A young United team took on their Plymouth Argyle counterparts on Tuesday afternoon, with manager Gary Johnson delighted with the outcome on a number of levels.
A 4-1 victory for The Gulls was pleasing enough, however there were a number of other benefits for the players involved too.
“As always, it was a very good exercise for us and there were some good performances,” said Johnson.
“It was a worthwhile game for some players’ fitness, as it gives the ones that have been on the bench recently 90 minutes to stay sharp, in preparation for when they next play.
“It also enhances the link between the College boys and our own boys. To get the college boys playing with some of our young lads is good to see. They played very well, and won the game of course.”
The game at South Devon College provided welcome run-outs for Ben Wynter and Frank Vincent in particular, with both continuing to build up their match fitness following injury.
United took the lead in the 5th minute, with Jared Lewington getting on the end of a free-kick to fire home from inside the box.
Johnson’s men continued to boss the early stages, creating a number of openings before Plymouth equalised following a swift counter attack on the half-hour to send the sides into the interval all square.
The second half belonged to United though, with Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala restoring his side’s lead with an excellent run and shot from 22 yards on 47 minutes.
Just past the hour mark, it was 3-1 as Olaf Koszela curled home a terrific free-kick from the edge of the box, before the same player calmly slotted into the net from close range with five minutes remaining to round off the scoring.
TUFC: Collings (Weeks), Wynter (c), Baxter (Bamforth), L Edmondson, Price, Nemane, Evans (Howarth), Vincent (Piper), Kalala, Koszela, Lewington.