Torquay United slip to underwhelming defeat at Chesham United

Inconsistency on the road has been the major thorn in Torquay United over the opening ten weeks of the season, and it made an unwelcome return at Chesham United on Saturday.

After three successive clean sheets and a strong run that has seen United come within touching distance of the top spot in National League South, a solitary strike from Nathan Minhas was enough to dampen the recent enthusiasm.

The Gulls made a lively start in Buckinghamshire but there was little on offer in terms of goalmouth action, Sam Dreyer providing the only glimpse with a hooked effort over the bar from a Jordan Young free-kick.

Chesham introduced themselves as an attacking force with a fizzing cross from Josh Addae that just needed a touch to trouble United custodian James Hamon, who then did need to be at his best on 25 minutes, diving low to keep out a shot from Connor Roberts.

United were strangely lacklustre in their work and the home side took advantage ten minutes before the break, working a short corner routine for Minhas to slot past an exposed Hamon at the near post.

Minhas almost made it two for the hosts before Cian Dillon offered some hope with a drive that cleared the crossbar. Louis Dennis replaced Dylan Morgan at the interval but Chesham were again on the front-foot, Addae forcing another decent block from Hamon.

Manager Paul Wotton showed his displeasure by turning to the bench for reinforcements in the shape of Ed Palmer and Sonny Fish, making his belated debut for the Yellows after a long spell out through injury.

Matt Jay also entered the fray as United attempted to change the pattern of a frustrating afternoon, with Jay Foulston rescuing Hamon after a miscued clearance threatened to fall nicely for the home side.

Gradually, as the game entered its closing stages, United began enjoying better control of possession but a lack of penetration in the final third was continuing to blight their hopes of finding an equaliser.

The Gulls badly needed some inspiration, and Callum Dolan almost answered the call, pinging a lovely strike from distance, repelled by goalkeeper Ben Goode. Despite that mild encouragement for the boys in Yellow, the Generals remained a threat on the counter.

The presence of Fish began to have an impact as Chesham retreated into a hang-on-for-victory formation, and the big forward was only denied a debut goal by a strong save from Goode.  

Effort levels never dropped but even 11 minutes of stoppage time could not prevent the Gulls from returning home disappointed.