United 1
(Hall 72′)
Halifax 0
Gary Johnson’s side marked their first league double of the season, when Asa Hall’s goal saw United take the points against FC Halifax Town at Plainmoor.
In challenging conditions at Plainmoor, it was United Captain Asa Hall who struck the decisive goal to see his side begin 2023 at Plainmoor with a 1-0 victory.
United manager Johnson made two changes to the side that went down to Yeovil last time out, with Dylan Crowe, Ben Wyatt and Ricky Aguiar replacing Stephen Wearne, Will Goodwin and Dillon De Silva.
In tough and blustery conditions it was Torquay that seemed to adjust more brightly, and after debutant Aguiar was brought down midway inside the Halifax half inside the opening minute, Kieron Evans stepped up to take the free kick, which was met by Aaron Jarvis rising at the far-post, who was unable to direct his header on target.
In the 12th minute however, it was the visitors who went close after a corner by Harvey Gilmour found Jesse Debrah at the far-post, who was only able to steer his header over the bar.
In the 38th minute, a free kick from midway between the edge of the Halifax box and touchline out to the right was struck low by Dean Moxey, and seemed to be heading towards the corner at the near-post, with Sam Johnson just able to block the ball out for a corner. It was from the corner the men in yellow threatened once more. Evans’ corner fell to the feet of Shaun Donnellan who struck the ball low – and seemed to be heading towards the bottom-left corner, when the ball took a deflection and went out for a goal kick.
The breeze and rain seemed to worsen in the closing stages of the opening 45, and with nothing coming from the corner in the 1 minute of additional time, the referee signalled for half time to see the game enter the halfway stage at 0-0.
Four minutes into the second half it was Halifax who went close to taking the lead. After picking up the ball just past halfway, Osayamen Osawe drove forward, forcing Mark Halstead off his line, with the Shaymen’s no.35 able to steer his way around the United ‘keeper, and after going out to the left side, opted to try and square the ball, where Donnellan was arriving at the near-post to intercept the danger.
On 55 minutes it was Halifax who went close once more, with Halstead producing a great save to deny Jack Senior, whose strike from just outside the United box was tipped over the bar by United’s no.1, Johnson’s men grew more into the game as the half progressed, and in the 65th minute it looked as if Jarvis was going to put United ahead. Ali Omar was played down the left flank, before his low cross, looking for United’s no.9 arriving in the middle, just evaded Jarvis, who couldn’t quite reach in time to make the final contact to bundle home.
Six minutes later Crowe tried a shot from distance, with the effort from outside the Halifax box being struck with force, leaving Sam Johnson to parry the ball over the bar.
From the following corner that The Gulls established the lead. After Evans’ corner was initially cleared, the ball fell for Dean Moxey, who was quick to play the ball back into the box, where Omar’s header was flicked home by Hall, who delighted those in the Family Stand, as he took the acclaim of his team mates and supporters in equal measure.
It was to the side’s credit that the men in yellow were able to see the game out without too much trouble, with the Yellow Army soon able to celebrate a valuable three points in their opening home game of 2023.
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 2. Dylan Crowe, 4. Tom Lapslie, 5. Ali Omar, 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 11. Kieron Evans (6. Ross Marshall 90+1′), 15. Ben Wyatt (27. Dillon De Silva 69′), 16. Shaun Donnellan, 17. Ricky Aguiar (7. Ryan Hanson 79′), 21. Dean Moxey.
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett, 32. James Crole.
Yellow Cards: Moxey 11′, Lapslie 30′, Wyatt 57′
FC Halifax Town: 1. Sam Johnson, 2. Tylor Golden (25. Jordan Slew 77′), 3. Jack Senior, 5. Jesse Debrah, 9. Mani Dieseruvwe (17. Rob Harker 77′), 16. Jordan Keane (c), 19. Jamie Cooke, 20. Harvey Gilmour, 21. Milli Alli, 22. Festus Arthur, 35. Osayamen Osawe.
SUBS NOT USED: 11. Sam Smart, 12. Tom Scott, 18. Angelo Cappello.
Yellow Cards: Gilmour 34′, Golden 56′
Attendance: 1,975 (55 away)