Ruthless Torquay United overwhelm Slough with a finishing masterclass

Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball praised the ‘ruthless’ approach of his team after a dominant 5-1 victory at Slough Town.

Dylan Morgan started the fun with a composed finish, Jordan Young added a trademark strike and a double from Deon Moore provided a four-goal cushion inside 24 minutes.

The shell-shocked hosts did manage a late consolation, only for United to add a fifth in stoppage time, Reece Evans converting an assist from recent arrival Charlie Osborne.

“It was a great start, really bright and aggressive in our attacking,” said Ball. “We kept on coming and when a team scores early, it chucks the game-plan out of the window, so we had to capitalise on them [Slough] having to do something different.

“We were ruthless, scored goals and I’m pleased for everyone. It’s the kind of surface where you have to be really accurate, not just leather it, and he [Morgan] was.

“Deon was a proper centre-forward, in the right place at the right time for a tap-in, and his second goal was an excellent finish with his left foot. It was also a typically good finish from Youngy as well.

“I’m pleased for Charlie to come in and get his assist, and Reece was calm with his finish. The boy is so powerful but he was calm and slotted with composure.”

Ball was also pleased to dispel the myth that United under-perform on artificial surfaces and it all came down to the relentless approach all over the pitch.

“We were very front-footed, very aggressive and keeping teams penned in is what we all want to do, and what fans want to watch,” he said. “We’ve got the players to do it, whoever starts or comes off the bench.

“I was told that we struggle to play on 3G but I don’t believe in that, it’s a myth, and it was at a really tricky place to come, but I’m a little disappointed we didn’t keep a clean sheet.”

The Yellow Army, once again, outnumbered their hosts and that immense support will be out in force for the final home game of the regular season against Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.

A defeat for Dorking at Ball’s former club Totton was a boost for the Gulls but Worthing remain in the box-seat for automatic promotion, holding a four-point lead over United with two games to play.

“The total attendance was 1,200 and I genuinely think we might have had a 1,000 here, which was incredible, and we responded to that,” said Ball.

“There was no real surprise in the other results, I fancied Totton because it’s a tricky place to play, but we just keep going and if we can’t win it, we have to try and get second.

“All games are tough and Hemel are a really strong side, with an excellent defensive record and threats as well. Every single game will be approached in the same manner, feet on the ground, be humble and come up with a game-plan after studying the opposition.”