TT REVIEW
Clive Hayward – @byehorse
Clive reports back from North London
ENFIELD TOWN 1-2 TORQUAY UNITED – 24.01.2026
SUMMARY
Firstly, in the manner of a Great Western Trains announcer, I must apologise for the late arrival of this match report. A chaotic journey home on Saturday night meant I couldn’t do it justice, and my first task this Sunday morning was to retrieve my car from a spot where traffic wardens might have paid it too much attention. The delay has at least allowed me to read some accounts by people who had a better view than me yesterday, and to watch the highlights- top commentary from Ian Brown, by the way.
Maybe Torquay should also apologise for leaving it so late yesterday. All the second half pressure in the world had failed to get us in front until Man of the Match Kieran Wilson won & converted a penalty with 2 minutes of normal time remaining.
Although Torquay started brightly, perennial strugglers Enfield soon started to get on top, and after a goal line block from Jay Foulston they got the goal we had been fearing. After several attempts to clear the ball had failed, skipper Sam Youngs swept home a low finish from the edge of the box. We never really got to grips with it for the rest of the first half, and fans changed ends with a mixture of anger and desperation. This was a “no excuses” fixture. Only three points would do.
The second half started much better for the Gulls. Dylan Morgan continued his recent goalscoring run: a low shot hitting the keeper’s feet and arcing upwards in what you could immediately see was a joyous parabola, dropping over the line to prompt “limbs” in the away end.
Exeter loanee Wilson made himself time and a chance soon afterwards, but his fierce left foot shot smashed off the bar.
It was pretty much one way traffic, but in heavy conditions the Yellows couldn’t fashion that many clear chances.
Munashe Sundire came on and imposed himself in midfield. Braunton starlet Joe Hatch made a promising debut, replacing luckless front man Cody Cooke.
As the minutes ticked down, with Wilson a constant threat, Enfield were forced into total defence, and Jay Foulston thought he had won it when he popped up at the back post to force sub Matt Jay’s effort home. But no: he was ruled to be offside.
Wilson popped up on the left, and from there he produced the day’s defining moment. He cut in and got a shot off. It thudded into what the lawmakers describe as an “unnaturally positioned arm”. The referee gave it some thought and pointed to the spot.
In an echo of events at Totton, Wilson was determined to finish the job: grabbing the ball himself. He’s a unit, and in contrast to the Dolan/Young farrago, nobody was going to try to get it off him.
Confidence is a wonderful thing. The young Scot isn’t short of it, and he drilled his shot into the bottom corner.
Minutes later, we were still singing his name (with apologies to Baccara) as the manager was kicking the goalpost in released frustration.
Job done. Better late than never!!
PLAYER RATINGS
1. HAMON – 7: Not hugely busy, but made a good save when we needed it in the first half.
3. FOULSTON – 7: Distinguished himself with the goal saving block, and so close to scoring himself.
4. DYER – 6: The defence could have done better in the first half. Enfield were game, but we let them play.
5. DREYER – 6: Same as Dyer, but with an orange armband.
26. THOMAS – 5.5: Jordan will have better afternoons. Hooked to allow Nash to come on in midfield.
20. HAYFIELD – 6: The Volvo of this squad. Not especially pretty but a reliable engine in the middle of the park.
18. WORTHINGTON – 6: Workmanlike without looking the dominant force we need.
24. LO-EVERTON – 6.5: Good touches, but he should have been able to run the show.
11. MORGAN – 7: Crucial goal at an important time. Great to see him delivering consistently. It’s a winger’s lot to have good days & bad days, but Dylan seems to have a good attitude.
9. COOKE – 5.5: Perhaps still a touch underpowered after his lay-off? We looked more likely after Cody was withdrawn.
23. WILSON – 8: Superb performance. I don’t want to go above an 8 because of the limited opposition, but this was great stuff. The boy never stopped. Looking to take people on with purpose for the full 90 minutes. Got what he deserved.
Subs
6. SUNDIRE – 7.5: Yes, Nashy! Booked almost immediately after he came on, he gave us vim from Zim. Won it and used it well. Lots more to come, I hope.
10. JAY – 7: Effective late cameo against tiring opponents.
19. HATCH – 7: Lively. It’s another goal threat and we might have an exciting 28 days together.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KIERAN WILSON
How can he be dropped for Tuesday after that? (I know, I know, he’ll be back on the bench. That’s probably sensible with Jordan Young available). Let’s not get carried away here. Actually, yes: let’s. The next Lee Sharpe will clearly earn 100 caps for Scotland and if they don’t have a statue of him at St James Park in 50 years’ time their Supporters Trust is dead to me. Relentless go-forward, loves a shot and confidence to burn.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Jay Foulston- Great contributions at both ends from our number 3. The young Welshman is a manager’s favourite, and yesterday you could absolutely see why.
TACTICS
It looked to be our standard 4-2-3-1 at the start, with Wilson and Cooke in for the suspended Young and Dennis. Not sure if the shape changed when Sundire was introduced? It’s possible Worthington went back to right back, but don’t trust me on this one. I was behind the goal and pretty much screaming my head off in the hope that something, anything would go in!
THE OPPOSITION
It’s hard not to feel sorry for Enfield Town. The supporter-owned outfit are fighting an uphill battle in National League South. Their keeper gave as good as he got in the non-league banter stakes and was desperately unlucky with the equaliser. The volunteers running the show were nothing but friendly and philosophical and I wish their club all the luck in the world.
THE OFFICIALS
It was a low bar to improve upon last week. Referee Brandon Scaife cleared it with ease, on yet another ground where the high jump sometimes features. He had a decent game. There was very little nastiness to deal with, and he gave us the penalty that made the difference between delight and a miserable homeward trek.
KEY MOMENT
88 minutes in. The jink; the shot; the whistle; the cojones; the winner!
CONCLUSION
Thank Christ for that!
COYY – Clive
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