TT REVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve reports back on the Boxing Day win

TORQUAY UNITED 3-1 WESTON-SUPER-MATE – 26.12.2025

SUMMARY

In front of their biggest crowd of the season of 5,142, Torquay United returned to winning ways with a win over fellow promotion hopefuls
Weston Super Mare. A brace from Louis Dennis, who took his tally for the season to 13, and Matt Jay’s first goal since August sealed a 3-1 win for the Gulls against the Seagulls, who managed a consolation through Charlie Cummins.

Manager Paul Wotton made one change to the side that lost to AFC Totton as Callum Dolan replaced Dylan Morgan. Torquay dominated the opening stages as Dennis latched onto a quick free-kick from Jordan Thomas on six minutes and preceded to beat the offside trap before spotting Weston keeper Max Harris off his line. He then attempted to chip him and his effort was adjudged to have crossed the line, despite the best efforts of the visitor’s defence to clear the danger.

After a good passing move from United in the 11th minute, Jordan Young teed up Sonny Blu Lo-Everton for a long-range strike that was deflected behind for a corner. Weston went close on 22 minutes when Louis Britton headed a corner from Luke Coulson straight at Gulls keeper James Hamon.

Two minutes before the break, United doubled their lead when skipper Sam Dreyer flicked a Callum Dolan corner into the path of Matt Jay, who turned home from close range.

In the second half, Weston Super Mare’s Will Dawes looked to capitalise on a lapse in concentration from Jordan Dyer on 52 minutes, but he was denied by Hamon. Two minutes later, Dawes picked out Seagulls’ skipper Emlyn Lewis with a cross, but he nodded wide.

On 66 minutes, Coulson fired a long-range strike straight at Hamon, which the United keeper gathered easily. Weston pulled one back in the 72nd minute through Exeter City loanee Charlie Cummins, who slid the ball home following good work from Michael Smith.

United restored their two-goal cushion on 79 minutes when Dennis slotted home after good work from Young to complete his brace. In the 81st minute, Hamon produced a one-handed save to deny a free-kick from Coulson, as United secured all three points.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 7: Didn’t have a lot to do, but did it well.

3. FOULSTON – 6.5: Generally solid.

4. DYER – 7: Looked solid alongside Sam Dreyer and helped keep Louis Britton quiet.

5. DREYER – 8: Didn’t put a foot wrong in terms of his positioning and his flick played an important part in the second goal.

26. THOMAS – 8.5: Man of the Match.

20. HAYFIELD – 6: Solid but unspectacular.

24. LO-EVERTON – 8: Another industrious display with a few touches of quality.

10. DOLAN – 5.5: Nothing seemed to come off for him, but it wasn’t down to a lack of effort.

8. YOUNG – 7: Made a few jinking runs, and linked up well with Jordan Thomas.

27. JAY – 7.5: Ended his goal drought and made his experience count.

7. DENNIS – 8: Took both his goals well and was a threat throughout.

Subs

11. MORGAN – 6.5: Made a couple of runs at the Weston defence and asked a lot of questions of their right-back.

9. COOKE – 6: First appearance after injury and looked slightly rusty.

17. FISH – 5.5: Continues his return to full fitness.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Jordan Thomas

Not only did his quick thinking play a major part in setting up Louis Dennis for United’s opener, Jordan Thomas was strong defensively and looked good going forwards. He also made a number of big tackles too.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Skipper Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence and Louis Dennis, of course, took both his goals well. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was also his usual industrious self in the centre of midfield, with a few touches of quality thrown in.

TACTICS

Paul Wotton employed his usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Callum Dolan starting in place of Dylan Morgan.

THE OPPOSITION

Weston Super Mare employed a 4-1-4-1 formation that saw leading scorer Louis Britton play as a lone striker, but he got little change out of Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer. Luke Coulson stood out on the left of midfield and Exeter City loanee Charlie Cummins, scorer of their goal, also impressed.

THE OFFICIALS

Referee Thomas Breen was ok in the main, and dished out a number of yellow cards – including both managers.

KEY MOMENT

Louis Dennis’ second goal on 79 minutes effectively ended the game as a contest. It’s often said 2-1 is a dangerous score in football, and Dennis’ strike – his 13th of the campaign – took the game away from Weston.

CONCLUSION

All in all, a good win against a good side, who are firmly in the promotion mix. With home games to come against Maidstone, Horsham, Dorking and Hemel Hempstead, United can take a lot of confidence from this display going into the New Year.

With Cody Cooke working his way back to full fitness and Matt Worthington and Monashe Sundire to return from injury, the Gulls have the potential to finish the 2025-26 campaign strongly.