Torquay United's win over Weston-super-Mare had it all

Sometimes games of football have it all. And Torquay United’s 4-2 win against National League South leaders Weston-super-Mare in the pouring rain, under the lights of Plainmoor, was certainly one of those games.

Six goals, a missed penalty, a red card and a dogged and determined defence of a lead that was hard-won and much-needed. All in front of a home crowd that was up for it as much as the players were.

After three consecutive draws in the league, interrupted by that 1-0 win over Truro City in the FA Trophy, it was hugely important for the Gulls to get back to winning ways and not let Weston go nine points ahead of them at the top of the table.

Manager Paul Wotton was delighted. “The boys worked tremendously hard,” he said. “I thought our fitness was fantastic and I thought we were tremendously brave in moving the ball. It backs up a really good draw away at Boreham Wood, so I am happy, absolutely.”

Torquay started well but went behind in the 17th minute when Luke Coulson broke away and beat James Hamon with a confident strike. But Weston’s lead only lasted 12 minutes with Lirak Hasani hitting the ball home from the edge of the area, before the excellent Will Jenkins Davies rolled the ball past Max Harris in the Weston goal in the 35th minute.

Sam Avery scored a strange goal in the 41st minute when the ball dropped into the box from a corner, Hamon failed to catch it, and it was bundled home. But that wasn’t the end of the first-half drama. Hasani was fouled in the penalty area and Cody Cooke had his penalty saved by Harris.

Hasani saw red for a poor tackle on Reuben Reid three minutes into the second half. On another day the challenge might have only been rated worthy of a yellow card. But with 10 men, a changed shape, and Oscar Threklend replacing Omar Mussa, the Gulls grew in stature, defended really well, and scored two more goals.

It was 3-2 in the 69th minute after some great work by Jenkins Davies, who cut inside from the right and found Cooke on the edge of the six-yard box - and the striker diverted the ball past Harris. Cooke made it 4-2 in the 79th minute when Weston made a horrible mistake in midfield - gifting the ball to Dan Hayfield, who was quick to claim his prize and pass it to the Torquay striker for his second goal.

The players defended like heroes after that. “I thought we were brave today,” said Wotton. “I thought we started great and then they had their first attack and it was a poor goal from us. The second goal was a poor goal from us and we missed a penalty so we had a triple disappointment.

“But I went in and said, ‘boys, just keep doing what you are doing - you are doing great’. It was enjoyable to watch - and then we get the sending off and it is a huge moment in the game.

“Again, I thought we were brave. We went 4-3-2, we could have easily gone 4-4-1 and sat on the edge of our box and Weston would have scored - 100%. We scored a couple of goals on the counter attack. Overall, tremendous, it’s another three points and backs up a good draw on Saturday at Boreham Wood - so I am happy.”

The result meant Torquay moved into third place in the table, while - because of Truro’s 4-1 win at Weymouth - Weston dropped to second. Torquay are at bottom-of-the-table Enfield Town on Saturday. And they will be full of confidence after this game.