Tremendous Torquay United fightback seals another three points on the road

Torquay United recovered from conceding two early goals on a stodgy Dover Athletic pitch to secure a valuable three points in the push for promotion.

The Gulls were punished for a sluggish start, Ruben Soares-Junior and Ryan Hanson finding the net in the opening 18 minutes, but a Cody Cooke brace brought the sides level, and skipper Sam Dreyer sealed a 3-2 win after the break.  

United were painfully slow to get out of the blocks (mud) on the Kent coast, and Dover took full advantage with the opening goal on four minutes, when a Dreyer clearance was charged down and Soares-Junior toe-poked the ball into the corner.

Moments later, Soares-Junior found the net again with a header, but the Gulls were reprieved by an offside flag. It was, however, a reflection of the early running, as the hosts looked to threaten with every attack.

There was almost a sense of inevitability about the second but fair play to former Gull Hanson, who jinked into space on the edge of the box and rifled a super finish into the top corner.

A grim start got worse when Jordan Dyer was forced off through injury, replaced by Ed Palmer, but the Gulls did finally start to wake up, and were back in the game when Cooke was left all alone in the penalty box to steer a low finish beyond the home custodian.

Dover responded immediately with a strike against the crossbar, moments before parity was restored with a wonderful finish from Cooke, curling a beauty in off the far post after being picked out by Palmer.

Incredibly, United almost pinched the lead with a rising Dan Hayfield strike that only just cleared the bar.

Momentum was now in United's favour, as evidenced by a fizzing Jordan Young strike that whistled past the top corner, although George Nikaj did go close with a 20-yard strike at the other end.

The Gulls quickly wrestled back control and fully deserved their third goal, which stemmed from a corner and when Jay Foulston recycled the ball, Dreyer planted a fine finish into the bottom corner with a first-time strike.

United settled into a mildly defensive mode, Nashe Sundire replacing Young for the final ten minutes, and there was an encouraging comfort in the way the Gulls repelled Dover, apart from one late crucial save by James Hamon.

Three wins on the road sets up a massive home game with promotion rivals Dorking Wanderers on Saturday.