Dartford FC 0
Torquay United 2
Keating 72′, Reid 90′
United extended their unbeaten run in the league with a 2-0 victory over Dartford FC that sends us to the top of the table. Ruairi Keating and Jamie Reid were on target to keep Gary Johnson’s unbeaten league record since taking charge intact.
TUFC manager Gary Johnson brought in goalkeeper Alex Bass into the starting line-up and Asa Hall signalled his return to fitness by taking a place on the bench.
In the first half there were parts when United threatened to breakthrough some stubborn Dartford resistance, but also points when the Darts could have taken the lead.
There was a major scare in the 18th minute when United survived a goalmouth scramble to keep the score level. United had Alex Bass and a few last-ditch blocks to keep the ball from crossing the line.
United did threaten from set-pieces, the best an effort from Kyle Cameron who headed over from a ball from Jake Andrews.
United did struggle to deal with the movement and work rate of a couple of Dartford’s players. Liam Davis picked up a yellow card stopping forward Andre Coker. It was a rare on-on-one encounter where he let Coker get in front of him.
In the second half, Dartford began to drop off a little, perhaps as energy levels dropped, allowing United to start to dominate proceedings.
In the 59th minute, there were United had claims for a penalty when Kalvin Kalala looked to have been clipped in the box, but referee waived play on.
United grew stronger and stronger in the second half and broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute. The ball was whipped into Ruairi Keating who allowed it to bounce in front of him before lashing the ball past Bailey Vose into the top of the net. United had broken the deadlock and more goals looked likely.
After securing their lead, United pushed on and bagged a second goal in the 90th minute. Jamie Reid’s left footed from just outside the box found the back of the net. It was another clinical finish from ‘Reidy’ who now sits level on National League goals with Jake Robinson of Billericay Town.
Gary Johnson will have been pleased with a consummate away performance. What problems Dartford were causing in the first half were solved in the second before two superb strikes that earned all three points. The Yellow Army went home happy after and other three points on the road. Thank you for your support!
See you at on Saturday for another important match in the National League South against Welling United. Let’s get Plainmoor bouncing!
Dartford FC: Vose, Onyemah (Hayes 81’), Wynter, Vint, Bonner, Greenhalgh, Noble, Oyenuga, Darbyshire (Philpot 69’), Coker, Johnson SUBS NOT USED: Fisher, Nicholls, Gillies,
Booked: Johnson 58’, Oyenuga 79′
TUFC: Alex Bass [GK], Ben Wynter (Jamie Sendles-White 90’), Liam Davis, Ruairi Keating, Jean Yves Koue Niate, Kyle Cameron, Jake Andrews (Asa Hall 87’) Jamie Reid, Saikou Janneh, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Kalvin Kalala (Ryan Dickson 87’ SUBS NOT USED: Shaun MacDonald,, Brett Williams,
Booked: Davis 26’
Referee: Steven Hughes