple strip, but their performance was less than regal.

The positive vibes did continue for a while. Early pressure saw Jordan Young win a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box in the fifth minute. Young and Jay stood over the ball and Dan Hayfield also showed an interest. It was Dan who struck it, getting the ball past the wall but cannoning off the post. United had another great chance on 12 minutes: Young was too good for his defender. His shot was saved into the path of the onrushing Sonny Fish, but the Great White Hope was unable to convert.

That was as good as it got really. Maidstone had some big lads- in particular Lexus Beeden and Hamzad Karebo- and they made it count more often than not. In six first half minutes, Stones had the game won.

On 27 minutes Hamon smashed a ball out to the left wing that may have been aimed for Jay Foulston but was more likely mishit. The Welshman couldn’t control it, and right winger Jephte Tanga left him standing. Seconds later, Dajon Golding smashed the ball in from close range, and United visibly wilted.

A few minutes later John Gilbert (he of THAT August challenge on SBLE) found himself in a foot-race with implausible last man Jordan Young. He got his shot away but it narrowly cleared the bar.

But the die was cast, and the visitors soon doubled their lead. In the 33rd minute Karebo dropped short to win an unchallenged flick-on, and Gilbert was bearing down on goal. He steadied himself, shot low to the keeper’s left and United had a mountain to climb.

We never got past the foothills, The second half was a non-event. Injuries had left Paul Wotton with a four-man bench that contained a big defender, a young right back, an 18 year old midfielder and a sub keeper. Morgan was annoyed to be replaced by Ed Palmer, who went up front. Fish had had a difficult afternoon and was withdrawn just after the hour, replaced by Denzel Akyeampong, who had 30 minutes to forget on the right wing.

Hopefully we’ve not sustained any injuries, and next week will be better.

A bad day, to be swiftly forgotten.

PLAYER RATINGS

1.  HAMON – 6: Not at fault for either goal. Did spread himself well to prevent a late third.

3. FOULSTON – 5: Lost the physical battle.

4. DYER – 5.5: Didn’t dominate like he can

5. DREYER – 5.5: Another sub par effort

26. THOMAS – 6: Was ok in the first half. So anonymous when pushed forward that I thought he had been subbed.

20. HAYFIELD – 6: Did his very best. Unlucky not to score early.

24. EVERTON – 6: Didn’t give up.

11. MORGAN – 5.5: A little unlucky to get hooked. But only a little.

8. YOUNG – 6.5: Our only real threat

27. JAY – 5: An afternoon to forget.

17. FISH – 5.5: Started brightly. Faded fast.

Subs

16. PALMER – 5: Often described as a better footballer than he’s given credit for. Not today.

2. AKYEAMPONG – 5: I think he can cross “right winger” off his CV next summer.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Jordan Young

The sponsors gave it to Youngy, and I will follow suit. One of the few Torquay players who looked like beating a man today

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Dan Hayfield – covered a lot of ground, and almost scored a Trophy free kick for the second year in a row.

TACTICS

It looked like the 4-2-3-1 we often play. Hayfield is a limited footballer, without the range of passing of Matt Worhington, but he tried hard alongside SBLE.

With such a weak bench there were few good options to help us get back into the game. Thomas was pushed somewhere up the left and Akyeampong looked about as comfortable on the right wing as Jeremy Corbyn.

THE OPPOSITION

In the image of their popular manager, for the most part. Several “absolute units.” Jordan Young was hammered in the first few seconds- Vinny Jones v Steve McMahon style- and they played a robust style which found us out.

THE OFFICIALS

The ref didn’t inspire great confidence. Many would say that Sesay was lucky not to see red for a challenge that caused damage both to himself and Akyeampong.

KEY MOMENT

Going one nil down. Once Maidstone hit the front, the stuffing came out of us. We failed to clear a cross, Hamon had no chance from close range and our fate was sealed.

CONCLUSION

Christmas shopping enthusiasts will be pleased to have a free Saturday in December. After an immensely encouraging couple of wins on the road, we found ourselves out-muscled by a team that has been doing that to us for a few years now. Maidstone join the list of “teams we would like to avoid in the playoffs.”

COYY – Clive

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