Torquay United too strong for Horsham

A solid second-half showing was enough to book Torquay United a New Year trip to Southern League outfit Gosport Borough in the FA Trophy.

It was always going to be a big challenge for part-time Horsham, making the long trip along the south coast on a Tuesday night after Storm Darragh postponed the original tie, but they battled gamely before going down to goals from Brad Ash and Dan Hayfield.

United boss Paul Wotton freshened up his ranks with the likes of Ash, Oscar Threlkeld and Ed Palmer coming into the side, and the Gulls started with sprightly passing to warm a chilly December evening.

Horsham, however, soon settled into a solid shape and did a fine job of frustrating their hosts in the early stages. When United did ask an attacking question, it was down to the doggedness of Ash, winning the ball in a dangerous area before firing into the side-netting.

It was about as exciting as the first period got but a half-time rethink soon saw a change in the pattern. Matt Carson was brought on for the booked Jay Foulston and he immediately delivered the ideal cross for Ash to glance a clever header into the corner of the net.

Omar Mussa rifled an effort narrowly wide on the hour but United’s growing dominance was soon underlined by a decisive second, Hayfield spearing a low finish beyond the Horsham custodian after another Carson cross had only been half-cleared.

It was enough to seal the victory and a place in the last 32 of the competition.