NLS: Torquay United v Wealdstone 3pm 30 March 2019

A lovely afternoon at Plainmoor in which to watch a really enjoyable and well contested game of football. No niggly annoyances about gamesmanship, dangerous fouls, or inept officialdom,just two teams providing full effort for the whole game, and no little skill for us to enjoy as well. The Plainmoor pitch held up well, a smattering of five goals, three important points, so a very positive afternoon.

Post match, with a series of indicative votes held, the clear message to emerge that we are very much in the driving seat for promotion. Going up via the play-offs, despite the fact it offers a trip to Wembley, came a distant second, and trailing even further in third was leaving on WTO terms while deselecting Riviera Macron and sending him off to the Tiggers (Change UK) on a free transfer.

Wealdstone, backed by a vociferous away following, opened brightly, with speed merchant Jeffrey Monakana looking to be a real threat. Their well travelled No.9  really was a handful, his pace and ability to carry the ball at speed through the middle,didn't bode well for us, particularly when we'd sent a lot of players up to bolster our attack,none of whom could retreat as fast as Monakana could launch an attack with his flankmen for support. The strength and neat midfield link up play of ex-Reading man Jake Sheppard, added to a Wealdstone team that has nice balance of robustness when necessary, a good degree of skill, and a never say die attitude.....you'd have to fancy their chances in the play-offs.

Kalala put us ahead with a very well taken goal. One that could be appreciated more when viewed from Bristow's Bench than from the Plainmoor camera angle.To hit the falling ball as cleanly as he did, keep it down, and with great power so that even though the Wealdstone keeper got a hand to it, it still crossed the line and into the net, got Plainmoor to its feet. Soon afterwards Ruari Keating knocked an up an over ball for our forwards to run onto and Jamie Reid's strength and determination got him there first; Reid's instinctive finish was clinical. Far better for Jamie when he doesn't have too long to think or analyse what he intends to do.....unlike in the tense moments and build up to a penalty kick. Reid didn't have a particularly good game, but forwards are often judged mostly on their goal return, and Jamie was on the score sheet once again.

Even when we were 3-1 up thanks to big Niate nodding home from a corner, Wealdstone gave no indication that they considered themselves to be a beaten team. Their workrate and spirit never dropped, and nor did the level of backing they continued to enjoy from their supporters. When the away side pulled a goal back to reduce our lead, it became even more evident that the excitement and suspense would last until the final whistle. Ryan Dickson and Frankie Vincent both came on and gave everything for the cause, so alongside the goalscoring Niate, we weren't short of ability on the bench.

If we could win on Tuesday night....and that won't be easy at all, but if we could, what a commanding position we'd be in going to Woking. We're looking good, and it's ours to lose.




Even the seagulls respectfully line up to remember loyal fan Paul Rogers.




Vocal support for Wealdstone on a glorious Spring afternoon.





Palms and Plainmoor.

Rob 

Oh dear, I was ill informed on both I'm afraid Rob. I may have to consider retiring from politics and match reports, and just dedicate what little strength I have left to being a critical friend of TUST .   Your corrections are appreciated.

Please don’t retire from match reports, AJ. Always appreciated.

link - nice to see Kalala also make it into team of the week!

Absolutely great strike for his goal but thought he was quiet second half and not his best game but there you go...

Not unexpected that Kalala tired second half he did an awful amount of chasing back at certain points in the game and was trying to get forward when he could despite us being penned back for long periods.
Once again he was on the receiving end of some hefty challenges and was struggling with an earlier a little late on and to his credit he never hides.
Deserved his spot in team of the week. Bags of ability and a match winner who creates space for others.
Wealdstone and others have struggled to cope with his ability to turn and run at defenders and IMHO has been key to our success since his arrival.