JEFF’S THE KING OF WISHFUL THINKING
Ace goes from zero to hero
JEFF KING conceded two penalties and then struck a late winner as FC Halifax Town turned the tables on stuttering leaders Torquay United.
Pete Wild’s side trailed 2-1 after Gulls’ skipper Asa Hall successfully converted both spot-kicks, but the brave Shaymen fought back, levelling matters through Jack Earing before King curled home the winner two minutes from time.
“We started poorly and giving away two penalties was heart breaking for me really,” said a relieved King.
“I was already half thinking about the bus journey home – but that’s football.
“I’ve probably had 25 of them this season but they’ve all gone over the bar – I don’t think it was a case of ‘right place, right time’ – it was something I had worked on.”
In front of the BT Sport cameras, the Gulls started the brighter with Ben Whitfield proving to be a thorn in the side of the Shaymen on the left for the hosts.
United were forced into an early change in the 13th minute when Kyle Cameron sustained a knock, replaced by Jake Andrews.
The Shaymen were rewarded for their patience on 35 minutes when King’s cross was punched away by Gulls keeper Shaun MacDonald and fell to sub Andrews. His sliced clearance then landed in the path of centre-back Sam Sherring, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
Four minutes before half time, United were back on level terms when Hall scored from the penalty spot, after King felled Whitfield.
In the second half, Whitfield once again proved to be the Gulls’ greatest attacking threat as he fired shot straight at Halifax keeper Sam Johnson on 55 minutes.
Two minutes later, Earing fired over before turned provider a minute later, teeing up Tahvon Campbell for a close range shot, but he fired agonisingly wide.
The Gulls were awarded a second spot kick in the 70th minute when King was adjudged to have fouled Billy Waters and Hall stepped up once again and made no mistake.
Earing equalised for the Shaymen on 78 minutes, when he reacted quickest after Campbell had an overhead kick blocked.
With two minutes to go, King cut inside on to his left foot and curled a shot past MacDonald from the edge of the box to score what turned out to be the winner.
It’s now just one win in six for the Gulls, whose lead at the top has been reduced to four points.
But boss Gary Johnson said: “We won’t let it spoil our season. That was a typical National League game, anyone can beat anyone if they take their opportunities and credit to them, they came here and took their opportunities and they gave it a go.”
STAR MAN: Jack Earing (FC Halifax)
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Steve Copeland