Match Report: Torquay (A)

Match report by Ben Austen

The Stones begin 2026 with a hard fought draw against a tough Torquay United side which saw 3 red cards, a stunning free kick from Riley Court and a proper end to end contest.

It was a well organised performance from George Elokobi’s side who had to sustain a lot of pressure in the second half after David Sesay saw red in the first half for an off the ball incident.

Antony Papadopoulos nearly got us off to a dream start with 4 minutes on the clock when TJ Bramble took the ball forward in a 3 on 1 situation before opting the pass to the left winger whose low shot across goal was an inch away from the post.

The home side were strong in the wide areas and were on the constant lookout for danger man Jordan Young but Leo Hamblin stood firm to make sure he didn’t have it all his own way. Jordan Thomas though, was looking to affect the game when he cut a cross back for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton but couldn’t keep his composure as his shot sail over the bar.

Torquay were smelling blood for a while and on the counter attack, it nearly paid off when following a nice move, Dylan Morgan was denied by Nathan Harness as he came off his line quick to spread himself and make an important block.

The tables were turned however midway through the first half with a moment of brilliance. Court struck a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out which James Hamon couldn’t get near to, to give the 114 Stones supporters that travelled a moment to saviour.

Our lead barely lasted 6 minutes when the Gulls hot back through Morgan as the Stones failed to deal with a cross and the ball fell kindly to the Torquay winger who picked his spot and found the bottom right hand corner to draw the Devon side level.

Muhammadu Faal who was making his first start since returning to the club nearly got the perfect start to life back at the Stones when a ball over the top gave him the opportunity to try and lob Hamon but went just wide.

The game started to turn in the home side’s favour when David Sesay got caught in an off the ball incident. After a melee of bodies getting involved, referee Will Briers decided that red was the only decision. Elokobi would have been keen to get the lads in at half-time but not before Court forcing a save out of Hamon which would have given the Stones something to cling onto going into the second half.

It was important that the lads kept their shape but with that, posed a threat on the counter attack with Faal and Court working their socks off trying to force the issue. Whilst that was the case, Torquay were always going to have a lot of possession and Matt Worthington was close to picking out substitute Cody Cooke for a tap in but couldn’t make contact.

Harness was again tested as he got across quick to brilliantly tip over Young’s free kick from 30 yards out to keep the Stones in the fight. It nearly made a massive difference down the other end as Taylor Foran’s header was saved by Hamon before substitute Hamzad Kargbo headed narrowly wide from John Gilbert’s cross.

It looked like the Stones were going to see out a well deserved point and then in the closing stages, the game got more interesting. Louis Dennis was adjudged to have put John Gilbert in a headlock when our number 10 was looking to see the ball out for a goal kick. The ref again saw this as violent conduct and sent off the Torquay man.

Not even 60 seconds had passed when Paul Wotton’s side were then reduced to 9 men. Young who had been booked in the first half let the linesman know of a few choice words and the ref was left with no choice but to give him his marching order.

With nearly 10 minutes of added time played, the Stones had two great chances to nick all three points. Gilbert’s looping header for a second looked to be heading in the far corner but narrowly went wide. With almost the last touch, Torquay couldn’t deal with a cross which left Hamon on the floor and Kargbo looked destined to score but got the header wrong as it sailed over the bar to bring an end to an entertaining encounter.

Torquay United: Dylan Morgan 28’

Maidstone United: Riley Court 22’

Torquay United: 1. James Hamon, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 5. Sam Dreyer (C), 7. Louis Dennis, 8. Jordan Young, 11. Dylan Morgan (23. Kieran Wilson 71 mins), 18. Matthew Worthington (27. Matt Jay 76 mins), 20. Dan Hayfield, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 26. Jordan Thomas (9. Cody Cooke 56 mins). Subs not used: 21. Adam Evans, 2. Denzel Akyeampong, 6. Taona Sundire, 16. Ed Palmer.

Maidstone United: 1. Nathan Harness, 2. David Sesay, 3. Leo Hamblin, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne (C), 17. Riley Court (10. John Gilbert 65 mins), 20. Antony Papadopoulos (23. Hamzad Kargbo 77 mins), 22. Muhammadu Faal (12. Dajon Golding 65 mins), 24. Taylor Foran. Subs not used: 13. Lenny Holden, 9. Deon Moore, 15. David Agbontohoma.