United 2
(McGavin 56′, Carruthers o.g. 90+4′)
Chelmsford 1
(Brookes 86′)
Match Sponsor:
Mervyn Benney
There was more late drama at Plainmoor, as United provided more evidence of their never-say-die spirit to secure three hard-earned points against Chelmsford.
After a goalless first half, Brett McGavin gave The Gulls the lead in stunning style, only to see his wonder-goal wiped out in the dying minutes. Gary Time rode to the rescue once again though, delivering another injury time winner courtesy of Samir Carruthers’ late, late, own goal.
Having dispatched with Farborough so comprehensively in midweek, it was little surprise that Gulls boss Gary Johnson named an unchanged starting eleven, with the only amendment coming on the bench, as Lewis Collins replaced Dillon De Silva amongst the substitutes.
Despite the roasting hot conditions at Plainmoor, the match got underway at a breakneck speed.
Both sides exchanged early chances before the game was even three minutes old, with Jack Stobbs’ right-wing delivery inches away from picking Brad Ash at the near-post, before City responded, as a low ball from the left flank found Callum Jones, with recently-named August Player of the Month forced into a brave reaction save.
For the next ten minutes, Johnson’s threatened to blow their opponents away as they created a whole host of gilt-edged chances.
First, Ash found himself all alone inside the penalty area to receive a pass from the right, however despite having only Joshua Oluwayemi to beat, the visiting glovesman narrowed down his angles and smothered the United striker’s effort on 5 minutes.
Ash made absolutely no mistake moments later, firing into the net the back post following Stobbs’ pin-point delivery from the right flank, however on this occasion the Assistant’s flag brought celebrations to a premature end.
Next up, it was Jarvis’ chance to threaten.
After beating the offside trap, United’s number nine attempted to square the ball to his strike partner, however after a outstretched leg saw him receive the ball straight back, Jarvis was presented with a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock – only to fire the ball against the outside of the post.
With the scoreline somehow remaining blank though, Chelmsford attempted to make the most of their good fortune by putting Torquay’s backline under pressure with a couple of chances of their own.
In the 18th minute, Mo Dabre beat the offside trap, but with Halstead quick off the mark, Dabre fired wide of the target from the edge of the box.
Two minutes later, Halstead came up with a superb save to keep out Jones’ second effort of the afternoon, with his defensive comrades doing enough to clear the ball in the aftermath.
As the match edged towards the interval, United regained their territorial control over proceedings, although they weren’t quite able to create the clear-cut chances they had done so before.
All-square at the change of ends.
The early stages of the second period saw both sides probing for an advantage, but it was United that struck in the 56th minute.
And what a way to do it.
A delivery into the Chelmsford box appeared to have been dealt with, as it was headed out of the box 20 yards from goal, however before the ball even had the courtesy to hit the ground, McGavin swung a cultured boot at it, with the result seeing his sublime volley hit the back of the net with perfect power and precision.
Plainmoor rose as one to greet an early contender for Goal of the Season.
The pattern of the game thereafter saw United go in search of a clincher, whilst their opponents remained a threat on the break.
One weaving run from Jenkins Davies on 78 minutes saw the ball picked off his boot at the last minute from 15 yards, before substitute Mo Bettamer rattled Torquay’s crossbar from 20 yards.
City gained encouragement from that near-miss, and with four minutes remaining the visitors drew level.
After Halstead punched away a right-wing free-kick, Ash’s attempt at bringing the ball to safety failed to pay off, the ball diverted the path of Ben Brookes, who sent a low, left-footed drive past Halstead from 18 yards.
From the Yellow Army’s perspective, it was a real sickener, having seen their side do so much so right.
These days though, leaving Plainmoor early is always fraught with danger, and four minutes into stoppage time, United made any early leavers regret their decision.
With United given a free kick on the left hand side, it was Jenkins Davies who lifted the ball into the area, and with the ball skidding off the head of Carruthers, it found its way past Oluwayemi and into the back of the net.
2-1 to United, and that’s the way it stayed.
Well earned, and well done, United.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 6. Ross Marshall, 9. Aaron Jarvis, 11. Brad Ash, 14. Brett McGavin (7. Ryan Hanson, 76′), 16. Shaun Donnellan, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 21. Dean Moxey, (3. Dan Martin 79′) 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 27. Jack Stobbs (10. Lewis Collins, 89′).
SUBS NOT USED: 19. Luke Pearce, 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow Cards: McGavin 30′, Jarvis 45′, Moxey 66′
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CHELMSFORD: 13. Joshua Oluwayemi, 3. Ben Brookes, 4. Anthony Wordsworth, 5. Dave Winfield (c), 7. Mo Dabre, 10. Samir Carruthers, 11. Adam Mills (9. Mo Bettamer, 69′), 12. Luke Jenkins, 14. Callum Jones, 16. Charlie Ruff, 24. Josh Castiglione (17. Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, 63′).
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Frankie Terry, 19. Freddie Hockey, 23. Callum Watts.
Yellow Card: Winfield 26′, Dabre 76′, Carruthers 90+6′
Attendance: 2,207 (44 away)