United will be looking to bounce back following Saturday’s defeat at Barnet when they hit the road again, this time to face Hampshire side Aldershot Town on Tuesday evening.
Who’s the Boss?
Mark Molesley took the managerial position in September and has signed on until the end of the 2022/23 season. A former Shot himself, Molesley is highly regarded by supporters with the ex-midfielder scoring numerous pivotal goals for the side during his playing career.
Molesley began his managerial career in the youth ranks at Bournemouth before taking charge at Weymouth, where he enjoyed much success.
His Terras side were crowned champions of the Southern League at the end of the 2018/19 season, tallying 86 points across the season, he then guided the Dorset side to the National League for the first time since 2009 via the play-offs in 2019/20.
Molesley’s success at the Bob Lucas Stadium earned him a move to then Football League side Southend United in August 2020, where he remained until April this year.
Player to Watch
AFC Wimbledon forward Corie Andrews signed on at the EBB Stadium in a loan spell which will see him remain with Molesley’s side until January. The 24-year-old spent ten years at Crystal Palace where he progressed through their academy system, was awarded Academy Player of the Year in 2014 and signed a professional deal at the age of 17.
Andrews is currently the Shots top goalscorer, so far tallying 5 goals in 14 league appearances, including two braces – one in the Hampshire side’s 3-2 home victory over Notts County, before scoring both of Aldershot’s goals in their 2-2 draw at home to Wealdstone. Andrews has also proved himself to be a playmaker for the side so far this season and has been creating chances for his teammates in recent weeks.
The 24-year-old has previously also had spells at a number of non-league clubs, including the likes of Margate, Whyteleafe and Kingstonian before moving to League One side AFC Wimbledon where the forward was part of the side that guided The Dons to safety last season.
Played For Both
Former Gull Jamie Sendles-White captained Town last season, following his arrival at the Hampshire side in the summer of 2020. The centre-back was part of Gary Johnson’s National League South title winning side after arriving at Plainmoor in September 2018 and made 23 appearances that season.
Upon departing the English Riviera, the popular 27-year-old defender signed on at Football League side Crawley Town, where he made 14 appearances, including one assist, before moving to Aldershot in July last year. Sendles-White went on to make 30 appearances and score 1 goal as captain for the Shots last season.
The centre-back has previously played for the likes of QPR, Hamilton, Swindon Town, Leyton Orient and St Albans.
Previous Encounter
Aldershot Town 1 – 4 Torquay United, Tuesday 27th October 2020, National League.
United came from behind to go top of the National League last time out at the EBB Stadium after goals from Ben Wynter, Ben Whitfield, and a brace from Danny Wright saw United come out on top 4-1.
The home side took the lead through Craig Tanner in the eighth minute, with the scoreline remaining 1-0 until the latter stages of the first half. Wynter fired home in the 43rd minute to level the scores, with his cross finding its way over the Aldershot keeper.
After the interval, Gary Johnson’s side were quickest into their stride. Two minutes into the half it was Wright who put United ahead, with a cross holding up enough for the forward to place his header into the bottom corner from close range.
Four minutes later, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans drove towards the retreating Aldershot defence before playing the ball out to Whitfield on the left, his shot from just inside the box found the top left corner to make it 3-1.
United continued to press high in the latter stages, and were rewarded with a fourth in the 90th minute when a long ball forward from Wynter found Wright in some space, his right-footed volley rebounded back to him off the post but he cooly slotted home to secure the 4-1 victory.