Barnet 0
United 2
Whitfield 8′, Andrews 83′
United extended their lead at the top of the National League to ten points, following another away day success at Barnet.
Ben Whitfield’s early strike gave Torquay an early lead, and after dominating the game for large periods, it was left to Jake Andrews to eventually put the gloss on another welcome three points for Gary Johnson’s men.
The Gaffer made two changes to the side that drew with Sutton at home on Tuesday, with Rob Street making his first start in a Gulls shirt alongside skipper Asa Hall, who returned to the starting line-up after injury. Josh Umerah dropped to the bench, whilst Dean Moxey sat out the game through suspension.
United went within inches of opening the scoring just 90 seconds in, with their first attack of the game.
A moment of indecision from the home backline was all the invitation that Joe Lewis needed to drive forward, before delivering a marvellous ball to the back post that evaded Scott Loach, however the Barnet goalkeeper did just enough to deny a number of lurking Torquay forwards, with his defensive colleagues also intervening in a desperate attempts to keep the ball out.
The Yellow Army, watching on at home, didn’t have to wait much longer to see their side take the lead.
After winning the ball in the centre of midfield, Hall announced his return in perfect fashion with a sublime defence-splitting pass that left Whitfield bearing down on goal with defenders in his wake and just the ‘keeper to beat. The United winger duly obliged in confident style from the edge of the box, firing a firm strike past Loach and into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0.
After soaking up a decent spell of possession from the hosts, on-loan man Street found enough space down the left-hand side in the 24th minute to tee-up Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in side the box, however the Welshman could only fire into the side netting.
Two minutes later, United were again looking dangerous on the break, with Armani Little picking up the ball deep inside enemy territory, before sending in a low strike that Loach diverted away with his feet.
Clearly grateful at not seeing the deficit increased, The Bees set about making the most of having the wind and rain in their favour, however Torquay’s backline continued to quite literally soak up everything their opponents could throw at them, as the game headed towards the interval.
There was nearly further cause for celebration in the visiting ranks just before the break, as some nice link-up play between Aaron Nemane and Little down the right ended with the latter sending in a low ball towards the near-post that Street couldn’t quite connect with.
The only real scare came moments later, as despite United protests for handball, the referee allowed play to go on, resulting in Liam Daly floating an inviting ball to the back post that JJ Hooper headed over from point-blank range.
Johnson would have been pleased to see his side head for the tunnels with a goal to the good amid difficult playing conditions, however with a bit of luck, the scoreline could have looked even more pleasing.
With the wind at their backs for the second 45 minutes, The Gulls would have been hoping to heap more pressure on a nervous-looking home defence following the restart, however it was initially the men in Amber that enjoyed most of the ball.
United’s defensive unit was having to face a series of aerial attacks, however Barnet’s frontmen were getting little change from Joe Lewis, Kyle Cameron and Sam Sherring, who repelled a succession of balls into the box with relative ease.
On more than one occasion, a couple of threatening-looking Torquay counter-attacks just lacked the final delivery as they went in search of a potentially crucial second goal.
In the 69th minute, a superb ball from Little picked out the unmarked Whitfield. With only Loach standing in his way of a second for the afternoon, the Barnet customdian spread himself well to keep the ball out.
Moments later, it was Street’s turn to get in behind the defence, and after drawing the ‘keeper off his line, he drove his strike diagonally across goal – but just past the far post.
Undaunted by those near-misses, United continued to plug away, offering the hosts little opportunity to gain any encouragement near goal, as they spent the last twenty minutes almost camped inside the Barnet half.
A single goal lead will always harbour one or two nerves, however they were finally put to bed in the 83rd minute.
Adam Randell, whose composure on the ball belied his young years, held onto possession well before feeding Andrews 20 yards out, with the Torquay substitute driving the ball below Loach’s outstretched palm to double his side’s lead.
There was to be no further alarm before the final whistle sounded, with The Gulls’ dominance illustrated by the fact that Shaun MacDonald chalked up a fourth successive clean sheet without facing a serious effort on target.
Having extended their lead at the National League summit, United take their table-topping form back to Plainmoor on Tuesday evening, with Altrincham the next test for Johnson’s men.
Enjoy your Saturday evening, Yellow Army!
BARNET: 1. Scott Loach, 6. James Dunne (c), 11. JJ Hooper, 16. Harry Taylor, 17. Ben Richards-Everton, 20. Courtney Baker-Richardson (9. Alfie Pavey, 60′), 26. Jerome Binnom-Williams, 27. Ephron Mason-Clark (10. Mike Petrasso, HT), 29. Myles Judd, 38. Liam Daly, 40. Anthony Wordsworth (19. Xander McBurnie, 78′).
SUBS NOT USED: 15. Themis Kefalas, 24. Aymen Azaze.
Booked: Wordsworth, 61′
TUFC: 1. Shaun MacDonald, 4. Kyle Cameron, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c) (32. Max Sheaf, 84′), 10. Armani Little (11. Jake Andrews, 76′), 12. Adam Randell, 16. Sam Sherring, 23. Aaron Nemane, 24. Rob Street (25. Billy Waters, 73′), 31. Joe Lewis, 34. Ben Whitfield.
SUBS NOT USED: 26. James Hamon (GK), 35. Josh Umerah.