PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Welling United versus Torquay United

Venue: Park View Road

Date: Saturday 6th April 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 4

Draw: 2

Welling: 1

FORM GUIDE

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

Welling: W, W, D, L, W, D

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Brad Ash (12)

Welling: Tristan Abrahams (Now Maidenhead United) (7)

WELLING FACTFILE

Year founded: 1963

Nickname: The Wings

Last season’s league finish: 16th in National League South

Notable Honours:

National League South:

Winners: 2012-13

Southern League:

Winners 1985-86

MANAGER – ROD STRINGER

With a wealth of experience in non-league football behind him, Rod Stringer took charge of the Wings in late January 2024.

His first experience in the dugout saw him lead Aveley to the Isthmian Division One North title in 2009, before moving on to Braintree Town where he achieved a second promotion, taking the Iron to the National League by being crowned National League South champions in 2011.

Stringer then moved on to Bishop’s Stortford, steadying the ship at Woodside Park over a five-year period.

In 2016, he made the move to Chelmsford City where he led the Clarets to three National League South play-off campaigns prior to his departure in 2020.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Stringer was named Brentwood Town boss in October 2021, leading them to the Isthmian Division One North play-off final before departing in February 2023.

STRINGER STATS

Appointed: 29th January 2024

Date of Birth: 19/07/1975 (48)

Other Clubs Managed: Aveley, Braintree, Bishop’s Stortford, Chelmsford, Brentwood

PLAYER TO WATCH – ANTHONY GRANT

At the age of 36, Anthony Grant has a wealth of experience having spent his career plying his trade in the EFL after coming through the ranks at Chelsea as a youngster.

Having made one Premier League appearance for the Blues, he embarked on loans with Oldham Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers, Luton Town and Southend United, before joining the Shrimpers permanently in 2008.

He spent four seasons at Roots Hall, racking up 149 league appearances before making the move to Stevenage in 2012. He then became a mainstay in the midfields of Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale, Peterborough United and Shrewsbury Town over the following seven seasons before arriving at Swindon Town in 2019.

In his debut season for the Robins, he helped his side win the League Two title.

A loan spell with Scunthorpe United in 2022 was followed by a move to Crawley Town in March 2023.

A Jamaica international, Grant made his debut for the ‘Reggae Boyz’ in 2021 and has six caps under his belt.

GRANT STATS

Position: Midfielder

Date of Birth: 04/06/87 (36)

Birthplace: London

Height: 1.78m

Former Clubs: Chelsea, Oldham, Wycombe, Luton, Southend, Stevenage, Crewe, Port Vale, Peterboro, Shrewsbury, Swindon, Scunthorpe, Crawley

OLD BOYS

Torquay United: None

Welling: Chiori Johnson

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United:

Mark Halstead

Ross Marshall – Asa Hall – Dean Moxey

Jack Stobbs – Tom Lapslie – Brett McGavin – Ethon Archer – Arkell Jude-Boyd

Will Jenkins Davies

Brad Ash

Welling:

Reice Charles-Cook

Joe Ellul – Lachie Byrd – Riccardo Di Trollo

Chiori Johnson – Jason Adigun – Anthony Grant – Gene Kennedy – Antony Papadopoulos

Sonny Fish – Reece Grant

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 21st October 2023, Torquay United 5 Welling United 1

Despite conceding early on, Torquay United came from behind to celebrate their community day with a five-star display against Welling.

Brad Ash and Jack Stobbs went close for the Gulls inside the opening ten minutes, but it was the visitors took the lead in the 18th minute through a low drive from Kain Adom, which was their first shot at goal.

On 35 minutes, the Gulls were awarded a penalty after Aaron Jarvis was felled by the Wing’s debutant keeper James Holden, which Jarvis stepped up to convert to bring the hosts back on level terms.

Getting back on level terms clearly lifted Torquay as five minutes before the break, they got their noses in front when the ball fell to Brett McGavin on the edge of the penalty area and he struck from 22 yards.

In the second half, the Gulls made it three on 59 minutes when a free-kick from Stobbs found Shaun Donnellan, who lobbed home from a tight angle.

Four minutes later, referee Tom Ellsmore pointed to the spot for a second time after spotting a push on Jarvis, and the Gulls’ leading scorer duly converted to complete his brace.

Nevertheless, Torquay weren’t finished there as sub Ross Marshall got the final touch on a Stobbs corner in the 76th minute.

The visitors were reduced to ten men when Holden was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card and striker Tristan Abrahams filled in between the sticks, as the Gulls returned to winning ways.