Match Report: Torquay United 5 Welling 1

Torquay United put those back-to-back defeats by Maidstone United behind them and closed on the National League South leaders with a comprehensive victory over ten-man Welling United at Plainmoor (writes Dave Thomas).

In front of a 2,500 crowd swelled by free-tickets on Community Day, Gary Johnson’s Gulls were already 5-1 up when the Wings’ goalkeeper James Holden was sent off for a second yellow card in the 75th minute.

Aaron Jarvis took his tally for the season to eight goals with two penalties, while Brett McGavin came up with one his ‘specials’ and Shaun Donnellan and sub Ross Marshall also hit the net in the second half.

It wasn’t a complete breeze for United, however, because they fell behind after a nervous start when Welling took the lead through Kain Adom’s 18th minute long-range effort.

But the Gulls put that behind them to register a much needed and confidence-boosting win.

Even though Marshall was back from suspension, Johnson named him on the bench, with a reshuffled back four of Donnellan, Tomlinson, Moxey and Craske.

Dylan Crowe had also been recalled from his loan at Havant & Waterlooville, he too was one of the subs.

More than 850 ‘extra’ fans had taken advantage of the latest Community Day offer, but they must have wondered what they had let themselves in for as United made a dreadful start.

It wasn’t just that Welling took the lead after 18 minutes, but it was thoroughly deserved.

The Gulls were way off the pace, even though Brad Ash missed a wonderful chance to seize the initiative after just over a minute.

The visitors’ defence failed to deal with a long kick by Mark Halstead, Ash was in with Holden to beat, and off his line, but he volleyed wide.

United could hardly do a thing right in the opening quarter of an hour, and Welling sensed their chance, even though they had left experienced striker Tristan Abrahams on his own up front.

There was plenty of support from midfield, and in the 18th minute they scored.

On a diagonal run from the left, Adom encountered worrying little opposition until he decided to have a go from 22 yards and beat Halstead’s right hand with a firm low shot... 0-1.

Torquay were visibly struggling to get anything going, their play hesitant and punctuated by passing mistakes.

It was shaping up as a long old afternoon when United were suddenly thrown a lifeline in the 33rd minute.

Holden slipped as he went to kick clear, Ash nicked the loose ball against him and, as Holden went to win the ball at the second attempt, he flattened Jarvis just inside his area.

It was a booking for the ‘keeper and, after some treatment, Jarvis picked himself up and drove the penalty into the right of the goal as Holden dived the other way... 1-1.

Six minutes later United were in front.

Holden got his fist to a long throw by Dean Moxey, but he was under pressure in a crowded goalmouth, could get no real distance on the ball and that was an open invitation to McGavin.

His 25-yard shot may have taken a slight deflection, but it was well struck and flew past Holden’s right hand... 2-1.

United’s previously frayed nerves had been settled, and they should have been further in front by half-time.

Ash beat the advancing Holden on the left in the 44th minute, but then hit the side-netting of an open goal, although the angle was a narrow one.

Welling’s resistance turned out to be brittle at best, and United took full advantage in the second half.

In the 59th minute Stobbs found Donnellan with a diagonal free-kick from left to right, Donnellan realised that he was unmarked and he chested the ball down before sending a cool, accurate sidefoot volley over Holden and into the far corner... 3-1.

Four minutes later, from another long Stobbs free-kick, this time from right to left, Welling defender Crossley Lema pushed Jarvis as he went to head the ball and again referee Tom Ellsmore pointed to the spot.

Jarvis duly converted, sending Holden the wrong way again – but this time the other way... 4-1.

Johnson sent on Asa Hall and Marshall for Lapslie and Donnellan with 20 minutes to go, and in the 75th minute Marshall joined in the fun.

He had only to stretch out a boot to poke the ball over the line as Stobbs’ left-wing reached him at the far post... 5-1.

Holden was booked, a second time, for protesting about the goal and was sent off.

Welling had already used all their subs, so Abrahams had to go in goal. To everyone’s frustration, United could not punish the visitors further – or seriously test Abrahams either.

Torquay United (4-1-3-2): Halstead; Donnellan (Marshall 71), Tomlinson, Moxey (Hanson 81), Craske; McGavin; Stobbs, Lapslie (Hall 71), Collins; Ash, Jarvis; subs not used – Crowe, Lovett.

Booked: Donnellan 53, Stobbs 80.

Welling United (4-5-1): Holden; Lema, Byrd, Burchell, Green (Curran 46); Tanga, Papadopoulos (Muwonge 61), Bramble (Kassarate 66), Odusanya, Adom; Abrahams; subs not used – White, Kamara.

Sent Off: Holden 75. Booked: Bramble 52, Odusanya 58, Lema 63, Holden 75.

Referee: Tom Ellsmore (Woking).

Attendance: 2,510 (50 Welling fans).