Chippenham 1
(McClure 68′)
United 1
(Jenkins Davies 11′)
Ten-man United came away from Wiltshire with a hard-earned point, as they drew 1-1 with Chippenham Town at Hardenhuish Park.
Will Jenkins Davies’ first-half opener gave his side a lead they deserved, however after the same player was dismissed in the second period, Chippenham managed to secure a share of the points thanks to Matt McClure’s leveller.
Boss Gary Johnson made one change to the starting line-up that prevailed at home to Dover on Saturday, with Dan Martin replaced by Archie Harris. Following on from a number of Gulls favourites who have returned to the squad in recent weeks, Finley Craske was the latest, as he took his place on the substitutes bench.
There was little to report in the early stages, but when United created the first opening chance of the game, they duly made it count.
Former Chippenham favourite Brad Ash did well to maintain possession on the edge of the box, and with Jenkins Davies only too pleased to pick up possession from him, the Plymouth Argyle loanee ran on and fired past goalkeeper Will Henry to put The Gulls ahead.
The hosts responded by playing Craig Fasanmade into space inside the area, however from eight yards out, he could only fire wildly over Mark Halstead’s crossbar.
Chances were at a premium thereafter, until Ross Marshall’s cross on 29 minutes found the head of Ash, who directed his effort just wide of the post.
Halstead was called into serious action for the first time five minutes later, as a dangerous ball into the box saw Torquay’s No.1 produce an instinctive low parry to divert Fasanmade’s effort away from goal.
All-square at the break.
Having confined the home side to a supporting role in the opening 45 minutes, United set about extending their lead in the opening stages of the second half.
Twice Ash went close to getting on the end of crosses from Jenkins Davies and De Silva, before the game took a crucial turn in the 65th minute.
Having looked unfortunate to have received a booking earlier in the game, the referee was no more lenient on Jenkins Davies second alleged offence, and with a second yellow card swiftly followed by a red, Johnson’s men were suddenly up against it.
It was only three minutes later when The Gulls’ lead was wiped out.
With a Chippenham free-kick catching Torquay out, Bluebirds skipper McClure was on hand to tap the ball home and make it 1-1.
With neither side looking content with a point, there were chances for both shortly after, with substitute Lewis Collins forced Henry into a point-blank save following De Silva’s low ball across the face of goal, before McClure hooked another effort wide of goal at the other end.
In what was increasingly becoming an end-to-end finale, United went within a whisker again through Ethon Archer, who cut inside from the left hand-side before watching his right-footed effort cannon of the crossbar.
Although Caine Bradbury fired wide inside the box in reply, the dying stages belonged to the ten men in yellow.
With five minutes left, De Silva was nearly rewarded for an evening of endeavour before being denied by Henry’s smother from fifteen yards,.
Then, in what turned out to be the game’s final chance, another dart in from the left from Archer saw him unleash a low drive that Henry did well to keep out, but just when it seemed like Collins was to pounce for a late winner, a despairing defender intervened on the goalline to keep the ball out of the net.
Plenty of frustration, but plenty of promise too.
CHIPPENHAM TOWN: 1. Will Henry, 2. Eddie Jones, 3. Freddie Grant, 4. Craig Fasanmade, 5. Aaron Amadi-Holloway, 7. Tyreke Johnson, 9. Matt McClure (C), 14. Luke Spokes, 15. Dan Ellison, 16. Caine Bradbury, 20. Will King.
SUBS NOT USED: 8. Jake Evans, 10. Tom Owen-Evans, 11. Pele Kouisseoue, 12. Tom Mehew, 18. Nat Williams.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 6. Ross Marshall, 8. Asa Hall (C) (4. Tom Lapslie, 61′), 11. Brad Ash (10. Lewis Collins, 69′), 14. Brett McGavin, 17. Dillon De Silva, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 21. Dean Moxey, 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 26. Archie Harris, 30. Ethon Archer.
SUBS NOT USED: 15. Finley Craske, 22. Rhys Lovett, 24. Calum Thomas.
Yellow Card: Harris 63′
Yellow Card / Red Card: Jenkins Davies 22′,
Attendance: 651