Match Report: Weymouth 1 Torquay United 1

Weymouth 1
Touray 44

Torquay United 1
Jude-Boyd 28

Torquay United made it two successive draws at the start of an uncertain new era for the club.

Following news of owner Clarke Osborne calling in the administrators, United drew 2-2 at home to Aveley in front of a tremendous crowd, all backing the club they love, and they followed it with a 1-1 stalemate at Weymouth.

Arkell Jude-Boyd fired the Gulls in front just before the half-hour but the Terras grabbed their point with a fine equaliser from Ezio Touray on the stroke of half-time.

United interim boss Aaron Downes made two changes from the Aveley draw last weekend, Jack Stobbs and Ollie Tomlinson replacing Austen Booth and Ronny Nelson. The growing strength in numbers and experience for United allowed Downes to permit young defender Calum Thomas to join Tiverton Town on loan.

A reported 650 away tickets were sold to United in another impressive demonstration of support from the Yellow Army against a Weymouth side that earned a thrilling 3-3 midweek draw with St Albans.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to Brad Ash, one of the scorers against Aveley, but his attempt was dragged wide of the post and the Terras responded with Brandon Goodship forcing a decent save from Mark Halstead, quickly followed by Malachi Linton heading wide for the hosts.

Weymouth continued a decent spell with a fizzing cross from Touray just evading the forward runners but it was, in truth, fairly tepid stuff on the Dorset coast.

United lifted the tempo with a cross from the right by Ross Marshall and Jude-Boyd possibly should have done better with a header glanced off target, but the youngster on loan from QPR made rapid amends.

Stobbs was the instigator and, having been described as the ‘best winger in the division’ by Downes in midweek, he lived up to the billing with a delicious low cross that proved perfect for the arriving Jude-Boyd to slide the ball beyond home ‘keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards.

The goal was a little harsh on Weymouth, who tried to respond with Touray tricking his way into the danger area but Halstead was quickly off his line. Charlie Rowan then volleyed narrowly wide but United failed to heed the warning.

Touray delivered the punishment with a superb header that gave Halstead no chance and honours even at the half-time interval.

The Gulls restarted with encouraging energy and confidence, Stobbs again delivering a fine cross and the presence of Aaron Jarvis was enough to win a corner. The subsequent set-piece again fell to Jarvis, who was denied by a fine save from Wiles-Richards.

A free-kick from Goodship whistled over the bar for the hosts, who then came within inches of grabbing the lead, captain Tom Bearwish just failing to get a decisive touch on another decent delivery from the lively Linton.

United replied with Stobbs picking out former Weymouth forward Ash on the edge of the box but his shot lacked the power to trouble Wiles-Richards. Stobbs then ended his encouraging return to the side to be replaced by Lewis Collins.

The Gulls were asking questions, Jarvis had a shot charged down by the Terras before Wiles-Richards palmed clear another effort. Ethon Archer replaced Will Jenkins Davies before a Marshall cross was turned narrowly over by Ash.

Brett McGavin fired a free-kick straight into the arms of Wiles-Richards and Duane Ofori-Acheampong replaced Jarvis for the final few minutes but another draw for the Gulls.

Weymouth: 1 Harvey Wiles-Richards; 2 Teddy Howe, 3 Leo Hamblin, 4 Corey Panter, 5 Jordon Thompson, 6 Nazir Bakrin, 8 Tom Bearwish (capt), 10 Brandon Goodship, 11 Malachi Linton (Dan Roberts 90+1), 14 Ezio Touray, 18 Charlie Rowan. Substitutes (not used): Gerrard Benfield, Harry Parsons, Joel Rollinson, Elliott Bolton.

Booked:  Rowan 56, Howe 65, Thompson 79

Torquay United: 1 Mark Halstead; 2 Arkell Jude-Boyd, 6 Ross Marshall, 9 Aaron Jarvis, 11 Brad Ash, 14 Brett McGavin, 18 Will Jenkins Davies (30 Ethon Archer 81), Dean Moxey (capt), 23 Ollie Tomlinson, 27 Jack Stobbs (10 Lewis Collins 72), 28 Kevin Dawson. Substitutes (not used): 3 Dan Martin, 19 Duane Ofori-Acheampong.

Booked: Jenkins Davies 66, Ash 78

Attendance: 2,008