Lightnings 2 - 0 Torquay (394001011)

3505 fans braved the pouring rain at The Sandpit. Ivo van Heythuischen tot Eindehoven was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Louis Martineau and Basile Leclere. The match took place on neutral ground. Lightnings had chosen a strategic 4-3-3 formation. The following players took the field: Burton - Smagieł, Weigall, Keohane, Watt - Quaid, Csizmazia, Ráth - Coutts, Jumnian, Grainger.

Torquay decided to use a 2-5-3 set up. Lineup: Krawczyński - Rochette, Jakubiak - Skalec, Klimiuk, Karel, Klecha, Souvan - Maleńczuk, Dobroczyński, Fabian.

Lightnings clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. B. Keohane was having a great game - if anything the pouring rain seemed to be spurring him on! The home side put themselves ahead 1 - 0 after 25 minutes courtesy of a breakthrough from Z. Csizmazia, who scored with a stunning volley following a cross from the right wing. It was 1 - 0 at the break. Possession in this half belonged to Lightnings, who controlled the ball 52 percent of the time.

Torquay's counterattack was impressive and was only stopped by a shocking foul. Somehow, the referee's cards remained in his pocket - a terrible decision! A. Souvan's resulting free kick was easily saved by the keeper. S. Jumnian left the field with a smile on his face as he was substituted 59 minutes into the game, as his team was in the lead. B. Fleetwood was the replacement. B. Keohane wanted to play on, but the Lightnings coach had other ideas, and he was replaced 60 minutes into the game by N. Jangaziev. C. Quaid slipped and slithered in the wet grass. His usual rapid runs were nowhere to be seen today. The coach of Lightnings was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 61 minutes, F. van Gijzel came on for Z. Csizmazia. Torquay had a chance to level the score as Z. Klimiuk suddenly found himself free in the middle of the box with only the keeper to beat, but he misjudged the finish, and only managed to hit the bar. Lightnings's M. Ráth was shown a yellow card after 69 minutes for slicing down an opponent. Lightnings put themselves up 2 - 0 when D. Watt broke through on the right, leaving the entire defence trailing in his wake. W. Skalec had a couple of good opportunities to reply, but the home team's keeper A. Burton was simply unbeatable. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, J. Coutts got himself booked. The manager of Lightnings was not happy. Lightnings enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 52 percent of possession.

B. Fleetwood performed admirably for Lightnings. On the other hand, A. Weigall's play was disheartening. The most dominating Torquay player was without a doubt I. Fabian. M. Klecha turned in a dismal performance, however. The match ends 2 - 0.