TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom looks ahead to the game at the Meadow

BANK HOLIDAY TRAVELS

The NLS fixtures are now coming thick and fast, and after a joyful Saturday afternoon and 3 points against Dorking Wanderers, we travel to newly promoted Chesham United in Buckinghamshire. This may be a regional league, but this is still a trip of 196 miles for us and whilst our confidence should be high, it’s a potential banana skin if energy and performance levels drop. One of many problems over the last couple of years has been dealing with two games in a week, with injuries and fitness problems so often occurring. If Paul Wotton can resolve these issues and find consistency in the coming weeks, momentum will keep growing for Torquay United.

CHANGES AT CHESHAM?

I believe that Finley Craske will miss the Bank Holiday game, so that means Finn Tonks regaining his place in the line-up. Other changes? Well Roddy Collins will be raring for a start against his former club, and could well come in for Oscar Threlkeld. Upfront I think it’s inevitable that Cody Cooke returns for either Brad Ash or Ben Seymour. The two strikers played their part on Saturday, but it doesn’t feel like a natural partnership, despite plenty of endeavour and running. Matt Carson took a knock in the second half at Plainmoor, but it’s hoped he’ll be okay and that would be a relief considering how lively the wing back has been so far this season.

BUILDING FROM THE BACK

There were a few keys to beating Dorking, and one of the main ones was defensive resilience from the team. It wasn’t all perfect at the back, Dorking created some half chances in the first half but panicked at the wrong times (well the right times for us) and fluffed a chance at the end to grab an equaliser. But overall the Gulls stood firm. Sam Dreyer is an enjoyable player to watch at centre back, throwing himself into tackles and headers with all the enthusiasm of a young Mark Ellis! Alongside him Ed Palmer and Jay Foulstone have both impressed, so has keeper James Hamon. Keeping clean sheets is massive for any team that want to contend, and lead by Dreyer, United look well set to grind more out.

THE OPPOSITION

Chesham have joint managers in the form of James Duncan & Michael Murray, who have done an excellent job at the Meadow, winning promotion as champions last season. The warning signs are there for the Gulls as the ‘Generals’ beat St Albans 2-1 away on Saturday, and they will no doubt be looking forward to this one. As always with away games, it’s about the Gulls working hard and making sure we don’t let the home team take the lead (as so often happened last season). If we do the right things then our higher quality and full-time fitness should take us to all 3 points to make it 4 wins out of 5. That would be an excellent start to 2024/25.