Torquay United sweep past Newport County in a pre-season friendly

Torquay United sweep past Newport County in a pre-season friendly

The first Plainmoor pre-season friendly of the summer produced a scintillating first-half performance from Torquay United, overpowering Newport County with a 3-1 victory.

Fine goals from Dylan Morgan and Jordan Dyer set the tone for the Gulls, and it was virtually job done when Louis Dennis pounced on slack goalkeeping for a third before the interval.

Both sides made multiple changes after half-time and the game became inevitably disrupted, but even a last-gasp consolation for Newport did little to dampen the positive Plainmoor vibes.

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Intensity in their high press was the key to United’s early success, as Newport struggled to contain the hosts. Jordan Young had a sighter narrowly off target and Louis Dennis looked particularly dangerous behind striker Cody Cooke.

The Gulls were dominating the corner count but it was a super finish from open play that got the Yellow Army singing, as Dylan Morgan drifted inside for a delicious strike into the top corner, adding another pre-season goal to his double at Buckland Athletic last weekend.

The dominant pattern continued for the home side and Dyer rose superbly to head against the bar from a Morgan corner. The ball was soon returned to the danger area and Dyer this time found his target, guiding a fabulous header into the opposite corner.

Newport looked rattled, as Sam Dreyer also went close from a header, Visiting goalkeeper Jordan Wright was enduring a tough opening half, as he flapped from a deep corner and Dennis steered the loose ball into the empty net.

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United manager Paul Wotton enjoyed the luxury of emptying his bench after the break and the visitors were much improved on the ball, controlling possession without creating too much of a threat.

Bobby Kamwa did head home a late consolation but job done for the Gulls.

There are more challenges to come before the National League South campaign kicks-off at home to Enfield on August 9, but definitely so far so good for Torquay United.

United: 1 James Hamon (13 Matt Wonnacott H-T); 3 Jay Foulston (21 Finley Herbert 77), 4 Jordan Dyer (16 Ed Palmer 62), 5 Sam Dreyer, 7 Louis Dennis (10 Callum Dolan 62), 8 Jordan Young (29 Aidan Edwards 69, 9 Cody Cooke (27 Matt Jay H-T), 11 Dylan Morgan (14 Matt Carson H-T), 18 Matt Worthington (20 Dan Hayfield H-T), 24 Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (15 Jadyn Crosbie 69), 26 Jordan Thomas (23 Trialist 62).

Referee: Ross Martin

Attendance: 2,834