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Matchball Sponsor - STEPHEN PIKE & CHRIS THACKRAY
Torquay closed the gap at the top of the Blue Square Premier this afternoon with a 3-1 home win over Ebbsfleet. Kaid Mohamed scored either side of a Chris Zebroski header to give United three more valuable points in the race for promotion.
Martin Rice returned in goal to replace Michael Poke who was recalled by Southampton (it is hoped that Michael will return to Plainmoor later next week) and Roscoe Dsane came into the starting line-up as Captain with Kaid Mohamed dropping to the bench.
The match started in dramatic fashion with a first minute injury to Lee Phillips. Lee went up for a headed challenge and took a knock to the shoulder, worryingly as soon as he landed on the floor there was little or no movement from Lee. After some lengthy treatment from the medical staff who were treating this very seriously he was carefully placed on to a stretcher and carried off to the changing rooms for more treatment. The latest news is that Lee had no feeling down his right side after the incident and was taken to hospital for a full check up. Thankfully Lee returned to Plainmoor not long after the final whistle and hopefully, apart from some soreness, will be fit for next weekend.
Kaid Mohamed replaced Phillips and had the first meaningful attempt at goal after a neat lay off from Tim Sills but the shot was deflected and became an easy save for Cronin. Just a couple of minutes later and Roscoe Dsane produced a strong turn on the ball and a run to match, after a defensive challenge the ball fell to Steve Adams and he laid the ball back to Tim Sills who hit a powerful shot that fizzed over the crossbar. More pressure from Torquay followed straight afterwards which ended with Chris Hargreaves hitting a left foot volley wide of the right hand post. It was Chris Hargreaves again who nearly broke the deadlock after a neat flick from Adams was headed into the path of the United midfielder by Dsane but Chris's header wasn't wide enough of Cronin who gathered easily. A minute later and United were at it again, this time Chris Zebroski hit a shot over the crossbar as the visitors were put under more and more pressure. Ebbsfleet weren't without some good play of their own but they couldn't fashion much in the way of clear cut chances.
All that was missing for Torquay was a goal and after the frustration of the Weymouth match it was a relief when on 35 minutes Kaid Mohamed opened the scoring. A long pass from Adams set Zebroski through on goal, he was forced wide by Cronin but turned, looked up and tried to slip a pass to Mohamed. A vain attempt at a clearance by Opinel only left the ball at the mercy of the United winger and Kaid looked up before curling a strong drive over the heads of the Ebbsfleet defence to give Paul Buckle's side the lead. Lee Mansell has made a very good impression since his switch to right back and he was on hand right at the end of the half to deny Ebbsfleet an equaliser; Mark Ellis couldn't clear the ball fully and it was picked up by Moore who beat Rice with a curling shot, fortunately for United Mansell had seen the danger and positioned himself on the goal line to head the ball clear when an equaliser looked on the cards. Due to the injury to Lee Phillips there was a full five minutes of added on time but United weren't looking in much trouble and deserved their lead.
The second half started evenly but it was the visitors who had the first chance; ex-Gull Chris McPhee met a corner from Long and headed the ball over when he probably should have scored, it was a let off for United and a miss that was to cost Ebbsfleet dearly just three minutes later. The impressive Tim Sills chased a ball wide right and collected it almost on the corner flag, he wrapped his foot around the ball and delivered a pinpoint accurate cross that Chris Zebroski must dream about being on the end of. Zeb promptly gave the cross the treatment it deserved and directed his header low down to Cronin's left and doubled United's lead. Two goals ahead, half an hour to go, this could become a comfortable afternoon's work! That isn't the way of football and Ebbsfleet were doing their best to get back in to the match. A double save from Martin Rice when he denied Bostwick and Purcell just after the hour mark was a decisive moment, a goal then for the visitors and we would have had a different scenario in front of us. United's constant desire to attack was causing the visitors plenty of problems, Tim Sills hit the post with a fine shot using the outside of his right foot to bend the ball out of the reach of Cronin and justa few moments later Tim almost scored with a neat 'dink' over the 'keeper but past the far post. Straight after that and Mohamed hit a volley from the edge of the area but the ball was always rising.
United set a new record during this match when they reached 604 minutes without conceding a goal, a magnificent achievement that was only spoiled by letting a goal in just 2 minutes later! Martin Rice came for a cross and, to be fair to him, was trying to be positive and take charge of the situation, unfortunately he misjudged the flight and presented Nade with a simple header to bring Ebbsfleet back into the match. What could have been a tricky last 15 minutes was dealt with very well by United and was topped off with the best goal of the game. Roscoe Dsane chased down a long ball from Zebroski, the United forward then gave the ball to Hargreaves who slipped it inside to Tim Sills on the edge of the area, Tim was aware of Mohamed supporting him on his right and then produced a 'Taxi for Smith' moment as he gave the Ebbsfleet defender the 'nuts' in guiding the ball to Kaid who took a touch into the area and neatly finished off the chance for the third goal and the three points. Elliot Benyon came on right at the death to replace Dsane and as the clock ticked down the Gulls supporters could look forward to next weeks F.A. Trophy match with Crawley Town knowing that United have put Aldershot under severe pressure before their encounter with Stevenage tomorrow night.
