Match Report: Torquay United 1 Hampton & Richmond 0

Torquay United 1
Hall pen 28

Hampton & Richmond 0

Torquay United answered the call on Devon Day, delivering three crucial points in their fight against relegation.

Supporters from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City joined the Yellow Army to swell the home crowd beyond 3,000, and they were treated to a display full of first-half quality and second-half grit.

Asa Hall decided the game with a penalty just before the half-hour and then led his comrades to a stubborn rearguard action to frustrate a promotion-chasing Hampton & Rochmond.

United interim manager Aaron Downes made two changes from the painful 4-1 defeat at Tonbridge Angels last weekend. Ollie Tomlinson moved to the bench but Aaron Jarvis was ruled out injured, opening the door for fit-again skipper Hall and Will Jenkins Davies, on loan from Argyle and showcasing his development in front of the visiting Green Army.

Downes was joined on the touchline by Head of Youth and former United player and assistant manager, Robbie Herrera, as the Gulls lined up with a traditional back four, Hall and Dean Moxey providing vast experience as the central duo.

The early stages, however, were focussed on United’s attacking options, with Brad Ash turning smartly in the box before a clipped cross that shaved the head of a lurking Tom Lapslie at the back post.

Two further deliveries from the right boot of Jack Stobbs had the Hampton defence stretching to head clear, as the Gulls continued their bright start. The next Stobbs’ cross, possibly a shot, was a grasscutter that fell just in between Ash and Lapslie after Kevin Dawson had started the move with a surge through the middle.

Hampton replied with a lovely cross from Sam Deadfield floated to the far post and Alex Gibson-Hammond probably should have done better than a downward header into the side-netting.

The gusty wind began to have an increasing influence on the game, with both sides contesting second balls with 100% commitment but chances became a rarity until a twist and turn from Ash prompted a tug on the shirt.

Referee Jake Allsopp immediately pointed to the spot and Hall took on the captain’s responsibility. It was far from the best penalty ever struck at Plainmoor but had enough pace to squirt under the body of a diving Adam Desbois.

The goal awoke Hampton from their slumber, winning a corner on the left after a decent spell of possession. United responded with two superb body-on-the-line blocks from Brett McGavin and Jude-Boyd after visiting forwards had found space in the box.

Rain and hail joined the swirling wind at Plainmoor, while the sky remained steadfastly blue – nothing like spring in Torbay. Hall and Dean Moxey ignored the weather with more stoic work at the heart of the United defence, heading, kicking and cajoling their troops toward half-time.

A steered 20-yarder from Stobbs whistled past the top corner before he delivered yet another inviting dinked cross to the far post – it would have been perfect for Jarvis, not so much for Lapslie and Ash.

Still, a satisfactory first half on Devon Day.

The restart was dominated by midfield scrapping, Lapslie leading the charge for United before the first moment of quality saw a perfectly weighted ball over the top from Ross Marshall picked out Ash, who cut back on to his left foot and curled a decent effort inches over the bar.

Hampton & Richmond replied with a lovely move on their own, working the ball patiently into the left channel for a Ruaridh Donaldson cross/shot that was headed clear from near his own line by the impressive Hall.

Goalkeeper Mark Halstead was next racing off his line to thwart a swift Hampton counter. A fabulous fizzing cross from the right then found the head of Tope Fadahunsi, who was just unable to steer it on target. Back came United, Stobbs racing into the right channel to force a near-post save from Desbois.

Donaldson had the next chance, and it was a sitter, somehow heading over from five yards out at the back post, with United short-staffed in defence, mainly because Dawson had pulled up with a muscle strain. He was swiftly replaced by Lewis Collins.

The final 20 minutes arrived with tension levels on the rise across Plainmoor. Hampton sensed the nerves, on and off the pitch, with centre-back Luis Fernandez rising highest to meet a scooped cross, but Halstead was well positioned to make the save.

The balance of play had become exclusively in United’s defensive half, Fernandez with another header plucked out of the air by a grateful Halstead. The Gulls needed some respite and the Yellow / Green / Red & White Armies responded with roars of support.

Tomlinson for a hobbling Marshall was the next United change, and the new man entered a siege. The Gulls had to survive five minutes of stoppage time, although a strike from Jenkins Davies was only a fraction away from settling the nerves.

Ethon Archer replaced Lapslie in the dying seconds, as United held on for three precious points.

United: 1 Mark Halstead; 2 Arkell Jude-Boyd, 4 Tom Lapslie (30 Ethon Archer 90+3), 6 Ross Marshall (23 Ollie Tomlinson 87), 8 Asa Hall (capt), 11 Brad Ash, 14 Brett McGavin, 18 Will Jenkins Davies, 21 Dean Moxey (capt), 27 Jack Stobbs, 28 Kevin Dawson (10 Lewis Collins 67). Substitutes (not used): 22 Rhys Lovett (GK).

Booked:

Hampton & Richmond: 19 Adam Desbois; 2 Jordan Thomas (35 Joshua Anifowose 56), 3 Ruaridh Donaldson, 5 Luis Fernandez, 10 Jake Gray (capt), 11 Sam Deadfield, 13 Tope Fadahunsi (4 Dean Inman 79), 14 Sam Dreyer, 25 Isaac Pitblado, 29 Alex Gibson-Hammond (7 Rob Hall 77), 34 Dominic Revan. Substitutes (not used): 15 Dan Wisheart, 17 Connor-Kurran Brown.

Booked: Deadfield 29, Revan 80, Dreyer 82

Attendance: 3,029 (66 away)