TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

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MATCH DETAILS

Match Details: Hemel Hempstead Town (20th) versus Torquay United (14th) – FA Trophy 2nd Round

Venue: Hop Oast, Horsham

Date: Saturday 14th November 2026

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Horsham: 1
Draw: 1
Torquay: 2

FORM GUIDE

Horsham (3W, 2D, 1L):
W 2-1 Slough Town A
D 2-2 Ebbsfleet United A
W 1-0 Walton Hersham A
D 1-1 Maidenhead United A
W 5-0 Farnborough A
L 2-3 AFC Totton H

Torquay (3W, 1D, 2L):
W 5-1 Slough Town H
L 0-1 Oxford City H (FA Cup fourth qualifying round)
D 1-1 Maidstone United H
L 0-1 AFC Totton A
W 3-0 Walton & Hersham A
W 2-0 Hemel Hempstead Town A

TOP GOAL-SCORERS

Horsham: Greg Luer (5)

Torquay: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton/Jacob Beaumont-Clark/Matt Jay (5 each)

HORSHAM FACT FILE

Year founded: 1881
Nickname: The Hornets
Last season’s league finish: 15th in National League South
Notable honours:
Isthmian League Premier Division: Winners: 2024-25
Southern Combination League: Winners: 2015-16
Isthmian League Division Three: Winners: 1995-96

THE MANAGER – DOMINIC DI PAOLA

After cutting his managerial teeth with Clymping, Worthing United, East Preston and Hastings United, Dominic Di Paola led Horsham to the Southern Combination League title in the 2015-16 season. He followed this up by leading the club back to the Isthmian League Premier Division via the Play-offs and guided them to the Isthmian League Premier Division title in the 2024-25 campaign.

PLAYER PROFILE – ASHLEY NADESAN

A player with over 200 EFL appearances to his name, Ashley initially came to prominence by scoring 99 goals in two seasons for Horley Town in the Combined Counties League. That stellar strike rate attracted the attention of Fleetwood Town – a mere six steps up the football pyramid from Horley. A loan spell at Carlisle United saw him gain his first experience of senior first-team football, before going on to make his debut for his parent club.

Although he was offered a new deal at Fleetwood, the chance to move home to Crawley Town was too good to pass up, and it was at Broadfield that he really made his name, making almost 150 appearances and scoring 26 goals.

Subsequent moves to Gillingham and Sutton United followed, before a loan spell at Worthing at the end of the 2025-26 season, where he scored on his debut and helped the Rebels secure promotion to the National League.

PLAYER STATS:
Position: Striker
DOB: 09/09/94 (32)
Previous Club: Sutton United
26/27 NLS Stats: Appearances 15, Goals 1, Assists 3, Yellow/Red Cards 1/0

OLD BOYS

Horsham: None

Torquay: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Horsham (3-4-3): Sam Howes; George Cox, Jake Elliott, Ryan Bartley; Charlie Hester-Cook, James Hammond, Dominic Barker, Lee Harding, Jamie Yila, Greg Luer, Reece Myles-Meekums;

Torquay United (4-2-3-1): Toby Savin; Dom Bernard, Taylor Scarff, Tyler Hill, Harry Shield; Matt Worthington, Dan Hayfield; Tegan Finn, Matt Jay, Jacob Beaumont-Clark; Callum Morton

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 8th August 2026, Torquay United 1 Horsham 1

Jimmy Ball’s new look Torquay United side were forced to settle for a point against a resilient Horsham side on the opening day of the campaign.

Ball named six debutants in his starting line-up, and two of them linked up in the second minute as a Harry Shield cross found Isaac Westendorf, who fired over.

In the 13th minute, United were in front when Deon Moore found the back of the net from a tight angle, with an effort that went through the hands of Horsham keeper Sam Howes.

United started the second half brightly, as Westendorf nodded a cross from skipper Matt Worthington straight into the arms of Howes on 48 minutes.

Nevertheless, Horsham grew into the game and levelled matters in the 54th minute through a low drive from Greg Luer, despite United keeper Toby Savin getting a hand to it.

United appeared to have restored their lead on 67 minutes when Westendorf headed home a Dom Bernard cross – but his effort ruled as the ball was deemed to have gone out of play before Bernard crossed.

In the 70th minute, Savin denied Jamie Yila before substitute Ronan Silva blasted over for the visitors.

In injury time, subs Matt Jay and Cody Cooke (twice) missed the target for the Gulls, as the spoils were shared.

COYY – STEVE

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