United 0
Eastleigh 0
Match Sponsored by:
Lil’s Last Lot
There was frustration for United on Bank Holiday at Plainmoor, as they were forced to settle for a point following a goalless draw with Eastleigh.
Despite bossing almost the entirety of proceedings, Gary Johnson’s men were unable to find the breakthrough that their endeavour deserved.
Following the Good Friday victory at Woking, the Gaffer made one change to his line-up, as Keelan O’Connell backed up his substitute role in that game with a place in the starting eleven – Chiori Johnson was the one to miss out.
The Gulls have made a habit of striking early in games recently, however on this occasion, it took both sides a little while longer to register their intent with a clear-cut effort at either goal.
When the ball did eventually find its way into the net in the 26th minute, it was swiftly ruled out, with Eastleigh’s Danny Whitehall clearly in an offside position as he poked home a loose ball from less than six yards.
It did though, serve as a warning from the visiting side.
Four minutes later, the men in yellow tested Spitfires stopper Joe McDonnell for the first time, with Armani Little’s probing run from deep eventually picking out Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who drove twisted and turned, before driving a low shot into the goalkeeper’s palms.
A much more threatening opportunity was created by Johnson’s side on 35 minutes, however although the free-kick delivery towards the back-post was inviting enough, the onrushing Ben Wynter couldn’t get over the ball enough to prevent it from sailing off target.
On 40 minutes, Stephen Duke-McKenna sent in a delightful ball to pick out the stooping Lemonheigh-Evans, however although the Welshman managed to get a clear head onto the ball, it was with dismay that the Yellow Army camped into the Wollens Terrace could only see it bounce wide of the nearest upright.
United now seemed to be starting to gain a measure of control over proceedings, and it wasn’t long before another chance fell their way, as captain Asa Hall sent a looping header wide of the far-post, after Danny Wright had sent Little’s free-kick back across goal in similar fashion.
The closest either side came though was on the stroke of half-time, as Dan Martin’s cross from the left was left by Lemonheigh-Evans, only for O’Connell’s side-footer from ten yards out to be denied by McDonnell’s sprawling low parry.
There was no breakthrough at the break that was signalled soon after, leaving the two sides with work to do in the second period.
After the change of ends, it was Lee Bradbury’s side that went closest to breaking the deadlock on 51 minutes.
A counter attack led by Sam Smart down the right saw a number of his teammates make pace to join him inside Torquay’s 18-yard box, and after a kind deflection off Joe Lewis fell to Ronan Silva twelve yards out, it was with great relief that United’s fans watched the ball go wide of the post.
The home side missed their own gilt-edged chance three minutes later though.
Duke-McKenna did marvellously well down the right to find the time and space to cut the ball back to the unmarked Hall, however after taking a moment to set his sights, the ball was sent wide. It was the closest The Gulls had come so far.
As the game continued to shake off their shackles, the openings began to appear more freely, with a cross-shot from Eastleigh striker Dan Smith clipping the crossbar minutes later, although covering defender Dean Moxey may have had a say in it dipping below it anyway.
Some excellent footwork from Duke-McKenna on the left edge of the box saw him almost put one Eastleigh man on his pants twice, before his cross across the goalmouth saw Lewis stretch to glance a header past the back stick.
The pressure began to intensify, and on 73 minutes, a ball flicked into the goalmouth found substitute Klaidi Lolos take the ball under control as he bore down on goal deep inside the box, however his poked effort was scrambled to safety at the last minute.
Despite being offered little encouragement from their determined opponents, Johnson’s men did everything they could to find that elusive goal, and continued to up the ante in the dying stages.
It just wouldn’t come though, and in the 87th minute, Shaun MacDonald had to produce a remarkable goal line stop to prevent Silva stealing a lead for the visitors.
Despite seven minutes additional time being given, no breakthrough could be found, as Torquay were left with a draw, rather than the win they craved.
There will be some disappointment that United were unable to add another three points to their tally, however having been written off so many times already this season, Johnson’s men may have a few more surprises left in their locker before 2021/22 is out.
United: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 3. Dan Martin, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Danny Wright, 10. Armani Little, 15. Stephen Duke-McKenna, 16. Keelan O’Connell (19. Klaidi Lolos, 69′), 21. Dean Moxey (5. Ali Omar, 62′), 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Matt Wonnacott, 27. Opi Edwards, 29. Joe Felix.
Yellow Cards: Martin 17′, Little 42′, Lemonheigh-Evans 76′
Eastleigh: 1. Joe McDonnell, 2. Brennan Camp, 3. Michael Kelly, 7. Sam Smart (10. Tyrone Barnett, 74′), 5. Tom Broadbent, 6. Andrew Boyce, 8. Harry Pritchard (9. Dan Smith, 53′), 17. Danny Whitehall, 19. Danny Hollands (c), 20. Ronan Silva, 26. Vincent Harper.
SUBS NOT USED: 14. Brett Pitman, 21. Tom Bragg.
Yellow Cards: Pritchard 13′, Silva 43′
Attendance: 3,646 (84 away)