TT MATCH VERDICT
Ben Wade
Ben reports back from Plainmoor
TORQUAY UNITED 6-1 AFC STONEHAM – 19.09.2026
SUMMARY
Jimmy Ball’s men mixed up the eleven with lower league opposition AFC Stoneham coming to Plainmoor. Five changes were made with new signing Taylor Scarff, Callum Morton, Matt Jay, Dan Hayfield and Tyler Hill coming in for Sundire, Moore, Olufunwa, Roberts and the suspended Wannell.
Torquay started on the front foot with stand-in captain Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s sharp cross expertly converted into the near post by Morton. After going behind in just the 7th minute, part-time outfit AFC Stoneham rebuilt from the early goal. It was United with the vast majority of possession and quality and that pressure soon turned into a second goal. In the 36th minute, the weaker right foot of Jacob Beaumont-Clark stunningly cut inside and bent the ball into the top corner of the keeper’s net, who was rooted to his spot. Just seconds later, AFC Stoneham had their moment of joy as Scaff’s weak back pass was only cleared as far as Annetts who managed to squeeze it in and half the deficit. Morton confidently drove from inside his own half and fed through a perfect through ball for Lo-Everton to place into the corner for 3-1. The number 10’s second came moments later when Beaumont-Clark fed him from a short corner and Lo-Everton’s strike was deflected in for 4-1 at the break.
Scarff, who had been picking up knocks along the way, made way for Nash Sundire on 56 minutes, seeing Hayfield move back one into central defence. Just after the hour mark, The Gulls made a triple change with Cooke, Westendorf and Roberts replacing Jay, Finn and Morton. With slightly over 20 minutes left in the match, a clearance landed straight into the path of Lo-Everton who finished well to complete his hat-trick. It was then good to see Sean Robertson come on for Dom Bernard with Robertson finally back from a reasonably lengthy injury. A Westendorf header went down to Cody Cooke to stab home in the last minute of stoppage time to secure a 6-1 victory.
PLAYER RATINGS
1. Toby Savin – 6: Commanded his box well but maybe could’ve done better for the first goal, was stitched up a bit but it could have been a better clearance.
2. Dom Bernard – 7: Used his pace down the right-hand side supporting Beaumont-Clark and was defensively sound.
5. Taylor Scarff – 7: A decent debut for him, won plenty of duels but limped around a bit after picking up a couple of knocks.
3. Tyler Hill – 6: After a couple of unconvincing displays at centre back, he looked assured and solid today.
15. Kian Jenkins – 7: Ran up and down the whole game and provided good width to the side.
27. Matt Jay – 6: He was his busy self but struggled to impact the game at times.
20. Dan Hayfield – 7: He drove us forward and covered well. Good passing throughout the match.
24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton – 9: POTM
22. Tegan Finn – 7: Looked bright on the right but is extremely left footed making him only able to go inside.
39. Calum Morton – 8: That was his best performance in yellow and blue. Superb runs in behind using his pace and providing a quality assist as well as hard finish to start off the scoring.
11. Jacob Beaumont Clarke – 7: He was good and showed his weak foot ability but bending an outstanding strike high into the side netting for two.
Subs
6. Munashe Sundire – 6: Played in the centre and then shifted to right back after Robertson came on and did fine.
9. Cody Cooke – 7: A well taken finish, despite not being a mainstay in the lineup he now has 3 goals already this season.
27. Isaac Westendorf – 6: A nicely guided header to assist Cody and held the ball up nicely.
24. Caleb Roberts – 6: Showed his energy and dribbling on the ball.
23. Sean Robertson – 6: Great to see him back on the pitch and showed what he can do.
TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – STONEHAM (h) – TORQUAYTALK
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – SONNY BLU LO-EVERTON
This man was on fire. He provided a great cross served on a platter for Morton early on and didn’t look back. Got a bit lucky with the deflected goal but all three goals were finished off so well. His drive and vision make him such a great player for the team..
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
I have to give credit to Callum Morton was sharp and on point throughout the 63 minutes he was on the field. His movement was superb. I’ll also give a mention to debutant Taylor Scarff who was sturdy and it was a good game to get him used to his teammates.
TACTICS
It was a 4-3-3 formation on show from Jimmy ball’s team. Hayfield was the base of the midfield trip with SBLO and Jay alongside him. Cooke and Roberts came on as a like for like change. Sundire was originally in midfield but went to right back with the introduction of Robertson.
THE OPPOSITION
Let’s be fair to AFC Stoneham, they will have known they were up against it from the off. They battled hard and got their goal but we had the upper hand overall.
THE OFFICIALS
Compared to last week, the officials we a lot better. Plenty of offsides, but mostly rightly so I believe. The referee didn’t do much, if anything wrong.
CONCLUSION
For the first time in years, we are into Monday’s Third Qualifying Round draw and that’s all that matters. It was a good all-round performance and we move on. Go on, let’s have a cup run lads.
COYY – Ben
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My experience with similar pitch conditions showed a significant difference in ball roll. I noticed the wind speed affected the trajectory more than the stated conditions described. BenWade
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