United 1
(Hall 28′ pen)
Hampton & Richmond 0
There was Devon Day delight at Plainmoor on Saturday, as United secured a vital win against Hampton & Richmond.
It was ultimately skipper Asa Hall’s spot-kick that decided the destination of the points, as Aaron Downes’ men gained a valuable boost in their fight for survival.
Following the 4-1 defeat at Tonbridge Angels last weekend, Interim Manager Downes made two changes to the starting eleven with Hall and Will Jenkins returning to the side in place of Ollie Tomlinson and Aaron Jarvis, with the former dropping down to the bench.
The Gulls made a bright start to proceedings, with a number of crosses into the box just lacking the finishing touch.
The first real clear-cut opportunity fell the way of the visitors on 11 minutes, as Sam Deadfield’s delivery into the box saw Alex Gibson-Hammond rise highest, although his header was just wide.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute, as United were awarded a penalty.
After Brad Ash’s nifty footwork saw him upended inside the box, it was left to Hall to complete a captain’s task, and he duly slotted the ball calmly to visiting glovesman Adam Desbois’ left to give The Gulls the lead.
United remained on top for the remainder of the first half, although Hampton did begin to impose themselves on the Torquay backline a little more as the match edged towards the halfway stage.
Ahead at the change of ends.
Upon the restart, things were closely fought in the opening ten minutes, with neither team doing too much to trouble the opposition glovesman.
That all changed after a ball over the top was weighted perfectly into the path of the onrushing Brad Ash, who turned a defender inside-out before clipping a left-footer just over the crossbar, with Desbois frantically back-peddling towards his back-post.
On 57 minutes, Ruardh Donaldson found space on the left hand-side, and after making his way into the box, he lashed an effort across gaol, with Arkell Jude-Boyd placed perfectly to head off the goal line.
It was a warning that Downes’ men heeded, as they went back onto the front-foot in search of a second goal.
With the game ticking past the hour-mark, United went close to extending their advantage, with Jack Stobbs’ breakaway foray into enemy territory culminating in forcing Desbois into a near-post parry, before the resultant corner saw Ross Marshall watched his goalbound header cleared, just when it looked destined to sail into the net.
The Beavers were still a threat on the break though, and there was a huge let-off midway through the second period, as Donaldson was left unmarked at the back post, only to see his diving header from a right-wing cross clear the bar.
Another headed chance, this time from Luis Hernandez, saw Mark Halstead make his first save of the afternoon on 74 minutes, and even that was a pretty comfortable one.
Those in yellow remained resolute, and in the end, they held onto a priceless victory with the minimum of fuss, with Jenkins Davies nearly grabbing a late clincher in injury time, with a darting run that saw him flash his shot wide of the near-post.
Three points in the bag, and just as importantly, a show of support that – for one afternoon at least – saw Devon united as one.
Thank you all.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 2. Arkell Jude-Boyd, 4. Tom Lapslie (30. Ethon Archer, 90+4′), 6. Ross Marshall (23. Ollie Tomlinson, 87′), 8. Asa Hall (c), 11. Brad Ash, 14. Brett McGavin, 18 Will Jenkins Davies, 21. Dean Moxey, 27. Jack Stobbs, 28. Kevin Dawson (10. Lewis Collins, 67′).
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow Card: Collins 84′
HAMPTON & RICHMOND: 19. Adam Desbois, 2. Jordan Thomas (35. Joshua Anifowose, 56′), 3. Ruardh Donaldson, 5. Luis Fernandez, 10. Jake Gray (c), 11. Sam Deadfield, 13. Tope Fadahunsi (4. Dean Inman, 79′), 14. Sam Dreyer, 25. Isaac Pitblado, 29. Alex Gibson-Hammond (7. Rob Hall, 77′), 34. Dominic Trevan.
SUBS NOT USED: 15. Dan Wishart, 17. Connor Kurran-Browne.
Yellow Card: Donaldson 29′, Trevan 80′, Dreyer 82′
Attendance: 3,029 (66 away)