United 1
(Hayfield 53′)
Truro City 0
United’s Isuzu FA Trophy continues, after they secured a 1-0 win over Truro City at Plainmoor.
After a goalless first period, it was Dan Hayfield’s free-kick that eventually saw United home, and into the hat for Monday’s 3rd round draw.
Following the 1-1 home draw with Maidstone in midweek, boss Paul Wotton made four changes to his starting line-up, with Sam Dreyer, Finn Tonks, Lirak Hasani and Will Jenkins Davies replaced by Ed Palmer, new signing Jordan Thomas, Oscar Threlkeld and Keke Jeffers, who was also making his full debut for The Gulls.
With Wotton watching the game in Bristow’s Bench due to a touchline ban, it was the vastly experienced figure of Neil Warnock that joined Assistant Manager Mike Edwards in the dugout.
It was the visitors who started the brighter, with Dom Johnson-Fisher forcing James Hamon into a decent save from a narrow angle in the 12th minute, before a breakdown in possession resulted in Will Dean drilling a low strike wide from 20 yards eight minutes later.
It wasn’t until the half-hour that The Gulls really threatened, but when they did, it came following their brightest move of the match so far.
After Jordan Young cut in from the right and danced across the 18 yard-line, the winger saw his initial shot blocked, before the ball was reworked to Carson out on the left flank. His delivery towards Cody Cooke was pinpoint, however United’s No.19 saw his header deflected wide.
There was a let-off for the men in yellow & blue hoops just before the break.
After a goalmouth scramble in The Gulls’ penalty area saw the ball played into the path of Connor Riley-Lowe, the Tinners’ skipper fired a stinging shot into the net from 18 yards, despite numerous appeals from opponents around him.
The referee instantly consulted with his Assistant, before ruling the effort out.
Scoreless at the break then.
Once things got back underway, it didn’t take long for United to take the lead.
Having been awarded a central free-kick for a foul 22 yards from goal, Hayfield took ownership of the situation superbly by dispatching a wonderful right-footed curler into the roof of the net – 1-0.
The visitors certainly upped the ante after that, although Wotton’s side remained a threat themselves.
Torquay remained well-marshalled, so much so that Hamon only had one serious save to make, as Johnson-Fisher warmed his palms from fifteen yards on the hour mark.
Omar Mussa, on as a sub, side-footed wide from a low right-wing cross with seven minutes left, as it began to look increasingly likely that one goal may end up deciding a tight encounter.
There were a few nervy moments in the dying stages – there always are – but everyone did their defensive jobs well, to secure the win and the clean sheet.
Onto Round Three!
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 8. Jordan Young, 14. Matt Carson (22. Will Jenkins Davies, HT), 16. Ed Palmer, 18. Oscar Threlkeld, 19. Cody Cooke, 20. Dan Hayfield, 26. Jordan Thomas, 48. Keke Jeffers (10. Omar Mussa, 68′).
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Sam Dreyer, 9. Ben Seymour, 17. Finn Tonks.
Yellow Card: Dyer 8′, Young 75′, Threlkeld 80′
TRURO: 1. Dan Lavercombe, 3. Connor Riley-Lowe (c), 5. Tom Harrison, 6. Sam Saunders, 7. Yassine En-Neyeh, 8. Will Dean, 11. Dom Johnson-Fisher (19. Jaze Kabia 74′), 12. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, 15. Andrew Neal, 18. Dan Rooney (17. Tavonga Kuleya, 86′), 20. Ryan Law (14. Levi Andoh, 74′).
SUBS NOT USED: 10. Billy Palfrey, 13. Morgan Jones.
Yellow Card: Harrison 87′
Attendance: 1,967 (167 away)