United 3
(Jarvis 39′, pen 90+8′, Ash 69′)
Farnborough 0
Match Sponsor:
United turned on the style on Tuesday evening, as they sealed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Farnborough at Plainmoor.
Aaron Jarvis gave United a first-half advantage, and after his strike partner Brad Ash followed suit in the second period, Jarvis fired home a late penalty to seal all three points for Gary Johnson’s team.
With United suffering a reverse at Aveley last Saturday, the Gulls’ boss opted to make three changes to his starting line-up, with Dean Moxey, Brett McGavin and Will Jenkins Davies replacing Dan Martin, Finley Craske and Dillon De Silva.
The men in yellow were in the ascendancy right from the off, with the recalled Jenkins Davies warming the palms of visiting goalkeeper Jack Turner with a low drive from twelve yards, after Jack Stobbs’ tempting right-wing cross evaded all comers in the third minute.
The Gulls threatened again on 11 minutes, when Stobbs’ pinpoint delivery from a 40 yard free-kick perfectly picked out the onrushing Ross Marshall at the back post, only for the central defender to head narrowly wide.
Apart from Mark Halstead having to react quickly to deny Jordan Norville-Williams profiting from a loose backpass, it was all Torquay, and in the 21st minute they went close again, as Shaun Donnellan nearly brought the house down with a sublime chip from 25 yards out – it only just cleared the bar, as well as a desperately back-pedalling goalkeeper.
The woodwork seemingly came to the rescue for Johnson’s side just short of the half-hour, with Ricky Holmes’ deflected effort looping up into the path of the unmarked Alfie Pavey six yards out, however the centre-forward could only steer his header onto the crossbar.
With six minutes of the first half remaining, United took the lead.
With little attracting his attention ahead of him, Ollie Tomlinson’s run took him into the opposition half, and after delivering a fine thorough ball into the path of Jarvis, the United striker made little of the narrow angle to fire his shot off the ‘keeper and into the back of the net.
Something of a rare occurrence of late, albeit a welcome one, as Johnson’s side were ahead at the break.
When the second half began, it was more of the same from the men in yellow, as they continued their dominance.
Donnellan and McGavin both sent in wonderful deliveries that deserved more, with Torquay making clear their intent in going in search of a second goal, rather than merely holding onto what they had.
That goal nearly came their way on the hour mark.
A delightful piece of play from Ash saw the livewire striker turn his man and dart inside the box, before seeing his ball across the face of goal hacked into the path of Stobbs on the edge of the box, who took aim but could only fire wide of the upright.
Ash came close himself moments later with a neat turn and shot that rattled the woodwork, before justice finally came on 69 minutes.
A cross to the back-post saw a misplaced header picked up on by Jarvis, who was only too happy to send the ball into the direction of his strike partner, with Ash gleefully slamming home the loose ball to make it 2-0.
Chances it either end nearly saw the scoreline amended further, with Stobbs seeing a goalbound effort blocked on the edge of the box, before Ollie Robinson responded with a thumping effort from 22 yards that cannoned off the post.
United were soon back on top however, and they remained the more creative side right up until the final whistle, with a third goal coming their way via the penalty spot in the last of eight additional minutes added on.
Chasing a long ball forward, Jarvis used his body to get in front of defender Jack Ball, and with the Farnborough man unable to stop him legally, an obvious shove saw the referee signal to the spot, before Ball was punished further by receiving his marching orders.
Jarvis picked himself up before confidently firing low past Turner to give the scoreline a more accurate reflection on the evening’s script.
The Yellow Army’s warm applause rewarded a performance of real promise, and with the visit of Chelmsford coming this Saturday, another showing like this really will see Johnson’s men up and running.
Thanks for your support!
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 6. Ross Marshall, 9. Aaron Jarvis, 11. Brad Ash, 14. Brett McGavin (7. Ryan Hanson, 80′), 16. Shaun Donnellan, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 21. Dean Moxey (3. Dan Martin, 64′), 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 27. Jack Stobbs (19. Luke Pearce, 84′).
SUBS NOT USED: 17. Dillon De Silva, 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow Cards: Jenkins Davies 25′, Lapslie 90′
‘
FARNBOROUGH: 1. Jack Turner, 2. Jack Ball, 3. Jordan Norville-Williams, 5. Ollie Robinson, 6. Joe Partington (c), 8. Jaden Perez (21. Taylor Maloney, 52′), 9. Alfie Pavey, 11. Reggie Young, 19. Ryan Upward (7. Adam Mekki, 67′), 24. Selim Saied, 26. Ricky Holmes (10. Michael Folivi, 52′).
SUBS NOT USED: 14. Connor Cullen, 35. Sid Nelson.
Yellow Card: Perez 16′, Holmes 23′, Upward 54′, Maloney 81′, Robinson 82′, Young 84′
Yellow Card / Red Card: Ball 88′, 90+8′
Attendance: 1,741 (32 away)