Match Report: Torquay United 2 Aveley 2

Torquay United 2
Jarvis 26
Ash 34

Aveley 2
Odelusi pen 45+2
Vaz 51

After the most turbulent 48 hours in the history of Torquay United Football Club, the Gulls played with pride and passion to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Aveley.

The terrible uncertainty that comes with the prospect of entering administration, as United announced on Thursday lunchtime, has prompted a universal response of determined support from the Yellow Army to back their club.

Manager Gary Johnson departed just a couple of hours after the admin news but the players he assembled responded with a rousing first-half display, goals from Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash giving United a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, a penalty from Siju Odelusi on the stroke of half-time changed the pattern and Aveley drew level with a wonder-strike by Eduino Vaz, but today was about a lot more than the result of one game.

Aaron Downes, taking charge of his first game as interim boss, made just one enforced change from the midweek draw at Farnborough, Ash replacing the suspended Tom Lapslie.

On a sticky surface in front of a passionate Yellow Army, bolstered by fans from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City showing their solidarity in a time of crisis, United had to withstand an early corner from Aveley, skipper Dean Moxey rising highest with a dominant header.

Manny Ogunrinde then volleyed wide when a second corner was half-cleared in a bright start from the visitors. The Gulls responded with a clipped Brett McGavin free-kick, the loose ball falling to Will Jenkins Davies for a stand-up to the back post cleared by Aveley.

The Gulls settled into a decent period of possession and control, Kevin Dawson almost releasing Jenkins Davies with a delightful floated pass down the middle, although Aveley provided a reminder of their threat with a 25-yard scorcher from Ryan Carr that flew inches wide of the top corner.

After a scruffy spell, it was the focal point of Jarvis that spearheaded most of United’s best attacking work but the problem after 25 minutes of effort was creating a serious chance to test visiting custodian Jonathan North.

A barnstorming run from Arkell Jude-Boyd raised the temperature a few notches, winning a corner from a surge that started on the edge of his own box. The ultimate reward was an opening goal, as the floated delivery from McGavin was nodded in with a determined leap by Jarvis at the back post.

The Gulls were now bossing the show, Jude-Boyd firing over two more dangerous crosses that had the Aveley defence at full stretch. The second goal was coming and a goalmouth scramble delivered the perfect outcome.

Aveley failed to clear the initial set-piece from McGavin, Moxey recycled with another looping delivery and with United packing the penalty area, Ash was in the right place to scuttle the loose ball beyond North from eight yards.

A long goal-kick from Mark Halstead then skipped right through an increasingly bedraggled Aveley defence and Ash possibly should have done better than a slightly tame half-volley into the waiting arms of a relieved North.    

United were seconds away from completing the perfect half when a fizzed pass into the penalty area prompted a stretching challenge from Austen Booth and the referee pointed to the spot. Odelusi rolled in the penalty to add some extra jeopardy to the second period.

Sadly for United, it proved a pivotal moment in an otherwise heartwarming afternoon, as Aveley built on the momentum to draw level within six minutes of the restart and, to be fair, it was a special strike from Vaz, volleying a worldy beyond Halstead from 30 yards.

Dan Martin replaced Moxey in the first United change and he came close soon after entering the fray, heading narrowly wide after excellent work down the right from a lively Ash.

Jack Stobbs came on for Dawson, as Downes tried to spark more life into his tiring side, and the players responded with a lovely switch from Martin aimed at the impressive Jude-Boyd, who was thwarted by a top save from North.

Duane Ofori-Acheampong for Jarvis was the final United change but an amazing crowd of more than 3,600 fans were denied a fairytale ending, as Aveley held on for a draw.

While the final result was a tad frustrating, the bigger picture was a massive demonstration of love, affection and support for a special football club.

Torquay United: 1 Mark Halstead; 2 Arkell Jude-Boyd, 5 Austen Booth, 6 Ross Marshall, 9 Aaron Jarvis (19 Duane Ofori-Acheampong 82), 11 Brad Ash, 14 Brett McGavin, 16 Ronny Nelson, 18 Will Jenkins Davies, 21 Dean Moxey (capt) (3 Dan Martin 52), 28 Kevin Dawson (27 Jack Stobbs 71). Substitutes (not used): 22 Rhys Lovett (GK), 30 Ethon Archer.

Booked: Jenkins Davies 70, Jude-Boyd 83

Aveley: 1 Jonathan North; 2 Jason Ring, 3 Eduino Vaz, 4 Siju Odelusi, 5 Frankie Terry, 6 Harry Gibbs (capt), 7 Arjanit Krasniqi, 8 Ryan Carr, 10 Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, 11 Manny Ogunrinde, 18 Charlee Hughes. Substitutes (not used): 12 Nana Kyei, 13 Dougie Yates (GK), 15 Jalen Jones, 17 Ikechi Eze, 19 Garrett Kelly

Booked: Hughes 66, Nelson 74, Kelly 85

Attendance: 3,642 (33 away)