TT MATCH VERDICT

Danny Burnell

Danny reports back from Maidenhead

MAIDENHEAD 0-4 TORQUAY UNITED – 08.09.2026

SUMMARY

Comfortable and Torquay are words very rarely used in the same sentence, but Tuesday evening in Berkshire was exactly that, as United ran out comprehensive 0-4 winners and made it back to back wins in the process.

Ball opted for a return to the 3 big men up top approach, with Cooke being flanked by Moore & Morton, the impressive Beaumont-Clarke & Cappello dropping down to the bench. Skipper Worthington was missing through injury, with his place being taken by new loanee Caleb Roberts. There was also a start for new signing Olufunwa who slotted in alongside Wannell at the back, in place of Jenkins.

United started the brighter of the two teams, but chances were limited at either end. But the game was just 12 minutes old when Magpie’s left back Ragguette made a rash challenge on the impressive Caleb Roberts which resulted in red, and rightly so. Fortunately the Plymouth loanee was able to shake it off and started to the run the show, alongside his midfield partner, Lo-Everton.

Moore was the first Torquay player to have the ball in the net, but was adjudged to be offside, after a mistake at the back for the home side. United continued to press but couldn’t make the pressure count as countless times they entered the final third to no avail. Moore did latch onto a Tyler Hill cross shortly before the break but again was ruled offside, much to the anger of the Yellow Army which clearly shows the United forward level with the Maidenhead back-line. As it was, the Gull’s couldn’t make the man advantage count, and went into the changing rooms level. 0-0.

Three red’s in 7 and a half games wasn’t enough for the home side, so they duly made it 4 just 2 minutes into the second 45, as Magpie’s defender Abbott hauled down Cappello just outside the box to earn himself his second yellow. United smelt blood and went for the kill.

Luckily for the Yellow faithful, the deadlock didn’t take long to break, as 7 minutes after the dismissal, Cappello found room to cross from the left. Moore nodded down to Cooke who slotted in from 6 yards to score his second of the season. Nerves settled, now it was just a case of how many United wanted to score. 0-1.

The recently introduced Finn, replacing his Plymouth team mate, was excellent throughout, and terrorised a increasingly despondent Maidenhead defence. Cappello was equally a threat until his injury half way through the half.

United soon made it 2 via a lovely Lo-Everton curler from just outside the box. With all the time in the world, he was able to place his shot with pinpoint accuracy and give the Gulls a much needed cushion going into the final quarter of the game. 0-2.

Cooke had the ball in the back of the net once more, but for the third time, was ruled out for offside. It mattered little though as the final ten minutes yielded two more for the Yellows. Firstly, lovely work from Finn saw his cross deflect to Dan Hayfield who made no mistake sliding in for number 3. Then just as the clock struck 89, Finn got his just rewards for a fine display by making it 4 with a precision left foot shot from 18 yards out. 0-4.

The game fizzled out with zero threat from the home side. Only a late Pendlebury shot which whistled just past the post was made to make Savin get off his deckchair, but as the final whistle blew, it was job done for United, and 3 points returning to Devon.

PLAYER RATINGS

1. ‎Toby Savin – 6: Will not have an easier game all season. One save to make in the first half, but other than that, a virtual spectator throughout.

2. Dom Bernard – 6: Saw plenty of the ball down the right, and got into some promising positions.

21. Oludare Olufunwa – 7: Solid display from the new signing. Albeit didn’t have a lot to do, but what he did have to do, did well. Didn’t put a foot wrong.

16. Jake Wannell – 6: Booked early in the game, and had to be careful throughout. Ref eager to level the game up. Did what was needed against a limited attack.

3. Tyler Hill – 6: As per Bernard, saw plenty of the ball, and got into some advanced positions. Unlucky not to register his first assist of the campaign.

6. Munashe Sundire – 7: A typical Sundire performance which saw him break the play up when needed. Passing a bit astray, but helped United settle into a rhythm.

24. Caleb Roberts – 8: Really good debut from the Plymouth youngster. Strode forward with purpose and was not shy in receiving the ball. Could be a real asset.

24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton – 8: A solid SBLE performance. Kept the game ticking over, and scored a neat goal to boot.

9. Cody Cooke – 7: Workmanlike performance from the Mortgage man. Battled well and took his goal nicely at a time of need.

19. Deon Moore – 7: Unlucky to not get on the scoresheet, but pleasing he is getting into those positions. Gave the defence a run around at times.

39. Callum Morton – 6: Not really his night before being hooked at HT for Cappello.

Subs

27. Matt Jay – 7: Saw a lot of the ball in an increasingly sparse midfield left by the Maidenhead side. Kept the game ticking over and always looked for the killer ball.

11. Jacob Beaumont Clarke – 6: Late sub for SBLE. A couple of half chances as he cut in from the left.

20. Dan Hayfield – 7: Dosn’t score many, but he’ll be glad to add to his tally. Came on and comfortably slotted into the routine.

17. Angelo Cappello – 6: The sub was subbed due to injury in probably the only negative of the night. Looked lively when on the ball.

22. Tegan Finn – 8: A nervy opening 5 minutes as he tried to impose himself, but simply superb thereafter. A constant threat and a delightful debut goal. Goal and assist on debut.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Maidenhead (a) – TORQUAYTALK

PLAYERS OF THE MATCH – CALEB ROBERTS/FINN TEGAN

I couldn’t split the two, and having played a half each, I think their contributions are worthy of a joint MOTM. Caleb looked assured throughout and dictated the tempo well, whilst Finn was troublesome on the right hand side for their defenders. Hopefully they can carry that form onto a much tougher test come Saturday.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

It was a night where you could be comfortable. New signing Olufunwa looked assured without being tested, SBLE does what he does and Cooke continues to prove he’s more than a bit-part player. A good team performance all round, and i’m sure a very happy, alebit late, coach ride home.

TACTICS

A return of the 3 striker brigade didn’t bring much joy in the first half, but the introduction of pace and flair, combined with Maidenhead’s recklessness allowed United to play with freedom and eventually put the game beyond any doubt.

There was little reason to retain 4 defenders on the pitch. The introduction of Jay for Hill early in the second half allowed United to camp further into the Magpie’s half.

THE OPPOSITION

We love a bit of York Road don’t we. That’s four wins on the trot at their place and an impressive 13 goal haul!

Hard to judge a team that played 77 minutes with 10 men, and the complete second half with 9. Looked semi-threatening down the flanks in the early exchanges but Savin really only had one save of note to make. That’s 4 reds for them in just 8 matches, but according to their commentators, they havn’t got a discipline issue. Might want to check that one lads. Gifted us 3 points on a plate this evening.

THE OFFICIALS

Baffling decisions quite frankly. Got the red’s spot on in fairness, but questionable throughout the match. Lino had a shocker with the second Deon goal, was miles on as the pictures from social media will tell you. Thankfully, it mattered not.

CONCLUSION

The Cooke goal shortly after the second sending off settled the nerves. The longer that game went on without a goal, the more nerves and frustration that would have crept in. But the Gulls remained professional, and saw it out convincingly without as much as a scare. 7 goals in 180 minutes of football is a pleasing return after very early season concerns, and a continuation of that on Saturday will be most welcome for the Yellow Army. It gets tougher as Marc White rocks up to town, but with confidence restored, and goals flowing, there’s no reason to fear a promotion rival.