Match Preview: Torquay United vs Darlington (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Match Preview: Torquay United vs Darlington

5:13pm Friday 11th December 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

TORQUAY
Poke
Ellis Charnock Robertson Mansell
Wroe Hargreaves Thomson Thompson
Zebroski Rendell

Thorpe
Gray Hogg Davis Harsley J Smith
Giddings Bower Hall Milne
Liversedge
Darlington

Darlington subs (from): Jones (gk), Burn, Mulligan, Convery, G Smith, Main, Diop, Thomas, Collins
Torquay subs (from): Bevan (gk), Sills, Nicholson, Benyon, Stevens, Palmer, Carlisle, Smith, Williams, Parrish, Halpin

DARLINGTON: Steve Staunton has made five changes in each of his last two games but will keep his tinkering to a minimum tomorrow. He may opt for a more a cautious 4-5-1 with an extra midfielder, such as David Davis, recalled ahead Mor Diop.
Centre-back Ian Miller remains sidelined and joining him in the physio's room is Steve Foster and Dan Groves.
Winger Nathan Mulligan, who appeared in reserve friendly at York in midweek, has recovered from an ankle knock but Chris Lumsdon and Noel Whelan are not yet ready.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: Miller (hamstring), Foster (ankle), Groves (ankle), Lumsdon (back), Whelan (hamstring)
Last five league games: LLLLW
Leading league scorer: Collins, Gall, Main 2
Next game: Northampton (H) 19/12/09

TORQUAY: The Gulls have few injury concerns to report. Defender Mark Ellis missed last weekend's 4-2 defeat at Accrington due to a one-match suspension, but is now available to challenge Kieran Charnock and Chris Robertson for a starting role. Striker Scott Rendell has recovered from a knock picked up at Accrington, while winger Wayne Carlisle is also available again after missing that game with a sore hamstring. The only doubt is captain Chris Hargreaves, who has been struggling with a foot injury this week.
Suspensions: None
Injuries: None
Last five league games: LWDLD
Leading league scorer: Benyon, Rendell, Wroe 4
Key player: Chris Hargreaves - veteran captain makes the Gulls tick from midfield
Last season: N/A
League head to head: Torquay 31, Darlington 24, draws 21
Referee: Kevin Wright (Cambridgeshire) G13 Y40 R2 Av3.23
Last Darlington game: v Cheltenham (H) 1-1 29/08/09 Y3 R0
Odds: H4/6; A5/1; D11/4
Its a fact: Darlington are unbeaten in their last three trips to Torquay, winning the recent two visits courtesy of late goals.
Comment by Craig Stoddart: Avoiding defeat today is essential otherwise it is going to be a very long trip home.
Prediction: 1-1

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)