TORQUAY United have rewarded successful trialist Ben Joyce with a contract at the Coca-Cola League Two newcomers.

The 19-year-old former Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle striker scored two goals in the Gulls' 4-0 friendly win over Carlsberg South West Peninsula side Buckland Athletic at Homers Heath on Thursday.

Torquay manager Paul Buckle said: "Ben has been with us a very short time, but he has done a great deal to impress me, both in the Buckland game and in training.

"Technically, he is very good, and he showed against Buckland that he has an eye for goal. Ben is a very good signing for the club," Buckle added, "because he has the ability to force his way into the team now, and is an excellent prospect for the future."

Joyce was on Argyle's books, and played reserve-team football before being released in 2007. He followed former Plymouth coach David Byrne to Swindon, for whom he scored on his Football League debut in April last year. He made four first-team appearances for the Wiltshire club, who freed him at the end of last season.

TORQUAY goalkeeper Scott Bevan is glad to be back in match action – after keeping another clean-sheet for the Gulls,

writes Ross Reid.

The commanding 6ft 5in 'keeper played the first half of United's 4-0 warm-up win over Buckland Athletic on Thursday.

In the second half, Exeter-born keeper Martin Rice replaced fit-again Bevan and maintained United's clean sheet.

Bevan admitted: "It's great to be back playing again." He missed the Gulls' promotion run-in after suffering calf and ankle injuries in the penultimate Blue Square Premier game of last season, the 1-1 draw at Barrow.

On-loan Southampton 'keeper Michael Poke took over the gloves for the rest of that game, and for the conclusion of the Gulls' promotion-winning season. Poke played in United's 2-0 win over Cambridge United in the play-offs final at Wembley.

Southampton-born Bevan said: "After playing 35 games in a row, obviously I was disappointed to miss the end of last season, after coming off injured at Barrow. But Michael did well, and the main thing was the lads did the business and got us up.

"It was not all about individuals, it was the team that won us promotion – and I'm delighted to be part of that team.

"As soon as the injury happened, I kind of knew that I wouldn't be fit if we got to the final and I just thought: 'As long as we get promoted, that's the main thing.' It's about the bigger picture," Bevan added.

"Missing the final at Wembley was a disappointment, but it's not all about me. At least now I can tell people I'm a Football League player again – and that's something I'm proud of."

THE Gulls will travel to Zamaretto Southern League side Tiverton Town for a friendly on Saturday, July 25. It will be an evening kick-off at 7.30pm.