TT MATCH VERDICT

Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc

Tom reports back from the FA Trophy defeat

HORSHAM 1-0 TORQUAY UNITED – 14.11.2026

SUMMARY

I’ll keep this brief, about as brief as our exploits in this season’s FA Trophy and i’ll also do my best to take this article seriously, unlike Jimmy Ball and his views of the competition as a whole.

Torquay unsurprisingly following the managers comment in the presser, made sweeping changes to the team, six in total, seeing young Zak Baker receive his first professional start for the club ahead of Toby Savin.

Cody Cooke, Sonny Blu, Angelo Cappello, Sean Robertson and Caleb Roberts all started, replacing Toby Savin, Jacob Beaumont-Clark, Matt Worthington, Tegan Finn, Matt Jay and Callum Morton as the Gull’s bid for Wembley got underway in West Sussex.

It started alright, in the opening moments, Bernard hit his shot into the ground from the edge of the box. That was as close as Torquay got in the first half.

Horsham dominated the half, with Baker scrambling across goal as the Hornet’s first effort on goal went just wide.

Heston Cook then nearly scored from the halfway line, seeing his effort go just wide.

Torquay couldn’t get anything going and midway through the first half, were once again the masters of their own downfall, Caleb Roberts gave away possession in the Gulls half, before making a weak efforted tackle in the box and conceding a penalty. No complaints.

Hammond made no mistake and sent Baker the wrong way for 1-0.

Horsham were finding gaps everywhere and Torquay can thank their lucky stars that we weren’t punished further.

Horsham hit the bar twice in a matter of seconds as two crosses across goal rebounded off the bar.

United were on the ropes as Torquay made it to half time fortunate to only be 1-0 down.

Within minutes of the second half, Jimmy made three changes, introducing Worthington, JBC & Finn for Cappello, Roberts and Robertson.

Whilst United were seeing more of the ball, Horsham created two great chances to extend their lead with Hammond flicking an effort well wide from a cross before Baker gathered a close range effort from Yila.

Jay and Morton joined the fray midway into the second half and it was only until their introductions that Torquay began to shot at goal. Matt Jay stung the palms of Howes in goal, hitting a thunderous effort from just outside the box before Dan Hayfield rattled the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the box, bouncing away from goal and cleared away.

It wasn’t going to be our day and despite having much of the ball in the second half, United could not find a way through.

PLAYER RATINGS

I won’t bore you with a detailed review but here are the ones I thought did well and those who didn’t have the best of afternoons.

Zak Baker : 7 – Did well on his first start. Looked confident, made some good saves.

Harry Shield: 6 – Difficult first half but things started to happen when he pressed forward in the second half. The introduction of Tegan Finn helped him.

Tegan Finn: 6 – Came on and exploited gaps, unfortunately no one seemed to gamble from his crosses into the box.

Roberts: 3 – Not a great afternoon for Caleb. Gave away the ball and the penalty which ultimately cost us the game. Had a torrid time against a pacy and strong Horsham attack.

Robertson: 4 – Nothing seemed to stick for him. Gave away possession too frequently.

Cappello: 4 – Tried hard but wasn’t strong enough for me. Maybe it isn’t a surprise to see all three replaced early doors into the second half.

TUFC PLAYER RATINGS VOTE – Horsham (a) – TORQUAYTALK

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Jay and Hayfield for not being afraid to have a shot on goal. Hayfield was desperately unlucky to see his effort smash the underside of the crossbar & Jay’s effort although straight at the keeper, gave us something to get behind.

TACTICS

THE OPPOSITION

Horsham always impress me when I watch them. They did the basics well, made us chase shadows for long periods of the game and honestly, they created more chances at goal than we did. Dominic Di Paola is one of the most respected managers in non league football and has done such a great job in taking Horsham from the County Leagues to the National League South. If you search for a well run non league club, you’ll find Horsham. They were better than us in all aspects. They took it seriously.

THE OFFICIALS

Can’t really say much to be honest. Got the penalty call right. We’ll encounter far worse this season.

CONCLUSION

Well, that was crap. I feel for those who made the journey to West Sussex. I’m sure Jimmy’s comments in the presser made the decision to stay at home an easy one. It reflected in the performance.

Despite claims that our second half performance was “really really good” and the fact that we “kept a clean sheet in open play”, it truly was another disappointing display for a football club now left with a promotion challenge on the edge.

I accept that the league is and should always be the priority, but not for the first time this season, Torquay have travelled away from home and not put in a performance worthy of victory. Two shots on target, more atrocious set pieces, dreadful defensive mistakes and some interesting comments after the game from the gaffer quite honestly left me feeling sour.

And with that, the Gull’s FA Trophy run is over once again at the first hurdle. Mark your Christmas shopping for December 12^th everyone. It’s another Saturday off without football.

Oh Torquay I promise I do love you!