United 2
(Wynter, 66′, Andrews, 86′)
Havant & Waterlooville 2
(Wall, 75′, Wright 90+4′)
United and Havant & Waterlooville must do it all again, as their Emirates FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying clash ended in a 2-2 draw at Plainmoor on Saturday.
Following a goalless first half, United took the lead midway through the second half through Ben Wynter, however it was to prove a short-lived one, with Alex Wall restoring parity shortly after. Jake Andrews then looked set to steal the headlines, as he to crowned his return to action with a late second, before Tommy Wright’s injury-time effort saw both sides go into the hat for tomorrow’s First Round proper draw.
Following the defeat at Bromley last weekend, manager Johnson made two changes to the starting line-up, with Ali Omar and Keelan O’Connell taking the places of Dan Martin and Asa Hall.
In what was a surprisingly open start to proceedings, United certainly seemed to settle the better, and it was The Gulls who produced the game’s first real chance on 11 minutes.
After dropping deep to pick up possession in the centre of midfield, Dan Holman brought the ball forward before spreading the ball out wide to Dean Moxey on his left, with Torquay’s experienced defender delivering a superb first-time ball into the path of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who twisted before firing a low effort wide of the post from the edge of the box.
The visitors, clearly just as determined to win a place in Sunday’s first-round draw, responded soon after though, however after forcing Ben Wynter back onto the edge of his 18-yard box on 19 minutes, Wright failed to trouble Shaun MacDonald, with a rising driving that went high over the Torquay stopper’s goal.
An injury to the Havant & Waterlooville custodian Ross Worner midway through the first half brought about a change in-between the sticks for the visiting side, however it was them that were next to threaten, with Billy Clifford sending a firm left-footer wide of the target from 20 yards.
Ten minutes before the break, there were big penalty appeals from the home contingent, as an excellent move between Holman, Armani Little and Moxey ended with a penetrating cross into the box for the latter into the path of Holman, who looked to be upended illegally ten yards out. The referee though, was uninterested.
Two minutes later, the woodwork robbed United of the breakthrough.
Chiori Johnson, finding space down the right, made his way into the 18-yard box before feeding O’Connell, whose shot struck the crossbar, before bouncing down and away towards Little on the D, with the skipper’s effort sailing well wide.
As the match began to edge towards the interval, The Gulls’ quest for the opening goal gained further momentum.
Holman’s determination in chasing down a loose ball into the box the 40th minute saw him cause mayhem, as he managed to force his way between two Havant defenders before calling substitute glovesman Charlie Searle into a smothering save.
Minutes later, and O’Connell made Searle work again, after his turn of pace saw him race into the penalty area, before seeing his low drive parried away to safety.
There was still time for another chance, as Holman chested down an O’Connell cross from the right, before seeing his goalbound volley blocked just short of the goalline.
With the whistle sounding soon after, Johnson’s men were left to digest a half that could have seen them comfortably clear in terms of goals, but with the scoreline stubbornly refusing to budge.
Refreshed after the break, both sides went close in the opening stages of the second half.
The refusal by the officials to award what looked a straightforward free-kick on Omar in left-back position on 49 minutes nearly saw United punished, however despite Jake McCarthy having plenty of time to set his sights, his low drive was saved by MacDonald, who went down to his right with the minimum of fuss.
The action soon reverted to the other end, with Holman involved again. Once again his refusal to give up on a seemingly lost cause saw Johnson presented with a decent sight of goal, however his strike just lacked the power required, with Searle just able to get enough on it to send it wide.
Having denied Torquay in the first half, the post came to their aid in the 53rd minute, as a swift break down the right wing left James Roberts with enough to steady himself before sending in a first-time shot which beat MacDonald, but thankfully, not his left-hand upright.
On the hour mark, Omar’s interception inside the six yard box saw a few hearts-in-mouths, however the deflected cross thankfully went just past, rather than just inside the near-stick.
A brief stoppage soon after gave Johnson’s men the opportunity to steady a few nerves, however just as their opponents looked to be getting a foothold in the match, the men in yellow took the lead.
Holman, who remained something of a focal point in attack, ran at the The Hawks’ backline, before it was brought to abrupt end illegally, 20 yards from goal in the 66th minute.
Little’s effort was almost perfectly placed, and although Searle did enough to keep the initial shot out, he could do nothing to stop Wynter’s follow-up effort, which was calmly slotted into the back of the net.
The lead though, lasted just nine minutes.
With a cross-field ball finding Wright in space on the left-corner of the box in the 75th minute, the combined efforts of MacDonald and Joe Lewis was enough for the back post to come to the rescue for a second time, however this time the rebound fell straight onto the head of Wall, who duly planted the ball into the back of the net to level things up.
A similar pattern of play saw MacDonald save from Wright moments later, as the pendulum continued to swing, leaving any outcome being a distinct possibility.
When the next moment of note came, it could hardly have come from a more popular source.
Klaidi Lolos showed purpose and skill in equal measure as he picked up possession on the right wing before darting towards the penalty area, and after taking several men with him, the forward sent in an inviting low ball across the face of goal, where the returning Andrews slammed the ball home, and with it, putting a personally frustrating start to 2020/21 behind him.
It looked like that would be enough, as United manfully repelled a number of high balls into the box, however just as the Yellow Army were set to acclaim a fourth-successive First Round appearance under the Gaffer’s guidance, those celebrations were put on hold.
A headed clearance cleared Torquay lines, however with Wright having nothing to lose and time running out, the Hawks’ striker looked up, before rifling the ball into the top corner of the net to seal a replay for his side.
Nothing decided yet, but still everything to play for.
TUFC: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 4. Tom Lapslie (19. Klaidi Lolos, HT), 5. Ali Omar, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 10. Armani Little, 14. Chiori Johnson (17. Gabby Rogers, 78′), 16. Keelan O’Connell (11. Jake Andrews, 67′), 21. Dean Moxey, 30. Dan Holman, 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 3. Dan Martin.
Yellow Card: Johnson, 58′
Havant & Waterlooville: 1. Ross Worner (13. Charlie Searle, 22′), 2. Josh Passley, 4. Joe Oastler (c), 5. Michael Green, 6. Sam Magri, 7. Jake McCarthy, 10. Billy Clifford (8. Paul Rooney, 84′), 16. Jamie Collins (9. Alex Wall, 72′), 18. Oscar Goburn, 20. James Roberts, 21. Tommy Wright.
SUBS NOT USED: 11. Abdulai Baggie, 14. Joe Newton, 15. Emmanuel Adebowale, 19. Scott Rendell.
Yellow Card: Collins, 65′, Oastler, 82′
Attendance: 1,593 (116 away)