Torquay United sub Omar Mussa makes the difference

Torquay United 2 Worthing 1

The fact that half-time substitute Omar Mussa walked off with the man of the match award speaks volumes about Torquay United’s performance in the 2-1 win over Worthing on Tuesday night.

More than 3,700 fans packed into Plainmoor for the first home game in 31 days, and they were rewarded with an action-packed game on a perfect pitch.

Torquay had plenty of possession in a busy first half and launched cross after cross into the Worthing box, but it was not until Mussa’s arrival at the start of the second half that they looked like turning all that possession into goals.

“The second half was all about guts and desire,” said United manager Paul Wotton afterwards.

Visiting keeper Chris Haigh had to be acrobatic to keep out a Matt Carson header early in the game, but the visitors attacked quickly and had a goal ruled out when Mo Faal tucked the ball into the net only to be flagged offside.

Worthing took the lead after 36 minutes with a tremendous shot from outside the box by Jack Spong, and Wotton responded with a bold double substitution at the break.

Mussa and Will Jenkins Davies replaced Carson and Oscar Threlkeld, with Torquay going into a 4-3-3 formation.

The move paid off in the 51st minute when Mussa made room for a shot from the edge of the box and found the bottom corner of the Worthing net. He then turned provider, with a corner from the right in the 72nd minute.

Torquay defender Jay Foulston came up for the kick and threw himself in bravely to head the ball firmly into the net for his first goal for the club.

There was plenty of defending for Torquay to do in the last 20 minutes, but they held their nerve and secured three points which move them up to third place in National League South.

After the game Wotton said he was thrilled to take three points from an ‘excellent’ Worthing side.

“We made the changes we had to make, and the boys who came on did really well,” he said. “Omar Mussa has come on and changed the game.”