REPORT: Torquay United 3 Newport County 1
A superb first-half performance more than did the job for Torquay United in an impressive 3-1 win over League Two Newport County.
The Yellow Army returned for the first pre-season friendly at Plainmoor in the 2025 summer and were soon celebrating, as goals from Dylan Morgan, Jordan Dyer and Louis Dennis handed United complete control at the interval.
As with all pre-season games, the pattern became disrupted in the second period, with both sides making numerous changes. Newport did notch a late consolation but United will be the side feeling more satisfied on a balmy Saturday evening.
From the first whistle, with new signing Matt Worthington wearing the captain’s armband, United were all over their visitors from two divisions higher in the football pyramid.
Positive link play down the left from Jordan Young and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton earned the first of many corners, and the pressure eventually reaped reward on 23 minutes, when Morgan jinked inside from the left and curled a lovely strike into the opposite top corner.
United doubled their lead before the half-hour, Dyer rising highest from a corner to plant a thumping header against the bar. Morgan recycled the ball and a deep cross to the far post found Dyer again for a fabulous steered header back across Newport custodian Jordan Wright.
It was then a tricky moment for Wright that gifted the Gulls number three, as he failed to grasp a deep Morgan corner and the ball bounced kindly for Dennis to guide a steady finish into the gaping net.
Manager Paul Wotton dipped into his well of substitutes at half-time, introducing Matt Jay, Dan Hayfield, Matt Carson and Matt Wonnacott. Newport also rung the changes and the visitors had a lot of the ball after the break.
For their part, United maintained a solid defensive shape and Wonnacott was barely troubled. Callum Dolan, Ed Palmer, Trialist, Jadyn Crosbie and youngsters Aidan Edwards and Fin Herbert all got a run in the latter stages.
A stoppage-time header from Bobby Kamwa gave Newport some consolation but definitely a more encouraging day for the Yellows of Torquay United.
United Goals:Â Morgan 22, Dyer 28, Dennis 39
United:Â 1 James Hamon (13 Matt Wonnacott H-T); 3 Jay Foulston (21 Finley Herbert 77), 4 Jordan Dyer (16 Ed Palmer 62), 5 Sam Dreyer, 7 Louis Dennis (10 Callum Dolan 62), 8 Jordan Young (29 Aidan Edwards 69, 9 Cody Cooke (27 Matt Jay H-T), 11 Dylan Morgan (14 Matt Carson H-T), 18 Matt Worthington (20 Dan Hayfield H-T), 24 Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (15 Jadyn Crosbie 69), 26 Jordan Thomas (23 Trialist 62).
Referee:Â Ross Martin
Attendance:Â 2,834