Ahead of Monday’s FA Youth Cup tie away to Mangotsfield United the U18s faced The Field in the South West Counties Youth League at home.
The young Gulls were 1-0 up within first 5 minutes, with George Powell finishing well past the Mangotsfield keeper.
United were on top and put together a sustained 20 minutes of possession , finding time and space with good rotations and accurate passing. Mangotsfield changed their shape to match Torquay half way through the first half and equalised against the run of play.
There were chances for both teams as the rest of the half played out but the half-time whistle blew with the score 1-1.
At the half-time break manager Craig Hutcheson challenged his team to better their opposing player, show bravery on the ball, and to play positive forward passes.
The young players responded to the challenge extremely well throughout the 2nd half, showing great character and a will to win. Hoyt Spencer scored the second goal with a fine finish from 20 yards, low to the keepers right hand after good work from Luka Rice to win the ball back and lay the ball into Spencer’s path.
Mangotsfield still provided a threat and it wasn’t until the 75th minute that United found their third goal. Ethan Ratcliffe found space in the box and slotted the ball home past the goalkeeper and a recovering defender. The final action of the game saw Powell score his second of the game with a well taken penalty, making it 6 goals in 4 games for the forward.
Man of the Match, Hoyt Spencer
