TUFC 3
(Wright (pen) 64′, Cameron 67′, Umerah 81′)
Hemel Hempstead 2
(Bateman 57′, O’Connor-Ajayi 83′)
Torquay United’s preparations for the 2020/21 National League season finally got underway as Gary Johnson’s side beat Hemel Hempstead 3-2 at Plainmoor.
After a scoreless first-half, Matty Bateman gave the visitors the lead, however United responded promptly via the penalty spot via Danny Wright, before goals from Kyle Cameron and Josh Umerah saw The Gulls race into a 3-1 lead on their return to action. In what was an action-packed second half, a late effort from Kyle O’Connor-Ajayi kept the game competitive, however Torquay held on to secure the win.
Manager Gary Johnson’s first pre-season line-up included no less than five summer signings, with Fraser Kerr, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Danny Wright, Andrew Nelson and Dean Moxey all taking their place in the starting line-up, with fellow summer addition Josh Umerah taking his place on the bench.
A tight opening 45 minutes saw plenty of energy but few clear-cut chances, although a coming-together between Nelson and Sellers saw bookings for both parties, and the former replaced soon after by Umerah.
Lemonheigh-Evans was nearly the catalyst to opening the scoring twice in quick succession, with his 24th minute right-footed cross prompting Wright to head narrowly over, before nearly helping himself to a goal a minute later. This time it was roles reversed, as Wright provided the knock-down, however the Welsh midfielder couldn’t quite make contact.
The interval saw no changes in personnel, however there was a visible rise in urgency, with both sides trading proverbial punches during the opening ten minutes.
Ben Whitfield, always a willing runner, fired a couple of shots off-target, whilst the travelling Tudors were proving themselves a nuisance at the other other end, most notably from set pieces.
It was from one of those – a corner – that Hemel broke the deadlock on 57 minutes. A near-post delivery caught United’s backline out, with Bateman stealing enough space to direct his header into the net.
As disappointing as it was to fall behind, Johnson would have been delighted with the reaction shown by his players, as they rallied to produce their best period of the game.
Substitute Olaf Koszela had already proved a lively addition to Torquay’s frontline by the time a loose ball into the box fell invitingly at his feet in the 64th minute, however, with the goal gaping at the back post, some illegal attention by the visiting contingent forced the referee into providing The Gulls with an opportunity to level the scores from the spot.
Wright duly stepped up to confidently dispatch the ball into the net for parity, and United were up and running.
Umerah was putting himself about enough to keep the Hempstead defenders on their toes, with the towering frontman twice forcing Dean Snedker into fine saves at close range. The second effort in the 67th minute was not cleared far enough to fully repel the danger though, with Kyle Cameron sending in an effort that cannoned down off the underside of the bar. Those on the pitch and watching at home debated whether the ball had crossed the line, however the officials were in no doubt, and the goal was awarded.
A raft of substitutions for both sides somewhat broke up the flow of the game, although some more excellent work from Umerah on 76 minutes saw the ball cut back for Lemonheigh-Evans, whose effort was saved by Snedker at the second attempt.
Umerah would ultimately get his reward with nine minutes left though, with an excellent turn preceding a fine low drive into the net to extend his side’s lead.
Johnson’s men had little time to enjoy that comfort though, as Kyle O’Connor-Ajayi diverted the ball past Covolan moments later, despite vociferous protests by the men in yellow, who were convinced the ball was handled on its way into the net.
Results count for little in pre-season of course, but after so long away, it still provided a measure of satisfaction for everyone in United’s camp when the final whistle sounded with the scoreline remaining at 3-2.
With the first match now safely behind them, the next test comes on Tuesday, as AFC Bournemouth U23s visit Plainmoor for another Behind-Closed-Doors encounter at 1pm.
We’re sure you’ll all agree… It’s good to be back!
TUFC: 33. Lucas Covolan (GK), 2. Ben Wynter, 4. Kyle Cameron (c), 5. Fraser Kerr (24. Harry Bamforth, 76′), 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 9. Danny Wright (19. Theo Cadby, 76′), 14. Andrew Nelson (35. Josh Umerah, 21′), 20. Louie Slough (18. Olaf Koszela, 56′), 21. Dean Moxey (25. Luis Edmondson, 76′), 23. Aaron Nemane, 34. Ben Whitfield (16. Scott Piper, 79′). SUB NOT USED: 1. Shaun MacDonald (GK).
Yellow card: Nelson (19′)