Torquay’s stirring comeback undone by stoppage-time blunder

HORSHAM 2 TORQUAY UNITED 1

After snatching a barely deserved equaliser in the 88th minute, Torquay United handed victory back to Horsham with a stoppage-time gaffe by goalkeeper James Hamon on a forgettable afternoon at the Fusion Aviation Stadium.

Despite a lively debut by new left-winger Josh Phillips, Paul Wotton’s Gulls never approached the levels they had shown in the 3-1 midweek home win over AFC Totton.

But they somehow managed to stay on terms until first-half stoppage-time when Horsham’s James Hammond drove in a 20-yard free-kick.

Wotton made all his permitted five changes in an effort to galvanise his off-form side, and it finally paid off when substitute Ed Palmer volleyed home with two minutes of normal time left.

But then a calamitous error by Hamon, on a backpass by new signing Denzel Akyeampong, laid a 94th minute on a plate for Leone Gravata.

Dylan Morgan had joined United’s injury list, so Wotton threw new signing Phillips straight into the starting side on the left wing, keeping a 4-4-2 formation.

Jordan Dyer was also recalled at centre-back for Palmer.

Read next: Paul Wotton reacts as Torquay United suffer 2-1 defeat at Horsham

The Gulls’ bench, bolstered by the addition of ex-trialist defender Akyeampong, also included fit-again striker Louis Dennis, Palmer and Dan Hayfield.

Horsham were quicker out of the blocks, with Gulls right-back Jordan Thomas soon under pressure from Gravata.

One early Gravata cross was met by James Roberts’ head and Hamon had to make the save.

Hamon also tipped round a drive by Charlie Hester-Cook as United took 15 minutes to get into their stride.

When they did, it was new man Phillips who caught the eye. He took Hester-Cook on at every opportunity, had the pace to do it and delivered a series of crosses that should have produced more in the middle.

Twice Cody Cooke nearly finished off Phillips moves as Torquay started to dominate possession and territory.

Jordan Young also had a 25-yard free-kick parried by Lewis Carey, but that turned out to be the only serious save that the Horsham keeper had to make in the first half.

United never looked completely secure at the back, where they often looked vulnerable to quick breaks.

In the 40th minute, when United were caught out direct from a Horsham goal-kick, it took some good work by Thomas to rescue the situation.

That should have ensured a 0-0 scoreline at the interval, but even that return was removed in the second minute of first-half stoppage-time.

Sam Dreyer was booked for a foul on the edge of his own area, and Hammond slammed the free-kick low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net... 1-0 to the Hornets.

The Gulls’ travelling fans must have hoped for a much better performance in the second half, but they didn’t get it. If anything, it was Horsham – they visibly sensed that there was little to fear from their opponents – who looked more likely to score again.

A booking for Sundire prompted his replacement by Dan Hayfield. And when Gravata and Hammond sent in efforts off target, Wotton had seen more than enough.

In the 60th minute it was Akyeampong for Thomas, Palmer for Dyer and Dennis for Cooke.

With 15 minutes to go Jadyn Crosbie also took over from Jay as United finally summoned up some sustained pressure.

Crosbie put himself about and Dennis livened things up, but the game still looked up until the 88th minute.

Then, Phillips was fouled near the halfway line, Jay Foulston’s long free-kick was flicked on and Palmer hit the sweetest of left-foot volleys into the roof of the net... 1-1.

That, of course, should have been it.

But in the fourth of seven minutes of stoppage-time United farcically shot themselves in the foot. Akyeampong passed back to Hamon. He should have booted it anywhere, but he chose to take a touch and beat his man, got it badly wrong and Gravata, who had just been booked for a foul on him, gleefully rolled the ball into an empty net... 2-1 to Horsham.

There was no coming back from that.

Horsham (4-4-2): Carey; Hester-Cook (Brivio 73), Elliott (Strange 86), Philpot, Sparks; J. Hammond, Barker (Agyemang 37), Harding, Gravata; Roberts (Fenelon 60), Myles-Meekums (Murphy 82); subs not used – Ogunwamide, F. Hammond.

Booked: Harding 72, Gravata 90+3.

Torquay United (4-4-2): Hamon; Thomas (Akyeampong 60), Dyer (Palmer 60), Dreyer, Foulston; Young, Sundire (Hayfield 55), Worthington, Phillips; Cooke (Dennis 60), Jay (Crosbie 75); subs not used – Wonnacott, Edwards.

Booked: Dreyer 45+1, Sundire 52, Hayfield 90+4.

Referee: Morgan Conn (Essex).