TT REVIEW

Steve reports back from Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED 4-1 BATH CITY – 06.04.2026

SUMMARY

It was the Dylan Morgan show for Torquay United on Easter Bank Holiday at Plainmoor as the Gulls’ winger netted a hat-trick in United’s comfortable win over Bath City.

Morgan’s haul now takes his tally for the season to 11 as United made it three straight wins for the first time since late January-early February to move up to third in the table.

Gulls’ manager Jimmy Ball made four changes to the side that triumphed 3-0 at Weston Super Mare on Good Friday, which saw Morgan, James Hamon, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Louis Dennis return to the starting line-up. There were also a number of old boys featuring for both sides as United’s Jordan Dyer and Dan Hayfield lined up against their former club, whilst Will Jenkins Davies and Ollie Tomlinson did the same for the Romans.

Jenkins Davies’ afternoon unfortunately proved to be short lived as he went off injured after four minutes to be replaced by Reubin Shepherd. The Gulls were in front on 11 minutes after right-back Will Tizzard’s ball into the midfield found Reading loanee Reece Evans, who then ran at the Bath defence and found the back of the net with a shot from the edge of the area that took a deflection before flying past Romans’ keeper Charlie Binns – as he scored his first goal for the club.

Eight minutes later, Bath equalised when Ruben Alves intercepted a loose ball from United skipper Matt Worthington before finding the target from 20 yards. The Gulls later had a penalty shout turned down for an alleged hand ball in the box, after a Louis Dennis shot, which saw Morgan booked for dissent.

In the 34th minute, United restored their lead when Lo-Everton played a corner short to Morgan, who played a neat one-two with Worthington before his cross evaded everyone in the box before nestling into the top corner.

Three minutes after the re-start, United added a third when Jay Foulston won a challenge on the left-hand side and fed Morgan, who raced down the wing before cutting inside to fire past Binns with a right-footed strike. The ball took his tally for the season into double figures. On 56 minutes, Jimmy Ball made his first changes of the afternoon when Charlie Osborne replaced Tizzard and Deon Moore entered the fray in place of Evans.

Three minutes later, the Gulls made it four for the afternoon when Worthington played a ball down the right which picked out Moore, and his cross found Hayfield who saw his shot blocked before the rebound fell invitingly to Morgan who fired home to complete his treble.

United had further chances to add to their tally as sub Callum Dolan hit the post on 73 minutes, fellow sub Matt Jay headed wide in the 79th minute and Moore hit the side netting on 88 minutes, as United sealed their first straight win.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. HAMON – 7

3. FOULSTON – 8

28. TIZZARD – 7

4. DYER – 8

5. DREYER – 8

20. HAYFIELD – 7

24. LO-EVERTON – 6.5

18. WORTHINGTON – 7.5

11. MORGAN – 9

7. DENNIS – 6.5

22. EVANS – 7.5

Subs

10. DOLAN – 7

19. MOORE – 7

23. OSBORNE – 6

27. JAY – 6.5

14. CARSON – 6.5

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – DYLAN MORGAN

Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball said that Dylan Morgan should be on more goals when he netted his eighth of the campaign against Horsham. He now finds himself on double figures after netting a hat-trick against Bath City, which takes his tally for the season to 11 goals – four behind joint-leading scorers Jordan Young and Louis Dennis. The question is, how many more can he score between now and the end of the season?

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer looked solid at the back and skipper Matt Worthington played a key role in the build up to Morgan’s first and third goals. Reading loanee Reece Evans took his goal well as he opened his account for the club and Jay Foulston played an important part in the build up to Morgan’s second.

TACTICS

Jimmy Ball stuck with the tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, which saw Lo-Everton on the right and Morgan on the left. Dennis returned to the side as a number ten – just behind Reece Evans.

THE OPPOSITION

Bath matched up with the Gulls with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with leading scorer Will Jenkins Davies playing just behind the front man until his early withdrawal, which will be a blow to their survival prospects.

THE OFFICIALS

Generally ok, although there were one or two fouls that he blew up for in the first half which I thought were a bit on the harsh side.

CONCLUSION

Momentum is the key for United as they enter the final strait of the 2025-26 National League South campaign.

The Gulls are currently unbeaten in four, a run that includes three wins and a draw, and are four points behind new leaders Worthing, who beat Dorking Wanderers to claim top spot.

With just three games to go, there is all to play for and we will have to see where we end up when the final whistle blows on the last day of the season against Tonbridge Angels.