Oxford City 0
TUAFC 1
(Gilbert, 90′)
Torquay United’s FA Cup weekend got off to the perfect start on Friday evening, as our Under-18s booked their place in First Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup.
With the game still goalless heading into injury-time, substitute Jayden Gilbert sealed a memorable last-gasp victory to send the travelling United contingent into raptures.
The opening stages seemed to promise a cagey affair, with neither side allowed enough space or time to enjoy much in the way of clear-cut chances, although a first-minute shot from City winger Boateng did at least give United goalkeeper Matt Wonnacott an early feel of the ball.
United’s best chance came on 21 minutes, as Calum Thomas sent in a precise volley through a field of players, before seeing the ball gathered low by home stopper Cuddy.
Oxford soon came back into proceedings though, and it took an excellent stop from Wonnacott to deny Mohammed breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute.
The hosts went even closer just before the break, after Wonnacott’s clearance rebounded off home midfielder Small, however just as the ball looked destined to cross the line, it was heroically hacked away to safety by a recovering defender – just in the nick of time.
That intervention saw the scores level at the halfway point, however there was to be much more goalmouth action following the restart.
Torquay’s glovesman had to be alert on 49 minutes, as a close-range effort from Pendlebury nearly saw the home striker give his side the lead, however moments later there were appeals for a Gulls spot-kick, as a clumsy challenge from City’s Hawkins inside the box brought about a yellow card, but puzzlingly, no further action from the referee.
Unperturbed by that setback, Chris Todd’s charges nearly struck in the 58th minutes, however after breaking into the penalty area, Joe Edmonds’ shot was fired across goal, without attracting the final touch that would have put his side into the lead.
It was a tribute to the young Gulls’ performance that whilst the scoreline remained blank heading into the quarter of the match, the bookings began to mount up for their frustrated opponents.
With time beginning to ebb away, three glorious chances came the way of the men in yellow, as they began to take charge.
Theo Cadby, the hero of the last round with four goals and normally so lethal in front of goal, looked sure to profit from a loose ball inside the box, however on this occasion his header from close range went narrowly wide of the post.
Moments later and Brandon Quinn followed that up with another near miss, as he lashed a left-footed shot narrowly past the upright – the ‘keeper rooted to his spot.
Then, with just 60 seconds remaining, Cadby sent another header just off target from a promising position.
Just when it looked like their chance may have gone, the pressure finally told.
With the game now deep into injury time, it was Gilbert, fresh off the bench, who rose highest to send an expertly directed looping header over the helpless Cuddy and into the back of the net to prompt wild scenes of celebration on the touchline.
Just as Gary Johnson’s senior side have made a habit of winning late, our young side had followed suit, with the final whistle sounding soon after.
A trip to Newport County – one of Todd’s former clubs – is the next test for United’s next generation, however for now, the lads will be left to bask in the glory of a famous night.
Congratulations lads!
TUFC: 1. Matt Wonnacott, 2. James Rowe, 3. Joe Edmonds, 4. Calum Thomas, 5. Alfie Collings (c), 7. Sam Bishop, 8. Brandon Quinn, 9. Theo Cadby, 11. Lewis Brooks, 14. Jack Winsor, 18. Sammie Stayt.
Substitutes: 15. George Collins, 16. Dan Grant, 17. Ben Adams, 19. Jayden Gilbert, 23. Lloyd Marshall, 31. Harvey Field.