United’s Under-18s made it two wins in as many days on Monday evening, as they secured a 3-1 success against Falmouth Town at Bickland Park.
After exchanging early chances, it was The Young Gulls who took the lead in the 9th minute, as a free-kick on the edge of the box went into the back of the net via the woodwork, with Jayden Gilbert the goalscorer.
Ben Aldous, who had notched a brace from the bench in Sunday’s 8-1 Devon Youth Cup thumping of Central Youth, was making his presence felt from the start in Cornwall, twice going close in the opening half hour.
It was something of a surprise then, when the hosts levelled the scores in the 34th minute, as Oliver Pickup darted forward, before dinking his effort past United goalkeeper Lloyd Marshall.
Callum Thomas and Charlie Wills – another player who got on the scoresheet 24 hours earlier – both went close to regaining Torquay the lead before the break, but with no breakthrough forthcoming, it remained all-square at the break.
Only a dramatic clearance off the line maintained parity five minutes after the break, as The Young Gulls went on the offensive following the restart, before Aldous and Pickup exchanged efforts at goal for both sides shortly after.
Some smart interplay between Gilbert and Aldous saw then latter again denied by Town ‘keeper Fletcher on 56 minutes, but the scores remained level until final quarter of the game.
In the 67th minute, a corner appeared to catch Falmouth napping, and as the delivery made its way to the back post, there was Aldous to prod home and re-establish Torquay’s advantage.
To their credit, the Cornish side responded well, with only a fine save from Marshall denying McCabe from making it 2-2, although Isaac McCue nearly put the result beyond doubt with a goalbound effort that was blocked at point-blank range with five to play.
Gilbert forced another save from the home Number 1 moments later, with Marshall doing likewise in the opposite goal to keep out Turner’s strike as the match entering stoppage time, before United clinched victory with almost the final kick of the game, as McCue profited from close-range to punish a Falmouth side now committed to attack.
With this 2nd Round Qualifying tie behind them, the lads can now look ahead to the next round’s draw, although Head of Youth Robbie Herrera challenged his side to set their targets even higher.
“We made hard work of it. Not a fantastic performance, but in cup football, it’s about getting through to the next round,” said Herrera.
“It was pleasing in that respect, but a lot to work on. Playing Falmouth, with all due respect, is a big game for them, and they put up a good fight to be honest. I don’t think we were that troubled, but in terms of our game, and how we played, it was a little disappointing, but we got there in the end.”