United 1
(Nouble 53′)
Wrexham 1
(Lee 80′)
Despite a spirited performance against the National League champions, United’s relegation was confirmed on Saturday, following a 1-1 draw with Wrexham at Plainmoor.
Although Frank Nouble’s first goal at Plainmoor gave his side a brief glimmer of salvation, Elliot Lee’s late equaliser shredded those hopes, as Torquay were consigned to National League South football again next term.
United manager Gary Johnson made just the one change that drew 2-2 at Altrincham last Saturday, as Dean Moxey returned to the side at the expense of Ben Wyatt, who dropped to the bench.
Despite the improbable nature of The Gulls’ survival bid, Torquay began proceedings with their minds clearly set on an early breakthrough to boost their decidedly slim chances.
A string of corners failed to force a breakthrough however, and in the fifth minute, it looked as though the visitors would capitalise on that.
After breaking into the box, a right-wing delivery appeared to strike the hand of Nico Lawrence, and although his actions appeared perfectly natural, the referee wasted little time in pointing to the penalty spot.
Up against a striker in red-hot form, few would have fancied Mark Halstead’s chances at denying Paul Mullin from twelve yards, however with Wrexham’s leading marksman opting to go low to Halstead’s left, United’s Number 1 proved equal to him by producing a marvellous parry to tip the ball round the upright.
Despite the contrasting prospects for both clubs, it remained a very even encounter, with Johnson’s men proving more than a match for the best in the division.
Mullin and Jarvis exchanged goalscoring opportunities for their respective sides, although goalkeepers Halstead and Ben Foster came out on top on both occasions.
News of three quick Gateshead goals certainly raised a few hopes for a period approaching the interval, and even though the goal-difference swing had almost been halved, the task remained an almighty one.
The rapturous applause The Gulls left the field to at the interval was proof enough of the Yellow Army’s appreciation of their side’s efforts during the first 45.
Following the change of ends, the Welsh side set about exerting their authority on proceedings, with James Jones forcing Halstead into a near-post smother, having broke into the right-hand side of the penalty area following a neat exchange of passes with Mullin.
It was the visiting side who continued to pose the most testing questions, but in the 53rd minute, United edged in front.
With Jarvis’ run into the right of the box splitting the Wrexham backline, his drilled cross across the six-yard box was laid onto the plate of Nouble, who gleefully slammed the ball home in front the massed ranks of the Yellow Army in the Family Stand.
Sensing the game – if not circumstances – were starting to swing their way, Johnson’s men went in search for a second.
On 65 minutes, they so nearly got it, as Nouble’s cross from the left found Asa Hall unmarked eight yards out – only for his powerful header to sail wide of the post.
With the clock beginning to tick down, the National League champions nearly made it all immaterial.
Ollie Palmer – on as a sub – sent a raking cross to the back post, where Jacob Mendy forced Halstead into another brave smother.
With goals drying up in the North-East, United’s hopes began to fade further, and despite giving it everything they had, time eventually ran out on then men in yellow.
A Wrexham equaliser only served to add further salt into their wounds.
Forced to gamble for their fifth-tier existence, a break down the right caught Johnson’s side out, as Palmer’s low ball to the back post saw plenty queuing up to apply the finishing touch – it was eventually Lee that did so.
Still United threw bodies forward, but as the final whistle sounded, not even a fourth Gateshead goal could grant them a further reprieve.
Relegation is always a bitter pill to swallow, however with United’s 2018/19 National League South title success still fresh in the memory, the Yellow Army will be hoping that those memorable celebrations will be replicated once again in twelve month’s time.
2023/24 can’t start soon enough.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie (14. Brett McGavin, 87′), 8. Asa Hall (c), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 16. Shaun Donnellan, 19. Nico Lawrence, 21. Dean Moxey, 27. Jack Stobbs, 28. Kevin Dawson, 31. Lewis Collins, 45. Frank Nouble.
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Ali Omar, 11. Kieron Evans, 15. Ben Wyatt, 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow Cards: Dawson 58′
WREXHAM: 12. Ben Foster, 4. Ben Tozer, 10. Paul Mullin (9. Ollie Palmer, 67′), 15. Eoghan O’Connell, 18, Sam Dalby (16. Billy Waters, 67′), 19. Jacob Mendy, 20. Andy Cannon, 22. Tom O’Connor, 29. Ryan Barnett (14. Anthony Forde, 76′), 30. James Jones, 38. Elliot Lee.
SUBS NOT USED: 21. Mark Howard, 32. Max Cleworth.
Yellow Cards: Jones 58′
Attendance: 4,908 (1,258 away)