TT REVIEW

Danny Burnell

Danny reports back from Bath

BATH CITY 0-0 TORQUAY UNITED – 30.12.2025

SUMMARY

It was hoped the Gulls’ would sign off 2025 in style against a lowly Bath side struggling at the foot of the table. As it was, Torquay put in a performance of forgettable proportions to leave Somerset with just a point.

Wootton selected the same XI that ran out 3-1 winners on Boxing Day, hoping for a similar result. The away side started brighter, having plenty of possession, trying to carve opportunities in the opposition half. Jay came closest as his cross-come-shot sailed inches past the post.

Young had a couple of half-chances, but again, to no avail. Hamon, a virtual spectator throughout, had one shot of note to deal with, a free kick from Jordan Alves which was dealt with comfortably. As the half drew on, chances at either end were at a premium, and as the ref blew for HT, it was to no surprise the game remained goalless.

As the second half progressed, it was more and more evident a underwhelming end to the calendar year was on the cards. Whilst Dreyer came close from a corner, and the livelier Morgan was a threat, there was little to shout about from the 900+ strong travelling support. Both Hamon & Bath keeper Wiles-Richards needn’t wash their gloves as neither had the chance to get them dirty.

Bath came for the point and got it. Torquay came for all three and didn’t do enough to deserve it. A frustrating performance which keeps the Yellows’ fourth going into 2026.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 6: Bet he’d wished he’d stayed in the warm watching the darts. No one would have noticed. Quiet evening for the stopper.

3. FOULSTON – 6: Part of a back 5 which kept a clean sheet. Dealt with a fairly tricky winger well.

4. DYER – 6: Dealt with most things thrown his way.

5. DREYER – 7: MOTM

26. THOMAS – 6: Did what he needed to, which wasn’t a lot.

20. HAYFIELD – 6: Industrious without really influencing anything.

24. LO-EVERTON – 6: Seen plenty of the ball, but chances limited.

10. DOLAN – 5: Struggled throughout, before being replaced early in the second half.

8. YOUNG – 6: Tried, and often got the better of his LB counterpart, but unable to really test the keeper.

27. JAY – 5: Fairly anonymous. Had Uniteds best chance which would have painted a much nicer picture.

7. DENNIS – 6: Neat touches and link up play, but found chances at a premium.

Subs

11. MORGAN – 6: Tried and saw plenty of the ball. Looked the most likely IF something was to happen.

9. COOKE – 6: Physical presence up top but unable to change the game.

17. WILSON – N/A: Late sub.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Sam Dreyer

A difficult one to choose for perhaps the wrong reasons. But Sam dealt with pretty much everything thrown at him. A decent performance from the skipper, one of very few on the pitch.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

The travelling away support. A strong contingent made their way to Twerton Park in expectation after the Boxing Day result, but it proved fruitless as they watched one of the forgettable moments of 2025 play out in front of them.

TACTICS

A familiar 4-2-3-1 with Dennis leading the line. Young and Dolan provided the width with Lo-Everton & Hayfield in the deeper lying midfield positions.

THE OPPOSITION

Set out for a point, and got it. As the game drew on the time wasting became more evident and their game plan panned out as they had hoped. Posed little threat and never looked like scoring, then again, neither did we. Much the happier of the two sides for obvious reasons.

THE OFFICIALS

Deciding the constant Bath ‘injuries’ didnt warrant more additional time, but other than that, didn’t have a key decision to make, owing to the poor nature of the game.

KEY MOMENT

Jay’s chance goes in in the first half it’s a different game. The one and only glaring opportunity in the whole game.

CONCLUSION

The home side were there for the taking but Torquay just couldn’t capitalise. You often hear of Christmas hangovers, and this is exactly what it was. For the Gulls’ to get promoted, games like this really need to be dispatched comfortably. More ground lost on top spot and as we had into the new year and January could prove the decisive month as to the Yellow’s fortune of the 25/26 season.

Happy new Year all.