TT PREVIEW
Steve Harris – @steveharris84
MATCH DETAILS
Match details: Torquay United vs Dover AFC
Competition: National League South
Venue: Plainmoor
Date: Monday 25th August 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Torquay: 8*
Draw: 2
Dover: 4
*Includes the result of one meeting between the two sides in 2020-21 which was expunged.
FORM GUIDE
Torquay – W2, D1, L1
W 3-1 Enfield Town H
D 1-1 Maidstone United A
W 3-1 AFC Totton H
L 2-1 Horsham A
Dover – W3, L1
L 2-3 AFC Totton H
W 2-1 Bath City A
W 1-0 Eastbourne Borough A
W 2-0 Salisbury FC H
TOP GOAL-SCORERS
Torquay: Jordan Young (2)
Dover: George Nikaj (4)
DOVER FACT FILE
Year founded: 1983
Nickname: The Lilywhites
Last season’s league finish: 5th in the Isthmian Premier Division
(promoted via the play-offs)
Notable honours:
Conference South:
Play-off winners 2013-14
Isthmian League:
Premier League winners: 2008-09
Southern League:
Premier Division: 1989-90 & 1992-93
MANAGER – JAKE LEBERL
Now in his fifth spell with his hometown club as both a player and as a coach, Jake Leberl became manager of the Lilywhites in December 2023 following the departure of Mitch Brundle.
He had previously had two playing spells with Dover, in a career that also included stints with Crewe Alexandra, Margate, Dagenham & Redbridge and AFC Wimbledon. Leberl later returned to the Crabble as assistant to Chris Kinnear and he had previously served as Brundle’s number two prior to his appointment as first team boss.
Leberl successfully guided the Lilywhites to promotion to National League South in the 2024-25 season, as they beat Dartford 2-1 in the league’s play-off final.
PLAYER PROFILE – RYAN HANSON
Dover-born midfielder Ryan Hanson began his career at Crystal Palace as a youth before moving on to Hull City where he was a regular in their Under-23 side. On his release from the EFL club in the summer of 2021, he joined his hometown club, where he had previously spent a spell on loan. A good season attracted the attention of Torquay United, who he joined during the summer of 2022. He signed for Tonbridge during the 23-24 season. Ryan re-joined the Lilywhites on loan from Tonbridge at the tail end of their promotion winning campaign.
PLAYER STATS – Position: Midfielder, DOB: 06/12/00, Height: 1.82m, Previous Club: Tonbridge Angels
NLS Stats 25/26: Appearances: 4, Goals 0, Assists 0, Yellow/Red Cards 0/0
OLD BOYS
Torquay: None
Dover: Ryan Hanson, Jacob Mensah
LAST MEETING
Saturday 20th January 2024, Torquay United 1 Dover Athletic 0
A long range ‘special’ from Brett McGavin earned Torquay United all three points against bottom side Dover Athletic, a result which moves the Gulls back into the play-off zone.
The early stages saw Dover force a succession of corners before United had a penalty appeal turned down for a challenge on Ethon Archer on ten minutes.
Two minutes later, George Nikaj looked well placed to score for the visitors, but was denied by a well-timed challenge by Gulls’ defender Dean Moxey. United then had an appeal for another spot-kick turned down in the 20th minute for a shove on Ross Marshall.
Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins-Davies were both denied by Lillywhites’ keeper Daniel Jinadu. Four minutes before the break, Jinadu was called into action again when he parried a volley from Brad Ash behind for a corner.
In the second half, Dan Martin fired straight at Jinadu following some intricate build-up play involving McGavin on 56 minutes. Three minutes later, the deadlock was broken when McGavin found the back of the net with a speculative effort from distance to score his eighth of the campaign, after being teed up by Archer.
United then had two further shouts for penalties waved away for challenges on Jenkins-Davies and De Silva. McGavin was denied a brace on 90 minutes when Jinadu turned his free-kick around the post, as the Gulls sealed their first win of 2024.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Torquay United (4-2-3-1): James Hamon; Jordan Thomas, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jay Foulston; Munashe Sundire, Matt Worthington; Josh Phillips, Jordan Young, Matt Jay; Cody Cooke
Dover Athletic (4-2-3-1): Mitch Walker, Roman Charles-Cook, Fuad Sesay, Jalen Jones, Jacob Mensah; Luca Cocoracchio, Ryan Hanson; Mampolo, George Nikaj, Alfie Matthews; Decarrey Sheriff
COYY – STEVE
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