TT REVIEW

Tom Beddows – @BeddowsTom

Tom reports back on another defeat for the Gulls

EBBSFLEET 3-0 TORQUAY UNITED – 07.03.2026

SUMMARY

A grey drizzly day in Kent epitomised the feeling of what it is to be a Torquay United supporter over the last 4/5 weeks.

Almost 250 supporters turned up in hope rather than expectation of seeing United bring their misfortunes of the last month to an end. Unfortunately, the severely depleted Gulls again saw defeat on the road for the fourth game in a row.

The first half started relatively uneventfully with the ‘Fleet being on top and seeing more opportunity in front of goal.

It took until the 30th minute for the hosts to find the lead, a cross into the box found its way to Samuel who fired it back across and into the back of the net.

United never really stepped into the game after that point and we went into the break 1-0 down.

The second half didn’t really see United make any impression on the pitch and Ebbsfleet saw themselves 2-0 up just before the hour mark.

After the ball flew across the pitch and back into the box, Appiah found himself in front of goal and fired home from close range.

United now looking in desperate need of some guidance and leadership from the sidelines and on the pitch.

Cue Matt Worthington. Who decided that a risky and late challenge was the appropriate action to take, giving the referee no choice but to show red and ensure that MW sits the next three games out.

The game was over at this point and although United had a couple of attempts further forward nothing they could do would fall in their favour.

Ten minutes before the end, another ball across goal, saw Hamon firstly parry it away only for an unmarked Ebbsfleet man at the far corner to slide it home.

3-0 and another desperate afternoon for the Gulls.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 5

3. FOULSTON – 5

16. PALMER- 5

28. TIZZARD – 4

6. SUNDIRE – 4

18. WORTHINGTON – 3

20. HAYFIELD – 5

27. JAY – 6

24. LO-EVERTON – 6

8. YOUNG – 5

7. DENNIS – 5

Subs

11. MORGAN – 4

23. WILSON – 4

17. FISH – 4

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – SONNY BLU LO-EVERTON

Tough to pick in all honesty. Lo-Everton, for again being persistent and fighting for every ball and chance.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

250 Yellows who trekked across country again, in hopeful spirit. We may do this out of habit and loyalty, but to continue to take such numbers after this appalling recent form is applaudable.

TACTICS

THE OPPOSITION

Ebbsfleet did what they needed and should have done against a poor, depleted and out of form Torquay. They’re not world beaters and definitely didn’t play us off the park like Chelmsford did last weekend. Had we had a fully fit squad, the result wouldn’t have been what we saw today.. If we are to stay in the playoffs and potentially meet them again, then we’ll need to be a whole lot better in the coming weeks.

THE OFFICIALS

An average set of officials, no huge errors on their part and in the moment you can see why the red card for Worthington was given.

CONCLUSION

Astounded by the performance of the last 5 weeks since Hornchurch away, as we all are.

The squad is threadbare and without any reinforcement expected, I don’t see it getting any better until our injured players are able to return.

It may be too little and too late by that point and could come down to the lottery of (potentially) 3 playoff games. Even then, we are a team bereft of confidence, belief and inspiration, it is now a sad ending to a season that should really have been so much better.

The only thing the Yellow Army can do is remain optimistic and hopeful that we can turn this around and build some momentum before the defining weeks in April/May.