PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Torquay United versus Tonbridge Angels – National League South

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 2nd December 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 0

Draw: 0

Tonbridge: 1

FORM GUIDE

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

Tonbridge: D, W, W, L, D, W

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (9)

Tonbridge: Lewis Gard (7)

TONBRIDGE FACTFILE

Year founded: 1947 (as Tonbridge)

Nickname: The Angels

Last season’s league finish: 9^th in National League South

Tonbridge Angels notable honours:

National Step Three Super Play-off winners: 2018-19

Isthmian Premier Division Play-off winners: 2018-19

MANAGER – JAY SAUNDERS

A hugely experienced manager in non-league level, Jay Saunders made his name as a manager when he guided Maidstone United from Isthmian League Division One South to the National League in the space of four years. He took charge of Angels in May 2022 and guided the club to a ninth place finish in the 2022-23 campaign.

SAUNDERS STATS

Date of Birth: 15/01/79 (44)

Appointed: 9th May 2022

Other Clubs Managed: Maidstone, Margate

PLAYER TO WATCH – SCOTT WAGSTAFF

A vastly experienced midfield player, the 33-year old recorded over 300 EFL appearances with Charlton Athletic, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon. He is probably best remembered for scoring twice when the Dons defeated West Ham United in the fourth round of the FA Cup in the 2018-19 campaign. On the eve of the 2023-24 season, Wagstaff was appointed club captain.

WAGSTAFF STATS

Position: Midfielder

Date of Birth: 31/03/90 (33)

Place of Birth: Maidstone

Height: 1.75m

Former Clubs: Charlton, Bournemouth, Northwich, Leyton Orient, Bristol City, Gillingham, Wimbledon, Forest Green, Aldershot, Bromley

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Eastbourne: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (3-5-2)

Mark Halstead

Ross Marshall – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey

Jack Stobbs – Tom Lapslie – Brett McGavin – Lewis Collins – Archie Harris

Bradley Ash – Theo Williams

Tonbridge (4-4-2)

Jonathan Henly

Tariq Hinds – Ethan Sutcliffe – Ben Swift – Jernade Meade

Jordan Higgs – Scott Wagstaff – Lewis Gard – Sean Shields

Jordan Greenidge – Francis Mampolo

LAST MEETING

Saturday 18^th December 2021, Tonbridge Angels 2 Torquay United 1, FA Trophy

Substitute Ibrahim Olutade’s late goal saw Tonbridge upset Torquay in the FA Trophy.

Olutade had only been on the pitch three minutes when he scored the goal that saw Angels progress at the expense of their National League opponents.

Joe Turner gave Tonbridge an early lead and while Danny Wright levelled, it was the home side who reached round four thanks to Olutade’s late heroics.