United Reserves 5 - 1 Team Bath

United line-up: Rice (Fisher 84); Pryce (Palmer 80), Kelly (Gwinnett 80), Brough, Nicholson (c), Dsane, Adams, Yeoman (Westcott 81), Stevens (Hemming 80), Benyon, Green. Subs: Gwinnett, Westcott, Hemming, Beattie, Palmer, Fisher.

A mix of senior professionals and youth team players put in a solid display against a young Team Bath line-up in today's friendly at Plainmoor. Matt Green stole the headlines with a hat-trick but he wasn't alone as a number of players put in decent performances in the 5-1- win.

United had a scare in the first minute when Martin Rice had to gather smartly down to his right from a firm strike by Arnold. The first twenty minutes were evenly matched but gradually United started to assert themselves on their opponents and Elliot Benyon produced a good save from Chitty in the Bath goal. Just after the half hour mark Torquay took a deserved lead when Steve Adams slipped a well timed pass into the path of Matt Green and the Gulls striker used his pace to hold off a couple of defenders before sliding the ball under Chitty and open the scoring with his first goal for United. Green had a chance to double his tally a few minutes later but he put a fine Cameron Kelly cross into the side netting as United took control. This was the start of a dominant period of play for Torquay, Ashley Yeoman could have done better with a header from a Benyon cross and Green was almost on the mark again with a crisp shot that forced another good save from the Team Bath 'keeper. The half-time whistle came too soon for United as they were clearly looking the most likely to score the game's second goal. Ashley Yeoman, Elliot Benyon and Kevin Nicholson all impressed although most of the Gulls on show provided some positives for the coaching staff during the opening period.

United started where they had left off and were on top for the entire second 45 minutes although the spectators had to wait ten minutes for the second goal. Matt Green this time turned provider and after being released down the left hand side produced a pin-point pass across goal for Elliot Benyon to slide in at the far post to double the lead. The next goal was something of a surprise with substitute Sam Wade scoring for Team Bath against the run of play but, in fairness to the visitors, it was a fine looping header back across goal that gave Martin Rice no chance. An hour gone and 2-1 to Torquay but that was as good as it got for Team Bath; United stepped on the gas and looked like scoring with virtually every attack. It wasn't long before Green got his second goal which was put on a plate for him by Kevin Nicholson. The United left back swung in a corner which ended up three yards from goal and left Matt Green unable to miss from such close range with a header. A two goal lead quickly became a three goal advantage, this time it was Roscoe Dsane who challenged for a high ball just inside the Bath half and then dribbled his way inside the penalty area before guiding the ball past the diving goalkeeper with a neat finish. Coach Shaun North decided that this was the time to introduce some substitutes with Ed Palmer, Raiff Gwinnett and Rob Hemming replacing Joe Pryce, Cameron Kelly and Danny Stevens. The impressive Ashley Yeoman gave way to Richard Westcott with nine minutes left and 'keeper Grant Fisher was given a run out in place of Martin Rice to complete the changes. There was still time for United to score again and for Matt Green to complete his hat-trick. Elliot Benyon had a hand in yet another goal with a break from midfield that left him options both left and right, he chose left and slipped the ball into the path of Green who controlled the ball before beating substitute Dunne in the Bath goal with a low shot inside the far post.

A very enjoyable match which Team Bath played their part but United proved far too strong as the game progressed. It was great to see Matt Green get on the score sheet and Coach Shaun North was pleased with what he saw this afternoon-'It was a very positive game for us. Matt (Green) has been waiting a while for his goal but today he did very well scoring three. The whole group did well today, in games like this it is all about working hard, competing and doing the right things at the right times. It tells the manager that if he is forced to or wants to make changes there are players ready to step in and perform.'