Saikou Janneh Nets As The Gulls End Losing Run With FA Trophy Thrashing

By David Thomas

Leading scorer Jamie Reid and fit-again striker Saikou Janneh both scored twice as Torquay United halted their six-match losing run with a 5-1 thrashing of National League rivals Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy First Round at Plainmoor.

United manager Gary Johnson had completed the signing of former Manchester City winger Aaron Nemane on the morning of the match, and he started.

Reid took his tally for the season to 18 goals with a first-half penalty and a 68th minute shot.

Janneh’s cool early opener helped to give Gary Johnson’s Gulls a 2-0 half-time lead after they had dominated the first half in front of 1,068 fans.

Aldershot narrowed the deficit through Mo Bettamer on the hour, but Reid, substitute Ruairi Keating and Janneh again wrapped up a convincing and confidence-boosting victory for Torquay.

Johnson made six changes from the side beaten 2-1 at Harrogate Town seven days before, including the introduction of Nemane and the recall of Janneh.

United were on top from the first whistle, and Shots midfielder Dean Rance had already denied Janneh with a last-ditch tackle before United took the lead in the seventh minute.

Debutant Lloyd James and Reid combined to set Janneh away on the right, just onside, and he made the most of the room available with a coolly taken finish…1-0.

The visitors had only long-range efforts to offer, and Shots goalie Mitch Walker had to pull out a top save from Janneh, who had taken a long clearance by Shaun MacDonald and played a slick one-two with Reid.

In the 23rd minute, with the Gulls’ pressure unrelenting, Janneh found Ben Wynter on the right, he was tripped by Aldershot left-back Lewis Kinsella, and it was a clear penalty.

Reid, who had drilled a spot-kick to the keeper’s left with a spot-kick at Harrogate, went the other way this time…2-0.