PREVIEW
Steve Harris
@steveharris84
MATCH DETAILS
Match details: Torquay United vs Southampton B
Venue: Plainmoor, Torquay
Date: Saturday 29th July 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
SOUTHAMPTON B FACTFILE
Nickname: The Saints
Notable honours:
Premier League 2, Division 2:
Winners: 2022-23
Under 21 Premier League Cup:
Winners: 2014-15
MANAGER – LEE SKYRME
A UEFA Pro Licence holder, Lee Skyrme has a strong background in youth development having worked as a Lead Professional Development Coach with Cardiff City (2006 to 2013) and Exeter City (2013 to 2016) before working as a national specialist coach with the England youth sides.
He later worked as head coach for the England Under-15 side before joining the Saints.
PLAYER TO WATCH – JACK BYCROFT
No stranger to non-league football, goalkeeper Jack Bycroft has previously had loan spells with both Weymouth and Dorchester Town and spent the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign with Taunton Town in National League South.
Bycroft has also represented England at Under-19 level.
BYCROFT STATS
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: 21st September 2001 (21)
Nationality: English
International: England U19 (1 cap)
NLS League Stats 22-23: Appearances 40, Clean Sheets 14
TUFC SUMMER TRANSFER BUSINESS
In: Kevin Dawson (Gloucester City), Jack Stobbs (Oldham Athletic), Bradley Ash (Weymouth), Lewis Collins (Newport County), Callum Thomas (Under-18s), Finley Craske (Plymouth Argyle), Will Jenkins-Davies (Plymouth Argyle, loan)
Out: Frank Nouble (Yeovil Town), Ali Omar (Larne), Olaf Koszela and Alex Moyse (Dorchester Town), Jack Winsor (Bideford), Lewis Brooks, Ben Wyatt, Jacob Mensah
TORQUAY UNITED’S PRE-SEASON RECORD
Vs Reading Under-21s W 5-0 Asa Hall, Lewis Collins, Brett McGavin, Aaron Jarvis (2 1 pen)
Vs Bristol City L 2-6 Brad Ash, Aaron Jarvis
Vs Plymouth Argyle D 1-1 Brad Ash
Vs Exeter City W 4-1 Lewis Collins, Brad Ash, Jack Stobbs, Asa Hall (pen)
LAST MEETING
9th August 2011: Southampton 4 Torquay United 1 – Carling Cup
Southampton produced a fine display to knock League Two Torquay out in the first round of the Carling Cup.
Two goals in two minutes sparked the first half into life with Steve de Ridder putting Saints ahead in the 16th minute before Lee Mansell equalised.
Saints kept pushing and were rewarded when Rickie Lambert slotted home in the 27th minute.
Richard Chaplow then poked in at the near post to put Saints clear before Jonathan Forte added a fourth late on.
COYY – STEVE
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