TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United vs Worthing – National League South

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Tuesday 22nd October 2024

Kick-off: 7.45pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 0

Draws: 0

Worthing: 2

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W2 – D2 – L2

W 3-0 Chippenham Town H

L 0-2 Welling United A

L 0-3 Bishop’s Cleeve (FA Cup)

D 1-1 St Albans City H

W 1-0 Hampton A

D 1-1 Eastbourne A

Worthing – W4 – D1 – L1

D 1-1 Weymouth A

W 3-1 Dartford (FA Cup) H

L 0-2 Maidstone United H

W 1-0 Welling United H

W 4-0 Plymouth Parkway (FA Cup) A

W 3-2 Tonbridge Angels H

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (3)

Worthing: Danny Cashman (5)

WORTHING FACT FILE

Year founded: 1886

Home ground: Sussex Transport Community Stadium (Woodside Road)

Nickname: The Rebels

Last season’s league finish: 3rd in National League South

Notable honours:

Isthmian League: Premier League winners: 20021-22

THE MANAGER – CHRIS AGUTTER

Chris Agutter joined Worthing in the summer from Hastings United to become the permanent successor to the York City bound Adam Hinshelwood.

After starting out as a youth team coach at Brighton and Hove Albion over a decade ago, Agutter had a spell as assistant manager at Eastbourne Borough before returning to the Seagulls to resume his previous role in 2016.

A year later, he took charge of Hastings for the first time before going on to serve Stevenage as Under-18, Under-21, assistant manager and interim manager. A further spell with Brighton and his second stint as Hastings manager followed before he took charge of the Rebels.

PLAYER TO WATCH – GLEN REA

Central defender Glen Rea joined Worthing following his release from Luton Town, where he made nearly 200 appearances in seven years and played a key part of the Hatters’ rapid rise to the top flight. Glen also reached 100 and 200 matches versus Coventry, the latter landmark coming during a season that saw him named Captain and end it with a League One title winner’s medal.

Whilst with the Hatters, Rea also had loan spells with Woking, Wigan Athletic and Cheltenham Town. Prior to his spell in Bedfordshire, Rea started out at his home town club Brighton & Hove Albion and made two appearances in the EFL Cup before being loaned to Southend United and Luton, who he would later join.

He would also receive international honours with Republic of Ireland at Under-21, who he would make ten appearances for, scoring once. He mutually departed Kenilworth Road in September 2023 and made his debut for Worthing against Hampton & Richmond Borough a month later.

REA STATS – Position: Midfield – Date of Birth: 03/09/94 – Height: 1.84m – Previous Clubs: Brighton, Southend, Luton, Woking, Wigan, Cheltenham, – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 10, Goals 1, Yellow/Red Cards 4/1

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Worthing: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

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

Worthing: (3-1-5-1): Chris Haigh; Joe Cook, Alfie Young, Ollie Black; Glen Rea; Joel Colbran Danny Cashman, Jack Spong, Kane Wills, Nicky Wheeler; Mohummadu Faal

LAST TIME

Saturday 27th January 2024, Worthing 4 Torquay United 2

United left West Sussex empty-handed, as Worthing ran out 4-2 winners at Woodside Road on Saturday. The recalled Tom Lapslie gave United the lead, however Worthing responded strongly, and were ahead at the break thanks to goals from Dylan Fage, Danny Cashman and Ollie Pearce. Ethon Archer’s second-half effort pulled the Gulls back into the proceedings, before Cashman’s late clincher.

UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead ( 22. Rhys Lovett, 36′), 3. Dan Martin, 4. Tom Lapslie (10. Lewis Collins, 82′), 6. Ross Marshall (15. Finley Craske, 45+1′), 11. Brad Ash, 14. Brett McGavin, 17. Dillon De Silva, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 21. Dean Moxey (c), 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 30. Ethon Archer.

OPPOSITION Q&A WITH ROB FINNEY

About Me:

Names Rob, been watching about 8 years and a ST holder for 6, alongside my 13yo, Roman.

Recent Form:

Forms been decent – after last season/summer staff and player losses I think we expected a slow start.

Highlights:

Don’t think much will beat a last minute winner away to WSM to win 4-3 after being 0-3 at half time!

Key Players:

Key player is Danny Cashman, although Spong and Faal also crucial. Kane Wills is the unsung hero though.

The Manager:

Agi (Chris Agutter) largely follows same tactics as Hinsh last season – emphasis on passing it out the back. We have started mixing it up a little though.

Line-up:

I imagine the same as Saturday v Angels (although a good chance Willard will come in to replace Wheeler).

Away following:

We took 106 last season on an August Saturday – I don’t see us bringing more than 40-60.

Best opposition:

Truro, although we were dire!

Prediction:

Heart says we’ll get a point. Head says we’ll get narrowly beat.