Torquay United too strong for St Austell in FA Youth Cup

Torquay United U18s are through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup after an entertaining 3-1 victory over AFC St Austell at the home of Buckland Athletic.

The young Gulls were given a bye in the first round and welcomed their Cornish visitors, who defeated Willand Rovers in the previous round, to a Homers Heath ground recovering impressively swiftly from the weekend storms.

United were on top inside the opening ten minutes, Toby Hard and Fin Herbert both denied by top saves from the visiting custodian. Aidan Edwards was a powerful influence in the home midfield, as United continued knocking on the door.

Herbert had a long-range shot fizz narrowly over before Jonah Shaw also went close with an excellent effort. The door finally cracked open when a terrific low cross from Hard was turned in for an own goal midway through the first period.

The second goal arrived moments later, Edwards with a carbon copy cross from the right for the arriving Albie Baker to convert from close range. United’s dominance continued to the interval and the only frustration was the lead only stretched to two goals.

Such is the way with football, particularly at youth level, missed chances can prove costly, as St Austell halved the deficit within a minute of the restart, and then enjoyed a strong spell of pressure, repelled by a defence marshalled with impressive authority by Coby White.

Gradually, United rediscovered their rhythm and began causing more of a threat at the other end. The decisive third arrived in familiar circumstances, a low cross turned over from close range by Hard.

The final action of a terrific evening saw Herbert surge through the home defence, only to be felled for a clear spot-kick. The same youngster took the penalty but was denied by a fine save. No matter, into the next round for the Gulls.