United’s Under-18s will be looking to claim more silverware on Saturday morning, as they head to Fairfax Park to take on Mangotsfield in the final of the Gary Else Memorial League Cup.
Having taken ownership of the trophy with a 2-1 win over Bridgwater at the same venue last season, Ryan Dickson’s class of 2022/23 will be focused on retaining it against their Gloucestershire-based opponents.
The Young Gulls may have come out convincing winners in both of this season’s league outings, however with the The Mangos’s young stars under the tutelage of former Forest Green and Leeds United manager Dave Hockaday, Dickson’s side know they will face a stern test of their own credentials tomorrow.
Back in November, a hat-trick from Jayden Gilbert, a brace from Ben Aldous, and another strike from Brandon Quinn saw Torquay run out 6-2 winners at South Gloucestershire & Stroud College, with Arian Askari and Devanti McInerney replaying for the hosts. In the return match in January, however, it was Aldous who took centre stage, with all three goals in a one-sided 3-0 win for the yellows at South Devon College.
Bridgwater United’s Fairfax Park certainly holds happy memories for leading scorer Ben too, as it was ultimately his goal that proved decisive in last year’s final, as United bounced back from conceding an early goal to clinch a 2-1 victory, on their way to an unprecedented treble.
With one league match to go – away to Cirencester next weekend – and just three points separating Torquay and Bridgwater at the top of the South West Counties League table, Dickson’s young charges could yet secure an impressive League & Cup double, but there’s no doubting that tomorrow, all minds will be fully focused on the job in hand.
How They Got There
With the SWCYL split into separate groups for their League Cup tournament, both sides have made it through a number of fixtures in order to take their place in Saturday’s showpiece in Somerset.
- Torquay United
United’s quest for glory began in confident fashion back in October, as goals from Aldous (2), Gilbert, and Thomas Chastey secured a 4-0 away win at Wimborne. After replicating that scoreline upon the competition’s resumption in the New Year, it was BRS Coaching that were put to the sword on this occasion, as another Aldous hat-trick, in addition to a William Brennan effort, did for the visitors.
Old rivals Bridgwater were next to feel the force of United’s attacking prowess, as Aldous (2), Collins (2) and Kennell saw them ease through by a 5-2 margin, in a match that serves as a fine warm-up for tomorrow’s game at the same ground. Somerset rivals Yeovil Town fared little better in the next game, as another trio of Aldous strikes saw his side triumph 3-1 at home.
Having conquered all before them, the Young Gulls eventually sealed safe passage through to the final with a stunning 7-2 victory over Cirencester in their last League Cup outing, with Aldous (4), George Collins (2), and Harvey Field all making their mark.
- Mangotsfield
Hockaday’s side have been no less impressive on their march towards the final, with their progress beginning with an excellent 4-2 success at home to Cirencester, with Askari (2), McInerney and Spike Weaver doing the damage.
Bath City were the next side standing in their way, however they proved little resistance to a rampant Field side, who notched four without reply through Shaquille McDonald, Jack Nunn, Benjamin Crook and Weaver.
Askari, Crook and Weaver were again on the scoresheet in their next game, which would prove to be their toughest task yet. The five-goal thriller at home to Swindon Supermarine eventually went their way though, leaving them to secure a place in tomorrow’s final in style with their 4-0 defeat of Wimborne, as Jake Abraham, Theo Jeremy, Weaver and substitute Crook took the plaudits in front of their home support.
How To Follow The Action
Tomorrow’s encounter takes place at Bridgwater United’s Fairfax Park Stadium (TA6 4TZ), with supporters of both teams welcome to attend.
United fans unable to make it there need not miss out on any of the action though, with full radio commentary of the match available from 10:30am via TUFC Radio HERE. In addition to this live coverage, there will also be in-match tweets via the Club’s official Twitter account @TUFC1899, as well as regular updates on Facebook and Instagram.
Following the big game, a full match report and post-match reaction will also be available via www.torquayunited.com and our official YouTube channel, Official TUFC
Gary Else Memorial Cup Final | 12/05/23 10:30am | Torquay United v Mangotsfield | Fairfax Park TA6 4TZ