Torquay United keep another clean sheet but draw goalscoring blank

Torquay United’s lack of goalscoring prowess up front once again cost them when they drew 0-0 at Boreham Wood - but with four cleans sheets now out of five games, the defence is looking pretty solid and stable ahead of Tuesday night’s big game.

There were few chances for either side in a game played in the Storm Bert conditions that somewhat spoiled the fact that the pitch at Meadow Park is so good and would have suited the Gulls down to the ground.

Manager Paul Wotton changed the shape so that United had a back four instead of a back three, and goalkeeper James Hamon played his part, making some good saves, but with the supply line to the forwards limited, Cody Cooke cut a frustrating figure up front, where Jordan Young, Omar Mussa and Keke Jeffers all tried hard, but failed to find a goal.

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Wotton said: “In the conditions, away to Boreham Wood, nil-nil, I think that’s our fourth clean sheet out of five - so we are defending well, we are hard to beat, but we have got to test their goalie a little bit more. We know that, there is no shying away from that. Overall, that’s tough conditions against a team everyone fancies to arguably win the league with a huge budget. Nil-nil, a good point.”

With leaders Weston-super-Mare coming to Plainmoor on Tuesday night, Torquay are fourth in the National League South table, but now six points below their Somerset visitors. Weston are top with 37 points from 17 games, Truro City and Eastbourne Borough are second and third with 34 points from 18 games, while Torquay have 31 points from 18.

Wotton said: “I thought we were really brave in our shape today. Obviously we changed shape. In the first half, defending into the wind, I thought we were excellent.

“The boys were really comfortable and defended their line very well; clearances were excellent, aerially we were strong because Boreham Wood have a long throw and are pretty direct. I thought we limited thm to nothing really.

“Second half, with the wind, we knew that we would have to be better on the ball. As always, we are always looking to improve and be better - and I just thought, a couple of half-chances, I fancied us to be honest.”

Wotton also had a word for the goalkeeper, Hamon, who spread himself well to deny an odds-on chance for Jayden Richardson in the second half, and made other good saves.

The manager said: “I am really happy for James because not that long ago he came in for a bit of criticism. Four out of five clean sheets and I thought he was excellent, you could see why he is the goalkeeper for Torquay United. I thought his kicking was great, his decision making was great. You always respect a point away from home at any level. Always.”