Hasani bags the points for joyous Gulls

Lirak Hasani scored the only goal, his first for Torquay United, as the Gulls battled to a determined 1-0 victory over a highly-fancied Dorking Wanderers outfit.

Another superb crowd in excess of 3,500 enjoyed the late summer sun at Plainmoor and there was just one change from the midweek win at Bath City, Brad Ash replacing Cody Cooke in the vanguard.

Dorking displayed their passing prowess in the early exchanges but once United settled, Ed Palmer burst forward from defence to feed a pass for Dan Hayfield to fire over the visiting crossbar.

Dorking skipper Charlie Carter then shot straight into the arms of a grateful James Hamon, as the visitors turned the screw with Jason Prior pouncing on a loose clearance before, mercifully, dragging his effort wide.

The Gulls responded with a delicious cross from Jay Foulston nodded narrowly wide by Hasani, who then supplied the pass for a Palmer header cleared off the line by Dorking. Palmer, enjoying a lively afternoon, then rasped a scorching drive inches over.

United maintained that momentum after the break and found the decisive moment on 55 minutes, when Hasani measured himself from just outside the box and rifled a tremendous strike into the top corner.

Torquay continued to probe for a second to kill off their opponents, Matt Carson’s audacious effort from the right flank almost deceiving visiting custodian Harrison Foulkes.

Dorking gradually rediscovered their attacking impetus but found the United defence in a stubborn mood. Substitute Omar Mussa warmed the hands of Foulkes before Palmer produced a superb goal-saving block at the other end.

Carter glanced a header narrowly wide for the visitors and a brave challenge from Finley Craske thwarted another attempt. There was plenty of tension in the closing stages, United had to defend with desperation, but three massive points secured ahead of the Monday trip to Chesham.

United: 1 James Hamon, 2 Finley Craske, 3 Jay Foulston, 5 Sam Dreyer, 7 Lirak Hasani (8 Roddy Collins 77), 9 Ben Seymour (19 Cody Cooke 66), 11 Brad Ash (10 Omar Musssa 66), 14 Matt Carson (17 Finn Tonks 68), 16 Ed Palmer, 18 Oscar Threlkeld (c), 20 Dan Hayfield. Subs not used: 15 Jadyn Crosbie.

Attendance: 3,566 (125 away)