United 0
Chelmsford 5
(Adams 7′, Murphy 38′, Taylor 62′, Barbrook 86′, Tompkins 90+6′)
United suffered at the hands of Chelmsford on Saturday, as the Clarets inflicted a heavy home defeat on The Gulls.
Charlee Adams’ opener gave the visitors an early advantage, and when Jett Murphy doubled that lead before the break, United were left with a real challenge on their hands. Lyle Taylor’s second half goal made that challenge a mountain, and sadly it proved too much for them, with Harry Barbrook and Ben Tomkins compiling Torquay’s misery late on.
With United beaten at Worthing in midweek, Gulls boss Paul Wotton made three changes to his line-up. Fit-again Jordan Young returned to the starting XI alongside recalled duo Dan Hayfield and Cody Cooke, with Sam Dreyer, Matt Worthington and Kieran Wilson making way. Only the latter player was able to take his place on the bench, where he was joined by new signing Will Tizzard.
The match was just seven minutes old when the visitors took the lead.
Adams found himself a little bit of space 20 yards from goal, and after setting his sights, the City midfielder fired past Hamon and into the net to give the Clarets the lead.
Dylan Morgan came close to a swift leveller after cutting in from the left wing only to be denied by a smart save from visiting glovesman Noah Phillips, but that was the closest The Gulls came in a frustrating first 45 minutes for Wotton’s men.
Seven minutes before the break, it was 0-2.
This time the left flank proved to be Torquay’s undoing, before a low ball into The Gulls’ box ended with Murphy slotting home from close range.
After the change of ends, United threw everything at their opponents in a bid to get back into the game.
A triple substitution saw the men in yellow go up a gear, with Louis Dennis going close to reducing the arrears, as Phillips got down quickly to palm his 18-yard drive away from goal.
Just past the hour mark though, Chelmsford put the result beyond doubt with a third goal.
A ball over the top gave Taylor something to chase, and after drawing Hamon out of goal, the City captain lifted the ball up over the United No.1 to make it three.
Despite seeing plenty of the ball, a fourth was to follow in the closing stages, as Barbrook stabbed home from close range at the second attempt.
When Tompkins added a fifth in stoppage time, it just rubbed further salt into an already gaping wound.
One to forget at Plainmoor – onto Tuesday against Farnborough.
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 6. Munashe Sundire, 7. Louis Dennis, 8. Jordan Young, 9. Cody Cooke (23. Kieran Wilson, HT), 11. Dylan Morgan (27. Matt Jay, HT), 16. Ed Palmer, 20. Dan Hayfield, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 26. Jordan Thomas (28. Will Tizzard, HT).
SUBS NOT USED: 17. Sonny Fish, 21. Adam Seedhouse-Evans (GK).
Yellow Card: Sundire 56′, Dennis 88′
CHELMSFORD: 24. Noah Phillips, 3. Harry Barbrook, 5. Joe Grimwood, 11. Ricky Holmes (42. Tristan Abrahams, 58′), 18. Archie Tamplin, 21. Jett Murphy (16. Ben Tompkins, 60′), 23. Jason Adigun (4. Tom Lapslie, 60′), 25. Charlee Adams, 27. Adam Crowther, 33. Lyle Taylor (c) (9. Jesurun Uchegbulam, 74′), 39. Mandela Egbot (14. Kane Critchlow, 74′).
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Billy Eastwood (GK), 26. Alex Stepien-Iwumene.
Attendance: 3,224 (77 away)
