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TT MATCH PREVIEW
Steve Harris – @SteveHarris84
Match details: Sutton United versus Torquay United
Venue: Gander Green Lane, Sutton
Date: Tuesday 13th April 2021
Kick-off: 7pm
Current form (all competitions):
Sutton United: W, D, W, D, D, D
Torquay United: W, W, L, W, W, W
Top scorers:
Sutton: Harry Beautyman 11
Torquay: Asa Hall 10
Head to Head:
Sutton: 6
Draw: 2
Torquay: 2
Last time the two teams met: Torquay United 0 Sutton United 0, Tuesday 16th January 2021
Torquay maintained their advantage at the top of the National League, despite playing 34 minutes with 10 men in a 0-0 draw against promotion rivals Sutton after Dean Moxey received a second yellow card.
After a cagey start, United winger Ben Whitfield tested Sutton keeper Dean Bouzanis with a shot that the keeper managed to gather at the second attempt on six minutes. At the other end, U’s wide man David Ajiboye was denied by Shaun MacDonald in the 12th minute.
Just before half time, Omar Bugiel headed over a cross from Ajiboye’s cross as both sides went into the interval goalless. Early in the second half, MacDonald had to be alert again to save from Sutton leading scorer Harry Beautyman. Torquay were reduced to ten men after 56 minutes when left back Moxey was shown a second yellow card. However, Sutton failed to make their numerical advantage count – as United held on to secure a draw.
Manager: Manager: Matt Gray
After spells as assistant manager at Eastleigh, Aldershot Town and Crawley Town, Matt Gray took on his first managerial role with the U’s in the summer of 2019 following the departure of Paul Doswell.
He started his playing career with Tottenham Hotspur and then went on to appear for Cardiff City, Hayes and Havant and Waterlooville before he was forced to retire early through injury at the age of 25. Following a 15th place finish in the first season in charge, the U’s have emerged as the National League’s surprise package and are currently second in the table – firmly in contention for a first ever promotion to the Football League.
One to watch: Harry Beautyman
Position: Central Midfield
Date of Birth: Apr 1, 1992 – 29 Years Old
Height: 1.78m
Former Clubs: Leyton Orient, Hastings United, Welling United, Peterborough United, Northampton, Stevenage, Sutton.
International: English (1 cap, 1 goal for England C).
National League Stats 20-21: Played 31, Goals 11.
Currently in his second spell with the U’s, Harry Beautyman’s goal scoring threat from midfield has played a major role in establishing Sutton as a force to be reckoned with in the National League. After beginning his career with Leyton Orient, Beautyman originally joined the U’s in 2011 and stayed until 2013 when he joined Welling United before returning to the Football League to sign for Peterborough United in 2015. Spells at Northampton Town and Stevenage followed before Beautyman made the return to Gander Green Lane in 2018, and is currently the U’s top scorer with 12 goals.
View from the Sofa by Sam Jones
We can go level today. We’re only 3 points behind Sutton, albeit they have a game in hand. After completely mucking up our massive lead in the table, I never expected to be in touching distance of the South Londoners. After the recent run of good form, and a dip for Sutton, the title race is back on. We’ve been beating teams around the bottom of the division, so this will be a big test of how far we have really come. I’m very optimistic, not sure entirely why, but the HMS Piss the League has left the port.
Probable line-ups:
Sutton (4-4-2):
Dean Bouzanis
Jonathan Barden – Ben Goodliffe – Louis John – Rob Milsom
David Ajiboye – Craig Eastmond – Harry Beautyman – Joash Nembhard
Omar Bugiel – Isaac Olaofe
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Torquay (4-4-1-1):
Lucas Covolan
Ben Wynter – Sam Sherring – Joe Lewis – Ryan Law
Adam Randell – Asa Hall – Armani Little – Jake Andrews
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Danny Wright
TORQUAYTALK 