Match Report: Torquay United 1 Dover Athletic 0

Torquay United 1
McGavin 59

Dover Athletic 0

A fantastic goal from Brett McGavin was enough for Torquay United to seal their first victory of 2024 against a hardworking Dover Athletic, who are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the National League South.

Conditions made fast flowing football very difficult at a cold and windy Plainmoor, but the better patterns of play came from the Gulls and, ultimately, the winner from McGavin was by far the best moment of the day.

While the return of skipper Asa Hall from injury was the stand-out news for United, there was a horrible moment for the visitors in the warm-up, with Bailey Akehurst stretchered off after crumpling to the Plainmoor turf. Peter Ojemen took his place in the starting line-up.

Brad Ash also returned to the forward department, providing the Gulls with a vital target in the vanguard. Dan Martin and Ethon Archer also came back into the side, with the pleasing sight of Tom Lapslie among the replacements.

Prior to kick-off, Plainmoor rose in silent tribute to United fan Kenneth Battersby and his young son Bronson, who died in tragic circumstances in Skegness.

The visitors posed the first question on a sticky surface, George Nikaj picking up on a clever flick for a stabbed shot deflected wide. Moments later, McGavin picked up a caution for a lunge in midfield, as the Whites slightly edged the early exchanges.

United responded with a slick move down the right releasing Dillon De Silva and his fizzed cross for Archer in the penalty area prompted a scruffy challenge from the Dover defence, referee George Warren waving away the mild appeals.

Dover conjured another moment of concern with tricky skill on the edge of the box seeking George Wilkinson, but Dean Moxey was in the right place for an excellent challenge. Gradually, however, United began to take control with confident passing football, resulting in another decent penalty shout for a shove on Ross Marshall.

United were the side asking questions, Hall ruffling the feathers of goalkeeper Daniel Jinadu from a high ball, while the battle between De Silva and Ojemen down the right was a cracking ding-dong. Referee Warren, meanwhile, was riling up the Yellow Army with some questionable decisions.

De Silva lifted the mood with mazy jink inside from the right and low strike just about smothered by Jinadu. A delicious pass down the left from McGavin saw Martin race clear for a cutback to Will Jenkins Davies, who forced another relatively comfortable low block from the visiting custodian.

The better football was being played by United, without creating a major chance, and there was a momentary scare for Mark Halstead, snaffling a drilled low cross at the second attempt with Nikaj lurking.

The Gulls replied with a De Silva cross half-cleared to Ash for a half-volley palmed over by Jinadu in the final action of the first period.

Dover asked the first question of the second half, a dangerous cross from John Oyenuga just eluding the forward runners. United replied with a corner that had Jinadu flapping, as the gusty wind continued to make fluent football tricky.

A free-kick from Jenkins Davies picked out Hall at the near post but he was unable to sort his feet in time for a shot before a sumptuous move involving McGavin and Martin but the final shot lacked sufficient power to trouble Jinadu, with a pass into the path of an unmarked Ash probably the better option.

Step forward McGavin with a wonderful strike for his eighth goal of the season to break the deadlock. De Silva and Archer both worked their wings before shifting the ball inside to McGavin, 25 yards from goal and a superb drive into the top corner.

United had their strongest penalty shout of the Day when Jenkins Davies was tripped from the next attack but the officials again ignored the protests. The excellent De Silva then had a fizzing effort deflected narrowly wide.

Hall was given a rest midway through the half and Lapslie introduced to much appreciation from the terraces. In response, Dover slowly began to commit more men forward in search of an equaliser. Lewis Collins for Ash was the next United change.

De Silva, once again, attacked his man and lashed a cross that saw Lapslie attempt an ambitious overhead but without making the right connection.

The Gulls entered a tense period in the game, protecting their slender lead for the final ten minutes, and there were a couple of nervy moments from long throws but the defence held firm, and McGavin even had time to force Jinadu into a decent low save from a free-kick.

It wasn’t pretty but three massive points takes United into a midweek trip to Chippenham Town.

Torquay United: 1 Mark Halstead; 3 Dan Martin, 6 Ross Marshall, 8 Asa Hall (capt) (4 Tom Lapslie 67), 11 Brad Ash (10 Lewis Collins 75), 14 Brett McGavin, 17 Dillon De Silva, 18 Will Jenkins Davies, 21 Dean Moxey, 23 Ollie Tomlinson, 30 Ethon Archer. Substitutes (not used): 22 Rhys Lovett (GK), 26 Archie Harris, 32 Osman Foyo.

Booked: McGavin 6, Jenkins Davies 48, Collins 80

Dover Athletic: 1 Daniel Jinadu; 3 Roman Charles-Cook, 4 Peter Ojemen (11 Iffy Allen 66), 6 James Dunne (capt), 10 George Nikaj, 14 George Wilkinson, 15 Charlie Naylor, 16 Jacob Mensah, 20 Nick Dembele (7 Destiny Oladipo 63), 25 John Oyenuga, 26 Scott Holding. Substitutes (not used): 8 Freddie Oliver, 9 Zidan Sutherland, 22 Luke Baptiste.

Booked:

Referee: George Warren

Attendance: 1,889 (13 away)