Match Report

On top from start to finish, Sutton completed their second Vanarama National League double of the season and moved above Torquay in the table. Now closer to the play-off zone than the bottom four, U’s have taken 33 points from 18 games beginning with the victory at Plainmoor in November, and there was rarely a threat of that win not being repeated at Gander Green Lane, a fluent and exciting first half being followed by a solid second period in which Torquay had more possession but were unable to test Nik Tzanev, with U’s coming much closer to adding to the score when they attacked.

U’s welcomed back Harry Beautyman and Louis John, while Craig Eastmond was fit enough to be named as a substitute, but with Ben Goodliffe forced out with a foot injury Coby Rowe took the opportunity to announce himself to the home supporters with a fine first appearance at Gander Green Lane.

In the first half, though, it was the attacking players who had most chance to shine, with Isaac Olaofe and David Ajiboye a threat with their pace every time they got the ball. Olaofe had an early shot pushed out by Shaun MacDonald, with U’s slightly slow to react to the rebound, but it was another incisive run from the on-loan Millwall striker that led to the first goal, Omar Bugiel fouled right on the edge of the penalty area after receiving Olaofe’s pass. Bugiel felt contact was inside the area, and might have been right, but it didn’t matter as Rob Milsom, who had squandered two earlier free kicks with overhit deliveries, got this one from a more central position absolutely right, the ball arrowing in to the top corner of the net to MacDonald’s right.

Torquay’s main threat came from long range efforts which were comfortably dealt with by Nik Tzanev, and when they twice won free kicks in good positions Jake Andrews was unable to match Milsom’s accuracy, hitting the wall with the first and sending the second over. Milsom indeed had another chance from a bit further out after Kyle Cameron had been booked for halting another dangerous run from Ajiboye, but this time the shot was lower and held by MacDonald, who then did well to beat away a powerful Olaofe volley after the striker’s pace had taken him on to a pass over the top. Seven minutes before half time, though, Jon Barden and Milsom broke up a Torquay attack, Milsom sending Beautyman through the middle, and his pass outside was perfectly timed to allow Randall to drive a first time shot under the keeper.

U’s struggled for such consistent fluency in the second half as Torquay enjoyed more of the ball, but this time it was the turn of U”s defence to take the plaudits, Rowe making several good interceptions alongside the equally impressive John, and even a booking midway through the half for upending Torquay substitute Kalvin Kalala to halt a dangerous run couldn’t detract from the positive impression the former Haringey defender made.

U’s had chances for the third goal that would have put the game to bed, with Ajiboye putting Olaofe through only to see MacDonald block with his legs, and Bugiel finishing one storming run out of defence with a crossfield pass that allowed Ajiboye to race towards the penalty area before hitting a shot that was tipped over by MacDonald. The keeper also saved well to deny Ajiboye again and Beautyman, who was replaced by Eastmond with fifteen minutes left as U’s comfortably saw the game out.

Torquay: S MacDonald, K Cameron, J Lewis, A Hall(sub K Kalala 61), A Azeez(sub A Nemane 61), J Andrews, C Lemonhaigh-Evans, J Reid, J Longridge(sub B Wynter 28), R Cundy, B Whitfield. Subs n/u A Collings, J Lewington. Booked: Cameron