Following Saturday’s 2-0 win against Wealdstone FC, Aldershot Town make the long journey to Plainmoor to face table-toppers Torquay United, looking to spoil their title bid in the National League.
In association with LV Bet, Kirshon Wilkins previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Ross McCormack (Achilles), Alex Finney (hamstring op) and Alfy Whittingham (Ankle) remain side-lined. George Fowler has returned to the first-team, starting against Wealdstone FC on Saturday and he will be in contention to start.
Opposition:
Name: Torquay United
Founded: 1899
Nickname: The Gulls
Opposition Manager: Gary Johnson
Stadium: Plainmoor
2019/20 National League Final Position: 14th (National League season ended in March 2020 with positions appointed on a Points-per-game system).
Current Position: 1st
The Gaffer:
The Hammersmith-born 65-year-old was a professional footballer before taking up management. Johnson played for Watford FC as an apprentice at 16 and turned professional at 18. He then left Vicarage Road for Swedish side Malmo FF before returning to England to play part-time football for Soham Town Rangers, Newmarket Town and Cambridge United.
After his playing career ended, Johnson spent six years earning his coaching badges before taking his first managerial job at Newmarket Town in 1986. He then left for former side Cambridge United in 1988 as reserve team manager. Appointed as assistant manager in 1990, Johnson helped the U’s rise in the early 90s where they almost became the first club to rise from the Fourth Division to the First Division in successive seasons.
After moving to Kettering Town and the Latvian National team, Johnson returned to England to take over as manager of non-league side Yeovil Town. In his first season at Huish Park, the Glovers won the FA Trophy as well as finishing third in the National League. Other honours at Yeovil include the promotion to the Football League, staying up by the skin of their teeth in the 2011/12 season and his most famous achievement was promotion to the Championship for the first time in the club’s history.
Johnson spent time at Bristol City, Peterborough United, Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town before being appointed as manager of Torquay United on 13 September 2018. In his time, he has won the National League South title and topped the National League table with the Gulls as they look to return to the Football League this season.
Departed:
10 players have left the Gulls to move onto pastures new. Those released include Ryan Dickson (Truro City), Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala (free transfer), Jamie Reid (Mansfield Town), Jared Lewington (Tiverton Town), Louis Britton (Bristol City), James Hamon (Truro City), Ryan Law (Plymouth Argyle), Saikou Janneh (Bristol City) and Fraser Kerr (Chesterfield FC). Josh Baxter was released without a club.
Retained:
17 players have been retained from their previous campaign. Those players include Shaun MacDonald, Ben Wynter, Liam Davis, Kyle Cameron, Asa Hall, Armani Little, Jake Andrews, Andy Collings, Jacob Evans, Olaf Koszela, Louie Slough, Owen Price, Aaron Nemane, Joe Lewis, Lucas Cavagnari, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Ben Whitfield.
Arrived:
15 new players have joined Torquay United this season. Signings include Dean Moxey (Exeter City), Gary Warren (Exeter City), Andrew Nelson (Dundee FC), Josh Umerah (Ebbsfleet United), Danny Wright (Solihull Moors), and Joe Lewis (Swansea City). Matt Buse has returned from his loan spell with Chippenham Town. Billy Waters was signed without a club. Loan signings include Lucas Tomlinson (Bristol Rovers) who signed on Saturday, Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth), Rob Street (Crystal Palace), Benjamin Mbunga Kimpioka (Sunderland AFC), Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle), Scott Boden (Chesterfield FC) and Max Sheaf (Hull City).
Form:
After finishing mid-table last season, Torquay United have improved massively from their last campaign. Now topping the National League table, Gary Johnson’s side will be keen on their promotion hopes as they look to return to the Football League for the first time since 2014.
Referee:
Tonight’s referee is Daniel Lamport with his assistants Oliver Spender and Steven Annis and the fourth official officiating the game is Alex James.
Match Coverage:
The hosts will be providing a live stream for Tuesday night’s game in the National League. The coverage will be underway for 6pm with kick-off at 7pm. You can purchase their live stream for £9.00 HERE. Make sure you sign up beforehand and make sure you are on time to tune in!
