United 3
(Dyer 4′, Jay 66′, Foulston 71′)
Weymouth 0
A comprehensive 3-0 win over Weymouth at Plainmoor saw United take their title challenge to the last day of the season.
Jordan Dyer’s early goal gave The Gulls a half-time advantage, and with Matt Jay and Jay Foulston adding to that with second-half efforts, United will travel to Hemel Hempstead next weekend still with a chance of securing the NLS title.
72 hours on from the 1-0 win at Truro, Torquay boss Paul Wotton again chose to stick with the same starting eleven, although there was a change on the bench, where Matt Carson replaced Emmanuel Ilesanmi.
In front of four packed-out terraces, then men in yellow gave their fans just the start they wanted.
Jordan Young’s corner to the back-post had ‘bury me’ written all over it, and Dyer duly obliged with a thumping header that beat travelling goalkeeper Will Buse all ends up.
That was the cue for Wotton’s side to pile forward in search of a second, however the Terras’ defence stood firm, to prevent United any more joy before the break.
As has been the case so often recently, James Hamon had been left with little to do thanks to his well-drilled defensive teammates, with the scoreline remaining the same at the change of ends.
The early stages of the second period saw both sides trade opportunities to alter the scoreboard, before Torquay finally gained breathing space midway through the second period.
Dan Hayfield’s low ball into the box found Jay at the near-post, and although the Torquay forward was well-covered, a classy back-heel saw the ball directed into the far-post and double the advantage.
Knowing how vital goal-difference could yet be, the Yellow Army roared into full-voice, and their team responded.
Foulson sent home a cushioned volley in the 71st minute, and although The Gulls couldn’t add to that tally, it wasn’t for the want of trying, with Jordan Young and Will Jenkins Davies – amongst others – both going within inches of adding to that advantage.
The season is far, far from over.
Onto Hemel.
UNITED: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer (16. Ed Palmer, 30′), 5. Sam Dreyer (c), 7. Lirak Hasani (22. Will Jenkins Davies, 80′), 8. Jordan Young, 10. Omar Mussa, 19. Cody Cooke (17. Offrande Zanzala, 80′), 20. Dan Hayfield, 26. Jordan Thomas, 27. Matt Jay.
SUBS NOT USED: 14. Matt Carson, 18. Oscar Threlkeld, .
WEYMOUTH: 1. Will Buse, 3. Leo Hamblin, 6. Josh McQuoid, 8. Tom Bearwish (c), 9. Malachi Linton, 10. Brandon Goodship, 12. Andreas Robinson, 14. Jake McCarthy, 15. Will Armstrong, 16. Euan Pollock (7. Kelson Pollard, 62′), 18. Corey Jordan.
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Lloyd Thomas.
Yellow Card: Bearwish, 56′, Robinson 90+2′
Attendance: 5,567 (151 away)