Torquay United launch second half salvo to win at last

Torquay United 4 Dartford 1

A stunning salvo in the opening minutes of the second half finally delivered the victory Torquay United and their fans have been craving.

Winless since January, slipping down the National League South table and haunted by the threat of going into administration, the Gulls have had it tough in recent weeks.

And in the first half they were lucky to keep the visitors at bay.

Fumnaya Shomontun signalled Dartford’s intentions in the opening minutes with a low shot that came back off the post, and there were more chances for the visitors while Torquay stuttered and stumbled over their own opportunities at the other end.

But all that was forgotten in a thrilling start to the second half - a four-minute spell in which United stormed into an unassailable lead.

First Aaron Jarvis was hauled down in the area in the 48th minute, and the United striker stepped up to drive home a confident penalty to open the scoring.

Two minutes later it was the impressive QPR loanee Arkell Jude-Boyd who who was celebrating with somersaults after making it 2-0, stroking the ball home after a good cross from the right by Jack Stobbs.

Then in the 52nd minute when Dartford keeper Billy Tyrrell spilled a Jarvis shot, Brad Ash was first to react to steer the ball into the net.

The Plainmoor fans roared their team on as driving rain turned the pitch into a sticky, slippery mess, but it was Dartford who scored next, Ibby Akanbi racing onto a through ball to guide it past Mark Halstead.

Having got their noses in front, though, there was no stopping Torquay, and sub Duane Ofori-Acheampong sealed the victory with a close range finish.

Torquay’s players and interim manager Aaron Downes celebrated long and loud on the pitch after the game as their long-suffering fans saluted them. Local rivals Taunton come to Plainmoor on Tuesday night, and having acquired that winning feeling, United won’t want to let it slip.