Fan Zone 02/11/2026
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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NO SWANNING ABOUT AS UNITED GLIDE TO A COMFORTABLE RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
NOTHING ARTIFICIAL ABOUT TORQUAY’S THREE QUALITY GOALS
UNITED’S WOMEN’S UNBEATEN WEEK AS THEY MOVE INTO THE NEXT CUP ROUND
The A303 behaved itself, apart from the usual slow traffic alongside Stonehenge, on what turned out to be a pleasant sunny last day of October as the Yellow Army pulled into a vast free car park.
But what team would join us as the United team coach drew up by the entrance into the ground? Greeted by early arrivals including a number of club directors this promised to be a pivotal afternoon. Could the players redeem themselves after the loss at AFC Totton? And was the manager under pressure?
Body language suggested the manager and players knew the importance of the afternoon. Fans greeted each and in their huddles there was no guessing as to what their conversations were about.
Inside the stand’s facilities Neal Ardley, recently appointed as Walton’s Director of Football, came to introduce himself.
Promoted as champions from the Isthmian Premier Walton & Hersham – The Swans - are finding life tough in National South. Seemingly the rot set in when their successful manager left to take over Yeovil since when the majority of their ‘star’ players have also left.
The big pre-match question was would United swan about and give the home side their first home win?
And the game was on an artificial pitch - not always Torquay’s favourite. ‘Don’t let the ball bounce’ must have been ringing in the players’ ears as they left the away dressing-room.
As it turned out, a 3-0 win, United got the Ball bounce thanks to a determined performance albeit against weak opposition.
To be fair the senior players – Bernard, Wannell, Hayfield, Worthington – led by example although for me Matt Jay pulled the strings in the first half with his goal underlining his quality.
Tegan Finn, one of his crosses was brilliant scooting across the face of goal waiting for a tap-in, and Jacob Beaumont-Clark, the Non-League’s Team of the Day and the Enterprise South Team’s Player of the Week, added width, the latter being a handful all afternoon. His goal was another Goal of the Month contender.
The big question. Has this kick-started United’s season? We won’t know until Tuesday 10th with another away trip, this time to Hemel Hempstead.
Helpfully, Hemel are at home this Saturday to Maidstone and I’d be surprised if Jimmy and Darren aren’t there.
Finally, a word about Cody Cooke who came on to replace what looked like an ‘out of sorts’ Deon Moore, to score with a brave diving header.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Bury FC 3,514, Worthing 3,051, Altrincham 2,862, Wealdstone 2,503.
Surprise South team so far? Has to be Salisbury unbeaten in 13 and with a great chance to be in the FA Cup Round 2 as they’re at home on Saturday to Sholing in Round 1.
Truro City became the latest side to hit top spot after giving Ebbsfleet their first defeat.
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United’s Women were held to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night under the Plainmoor lights. Visitors MAP led 1-0 at the break but Matilda Franchi drew United level. Both sides had chances to win the match with each team hitting the woodwork.
On Sunday in the FA Women’s National League Plate United are through to the next round after two first half goals from Sarah Stacey and Matilda Franchi saw off Luton Town Ladies. The match played at Buckland’s VX3 Stadium.
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Roxy Thomas continues to be cared for in the Bristol Royal Infirmary having started radiotherapy treatment last week. Her GoFundMe current total is £27,925.
COYY
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