Torquay United battle to narrow victory at a windy Salisbury

Torquay United broke that away duck at the fifth attempt, and closed to within five points of National League South leaders Hornchurch, with a tight, but deserved win at struggling Salisbury.

Paul Wotton’s Gulls struck early with captain Matt Worthington’s well-worked first goal for the club (writes Dave Thomas).

With new loan signing Cian Dillon a lively threat up front, United should have been out of sight by half-time at a windswept Ray Mac Stadium.

Jordan Young had a penalty saved and Worthington missed a sitter in the 37th minute.

But after earning their first ‘clean sheet’ of the season a fortnight before against Ebbsfleet United, Wotton’s men wrapped up another to secure three more points.

Wotton made two changes from the side that started the 1-0 home win over Ebbsfleet on September 20.

Straight into the 1st XI came Dillon – Cody Cooke dropped to the bench – and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton replaced departed loanee Keane Anderson in midfield.

It was fit-again Lo-Everton’s first start since he was injured at Maidstone on the second weekend of the season.

Referee Zach Cunningham also handled that 1-1 draw in Kent.

Worthington won the toss and opted to kick with the wind, and the only disappointment of the first half was that United didn’t make more of it.

They were on top for long periods, with Dillon’s pace visibly worrying Salisbury’s young defence.

Callum Dolan picked up an early booking, trying to slow a Whites breakaway, but Jordan Young had already had a cross-shot tipped over by Will Buse before they took the lead in the eighth minute.

Dolan drove at the right of the home defence, drew a couple of defenders, slipped the ball inside to Worthington and he drove a right foot shot into the bottom right hand corner from 12 yards... 1-0.

Dolan went close and nearly forced a penalty before United should have made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute.

Louis Dennis got in behind the Salisbury on the right, Harry Revill clipped the back of his heels and it was an obvious penalty.

Young on the spot-kick duties from regular taker Cooke, but failed to deceive Buse, who dropped to his right to smother a pretty tame shot.

Five minutes later, and another great chance missed.

Dennis’ run and cross from the right was not cleared and Worthington blazed the loose ball over from seven yards...still 1-0.

Jay Foulston was beaten twice, allowing dangerous crosses, just before the interval, as if to underline that Salisbury, against the run of play, were still in the game.

Into the wind in the second half, United sought to dominate possession and frustrate Salisbury.

They did it well at times, but there was always the odd mistake lurking beneath the surface, even after Wotton sent on Cooke and Hayfield for Dillon and Dolan.

They nearly paid the price in the 69th minute, when it took an alert and Athletic cover tackle by Akyeampong to save the day.

Moments later it was Hamon to the rescue, saving with his legs when Matt Briggs looked certain to equalise.

United went to five at the back when Ed Palmer replaced Akyeampong, to a rousing reception from the Torquay fans, with Hayfield at right-back.

With such a slim lead, the nerves jangled through the closing stages as the two sides swapped more changes and a series of bookings.

But, just as they had done against Ebbsfleet, the Gulls allowed few clear chances after Hamon’s win-clinching save.

They held on for a narrow, but important victory.

Salisbury (4-3-3): Buse; Revan, Muller, Revill (Lee 34), Morgan; Tustin (Somerton 75), Ngalo (Taylor 46), Penn; Coppin, Higgs, Briggs (Keeya 75); subs not used – Sharlott, Somerton.

Booked: Revan 11, Taylor 73, Higgs 82.

Torquay United (4-4-2): Hamon; Akyeampong (Palmer 82),Dyer, Dreyer, Foulston; Young (Morgan 75), Lo-Everton (Jay 71), Worthington, Dolan (Hayfield 61); Dillon (Cooke 49), Dennis; subs not used – Wonnacott, Thomas.

Booked: Dolan 6, Cooke 83.

Referee: Zachary Cunningham (Northants).

Attendance: 1,563 (755 Gulls fans).