Yellows Caught Cold in Sunshine

Saturday, August 3. Pre-season Friendly

Tiverton Town 0

Torquay United 3 (Hayfield 14, Crosbie 36, Ash 50)

Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm

AGAINST the backdrop of a warm summer's day, a feelgood atmosphere heightened by the travelling away support that had turned up in numbers and a watching brief from Torquay's new Football Advisor Neil Warnock, this was a flat performance from the Yellows.

In order to compete with a very good Torquay side, Tivvy, in their new yellow and black-striped strip, needed to play somewhere near the top of their levels. However, they wilted in the sunshine and struggled for composure and conviction.

The visitors were quickly into their stride and built impressively through their team. laying the foundations for a prosperous afternoon with cutting, incisive, passing, good movement, and a definite structure to their play.

So, after setting this tone, they predictably went ahead from a free-kick. Dan Hayfield reminded the home supporters of his undoubted abilities from dead-ball situations with a powerful rasping strike that comprehensively beat Joel Manning as the ball flew into the top corner.

The crispness of the Gulls in possession was in marked contrast to the Yellows, who gave the ball away cheaply and regularly. Brief hesitation from our goalkeeper allowed Jadyn Crosbie time to tuck away a header for the second goal, when he had Kyle Anderson for company, although, in all truth, Torquay had several opportunities to double their lead before that.

A very dry surface perhaps was not conducive to good football, but the conditions were the same for both sides. It did open up for Jay Murray in the visitors’ box, but an extra touch meant our opponents were able to close him down.

A subdued Yellows went into the break trailing 2-0 and there was a lot to consider in the home dressing room. There was no lack of effort from us, but the Gulls had produced all the quality moments in a one-sided first half.

We were marginally better when we returned, but, after 50 minutes, Bradley Ash put the game to bed when a stray pass presented him with the ball just outside Tiverton’s box. Ash’s finish was sublime as he found the corner of Manning’s goal, showing wonderful technique and precision with his shot, although, if you keep affording chances to gifted players, they will punish you.

There was no way back for Tivvy and the match lacked a bit of intensity after that. Substitutions were made by Leigh Robinson, and Leighton Thomas did register our first shot at goal on 64 minutes after coming off the bench just before the hour mark and bringing a routine save out of the previously untroubled Matt Wonnacott.

The Yellows did look slightly improved with an extra focal point, with Joe Parker often isolated before that. Significantly though, numerous changes from both teams meant players being given game-time, but also players playing in unnatural positions. This combination meant Torquay lost a bit of their potency and, although we were a little bit better in possession, that was undoubtedly a factor.

There was still time for the impressive Burundi international Omar Mussa to lift his shot just over Tiverton’s crossbar, but pre-season ended with a bit of a whimper for the Yellows.

A bad day at the office for us, but knowing we can definitely perform a lot better than our showing against a talented Torquay outfit will also gives us heart going into our first competitive match at Merthyr next Saturday.

Attendance: 511.