PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Tonbridge Angels vs Torquay United

Venue: Longmead Stadium

Date: Saturday 16th March 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 1

Draw: 0

Angels: 1

FORM GUIDE

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

Angels: D, L, L, W, D, L

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Brad Ash/Aaron Jarvis (11 each)

Angels: Lewis Gard & Jordan Greenidge (now Dartford) (8 each)

ANGELS FACTFILE

Year founded: 1947 (as Tonbridge)

Nickname: The Angels

Last season’s league finish: 9th 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

Appointed: 9th May 2022

Date of Birth: 15/01/1979 (45)

Other Clubs Managed: Margate, Maidstone

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)

Birthplace: Maidstone

Height: 1.75m

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

OLD BOYS

Torquay United: None

Angels: Ryan Hanson

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United:

Mark Halstead

Ross Marshall – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey

Jack Stobbs – Brett McGavin – Kevin Dawson – Arkell Jude-Boyd

Lewis Collins

Brad Ash – Aaron Jarvis

Tonbridge Angels:

Jonathan Henly

Tariq Hinds – Jamie Fielding – Ethan Sutcliffe – Jernade Meade

Liam Vincent – Scott Wagstaff – Mo Dabre – Sean Shields

Nathan Odukuyero – Francis Mampol

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 2nd December 2023, Torquay United 2 Tonbridge Angels 1, NLS

Torquay United followed up their midweek success over Eastbourne Borough with a hard fought win over Tonbridge Angels, which ended the Angels’ seven-match unbeaten run in National League South.

After soaking up a lot of early pressure, the Gulls took the lead on ten minutes when Jack Stobbs fed Lewis Collins down the left and his cross found Dillon De Silva, who slotted home his second of the campaign.

Ten minutes later, Collins forced a routine save from Angels keeper Jonathan Henly with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 26th minute, Jordan Higgs attempted a strike from distance for the visitors, which hit the crossbar before flying over.

Tonbridge went close again a minute before half-time through a free-kick from Jamie Fielding, which Mark Halstead turned behind a corner.

The United goal lived a charmed life in the fifth minute of injury time, but their defence managed to keep the Angels at bay, with a series of blocks, before Halstead was able to gather.

In the second half, Tonbridge threatened on 52 minutes with another free-kick from Fielding that Halstead punched away.

Seven minutes later, Angels equalised when Francis Mampolo cut inside from the left hand side onto his right foot and curled home a shot from distance.

However, United hit back in the 61st minute when Stobbs teed up sub Dylan Crowe for a cross which found Ash who turned home his eighth of the campaign – which ultimately proved to be enough.