Tonbridge 1
(Sutcliffe 67′)
United 2
(Jenkins 17′, Jay 83′)
United secured their first win of the season on Saturday, as a late winner from Matt Jay secured all three points at Tonbridge.
Kian Jenkins’ debut goal saw United gain a first-half lead, only for Tonbridge’s Ethan Sutcliffe to level things up in the second half. Jay was to have the final say though, as The Gulls’ substitute turned one point into three to delight the travelling Yellow Army.
Boss Jimmy Ball made three changes to his starting eleven for the first away game of the season, with Dylan Morgan, Jenkins and Callum Morton replacing Tyler Hill, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Harry Shield, who all began last week’s 1-1 draw at Horsham.
The men in yellow had already begun to enjoy the better of a scrappy first 45 minutes before they broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.
Despite curtailing two previous attempts to take a corner, Jenkins maintained his composure to deliver a superb left-footed inswinger that found the back of the net unaided.
Quite a way to announce his arrival in the starting line-up, and his impressive display continued thereafter, with his cultured deliveries accompanied to a commitment to defend when required, as the lively Japhte Tanga began to threaten down the Tonbridge.
It remained 1-0 to The Gulls at the break though.
That lead was nearly doubled four minutes after the break, as Morton saw his 20-yarder cannon off the far post.
Bailey Akehurst responded by seeing his own effort clip the crossbar shortly after, before the hosts got back on level terms on 67 minutes.
A teasing ball into the United box from Angels replacement Kai Martin allowed Sutcliffe to slot home from close range, despite the best efforts of the Torquay backline.
Boosted by the equaliser, Tonbridge went in search of a winner, but it was a switch – in fact, two – that ultimately proved decisive.
The introduction of Sean Robertson visibly lifted United’s threat down the right flank, and after seizing upon a Deon Moore pass, the debutant laid the ball off perfectly to Jay, who calmly slotted home from ten yards out.
The late dismissal of Tanga only served to assist Ball’s side further in the closing stages, although Toby Savin did produce an outstanding parry to keep out Alfie Pavey’s injury time flicked-header, allowing the Yellow Army to celebrate a 2-1 success at Tonbridge, just as they had done only a few months ago.
Onto Weston at Plainmoor on Tuesday.
TONBRIDGE: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. Harvey Lintott, 5. Ethan Sutcliffe, 6. Lexus Beeden, 7. Ricky Korboa (12. Alfie Pavey, 66′), 9. Frankie Baker (18. Brody Cockerill, 87′), 14. Jaden Brown (19. Kai Martin, 56′), 15. Hayden Bullas, 17. Jephte Tanga, 25. Harry Gardner (4. Paul Osew, 56′), 27. Bailey Akehurst.
SUBS NOT USED: 13.Archie Burford, 20. Jordon Thompson, 21. Miller McDonald.
Yellow Card: Akehurst 11′, Gardner 18′, Baker 34′
Yellow Card / Red Card: Tanga 84′, 86′
UNITED: 1. Toby Savin, 2. Dom Bernard, 5. Sam Dreyer, 6. Munashe Sundire (23. Sean Robertson, 70′), 11. Dylan Morgan (10. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 75′), 14. Deon Moore, 15. Kian Jenkins, 16. Jake Wannell, 18. Matt Worthington (20. Dan Hayfield, HT), 19. Isaac Westendorf (27. Matt Jay, 70′), 39. Callum Morton (3. Tyler Hill, 86′).
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Zak Baker, 9. Cody Cooke.
Yellow Card: Morton 12′, Sundire 28′, Hayfield 53′, Bernard 80′
Attendance: 1,453
