TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

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

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 11th January 2025

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 4

Draw: 2

Welling: 3

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W4 – D1 – L1

W 2-0 Horsham (FA Trophy) H

W 2-0 Farnborough H

W 1-0 Hemel H

D 2-2 Weymouth A

W 1-0 Truro City H

L 1-5 Worthing A

Welling – W2 – D1 – L3

D 1-1 Aveley H

W 1-0 Bath City H

L 1-3 Salisbury FC A

L 0-1 Chelmsford City H

L 0-1 Maidstone United A

W 2-1 Weymouth H

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (10)

Welling: Anointed Chukwu (5)

WELLING FACT FILE

Year founded: 1963

Nickname: The Wings

Last season’s league finish: 17th in National League South

Notable Honours:

National League South:

Winners: 2012-13

Southern League:

Winners 1985-86

THE MANAGER – ROD STRINGER

With a wealth of experience in non-league football behind him, Rod Stringer took charge of the Wings in late January 2024. His first experience in the dugout saw him lead Aveley to the Isthmian Division One North title in 2009, before moving on to Braintree Town where he achieved a second promotion, taking the Iron to the National League by being crowned National League South champions in 2011.

Stringer then moved on to Bishop’s Stortford, steadying the ship at Woodside Park over a five-year period. In 2016, he made the move to Chelmsford City where he led the Clarets to three National League South play-off campaigns prior to his departure in 2020.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Stringer was named Brentwood Town boss in October 2021, leading them to the Isthmian Division One North play-off final before departing in February 2023.

PLAYER TO WATCH – GENE KENNEDY

Gene Kennedy initially arrived at Park View Road on loan from Colchester United in February 2024 and went on the play a key part in the Wings’ successful fight against relegation under Rod Stringer before joining permanently following his release by the U’s. The 21-year-old midfielder made 12 first-team appearances for the League Two side, including six league outings before embarking on a loan spell with Braintree Town in 2023.

KENNEDY STATS – Position: Midfield – Date of Birth: 18/04/03 – Height: 1.88m – Previous Clubs: Colchester, Braintree – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 25, Goals 5, Yellow/Red Cards 5/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Welling: Chiori Johnson, Rhys Lovett, Dan Martin

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-3-3): James Hamon; Finley Craske, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Matt Carson; Dan Hayfield, Oscar Threlkeld, Will Jenkins-Davies; Jordan Young, Dylan Morgan, Cody Cooke

Welling United (4-3-3): Dylan King; Maxwell Statham, Jack Burchell, Dave Winfield, Alex Lankshear; Gene Kennedy, TJ Bramble, Sam Cornish; Zain Walker, Josh Redfearn, Martell Taylor-Crossdale

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 7th September 2024, Welling United 2-0 Torquay United

There was disappointment for the Gulls on Saturday, as United’s five-match unbeaten run ended with defeat at Welling. Two late strikes from Charlie Pegrum and Gene Kennedy respectively were enough to seal all three points for the home side after Cody Cooke saw an effort disallowed for the visitors in the first half.