Louis Dennis double does the job for Torquay United on Boxing Day

Torquay United opened the Christmas Cracker with an impressively confident 3-1 victory over promotion rivals Weston-super-Mare at a packed Plainmoor.

Louis Dennis and Matt Jay gave the Gulls a two-goal cushion at the break and even when Charlie Cummins reduced the arrears for the visitors, Dennis was quickly on hand to seal the deal.

In front of a bumper Boxing Day crowd, United started the game like a festive train, Jay Foulston going close with a deflected header before Plainmoor erupted to the sight of another deliciously-taken goal from Dennis.

Striding through a static Weston defence, which was left forlornly appealing for offside, United’s number seven casually looped the ball over the stranded goalkeeper and beyond the reach of a covering defender.

On a day packed with Christmas noise and excitement, it was a finish of sublime composure, and the Gulls continued to look a menace from the next attack, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s strike deflected over by a stretched Weston backline.

Gradually, the visitors wrestled back some semblance of control in the game, without ever truly threatening James Hamon’s goal. When there was a breach, Leon Britton’s header was comfortable for the United custodian.

Sturdy defending from Jordan Dyer maintained the status quo and the home crowd were sent into half-time with a special treat from Jay, smashing the back of the net with an emphatic strike after Sam Dreyer had won the initial header from a corner.

The Gulls remained in control early in the second period, although Will Dawes almost pounced on one loose moment at the back. United boss Paul Wotton called for fresh legs in the form of Cody Cooke and Dylan Morgan, with all looking serene until a moment of mini crisis 18 minutes before the end.

United were uncharacteristically hesitant at the back and Cummins took his chance to halve the deficit, prompting a spell of concern among the Plainmoor faithful.

Those concerns were swept away by the irrepressible Dennis, confirming all three points with his second of the afternoon, as the remaining minutes were played out with a calm confidence.

On to Bath City on December 30, the final game of 2025.