Torquay treble the perfect end to a tricky period for the Gulls

It has not been the easiest autumn for Torquay United, and particularly manager Jimmy Ball, as he seeks to find the right formula in the National League South.

After a blood and thunder draw with the league leaders Maidstone last weekend, United succumbed to a narrow 1-0 loss at AFC Totton, Ball’s former club, in midweek, a result that cranked up the pressure for a trip to lowly Walton & Hersham.

The Gulls responded superbly to the challenge, edging in front with a lovely finish from Matt Jay. Substitute Cody Cooke doubled the lead after the break and a 3-0 triumph was completed by a sublime finish from Jacob Beaumont-Clark.

“We needed it, I needed it, and we had to move the ball fast on a slow plastic pitch,” said Ball. “We had to be patient and when we’ve got the lead, we’ve done well this season.

“I was disappointed we only went in 1-0 up at half-time but we needed a forward taking chances, and he [Jay] did. His mind, his ability and his touch is class, so we were pleased with it.

“We started ok in the second half but we then got a bit edgy and a bit open. We got a bit nervous but they got through it, and the subs came on and did great. The second goal was textbook and the third was Jacob again; he doesn’t score tap-ins!”

Ahead of a game that carried huge expectation, United were dealt a cruel blow before kick-off, as defender Oludare Olufunwa was ruled out of the starting line-up with a worrying knee injury.

Ball turned to Taylor Scarff, a recent recruit from Plymouth Parkway, and he performed manfully alongside Jake Wannell in the heart of defence.

“I must have walked under some ladders because Oludare went down in the warm-up and we had to make a change,” added Ball. “Scarff came in and was big and brave, he did his job great.

“Taylor is just an honest lad and did his job well. Sometimes, you’d like to bed-in a player and get them used to how we play, and we’ve been able to do that with him. It’s a nice way to do it and I trust him.

“They’re a good group and they stuck together, but we will have to see how serious that is [for Oludare]. We adapted well and we’ve just played on two very different pitches, different conditions [at Totton] that probably weren’t conducive to dribbling wingers.

“Today was a game when you could get wingers on the ball and it is my job to deploy the right people. I won’t get it right every time but I’ll do my homework, have reasoning and hopefully the players go and execute.

“It is horses for courses and what I think will be right to win the game.”