TT REVIEW

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris reports back from Tonbridge

TONBRIDGE ANGELS 1-2 TORQUAY UNITED – 25.04.2026

SUMMARY

The Yellows arrived in scorching hot Kent with one clear aim: get the three points needed to secure a play off place. Our destiny was in our hands.

Manager Jimmy Ball made three changes with Charlie Osborne, Matt Jay and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton coming into the team for the rotated Will Tizzard and the injured top scoring duo of Louis Dennis and Jordan Young. Jay started on the right of the attacking group and with Lo-Everton in behind.

The first half was hat can only be described as low key. United stopper Seb Stacey made one sharp save low down to his right, but it was the Yellows that caried more purpose and quality without being able to produce the final ball. Dylan Morgan had one shot blocked, and Dan Hayfield slid one lovely ball across the six yard line where there were no takers for a tap in. The heat was taking it’s tole and half time arrived.

But Torquay came out with more intensity after the break hassling and closing down far quicker. And the breakthrough came on the hour from a right winger corner. For the first time that I can recall, TorquayTalk sponsored Jay Foulston took on corner duties and swung a wonderful ball to the back post. The goalkeeper chose to stay at home, and big centre forward Deon Moore rose highest to nod over the line from a few yards out. The Torquay fans behind the goal, who were exceptional in their numbers, their volume and their pint consumption went wild.

And they had more to celebrate within 90 seconds, when a neat move down the left involve the excellent Matt Worthington and Jay Foulston released Morgan. A neat flick to control the ball and driver inside the bemused full back opened up the chance, and he wonderfully used the defender to hide the ball from the keeper and curl it beyond him and into the bottom left hand corner. It’s becoming his trade mark and man it works.

That you hoped would be that. But this is Torquay United, so obviously within six minutes the lively Oluwabunmi Babajide smashed a wonderful strike inside Stacey’s left post. We need to look at that, as it was very similar to Hemel Hempstead’s winner last weekend, where it felt like we were too slow to get out and close the space for the shot. But the hit was great. That led to some territory and some pressure, but Tonbridge lacked the incision to made a further blow to our play off hopes. Stacey did make one sharp reaction save after the referee had oddly blocked a yellow shirt form getting to the ball and didn’t stop play. United made a series of substitutions to freshen up the team in a boiling hot day, but after several stoppages and six minutes of added time, it was full time. And job done.

PLAYER RATINGS

15. STACEY – 7: After a shaky performance last week, he was much more assured and his handling was spot on.

3. FOULSTON – 7: Solid at the back and two assists for the goals. I would like to see him further forward at times, as he has such quality in the left foot.

23. OSBORNE – 6: Selected for a full Torquay debut in such a big game, he didn’t let anybody down.

4. DYER – 7: Not the toughest assignment of the season, but bar one missed placed pass in the first half, his usual dependable self.

5. DREYER – 7: Usual Sam Dreyer. Was physical, won his headers and gave the air of assurance that you need in a big game.

20. HAYFIELD – 7: Tough day for his role in the side to run and run in that heat. But he gave it everything and will be key next week.

18. WORTHINGTON – 8: Player of the Match. See below.

27. JAY – 6: Playing on the right isn’t his best position, but he got into some space at times.

11. MORGAN – 7: Always a danger with his direct style. Ran at them and produced a glorious finish for the second goal.

24. EVERTON – 7: Restored to the starting eleven, he got on the ball and moved with it well. He gets us up the pitch

19. MOORE – 7: Tough gig up front on his own in the heat but kept going and was strong for his goal. 4 in 3 now.

Subs

22. EVANS – 6: Ran and ran and closed the space when he came in.

28. TIZZARD – 6: Was up for the battle and stayed in defensive shape when he came on.

6. SUNDIRE – 6: Great to see him back on the pitch and chased and hustled well.

26. THOMAS – 6: Came on to stiffen up the right hand side. Also professional in the closing stages in winding the clock down.

10. DOLAN – 6: Always a threat and was physical in a couple of key challanges.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – MATT WORTHINGTON

Close call with Morgan but I thought his leadership and drive just tipped it. He was absolutely everywhere going both ways, and that wasn’t easy in that heat. He kept running, talking and chase to the very last. Whilst clearly not an ideal first season in yellow, he has really stepped forward since his suspension in recent weeks.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Dylan Morgan gets an honorable mention. It was a day where everybody did their job affectively, but his pace and direct running is always a danger. And he has really added a clinical edge in recent weeks, and another smartly taken goal.

TACTICS

It was the usual 4-2-3-1 from Jimmy, and everybody knew their job. The wide players impacted the game in the second half, and the changes off the bench stiffened us up. It became more 4-1-4-1 when Jordan Thomas was introduced.

THE OPPOSITION

It was my first visit and what a welcoming club. They ran the day well and everybody was really great. On the pitch they were organised and solid, and it’s clear to see how they have secured another season at the level finishing 14th. They will be hoping to kick on next season.

THE OFFICIALS

Not much to say really. No huge decisions, did what he needed too and apart from blocking a United player off the ball and not stopping play once, a solid performance.

CONCLUSION

Job done. United knew going into the game that three points secured a play off place, and they sure did. Results elsewhere secured a home semi-final, which could be key. It’s onto Plainmoor next Saturday. Get your tickets!