Glen Harrington
9:19am, Sun 28th Aug 2022
Torquay United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Monday 29th August 2022
Woking will travel to old rivals Torquay United for the second-half of their Bank Holiday double header, looking to return to winning ways after back-to-back defeats, and get off the mark away from home.
The Cards were largely impressive in defeat to title favourites Wrexham on Saturday – with James Daly and Reece Grego-Cox scoring for the home side in a 3-2 defeat. The hosts were hampered by the early sending off for winger Kyran Lofthouse, without which, the Cards will have fancied themselves to take at least a point given the rest of their performance. As it was, a brace from Aaron Hayden and a goal from former Woking striker Ollie Palmer, ensured all three points returned to Wales.
Manager Darren Sarll will have a tight turnaround to deal with, as well as the start of a three-game ban for Lofthouse, as his side make the long trip down to Devon. Lofthouse’s absence could mean only a second start of the season for Tyreke Johnson, who has made three substitute appearances since starting the opening game at York City, whilst Grego-Cox could return to the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench in favour of midfielder Jermaine Anderson on Saturday.
Opposition Watch
Like Woking, Torquay are in their fourth season back in the National League, following promotion alongside the Cards in 2019. After finishing as runners-up in 2021, losing the play-off final on penalties to Hartlepool United, last season proved more challenging with an 11th place finish. This season has started in a similar vein with the Gulls taking just four points from their first five matches.
They’ve not been helped by a significant turnover in players. Of the 16 players which either started or were on the bench for the Gulls at Wembley 14 months ago, only two remain, full-back Dean Moxey and midfielder Asa Hall. This summer has seen another significant exodus, including star midfielder and former Woking loanee Armani Little, who has joined newly promoted League One side Forest Green Rovers. Other players to move into the Football League have been goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald (Cheltenham), defender Joe Lewis (Stockport), and midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (also Stockport). Popular defender Ben Wynter also moved to National League rivals Barnet.
It's meant another rebuild for manager Gary Johnson, who has signed 15 new players this summer, the most notable of which are striker Corie Andrews from AFC Wimbledon, who spent time on loan at Aldershot last season, Sutton’s promotion-winning defender Ben Wyatt, and Scunthorpe forward Aaron Jarvis. Despite their additions at the top end of the pitch, goals have been the biggest problem for Johnson’s new-look side, with just one goal in five games so far.
This season, Torquay have started with a 0-0 draw at home to Oldham and a 1-0 win at Halifax, before three successive 1-0 losses at Bromley, at home to Boreham Wood, and at Maidstone on Saturday.
Recent Meetings
• Woking
0-1 Torquay United – 15th April 2022, National League
• Torquay United
0-4 Woking – 30th August 2021, National League (Campbell 2, Ince, Thompson-Sommers)
• Woking
0-2 Torquay United – 20th April 2021, National League
• Torquay United
1-0 Woking – 2nd April 2021, National League
• Woking
1-0 Torquay United – 27th February 2021, FA Trophy Quarter-Final (Loza)
Tickets
Terraced Ticket prices are £17 for Adults, Concessions £15, Under 18s £10, Under 7s FREE (with paying Adult). Seated Ticket Prices in Bristow’s Bench section A are £19 for Adults, Concessions £17, Under 18s £10 and Under 7s FREE (with paying Adult).
For more information and to book your ticket please
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