United U18s 3
(Kennel 34′, Robinson 74′, Swann 83′ pen)
Bridgwater U18s 0
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United’s Under-18s made it a triple ‘double’ on Saturday, as they defeated Bridgwater to claim the Gary Else Memorial League Cup.
After Jack Kennel’s wonderful strike gave United a first-half advantage, the Young Gulls added to that with two more in the second, with Lucas Robinson and Kai Swann rounding off a wonderful afternoon at Plainmoor.
United certainly settled in front of a large showing of supporters who packed into Bristow’s Bench, however it was the side from Somerset who forced the first effort on target on nine minutes.
After picking up possession on the right side of the Torquay penalty area, Robins winger Eddie Townsend sent a simple pass into the path of Freddie Haden 15 yards out, with only goalkeeper Will Howard’s outstretched palm preventing the Bridgwater man from opening the scoring, as he had done in the very same final between the two same sides at Fairfax Park two year ago.
Despite winning plenty of corners – five inside the first twenty minutes – Kevin Wills’ side were initially unable to trouble opposing glovesman Zach Ford too much, with the defenders in front of him dealing with the flag-kicks thrust into his penalty area.
Bridgwater, who seemed to be relishing the occasion of playing at Plainmoor as much as the host team, were quite happy soaking up the pressure and hitting United on the break.
It nearly paid dividends on 18 minutes, as Fran Sousa outmuscled the Torquay backline before sending in a firm strike from the edge of the box – thankfully though, it was straight into Howard’s midriff.
On the half-hour, a neat move from the Yellows nearly saw them take the initiative though.
With Jacob Wellington enjoying a swift return to Plainmoor’s hallowed turf a week on from his league bow for the first-team, his 20 yarder appeared to be heading into the bottom corner of the net, until a Bridgwater defensive boot intervened. The loose ball fell kindly for Liam Poole inside the area though, with the Torquay defender left disappointed after seeing his strike whizz past the post.
When the opening goal of the match came though, it was well worth the wait.
After a driven ball across the face of the Bridgwater failed to get the touch it craved, Kennel took one look up before rifling a superb right-footer into the top corner of the net via the woodwork.
It was a goal deserving of taking pride of place in any Goal of the Season competition, and it was enough to separate the two sides at the halfway point.
Chasing the game, it was Bridgwater who started the second period the better, however The Young Gulls nearly made it two in the 53rd minute.
Tom Chastey – another player who has tasted football at first-team level this year – was determined to chase a lost cause despite ball looking set to go behind, and after wriggling free of the attentions of a Bridgwater defender, he played the ball away from the byline and into the path of Will Brennan, who saw his low side-footed effort go narrowly wide of the nearest upright.
Brennan tried his luck again on the hour mark, this time from just outside the area, with the ‘keeper this time forced into a relatively comfortable gather.
With only one goal separating the two sides though, the trophy remained up for grabs, but with sixteen minutes remaining, Torquay doubled their advantage to lay one hand on the silverware.
After being fed into space on the right-hand side of the 18 yard-box, substitute Robinson saw his first opportunity saved by the legs of Ford at his near post, however the ball came straight back to him, he managed to evade the attention of a despairing defender before curling the ball into the net to make it 2-0.
Ford produced one marvellous point-blank save to prevent Chastey nodding home Poole’s flick moments later to prevent the damage being even greater.
In the 83rd minute, it was 3-0 though.
After being sent on his way by Mason Elliot on the halfway line, Wellington initially looked to have bitten off more than he could chew by taking the ball past the retreating Bridgwater full-back, however with the United winger showing admirable persistence, he nipped back in front of the defender, and after being brought to earth by a trailing leg, the referee was left with little option but to point directly to the spot.
Up stepped Swann to take responsibility, and he duly delivered, by sending the ball low to Ford’s right, with the Robin’s man diving the opposite way.
That wrapped up the scoring, as a remarkable campaign for Wills’ Under-18s finished in glory once more, as they celebrated another league and cup double.
The future is bright – the future is yellow.
UNITED: 1. Will Howard, 2. Charlie Wills, 3. Mason Elliot, 5. Liam Poole, 7. Jack Kennel, 9. Tom Chastey (15. Ashton Ballard, 90+2′), 10. Gene Price (4. Harvey Coggins, 90+2′), 12. Ethan O’Sullivan, 16. Will Brennan (14. Lucas Robinson, , 62′), 17. Andrew Ellis (11. Kai Swann, 62′), 18. Jacob Wellington.
SUBS NOT USED: 23. Luke Adams.
Attendance: 509