Enfield Town 1
(Youngs pen 2′)
United 4
(Thomas 30′, Jenkins Davies 33′, 80′, Youngs 47′)
United came from behind to seal their first double of the season, as they ran out convincing winners at Enfield.
An early penalty from Sam Youngs gave the hosts a dream start, however United responded magnificently with two goals before and after half-time to clinch three more vital points, with Jordan Thomas, Will Jenkins Davies (2) and Jordan Young all getting their names on the scoresheet.
It was no surprise that Gulls boss Paul Wotton named an unchanged line-up following the 4-2 home success over Weston-super-Mare in midweek, however things didn’t initially go to plan in Greater London.
There were only 50 seconds on the clock when a deep ball into United’s 18-yard box caused discomfort, before the referee ruled that Enfield’s Youngs had been illegally prevented from getting on the end of the delivery, resulting in a second-minute penalty to the hosts.
Youngs duly stepped up to send Hamon the wrong way and give his side a very early lead.
It took Torquay a little while to recover, however once they did, they were clinical.
Having caused plenty of problems on the left wing during the early stages, Omar Mussa’s drive into the box on the half-hour ended with a fierce low ball across the face of goal that left home goalkeeper Rhys Forster in no-mans land, and allowed Thomas to stab into an empty net from close-range to restore parity.
Three minutes later, United were ahead.
This time, a ball into the penalty area prompted a spell of pinball inside the box, and although Thomas wasn’t able to profit himself on this occasion, Jenkins Davies was perfectly placed to mop up the bits and pieces before slamming home a shot from 15 yards to make it 2-1.
Suddenly, Wotton’s men were ahead – rather than behind at the change of ends.
The second period was only two minutes old when The Gulls extended their advantage.
Thomas was again instrumental, and although his low corner towards the near-post was dealt with, Young’s low drive went through a crowd of players on its way into the back of the net.
The introduction of Brad Ash from the bench helped to inspire Torquay’s fourth with ten to play.
A determined run from Torquay’s No.11 ended with a penetrative ball from the left that sat up kindly for the on-loan Plymouth Argyle to fire past Forster to make it 4-1, and that was the way stayed/
Plenty of work to be done yet – yes. But also, plenty to be happy about as The Gulls reach the 20-game mark.
ENFIELD TOWN: 1. Rhys Forster, 2. Daniel Cox, 3. Joseph Payne (15. Reece Beckles-Richards, 70′), 4. Alfie Tuck (16. Christian Scott, 86′), 5. Xavier Benjamin, 7. Lennon Peake, 8. Sam Youngs, 10. Jake Hutchinson (11. Tarrelle Whittaker, 79′), 12. Billy Leonard (6. Jack Smith, 78′), 19. Adam Thompson, 20. Mickey Parcell (c) (17. Dylan Adjei-Hersey 81′).
Yellow Card: Youngs 55′, Hutchinson 78′, Parcell 80′
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer (16. Ed Palmer, 71′), 5. Sam Dreyer (c), 7. Lirak Hasani (11. Brad Ash, 76′), 8. Jordan Young (14. Matt Carson, 64′), 10. Omar Mussa (18. Oscar Threlkeld, 59′), 19. Cody Cooke (30. Keke Jeffers, 88′), 20. Dan Hayfield, 22. Will Jenkins Davies, 26. Jordan Thomas,.
Attendance: 1,309