Match Report: Worthing 4 Torquay United 2

Worthing 4
Fage 23
Cashman 29, 89
Pearce 43

Torquay United 2
Lasplie 10
Archer 66

A whirlwind Worthing display condemned Torquay United to a desperately disappointing defeat in the fight for promotion from the National League South.

The Gulls enjoyed an ideal start, racing into an early lead thanks to Tom Lapslie but the pattern of the first half completely shifted in favour of the hosts, who notched through Dylan Fage, Danny Cashman and leading scorer Ollie Pearce.

United briefly regrouped and the game was back on when Ethon Archer reduced the arrears but, after Dean Moxey had been dismissed for two bookable offences, Worthing secured their win with a late second for Cashman.

United manager Gary Johnson made two changes from the wind-swept 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town in midweek, Lapslie and Dan Martin coming into the side for Asa Hall and Archie Harris.

The weather, mercifully, was a lot kinder on the Sussex coast and home dangerman Pearce was the first to threaten, lashing a shot goalward after cutting in from the left and forcing Mark Halstead into a smart early save.

United replied with Will Jenkins Davies firing narrowly off target but his midfield comrade, Lapslie, had his radar perfectly in tune to break the deadlock on just minutes and a perfect start for the Gulls.

It was the dream opening for Johnson and his team, but the remainder of the first period was a downward spiral. Debutant Fage lashed an effort wide after a clever nod down from Cashman but he was just finding his range.

United withheld until the midway point of the half but credit to Fage for a composed finish to draw the game level and the Rebels were in front on 29 minutes. Reuben Livesey-Austin unleashed from long range and was denied by a superb save by Halstead, who was desperately unlucky to see a lurking Cashman head home the rebound.

A goal-line clearance from Martin briefly held back the Worthing tide but United’s task took another unwanted twist when Halstead was forced out of the action, Rhys Lovett taking on glovesman duties.

Worthing were coming forward in waves and Pearce continued his prolific season with a painful third before half-time, latching on to a Joe Felix ball over the top to slot past Lovett. A turbulent half for United continued with the withdrawal of Ross Marshall for Finley Craske.

After a tepid start to the second period, United conjured their first chance with Lapslie forcing a fine save from Josh Jeffires before Lovett copied the goalkeeping trick at the other end to deny Pearce.

Michael Klass was then thwarted by Lovett and the Gulls were back in it on 66 minutes, Archer steering a sublime finish beyond Jeffries to give the travelling Yellow Army hope.

A scruffy challenge on Brad Ash prompted vociferous claims for a penalty, earning Moxey a yellow card. United earned three more cautions in quick succession, as the stress levels clearly rose with time ticking down.

Lewis Collins replaced Lapslie for the final ten minutes but United were dealt a killer blow when Moxey walked for a second yellow, and the game was done when the impressive Cashman smashed the ball into the top corner.

Worthing: 1 Josh Jeffries; 2 Joel Colbran, 8 Michael Klass, 10 Ollie Pearce, 15 Reuben Livesey-Austin (Cameron Tutt 66), 19 Finlay Chadwick (Jake Robinson 80), 20 Jack Wadham, 22 Dylan Fage (Ollie Starkey 85), 23 Joe Felix, 27 Alfie Young, 28 Danny Cashman. Substitutes (not used): Rocco Rees (GK), Brad Dolaghan

Booked: Cashman 73

Torquay United: 1 Mark Halstead (22 Rhys Lovett 36); 3 Dan Martin, 4 Tom Lapslie (10 Lewis Collins 82), 6 Ross Marshall (15 Finley Craske 45+1), 11 Brad Ash, 14 Brett McGavin, 17 Dillon De Silva, 18 Will Jenkins Davies, 21 Dean Moxey, 23 Ollie Tomlinson, 30 Ethon Archer. Substitutes (not used): 8 Asa Hall, 26 Archie Harris.

Booked: De Silva 13, Moxey 69. Lapslie 70, Jenkins Davies 72, Tomlinson 76

Sent-off: Moxey 87

Attendance: 2,267