King’s Lynn Town 2
(Linton 45+1′, McGavin 58′)
United 3
(Wright 30′, 35′, Duke-McKenna 52′)
United claimed an important three points at The Walks on Saturday, as they came out on top against King’s Lynn.
Two goals from Danny Wright put United in control just past the half-hour, however a Malachi Linton reply before the change of ends left The Gulls with work to do. Stephen Duke-McKenna re-established the two-goal margin shortly after the restart, however Brett McGavin almost immediately saw the lead reduced once more. Torquay worked hard to protect that advantage though, and did enough to hold on to clinch a fully-merited win.
With Aaron Downes taking charge in manager Gary Johnson’s absence, there was one change to the starting line-up that fought out a goalless stalemate with Bromley last Saturday as Ali Omar replaced the suspended Joe Lewis, whilst on the bench Dan Martin, Asa Hall and Dan Holman all made a welcome return from injury.
There was a bright opening to proceedings by The Gulls, with a couple of tight offside calls preventing United from providing home goalkeeper Paul Jones with some early action.
Two set-pieces within a minute nearly paid dividends.
Dean Moxey’s 16th minute deep free-kick found Connor Lemonheigh-Evans six yards from goal, however after choosing to hit the ball first time, the Welshman was disappointed to see his effort clear the crossbar.
Moments later, and it was Armani Little’s turn to feed Wright, however on this occasion, he couldn’t get over the ball enough to send his close-range effort into the net.
The home side took comfort from those let-offs, and created a dead-ball opportunity of their own on 27 minutes, although Joshua Barrett’s strike from just outside the box sailed over the upright.
With 30 minutes on the clock, The Gulls made the first of two breakthroughs – both through Wright.
The first was typical of many United’s centre-forward has scored throughout his career, as a high ball into the box found him perfectly placed to head home from close range.
Five minutes later, he doubled both his and the team’s tally, with Lemonheigh-Evans’ delightful ball providing him with the perfect opportunity to steer his shot home, a chance which he duly took with aplomb.
For a period thereafter, Torquay threatened to run riot, as Wearne – twice – and Lemonheigh-Evans both saw strikes at goal go wide of the target, before they were caught by a sucker-punch just before the break.
Having failed to create a huge amount in front of goal during the preceding 45 minutes, The Linnets were thrown a lifeline in first half injury-time, as a shot from Hargreaves made its way through to Linton, who responded by firing past MacDonald to reduce the arrears.
Ahead at the interval then, but you couldn’t help thinking that they deserved just a bit more.
As the second period got underway, The Gulls set about putting that setback behind them, however it was the hosts who initially applied the pressure, with McGavin seeing a shot charged down amid some determined Torquay defending.
After soaking up the best that King’s Lynn could fire at them, United struck again courtesy of a swift counter attack.
Armani Little’s ball into the box seemed to originally be intended for Wright, however although he couldn’t set about securing his hat-trick, Duke-McKenna was on hand to lash the ball home and make it 3-1.
Unfortunately though, no sooner had the lead been extended, it was reduced once again, as McGavin took a chance with a powerful shot from distance, which paid off as it flew into the net.
As before, the home side rallied, with Little having to track back and come up with an important block on Michael Clunan to prevent him from getting in a shot from inside the area.
Torquay had MacDonald to thank with thirteen minutes remaining, as a drive from substitute Connor Kurran-Browne looked destined to hit the back of the net, before the ever-popular glovesman palmed the ball away to safety.
Although the home side enjoyed plenty of possession in the time remaining, they couldn’t do anything with it, and when an unfortunate slip from Duke-McKenna saw Gold Omotayo presented with a chance to level things up, he could only fire straight at MacDonald, and with that, went any chances The Linnets had of salvaging a draw.
United’s good form continues, with another win on the road delighting the travelling Yellow Army.
Despite not travelling due to a bug, boss Johnson kept in touch with proceedings, and was understandably delighted with the outcome.
“I have great sympathy for people that sit at home listening to the game when it’ as close as this,” said the Gaffer.
“I’m not often in this situation when I can’t do anything about a result, however I left it all to my able assistant, who took on the pressure, so we congratulate him because he can now take the glory.”
King’s Lynn Town: 1. Paul Jones, 7. Michael Clunan, 8. Jak Hickman (18. Munashe Sundrie, 70′), 9. Gold Omotayo, 14. Malachi Linton ( 27. Connor Kurran-Browne, 62′), 16. Brett McGavin (19. Ken Charles, 76′), 17. Aaron Jones, 20. Joshua Barrett, 22. Ross Barrows, 26. Cameron Hargreaves, 30. Josh Coulson.
SUBS NOT USED: 2. Luis Fernandez, 28. Zain Walker.
Yellow Card: Linton 60′
United: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 4. Tom Lapslie, 5. Ali Omar, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 9. Danny Wright, 10. Armani Little (c), 12. Stephen Wearne (30. Dan Holman, 73′), 14. Choiri Johnson, 15. Stephen Duke-McKenna, 21. Dean Moxey.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 3. Dan Martin, 8. Asa Hall, 16. Keelan O’Connell.
Yellow Card: Wynter 60′, Johnson 81′, MacDonald 90′
Attendance: 878