PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Hemel Hempstead Town versus Torquay United, National League South

Venue: Vauxhall Road

Date: Saturday 23rd September 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Hemel: 0

Draws: 0

Torquay: 3

FORM GUIDE

Hemel: D, D, D, W, D, W

Torquay: W, W, L, W, W, W

TOP SCORERS

Hemel: Joe Iaciofano (4)

Torquay: Brad Ash/ Aaron Jarvis (4 each)

HEMEL FACTFILE

Year founded: 1885

Nickname: The Tudors

Last season’s league finish: 15th in the National League South

Hemel Hempstead notable honours

Southern League – Premier Division champions 2013–14

Isthmian League – Division Two champions 1999–2000, Division Three champions 1997–98

OPPOSITION Q&A – Hemel Hempstead Town by Louie Doran & Shane Clarke

MANAGER – BRAD QUINTON

Brad Quinton took charge of the Tudors midway through last season and guided the club to a 15th placed finish.

He has previously enjoyed success at National League South level, having led Braintree Town to promotion in the 2017-18 season.

In addition to this, Quinton has also managed Enfield Town and Welling United.

QUINTON STATS

Date of Birth: 07/09/78 (45)

Appointed: 30 December 2022

Other Clubs Managed: Enfield, Braintree, Welling

PLAYER TO WATCH – GEORGE WILLIAMS

A non-playing member of the Wales squad who reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016, George Williams signed for the Tudors in the summer following a successful loan spell towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

Williams started his career with Milton Keynes Dons and later had spells with Fulham, Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town, Barrow and Boreham Wood prior to joining the Tudors.

WILLIAMS STATS

Position: Winger

Date of Birth: 07/09/95 (28)

Place of Birth: Milton Keynes

Height: 1.72m

Former Clubs: MK Dons, Fulham, Gillingham, St Johnstone, Forest Green, Grimsby, Barrow, Boreham

NLS Stats 23/24: Appearances 7, Goals 1, Yellow/Red Cards 3/0

OLD BOYS

Hemel: None

Torquay United: Aaron Jarvis

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Hemel (4-4-2):

Craig King

Myles Judd, Josh Hill, Kyle Ajayi, Josh Williams

Tyrelle Newton, George Williams, Joe Re, Arjanit Krasniqi, Finlay Corrigan

Joe Iaciofano, Alfie Matthews

Torquay United (4-1-3-2):

Mark Halstead

Shaun Donnellan – Ross Marshall – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey

Brett McGavin

Jack Stobbs – Tom Lapslie – Will Jenkins Davies

Brad Ash – Aaron Jarvis

LAST MEETING

Tuesday February 12, 2019, Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Torquay United 4

Showing no signs of rustiness after a two-and-a-half-week break, Torquay United outplayed Hemel Hempstead Town in every department to crush the Tudors and restore a four-point lead at the top of the National League South at Vauxhall Road.

The Gulls made it 15 wins and only one defeat in 19 games under manager Gary Johnson, a run that has seen them score 59 goals along the way.

First half efforts from Saikou Janneh and Jake Andrews sent them on their way before skipper Asa Hall and leading marksman Jamie Reid hit the back of the net in the second half.

A stoppage-time header by defender Frankie Musonda was little consolation for the Tudors, who not only could not cope with United’s attacking play but were also given no room or respite when they had the ball.