TT BLOG
Steve Harris – @steveharris84
Buckland Athletic 0-6 Torquay United – 4th July 2026
Torquay United’s annual pre-season friendly with Buckland Athletic ended with the Gulls hitting their Western League Premier opponents for six. Manager Jimmy Ball fielded virtually two different starting XIs in each half, with all of United’s summer signings featuring.
FIRST HALF
The Gulls were in front in the fifth minute when striker Isaac Westendorf raced clear of the Buckland defence and rounded Buckland keeper Michael Searle before firing into an empty net. Westendorf’s pace caused plenty of problems for the Buckland backline and he later made another dangerous run which saw him collide with the perimeter fence behind the goal. Thankfully, he rose to his feet quickly and was able to continue.
In the 21st minute, Dylan Morgan doubled the Gulls’ lead when he cut inside onto his right foot and found the top corner from distance. Moments later, the hosts were awarded a penalty when striker Toby Pullman was adjudged to have been upended in the box. Pullman’s strike partner Ryan Bush stepped up to take the spot-kick, but new goalkeeper Zak Baker guessed its direction correctly to save it.
First half XI (4-2-3-1): Zak Baker; Jordan Thomas, Sam Dreyer, Jake Wannell, Trialist A; Dan Hayfield, Matt Worthington; Sean Robertson (Fin Herbert), Louis Dennis, Dylan Morgan; Isaac Westendorf
SECOND HALF
After making wholesale changes at the break, and it was the returning Callum Morton who scored United’s third when he struck from 20 yards in his first ever senior start for his hometown club on 56 minutes. Youth team starlet Jonah Shaw was then introduced and he scored a quick-fire brace, as he scored in the 66th and 73rd minutes to extend United’s lead to five.
In the 77th minute, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton received the ball inside the penalty area before finding the back of the net from 12 yards to make it six for the Gulls to round off a convincing display.
Second half XI (4-2-3-1): Toby Savin; Dom Bernard, Jordan Dyer, Tyler Hill, Kian Jenkins; Trialist B, Monashe Sundire; Trialist A (Jonah Shaw), Sonny Blu Lo Everton, Matt Jay; Callum Morton
Star man: Isaac Westendorf (first half) and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (second half)
New signings watch:
All nine of Jimmy Ball’s new summer signings featured in the match, four in the first half and five in the second.
Isaac Westendorf opened the scoring for the Gulls and his pace asked a lot of questions from the Buckland back line. Goalkeeper Zak Baker saved a penalty from Buckland’s Ryan Bush while Sean Robertson made a couple of dangerous runs. Central defender Jake Wannell slotted in at centre back alongside Sam Dreyer and was a vocal commanding presence.
In the second half, former Gulls academy prospect and life-long fan Callum Morton scored his ever goal for the club on 56 minutes and looked a threat throughout the second half. Goalkeeper Toby Savin commanded his area well and Dom Bernard made a good impression at right-back. Tyler Hill and Kian Jenkins looked solid on the left-hand side of defence.
In all in all, it was a good work out for the Gulls as they continue their preparations for the 2026-27 season.
COYY – Steve
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