PSF: Tiverton Town v Torquay United 3pm 3/8/24

Well worth going today, although a vehicle fire on the A380 at the top of Ideford dip curtailed progress, but fortunately was able to divert through the country lanes past Ugbrooke house. Looking at the lineup, no Craske again and he is starting to become a worry although Finn Tonks has done well in this position and should be a shoe in to start next week. Captain Oscar was also missing, but he needed treatment towards the end of the Exeter game for a heavy tackle and hopefully this was nothing more than precautionary rest and will be starting next week.

Wonnacot stayed in goal all game, which was a little surprising but he had a little to do apart from coming out of the area to Head away a few long balls and seems competence. Palmer, Dreyer and Foulston lined up in defense with Collins and Hayfield at the base of midfield and Hasani a little further forward behind Cooke and Cosby. Not many chances in the first 10 minutes or so but when we won a free kick just outside the penalty area Dan Hayfield fired straight in the top left-hand corner with the keeper just watching it go in. Good strike and took the pressure off the team a bit and we extended our lead after some good work between Tonks and Palmer interchanging a couple of passes, allowing Palmer to cross from the right by line and his deep cross saw Crosbie head in, back across the goal.

At half time, Ash, Mussa and Tomlinson came on for Cook, Dreyer and Hasani, respectively. It didn’t take long for Ash to make his mark when a ball unexpectedly came back to him near the edge of the area and he set himself before curling his shot around the keeper hitting the inside of the right hand post. Lovely goal and I was just behind him so able to fully appreciate. Around the hour mark Booth Seymour and Dyer came on for Palmer Crosby and Hayfield. A good through ball saw Seymour go clear and his one on one with the keeper was well saved lowdown. Mussa looks a threat, big, strong and a free kick attempt late on only just went over the bar.

Overall another good solid showing and think we will be hard to beat this season and won’t concede too many.

Its been interesting watching the friendlies this week.     There doesnt seem too much to worry about squad wise but then again nothing to get too excited about either imo.
It seems the collective intake of breath from Torquay fans every time the ball is put into our goal area has stopped which is certainly welcome.
After what happened last season i shall definitely be reserving judgement on this new team for a few weeks though.