Torquay vs Plymouth

Torquay started the brighter. Callum Morton forced a fine save from Argyle goalkeeper James Storer in the seventh minute after latching onto an Isaac Westendorf flick. The Gulls' 4-1-3-2 shape, with Morton, Matt Worthington and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton behind the front two of Deon Moore and Westendorf, caused early problems.

Argyle grew into the half. Ronan Curtis tested former Pilgrim Zak Baker from range, and Caleb Roberts showed strength to break away from Lo-Everton and slip Pepple through, though the pass was slightly overhit. There was a yellow card for Torquay's Munashe Sundire after a heavy late tackle on Wes Harding in the 18th minute.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. A move starting with Freddie Issaka on the left was worked through midfield to the right, where Mwaro overlapped and delivered a low cross that Pepple steered home from close range.

Torquay might have levelled before half-time when Westendorf nicked the ball off Harding on the edge of the box and shot narrowly over.

Cleverley made three changes at half-time — Mathias Ross, Michael Baidoo and Owen Oseni on for Alex Hartridge, James Sharpe and Pepple — and a further seven in the 61st minute, leaving only Storer from the original XI. The disruption broke Argyle's rhythm rather than extending their lead. Torquay pushed hard in the final quarter.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 85th minute. Dreyer's header from a Dylan Morgan cross thumped back off the crossbar, and Kian Jenkins' follow-up was hooked off the line by White on his first run-out after a calf injury. Storer then tipped over a dipping 25-yarder from Morgan in stoppage time.

Bim Pepple — The Canadian striker took his goal well with a poacher's finish from close range and led the line effectively before being withdrawn at half-time. Player of the match.

Joe Mwaro — The second-year apprentice right-back provided the assist with a well-timed underlapping run and low cross. His attacking forays were a bright spot in the second half, including a cutback that Curtis fired into the side-netting.

James Storer — The 6ft 5in goalkeeper made several important saves: the early denial of Morton's volley, a late stop from Dreyer's header, and Morgan's dipping drive in added time. Kept a clean sheet under sustained second-half pressure.

Isaac Westendorf — Torquay's new forward was a handful all night, using his physicality to trouble Harding and Pleguezuelo, and was inches from an equaliser before the break.

The 1-0 scoreline is a marked departure from Plymouth's first two friendlies (4-1 vs Plymouth Parkway, 3-0 vs Bath City on 18 July) and reflects a game where Torquay matched Argyle for long periods. Torquay created the two clearest chances after the 85th minute — Dreyer's header against the bar and Morgan's saved drive — which would have given them a share of the spoils. The clean sheet, however, extends Argyle's pre-season shutout streak and gives Cleverley defensive positives to take from a performance he otherwise described as "average."

Plymouth have a perfect pre-season record with three wins from three, but Cleverley acknowledged the performance fell short. The timing is notable: Lorent Tolaj completed his £4m transfer to Bristol City on Monday, leaving Pepple and Oseni as the only senior strikers in the squad. Argyle face Truro City away on 25 July, followed by a home friendly against Championship side Bristol City on 1 August.

For Torquay, manager Jimmy Ball — appointed in March 2026 — will take real encouragement from a performance that belied the three-division gap. The Gulls continued their pre-season schedule with a competitive display that suggested they will be well-prepared for the National League South campaign.

Cleverley told Plymouth Live: "A really difficult test. I thought they were very good. They offered a physical and technical tough game for us." He added: "We came away from a lot of what we are — not enough penetration, not enough duels, not enough second balls, a little bit too big a gap in distances between the lines. It's a wake-up call."

A useful workout for both sides. Torquay proved they can compete with a side three tiers above them, while Plymouth got the result but the performance — and Cleverley's frank assessment — suggests work remains before the competitive season begins. Pepple's finishing continues to be the brightest attacking note of pre-season.