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Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc

Tom looks ahead to the October games

October could prove to be a very important month for Paul Wotton and his Gulls side. On paper, the Gulls are in a good place. Five wins from five home league games, 3rd in the division and only behind Hornchurch in the goalscoring bracket with the Gulls clocking up 19 goals in their opening 9 games, averaging 2.1 goals a game.

On the flip side, Torquay have yet to win on their travels so far, are out of the FA Cup and have managed just the one clean sheet in a 1-0 home win in our latest league game at home to Ebbsfleet.

With three away games and two at Plainmoor to come in October, the Yellow Army will be hoping to end their away day hoodoo and look to extend an unbeaten home record.

If we don’t, questions will be asked by the Yellow Army as to why the Gulls are struggling on the road which will add to the pressure that Paul Wotton could potentially face.

Let’s look into the Gulls opponents for October shall we and see how I think the Gulls will do!

Salisbury (A) 04/10/25

The Gulls head back on the road to Wiltshire after two weeks off to kick off our October schedule.

Salisbury were taken over in the summer by Ali Alhamad, a Kuwaiti businessman and investor who put in significant funds into the club after the previous board determined that they had reached the heights of what they could have sustainably achieved for the club at National League South level.

Despite the additional finances, Salisbury have found things difficult so far this season, with the Whites yet to register a win in the National League South and find themselves 23rd, only above last season’s play-off semi-finalists Eastbourne Borough, who themselves have yet to register a win this campaign.

Whilst Torquay have been without a game for the last few weeks, Salisbury travelled to Dorking on Tuesday night after drawing 1-1 at the Ray Mac in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round and were knocked out after a 4-2 battling defeat.

The hallmarks are there aren’t there?

No away win, check.

Opposition yet to win a game this season, check.

It wouldn’t be the first time Torquay have flattered to deceive against lower positioned oppositition and it’s difficult to decide whether the advantage of having a week off will trump playing a side who have been in regular action.

One thing is for sure, Torquay can have no excuses, with the extra time off and those retuning from injury, many of the Yellow Army making the journey will be expecting the team to start strong and end what has been a difficult start to our away form. If promotion is the aim, these are the games United simply have to win and I think we will.

Prediction – Torquay win

Dagenham & Redbridge (H) 11/10/25

The pre-season favourites (for many), have endured an absolute torrid start to life in the National League South after relegation from the National League last season.

Boasting Andy Carroll in their ranks, the Daggers have found that the NLS respects nobody and manager Lee Bradbury is already on the ropes from the majority of the Dagger’s fanbase after winning just once in their first nine games and finding themselves in the relegation zone at time of publishing. It’s very possible that Lee Bradbury might not make it to Plainmoor if they can’t get a positive result at home to Maidstone.

Much like the Gulls, the Dagger’s have found it difficult on their travels so far this season, yet to register an away win and have already shipped in 17 goals from their opening 9 games.

For many, it looks like a home banker but it’s hard to predict what Dagenham & Redbridge side will arrive at Plainmoor come the 11th October. With protests planned at Victoria Road this weekend, there could be plenty of changes in the coming weeks if the mood continues to sour within the fanbase in East London.

This fixture will be a welcome relief to the coffers of the Bryn Consortium, with this game only confirmed last weekend due to Dagenham’s exit in the FA Cup as they crashed out of the competition with a 2-1 away defeat to Spalding United.

From the heights of League One football, to struggling in the National League South, we can relate Dagenham fans.

Welcome to hell.

If the form guide continues for Dagenham, I think we can put the Daggers to the sword and keep the home form going strong.

Prediction – Torquay win

Chesham United (A) 18/10/2025

After an impressive first season in the National League South which saw the Generals easily steer clear of the relegation zone, Torquay will know that Chesham will be no easy trip and I expect another physical encounter between both sides like the game we saw last season at the Meadow.

Despite a red card for the hosts towards the end of the first half, it was only thanks to a 96th winner from Brad Ash who secured the three points for United.

We all remember the disappointment we felt when Chesham stole the 3 points which proved vital in the Gulls title challenge last season and Paul Wotton will be looking for the Gulls to put their best foot forward and be prepared for battle on DHAS day.

At the time of writing, Chesham have had an indifferent start to their league campaign, winning just two of their opening nine games of the season, drawing four and registering three defeats.

Goals have been hard to come by with just eight scored so far but the Generals have conceded just nine so games have been very tightly contested and I expected nothing less for our trip to Buckinghamshire.

Three points here would be a big result but deep down, I’d take a point back to Devon.

Prediction – Draw

Chippenham Town (H) 21/10/25

The new floodlights will (hopefully) be put to the test when Chippenham make the short journey down the M5 to Plainmoor in the last week before the season really starts when the clocks go back (an ode to you Charlie Baker!).

Chippenham are always everyone’s relegation candidates before a ball is kicked and are now in their 9th consecutive NLS campaign which is a testament to the work going on at Hardenhuish Park in an ever-improving division.

Chippenham finished in an impressive 14th place finish last season but Gary Hogan’s Bluebirds have endured a challenging start this time around, with only one win so far this season and have yet to taste victory on the road in league action, however have had success on their travels in their FA Cup campaign.

It’s a game you expect us to win, our record against Chippenham being relatively good at Plainmoor, ignoring a 0-1 defeat back under Gary Owers in 2018….

Chippenham, I expect will adopt a defensive first mindset and look to frustrate us but I expect three points from this one.

Prediction – Torquay Win

Dorking Wanderers (A) 25/10/25

October ends with a tasty clash away to Marc White’s Dorking side, looking to improve from last season’s disappointing campaign where the Wanderer’s suffered from a late comeback from eventual Play Off winners Boreham Wood in their Play Off Eliminator away from home.

Marc White’s Dorking side finished 6th last season, 3 points from top spot but way down on Marc’s expectations of a top 3 finish.

A combination of a slow start to the season due to an injury crisis (sound familiar?), conceding late goals and (some in the Dorking camp may suggest) questionable officiating decisions ultimately costing the Wanderers an immediate return to the National League at the first time of asking.

The Gulls, backed by 650 fans back in March, were able to overcome their fear of the plastic and put in a battling display on Dorking’s quality surface with a late Jordan Dyer header proving the difference as the Gulls left Surrey with all 3 points and had Gulls fans believing that the title was back on.

It’s been a mixed bag so far for the Wanderers, at home they’ve beaten Tonbridge, Slough & AFC Totton but tasted defeat in their first home game of the season against Hampton & Richmond Borough and drew 0-0 with Dagenham & Redbridge.

It should prove to be another tight and close encounter between both sides. Hopefully come the end of October, the Gulls will no longer be in injury crisis and we see two promotion contenders putting on a great clash.

If we do lose a game this month though, I think it might be this one. I really hope we’ve managed to have won a game away by then. If we haven’t, then questions will need to be asked.

The fans will rightly have high expectations this season. We can’t afford another winless month of away results.

Prediction – Dorking win

OVERALL – 10/15PTS