Notts County 1
(Wootton 69′)
United 1
(Wright 37′)
Ten-man United produced a performance full of heart at Meadow Lane, as they secured a point with a 1-1 draw against Notts County.
Torquay responded manfully following Ali Omar’s 25th minute red card by taking a first half lead through Danny Wright, with The Gulls protecting that lead until midway through the second period when Kyle Wootton levelled things up.
Gary Johnson made two changes to the match day squad; Chiori Johnson came in for Gabby Rogers and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans returned from injury to take the place of Klaidi Lolos on the bench.
United began brightly and created the first real chance of the game, when Armani Little’s free kick found the head of Joe Lewis, who headed wide from the penalty spot.
The threat at the other end initially came from Ruben Rodrigues, as in the 10th minute, his header rattled the post. Five minutes later the hosts looked dangerous again as Callum Roberts drove a low effort just wide.
Dan Holman was ensuring it wasn’t one-way traffic though, and played Tom Lapslie through on goal before Sam Slocombe was just able to deny him.
As the match wore on, Johnson’s men began to take control of proceedings, much to frustration of the home support, before the pivitol moment of the game came on 25 minutes.
With Wotton threatening to run clear of goal, Omar was forced into a last-ditch challenge, and despite seeming to have won the ball, the referee saw otherwise and gave the centre-back his marching orders.
United’s workrate sustained them though, and they were rewarded in the 37th minute.
After Wright was fouled, Mark Halstead’s free kick from midway inside the United half found the advancing centre-forward deep inside the County box, and after bouncing high up off the turf, it was Wright who leapt above Slocombe and give United the lead.
That advantage was held up until the interval, with County unable to seriously test Halstead thereafter.
The home side sought to use the extra man to their advantage, however Torquay’s defending resolute, with United’s ‘keeper largely untroubled.
The territorial advantage may have swung the home side’s way, however the introduction of Lemonheigh-Evans on the hour saw a new dimension added to attack, and he nearly made the perfect introduction with a shot on the edge of the box, however it lacked the power to seriously test Slocombe.
More superb stuff from the Torquay backline kept Notts County at bay, until they eventually broke through on 69 minutes.
Adam Chicksen’s ball looked to be behind Wootton’s ideal range, however his header from the edge of the six yard box had enough on it, and it was steered past Halstead to level things up.
One minute later United nearly responded perfectly, as Dean Moxey’s low-driven shot surpassed the wall but Slocombe was able to get down to make the save.
With the home crowd craving a winner, Johnson’s men stood up to the test admirably, and when the final whistle sounded, a welcome point full of heart had been secured.
With one big fixture behind them early doors, another is just 48 hours away though, with Woking heading for Plainmoor on Bank Holiday Monday. Ticketing details are available here.
Notts County: Sam Slocombe, Richard Brindley, Kyle Cameron (c), Connell Rawlinson, Kyle Wootton, Callum Roberts, Ed Francis (Jim O’Brien 46′), Dion Kelly-Evans (Aaron Nemane 46′), Matty Palmer, Ruben Rodrigues (Kairo Mitchell 84′), Adam Chicksen.
SUBS NOT USED: Elisha Sam, Alex Lacey.
Yellow Cards: Brindley 30′, Roberts 54′.
TUFC: Mark Halstead, Ben Wynter, Tom Lapslie, Ali Omar, Danny Wright, Armani Little (c), Chiori Johnson (Connor Lemonheigh-Evans 59′), Keelan O’Connell (Asa Hall 76′), Dean Moxey, Dan Holman (Dan Martin, 28′), Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: Gabby Rogers, Marcin Brzozowski.
Yellow Cards: O’Connell 62′, Wright 80′, Halstead 90+2′.
Red Card: Omar 25′
Attendance: 6,934 (360 away)