Torquay United overpower Truro in FA Youth Cup

Torquay United U18s enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory in the South West Counties Youth League on Saturday, which proved ideal preparation for a meeting with Truro City in the FA Youth Cup, another fixture kindly hosted by Buckland Athletic.

After a slow start to the game, where Truro looked a threat, United gradually found some rhythm in their attacking play and were asking questions of the visiting defence without seriously troubling the goalkeeper.

That all changed five minutes before the interval, when Gene Price jinked into space on the right flank and floated a beautiful deep cross that was perfect for the arriving Fin Herbert to head home at the far post.

The Gulls were suddenly injected with extra belief and almost added a second three minutes later, a long-range effort from Herbert half-spilled by the Truro custodian, who made instant amends with a terrific block from Toby Hard’s rebound attempt.

United did not wait long, however, doubling the lead within a couple of minutes of the restart, the excellent Jonah Shaw winning the ball in midfield and spearing a low drive in off the post. Moments later, it was 3-0, Andrew Ellis worked the ball beautifully down the right for Corey Luscombe to deliver a low cross and Coby White applied the finish.

Truro were understandably rocked by the barrage and it was virtually game over when a long ball down the middle was missed by the defence, allowing Herbert to run through and guide a lobbed finish beyond the advanced goalkeeper.

To their credit, the visitors rallied and pulled one back from a corner. United then had to play the closing minutes with ten men after Ellis Drew was shown a second yellow.

Despite the numerical disadvantage and the referee playing a huge amount of injury time, the Gulls remained an attacking menace, Ellis, Herbert and Lucas Robinson all going close to notching a fifth.

A great night for the young Gulls, who now await their next opponents in an exciting FA Youth Cup adventure.