First home defeat for Torquay United

A solitary strike early in the second half was enough for Hampton & Richmond Borough to inflict a first home defeat of the season on Torquay United.

Welcoming new signings Matt Jay and Emmanuel Ilesanmi, on loan from Derby County, United were looking to restore that winning feeling after successive draws on the road at St Albans and Slough Town.

Instead, the forward department were unable to find the target against a determined visiting side, who pinched the points in front of another incredible attendance of 4,450.

United enjoyed a bright start to the game, Jordan Thomas fizzing a low drive narrowly wide before Dylan Morgan also tried his luck from distance, forcing a decent block from H&R goalkeeper Max Merrick, who is on loan at the club from Chelsea.

The Gulls continued to retain partial control of proceedings until the visitors offered a threat through James Roberts, but his low strike was turned around the post by James Hamon. Jordan Young responded with an 18-yard drive wide of the target.

Full-back Thomas then gave another reminder of his attacking prowess, powering into the area for a decent effort fielded by Merrick at the near post, as a fairly tepid opening half ended with the scores level.

Despite an opportunity to regroup at half-time, the second period failed to ignite for the Gulls, Ed Palmer nodding over from a Young corner in one mild chance before Mauro Vilhete broke the offside trap to beat Hamon with what ultimately proved to be the winning goal.

United boss Paul Wotton introduced the fresh legs of Omar Mussa and Will Jenkins Davies, and there was an uplift in home tempo, Dan Hayfield heading goalwards from a corner that again saw Merrick in the right place to save.

Young, so often the United talisman in recent weeks, pinged two efforts on goal, the second saved by Merrick, as Wotton then turned to youngster Ilesanmi for some inspiration from the bench.

It was another sub, Jenkins Davies, who next went close with a shot deflected wide before Ilesanmi showed his worth with a neat pass for Young, but his near-post effort was blocked by Merrick.

The Gulls had six minutes of stoppage time to rescue their unbeaten record. Lirak Hasani had a header saved and there was on final painful twist, as a clever backheel from Thomas looked to finally beat the irrepressible Merrick but the ball rolled inches wide to confirm the first home loss.