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Torquay United 1 Truro City 0 - Gulls late winner makes it a Happy New Year

Goal celebrations for Jordan Young of Torquay United during the National League South match between Torquay United and Truro City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Wednesday 1st January 2025 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A brilliant goal by Jordan Young won National League South leaders torquay-united-fc>Torquay United a New Year's Day classic against a tough Truro City side that never gave up - and there was a crowd of 5,135 inside Plainmoor today to witness it.

The Gulls had the better of the first half in the frenetic game, which almost didn't happen because of the weather, but Truro dominated the second half until Young's fantastic solo effort made it 1-0 with 10 minutes to go.

Jordan Thomas picked up a second yellow card as the Gulls worked hard to protect that lead, and there were a series of late chances for Truro that they couldn't convert - even in the six minutes that were added on.

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After a late pitch inspection, the decision that the game was on was announced on came at 2.13pm - and only then were the team sheets released. There was just one change: Dylan Morgan in for Omar Mussa. Morgan looked quick and up for it from the word go. He won a free kick in the fifth minute, which led to a goalmouth scramble and Young shooting just over. Truro striker Tyler Harvey got a flick on a low cross in the 10th minute, but the ball went over James Hamon's crossbar.

Paul Wotton, Manager of Torquay United during the National League South match between Torquay United and Truro City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Wednesday 1st January 2025 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
Paul Wotton, Manager of Torquay United during the National League South match between Torquay United and Truro City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Wednesday 1st January 2025 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK

A great move by Torquay, down the right, ended with Cody Cooke shooting just wide. Torquay were playing well. Oscar Threlkeld shot over from 25 yards. It was a competitive game though, Truro were attacking well and a few sloppy moments by Torquay handed them more opportunities. A Cooke shot was blocked on the edge of the box in the 36th minute. Connor Riley-Lowe's 37th minute effort went over. Cooke was offside when he bundled the ball wide following a Will Jenkins Davies shot.

James Hamon had to make two good saves from Jaze Kabia and then Ryan Law as the game approached half time. A left-footed shot by right-footer Morgan was stopped by the Truro goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe.

There were no changes for the second half. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain made a great run for Truro in the 50th minute and shot across goal - with the ball rolling just wide of the far post. Truro were having a good spell. A Harvey shot was deflected wide for a corner in the 54th minute. Harvey missed the goal with another shot moments later. Torquay needed to get a grip on the game after a good first half performance.

Dreyer was lucky not to get a second yellow card in the 58th minute after holding on to a Truro player who was breaking away. Dreyer was replaced soon after with Ed Palmer coming into the defence. Young should have hit the ball instead of passing to Cooke in the 64th minute. Cooke was too wide of the goal in the end and could only find the side-netting with his shot.
Torquay wasted a corner with a poorly thought-out short one and Truro broke, with Threlkeld yellow carded for a foul on Kabio on the right-hand side of Torquay's 18 yard box. He had to do it. Truro were looking the better side now. Mussa and Lirak

Hasani came on for Jenkins Davies and Morgan in the 73rd minute. Cooke shot wide moments later. Torquay were better approaching the last 10 minutes. But Hamon had to stop a Dean strike. Mussa was the target with some good passes - and then came the moment of magic.

Goal celebrations for Jordan Young of Torquay United during the National League South match between Torquay United and Truro City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Wednesday 1st January 2025 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK
Goal celebrations for Jordan Young of Torquay United during the National League South match between Torquay United and Truro City at Plainmoor, Torquay on Wednesday 1st January 2025 - PHOTO: Frankie OKeeffe/PPAUK

In the 80th minute, Young picked up the ball on the right-hand side, cut inside, and ran along the edge of the box, beating several players before finding the space to shoot through. The ball beat Lavercombe as it darted into the far corner.

Thomas was sent off in the 84th minute after getting a second yellow card trying to win the ball back and catching the man as Sam Sanders protected it with his body. Finley Craske immediately came on for Young. Dan Hayfield was denied by a good challenge in the 86th minute and it was a corner.

Six minutes were added on and Riley-Lowe hit the crossbar with a strike from just inside the area. There were a few more hearts-in-mouth moments: a Truro chance was ended when Threlkeld was pushed in the box, and Hamon palmed an Andrewe Neal shot over the bar. A header from Dan Harrison also went over.

But there wasn't enough time for a comeback - and the points were Torquay's. What a great way to start the new year.