United made safe progression through to the next round of the County Cup on Tuesday evening, following a hard-fought win over holders Bovey Tracey.
An early save from Zak Baker provided evidence of the hosts’ commitment to the cause, although as the first half wore on, it was United who began to take charge, with Tracey indebted to their keeper Dom Aplin for keeper them in the game.
Although Torquay’s strong side was well-equipped with senior pros, it was one of the their young prospects that scored the decisive goal, with Fin Herbert’s powerful low drive in the 22nd minute finding the far corner of the net.
United, despite bossing possession, where unable to add to that lead in the remainder of the first 45 minutes, and with Bovey taking the game to The Gulls in the second period, the result remained in the balance.
Ben Gerring’s Moorlanders went within a whisker of levelling things up on 76 minutes, as Bridger’s strike from just inside the box rattled the woodwork, but that was a close as they came, as Jimmy Ball’s side clinched their place in the next round.
UNITED: 13. Zak Baker, 2. Elliot Osman, 3. Tyler Hill, 6. Munashe Sundire (15. Kian Jenkins, 61′), 10. Fin Herbert, 18. Matt Worthington (4. Owen Bailey, HT), 19. Isaac Westendorf (11. Jacob Beaumont-Clark, HT), 20. Dan Hayfield, 26. Jonah Shaw, 27. Matt Jay (8. Angelo Cappello, 61′), 39. Callum Morton (23. Sean Robertson, 61′).
SUBS: 1. Toby Savin, 14. Ashton Harvey.
Attendance: 771
Photo Credit: Craig Stevens
