PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Torquay United versus Hemel Hempstead Town – NLS

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 16th December 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 3

Draw: 0

Hemel: 1

FORM GUIDE

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

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

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis/Brad Ash (9 each)

Hemel: Joe Iaciofano (5)

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

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: 30th Dec 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)

Birthplace: Milton Keynes

Height: 1.72m

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

OLD BOYS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis

Hemel: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay

Mark Halstead

Dylan Crowe – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey – Archie Harris

Will Jenkins Davies – Tom Lapslie – Brett McGavin – Lewis Collins

Theo Williams – Brad Ash

Hemel

Craig King

Myles Judd – Josh Hill – Kyle Ajayi – Josh Williams

Joe Re – George Williams – Tarelle Whittaker – Tyrelle Newton

Daniel Powell – Chris Smith

LAST MEETING

Saturday 23rd September 2023 – Hemel Hempstead Town 3 Torquay United 2, NLS

In a closely fought encounter, it was two late goals in quick succession that saw Hemel Hempstead run out 3-2 winners at the Focus Community Arena.

Gary Johnson’s Gulls trailed to an early Tarelle Whittaker goal, but they fought back to take the lead.

Will Jenkins Davies equalised with his first goal for the club, and then travelling United fans celebrated again when Ross Marshall headed home in the 84th minute of normal time.

But that goal sparked a flurry of three goals in four minutes as the Torquay defence cracked and Myles Judd and sub Bayley Brown punished them to snatch victory for the Tudors.