Jimmy Ball: “Too many average performances in a big game”

Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball conceded too many of his players were unable to reach their potential in the painful 1-0 loss to Oxford City in the FA Cup.

The prize of a place in the first round proper was a huge incentive for both teams, and the Gulls started brightly enough, culminating in a Deon Moore volley that was chalked off by a wafer-thin offside decision.

Gradually, however, the visitors began to find their rhythm and United were unable to raise their levels, Scott Pollock notching the only goal of the game early in the second half.

“I am mostly disappointed for the fans and the club, but there were too many average performances in a big game,” said Ball.

“If you compare the two teams, their defensive unit defended resolutely and were tough for 90 minutes, and we didn’t. Their midfield passed the ball better and ran over ours, and their attacking unit had one chance and took it.

“I’m desperately disappointed with the goal conceded and Deon’s disallowed goal, which I’ve watched back a few times, and it is so close. I thought the advantage went with the attacking team but obviously not today.

“Scoring the first is massively important because everyone can then relax. There is a lot of anxiety in the stadium and I think that comes from everyone wanting us to do well and to succeed.

“The truth is I’m gutted for the fans because I wanted to give them something to be excited about, and gutted for the club because it (the FA Cup) helps massively.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we were good in the first 20 minutes. We tried something a little different with Callum Morton playing in the inside left position but we never seemed to get a finish away, or one more pass.

“I don’t think it was good enough on the day. They didn’t play to their potential, not enough of them played to a high enough level today, and we were the side that switched off once in defence.”

The big games keep on coming for United, with league leaders Maidstone visiting Plainmoor this weekend, and a huge opportunity to build momentum ahead of the busy winter schedule.

Ball is hopeful key defender Jake Wannell will be fit to return from injury but there is doubt over attacking midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, who is struggling with a foot problem.

“Maidstone will be similar to today, no nonsense defending and aggressive in their attacking,” added Ball. “We’ve got to turn up in every game and in big games, you need big performances.

“I would say that Jake [Wannell] will be available for selection but I won’t know about Sonny Blu until Wednesday or Thursday. The problem he’s got is proving more difficult to relieve him of pain. We’re working on it very hard because he’s an excellent player.”