Exmouth 0
United 2
(McGavin 88′, Quinn 90+1′)
United made it two wins out of two, as two late goals secured victory against Exmouth at Southern Road.
The hosts started brightly, clearly enthused by a bumper crowd, keeping Torquay’s back three of Marshall, Omar and Moxey busy with a couple of promising counter attacks.
Gary Johnson’s side soon grew into proceedings though, with Keiron Evans’ deliveries from corners proving a constant threat – just as they did at Buckland on Friday – as Dean Moxey saw his close range effort blocked by home goalkeeper Robbie Powell in the 15th minute.
Another player who impressed at Homers Heath was Dylan Crowe, and The Gulls’ right wing-back was again the source of a number of quality deliveries, with Ali Omar unable to wrap his boot around the ball enough to divert it goalward on 20 minutes.
Evans was provider to Olaf Koszela six minutes before the break following a clever run down the right, however a vital interception from home defender Dave Rowe kept the scoreboard blank at the change of ends.
Following the restart, United continued to prompt and probe without finding the breakthrough, and it wasn’t until the latter stages of the game that the territorial advantage finally told.
With TUAFC record appearance holder Kevin Hill having entered the fray moments earlier, a deep ball into the box found a Brett McGavin rising – almost Hill like – at the back post to steer home his header and give his side the lead.
A raft of substitutions followed, and one of the replacements, Brandon Quinn certainly made his presence known, and he slotted home at point-blank range, after a low ball across the six yard box got the finish it begged for.
Onto Saturday, as things go up another gear against Newport at Plainmoor.
The big kick-off draws ever closer!
United: 13. Trialist A, 2. Dylan Crowe (4. Callum Thomas, 76′), 3. Trailist B (12. Brandon Quinn, 89′), 5. Ali Omar (17. Kai Swann, 89′), 6. Ross Marshall (23. Ollie Tomlinson, HT), 7. Trialist C, 11. Kieron Evans (20. Alex Moyse, 65′), 14. Brett McGavin (16. Sam Bishop, 89′), 18. Olaf Koszela (22. Jayden Gilbert, 89′), 19. Trialist D, 21. Dean Moxey (25. Jack Winsor, 78′).
SUB NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead.
Attendance: 692