Sunday, 3 November 2024

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHELMSFORD CITY

 1. A debut to remember for Jordan Young. 

Torquay United and Paul Wotton arguably got what they paid for when bringing Jordan Young to Plainmoor from Yeovil Town, as he played a key role in United's first goal before opening his account for the club with their second of the afternoon. For the Gulls' opener, he went on a thrusting run before seeing his shot blocked, which fell invitingly to Cody Cooke who found the back of the net. For United's second, he had seen a shot from distance turned over the bar by Chelmsford keeper Woody Williamson, the resulting corner from Omar Mussa was only cleared as far as Young who struck with a low drive from 15 yards. 

Overall, Young showed more than a few glimpses of the form that he displayed for Yeovil, where he scored 16 goals in all competitions, 14 of which came in the league. If he continues with the form that he showed on his debut for the Gulls against Chelmsford. 

2. Cody Cooke's fifth of the season. 

Remarkably Cody Cooke's fifth goal of the season was the first goal that he has scored at Plainmoor since he joined the club in the summer from Bath City. Cooke is now comfortably the Gulls' leading scorer, as he currently has more than double the highest amount of United's next higest scorer(s): Brad Ash, Matt Carson, Dan Hayfield and Lirak Hasani all have two goals each. 

Unfortunately, Cooke also picked a fifth league booking of the season, which means that he will be absent for United's league meeting with Tonbridge Angels next week. 

3. Sam Dreyer denied his first goal for the club. 

On 36 minutes, Sam Dreyer appeared to have restored United's two-goal cushion after Jake Hyde had pulled a goal back for the Clarets in the 31st minute. A Matt Carson corner was knocked back into the penalty area by Dan Hayfield before Dreyer got the final touch on it and nodded the ball past Chelmsford keeper Williamson. However, the goal was disallowed by referee Stacey Pearson after consulting with linesman James Welsh, under protest from the Clarets players. Whether it was deemed offside, or there was another infringement, it wasn't completely clear, but nevertheless Dreyer, one of United's two ever presents this season, is still waiting for his maiden goal in yellow and blue.

4. Needing to tighten up at the back. 

After yesterday's showing, United have now only kept one clean sheet in their last seven National League South matches, which came in their away fixture against Hampton and Richmond Borough on October 5. Saturday's fixture against Chelmsford was also the first time that they've conceded more than once at home this season. 

It's something that Paul Wotton and his assistant Mike Edwards will need to be wary of as the season enters its midway point.