United 0
Bromley 0
United had to settle for a point on Saturday, as Bromley held out for a goalless draw at Plainmoor.
Despite bossing possession for almost the entirety of the 90 minutes, Torquay were unable to find the crucial goal, as the match ended with neither defence breached.
Boss Gary Johnson made just two changes to the side that won at Chesterfield, with Joe Lewis and Scott Boden replacing Gary Warren and Benji Kimpioka in the starting eleven.
The Gulls nearly got off to the perfect start inside three minutes, as a delicious ball over the top was directed perfectly towards Boden, who flicked the ball over onrushing Ravens goalkeeper Mark Cousins, with only the far post denying Torquay an early lead.
Just as it had done on Monday, the strong rain and wind was certainly having an effect on proceedings during the opening twenty minutes, and it took both sets of players some time to get to grips with the conditions.
United went close to opening the scoring twice more as the first period hit the midway point, with Jake Andrews setting his sights in the 22nd minute to fire a left-footed drive into Cousins’ palms from just outside the box. Andrews tested the glovesman more earnestly moments later, connecting well with a Ben Wynter cut-back from the left to send the ball back towards goal, only to see the same adversary parry it away.
The Gulls’ midfielder seemed to be on a personal mission to break the deadlock, so when a free-kick was awarded 25 yards from goal on the half-hour, it was no surprise that Andrews again took charge by firing another left-footer in, however once again the same pattern continued, as the Bromley stopper gathered to keep the match scoreless.
With all the serious goalmouth action taking place at one end, Johnson’s men were shouting for a penalty just before the break, with a clumsy-looking challenge from Joe Kizzi preventing Billy Waters from connecting to a right-wing cross, however the referee waved away the claims to ensure the game remained goalless at the interval.
After the change of ends, the visitors attempted to make the most of having the wind in their favour, and in the 47th minute they set their sights on goal for the first time, although Jude Arthurs’ strike from outside the box from a half-cleared corner sailed some way over the crossbar.
A slick passing move from The Gulls saw leading scorer Asa Hall as the next man to try his luck ten minutes later. Adam Randell worked the ball out towards Dean Moxey on the left wing, who teed up the Torquay skipper to drive in a low shot from the edge of the box, however it was gathered by Cousins just short of the goalline.
The division’s leading scorer, Bromley’s Michael Cheek, had been kept remarkably quiet by United’s well drilled defence, although he did come close to testing Covolan for the first time on the hour mark, as a right-footed Luke Coulson cross from the left-hand side was waiting for his final touch, however the deep ball eventually drifted behind the far post.
Two set-piece deliveries from substitute Armani Little either side of the 66th minute so nearly provided the opening the men in yellow craved, with Sam Sherring’s diving header sending the ball across goal without gaining the significant touch it needed, before Boden’s back post header also went narrowly wide of the same upright.
United continued to go in search of that elusive goal, however the visiting defence were making life difficult for them, as clear-cut chances remained at a premium.
The closest they came was deep into injury time.
Kimpioka, fresh off the bench, used his power to break in between two defenders and muscled his way into a one-on-one with Cousins, however the ‘keeper spread himself enough to smother the shot, and keep a point in the bag for his side.
It may not quite have been United’s day today, however with nine points still there to be won, nothing has been decided yet, and there is sure to be plenty more twists and turns before 2020/21 is out.
TUFC: 33. Lucas Covolan (GK), 2. Ben Wynter, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c), 11. Jake Andrews (10. Armani Little, 62′), 12. Adam Randell, 16. Sam Sherring, 19. Scott Boden (35. Josh Umerah, 84′), 21. Dean Moxey, 25. Billy Waters (28. Benji Kimpioka, 62′), 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Shaun MacDonald (GK), 15. Matt Buse.
Yellow Card: Lewis, 38′
BROMLEY: 1. Mark Cousins (GK), 2. Joe Kizzi, 3. Charlie Fox, 4. Billy Bingham, 5. Chris Bush (c), 7. Luke Coulson (8. Frankie Raymond, 70′), 9. Michael Cheek (10. James Alabi, 83′), 16. Liam Trotter, 18. Ben Williamson, 20. Jude Arthurs (27. Tate Campbell, 59′), 26. Alex Mitchell.
SUBS NOT USED: 6. Jack Holland, 13. Tarek Najia (GK).
Yellow Card: Bingham, 29′