United 1
(Boden, 46′)
King’s Lynn Town 0
Match Sponsored by
Scott Boden’s second-half effort saw United get back to winning way on Saturday, as they beat King’s Lynn 1-0 at Plainmoor.
After a first half that lacked goals but not action, it was left to Boden to break the deadlock with his second strike in successive matches moments after the restart, and that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Following the midweek defeat at Maidenhead, manager Gary Johnson made two changes to the starting line-up, with Lucas Covolan Cavagnari returning between the posts at the expense of Shaun MacDonald, whilst Ryan Law replaced Billy Waters.
The visitors went within a few inches of taking the lead inside two minutes. after winning a free-kick on the edge of box, Tyler Denton curled his left-footed effort over and round the wall with admirable accuracy, with the crossbar the first to deny King’s Lynn an early lead, before a terrific point-blank block from the legs of the recalled Covolan kept parity intact.
The Gulls went close in the 8th minute through a set-piece of their own, as Jake Andrews’ ball into the box found Adam Randell at the back post, with his header back across goal finding another head in the form of Sam Sherring, who directed his effort just off-target.
A minute later, and United threatened again. Armani Little showed an excellent turn of pace to break into the left-hand side of the box, and despite the angle being very much against him, a deflection off a tracking defender saw the ball drift across the goalline – unfortunately though, not over it.
Asa Hall was the next to try his luck, as the ball fell kindly for the skipper inside the box, allowing him to fire in a venomous low drive that ‘keeper Theo Richardson saved with his legs, with Scott Boden unable to readjust enough to prevent his rebound effort from going wide of the post.
There was no let-up in the action, with set-pieces remaining a reliable source of invention for both sides. A 24th minute curling free-kick from the visitors’ Sonny Carey left may have eventually dipped just wide of the near-post, however it was close enough to keep Covolan active.
Hall appeared determined to lead from the front, and after picking up the ball from 25 yards out, he sent in another fierce strike towards goal, however this time it sailed over the crossbar.
The open nature of proceedings meant nothing could be taken for granted though, and as the clock ticked past the half-hour, it was The Linnets who were next to threaten, as Michael Gyasi seized upon some hesitancy in The Gulls’ backline to send in a cushioned volley towards goal from fifteen yards, however Covolan was equal to it.
The chances continued to flow at both ends, with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans next to try his luck from the edge of the area, however on this occasion, the shot was too high to trouble Richardson.
Eager to press home a first-half advantage, on the stroke of half-time, a deep cross from Andrews’ boot towards the back post found Hall, who duly headed the ball back in the direction of Boden. With his back to goal, the Gulls striker had little option but to flick in an overhead kick, however the King’s Lynn custodian was suitably positioned to gather the ball.
Scoreless at the interval, however there was little to suggest that would be the case come full-time.
The watching Yellow Army had to wait less than a minute following the restart for their side to take the lead.
Lemonheigh-Evans, who had been nothing-but positive throughout, drove deep into enemy territory before firing in a low diagonal drive from 20 yards that Richardson could only parry into the path of Boden, who gleefully slid the ball past him to give his side the lead.
Following the goal, King’s Lynn were still looking threatening on the break, however it was the men in yellow who were now in the ascendancy.
Another Andrews delivery from the left on 52 minutes nearly got its reward at the back post, only for Ben Wynter’s half-volley to bounce up and wide of the furthest upright.
Following in the footsteps of those that preceded it, another tempting free-kick from out wide on the right saw Andrews again send the ball into the danger zone, with Sherring inches away from making it count, as the match headed towards the hour mark.
Balls continued to flash into the visiting box without anyone profiting from it, however Little nearly brought the house down from distance with ten minutes remaining, as his right-footed strike from 25 yards forced Richardson to dive full-length to keep it out.
As the minutes continued to tick by, Johnson’s men continued to call the shots. With the lead at just the single goal though, and despite Covolan being untroubled for large periods, it became a question as to whether visiting pressure alone may prompt a nasty sting in the tail.
United’s defence remained resolute and organised however, and with the minimal amount of fuss, The Gulls held on to record a hard-earned clean sheet – but most importantly, three points.
Boosted by this gutsy result, Torquay can now look forward to building on this in three days’ time, with Solihull Moors the next visitors to Plainmoor on Tuesday evening.
TUFC: 33. Lucas Covolan, 2. Ben Wynter, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c), 10. Armani Little (15. Matt Buse, 90+1′), 11. Jake Andrews, 12. Adam Randell, 16. Sam Sherring, 19. Scott Boden (35. Josh Umerah, 77′), 27. Ryan Law, 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Shaun MacDonald (GK), 18. Olaf Koszela, 25. Billy Waters.
Yellow Card: Randell 9′, Lewis 27′, Little 28′
KING’S LYNN TOWN: 1. Theo Richardson, 4. Kyle Callan-McFadden, 5. Chris Smith, 7. Michael Clunan (c), 8. Jordan Richards (31. Simeon Jackson, 72′), 12. Michael Gyasi (9. Michael Gash, 58′), 15. Tai Fleming, 19. Kairo Mitchell, 24. Sonny Carey, 25. Tyler Denton, 28. Alfie Payne (34. Jordan Davies, 72′).
SUBS NOT USED: 30. Paul Bastock (GK).
Yellow Card: Clunen 90+3′