Barely 24 hours after taking a giant step towards securing the league title, there was more success for United’s U18s on Sunday, as they clinched a place in the final of the Devon Youth Cup.
Following on from the 3-2 triumph over Bridgwater, Chris Todd’s young charges were at it again yesterday, as they produced a remarkable performance to record a 7-1 triumph over Plymouth Parkway to emerge victorious from their Wotton Printers Devon U18 Youth Cup semi-final at South Devon College.
With two games in successive days forcing Todd to shuffle his pack to face a strong Parkway outfit, the lads showed little sign of fatigue, as they romped to victory courtesy of a hat-trick from Jayden Gilbert, plus strikes from Sammy Stayt, Brandon Quinn, Jack Mogg and Theo Cadby.
Following the match, United’s Head of Youth paid tribute to both his players and backroom team.
“They performed really, really well, especially as some of them don’t get much game time,” said Todd.
“They get bits here and there, probably not as much as the rest, but they are a big part of what we do. We’ve been strong this year, and there’s been lots of times I’ve had to change it, and all those lads have stepped up all the time, and I think that’s a big part of why we’re still in all these competitions.
“I’d like to thank my staff as well – Bess Ashworth, our physio, has been with me this weekend, looking after the boys and ‘Bish’ [Paul Bishop] is immense to be fair, with all the stuff he does, like getting the kit ready. All the stuff that I don’t have to worry about, and I couldn’t do without him. He’s a great guy, he loves the Club and he wears his heart on his sleeve.”
Sunday’s win sees the Young Gulls progress through to the final at Coach Road next month, where Tavistock will be their opponents. It also sees Torquay remain on course for an unprecedented treble, with United taking on Yeovil Town at home in the League Cup semi-finals on Saturday, prior to going in search of one point from their remaining two league fixtures, in order to secure their first-ever South West Counties Youth League crown.