TT REVIEW

Ben Wade

Ben reports on the draw at Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 1-1 MAIDENHEAD UNITED – 14.02.2026

SUMMARY

Dylan Morgan and Louis Dennis replaced Kieran Wilson and Cody Cooke from the tame Chippenham midweek defeat, as United looked to retain their position at the top of the table. Maidenhead United made the journey down to Plainmoor as the Yellow Army returned to see their first home game in four weeks.

The home side started on top mainly but the first 20 minutes saw few scoring opportunities despite controlling general play. Lo-Everton was operating in the number 10 role and had began to pose the visitors a threat when a flowing team move opened up the Magpies. A neat bit of playing out from the back gave Worthington the chance to play a nice ball down the line to Lo-Everton which was coolly dummied by Young. Sonny Blu used his skill to find space for a far bottom corner finish from an acute angle. This deserved goal put the Gulls in front at the break and it felt like the hard work had paid off.

Dylan Morgan had a huge chance saved by the keeper just minutes into the second half. The Magpies started brightly though, and a swift counter attack saw a free kick awarded 20 yards from goal just seconds after a TUFC corner. This was nonchalantly dispatched with the free kick being chipped into the bottom corner by ex-Torquay forward Josh Umerah.

This goal just seven minutes after half time gave Maidenhead belief and they continued to trouble the United rearguard with numerous promising counter attacks. Kieran Wilson replaced battling Nash Sundire on 61 minutes seeing Louis Dennis drop deeper and Lo-Everton slotting into central midfield. This change gave TUFC hope with more pacey attacking threat on the pitch. Wilson did not impact the game up front though and Cooke may have been a better physical option.

Matt Jay came on for Dylan Morgan in the 67^th minute seeing Dennis move again onto the left wing. Then, with 20 minutes of action left, a beautiful sequence of passes saw Dennis be rolled in and moving away from the defender. The Maidenhead centre back looked to have tripped Louis Dennis when through on goal, but the referee didn’t gave a penalty or potential DOGSO. In fact, the confident referee went the other way giving a free kick and booking for simulation to Dennis. This enraged the majority of the over 3000 crowd and heightened the atmosphere for the remaining minutes, but no-one was able to convert a chance at the end and the spoils were shared at full time.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 6: Made a couple of decent stops but questionable that he didn’t get closer to the equalising free kick.

3. FOULSTON – 7: He was solid as usual and had quite a good game.

18. WORTHINGTON – 7: It is intriguing why he gets picked at right back over Thomas but he did a good job.

16. PALMER – 7: Very sturdy performance and he seamlessly slotted into Dyer’s role.

5. DREYER – 7: Every game he gets at least a 7 as he never makes errors and wins lots of balls.

6. SUNDIRE – 6: He has been great since coming into the side but was quiet for the hour he played.

24. LO-EVERTON – 7: He is a transformed player in the number 10 role which frees him up and his goal was nice.

20. HAYFIELD – 8: POTM See Below

7. DENNIS – 6: Didn’t win many balls but played decently, should’ve won a penalty also.

8. YOUNG – 6: He got a knock early on and struggled to conjure up a quality moment.

11. MORGAN – 6: Did fine but had a one on one saved, if that goes in then the game is won.

Subs

23. WILSON – 5: He is not physical enough as a number 9.

27. JAY – 6: Impacted the game with some smart touches and movement.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – DAN HAYFIELD

My Player of the Match award goes to Dan Hayfield. He is often perceived as a simple, hard working box-to-box midfielder but today he definitely stood out. His passing and dribbling was neat and he should have won a free kick at the end which the referee didn’t give, again.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Sam Dreyer get my honourable mentions. Lo-Everton had a good display and scored the tidy goal. Captain Dreyer was a commanding force at the back as per usual.

TACTICS

United lined up in the normal 4.2.3.1 formation with Dennis through the middle, Lo-Everton in behind and Worthington at right back.

THE OPPOSITION

Maidenhead were ok and were very direct. They were also will be delighted for the point, and van Stappershoef in goal made some very good blocks. A decent free kick from Josh Umerah.