Match Report - Torquay United v Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town started off the new year in superb fashion as they saw off Torquay United 2-0 at Plainmoor despite being reduced to 10 men with only 12 minutes on the clock. Goals from Courtney Duffus and Rhys Murphy were enough to seal the points and ensure Yeovil kept up the pace with the league leaders.

Darren Sarll made four changes to the side that lost 3-2 at Sutton United last weekend. Lee Collins and Craig Alcock had both returned from injuries and Chris Dagnall joined Courtney Duffus up front as Rhys Murphy was recovering from a minor illness. James Tilley also came in for Lawson D'Ath.

The game started off at a frantic pace as within 3 minutes Torquay United had a potential penalty appeal turned down for handball after a good team move.

With 12 minutes on the clock Yeovil were reduced to 10 men as Chris Dagnall was shown a straight red card. It was difficult to see from the away end what the red card was for but news later filtered through that it was for a kick on the Torquay goalkeeper Lucas Covolan Cavagnari.

The red card didn't have a negative effect on Yeovil though as just 4 minutes later they took the lead. Courtney Duffus latched onto Craig Alcock's headed pass and slammed the ball home to claim his 14th goal of the season.

The rest of the first half passed without incident as Yeovil were able to keep their shape despite being a man down. Torquay were unable to put Yeovil under any pressure as a result of this and Town were more than comfortable for most of the half.

Half Time - Torquay United 0-1 Yeovil Town

The second half started much the same as the first half as Yeovil were the much better side. Torquay's first real chance of the game came in the 58th minute as a shot from inside the box flashed wide of Nelson's right hand post.

As the game wore on chances for both sides came and went but it was Yeovil who were looking the more likely to get the second goal of the game.

Yeovil's chances of getting the win were significantly improved on 79 minutes as Torquay were also reduced to 10 men. Jean-Yves Koue Niate was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rhys Murphy and Yeovil were suddenly looking even more likely to grab the win.

Despite the numbers being even for both teams it was Torquay who were creating the more dangerous chances but they were finding the Yeovil defence way too organised as they were able to clear their lines and prevent Torquay from finding a way through.

4 minutes of additional time was added on and Yeovil made sure the points would be theirs in the 93rd minute. A quick break from Yeovil saw Albi Skendi find Rhys Murphy in the box who calmly chipped the ball into the net and send the 936 travelling fans crazy.

Full Time - Torquay United 0-2 Yeovil Town

The result means that we have now taken six points off Torquay United this season and it was good to bounce back from the disappointing result at Sutton United last weekend. The defensive frailties that let us down at Sutton were non-existant today as the defence was solid all through the match.

The win leaves Yeovil in second place on 51 points, one point behind Barrow who won today at AFC Fylde. Promotion rivals Bromley and Harrogate Town also won today with Bromley beating Dover 3-0 at home and Harrogate beating Hartlepool 1-0 away.

Man of the match voting for this result is now open and will remain open until just after the Solihull match at the weekend. You can cast your vote here.

Match Attendance - 4,165 (936 from Yeovil Town)

Torquay United

28 - Lucas Covolan Cavagnari, 4 - Kyle Cameron, 5 - Jean-Yves Koue Niate (dismissed on 79 minutes), 30 - Aaron Nemane (replaced by 11 - Jake Andrews on 60 minutes), 25 - Robbie Cundy, 6 - Joe Lewis (replaced by 27 - Lloyd James on 75 minutes), 8 - Asa Hall (replaced by 29 - Jared Lewington on 83 minutes), 34 - Ben Whitfield, 7 - Ruairi Keating, 17 - Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 19 - Jamie Reid

Substitues

11 - Jake Andrews, 13 - Andy Collings, 18 - Olaf Koszela, 27 - Lloyd James, 29 - Jared Lewington

Yeovil Town

1 - Stuart Nelson, 2 - Craig Alcock (replaced by 30 - Gabriel Osho on 93 minutes), 6 - Luke Wilkinson, 11 - Myles Hippolyte (replaced by 7 - Matt Worthington on 89 minutes), 3 - Carl Dickinson, 4 - Lee Collins, 26 - Charlie Lee, 18 - Albi Skendi, 28 - James Tilley, 14 - Courtney Duffus (replaced by 9 - Rhys Murphy on 78 minutes), 33 - Chris Dagnall (dismissed on 12 minutes)

Substitues

7 - Matt Worthington, 8 - Lawson D'Ath, 9 - Rhys Murphy, 24 - Remeao Hutton, 30 - Gabriel Osho