Our longest away trip of the season takes us to Torquay United this Saturday. 

 

The previous clash, in early November, saw the current league leaders take all three points back to Devon in a 2-1 win. The Gulls started bright and were rewarded just before the break as Callum Dolan drilled his effort from range into the corner. Midway through the second 45, Torquay doubled their lead as Will de Havilland got the telling touch on Jordan Young’s dangerous ball in. Liam Dulson broke through in added time, slotting under James Hamon but his halving of the deficit proved only consolation. 

 

Players to have played for both The Mags and The Gulls are aplenty and many of which in the forward line, one of those is current Maidenhead striker Josh Umerah. Josh spent the 2020/21 season on the south coast playing 27 times but scoring just the once. However, he was part of the side that finished second that year in the National League, narrowly missing out on promotion in a penalty shootout defeat to Hartlepool. This season’s second top scorer has exceeded his tally at Torquay scoring eight already and nearly caught his appearance tally at 24 in his maiden United campaign. 

 

Moving further back the pitch, Shaun Donnellan appeared in both Berkshire and Devon. The defensive-minded midfielder joined United in 2020 and stayed for two campaigns, he played 43 times for Dev’s United team, scoring three times. He departed to join Torquay in the summer of 2022; across a season and a half he made 68 appearances matching his United goal count with another three in yellow. 

 

At the opposite end, Rhys Lovett who played between the sticks, despite fancying himself up top as well, appeared for both. In March 2021, Lovett joined United to cover for Taye Ashby-Hammond. But he will be remembered for the final game of that season, coming off the bench against Boreham Wood to play upfront and score with the last kick of game. He only made 16 appearances for United, but that one goal will be remembered for a while. Lovett made the same number of appearances for The Gulls across two seasons in the National League and National League South, all in the net this time though. 

Table toppers Torquay will have their sights set on a return to the National League, and many wouldn’t put it past them. Although, midweek saw them on the wrong end of a shock result as they lost 1-0 to basement side Chippenham Town. Tom Mehew came off the bench to score the game’s only goal, slotting in from a difficult angle. Will Henry, at the other end of the pitch, deserved a lot of credit making eight saves as The Gulls peppered his goal with 21 shots. One man responsible for almost a quarter of those efforts was Jordan Young. The Gulls midfielder is not only the team’s top scorer, but also the most creative player as well. He has contributed 15 goals and 5 assists this campaign, a total which puts him second for goal contributions in the league. 

 

United remain amongst the playoff chase, in a race that looks like it’ll come down to the wire. A margin narrowed thanks to a midweek mayhem at Tonbridge Angels. A 1-0 victory was secured as Matt Robinson headed in the winner in added time to send our travelling Mags into pandemonium. A chance that only came around thanks to our man at the other end, Jordi van Stappershoef got down to keep out a dead-set goal as Tom Leahy looked for the corner just 88 seconds prior. 

 

Torre Station is the nearest rail stop to Plainmoor, with the stadium a 25 minute walk away. 

 

The suggested route from Maidenhead is to board a GWR train to Reading. From Reading head on a train towards Plymouth where you will depart at Newton Abbot. Then board a GWR service towards Paignton for 8 minutes and disembarking at Torre - Plainmoor is then a 25-minute walk (taxis are available, with Torbay Taxi suggested by the hosts). Alternatively, you can board a 12 bus from Stop K towards Brixham. Depart this bus at Torquay Library, the stadium is then a 20 minute walk.  

 

Head along the M4 towards Bristol for about 88 miles, at Junction 20 merge onto the M5 southbound. Follow the M5 for another 80 miles, continue on the A38 for two miles before following signs for A380 (Torquay). This road flows straight into Torquay. The South Devon Link Road runs from Newton Abbot to Torquay.  

 

Torquay United do not have any dedicated parking at Plainmoor, and therefore advise fans to get to Plainmoor early so that they can find street parking in the numerous roads located around the stadium. 

 

We expect this fixture WILL BE segregated. 

 

 

Seated: 

Adult: £22  

Concession (65+, Student, Armed Forces): £20  

Under 18: £13