United 2
(Hall, 12′, Boden, 90+6′)
Aldershot 1
(Lyons-Foster, 16′)
There was – yet again – more late drama at Plainmoor, as United secured an injury-time victory over Aldershot on Tuesday evening.
Asa Hall’s 12th goal of the season gave The Gulls the lead, however it was a short-lived one as Kodi Lyons-Foster equalised shortly after. With the match looking to be heading towards a draw, Torquay came up trumps again at the death, as Scott Boden netted the winner with seconds remaining.
Boss Gary Johnson made one amendment to the starting XI which produced that heroic fightback against Notts County three days ago, with Billy Waters recalled to the side in place of Matt Buse. On the bench, Olaf Koszela took his place amongst the substitutes in the absence of the suspended Josh Umerah.
United went close to the perfect start with just 50 seconds on the clock.
Boden flicked the ball perfectly into the path of strike partner Waters who broke into the box with purpose, with only a superb save from visiting ‘keeper Mitch Walker preventing his side from falling behind.
It was relentless stuff from the men in yellow early on, with a superb right wing cross from Adam Randell six minutes later only inches away from receiving its due reward, again from Waters, at the back stick.
At the other end, an 11th minute jinking run from Jon Nouble gave The Shots their first sight of goal, as he cut inside before firing his effort well wide of Lucas Covolan’s upright.
A minute later, Torquay’s dominant start was rewarded.
After making more progress down the right, Randell cut back onto his left to deliver a sublime ball towards the penalty spot, where skipper Hall seized upon the opportunity by slamming a right-footed volley into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.
Having fully deserved their early lead, it was therefore disappointing when Aldershot equalised just four minutes later.
Lewis Kinsella’s free-kick by the halfway line had a long way to travel, however it evaded the attention of all but Lyons-Foster at the far post, who duly sent his unmarked header wide to Covolan’s left to level things up.
United responded well though, and they were soon forcing their opponents back up against their own goal once more.
With the first half hitting the midway point, some tricky footwork from the lively Waters saw him break into the left-hand side of the box before teeing up Connor Lemonheigh-Evans for a 20-yard shot, which was eventually deflected wide of the post.
The Gulls continued to press, and on 35 minutes they threatened again, with a cut back from Ben Wynter allowing Randell to warm the palms of Walker, with a right-footed drive on the edge of the box.
Johnson’s men continued to boss the possession stakes right up until the interval, however they were unable to carve out any more openings, and it remained all-square as the players headed for the tunnel.
Following the change of ends, it was again the hosts who initially looked most likely to add to their tally, with Dean Moxey following up his own long throw in the box by hooking a 49th minute minute effort over the bar when well placed ten yards from goal.
United went even closer three minutes later, as Wynter nearly replicated Saturday’s goalscoring antics with a low drive from the edge of the area that Walker had to parry behind, before a corner moments later picked out substitute Gary Warren, who rose highest, but could only direct his header over the crossbar.
On 59 minutes, a neat dinked ball into the box once again found Hall in enemy territory, however his header was comfortably gathered on the goalline.
By now, there was increasing urgency in Torquay’s attacks, with Waters stretching retreating defenders’ legs on the break before feeding Boden centrally, leaving Walker again to act to maintain parity.
The Shots seemed intent to try to hit on the break, with replacement striker Chike Kandi drifting into the penalty area in the 72nd minute, before seeing his right-footed shot deflected into the arms of Covolan.
It was Town’s goal that continued to take most of the peppering though, with a delicious set-piece delivery from Randell seeing Warren again go close with a bullet header, however this time it went narrowly wide of the target.
Lucas Tomlinson nearly made a name for himself with six minutes remaining, with a delightful twist and turn, followed by a firm drive, however not for the first time, the Aldershot stopper denied United regaining their lead.
Covolan had to do similar soon after though, as Kandi’s cross found Mo Bettamer in space at the back post, with the Brazilian getting down well to prevent an unjust deficit.
With the match deep into injury time, there was almost as expected – late drama. However, even by this season’s high standards, this finale will take some beating.
A ball to the back post was purely awaiting the finishing touch from Lemonheigh-Evans, and with the Welshman set to stab the ball home, Walker’s follow-through upended the United man, with the referee instantly signaling for a penalty kick.
After what seemed like an eternity, following consultation with his assistant, the decision was reversed, as play restarted with a goal kick instead.
Nobody would have been more disappointed more than Boden, who had already placed the ball on the spot ready to strike it, however just moments later, he would be celebrating anyway.
With the Yellow Army watching on intently as their side poured forward in all-out attack, Randell started the evening like he started it – with a whipped ball into the box from the right, and it was Boden producing the deftest of flicks to take it into the far corner.
The noise that greeted the late winner – and the final whistle soon after – perfectly illustrated the camaraderie that exists throughout all of the squad and staff, and with just six matches to go, who knows how far it may yet take them.
Take a breath, and let’s do it all again on Saturday!
TUFC: 33. Lucas Covolan (GK), 2. Ben Wynter, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c), 11. Jake Andrews, 12. Adam Randell, 16. Sam Sherring, 19. Scott Boden, 21. Dean Moxey (18. Olaf Koszela, 89′), 25. Billy Waters (29. Lucas Tomlinson, 66′), 31. Joe Lewis (6. Gary Warren, 45+3′).
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Shaun MacDonald (GK), 15. Matt Buse.
Yellow Card: Wynter 90’, Andrews 90+3’, Boden 90+6’
ALDERSHOT TOWN: 1. Mitch Walker, 2. George Fowler, 4. Jamie Sendles-White, 6. Kodi Lyons-Foster, 8. Josh Rees, 11. Harry Panayiotou, 14. Jon Nouble (9. Mo Bettamer, 82′), 15. Jermaine Anderson, 20. Toby Edser, 26. Lewis Kinsella, 30. Ricky Miller (10. Chike Kandi, 63′).
SUBS NOT USED: 25. Shadrach Ogie, 27. Craig Tanner, 28. Kaylen Hinds.
Yellow Card: Miller 63’, Kinsella 90+6’