MATCH REPORT | Hemel Town 2 - 1 Torquay United

Match report by Allan Mitchell

An excellent performance saw the Tudors grab a fully deserved three points against a Torquay United side who only just missed out on the title last season and will surely be be in the mix at the end of this campaign

Hemel dominated the first period creating several chances but went in at the break with just the one goal to show for their efforts.

The Gulls made a bright start but it was Hemel who had the first chance in the tenth minute when Millar Matthews-Lewis set up Joe White who saw his shot saved by James Hamon’s outstretched foot.

Matthews-Lewis opened the scoring himself on 24 minutes when he met a superb George Williams cross with his head, burying the ball past Hamon from close range.

The Tudors lost Jack Bateson with injury shortly after the goal but it didn’t appear to effect them as they continued to push Torquay back.

Photography by: Jemma Sear

George Williams was sent through the middle when he combined with Matthews-Lewis but Harmon was alert to the danger and blocked Williams shot from close range.

The pair combined again just before the interval and this time it was Matthews-Lewis who was thwarted by the keeper who was quick off his line to save.

The second half saw the Gulls make a couple of substitutions and they started with a lot more endeavour but it was Hemel who created the first chance when they counter attacked quickly after being under a bit of early pressure. It was Williams again who saw his shot saved by Harmon.

Torquay started to look more threatening and they created their first real opportunity of the game on 49 minutes when they had a couple of shots blocked before the ball fell to Jordan Young who smashed a shot against underside of the bar, it bounced down and spun away from goal much to the relief of the home supporters.

Hemel settled after this let off and regained control of the game and looked comfortable but they conceded an equaliser on 65 minutes somewhat against the run of play when a run down the left created an opening for Ed Palmer who looked like he might be offside as the ball came to him but the flag stayed down and he made no mistake from six yards out.

Photography by: Jemma Sear

The home crowd were sensing that the missed chances might come back to haunt them but the Tudors kept pressing and were unlucky not to go back in front when Kyran Wiltshire hit the crossbar when he drove in a shot from just outside the box.

They did retake the lead a couple of minutes later when Darion Dowrich slotted a lovely ball through to Joe White who then picked out Millar Matthews-Lewis who scored from close range on 72 minutes.

After this Torquay huffed and puffed and although they created a couple of half chances they just couldn’t find a finish and the Tudors held out in the remaining minutes to take the points and move themselves into fifth place.

Attendance: 865

Tudors Man of the Match: Millar Matthews-Lewis