Bumper Bank Holiday for jubilant Torquay United

Two contrasting performances, both packed with resilience and stubborn determination, yielded six points for Torquay United over a brilliant Bank Holiday weekend.

After the solitary strike from Lirak Hasani and a dogged defensive display had secured a 1-0 Plainmoor win over Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, the Gulls followed up with a dramatic 3-2 triumph at Chesham just 48 hours later.

The maximum points lifted United up to second in the National League South, just behind Slough Town on goal difference.

Manager Paul Wotton made four changes for the Monday trip to Buckinghamshire and there was a slow start to the game, both sides sparring for space, Cody Cooke with the first chance for United but he fired over from 18 yards.

Chesham replied with a spell of mild pressure, Callum Adebiyi and Jack Cawley (more on him later) both going close without seriously worrying James Hamon, who was superb between the sticks against Dorking.

The home side got their reward for a strong showing on 36 minutes, when Joe Grant rifled a low drive through a crowded penalty area to find the bottom corner.

The goal sparked United into life and they had Chesham flapping, literally in the case of Cawley, who handled a Finn Tonks’ strike on the goalline for a certain penalty, and the inevitable red card that came as a double punishment.

Cooke calmly slotted the spot-kick and United had an entire second half to play against ten men.

Hasani struck a long-ranger straight at the home ‘keeper early in the second period but Chesham, to their immense credit, were still carrying a threat, despite their numerical disadvantage.

They stunned United by taking the lead midway through the second period, Grant finishing off a neat team move, but this time the Torquay response was even more swift and equally emphatic.

Omar Mussa forced Ben Goode into another decent save but there was no stopping Dan Hayfield on 70 minutes, as he steered a lovely low strike into the corner from distance.

Chesham continued to pose a threat and United needed another strong block by the feet of Hamon before the incredible climax. Deep into stoppage time, Mussa and Oscar Threlkeld worked the ball wide to Dean Moxey, and his near-post cross was turned into the net by a lurking Brad Ash.

While it was perhaps a tad harsh on Chesham, United cared little amid sensational scenes for the Yellow Army. The Wotton / Bryn era is off to a flyer, and successive home games against Aveley and Chippenham Town now look very appetising.

United: 1 James Hamon, 3 Jay Foulston, 5 Sam Dreyer, 7 Lirak Hasani (10 Omar Mussa 60), 8 Roddy Collins (c) (18 Oscar Threlkeld 60), 14 Matt Carson (21 Dean Moxey 70), 15 Jadyn Crosbie (11 Brad Ash 54), 16 Ed Palmer, 17 Finn Tonks, 19 Cody Cooke (9 Ben Seymour 73), 20 Dan Hayfield.

Yellow Cards: Tonks 15′

Attendance: 1,507