Torquay United 2
Hanks OG 9’, & Niate 25’
Gloucester City: 1
Bailey 88’
United came out victors over Gloucester City with a 2-1 win at Plainmoor and remain top of the table heading into the New Year.
United made one change from the side that beat Truro City 4-2 at Plainmoor on Boxing Day, with Jamie Sendles-White replacing Connor Lemonheigh-Evans. Another 3,000+ crowd created a fantastic atmosphere at Plainmoor once again.
It was United who looked the better of the two sides in the opening exchanges, with United piling the pressure on Gloucester. Janneh could have got the first of the afternoon in the 7th minute after some neat link up play between Lumbombo-Kalala and Wynter, the ball eventually finding Janneh whose shot went just wide of the target.
United made it 1-0 in the 9th minute via an Gloucester own goal. Jamie Reid’s cross to Janneh was turned in by Gloucester defender Joe Hanks. Gloucester almost replied immediately when Isaac Pearce’s cross from the left skimmed Shaun MacDonald’s crossbar.
United almost doubled their lead in the 16th minute. Reid beating two Gloucester defenders in the area and forcing a corner. Jake Andrews found Kyle Cameron, whose header found Niate. His header just went just past the post.
United made it 2-0 in the 25th minute when Andrews’ corner eventually fell to Niate who was able to head home from close range. United looked set to push on from there.
Gloucester nearly claimed one back in the 36th minute after a left-footed curling free kick from just outside of the area just cleared the crossbar. It was well covered from MacDonald however. United were very much on top going into the second half.
United were on the front foot and looked like adding to their lead after Wynter’s cross found Janneh in the box. His shot was saved by Jojo Wollacott in the Gloucester goal. He was extremely unlucky not to add to his tally for the season. United had another chance to score in the 58th minute after Sendles-White’s interception in midfield found Kalala who beat a few tackles but his curling effort just went past the post.
Gloucester survives a few goalmouth scrambles and then substitute Olaf Koszela had the ball in the back of the net as United looked to end some stiff Gloucester resistance, but up went the offside flag.
Gloucester were certainly piling on the pressure in the closing quarters of the game and did manage to claim a goal back in the 88th minute when substitute Odin Bailey’s left-footed strike found the bottom corner. Into four minutes of additional time, and Gloucester were throwing everything at it but United did enough to hang on and earn another all-important three points.
United’s next National League South match finds them at Plainmoor once again, but this time as an away team. Truro City host United on New Year’s Day in 3pm kick-off.
TUFC: 1. Shaun MacDonald (GK), 2. Ben Wynter (12. Olaf Koszela 78’), 3. Liam Davis, 6. Jamie Sendles-White (4. George Essuman 86’), 8. Asa Hall ©, 10. Saikou Janneh, 15. Jean-Yves Koue Niate, 17, Kyle Cameron, 18. Jake Andrews, 19. Jamie Reid, 20. Kalvin Lumbumbo-Kalala. SUBS NOT USED: 13. George Burton (GK), 14. Samir Nabi.
Bookings: Davis (73’)
Gloucester: 1. Jojo Wollacott (GK), 2. Joe Hanks, 3. Adam Robbins, 4. Matt Liddiard, 5. Sam Avery ©, 6. Spencer Hamilton, 7. Jake Mawford, 8. Josh Thomas, 9. Andre Wright (15. Jake Jackson 62’), 10. Joey Parker (17. Odin Bailey 70’), 11. Isaac Pearce (12. Harry Williams 62’) SUBS NOT USED: 14. Chris Knowles, 16. Tyler Weir.
Bookings: Robbins (72’)
Referee: Philip Staynings
Attendance: 3071 (57 Away)