Matt Jay: Torquay United striker hopes late win can kickstart away form

BBC Published Aug 17, 2026 Reviewed Aug 18, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Matt Jay's 83rd‑minute goal ensured a 2‑1 victory for Torquay United in their first away game of the National League South season.

2 goals · Torquay United1 goals · Tonbridge Angels83 minute · Matt Jay's goal

Torquay United won 10 of their 23 away league matches before losing their final trip in extra time as they were beaten 3‑2 at Hornchurch in the promotion play‑off final.

10 wins · Torquay United23 matches · Torquay United3 goals · Torquay United2 goals · Hornchurch

Matt Jay scored seven goals in 20 games in his first half‑season for Torquay United.

7 goals · Matt Jay20 games · Matt Jay

Matt Jay scored four times in the previous season.

4 goals · Matt Jay

Matt Jay started 22 games last season and was a substitute in 18 league games, but has made only four starts since Jimmy Ball became manager in March.

22 starts · Matt Jay18 substitutions · Matt Jay4 starts · Matt Jay

Torquay United match-winner Matt Jay hopes his side's late victory at Tonbridge Angels can be a catalyst for better away form this season.

Jay's 83rd-minute goal ensured a 2-1 victory for the Gulls, their first of the National League South season, in their first match away from Plainmoor.

Torquay did not pick up an away win until early October last season.

They went on to win 10 of their 23 away league matches before losing their final trip in extra time as they were beaten 3-2 at Hornchurch in the promotion play-off final.

"We had to find a way, and maybe last year we wouldn't have won that game, so it was pleasing to come away with three points today," Jay told BBC Radio Devon.

"The couple of years I've been here we've been really, really good at home and it's been the away form that hasn't been so good.

"So we have to try and pick up some points away from home, especially when we come to difficult places like this, so it's huge for us."

The goal was Jay's first for Torquay since 10 March as he takes part in his third season for the Gulls.

The former promotion-winning Exeter City captain has had an up and down time since moving to Plainmoor from Colchester United in January 2025 on a deal that runs until 2027.

He scored seven goals in 20 games in his first half-season, including the winner at eventual league champions Truro City that helped the Gulls take the title race down to the final day of the campaign.

But he found game-time limited last term as he scored four times.

He started 22 games last and featured as a substitute in a further 18 league games but has made just four starts since Jimmy Ball took over as manager in March.

"We knew that we had to find a way to win and I'm pleased for myself because it's been a long time coming," Jay added.

"A bit of disappointment last year, I thought I could have done a bit more last year, so this season I feel really good and I want to be playing all the time.

"I didn't start the last two, but hopefully it's in the manager's mind now and I'm delighted to score the winner, we needed that."

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