TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United vs Maidstone United – National League South

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Tuesday 12th November 2024

Kick-off: 7.45pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 2

Draw: 2

Maidstone: 12

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W2 – D3 – L1

D 1-1 Eastbourne A

W 2-1 Worthing H

L 1-2 Hornchurch A

D 2-2 Chelmsford H

W 1-0 Salisbury A

D 0-0 Tonbridge H

Maidstone – W2 – D2 – L2

D 1-1 Slough Town A

W 1-0 Hemel Hempstead Town H

L 1-2 Welling United A

L 0-3 Solihull Moors A (FA Cup)

D 1-1 Dorking Wanderers A

W 1-0 Hornchurch H

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (6)

Maidstone: Aaron Blair (7)

MAIDSTONE FACT FILE

Year founded: 1992 (reformed as Maidstone Invicta)

Nickname: The Stones

Last season’s league finish: 4th in the National League South

Notable Honours:

National League South:

Winners: 2021-22

Isthmian League:

Winners 2014-15

THE MANAGER – GEORGE ELOKOBI

Cameroon-born George Elokobi initially took charge of Maidstone on a caretaker basis following the dismissal of Hakan Hayrettin, before he was handed the reins on a permanent basis. As a player, Elokobi was given his big break in the professional game by Colchester United in 2004, after he was spotted playing for Dulwich Hamlet.

He made his professional debut whilst on loan at Chester City in 2005 and on returning to Colchester Elokobi helped the U’s to win promotion to the Championship under Phil Parkinson in the 2005-06 season. His displays for Colchester earned him a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008 and he won two promotions: one from the Championship in 2008-09 and the second from League One in 2013-14. During his time at Molineux, he was loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Bristol City. Elokobi was released by Wolves at the end of the 2013-14 campaign and joined Oldham Athletic, where he played under Lee Johnson, son of Gary.

A second spell at Colchester United followed when he re-joined the U’s in 2015, and he later returned to the non-league game with spells in the National League with Leyton Orient and Aldershot Town. He later joined the Stones in 2019 and helped them to win the National League South title in his final season as a player in the 2021-22 campaign. In addition to this, Elokobi scored in the final game of his career, which saw Maidstone defeat Hampton and Richmond Borough 2-1, to give him the distinction of having scored in every division from the Premier League right down to National League South.

In the 2023-24 season, Elokobi guided the Stones to the fifth round of the FA Cup, memorably defeating Championship side Ipswich Town in the fourth round.

PLAYER TO WATCH – SAM CORNE

Sam Corne’s senior career started with Welling United in 2013 and after four seasons at Park View Road, he signed for Braintree Town and worked under former Stones boss Hakan Hayrettin. During his time at Welling he got an England C call-up and attracted interest from league clubs.

Prior to signing at the Gallagher, he played for Greenwich Borough and Ashford United – scoring 21 goals in 40 games for the Nuts & Bolts – while focusing on his football coaching qualifications. He made his Maidstone United debut on the opening day of the 2019-20 season and has clocked up more than 100 appearances since. He was a key figure in the club’s 2021-22 championship-winning season, as well as last season’s FA Cup run with goals against Barrow, Stevenage and Ipswich Town.

CORNE STATS – Position: Midfield – Date of Birth: 07/11/96 – Height: 1.78m – Previous Clubs: Welling, Braintree, Greenwich, Ashford – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 9, Goals 1, Yellow/Red Cards 4/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Maidstone: Shaq Coulthirst

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (3-4-2-1): James Hamon; Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jay Foulston; Finley Craske, Dan Hayfield, Will Jenkins Davies, Matt Carson; Jordan Young, Omar Mussa; Cody Cooke

Maidstone United (4-2-3-1): Alexis Andre Jnr; Temi Eweka, George Fowler, Reiss Greenidge, Charlie Seaman; Sam Corne, Tayt Trusty; Antony Papadopoulos, Ben Brookes, Jon Benton; Aaron Blair

LAST MEETING

Tuesday 6th February 2024, Maidstone United 3 Torquay United 2

There was late heartbreak for United in Kent, as a late winner saw Maidstone emerge with all three points. An early goal from Matt Rush saw the Gulls chasing the game, however Asa Hall soon levelled matters up. Another early effort at the start of the second, this time from Mo Faal, saw the hosts restore their lead, before the Gulls once again restored parity, this time through Ross Marshall. Sadly it was Maidstone who had the last laugh however, as home skipper Sam Corne grabbed his side a late winner.