United 1
(Lo-Everton 41′)
Maidenhead 1
(Umerah 54′)
United had to settle for a point on Saturday, as The Gulls’ return to Plainmoor ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s first-half strike saw Torquay gain a much-deserved lead, before ex-Gull Josh Umerah came back to haunt his former Club with an equaliser after the break.
Following the defeat at Chippenham in midweek, Gulls boss Paul Wotton opted to make three changes, with Louis Dennis, Dylan Morgan and Dan Hayfield replacing Cody Cooke, Kieran Wilson and Jordan Thomas in the starting line-up.
Torquay enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening 45 minutes, however just when it looked as though frustration would reign at the break, Lo-Everton opened the scoring four minutes before the break.
After picking up the ball inside the 18-yard box, Lo-Everton rode a tackle before steering a low drive past Magpies goalkeeper Jordi van Stappershoef and into the far corner of the net.
Wotton’s side continued to up the ante following the change of ends, as they went in search of a second.
van Stappershoef and his defensive colleagues appeared to have their hands full in order to prevent United going further ahead, before a former favourite pegged them back.
Having been awarded a central free-kick 22 yards from goal, Maidenhead striker Umerah sent a free-kick past the wall and just outside of James Hamon’s reach to make it all-square on 54 minutes.
Despite the frustration of losing their hard-earned lead, The Gulls remained positive in attack, with the Maidenhead custodian earning his money to maintain parity.
A moment of real controversy came on 72 minutes.
After breaking into the area, Dennis appeared to be set to score before it looked like his legs were taken from under him. Rather than dust himself down ahead of a spot-kick, Louis looked up only to see a yellow card being brandished.
The Yellow Army’s mood wasn’t helped by further unanswered appeals for a penalty in the late stages, although to their credit, Maidenhead remained a threat on the break, as both sides went in search of a late winner.
It was not to be though, and it was a point apiece.
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 5. Sam Dreyer (c), 6. Munashe Sundire (23. Kieran Wilson, 61′), 7. Louis Dennis, 8. Jordan Young, 11. Dylan Morgan (27. Matt Jay, 67′), 16. Ed Palmer, 18. Matt Worthington, 20. Dan Hayfield, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.
SUBS NOT USED: 9. Cody Cooke, 21. Adam Seedhouse-Evans (GK), 22. Ed James, 26. Jordan Thomas.
Yellow Card: Worthington 23′, Palmer 53′, Sundire 56′, Dennis 67′, Dreyer 67′
MAIDENHEAD: 22. Jordi van Stappershoef, 3. Jordan Ragguette, 6. David Mantle, 8. Asher Yearwood, 11. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (7. Dillon De Silva, 81′), 12. Matt Robinson (c), 15. Josh Umerah, 17. Liam Dulson (16. Cameron Eubank, 90+2′), 20. Remy Clerima, 23. Josh Popoola, 30. Emmanuel Onariase (5. Miles Welch-Hayes, 58′).
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Harvey Collins (GK), 2. Ryan Bartley, 14. Harry Pritchard, 19. Owen Cochrane.
Yellow Card: Clerima 88′ Ragguette 90′
Attendance: 3,171 (70 away)
