TT MATCH PREVIEW
Steve Harris – @SteveHarris84
Match details: Chesterfield versus Torquay United
Venue: Technique Stadium, Chesterfield
Date: Monday 3rd May 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
Current form (all competitions):
Chesterfield: D, L, L, D, W, L
Torquay United: W, W, W, D, W, W
Top scorers:
Chesterfield: Akwasi Asante 10
Torquay: Asa Hall 13
Head to Head:
Chesterfield: 20
Draw: 13
Torquay: 11
Last time the two teams met: Torquay United 2-1 Chesterfield, Tuesday 13th October 2020
A stoppage-time goal from Ben Wynter earned Torquay United a win over Chesterfield, as the Gulls made it three wins over their opening four National League fixtures.
United led inside ten minutes when Ben Whitfield crossed and a defensive mix-up allowed Louis Britton to finish from close range and open his account for the club.
Whitfield twice threatened a second but Chesterfield levelled just before half-time when Tom Denton tucked home after Lucas Covolan had saved from a free-kick.
In the second half, Whitfield saw an effort deflected wide and Britton twice went close with headers, while Chesterfield’s Luke Rawson sent a long-range effort just wide with Covolan out of position.
But with the clock showing 94 minutes, Hall headed a Jake Andrews corner across goal and Wynter turned the ball over the line to snatch all three points for the hosts.
Manager: James Rowe
One of the brightest managerial prospects in non-league football, James Rowe switched his attentions to coaching after retiring from playing at the age of 27.
He worked in the academies of Birmingham City and West Ham United before he was appointed as assistant manager to Gary Waddock at Aldershot Town in 2016. During the time they worked together, the Shots reached the National League play-offs in two successive seasons (2016-17 & 2017-18). Rowe left Aldershot in January 2019 and was appointed as manager of Gloucester City in the following November.
While in charge of the Tigers, Rowe guided them to their best league start to a league campaign in 78 years, as they won their opening four National League North fixtures in the 2020-21 season. This form alerted the Chesterfield to his potential as he was announced as the successor to John Pemberton in November 2020. Under Rowe’s guidance, the Spireites are now in contention for a play-off place, and he also won the National League manager of the month award for March 2021.
One to watch: Danny Rowe
Position: Centre Forward
Date of Birth: Jan 29, 1989 – 32 Years Old
Height: 1.86m
Former Clubs: Manchester United, Kendal Town, Fleetwood Town, Droylsden, Stockport, Barrow, Lincoln City, AFC Fylde, Oldham, Bradford, Chesterfield
International: English
National League Stats 20-21: Played 2, Goals 0
After starting his career as a youth team player with Manchester United, Danny Rowe made his name with AFC Fylde who joined in 2014 and he then helped them to win promotion from National League North in his first season (2014-15). His goals played a big part in helping the Coasters establish themselves at National League level. In the 2018-19 season, he helped Fylde reach the National League in play-off final, where they lost to Salford City, and the FA Trophy final, where they beat Leyton Orient.
He then decided to try his luck in the Football League with Oldham Athletic in January 2020 and netted on his debut for the Latics against Carlisle United. Rowe then moved on to Bradford City before signing for the Spireites in April 2021.
View from the Sofa by Sam Jones:
This race is going right to the wire. All the teams at the top keep winning, and no one looks like slowing down. I honestly can’t remember a title race quite like it! After the excellent display against Eastleigh, Gary’s men are still right up there, even if Sutton have a game in hand. All we can do is keep winning, and if we manage to win every game between now and the end of the season, who knows what will happen.
Probable line-ups:
Chesterfield (3-5-2):
Grant Smith
Josef Yarney – Fraser Kerr – Laurence Maguire
George Carline – Curtis Weston – Joel Taylor – Manny Oyeleke – Jack Clarke
Nathan Tyson – Danny Rowe
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Torquay (4-4-2):
Lucas Covolan
Ben Wynter – Sam Sherring – Joe Lewis – Dean Moxey
Adam Randell – Asa Hall – Connor Lemonheigh-Evans – Jake Andrews
Billy Waters – Josh Umerah
TORQUAYTALK 