Torquay United slip to their second loss of the season at Hemel Hempstead

An inspired display from Hemel Hempstead Town forward Millar Matthews-Lewis ultimately proved the difference in Torquay United’s 2-1 defeat, a second reverse of the campaign.

Matthews-Lewis gave the deserved lead at half-time but the Gulls were much improved after the break, levelling through Ed Palmer, but Matthews-Lewis quickly restored the home lead and a frustrating afternoon for United.   

Both sides demonstrated plenty of endeavour in the early exchanges but the only real glimpse of goal stemmed from a Jordan Young corner, shepherded to safety by the Hemel defence.

The hosts responded with a strong period of pressure, forcing a top save from James Hamon on 16 minutes, when a driving run into the box was squared for Joe White to have a low strike, repelled by the legs of United’s number one.

Pressure was cranking up with Matthews-Lewis looking particularly sprightly for Hemel, and he was the man to break the deadlock, heading home midway through the first period.

The Gulls were struggling to find their normal rhythm as an attacking force, as Hemel went close to adding a second with a strike from George Williams deflected wide. The Tudors were enjoying their afternoon, Matthews-Lewis pinching the ball in a dangerous area, only for Hamon to snuff out the opportunity.

Lots of work for United in the second period, as evidenced by the withdrawal of Jordan Thomas and Matt Jay for recent recruits Denzel Akyeampong and Josh Phillips.

The interval seemed to work, as the Gulls suddenly had far more impetus and tempo in their play. Louis Dennis was first to threaten with an effort scrambled clear off the line before the arriving Dan Hayfield thundered his strike against the bar.

Hemel eventually regathered some control of proceedings and asked a couple more questions of the United defence before the goalscoring start to the season for Palmer continued with another lovely low finish from a Cody Cooke delivery.

Unfortunately for United, parity did not last long. Kyran Wiltshire fired the first warning shot with a decent strike against the bar before Matthews-Lewis doubled his personal tally with a simple finish from a White cross.

The Gulls tried to find a swift response with Cooke nodding over from a Dennis cross. Jadyn Crosbie was introduced for some fresh legs in the forward department but the Gulls were still struggling to create clear-cut chances.

There was no shortage of effort from the men in Yellow, pounding the Hemel penalty area with lofted deliveries but the home defence was up to the challenge. When the equalising chance did arrive, Palmer was once again the man in position, but this time lashed his shot wide.

It proved the final act for United and a frustrating defeat they would hope to remedy at Hampton and Richmond on Tuesday evening.