Match Report: Torquay United 0 Maidstone 2

Beaten in the National League South by Maidstone United a week before, Torquay United crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of the same ‘bogey’ opponents on another costly afternoon for the Gulls at Plainmoor (writes Dave Thomas).

Popular Side fans chanted ‘What A Load Of Rubbish’ at the final whistle after Gary Johnson’s side had lost to one calamitous defensive mix-up in the first half and another opportunist tap-in in the second, both gratefully accepted by Maidstone striker Levi Amantchi.

The Gulls did play better than they had done in the 0-1 league defeat, at least until the second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of them.

But they could never add any real quality to some patient build-up, and they were only a mistake away from the trouble they eventually ran into.

Out of the Cup and out of form in the league, these are worrying times for the club.

The suspension of Ross Marshall forced one change for the Gulls, Johnson recalling Finley Craske to the defence.

Once again, United had only five of seven available substitute places.

Maidstone also made one change, Liam Sole coming in for the injured Reiss Greenidge.

After a well-observed silence for the victims of the Middle East crisis, United started much better than they did seven days before, passing the ball with a crispness and intent that was missing in the league game.

Tom Lapslie missed a great chance, failing to lift the ball past the no-man’s-land Lucas Covolan after getting on the end of a raking through-ball by Ollie Tomlinson.

Moments later, in the 19th minute, it took a reaction save by Covolan to deny Lapslie.

Maidstone also had to thank defender Raphe Brown for a goal line clearance from Aaron Jarvis’ snapshot in the 25th minute, after Covolan had failed to deal with a Jack Stobbs corner.

The Gulls were certainly patient, but if there was a criticism, it was over their final ball into the visitors’ penalty area.

Maidstone finally broke out after nearly half-an-hour, Halstead down well to his right to push a Sam Wanjau-Smith shot round the post and then pulling off a good close-range save from Petrasso.

Sam Bone, whose goal had won the league game, was booked for an aerial foul on Lewis Collins and then had to go off after needing ‘inhaler’ treatment.

United had seemed to regain control when they pressed the self-destruct button in first-half stoppage-time.

Petrasso finished a strong run with a weak shot, Halstead appeared to 45spill what should have been a routine collect, Donnellan seemed unsure whether to hoof the ball clear or let Halstead try to pick it up again and Amantchi gratefully bundled in from point-blank range... 0-1.

Even then there was still time for two near-misses at the other end.

Jarvis had a goalbound header deflected behind and, from Stobbs’ corner, Jarvis headed against the right-hand post and Moxey drove the loose ball over from 15 yards.

In terms of territory and possession, Torquay were on top again in the second half, but they did not have the quality to make anything of it.

The more anxious they became, the more mistakes they made, players giving the ball away with depressing regularity.

Jarvis and Lapslie continued to set an example to several colleagues in terms of effort, but in the 68th minute a second goal effectively ended the contest.

Substitute Razzaq De-Graft turned this way and that on the edge of the Gulls’ box, got a shot away, Halstead parried to his left and Amantchi hooked the rebound into the empty net from eight yards... 0-2.

Amantchi soon went off with cramp, but his damage had been done.

Looking increasingly dispirited, Torquay seldom looked like saving themselves in the last 20 minutes, even though Johnson sent on Hall, Hanson and Martin.

They did create one clear chance. But, just as he had done at 0-0, Lapslie missed with Covolan to beat, this time on Hall’s pass, Covolan able to collect after Lapslie had miskicked.

It was a shame for a player who, as always, given his all.

In the closing stages Stobbs slipped as he went to take a free-kick, summing up his afternoon and Stones sub Iandolo ran clear – and then blasted over.

A frustrated Jarvis got himself booked in the 89th minute, and eight more of stoppage-time was more a sentence for United fans than a hope of salvation.

In 15 games between the two clubs, Torquay have now won two and lost 13!

Torquay United (4-4-2): Halstead; Donnellan, Tomlinson, Moxey, Craske (Martin 80); Stobbs, Lapslie, McGavin (Hall 75), Collins (Hanson 80); Jarvis, Ash; subs not used – Lovett, Thomas.

Booked: Jarvis 89.

Maidstone United (3-5-2): Covolan; Brown, Fowler, Kyprianou; Sole (Hoyte 55), Corne, Petrasso (De- Graft 64), Bone, Aransibia; Wanjau-Smith, Amantchi (Iandolo 71); subs not used – Wenham, Hatton, Earley, Court.

Booked: Bone 35.

Referee: Stephen Parkinson (Watford).

Attendance: 1,636 (91 Stones fans).