United beaten in final pre-season game

Pre-season is done and dusted for Torquay United, and now the real stuff begins with a trip to Dover Athletic on Saturday to kick-off the National League South campaign.

The Gulls went down to a 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton B in their final friendly, as the talented young visitors produced some expansive football to lead with a double from Princewill Ehibhatiomhan.

United fought back after the break and Brad Ash, who was has been excellent in pre-season, added another goal to his tally, nodding home from close range. Tyler Dibling responded with a decisive third for Southampton but still a fine work-out for the Gulls.

“It was a different test,” said United manager Gary Johnson. “They were a good footballing team, with good movement and a youthful game of passing and moving.

“They had a few chances when they were in our box but we did create chances as well. We’ve had some tough games in the past few weeks and we’ll learn from them. There won’t be many Conference South teams that can play like Southampton.”

Despite this reverse, United can reflect on a positive summer, which included a superb 4-1 defeat over Exeter City and a credible 1-1 draw with Championship neighbours Plymouth Argyle.

“It’s been a good pre-season for us,” Johnson added. “We are relentless in our pursuit of winning football matches and we’ll make sure they are ready for Dover.

“You can take things from losing the last pre-season game and I can get into them a bit this week, rather than just saying ‘well done lads’.”

United travel to Dover Athletic this weekend and then host Worthing on August 12 for the first competitive game at Plainmoor for three months.