PREVIEW

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

With the new year starting and the Gulls needing to rediscover form (again), I take a look at the games upcoming in January…

06/01/24 – EASTBOURNE (H) NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

The Opposition: Eastbourne Borough sit in 21st place and have been the poorest team in the National League South in recent times, losing 5 out of their last 6 games, and manager Mark Beard (who was only hired last summer) paid for this with his job this week. They’ve also just sold their top goal-scorer Fletcher Holman to Wolves.

Last Time Around: 28/11/23 – Eastbourne Borough 1-4 TUFC, NLS. After losing meekly to Dartford, the Gulls bounced back in style with a comprehensive win at Priory Lane. The goals all came from outside of the box courtesy of Callum Dolan (yes I miss him too), Brett McGavin (2) and Brad Ash. Unfortunately only two of those players will be at Plainmoor for the return fixture and only McGavin is likely to play, as the patched up Gulls look to shake off their Xmas hangover.

Early Prediction? Even allowing for a new manager bounce that could occur, United should have enough to win this one, though another 4 goals seems unlikely with our lack of attacking options. HOME WIN.

13/01/24 – HEREFORD (A) FA TROPHY 4TH ROUND

The Opposition: Hereford FC currently sit in 4th place in the National League North, with 43 points from 26 games. Their form has been good, with 5 wins in a row including a Boxing Day away day 3-2 win at Gloucester, before drawing with the same team 1-1 on New Year’s Day. The Bulls are managed by ex-Celtic player Paul Caddis who took up the reins last April, and are very well supported at Edgar Street with an average attendance of well over 2k.

Last Time Around: 05/05/12 – Hereford 3-2 TUFC, League 2. United have never faced the new Hereford, as founded in 2014, so the closest to this is the last game of the 11/12 season. United went into that game still hoping to gain automatic promotion, but found themselves 3-0 down before half time. Jarvis and Atieno scored to give the Gulls hope, but it ended 3-2, with Torquay left to face the play-offs and Hereford relegated from out of the EFL.

Early Prediction? This will be a decent challenge for the Gulls, who have often disappointed on their away trips this season. It would be no surprise if our Wembley dreams are finished in the 4th round and we are left to concentrate on the league. HOME WIN.

20/01/24 – DOVER ATHLETIC (H) NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

The Opposition: Lowly Dover are bottom of the National League South having only won 2 games from 25. Their form doesn’t totally reflect this, having got draws against Bath & Weymouth, and a home Boxing Day win over Aveley, before losing the return a few days later. This may be signs of improvement, but they are still well adrift of safety. At the time of writing the Whites have two ex-Gulls in the form of last season’s loan defender Jacob Mensah and striker Luke Pearce, who briefly played for us a few months ago.

Last Time Around: 05/08/23 – Dover 2-2 TUFC, NLS. The Gulls rocketed into the season with two early goals, one being an own goal and the other from skipper Asa Hall. But then defensive jitters and a poor second half let the home team comeback and grab a draw, which remains up to this point, the only result of that kind from United this season!

Early prediction? The pressure will be on United to win this fixture comfortably, especially if there any hiccups in the previous two. I’ll take us to avoid embarrassment! HOME WIN.

23/01/24 – CHIPPENHAM TOWN (A) NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

The Opposition: Gary Horgan’s Chippenham Town team are not pulling up any trees in the NLS this season, currently sitting 15th with a symmetrical 8 wins, 9 draws and 8 losses. Their most recent form saw them win one (Maidstone away), lose one (Bath home) and draw one (Bath away), carrying their inconsistency on into 2024.

Last Time Around: 15/08/23 – TUFC 2-1 Chippenham, NLS. United needed a win after losing badly to Worthing, and just about got the job done at Plainmoor. Marshall opened the scoring for United, but Fasanmade responded for the Bluebirds only 3 minutes later. Then cometh the hour, cometh the beard, as it was Aaron Jarvis who popped up to win it well into injury time (to our relief). Maybe we’ll see the striker back by then to spur the Gulls on.

Prediction? Our confidence should be higher if the likes of Jarvis and Lapslie have returned by this point. I’ll take us to edge it! AWAY WIN.

27/01/24 – WORTHING (A) NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH

The Opposition: Worthing FC are one of the most unpredictable teams in a thoroughly unpredictable league! Early on in 2023/24, Adam Hinshelwood’s team looked true title contenders, giving United a lesson at Plainmoor and scoring for fun. The goals have continued (51 from 25 games), but they’ve also conceded plenty, with a 4-4 draw against St Albans a few weeks ago just one example of the entertainment offered up! They have two ex-Gulls in Ricky Aguiar and Jake Robinson, and currently sit 3rd in the league after two easy wins over strugglers Eastbourne.

Last Time Around: 12/08/23 – TUFC 0-3 Worthing, NLS. Any good vibes built up over the summer disappeared on an embarrassing day for the Gulls at Plainmoor. Worthing bossed the game throughout, scoring through Aguiar, Pearce and Myles-Meekums, and threatening to get more with numerous attacks cutting through the United defence. An impressive performance from the Rebels.

Prediction? United’s toughest looking league fixture of January. HOME WIN.