Sonny-Blu Lo-Everton nets hat trick in commanding 6-1 victory for the Gulls
Category: Sports
Torquay United secured a resounding 6-1 victory against AFC Stoneham in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on September 19, 2026, at Plainmoor, the club's home ground. The Gulls showcased their dominance from the outset, with Callum Morton opening the scoring just six minutes into the match.
The early goal set the tone for the game, as Torquay maintained control throughout. Jacob Beaumont-Clark doubled the lead with a stunning long-range effort in the 36th minute, only for Stoneham to respond quickly through Tom Annetts, who scored seconds later to make it 2-1. Nonetheless, Torquay quickly regained momentum, with Sonny-Blu Lo-Everton scoring twice late in the first half, sending the Gulls into the break with a comfortable 4-1 advantage.
Lo-Everton, who captained the side, completed his hat trick midway through the second half, solidifying his team's dominance. Cody Cooke rounded off the scoring in stoppage time, bringing the final score to 6-1. Manager Jimmy Ball praised his team's professionalism and mentality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards regardless of the opponent.
The match began with Torquay United quickly establishing their dominance. Morton scored the opening goal after receiving a low cross from Lo-Everton, finishing confidently from close range. Beaumont-Clark's goal came shortly after, as he cut inside from the left and unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards that found the back of the net.
Stoneham's Annetts momentarily sparked hope for the visitors with his goal in the 37th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by Torquay's goalkeeper Toby Savin. Yet, the Gulls responded effectively, with Lo-Everton scoring his first goal in the 43rd minute after a strong run from Morton. He added a second just before halftime, scoring from a corner to put Torquay firmly in control.
With a 4-1 lead at halftime, Torquay continued to press in the second half. The Gulls maintained their attacking style, which proved effective against a Stoneham side that struggled to contain them. Lo-Everton completed his hat trick in the 69th minute, taking advantage of a defensive error to finish clinically from 12 yards out.
The decisive victory propels Torquay United into the next round of the FA Cup, where they will aim to build on this momentum. Ball's squad demonstrated their attacking prowess and depth, particularly with the contributions from substitutes like Cooke and Isaac Westendorf, who combined for the final goal of the match.
Looking ahead, Torquay will need to maintain their focus and discipline as they face more challenging opponents in the upcoming rounds of the tournament. The team’s successful integration of new players like Taylor Scarff, who made his debut in this match, will be key to their performance moving forward.
As the Gulls celebrate this emphatic win, they will also be preparing for their next league fixtures, where consistency and teamwork will be imperative to sustain their success in both league and cup competitions.