United’s Under-18s confidently beat Bishop’s Cleeve 5-0 at Homers Heath on Friday evening, to clinch an FA Youth Cup trip to Oxford United in Round 1.
After both sides appeared to be evenly matched in the early stages, that all began to change once Ryan Dickson’s found their rhythm, as the lads in yellow struck the woodwork twice in quick succession – first as Jayden Gilbert’s rising drive cannoned off the crossbar before Ben Aldous appeared to do everything right moments later, before seeing his low effort strike the foot of the post and bounce across the face of goal.
The visiting side couldn’t escape for much longer though, as Brandon Quinn’s low cross was steered home at the near-post by Aldous just past the 17-minute mark, to set The Young Gulls on their way.
A one-goal lead quickly became two, then three.
Within a minute of Aldous’ opener, a delicious ball over the top from Sam Bishop gave Greg Eastman something to run onto down the left wing, and after taking a moment to steady himself, he sent a perfect ball into the path of Gilbert eight yards from goal, allowing the Torquay striker to slam the ball home and double his side’s advantage.
On 21 minutes things got even better.
Bishop – always looking for an opportunity – sent another marvellous ball into the direction of Quinn on the right wing, and although the winger had plenty still to do, it was all the opportunity he needed to drive towards goal and drill the ball into the far corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Things settled down for a period thereafter, but just before the interval, George Collins got in on the act to make it four before the interval, as he applied a calm finish in amongst a crowded goalmouth, to give Dickson’s side a commanding lead at the change of ends.
To their credit, the visitors continued to plug away, and despite plenty of United pressure, there was only one more addition to the scoreline after the break, as Collins was again on hand to steer home Gilbert’s low pull-back just past the hour.
Cleeve nearly made things worse for themselves on a couple of occasions before time was up, with Dylan Copping nearly seeing his intervention loop up over goalkeeper Harvey Need, before Gulls sub Tom Chastey forced a defender to slide the ball onto his own post in the game’s dying stages.
For the second successive season, Torquay’s U18s will be mixing it with the big boys in the First Round Proper – with League One Oxford United next in line.
Congratulations, lads!
TUAFC: 1. Lloyd Marshall, 2. Charlie Wills, 4. Mason Elliot, 5. Callum Thomas (c), 7. Sam Bishop (3. Jack Kennel), 8. Brandon Quinn, 9. Jayden Gilbert, 10.Isaac McCue (6. Joel Greenslade), 14. Greg Eastman, 15. George Collins, 17. Ben Aldous (Tom Chastey).
Subs not used: 23. Jacob Mortimore (GK), 11. Will Brennan, 12. Koni Bailey, 16. Noah Al Sedani.
Attendance: 173