TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United vs Chelmsford City – National League South

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 2nd November 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 3

Draw: 1

Chelmsford: 1

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W2 – D2 – L2

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

W 2-1 Worthing H

L 1-2 Hornchurch A

Chelmsford – W3 – D1 – L2

W 2-1 Sporting Bromsgrove (FA Cup) H

W 4-0 Eastbourne Borough H

L 0-4 Barnet (FA Cup) A

L 1-2 Farnborough H

D 2-2 Hemel Hempstead Town A

W 2-1 Salisbury H

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (4)

Chelmsford: Ousmane Foyo (7)

CHELMSFORD FACT FILE

Year founded: 1938

Nickname: The Clarets

Last season’s league finish: 2nd in the National League South

Chelmsford notable honours:

Isthmian League Premier Division:

Champions: 2007-08

Southern League:Champions: 1939-40, 1945-46, 1967-68, 1971-72

THE MANAGER – ROBBIE SIMPSON

No stranger to the South West from his time as an Exeter City player between 2016 and 2018, Robbie Simpson initially joined the Clarets as a player in 2019 and became interim manager in 2020, following the departure of Rod Stringer. During his reign, he has twice led the Clarets to the National League South Play-offs.

As a player, Simpson started his career with Cambridge City before moving to near neighbours Cambridge United and progressed on to the likes of Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Leyton Orient.

PLAYER TO WATCH – KALVIN KALALA

No stranger to Gulls fans from his spell at Plainmoor between 2018 and 2020, mercurial French winger Kalvin Kalala followed Gary Johnson to United from Cheltenham Town during the 2018-19 season. He found the back of the net ten times over the course of the campaign, including the club’s fastest ever goal after ten seconds on the final day of the season in the Gulls’ 4-0 win over St Albans City.

In recent years, he has featured for Dartford, Dulwich Hamlet and, most recently, Lewes, who he joined the Clarets from.

KALALA STATS – Position: Winger – Date of Birth: 16/02/98 – Height: 1.84m – Previous Clubs: Jolly & Montemurlo, Carpi, Savona, Cheltenham, Torquay, EFAFC, Grantham, Dartford, Dulwich, Lewes – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 10, Goals 1, Yellow/Red Cards 1/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Chelmsford: Kalvin Kalala, Ousmane Foyo

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

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

Chelmsford City (5-4-1): Woody Woodman; Bradley Williams, Cameron James, Paul Appiah, Sam Gale, Sam Oguntayo; Archie Tamplin, Charlie Ruff, Ousmane Foyo, Kalvin Kalala; Jake Hyde

LAST MEETING

Saturday 23rd December 2023 – Chelmsford City 2 Torquay United 0

United’s run of four straight wins came to an end in Essex, as Chelmsford ran out 2-0 winners at the Melbourne Stadium. An early goal from Luke Jenkins gave City a perfect start, and although the Gulls continued to probe without success, a late second for Finley Barbrook sealed victory for the hosts.