Match preview: Torquay United (H)

The Wood return to Vanarama National League South action tomorrow as we host Torquay United at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium, kicking off at 15:00.

Last season for the Gulls

The Gulls finished 18th in last season’s Vanarama National League South campaign, their first year back in the sixth tier of English football after being relegated from the Vanarama National League.

Form guide

Paul Watton’s side are currently fourth in the league and have gone unbeaten in their last five matches. The Gulls hosted Chelmsford City at the start of the month, going two goals ahead after 13 minutes, but they couldn’t hold on to the lead, drawing the game 2-2. A trip to Salisbury came three days later, seeing a very tight contest in which the deadlock was broken by Cody Cooke, converting an 85th minute penalty for the Gulls.

A couple of draws at home followed for Torquay, a 0-0 draw to Tonbridge Angels and a 1-1 draw to Maidstone United. Most recently, in the Isuzu FA Trophy second round, Paul Watton’s men faced fellow Vanarama National League South side, Truro City, progressing to the third round after a narrow 1-0 victory.

Last time we met

The Wood haven’t faced the Gulls since March of 2023, a meeting that came in the Vanarama National League. It was a tightly contested midweek fixture at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park in which we suffered a 0-1 defeat.

One to watch

Torquay’s talisman, Cody Cooke has featured in all of the Gulls matches so far this campaign. The 31-year-old has scored six goals in all competitions, making him a danger in and around the box and likely a key consideration for Luke Garrard in preparation for tomorrow afternoon.

The Wood

Luke Garrard’s men have won four of their last five matches in all competitions. We beat Enfield 5-1 on Wednesday evening, where a few of our PASE Academy players excelled on their first team debuts. Before this, the Wood won on penalties against Felixstowe & Walton United, progressing to the third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Charles Clayden’s strike earnt us a 1-0 victory over Truro City at home. Prior to that, we travelled to Aveley, suffering a 1-0 defeat. Finally, at the beginning of the month, Luke Garrard’s side secured an impressive win at home to Farnborough, a 3-1 victory.

Pre-match interview

Ticket information

Ticket information for tomorrow afternoon’s fixture can be found here.

Unable to join us tomorrow afternoon?

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