TT PREVIEW

Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc

Thomas previews the final 5 United league games of the season

It’s the proverbial business end of the season and Torquay United’s promotion hopes remain firmly in the balance.

The Gulls enter the final five games of the season occupying 6th place, good enough for a play-off spot in the eliminator round. However it’s important to not count our chickens at this stage with clubs such as Dagenham & Redbridge in 12th place, still hoping to break into the top 7 come the end of the season, who are currently 6 points behind the Gulls.

Weston-super-Mare could overtake the Gulls if they beat us at home on Good Friday, whilst other teams like Chesham, Maidstone and Chelmsford are still loitering, so every point will be valuable. Looking up, there is only 4 points between us and Worthing in 2nd place, though they do have a much better goal difference than every other team in the division.

Let’s look at the Gull’s final 5 games and see how I predict our play off chances.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE (A) – 03.04.26

Quite simply, in my mind, a must win game.

United’s record at Weston Super Mare does not make for good reading. In our three visits to the Optima Stadium, the Gulls are winless with two draws and one defeat.

Weston currently sit in 8th position after draw against Hemel Hempstead, and their form has been inconsistent. Impressive away victories at Ebbsfleet & Maidenhead have come in between two home defeats to Tonbridge Angels & fellow play off contenders in Worthing.

Jimmy Ball will need to be wary of top goal scorer (and ex-Gull) Louis Britton with 18 goals in the NLS this season.

Backed by another sell out away crowd, will United finally register their first win by the Weston seaside? In a must win game, I think we will draw.

Tommy’s Prediction – DRAW

BATH CITY (H) – 06.04.26

It’s been a troubling season for the Romans, an established club at this level are facing the reality of a season in the Southern League next season. Bath City find themselves second bottom at the time of writing, on a terrible run of form, last tasting victory against Worthing at home on the 24th January, which has dropped them well into the relegation mire.

That run of form cost now Gull’s coach Darren Way his job from the managers dugout and now are looking at former Weston manager Scott Bartlett to rescue their season. Only two years ago, Bath qualified for the end of season play-offs and face a tricky end to the season with games mostly against play-off chasing sides, including Chesham, Dorking & Maidstone.

For Torquay fans, many would look at this as the proverbial “home banker”. As Bath proved in the previous game, United were devoid of ideas and limped to a drab goalless draw in the final game of 2025.

United cannot afford to drop more points against relegation threatened opposition.

Under Jimmy Ball, I think United will pick up the three points at home. Hopefully Bath fans will travel in decent numbers and I’m expecting a good crowd of over 4,000 to cheer the lads on to victory.

Tommy’s Prediction – TORQUAY WIN

SLOUGH TOWN (A) – 11.04.26

Under the well-respected player manager Scott Davies, Slough Town continue to prove year on year that despite having one of the smallest budgets in the league, the Rebel’s wouldn’t simply accept that relegation was a foregone conclusion and have once again pushed above their weight and find themselves just clear enough of the dreaded relegation zone.

Despite currently being on a winless run of five games, Slough lost just once in eight games prior and currently find themselves in 16th place with 50 points. By the time the Gulls visit Arbour Park, Slough could already be safe from relegation and hopefully from a Gulls perspective have one eye on their summer holidays.

If Slough do have nothing to play for & the Gulls still looking to confirm their place in the play offs, Torquay simply have to go and win at Arbour Park. Never mind the 4G surface, Slough showed earlier in the season against us they could give us a scare, mostly through our poor defending, however our attacking quality shone through in the end. If we are mostly fit, I can see us winning, but Slough on their day can cause problems for anyone. Just ask Chelmsford!

Tommy’s Prediction – TORQUAY WIN

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN (H) – 18.04.2026

The surprise package of the season. Hemel Hempstead have always been a team in recent years who start well, but fall off and eventually find their place in midtable. This season however, it’s a different story.

The Tudor’s don’t score many, only registering 49 goals but have only conceded 42. For comparison, the Gulls currently have scored 72 but conceded 57. They are a well drilled side, lead by Lee Alison who joined the club last season.

Since then, Hemel took Wigan all the way in the FA Cup first round away and a run of six wins in a row had brought the Tudors into title contention, only for a late Dorking winner last weekend to make a title challenge now look unlikely. Not impossible, but unlikely.

This game could potentially be a preview of what is to come, should we both finish in the play off positions.

Hemel will come to Plainmoor with no fear and will look to be less charitable than they were at the end of last season.

Because I know a Hemel Hempstead supporter (hi Dan mate. Glad to hear you’re recovering well from your battle with leukaemia x ), I will never predict Torquay to lose to Hemel Hempstead. That would be shameful. Don’t remind me of the reverse fixture please!

I believe United with home advantage will have enough to get the job done, but it will a tight game.

Tommy’s Prediction – TORQUAY WIN

TONBRIDGE ANGELS (A) – 25.04.26

The final day of the regular season sees the Yellow Army with the long trip across to Kent, with a 12.30 kick off to enjoy. Thanks National League!

Tonbridge seemed to be everyone’s favourites for relegation, with concerns over the quality of their squad and questions over Jay Saunders, who left the club for impending Isthmian League Champions Folkestone Invicta in September 2025.

Former Millwall, Leyton Orient & Bromley player Alan Dunne took over and has done well to keep Tonbridge well away from relegation, including an impressive 2-1 victory at Plainmoor back in early December.

It’s hard to predict what will be on the line for United come the final day of the season. Based on my predictions (which is worrying me!), United should be comfortably looking at a play off finish, but when do we ever do things easily!

Tonbridge should be another side playing for nothing but pride. We’ve always endured tough game at Longmead Stadium and I think we will end the season with a draw.

I really hope our play off place is confirmed by then. Buckle in Yellow Army. Welcome to the end game!

Tommy’s Prediction – DRAW

FINAL POINTS TOTAL – 79 POINTS

Would that be enough for a play off spot for United? Let us know your thoughts!