Torquay United open pre-season with impressive victory in Devon sunshine

Pre-season proper is underway and Torquay United overpowered Buckland Athletic with a terrific first-half display in glorious sunshine.

The Gulls grabbed an early lead with a poked finish from Dylan Morgan and authority was firmly stamped via a Jordan Young penalty before Morgan steered home his second of an encouraging afternoon.

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A fabulous and expectant crowd greeted the two sides and they were treated to an even opening, with Buckland also unveiling some new faces, but it was United who took control on 15 minutes.

Matt Carson found space on the left for a driven cross that was parried into the path of Jordan Thomas, who fired a deflected shot goalwards and Morgan was in the right place to prod the ball over the line.

After a much-needed drinks break, mesmerising skill from Jordan Young bamboozled the home defence, and he was felled in the box for a clear penalty. Young dusted himself down and steered a confident spot-kick into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later, United’s high press overwhelmed the Buckland defence and Morgan was the prime beneficiary, slotting a composed finish into the empty net for a deserved third. The half ended with a Louis Dennis header skimming the home crossbar.

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United boss Paul Wotton rung the changes at half-time, providing game-time to a couple of trialists, as well as five youngsters from the U18 squad.

Cody Cooke came close to increasing the lead with a glancing header that landed on the top of the net before Morgan danced through two tackles and clipped a lovely effort inches over.

The game did become a tad stop-start in the closing stages, completely understandable in the immense heat and with a number of changes, but United continued to look in control, while Buckland will also be very satisfied with their fitness levels in tough conditions.

Job done for the Gulls and a strong start to pre-season.

United First-Half: 1 James Hamon; 5 Sam Dreyer, 7 Louis Dennis, 8 Jordan Young, 11 Dylan Morgan, 14 Matt Carson, 16 Ed Palmer, 20 Dan Hayfield, 24 Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 26 Jordan Thomas, 27 Matt Jay.

United Second-Half: 13 Matt Wonnacott, Trialist, 4 Jordan Dyer, 3 Jay Foulston, 14 Matt Carson (Cole 60), Trialist (Hard 88), 6 Nashe Sundire (White 75), 29 Aiden Edwards (Shaw 88), 15 Jadyn Crosbie, 9 Cody Cooke, 11 Dylan Morgan (Herbert 60).