Torquay United will return to National League South play today after going nine games without a loss, a streak that earned the manager Paul Wotton the league’s Manager of the Month award for November.
Although Torquay is only one point behind leaders Truro City in third place, this is a crucial encounter for both clubs because Saturday’s visitors, Farnborough, are only one point behind them in fifth place. If the outcomes are completely different, Torquay or Farnborough might win the league.
However, there are questions about Cody Cooke’s availability as he heals from the injury that prevented him from playing in Tuesday night’s FA Trophy victory over Hersham.
Cooke scored eight goals this season, but he is much more than just a scorer. Some people may not respect his physical presence up front, but the management does not.
If Cooke isn’t healthy enough to participate in this match, Brad Ash is ready in the wings. Ash scored in the 2-0 victory over Horsham after rejoining the team.
Wotton remarked, “Brad was unfortunate not to score when he came in against Enfield as well. Actually, I’m a little odd in that I don’t usually evaluate my center forwards based on the quantity of goals they score.
Brad contributes to the team in various ways besides scoring goals. He trains hard, has an amazing work ethic, is always honest on the football field, and is a wonderful person to have around the house. He is a kind man. Brad is therefore a valuable member of the team.
Wotton has been playing a 4-3-3 formation lately, so the 3-5-2 shape is now on the back burner. However, don’t be shocked if he switches back to the 4-3-3 formation for this one. Without Cooke, is a front three suitable for Torquay, with Omar Mussa and Jordan Young being flexible if Ash enters?
With former Luton Town loanee striker Millar Matthews-Lewis joining on a permanent basis over the summer and made an impact with 11 goals in 20 games since, Farnborough is superior than the team that defeated Torquay 1-0 in the season’s second game. Veteran striker Ricky Holmes, who knows how to score a goal or two, is also in the team.
However, Torquay has had a strong defense throughout the season, and goalie James Hamon will be eager to maintain another clean sheet. Wotton stated:
“It’s a tough game, we lost in the second game of the season up at Farnborough. They have got a lot of forward threat, some good players. They are a little bit of a hybrid because they can mix it up – they are physical as well.
“We are in for a tough game but we will be ready and we are looking forward to it. We’ll be as prepared as we can be and hopefully get another good result. But it’s never as easy as that.”
