Torquay United Manager Criticizes Players Following 1-0 Defeat at AFC Totton
Torquay United’s manager Jimmy Ball expressed his frustration with his players after the team’s 1-0 setback at AFC Totton in National League South. The loss marked another setback for the Gulls, who fell to 15th place in the standings.
Torquay played with ten men after Jake Wannell received a red card early in the second half. This defeat leaves the team six points away from the playoff spots and 11 points adrift of league leaders Ebbsfleet United. The club has secured only one win in their last six outings across all competitions, though they managed a draw against the then-league leaders Maidstone United on Saturday.
“The whole performance was nowhere near good enough,” Ball told BBC Radio Devon. “The players have just been told so in no uncertain terms and it brings pressure.” He acknowledged the expectations that came with taking on the club’s managerial role. “I knew that there was going to be massive pressure and so there is because the Jekyll and Hyde performances can’t continue.”
‘Petulant’ Wannell ‘let his team down’
Jake Wannell’s red card early in the second half added more misery on Torquay United [Shutterstock]
Torquay’s goalkeeper Toby Savin made several important saves to keep the match scoreless at halftime. However, Totton took the lead just two minutes after the break when Luke Hallett scored from close range. Things worsened for Torquay soon after when Wannell was sent off for a late tackle on Reece Fleet.
Midway through the second half, Deon Moore had an equalizing goal disallowed due to a foul on Hallett, but he later forced a strong save from Totton’s goalkeeper Ryan Gosney with 15 minutes remaining. Totton had multiple opportunities to extend their lead, but Savin performed well in goal as Torquay attempted to level the score.
Ball, whose team has balanced four wins with four losses in their 13 league games, voiced his anger over Wannell’s behavior. “It’s a shocking decision from him,” said Ball, who was facing his former club. “He’s the captain, he’s a leader. He’s petulant, he was childlike and he’s let his team down again for the second time with a red card and it’s not acceptable. There were loads of niggly fouls that we didn’t get tonight, but you’ve got to keep your head.
“You’re at a tough place to come and you’re petulant, you’re a child about it, you’ve got to be a man about it, and he wasn’t, he let his teammates down today and he let the fans down today.”
