Torquay United booked their place in the Quarter Finals of the FA Trophy with a win over Southport in challenging weather conditions.
Goals from Josh Umerah and Billy Waters gave the Gulls their third successive win over the Sandgrounders at the Mersey Rail Community Stadium – as they bounced back from their midweek league defeat to Altrincham.
The game was given the go ahead after passing a late pitch inspection at 2.15pm and United made a strong start. The opening minutes of the game saw Ben Whitfield fire wide and Armani Little test Southport keeper Tony McMillan with a free-kick.
The Gulls were rewarded for their endeavours in the eighth minute when Adam Randell nutmegged Southport left-back Jack Doyle and produced a cross which picked out Umerah who drilled home a low shot to give the Gulls the lead.
The Sandgrounders threatened an equaliser in the 18th minute when a Connor Woods cross found Jordan Archer, but the danger was snuffed out by the Gulls’ defence and the ball was cleared to safety.
A minute later, Little had a shot parried away by McMillan after he was teed up by Umerah.
United were forced into making an early change on 26 minutes, as Umerah limped off to be replaced by Rob Street.
Three minutes before the break, Little received the first caution of the match for a late challenge on Southport’s Jack Bainbridge.
In first half injury time, Southport carved out their best chances as a cross from Niall Watson was deflected behind for a corner. Moments later, Adam Anson saw a close range effort turned behind for another flag-kick as the Gulls maintained their lead going into the break.
Southport made a positive start to the second half as Woods connected with a cross from deep, but he could only manage a tame shot that United keeper Shaun MacDonald gathered with ease on 49 minutes.
The hosts continued to pile the pressure on the Gulls as Watson had a close range effort saved in the 52nd minute. The rebound then fell to Jordan Archer, who then saw his shot cleared off the line by Dean Moxey.
Seven minutes later, Waters looked well placed to score a second for the Gulls but his effort was turned around the post by Sandgrounders keeper McMillan.
In the 62nd minute, a late saving tackle from United’s stand-in skipper Kyle Cameron denied Archer as Southport continued their search for an equaliser.
Waters went close for the Gulls again on 78 minute as he saw his initial strike blocked by the Sandgrounders’ Mo Ali before connected with the rebound which was parried away by McMillan.
Deep in injury time, Waters added a second when United hit Southport on the counter attack as sub Connor Lemonheigh-Evans teed up Whitfield for a cross that was turned home by Waters.
Torquay (4-4-2): MacDonald; Randell, Lewis, Cameron, Moxey (Sherring 67); Whitfield, Sheaf, Little (Lemonheigh-Evans 46), Andrews; Umerah (Street 26), Waters
