Havant & Waterlooville 0
United 2
(Williams 60′, Ash 90+4′)
United returned to winning ways on Saturday, as Gary Johnson’s men secured a 2-0 win over Havant & Waterlooville at Westleigh Park.
After a goalless first period, a dramatic second half saw Theo Williams score his first goal for the Club, before substitute goalkeeper Filip Chalupniczak’s penalty save paved the way for Brad Ash to net a late second, to seal all three points for The Gulls.
Following the midweek defeat at home to Yeovil Town, United manager Johnson made three changes to the starting line-up, with Ryan Hanson and Asa Hall recalled, whilst Ethon Archer made his first appearance in a Gulls shirt, following his arrival from Three Bridges FC last week. Ross Marshall, Brett McGavin and Callum Dolan were the ones to drop out, with Dolan taking his place amongst the substitutes.
The first 45 minutes were a closely-fought affair, with neither side either to exert much authority over proceedings.
Torquay forward Ash had the first opportunity of the game on 11 minutes, and his run down the right-hand side ended with a near-post shot that Worner was forced to punch into the air to repel the danger.
The hosts responded by creating an opening of their own seven minutes later, although in truth it owed much to miscommunication in the United backline, as Rhys Lovett was forced to deny Ryan Seager, after a loose ball from Lovett presented the advancing Havant striker with an opportunity on the edge of the 18-yard box.
There was little else to report in terms of clear-cut chances, until the match headed into stoppage time.
With six minutes of additional time already played, Seager’s run through the centre of United’s defence forced Lovett into a sprawling save, before The Gulls launched a swift counter, with Williams cutting inside from the right flank before sending a left-footed curler towards the top-corner, which Ross Worner did well to tip round the post.
No score at the break.
A first-half injury to Lovett failed to resolve itself during the break, meaning a debut from the bench for Polish glovesman Chalupniczak at the change of ends.
A much more open contest saw both sides trade attacks, before the men in yellow broke the deadlock on the hour mark.
Having done well to keep hold of possession down the left, Ash sent an inviting ball across the face of goal, leaving Fleetwood loanee Williams with the simple task of prodding the ball home from six yards out to give his side the advantage.
Boosted by the goal, Williams looked to press home the advantage. One darting run from the left saw him jink inside across the face of the penalty area, before sending a low curling effort wide of the far-post.
Just as Johnson’s side we looking good value for their lead, the home side were presented with a pathway back into the game on 77 minutes.
Lewis Collins’ challenge on James Roberts didn’t initially look too much to worry about, however following Havant appeals for a penalty, the referee duly obliged by awarding a spot-kick.
Roberts, up against debutant Chalupnizak, certainly looked to be favourite to succeed, however, after guessing correctly, the Pole dived right to turn the ball away, before Hanson came up with a remarkable point-blank block to keep the rebound out.
United stood up to the challenge of defending their lead well thereafter, whilst breaking whenever possible, and in the 4th minute of time added on at the end of the game, Torquay scored a second goal to seal the deal.
With Stobbs always the likeliest candidate to threaten his opponents on the counter, a late foray down the right ended with a ball to the back post, when Ash was perfectly placed to gleefully slam the ball home from close range to end his own mini goal-drought, and secure his side a first win on the road since late August.
It’s too early to say whether this win could prove to be a turning point, but all the ingredients were there in Hampshire.
HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE: 1. Ross Worner, 2. Devante Stanley, 3. Kai Innocent, 7. Jake McCarthy, 8. Kieran Phillips, 9. Ryan Seager, 17. Jack Jebb, 18. Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, 21. James Roberts, 22. Sion Spence (10. Muhammadu Faal, 73′), 23. Tom Bonner (c).
SUBS: 5. Joe McNerney, 11. Billie Busari, 14. Harry Jewitt-White, 26. Billy Stedman.
Yellow Cards: Bonner 16′, Jebb 45+4′, Phillips 67′, Stanley 86′
UNITED: 22. Rhys Lovett (13. Filip Chalupniczak, HT), 7. Ryan Hanson, 8. Asa Hall (c), 10. Lewis Collins, 11. Brad Ash, 16. Shaun Donnellan, 19. Theo Williams (17. Dillon De Silva, 85′), 21. Dean Moxey, 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 27. Jack Stobbs, 30. Ethon Archer (2. Dylan Crowe, 75′).
SUBS: 20. Callum Dolan, 24. Calum Thomas.
Yellow Cards: Archer 29′, Ash 72′