NLS: Torquay United v Worthing 7:45pm 22.10.24

link - line up out with Ash and Hasani starting.

A hard fought win against a good Worthing side who passed the ball well, finding their players with ease who were always looking to be in space and had shades of Dorking about them. While Worthing dominated possession in the first half an hour, ironically, we probably had the best chances particularly getting joy on our right, winning a few corners along the way and it was from this sector of play that saw a great cross to an on rushing Carson, whose header was well saved by their keeper diving to his left and just palming the ball wide of his left-hand post.

Despite being more potent in attack, it was Worthing who should have gone ahead when their striker broke our off side trap on the left and thought he was harshly adjudged offside with a late flag pulling play back just after he scored. However, from another foray, their player had the ball a couple of yards outside the box on the right and was given too much space to absolutely rifle his shot into the top right hand corner of the goal, giving Hamon no chance.

I thought we were somewhat unlucky to go into halftime a goal down but Wooton made some bold changes going to a 4 –3–3 and bringing on Jenkins Davies and a noticeably fitter Mussa in midfield. This paid dividends five minutes into the half when some good play saw Mussa receive the ball between their midfield and defense and taking the ball towards the edge of the box , curled the ball into the bottom right hand corner for a good equalizer. Apparently, his first goal for the club, felt like he already should have had a few with his threat. We kept pressure on the Worthing goal with our best chance coming from a far post Dyer header that only just went wide. However, with about 15 minutes to go, another corner was chipped into the near-post and Foulston battled well to get his head on it and also score his first goal for the club.

For the last 15 minutes, it was back to the walls as Worthing strived to get an equalizer and had the opportunity to do so with various breakaways and then in injury time a free header from a corner saw their striker direct the ball just to the right hand side of the post when really should have scored and he knew it. So a good win that keeps our momentum going taking us back up to third place and just two points behind the leaders with the game in hand on them. Happy days.

Final shout out to the 3701 crowd with just 24 away supporters on a Tuesday night as Torbay continues to support their football club

Wow, you can say that again! Judging by the highlights, Faal was well onside when the ball was played forward to him, and he had not come back from an offside position to collect the ball. A shocking decision to balance some of the shocking decisions that have gone against us recently (eg Ash's disallowed goal at Hampton)...

I often wonder who started this ridiculous ritual performed by players who score goals of running towards a corner flag and then completing their journey by sliding forwards on their knees. I can only assume that they are saying to the crowd "Look at me, I've scored". No wonder so many matches now conclude with at least ten minutes added on, or should do if the officials are doing their job.

I think i would certainly find a place in this seasons team for Arkell Jude-Boyd and Ethon Archer from last seasons motley crew !