TT PREVIEW
Steve Harris – @steveharris84
Match details: Torquay United V Chorley FC – National League
Venue: Plainmoor
Date: Saturday 29th February 2020
Kick-off: 3pm
Previous NL form (last six):
Torquay United: L – D – W – D – L – W
Chorley FC: L – D – L – D – L – L
Last time the two teams met: National League, Chorley FC 1-0 Torquay United – Saturday 23rd November 2019
The Magpies scored the only goal of the game in the 24th minute when Matt Challoner intercepted a pass and played the ball to Mark Ross, whose cross was headed past Gulls keeper Shaun MacDonald by Marcus Carver.
The hosts were given the chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot when Charles Vernam was brought down after 52 minutes. Vernam proceeded to step up to take the spot-kick, but Shaun MacDonald guessed the direction of his kick correctly and managed to save it.
Torquay then dominated possession as time ticked away, with arguably their best opportunity falling to Matt Buse who had a goal bound shot blocked, as they were unable to find the equaliser that would have prevented a second successive league defeat.
Manager: Jamie Vermiglio
After three spells as a player with the club, which saw him make over 200 appearances, Jamie Vermiglio, 37, became manager of the Magpies in June 2018 following the resignation of former Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Jansen.
Since he retired from playing in 2014, Vermiglio had spent four as part of the backroom staff at Victory Park – taking on roles as coach and assistant manager prior to his appointment in 2018. His first season in charge proved to be a successful one as he guided the Magpies to promotion to the National League in his first season in charge via the National League North play-offs after they defeated Spennymoor United in the final.
One to watch: Alex Kiwomya
The son of former Dundee and Bradford City striker Andy Kiwomya, and the nephew of ex Ipswich Town, Arsenal and QPR striker Chris, Alex Kiwomya recently joined Chorley on loan from Doncaster Rovers who, of course, are managed by former Gull Darren Moore.
After beginning his professional career with Chelsea, Kiwomya junior has experienced a nomadic career which has included loan spells with Barnsley, Fleetwood Town and Crewe Alexandra before he joined Doncaster in 2017. A former England youth international, who has appeared for the Three Lions at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 levels, Kiwomya junior is also no stranger to the National League as he enjoyed a successful loan spell with Chesterfield in the 2018-19 campaign and he will be looking to kick-start his career with the Magpies.
A brief history of Chorley:
Chorley’s National League North play-off victory over Spennymoor United at the end of last season saw them return to the fifth tier of English football for the first time since the 1990-91 campaign.
Other notable achievements in their history include winning the Northern Premier League title in the 1987-88 and 2013-14 campaigns.
Notable former players include Mickey Walsh, who went on to play for Blackpool, Everton, QPR, Porto and the Republic of Ireland amongst others, and Paul Mariner, who after leaving the Magpies to sign for Plymouth Argyle in 1973 enjoyed a successful career with Ipswich Town, Arsenal and England.
Possible line-ups:
TUFC (3-5-2)
Lucas Covolan
Joe Lewis – Robbie Cundy – Kyle Cameron
Ben Whitfield – Connor Lemonheigh-Evans – Asa Hall – Jake Andrews – Jackson Longridge
Ade Azeez – Jamie Reid
Chorley FC (4-4-2)
Matt Unwin
Matt Challoner – Mark Ross – Courtney Meppin-Walters – Scott Duxbury
Alex Newby – Martin Smith – Josh O’Keefe – Elliot Newby
Alex Kiwomya – Connor Hall
COYY – Steve
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