TT REVIEW
Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc
Tom reports on the win at the Crabble
DOVER ATHLETIC 2-3 TORQUAY UNITED – 03.02.2026
SUMMARY
YESSSSS!!!
After a disastrous first sixteen minutes at a rain soaked Crabble, Torquay United showed fight, grit and determination to ensure the three points would return to Devon, with a comeback victory which included a first half brace from Cody Cooke & a 2nd half winner from Sam Dreyer, who beautifully slotted home the winner which opened the gap to Dorking to 3 points ahead of the Surrey’s side visit to Plainmoor on Saturday.
Paul Wotton made two changes to the squad with Nash Sundire rested after playing a full 90 minutes at Hornchurch saw Jordan Thomas take his place & Cody Cooke in for Dylan Morgan.
Despite the deluge of rain and concerns over the state of Dover’s pitch, it was game on in Kent!
After 16 minutes, we were praying for an abandonment.
A long ball forward in the 3rd minute saw Dreyer’s attempted clearance deflect to Ruben Soares-Junior who calmly slotted the ball home past Hamon. A minute later the offside flag denied Soares-Junior a second, who had been adjudged to have been offside from the cross in the box as he headed past Hamon.
United were on the ropes.
On 16 minutes it was 2-0 and further embarrassment for the Yellows as ex-Gull Ryan Hanson was found unmarked in the box, had two touches and calmly scored. I’m sure he had a point to prove and I’m sure secretly fellow TT contributor Chris Wade (the only member of the RHAS) was somewhat delighted for him.
“He left cos your s**t!” sang the Dover contingent. That was quite funny.
This felt like another case of typical Torquay. Top of the table and blowing our chance to take advantage of our position in the table. Torquay needed someone to step up. Thank the bunnies that Cody Cooke answered the call. Hayfield laid a pass to him unmarked in the box and Cody was able to get there in time to slot it under the keeper for 1-2.
Not content with his first goal since scoring against Slough since September, Cody levelled proceedings with the goal of the night, bringing the ball down and beautifully slotting home via the post to level things up.
United had been living a dangerous existence all half, but went in level at half time.
The 2nd half was a slower affair with neither side really forcing the keepers into a meaningful save.
Then step up captain Sam Dreyer. The former Hampton man completed the comeback with a delightful first time effort from a Gulls corner to send the small travelling contingent into delight.
The game was interrupted by changes and the occasional injury stoppage, however 7 minutes of added time was certainly not what the Yellow Army were expecting, nor hoping! Bleeding hell!
United did well to hold out until the final minute of the game as Dover found a way through on goal, but were denied by a crucial reaction save from Hamon at close range before everyone held their breath as Dover players pleaded for a penalty in the aftermath for a shirt pull. The whistle blew. It was for full time. United from 2-0 down had won 3-2!
PLAYER RATINGS
1. HAMON – 8: Not at fault for either goal, felt his kicking was slightly off but considering the conditions maybe to be expected. Another vital save to confirm the 3 points. Well done Hammy!
3. FOULSTON – 7: Difficult start but grew into the game as it progressed.
4. DYER – 5: Hoping his early change was a precautionary one and not something more serious.
5. DREYER – 7.5: Similar to Foulston but by word this lad is mega. Took his goal so well and led the team to victory after a dreadful start. A proper captain.
26. THOMAS – 6: Outmuscled and caught napping for Hanson’s goal. Had a difficult evening but kept going.
18. WORTHINGTON – 7: Solid. Not much else to say.
20. HAYFIELD – 7.5: Set up Cody’s first goal, made some good runs.
8. YOUNG – 7.5: Didn’t quite click for Youngy but he still posed a threat. Dover had obviously studied him to not let him cut across in front of goal. Nearly got on the scoresheet but hit it just wide of the post. Subbed with 20 minutes to go.
24. LO-EVERTON – 7: Thought at the start he was outmuscled but like many, grew into the game and put some decent passes together.
23. WILSON – 6: Less effective compared to Saturday. The one real chance he got on goal he hit it weakly at the keeper. Not to be for him tonight.
9. COOKE – 8: Gutted for Bam Bam who won’t get a match ball to play with but a timely return to the scoresheet for Cody. Took both finishes very well. His equalising goal was pure filth!
Subs
16. PALMER – 8: Set up the cross for the equaliser and won the header to set up Dreyer for the winning goal. Did really well and sets up for a potential clash with Marc White’s Dorking after his “antics” in the reverse fixture. Balls to the wall!
11. MORGAN – N/A
6. SUNDIRE – N/A
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – CODY COOKE
A hard one to pick but I’ll give it to Cody. He really needed a goal and he got a brace of them. His chances were limited but he will be delighted to have broken that goalless streak since returning from injury. Let’s hope there’s plenty more to come. I still need him to beat Young’s tally to win a bet against the editor!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Quite a few here so I’ll be brief. Firstly, skipper Sam Dreyer for his superb finish and for displaying leadership above his years despite a tricky first 20 minutes.
Ed Palmer for his two assists and keeping it tight at the back in Dyer’s absence.
James Hamon for his vital stop at the end. I was critical of him a few weeks ago but his improvement from last season is clear to see. Top reaction at the end.
Yellow Army. I know most of us decided to stay at home and watch/listen from there. A huge clap to each and every single one of you who made the journey despite the terrible weather and risk of postponement for a second time. I hope you all had a safe journey home and have a well-deserved lay in!
TACTICS
4-2-3-1 we’ve come to expect with Wilson out wide on the left and Young on the right.
THE OPPOSITION
Dover have proven to be a handful side as was their performance at Plainmoor earlier in the season suggested. At their own gaff, on a pitch cutting up from the first minute, they showed us that they were not going to make life easy for us and so it proved. Like Hornchurch, they have some physicality in their squad and United failed to deal with their forward line, especially from set pieces. On another night, they probably get a point and maybe even a few more.
Well done also to the ground staff and for the club for their updates throughout the day. Lessons appear to have been learned and with the greatest respects, I hope we don’t have to make that journey again next season!
THE OFFICIALS
I thought they were fine. The ref seemed hesitant to brandish any yellow cards until about midway into the second half. I’m not sure where he got 7 minutes from and we ended up playing 9 extra which thankfully we just survived. If you are a Dover fan, you think he bottled a penalty at the end of the game, if you are a Gulls fan, you think he made the right decision. Overall, not bad.
CONCLUSION
This team has character. After 16 minutes, we all feared the worst and that the Gulls would waste the chance to build a lead at the top of the table ahead of a huge game with 2nd placed Dorking Wanderers at Plainmoor next up.
It doesn’t matter how you do it, you just have to win football matches and we did that at Crabble. On a difficult pitch, we showed what we are about and for the first time this season, the Gulls have some clear daylight at the top of the table. Of course, other sides have games in hand, but they have to win them.
As we all know, Torquay United do not do things easily. For the 5th game in a row, we conceded the first goal but we found a way to fight back and I’m sure those in the top 7 were watching on and were gutted that we managed to turn the game around.
It’s nowhere near a defining win, but it feels an important one. Well done to Paul Wotton and the lads.
With Dennis back for Dorking, it promises to be a tasty encounter.
Marc White, BOA, the Gulls are waiting!
COYY!
Tom
COYY – Tom
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