TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United vs Dorking Wanderers – National League South

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 24th August 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

TORQUAY – 0

DRAWS – 1

DORKING – 1

LAST RESULTS

Torquay

W 2-1 Enfield Town H

L 0-1 Farnborough A

W 2-1 Bath City A

Dorking

W 2-1 Truro City A

W 1-0 Chippenham Town H

D 2-2 Boreham Wood

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: O.G/Brad Ash/Cody Cooke/Ed Palmer (1 each)

Dorking: Jason Prior (2)

DORKING FACT FILE

Year founded: 1999

Nickname: Wanderers

Last season’s league finish: 2nd in National League South (promoted through the Play-offs)

Notable honours:

National League South:

Play-off winners: 2021-22

Isthmian League:

Premier Division champions: 2018-19

THE MANAGER – MARC WHITE

After founding the club with a group of mates in the Crawley and District League in 1999, Marc White’s journey with Dorking Wanderers has been nothing short of astonishing since.

Under White’s guidance, Wanderers switched to the West Sussex League which they enjoyed a meteoric rise through before eventually reaching the Isthmian League Premier Division, which they won in the 2018-19 campaign to earn promotion to National League South.

Two years later, they reached the National League after defeating Ebbsfleet United to win the National League South Play-offs. The Wanderers since retained their National League status for two years prior to their first ever relegation last season and are looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

WHITE STATS – Date of Birth: 01/10/73 (50) – Appointed: 06/09/99 – Previous Clubs: None

PLAYER TO WATCH – CHARLIE CARTER

Central midfielder Charlie Carter initially began his footballing journey began at Fulham’s academy before he moved on to Woking. After coming through the Cardinals academy he signed a professional deal with Woking ahead of the 2016-17 season. The subsequent 2017-18 campaign, proved to be the breakout year for Carter, as he finished the season club top scorer and earned himself a move to Chesterfield before progressing into the Football League with Stevenage.

After three seasons at the Lamex Stadium, Carter enjoyed a consistent season in front of goal in the 2022-23 campaign with Eastleigh and finished the season with double figures. Carter then returned to his native Surrey to sign for Wanderers in October 2023.

CARTER STATS – Position: Midfielder – Date of Birth: 25/10/96 – Height: 1.85m – Previous Clubs: Woking, Chipstead, Chesterfield, Stevenage, Eastleigh – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 3, Goals 1, Yellow/Red Cards 0/0

OLD BOYS

TORQUAY: None

DORKING: Rhys Murphy

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (3-5-2): James Hamon; Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jay Foulston; Finley Craske, Dan Hayfield, Oscar Threlkeld, Omar Mussa, Matt Carson; Brad Ash, Cody Cooke

Dorking Wanderers (3-5-2): Harrison Foulkes; Brennan Camp, Tony Craig, George Francomb; Jimmy Muitt, Josh Taylor, Josh Pybus, Charlie Carter, Seb Bowerman; Alfie Rutherford, Jason Prior

LAST MEETING – 21.02.23, Dorking Wanderers 3-2 Torquay United, National League

Harry Ottaway’s second-half double ended Dorking’s run of five straight National League defeats and sealed a 3-2 win over relegation rivals Torquay.

James McShane’s early opener for the home side threatened to come to nothing when the Gulls, fresh from Saturday’s win over Barnet, levelled through Aaron Jarvis just before half-time.

The visitors built on their equaliser when Tom Lapslie put them in front immediately after the break but the game changed two minutes later when Kieron Evans was sent off for a second yellow card.

Dorking seized their chance, with Ottaway levelling on 57 minutes when he finished off a cross from fellow substitute Jimmy Muitt.

And four minutes later the duo produced a replica finish with Ottaway once again sliding the ball home to seal his side’s much-needed three points.