Maidstone 1
(Gilbert 7′)
United 1
(Young 90+5′ pen)
A late, late penalty from Jordan Young saw United earn a battling point against Maidstone on Saturday.
John Gilbert’s early strike forced United to chase the game for almost the entire match, however, just when it looking like being another disappointing afternoon at the Gallagher Stadium, up stepped Young to ensure Torquay took a share of the spoils back down to Devon with them.
It was perhaps little surprise that Torquay boss Paul Wotton opted for the same line-up that proved too much for Enfield last time out.
No change in personnel, but the start didn’t match last weekend, as The Gulls fell behind early on.
Having escaped a least a booking after a reckless-looking foul, Gilbert made the most of his escape following a swift counter attack, as he gleefully applying the finishing touch, much to the Yellow Army’s displeasure.
A scrappy, stop-start, and slightly bad-tempered period then ensued, limiting Torquay’s opportunity to get back on level terms.
The one-goal deficit remained at the change of ends.
Maidstone continued to impose their superiority on proceedings, with Dajon Golding missing a great opportunity to double the his side’s lead just short of the hour mark.
That was arguably the turning point.
In the 67th minute, Louis Dennis went close to restoring parity after breaking into the box and firing just wide of the far-post, as The Gulls began to get a foothold in the game.
United continued to apply plenty of pressure as the clocked ticked down, with Jordan Dyer’s volley bundled wide as Wotton’s side went in search of the goal they deserved.
It looked as though time, as much as their opponents, would eventually seal The Gulls’ fate though.
But then, with five of the six additional minutes already down, Young’s jinking run into the box saw him go down under a challenge, and with the referee well-placed to make a decision, the official wasted little time in pointing to the spot.
Young dusted himself off, and fired confidently past Holden to make it 1-1 at the death.
A valuable point, whatever the stage of the season.
Next up, a return to Plainmoor, and a chance to build on this result, with Totton the visitors under the floodlights.
MAIDSTONE: 1. Nathan Harness (13. Lenny Holden, 24′), 2. David Sesay, 3. Leo Hamblin, 4. Lexus Beeden, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble (21. Malachi Tommy-Mbogba, 76′), 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne (c), 9. Deon Moore (16. Jesse Nwabueze, 79′), 10. John Gilbert (15. David Agbontohoma, 90+2′), 12. Dajon Golding (14. Josh Redfearn, 85′).
SUBS NOT USED: 17. Riley Court, 18. Samuel Oguntayo.
Yellow Card: Sesay, 90+8′
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3 Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 5. Sam Dreyer, 7. Louis Dennis (16. Ed Palmer, 71′), 8. Jordan Young, 9. Cody Cooke (27. Matt Jay, 60′), 11. Dylan Morgan (20. Dan Hayfield, 67′), 18. Matt Worthington (c), 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (6. Munashe Sundire, 54′), 26. Jordan Thomas.
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Matt Wonnacott (GK), 15. Jadyn Crosbie, 29. Aidan Edwards.
Yellow Card: Palmer, 81′
Attendance: 2,424 (238 away)
