Plainmoor saw some wild action today, with stormy weather setting the stage for a dramatic 1-1 draw between Torquay United and National League South leaders Maidstone United. And honestly, it feels like we left three points on the table. Manager Jimmy Ball nailed it, saying the late equalizer was “tough to take” despite his pride in the team’s fight.
The Gulls Grab a Lead, Then Let It Slip
We got on the board first, and it felt like the momentum was ours. In the 27th minute, we took the lead thanks to a bit of luck when Maidstone’s Frankie Hvid put Harry Shield’s cross past his own keeper. Five minutes later, we had a golden chance to make it 2-0! Matt Jay was fouled in the box, and the ref pointed to the spot. Cody Cooke stepped up for the penalty, but Maidstone keeper Lenny Holden made a clutch save. Heartbreaker, right there. Then, 10 minutes after the break, Deon Moore had another good chance saved by Holden. That keeper was absolutely on fire, keeping Maidstone in it when we should have been up by more.
Hvid’s Turnaround and the Standings Hit
Holden’s great work really paid off. With just six minutes left on the clock, Frankie Hvid, the guy who scored the own goal for them earlier, found his redemption. He looped home a header, leveling the score. That late goal meant the Gulls only got one point from a game we felt we deserved more. We slipped to 14th in the table. Maidstone, who are still top, are now nine points ahead of us, and we’re four points adrift of the play-off places. That stings, big time.
Jimmy Ball’s Proud But Disappointed Message
Manager Jimmy Ball didn’t mince words after the match, telling BBC Radio Devon he’s “proud of the fight, I’m proud of the spirit, I’m proud of how we played.” He saw the lads stick together, battling hard in those tough, stormy conditions at Plainmoor. Ball gets it, saying he puts himself “in the shoes of football supporters, as I’m one as well,” and he knows that when your team battles like that and never gives up, you’re proud. But still, the bottom line for him, and for all of us fans watching, is those three points. “But it’s not three points and that’s all I really care about is the three points.” He summed it up perfectly, “We haven’t been able to deliver them again and that’s disappointing for me, because I think we did enough to.” And you know what? He’s absolutely right. We did.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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