United 2
Hall 50’ Lapslie 65’
Eastleigh 0
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United claimed all three points at Plainmoor, as the Gulls beat Eastleigh 2-0, to boost survival hopes on Torbay Together Day.
Following a goalless first half, Asa Hall broke the deadlock early in the second half, before Tom Lapslie doubled the advantage to seal a vital victory for the men in Yellow.
The Gaffer made one change from the previous encounter, which saw United win away from home 1-0 against Scunthorpe, as Kieron Evans dropped to the bench in favour of Lapslie.
Although there was no breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes, Johnson’s men bossed the early stages.
Opportunities were at a premium, although the bulk of the half-chances fell United’s way.
Following a free-kick which landed perfectly for him, Aaron Jarvis saw a shot deflected out of the box midway through the opening period, before another free-kick saw Frank Nouble also going close, as he took the ball in his stride following Stobbs’ before rifling his effort high and wide of the mark from eight yards.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Torquay as they came under threat a couple times just before the break, as Mark Halstead being called into action.
The first came after a well-worked corner routine by the visitors, which found Danny Whitehall, whose mishit shot was saved low by Halstead.
Just before the end of the first half, Whitehall threatened again, with his header forcing Halstead to clutched the ball mid-air.
Following the change of ends, United wasted little time in getting on breaking the deadlock.
On 51 minutes, A beautifully guided free-kick into the box met the diving head of Gulls skipper Hall, as he directed the ball into the back of the net, despite Joe McDonnell’s best efforts.
Barely quarter of an hour later, it was two.
After Jarvis held the ball up manfully despite close attention from the Eastleigh backline, the Torquay centre-forward threaded the all into the onrushing Lapslie, who picked up the ball on the edge of the box before slotting it past the advancing McDonnell to make it 2-0.
The Spitfires nearly got a goal back soon after, where Michael Kelly rifled a curling his free-kick just over the crossbar.
However, despite some late pressure from Eastleigh, United held onto the two-goal lead, to take the valuable three points.
Having secured three victories in a row, Torquay now turn their attentions onto their next fixture away to Maidenhead United, but for now, the players, staff and supporters – who were magnificent throughout – will savour a job very well done.
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 8. Asa Hall (C), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 16. Shaun Donnellan, 19. Nico Lawrence, 21. Dean Moxey (5. Ali Omar 79’), 27. Jack Stobbs, 28. Kevin Dawson (11. Kieron Evans 84’), 31. Lewis Collins, 45. Frank Nouble.
Subs not used: 7. Ryan Hanson, 15. Ben Wyatt, 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow cards: Donnellan 66’, Hall 90+1’, Halstead 90+7’
Eastleigh: 1. Joe McDonnell, 2. Brennan Camp, 3. Michael Kelly, 5. Aaron Martin (c), 6. Christian Maghoma, 7. Charlie Carter, 8 Ousseynou Cissé (21. Oscar Rutherford 62’), 9. Danny Whitehall (33. Gerry McDonagh, 73′), 11. Ryan Hill (23. Alfie Lloyd 62′), 16. JJ McKiernan, 18. Kairo Mitchell.
Subs not used: 12. George Langston, 17. Vincent Harper.
Yellow cards: Cissé 42’, Martin 90’, McDonagh 90+1’, Camp 90+6’
Attendance: 3,237 (184 away)