Gulls gutted by late loss at Chelmsford City

Two late goals turned a valuable victory into a desperate defeat for Torquay United at Chelmsford City.

It is far from terminal with plenty of points to play for in the thrilling National League South promotion race, but still a tough one to take after leading 2-0 at half-time.

A Cody Cooke penalty and Matt Jay’s sumptuous lob had the Gulls in control at the interval but a penalty from Jordan Greenidge on the hour changed the mood. Chelmsford levelled through the same man in the final minute and then pinched a stoppage-time winner from Charlie Ruff.

Manager Paul Wotton’s plans were thrown into early disarray by Sam Dreyer being ruled out with a sickness bug, an absence made even more irritating by the fact United’s influential defender had only been cleared to play after a successful appeal against his red card at Worthing ten days ago.

Veteran Dean Moxey came in for a rare start and all was smooth in the Yellow camp, as they ignored a patchy start to the game for both sides to grab a deserved lead.

Jordan Young was first to the ball in the box and he was felled by a home defender for a clear penalty. Cody Cooke stepped up to the plate and smashed home his 13th goal of the season with a confident spot-kick.

One became two thanks to a wonderful goal from Jay, who spun into space just inside the Chelmsford half and instinctively launched a 45-yard lob over home custodian Ted Collins. It was an inspired finish from the recent recruit and the Yellows looked on course for a third before the hosts were rescued by the half-time whistle.

Chelmsford came out with renewed intent in the second period and got their reward on the hour, Greenidge steering his spot-kick beyond James Hamon, and it was suddenly game on!

Substitute Dylan Morgan had a fizzing strike blocked by Collins. The same Gull fired inches wide with ten minutes remaining but Chelmsford were also carrying a significant threat, Ruff forcing a top save from Hamon.

United hopes of a win were dashed on 89 minutes, when the home side created room for Greenidge to equalise with a powerful finish, and the bad got much worse moments later, as a succession of Chelmsford corners eventually saw the ball fall nicely for Ruff to seal a frustrating defeat.  

United: 1 James Hamon, 2 Finley Craske, 7 Lirak Hasani, 8 Jordan Young (29 Dylan Morgan 56), 10 Omar Mussa 88), 14 Matt Carson, 16 Ed Palmer, 19 Cody Cooke, 20 Dan Hayfield (18 Oscar Threlkeld 75), 21 Dean Moxey (c),  26 Jordan Thomas, 27 Matt Jay (22 Will Jenkins Davies 64).

Attendance: 957