TUFC 3 v 0 Welling Utd
Torquay United’s first 90 minutes of football back at Plainmoor this season ended in a 3-0 victory against Welling United in the Vanarama Conference. Goals from Ryan Bowman, Courtney Cameron and Toby Ajala gave United their first points of the season.
United manger Chris Hargreaves made one change from the side that lost 3-1 at Gateshead on Saturday by bring in Ashley Yeoman for Elliot Benyon. Krystian Pearce also found a place on the bench after his ankle injury from pre-season.
The Gulls controlled the first half for the majority of the time with Welling only having a couple of chances near the end of the half, neither effort however really testing Martin Rice in the United goal.
This new look United side took a well deserved lead after 14 minutes, when a fantastic move through the centre of the pitch via Luke Young and finally Cameron, saw the wingers final ball perfectly weighted for Bowman who rounded the oncoming Butcher in the Welling goal and slotted the ball into the empty net. A fantastic move from the United youngsters and a cool finish from the front man.
Confidence after the first goal was clear to see and a minute later Ben Harding had a strike from 25 yards, again after good work from the United midfield. The Gulls continued to create chances with Cruise, Yeoman, Briscoe and Bowman all having efforts on the Welling goal.
Hargreaves side should have got a second on 26 minutes but Bowman couldn’t convert from a couple of yards out. Another powerful driving run from Young, saw his pass find Yeoman but his effort was blocked, however the ball fell nicely to Briscoe on the edge of the box and his low strike across the six yard box was just to strong for Bowman to turn in with his defender in close attendance.
The ever impressive Young then had a direct free kick tipped over he bar by Butcher in the Welling goal, a fine save from a keeper who had been worked hard in the opening half hour. Finally Torquay managed to get the all important second goal, when Cameron was fouled near the dead ball line on the edge of the box by Fazakerley with the ref pointing to the spot. Cameron himself took the penalty and placed the ball high into the corner of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw a role reversal, with the visitors dominating possession in midfield and coming close on a number of occasions. Healy (47), Marsh (51) and Fazakerley (62) seeing his right footed strike hit the foot of the post.
With United seemingly still in the changing room during those shaky moments at the start of the half, if was surprising that they managed to get the third goal that all but ended the game as a contest. United substitute Toby Ajala saw the ball fortunately find him inside the box after a rebounded from a tackle on the lively Bowman. Ajala was alert but still had a bit of work to do guiding the ball over the on coming keeper and into the net, a goal that was harsh on the Welling side but well taken from the United player.
Welling never gave up and kept coming, United had Rice to thank for their clean sheet after making two quick fire saves with moments to go in the game. First from a free kick from Fyfeild low to his left, then from Ouani on 90 minutes, this one was well saved from point blank range from the edge of the six yard box.
United’s Manager was happy with his sides display, “we produced a solid performance and scored 3 goals, giving some players the confidence boost they needed, so the squad can feel very proud of themselves and kick on this Saturday against Southport”.
Torquay came through the game with no injury worries and with the return of Pearce to come, the starting options for Hargreaves are growing giving the manager a nice headache at the start of a long season.
TUFC: Rice, Tonge, Cruise, MacDonald, Downs, Briscoe (Ajala 61), Harding, Young (Capt), Cameron, Yeoman (Ofori-Acheanpong 69), Bowman
Subs Not Used: Seabright, Richards, Pearce
Welling Utd: Butcher, Frzakerley, Jefford, Fyfield, Bush, Healy, Beautyman, Gallagher (Capt), Young (Ouani 67), Marsh, Obafemi
Subs Not Used: Turner, Gorman, Williams, Day
Referee: Richard Martin
Attendance: 1,895 (49 Away)
