Brightlingsea Regent 0
Torquay United 3
Reid 15′ pen, Hall 67′, Andrews 81′
United progressed into Monday’s Emirates FA Cup 4th round qualifying draw after a 3-0 win over Brightlingsea Regent.
Gary Johnson said before the game that he would be only taking 16 players in the match day squad, believing that the long round trip would be a hinderance to the players that didn’t play. United were down to 15 players when striker Brett Williams was granted leave to attend the birth of his son on Friday. Congratulation to the Williams family!
United dominated the match which was played in increasingly wet and windy conditions. Apart from a chance for Rs striker Billy Hunt, which goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald acrobatically pushed onto the bar, Brightlingsea created very little.
United caught Brightlingsea napping in the 15th minute. Jake Andrews’ free-kick put Opi Edwards in behind Brightlingsea’s back line. He was fouled and the referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Jamie Reid to put the ‘keeper the wrong way to put United ahead.
United were a constant threat on the break, and were winning first and second balls in midfield. Despite some promising moments it was still 1-0 at the break.
Brightlingsea were brighter after the break. They could have made it 1-1 when Hunt tested MacDonald. From then on United kept the Rs quiet and scored two more.
Saikou Janneh had a good opportunity to open his account after Opi Edwards and Jamie Reid had combined. Unfortunately he put his effort over the bar.
Asa Hall made it 2-0 when he rose in the penalty box to head home from a Jake Andrews corner.
United wrapped the game up when Jake Andrews scored a diving header in the 81st minute.
“Obviously very pleased that we’re still in the Cup,” said Gary Johnson after the final whistle. “Very pleased with the three goals, a couple of which we had worked on.”
“In the end I don’t think anyone can complain that we’re going through to the next round.”
The Emirates FA Cup 4th round qualifying will be drawn live on Talk Sport on Monday.
Brightlingsea Regent: Bradbook, Griggs (Amass 50’), Keys, Morgan, Gould, Cripps (c) , Lewis (Barnett 58’), Turner, Hunt, Clowsley (Taylor 72’), Baxter
Subs: (Not used) Grimes, Cherry
Booked:
Torquay United: MacDonald, Davis, Sendles-White, Hall (c) , Janneh (Keating 68’), Lemonheigh-Evans, Niate (Essuman 76’), Cameron, Andrews, Reid , Edwards (Wright 70’)
Subs: (Not used) Burton
Booked:
Referee: David Spain