It’s back on the road for United tomorrow, when they head up to Somerset to face Bath City.
United will be looking to carry on where they left off against Truro on Monday night, when they face a tough test at Twerton Park against Play-Off hopefuls Bath City.
Who’s the boss?
Jerry has been in charge of Bath City since October 2017, a move which saw him return to the club he had made over 200 appearances for between 1990-1996. Gill’s playing career began at Trowbridge Town before he made the move to London, where he spent 18 months at Leyton Orient though never played a first team game for the O’s. Weston-super-Mare came next before his move to Bath in December 1990, and upon his departure from Twerton Park, the midfielder spent a season at Yeovil Town which then led to a move to Birmingham City.
During his five years at St. Andrews Gill helped the club to the League Cup Final as well as promotion to the Premier League, before he had a loan spell at Northampton Town which was then to be made permanent, although a serious knee injury limited his game time, and upon his return to fitness he joined Cheltenham Town, who in a four year stay he helped to promotion to League One via the Play-Offs.
A coaching spell at Forest Green Rovers came before he hung up his boots in 2009, and from there he got his first taste of management when he took over at Weymouth in January 2010, though this was short-lived and he left after 44 days due to financial issues at the club. Bristol Rovers, Birmingham City & Kidderminster Harriers have also had Gill as manager, as well as him being U18’s & U23’s coach at Norwich City & U18’s coach at Wolves before his return to Bath.
How have they been doing?
Since United’s 1-0 win here over Bath at the start of November, the Romans have been in and around the Play-Off zone and went unbeaten in the League for the next four games before suffering back to back home defeats, firstly to Chelmsford (2-3) and then Yeovil (0-1). Two wins and two draws from their next four saw them enter 2024 in good form, but this was halted once again by two successive defeats away at Yeovil (2-0) & at home to Slough (1-2).
However Bath remained unbeaten in their next six games, which included five successive wins before another double defeat at home to Braintree (1-2) and away at Slough (4-2) meant they were still in and around the top seven. Two defeats in their last nine have been the only black marks, and last time out on Tuesday night saw the Somerset side record an impressive 1-0 win at fellow Play-Off hopefuls Hampton & Richmond, meaning Bath come into this game in 6th place with a record of 19 wins, 13 draws & 11 defeats and are on 70 points.
Played for both
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans came through the youth ranks at Bristol City, signing his first professional contract with the club in 2015, and in five years at Ashton Gate the midfielder had two loan spells with a two month loan at Bath City being his first in 2015, before Gary Owers brought him to Plainmoor on loan in January 2018, although he was unable to stop United from relegation to the National League South. He returned to Torquay the following season in September as then new manager Gary Johnson brought him back for the Gulls as they regained their place back in the Nation League after winning the title.
A third loan spell came in the 2019/20 season, which was made permanent the following season, with the Welshman helping the Gulls to the Play-oof Final having just missed out on automatic promotion to the EFL. With United just falling short in the 2021/22 season, Lemonheigh-Evans moved on to newly promoted Stockport County where he still remains, and although he has had loan spells at both Notts County and AFC Wimbledon he is on the cusp of helping the Hatters to the League Two title and promotion to League One.
Player to watch
Jordan Dyer began his career at Exeter City after coming through their youth ranks, and in his time at the Grecians Dyer also had loan spells at Bideford, Tiverton (twice), Chippenham Town, Yeovil Town and two at Bath City with the move being made permanent following his release from St James Park in 2022. In all he has played over 80 games for the Romans and scored six goals in his role as either a defender or midfielder.
Previous encounter
Torquay United 1 – 0 Bath City | National League South | Saturday 4th November 2023
United claimed an important three points, as they defeated Bath City 1-0 at Plainmoor.
It was Shaun Donnellan’s late strike in the 82nd minute that eventually decided the match, as Torquay secured a notable win about another high-riding side.
Live commentary of the full match will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.