United’s Under-18s turned on the style at Cirencester to record a stunning 7-1 success on Saturday, and with it, secure a league championship play-off with title rivals Bridgwater.
Just seven days on from securing silverware against Mangotsfield in the final Gary Else Memorial League Cup – ironically at Bridgwater’s Fairfax Park home – Ryan Dickson’s side moved a step closer to retaining the South West Counties Youth League for the second successive year, having won it for the first time in the Club’s history in 2021/22.
Leading scorer Ben Aldous – who grabbed the winner last weekend – was once again amongst the goals, with his brace against Cirencester boosting his tally to an astonishing 31 goals in just 15 outings – a new record for the competition.
Strike partner Jayden Gilbert, who also got on the scoresheet v Mangotsfield, matched Aldous’ efforts with a double of his own, with further goals from defensive duo Callum Thomas and Mason Elliott, and another from Sam Bishop, securing a emphatic victory, as Ethan Nicolaas’ solitary strike for the hosts serving as the merest of consolations.
With the three points seeing the Young Gulls draw level with Bridgwater at the top of the table on 39 points, for the first time in the SWCYL history, the league title will now be decided by a one-off play-off at a neutral venue – Exwick Sports Hub on Saturday, 27th May 2023, 10.30am KO.
If Dickson’s men emerge on top, it will not only clinch a remarkable ‘double’ for the class of 2022/23, but it will also see Torquay register their fifth trophy at U18 level in the past two seasons.
Best of luck lads!