TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

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MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Dover Athletic vs Torquay United

Competition: National League South

Venue: The Crabble, Dover

Date: Tuesday 3rd February 2026

Kick-off: 7.45pm

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Torquay: 9*
Draw: 2
Dover: 4

*Includes the result of one meeting between the two sides in 2020-21
which was expunged.

CURRENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay (W4 – D2 – L0):

W 3-1 Weston Super Mare H

D 0-0 Bath City A

W 4-1 Hampton and Richmond Borough H

D 1-1 Maidstone United H

W 3-1 Enfield Town A

W 2-1 Hornchurch A

Dover (W3 – D0 – L3):

L 1-2 Ebbsfleet United H

L 1-2 Hemel Hempstead Town H

W 1-0 Bath City H

L 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge A

W 3-0 AFC Totton A

W 2-1 Hemel Hempstead Town A

TOP GOAL-SCORERS

Torquay: Jordan Young (15 each)

Dover: George Nikaj (9)

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: 13, Goals 1, Assists 0, Yellow/Red Cards 2/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay United: None

Dover: Ryan Hanson, Jacob Mensah

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Monday 25th August 2025, Torquay United 3 Dover Athletic 2

Torquay United showed real bouncebackability as they recovered from being a goal down to beat Dover Athletic by the odd goal in five on Bank Holiday Monday at Plainmoor.

Alfie Matthews’ free-kick gave the visiting side the lead, before Cody Cooke levelled matters up from the spot. Matthews also fired home a penalty following the restart, before Jordan Young restored parity once more.

It looked as though both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils until Matt Jay’s late winner stole the show.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-2-3-1): James Hamon; Matt Worthington, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jay Foulston; Munashe Sundire, Dan Hayfield; Jordan Young, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Dylan Morgan; Cody Cooke

Dover Athletic (4-3-3): Mitch Walker, Roman Charles-Cook, Jalen Jones, Harry Beadle, Harrison Sodje; Luca Cocoracchio, Ryan Hanson, George Wilkinson; George Nikaj, Rolando Onu, Francis Mampolo

COYY – STEVE

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