TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve Harris previews the game at Plainmoor

TORQUAY UNITED vs BARNET – FA TROPHY

Venue: Plainmoor, Torquay

Date: Saturday 11^th February 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (10)

Barnet: Nicke Kabamba (17)

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 12

Draw: 12

Barnet: 14

GULLS ALL TIME RECORD IN THE FA TROPHY

2007-08 Runners-up L Ebbsfleet United N

2008-09 Round two L Southport A

2014-15 Semi-finals L Wrexham H

2015-16 Quarter finals L Bognor Regis A

2016-17 Round one L Braintree Town A

2017-18 Round one L Maidstone United H

2018-19 Round one L Boreham Wood A

2019-20 Round two L FC Halifax Town H

2020-21 Quarter finals L Woking A

2021-22 Round three L Tonbridge Angels A

ROUTE TO THE FIFTH ROUND

Torquay:

Round Three – W 3-2 Chippenham Town H

Round Four – W 4-2 Taunton Town H

Barnet:

Round Three – W 1-0 Plymouth Parkway H

Round Four – W 2-0 Solihull Moors A

WOKING FACTFILE

Year founded: 1888

Nickname: The Bees

Last season’s league finish: 22^nd in National League

Notable honours:

Football Conference/Blue Square Premier/National League:

Winners: 1990-91, 2004-05, 2014-15

MANAGER: DEAN BRENNAN

A familiar opponent of United’s from the 2018-19 National League South title winning season, Dean Brennan crossed paths with the Gulls twice during their National League South title winning season. Firstly, as manager of Hemel Hempstead and later while he managed Billericay Town.

Dublin-born Brennan first came to England with Sheffield Wednesday in 1999, where he impressed at youth and reserve team level but failed to break into the first team with the Owls. He then went on to make a handful of appearances for Luton Town before dropping down into the non-league scene. He had spells with a number of clubs, including Stevenage, Grays Athletic, Lewes, AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge City, Chesham United and Hemel Hempstead. While at Grays, he helped them to win the FA Trophy in 2005.

As a manager, Brennan took charge of Hemel Hempstead in 2012 – he had a brief caretaker spell in charge of the Tudors in 2010 – and led them to the Southern League title in the 2013-14 campaign.

After establishing Hemel Hempstead in National League South, Brennan was appointed as manager of Billericay Town by their then owner Glenn Tamplin in September 2018. He was later sacked after four months in charge. A brief stint as manager of Kingstonian followed before he took charge of the Stones, who he led to the National League South title in the 2019-20 season.

After leaving Wealdstone midway through the 2020-21 season, Brennan joined Barnet as Head of Football in the summer of 2021 and took over the managerial reins following the departure of Harry Kewell as manager.

PLAYER TO WATCH: BEN WYNTER

A player who needs no introduction to Torquay United fans, Ben Wynter joined the Gulls in the summer of 2018 following his release by Bromley. He went on to make the right back spot his own, as United ended the 2018-19 campaign as National League South champions; his late equaliser in a 3-3 draw away to fellow title contenders Woking in April 2019 proved to be pivotal in helping the Gulls clinch the title.

After United’s return to the National League, Wynter remained a key figure for the Gulls and was part of the side that reached the National League play-offs in the 2020-21 season, when they lost out to Hartlepool United before joining the Bees in the close season.

WYNTER STATS:

Position: Right Back

Date of Birth: 11th December, 1997 (25 years old)

Birthplace: London

Height: 1.85m

Former Clubs: Crystal Palace, Hampton and Richmond, Bromley, Torquay

NL Stats 22-23: Played 28, Goals Scored 4, Yellows 5, Red 0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: Ross Marshall

Barnet: Ben Wynter

LAST MEETING

BARNET 1-0 TORQUAY

Saturday, 19th November 2022

Marvin Armstrong scored an early winner as Barnet extended their National League winning streak to three matches with a narrow 1-0 victory over struggling Torquay.

The hosts started the stronger and Armstrong put them ahead after just nine minutes as he slotted Ryan De Havilland’s cross home at the far post for his second goal of the season.

Shaun Donnellan had a chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time with an effort from just outside the 18-yard box but he fired the ball over as the hosts held a narrow lead at the break.

Torquay came close again after 53 minutes but goalkeeper Laurie Walker made an excellent save to keep out Stephen Wearne’s volley. Eight minutes later – Mark Ellis was also denied by the Bees stopper as the home side held on for maximum points.