Following a two week break, Gary Johnson’s side return to league action on Saturday when Dover Athletic come to town.
Who’s the Boss?
Andy Hessenthaler returned to the Crabble for his second stint at the helm in 2018 after previously managing the side between 2007 and 2010, during which he enjoyed back-to-back promotions from the Isthmian League South to the Conference South.
After making over 300 appearances for Gillingham between 1996 and 2006, including a stint as player manager, Hessenthaler also had two spells as manager. During his first spell, he managed the side for over 100 games between 2010 and 2012 before returning as a caretaker manager alongside other former players from December 2014 until February 2015.
In April 2017, he took the assistant manager position at Eastleigh, where he went on to become their manager later that year before guiding the side to a 14th place finish in the National League in 2017/18. In October of the latter, it was then Hessenthaler returned to Dover.
During his first two seasons at the helm at Dover, he guided his White’s to a 13th place finish, followed by a 10th place finish in 2018/19 and the 2019/20 campaigns. It’s been a tough start for his Dover side so far this season as they sit bottom of the table on -9, with the Kent side still hunting for their first win of the season.
Player to Watch
Ben Williamson departed Bromley for Dover, in a move which saw him link-up with his former Eastleigh boss, Hessenthaler in June. The forward previously made 52 appearances and scored 5 goals for Bromley, with his goal against Notts County securing the Ravens a play-off position last season in their 1-0 victory over Notts County.
The 32-year-old has a wealth of Football League experience after playing for the likes of Gillingham and Cambridge United, but it was Port Vale where the forward established himself, tallying over 100 appearances. Williamson also made a few substitute appearances for AFC Bournemouth early in his career.
Played for Both
Toby Ajala made 49 starts for United across two spells at Plainmoor between 2014 and 2016. In between his stints in the English Riviera, Ajala signed on at Dover where he scored one goal in 17 appearances for the Whites. The winger departed Plainmoor for the Crabble in September 2015 before returning to United the following January.
During his first season at Plainmoor, the then 23-year-old netted 6 goals in 46 appearances before his second spell saw one goal in 18 appearances. It was at the end of the 2015/16 campaign that the midfielder opted for a move up north to Gateshead.
The former Hayes & Leading, AFC Wimbledon, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town youngster has since gone on to play for the likes of Welling United, Dartford, Ashford United, Glebe FC and Romford.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2 – 0 Dover Athletic, 17th October 2020, National League.
A first half double from then skipper, Kyle Cameron, saw United go to top of the National League following a 2-0 victory at Plainmoor, before the result was expunged later in the season.
Gary Johnson’s side started well, with Cameron having a headed effort cleared off the line, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans having a shot saved and loanee Louis Britton heading wide, however, the deadlock was not broken until the 26th minute, despite United’s high press.
The visitors only partially cleared their lines before the ball found its way to Britton on the right flank whose cross-shot was palmed into the path of Cameron who was able to head home from close range.
Cameron struck again on the verge of half time to make it 2-0. A Lemonheigh-Evans corner found a rising Cameron in the box who was able to powerfully head home to double the advantage.
United continued to press and extend their lead in the second half, but Dover defended well to deny many chances, with the game finishing 2-0. The fixture marked four wins out of the first five for Gary Johnson’s men.