Mangotsfield United 3
United 1
(Ratcliffe 88”)
Torquay United’s FA Youth Cup journey came to an end on Monday evening as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mangotsfield United in South Gloucestershire.
The Young Gulls made a difficult start to the contest, with the largely first-year scholar side struggling to deal with the hosts’ physicality in the opening stages. Mangotsfield took the lead after just six minutes when a cross into the United penalty area was not dealt with, allowing a towering header to send the ball across goal and into the far corner beyond Stokes.
Mangotsfield controlled much of the first half and doubled their advantage on 26 minutes. A swift change of possession allowed the hosts to break down United’s right flank, and the resulting cross was met with a close-range header from six yards out to extend their lead.
United made changes at the break and began to grow into the contest, putting the Mangotsfield defence under increasing pressure. Ashton Harvey tested goalkeeper Watts from the edge of the area, while Thomas Ross saw a powerful effort spilled by the hosts’ stopper, who recovered quickly to gather at the second attempt.
The Young Gulls continued to push forward, with Tyler Steed testing Watts from distance. A dangerous free-kick also flashed across the Mangotsfield penalty area, but no United player could get the decisive touch.
United thought they had pulled a goal back in the 76th minute, only for the celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag. The decision caused confusion around the ground, with United’s outfield players already making their way towards the centre circle, but the goal was ruled out.
Undeterred, the Young Gulls continued to search for a way back into the tie, and their persistence paid off in the 88th minute. After Watts had made two saves, Ethan Ratcliffe reacted quickest to fire home from close range, giving United hope of a late comeback.
With time running out, Torquay committed men forward in search of an equaliser. However, Mangotsfield capitalised on the space left in behind, converting the rebound after Stokes had parried the initial effort to restore their two-goal advantage and bring United’s FA Youth Cup run to an end.
UNITED YOUTH: 1. Mackenzie Stokes, 2. Harry Asante, 3. Will Leigh, 4. Osman Elliot, 5. Jake Thomas, 6. Ashton Harvey, 7. Thomas Ross, 8. Hoyt Spencer, 9. George Powell, 10. Albie Baker, 11. Harry Truscott.
SUBS: 12. Bevan Noah, 14. Tyler Steed, 15. Luca Rice, 16. Ethan Ratcliffe, 17. Kody Doo, 18. Jake Langley.
