Torquay United’s defence of the Devon Youth Cup began in sparkling fashion, as a young Gulls side beat Central Youth U18 City 8-1 at South Devon College on Sunday afternoon.
As expected, the holders were in the ascendancy from the first whistle, with only some superb interventions from Central’s goalkeeper maintaining parity for his side during the early stages.
United created a number of clear-cut opportunities inside the opening ten minutes, with the pick of the chances falling to Jacob Wellington, whose central drive into the box ended with the ‘keeper producing a fine parry.
That was followed up in the fifth minute with Will Brennan darting inside the penalty area before sending a right-footed effort narrowly wide of the post
Some tricky play from Joel Greenslade nearly unlocked the door soon after, with the midfielder weaving into area, before setting up Brennan to force another excellent save from Central’s increasingly overworked glovesman.
More and more, it became a one-man mission to keep the rampant Gulls at bay, and there was no let-up as the match reached the 20-minute mark, as he produced a marvellous double-save from Brennan’s fifteen-yard strike, before recovering quickly to gather Wellington’s follow-up header.
It looked as though the breakthrough had finally come moments later, yet just as Wellington turned away to celebrate his well-placed lob nestling into the back of the net, an official’s flag brought his delight to a premature conclusion.
The lads in yellow didn’t have to wait too much longer for the celebrations to begin in earnest though.
Brennan, who was already proving a real nuisance in attack, pounced on a long ball forward that left the visiting backline with a decision to make, as the United forward made the most of the indecision to round the stranded keeper and make it 1-0.
The breakthrough failed to quench Torquay’s thirst for goals, with the action continuing to be almost entirely played out in the Central half of the field.
Four minutes before the break, a strike from Wellington from the edge of the box forced Central’s No.1 to produce another save, this time getting down low to keep the ball out at his near post.
He produced an even better save two minutes later, as a fine ball from Luca Staniforth saw Brennan take the ball down well and show some excellent ball skills to put a defender to ground, before the man in-between the posts once again foiled him, with an instinctive reaction save with his feet.
With only one goal separating the two sides at the break, watching Head of Youth Robbie Herrera would have been hoping to see a more productive second period – and so it proved.
That was only after a rare scare though, as the visitors’ No. 10 nearly levelled, however the hitherto untroubled Jacob Mortimore narrowed the angle quickly enough to force the Central striker to fire wide.
It was to prove a costly miss on 53 minutes.
The action almost immediately switched to the other end of the field, and despite Brennan initially being denied by another brave save, Wellington was on hand to plant a delicious volley into the net from the rebound.
Two minutes later, Dan Grant’s cross saw Brennan nearly extend the advantage as he rose highest before planting a header wide, with the chances continuing to arise at regular intervals.
Then out of the blue, the contest was re-ignited.
In the 56th minute, having won a rare corner, a defensive lapse saw the number 13 arrive in the nick of time to head home at the back post, and drag his team back into the match.
Or so it seemed.
On the hour-mark, the two-goal lead was restored. An inviting through-ball gave Brennan something to chase, and after his turn of pace saw him get to the ball before the advancing ‘keeper, he showed admirable composure to slot home with his left boot – despite the angle being against him.
United’s class told again on 65 minutes as the floodgates sprang open.
With an attack almost appearing to lose its impetus, captain Dan Grant made his way into the box before looking up and sending a sumptuous right foot volley into the top corner from twelve yards – it was a moment of real class, and there was more to follow.
With seventeen minutes left on the clock, one of last season’s treble winners made it five, as Ben Aldous reacted quickest to a ball over the top, before steadying himself and slotting home inside the area.
The same player repeated the feat three minutes later, when, after United cleared a defensive corner off their own goalline, they launched a swift counter to make it 6-1, as Aldous again applied the finishing touch.
He nearly made it a quickfire hat-trick on 80 minutes, after a low cross from Grant picked him out eight yards from goal, however on this occasion, the substitute striker dragged his effort wide.
Aldous put those thoughts behind him to turn provider soon after though, as he squared the ball for Kai Swann to dance into the penalty area and prod the ball from close range.
The final punishment was saved for the last minute, as a Torquay corner paid dividends, leaving Charlie Wills to keep a calm head amongst some goalline pinball to bundle the ball into the net, and make it 8-1.
A profitable afternoon for the Young Gulls, who will be hoping there’s plenty more left in the tank, ahead of their FA Youth Cup tie at Falmouth on Monday evening.