Torquay United v Chesterfield FC Report
Chesterfield claimed all three points after a 2-0 victory at Plainmoor.
In the opening moments, Paul McCallum headed over the crossbar from six yards. Armand Gnanduillet had a shot from range that was blocked well by the Torquay defence.
The home side started the game brightly. Nathan Craig’s pass across goal was smothered by visiting goalkeeper Tommy Lee.
On 15 minutes, Chesterfield took the lead after a long range shot from Banks evaded Martin Rice in the Torquay goal.
Four minutes later, the away side doubled their advantage. Gnanduillet’s shot was blocked and the ball fell to Jay O’Shea, who smartly finished following a rebound.
Drew Talbot was then booked for a cynical foul on the half-way line. Only seconds had passed when McCallum thought he had pulled a goal back for his side, although the flag was already raised for off-side.
A curled effort from Banks was saved by Rice. On the counter, Damien Mozika’s low effort sailed just wide of the post.
O’Shea turned several Torquay defenders inside out before releasing a shot that went over the crossbar. On the stroke of half-time, Chesterfield’s appeals for a penalty were turned down after what looked to be a cynical challenge on Ian Evatt.
After the restart, Banks had another attempt at goal that was saved by Rice. Jimmy Ryan then chipped the ball wide of the post when he should have hit the target.
Ryan was involved once again, as he crossed for O’Shea who volleyed wide of goal. On 65 minutes, Marc Richards replaced Gnanduillet.
Five minutes later, O’Shea was brought off the field for Tendayi Darikwa. Craig then tried a long range effort that was held comfortably by Lee, as the home side struggled for rhythm and consistency.
Darikwa’s first contribution to the game was a low pass across goal that Richards fired onto the crossbar, but the striker was judged to be off-side.
Another cross into the visitors’ area was held by Lee, summing up the majority of Torquay’s performance. On 87 minutes, Eoin Doyle replaced Banks.
It was then announced that there would be four minutes of additional time.
The last action of the game was a Richards shot from range that just went wide of the post.
