Defeat to Jimmy Ball's former club highlights how much Gulls need to improve

Torquay United were beaten by their manager’s former club to highlight how far they need to improve to be the team he promised they would be this season. As Jimmy Ball comes under pressure to turn things around after dropping closer to the relegation zone than to the promotion zone – it’s a massive quandary; a huge problem; a real question for the board?

The first half was dreadful, not at all an advert for National League South football. Neither side really threatened and if they did it was half-hearted. The second half wasn’t much better but Torquay went down to 10 men and the home side scored a goal they were able to protect.

Torquay were unchanged from the team that drew 1-1 with the leaders Maidstone United. It was a wet pitch in Hampshire but no wind and at least this one was on grass – although it didn’t look the best surface.

It was back and forth for 13 minutes until the Totton forward Will Fletcher was injured and substituted. Savin was forced to make a good goal-line and tip the ball over the bar just after the 20th minute. Caleb Roberts shot wide in the 31st minute after a quick throw by Matt Jay which was the most intelligent moment of the game so far.

It was a frustrating first half for the Gulls – a bit tepid. And then the referee gave debatable handball and Savin did well to save a 40th-minute Declan Rose’s free kick. Matt Worthington and Kian Jenkins collided but were both OK to continue. A brilliant Harry Shield run ended with a corner after the right wing back’s shot was deflected and moments later Roberts’ shot from distance flew just wide. Savin had to get down to save from a corner – right on the line – at the end of the first half.

Jacob Beaumont-Clark came on for Jenkins for the second half, a winger on to try to break down the left. But Totton were ahead in the 46th minute with Torquay going to sleep at a corner and Luke Hallet slashing the ball home.

A terrible challenge by Jake Wannell in the 54th minute reduced the Gulls to 10 men and the home side went close with the resulting free kick. In the 61st minute, Ball made three changes – Roberts for Taylor Scarff, Cooke for Angello Cappello and Jay for Dan Hayfield. Moore had the ball in the back of the net after a really smart finish in the 68th minute but apparently a defender can put his hands on a striker, but the other way round it’s a foul. Moore was nonplussed.

It was becoming more open, though. Torquay were becoming more dangerous. Beaumont-Clark was fouled but the referee ignored it. A Charlie Betts shot was saved by Totton and Sims hit the post with a strike in the 74th minute. The Totton goalkeeper Ryan Gosney made a great save from a Moore header in the 76th minute.

Charlie Osborne and Ollie Godziemski both went close at the end, hitting their strikes wide across goal. Moore headed over in the 84th minute. Savin made three good saves in the final minutes to stop it being worse!