United are back on the road tomorrow evening, as Gary Johnson’s side look to follow up Saturday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Altrincham with another positive result at Eastleigh.
With The Gulls facing up to back-to-back away trips prior to their Plainmoor return against Aldershot, Torquay will be looking to maximise the opportunity to take as many points as possible over the next week, in their bide to rise up the National League standings.
Who’s the boss?
Lee Bradbury departed his role as Assistant Manager at League Two Crawley Town to take the helm at Eastleigh last February, following the departure of previous boss Ben Strevens.
Bradbury is renowned locally after spending time at Portsmouth and Bournemouth as a player, prior to taking up a number of coaching roles. The 47-year-old previously spent seven years managing Havant & Waterlooville, during which he guided the Hawks to their first ever promotion to the National League at the conclusion of the 2017/18 season.
How have they been doing?
The Spitfires’ season has been one of unpredictability thus far, as they have emerged from their first 14 outings with five wins, four draws and five defeats.
Their home form though, has been particularly impressive, with Bradbury’s men currently unbeaten at The Silverlake Stadium, courtesy of four wins and two draws from six games.
Player to watch
Six-footer Danny Whitehall has been Eastleigh’s principle goal threat this term, with the 27 year-old leading the way with four goals during the early stages of 2022/23.
Having begun his career at Southport, the Liverpool-born centre-forward continued to do the rounds on the non-League circuit before a breakthrough stint at Maidenhead prompted Scottish Premier League outfit Kilmarnock at take him north of the border in the summer of 2020.
4 goals in 20 games appeared a decent return for his first year at that level, however he returned south after just one season, with The Spitfires acting quickly to secure his signature.
Played for both
Experienced striker Scott Rendell has represented both Eastleigh and Torquay amongst numerous others during his career, with both sides profiting from his prowess in front of goal.
After beginning his career at Aldershot, a dream move to Reading failed to bring its hoped-for rewards, and it wouldn’t be until a subsequent move to Cambridge United saw Randell display his prolific goalscoring form for the first time. A move back into the Football League with Peterborough preceded a highly-successful year on loan at Plainmoor, with Scott netting 12 league goals in 35 games, as well as giving Paul Buckle’s men a new dimension in attack.
Moves to Wycombe, Luton, Woking and Aldershot followed, before Rendell became a Spitfire, where he registered 6 goals in 34 league games before moving on once again, with stints at Maidstone and Havant & Waterlooville being his next ports of call.
This summer saw yet another new destination for the evergreen 36-year old frontman, as he added AFC Totton to his list of employers.
Previous Encounter
The Silverlake Stadium hasn’t been the happiest hunting ground for The Gulls, with their last victory in Hampshire coming some seven years ago, as Torquay came from behind to emerge victorious in Hampshire.
Deon Burton’s opener for Eastleigh was cancelled out by Olivier Gueguen in first-half stoppage time, and things got even better for Chris Hargreaves’ side following the break, with Louis Briscoe’s effort fourteen minutes from time sealing all three points for The Gulls.
Tomorrow evening would be an excellent time to replicate that success!
Vanarama National League | Eastleigh v Torquay United | 25/10/22 7.45pm KO | Tickets available for purchase HERE. Supporters unable to puchase online can contact 02380 613 361 for further assistance.