Matt Jay has the final say as Torquay United seal first home win

Matt Jay struck late to secure Torquay United’s first home victory of the season on Saturday, ending a dramatic afternoon in which the Gulls surrendered a two-goal lead before finding a decisive winner.

United appeared firmly in control after a blistering opening 45 minutes, but Folkestone Invicta fought back from 2–0 down to level the scores before Jay’s late intervention finally settled the contest.

Gulls boss Jimmy Ball made one change from the side beaten 2–0 at Farnham on Bank Holiday Monday, with new signing Angelo Cappello coming into the starting XI in place of Jordan Young.

United made the perfect start, taking the lead after just eight minutes.

Having survived a couple of early Folkestone attacks, the Gulls swiftly turned defence into attack. Jacob Beaumont-Clark cut in from the flank before producing a superb left-footed curling finish into the top corner, sending the Yellow Army into raptures and opening his account for the club.

United doubled their advantage before the visitors had time to recover.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton powered through the middle of the park and carried the ball into the penalty area. His run attracted defenders, creating space to his right for Deon Moore, who kept his composure to side-foot home from around 10 yards.

Two goals to the good at half-time, Torquay looked in complete control.

But the second half brought an extraordinary turnaround.

Just three minutes after the restart, Folkestone reduced the deficit when Liam Smith arrived at the back post to head home from a corner.

United were suddenly under pressure and, within another couple of minutes, the scores were level.

In the 50th minute, hesitation in the heart of the Gulls’ defence presented Donell Thomas with an opportunity on the edge of the penalty area. He wrong-footed goalkeeper Toby Savin before finding the net to make it 2–2.

For a spell, Folkestone looked the more likely side to complete the comeback, but United showed the greater composure when the decisive moment arrived.

The visitors’ goalkeeper produced an excellent parry to deny Cody Cooke after the Gulls striker unleashed a fierce low drive.

However, the ball fell perfectly for Matt Jay, who made no mistake with a first-time finish inside the box, finding the top corner and restoring United’s lead.

This time there was to be no response from Invicta.

Jay’s late strike proved enough to secure all three points and give United their first home win of the campaign.