FA Youth Cup

I was tempted to travel the hour journey each way, but spent the afternoon in the pub instead.

Am I a bad person? 

Really enjoyed the afternoon.

Torquay clearly the better side and 3-0 a fair reflection.

Of the three youths who have made first team appearances, Wellington and Chastey started and both impressed whilst Swann was on the bench but converted a penalty after coming on.

Of the other two who were on the bench at Frome, Wills started but Coggins was on the bench and only got on for the last few minutes.

Will Howard in goal

Back four of Charlie Wills, Ethan O’Sullivan ( who was not afraid to be very vocal in organising and encouraging), Liam Poole and Mason Elliot.

Jack Kennel holding midfield with Will Brennan and Gene Price ahead of him as “inside forwards”. Tom Chastey at centre forward with Andrew Ellis wide right and Jacob Wellington wide left.

Just after the hour, Lucas Robinson replaced Ellis on the right and Kai Swann replaced Brennan in midfield.

In the dying minutes, Harvey Coggins replaced Price in midfield and Ashton Ballard came on wide on the left with Wellington moving to the centre to replace Chastey.

McGavin style goal from Kennel separated the sides at half time with subs Robinson and Swann (from a penalty after Wellington was felled) adding to the score against tiring opposition who now looked well beaten.

Wellington is one of the lads with another college year to go and clearly has something about him.

The problem we have is the huge gap between college football and National League South (let alone National League) football.

Would love to have a development team in the Peninsula League which would be the natural place for college leavers and local lads from other schools and colleges to adapt to men’s football to see if they might bridge the gap to first team. Might happen one day or might not.

Lets hope they do better in the 2nd Qualifying Round than the our senior team did!

link - now through to the first round proper for the first time in 4 seasons.

link - TUFC report on the draw.