Match Overview
Torquay United secured a 2‑1 win over Tonbridge Angels when Matt Jay struck an 83rd‑minute winner in the opening match of the National League South season. The Gulls, who had not won an away game until early October last year, finally broke a long drought on the road.
"We had to find a way," Jay told BBC Radio Devon. "It was pleasing to come away with three points today." The goal was the Gulls' first away victory of the campaign and their first win overall since the start of the season.
Jay's Impact
Jay's strike was his first goal for Torquay since 10 March, marking the end of a long wait for the former Exeter City captain. He has been in his third season at Plainmoor, having joined the club from Colchester United in January 2025 on a contract that runs until 2027.
During the first half‑season he scored seven goals in 20 appearances, including the winner against eventual league champions Truro City that helped the Gulls keep the title race alive until the final day. However, his game time has been uneven. He started 22 league matches last season, came off the bench in 18 more, and has made only four starts since Jimmy Ball took over as manager in March.
"I didn’t start the last two, but hopefully it’s in the manager’s mind now," Jay added. "I want to be playing all the time."
Season Context
Torquay's away record last season was a mixed bag: they won 10 of 23 league trips but lost their final match in extra time, a 3‑2 defeat at Hornchurch in the promotion play‑off final. The club has struggled to replicate their strong home form on the road, a problem Jay highlighted.
"The couple of years I’ve been here we’ve been really, really good at home and it’s been the away form that hasn’t been so good," he said. "So we have to try and pick up some points away from home, especially when we come to difficult places like this, so it’s huge for us."
The 83rd‑minute goal not only gave Torquay a crucial early win but also signals a potential turning point in the Gulls' away campaign. The result may give manager Jimmy Ball more confidence in selecting Jay for future trips, as the striker expressed a desire to play consistently.
