Tempers frayed in the evening mist as the Beavers fought back twice to draw 2-2 with Torquay United.
There is a different atmosphere at night: temperatures drop, floodlights go on and tensions heighten. In the first evening kick-off at the Beveree against the Gulls, it would’ve been easy for the Beavers to fold under the pressure. However, little did the Gulls know, Beavers are nocturnal.
Against the odds, the home side came from a goal down twice to come away with a well-deserved point to remain 3rd in the National League South table. Goals from Craig Fasanmade and Charlie Sayers secured a draw for the Beavers as a season record crowd were treated to a spectacle.
The Beavers came into this game on the crest of a wave. Only 3 days prior they extended their winning run to 3 games, edging out Ebbsfleet in a 3-2 thriller.
The Gulls arrive at the Bev in differing form. A mixed bag of results in the early proceedings this season has left them in 7th place. They were looking to bounce back after unexpected losses to both Hemel Hempstead and Horsham in their last 3 matches.
The affair was prescribed as a close one to call and the fans did not have to wait long to see the opening goal of the match. Inside the 5th minute Gulls striker Cody Cooke found himself in a pocket of space down the left hand side. Dancing into the box he was able to square it past a helpless James Holden in net and left Jordan Young with the easiest of finishes from three yards.
It was not the start Alan Julian would have wanted from his side. However, the response was exquisite as only four minutes later Beavers were level. Nathan Paul-Lavaly kickstarted the fightback. He intercepted a crossfield pass deep inside the Beavers’ half and powerfully drove forwards. Outpacing both Akyeampong and Palmer for the Gulls, he found Sam Deadfield on the right. The attacking midfielder did well to find Craig Fasanmade who bagged his second goal in two games much to the delight of the home fans.
After a frantic start, both teams began to settle. Possession was a precious commodity as both struggled to break one another down. With very few chances, a draw at the half would have been a fair result but alas, the Gulls found a breakthrough in the 39th minute through captain Sam Dreyer.
A short corner was eventually delivered into the box from the left hand side by Louis Dennis. Former Beaver Dreyer only had to glance a header into the far top corner off the crossbar to send his side into the dressing room 2-1 to the good.
An even first half was met with an aggressive second. Tempers flared; drizzle fell; the Beavers were on the front foot. The home side battled to win their 50/50s and by-and-large created the better chances.
The Gulls rode their luck initially. Paul-Lavaly missed a great chance to pull the home side level midway through the half, slipping at the vital moment with the goal at his mercy.
Nevertheless, the fan-favourite made up for his unfortunate timing. The tireless wing-back burst down the left flank as he did all game. However, this time he, himself, provided the assist. Getting to the by-line and flashing the ball across the box, Charlie Sayers arrived on time to claw the Beavers back on level terms for the second time.
Plenty of yellow cards and strong words brandished by referee Will Briers later, the final whistle closed the curtain on proceedings. A point was well-deserved for the Beavers; it could have even been 3 if things had played out differently. However, a point will more than suffice, and the unbeaten run continues.