United are back at Plainmoor tomorrow in the first of back to back home games, with Tonbridge Angels visiting the English Riviera.
Following Tuesday’s 4-1 win at Eastbourne, Torquay will be looking to continue their good home form as Tonbridge Angels visit Plainmoor for the first time in their history.
Who’s the Boss?
Jay Saunders took over the reigns at the Angels in May 2022 after previously managing Margate and Maidstone United. and it was while he was at the Stones that he led them from the Isthmian South to the National League in just four seasons.
Saunders playing career saw him play for Margate, where he had three different spells, Ebbsfleet, Lewes and Maidstone United, where he had two playing spells before retiring in 2013.
How have they been doing?
Tonbridge started the season with two defeats at Worthing and at home to Weston-super-Mare before claiming two consecutive wins at home to Dover and away to Chippenham. One win in their next eight league games followed before a late winner saw them beat Bath City 3-2.
The Angels have only suffered one league defeat in their last eight games and last time out saw them beat bottom of the table Havant & Waterlooville 4-1, which leaves them in 9th position in the table and a record of eight wins, six draws and seven defeats from their 21 games and they sit on 30 points.
Player to Watch
Lewis Gard is Tonbridge Angels top scorer so far this season with seven goals, with six of the seven goals have coming from the penalty spot including his last one in the 4-1 win over Havant last Saturday.
Gard came through the ranks at Southend United spending 15 years at Roots Hall from a young age until his release in 2022, with the midfielder making 12 appearances for the first team. While at the Essex club the 24 year old also had loan spells at both Aveley and Heybridge Swifts, before his release from the Shrimpers led Gard to joining Tonbridge Angels.
Played for Both
David Fitzpatrick came through the youth ranks at Fulham, Staines, Hampton & Richmond and Q.P.R before signing his first professional contract with AFC Wimbledon where he spent three years between 2014-2017. During his time at the Dons Fitzpatrick had loan spells at Tonbridge Angels & here at United, where in fourteen appearances for the Club he scored three goals. The midfielder also played for Barrow, Dorking Wanderers, Kingstonian, Walton Casuals, Farnborough and the Met Police.
Vanarama National League South | Torquay United v Tonbridge Angels | 02/12/23 | KO: 3pm | | TICKETS | Live commentary via Official TUFC Radio available HERE