Torquay United storm to victory

A sizzling first-half blitz from Torquay United swept aside Chippenham Town on a joyful night at Plainmoor.

After the weekend draw with Aveley, United survived an early scare when James Hamon saved a decent effort from Will Hawes, but the Gulls quickly took control of proceedings.

A surging run down the right from Ben Seymour, restored to the side in place of Brad Ash, culminated in a perfectly weighted cross for Lirak Hasani to nod past a stranded Will Henry in the Chippenham goal.

United wasted no time with mere celebrations, doubling the lead just three minutes later, when a Matt Carson delivery was headed into the net by Ed Palmer, two in-form Gulls combining to delight the Yellow Army.

Chippenham were seriously rattled, Seymour smashing a shot against the post from the next attack, amd the third goal was not far away, Finn Tonks cutting ball back for Dan Hayfield to fire into the roof of the net.

With less than half-hour on the clock, it was effectively game over.

United continued to enjoy their evening, Cody Cooke forcing a decent save from Henry before Seymour fired narrowly wide.

To their credit, Chippenham came out full of fight after the break but the Gulls continued to look threatening, Cooke and Hayfield both going close. Substitute Ash forced a top save from Henry in the closing stages and a hugely satisfying evening for Torquay United.

United: 1 James Hamon, 3 Jay Foulston (21 Dean Moxey 40), 5 Sam Dreyer, 7 Lirak Hasani (8 Roddy Collins 75), 9 Ben Seymour (11 Brad Ash 58), 14 Matt Carson, 16 Ed Palmer, 17 Finn Tonks, 18. Oscar Threlkeld (c), 19 Cody Cooke (15 Jadyn Crosbie 62), 20 Dan Hayfield (10 Omar Mussa 77).

Yellow Card: Palmer 35, Tonks 87 

Attendance: 3,087 (34 away)