TT REVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve reports on United’s Pre-Season friendly

TUFC 2-1 EXETER CITY – 31.07.2026

SUMMARY

As the curtain came down on Torquay United’s 2026-27 campaign against a youthful Exeter City side at Plainmoor, the Gulls certainly gave manager Jimmy Ball plenty of food for thought as they won to claim local bragging rights.

Deon Moore opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Isaac Westendorf added a second, with the Grecians replying through former Gulls loanee Kieran Wilson. However, the United held on to win, but the question of who passed the audition for a starting berth on the opening day against Horsham will remain unanswered for now.

Ball made five changes to the side that started their 5-0 win over Cardiff City’s Under-21s, as Dom Bernard, Jake Wannell, Monashe Sundire, Isaac Westendorf and Dylan Morgan all returned to the starting line-up.

After a frenetic start to the game, the Gulls carved out the first chance of the game in the 11th minute, as skipper Matt Worthington forced a save from Exeter keeper Frankie Phillips with a low angled drive.

Two minutes later, Dylan Morgan and Moore both saw shots blocked before United were awarded a penalty on 14 minutes following a foul on Jordan Young. Moore then stepped up to take the spot-kick and Phillips the wrong way.

Play was then briefly held up whilst the stewards removed a flare which had been thrown onto the pitch. Phillips, who spent last season on loan at Taunton Town and Plymouth Parkway, was proving to be the busier of the two goalkeepers and he called into action again in the 20th minute as he produced a one-handed save to deny Morgan.

Four minutes later, he made a routine save to deny Moore a brace after the Gulls striker had latched onto a ball over the top from Bernard. A minute later, United doubled their lead when Westendorf found the back of the net with a shot on the turn after good work from Moore to tee him up.

On 29 minutes, Morgan hit the side netting following good build up play involving Sundire and Westendorf as the Gulls continued to dominate the proceedings. The Grecians mustered their first serious shot at goal in the 31st minute when Josh Gordon forced a corner with a shot from a tight angle.

A minute before the half-time interval, they managed to pull one back as Wilson, who had a spell on loan at Plainmoor, nicked the ball off United keeper Toby Savin before firing home from close range.

In the second half, the Grecians enjoyed a promising spell before the Gulls came close to restoring their two-goal cushion on 55 minutes when Young curled from the edge of the penalty area over the bar. On 58 minutes, Ball rung the first of his changes as Morgan and Sam

Dreyer were replaced by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Jordan Dyer. Dyer almost made an immediate impact four minutes after coming on as he connected with a free kick from Young, but was denied by a save from Phillips.

Ball made two further changes in the 65th minute as Savin and Westendorf made way for Zak Baker and Callum Morton. Baker was called into action within two minutes of entering the fray as he made a smart save to keep the Grecians at bay.

On 69 minutes, Ball made a quadruple change as Trialist A, Kian Jenkins, Dan Hayfield and Matt Jay entered the fray in place of Bernard, Tyler Hill, Sundire and Young. Jay nearly made an instant impression a minute after coming on, as he combined well with Morton before firing straight at Phillips. In the 72nd minute, Gordon went close for the Grecians as he forced a routine save from Baker.

Morton and Worthington both threatened for United before Ball made his final change of the night as he introduced Cody Cooke for his second appearance since his return from injury in place of Deon Moore, who worked tirelessly all night, on 79 minutes.

The Grecians thought they had found an equaliser in the 82nd minute through Wilson, but it was ruled out for offside. With six minutes to go, Phillips was called into action yet again as he turned a shot from Jay around the post for a corner.

The final action of the game saw Grecians youngster Louis Cayless blasted a free-kick wide, as the Gulls secured a hard-fought victory.

Torquay (4-4-2): Toby Savin (Zak Baker 65); Dom Bernard (Trialist A 69), Sam Dreyer (Jordan Dyer 57), Jake Wannell, Tyler Hill (Kian Jenkins 69): Jordan Young (Matt Jay 69), Monashe Sundire (Dan Hayfield 69), Matt Worthington, Dylan Morgan (Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 57); Isaac Westendorf (Callum Morton 65), Deon Moore (Cody Cooke 79)

Star man: Isaac Westendorf – His pace and presence caused a lot of problems to the Exeter defence and took his goal well in the 25th minute. Honourable mentions to Deon Moore, Matt Worthington, Dylan Morgan and Dom Bernard.

Conclusion: United ended their pre-season campaign on a high and all eyes are now on the opening day of the 2026-27 season against Horsham. In what was the player’s final chance to impress Jimmy Ball and his assistant Darren Way, every player staked their claim in what was their last chance to impress Ball in a competitive match situation.