MATCH PREVIEW: Chippenham Town vs Torquay United | National League South | Tuesday 10th February
Top of the table Gills visit the Bluebirds
Torquay United will visit the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium on Tuesday night, as CTFC look to find our festive home form again.
The oppostion
Founded in 1899, Torquay first joined the Football League in 1927 where they would be a mainstay until the mid-2000’s. During their 74 year stay their highest position was fourth in the Third Division in 1967/68. This period of success also earned them cup success, with five fourth round appearances in the FA Cup.
2006/07 was a watershed season, as for the first time in history, Torquay found themselves relegated out of the football league, into the Conference. They remained for two seasons, losing to Exeter in a playoff semi-final before winning the playoffs the following season.
The return to the Football League, was fraught with peaks and troughs. In 11/12 the Gulls reached the playoffs to reach League One but were defeated by Cheltenham. The seasons after they fell to 19th, before a second relegation in eight seasons to return to non-league.
Four seasons at Step One would result in another relegation and the lowest division the Devonshire side have played at, in the National League South.
2018/19 saw the Gulls win the title and be promoted at the first time of asking, but not without two defeats at the hands of CTFC, for which we will get on to.
The promotion nearly sparked a change of fortunes, as their second season back in the National League was so close but so far. Despite missing out on the title by four points to Sutton, they reached the Playoff final hosted at Ashton gate.
A late equaliser from goalkeeper Lucas Covolan was not enough to give the goals a return to the EFL, as they would lose on spot kicks.
A season of stagnation would follow, ultimately before relegation in 2022/23 and a return to step two. Their second ever season in this level was marred by away from the pitch clouds hovering, including a 10-point deduction. That season was also the only season in history in which Chippenham have finished higher than Torquay.
Last season the Gulls were part of the six-way title fight and could have been promoted automatically even on the final day. They were condemned to 2nd place and would fall to the eventual winners Boreham Wood.
Our host’s start to the season was disappointing by their lofty ambitions, as they exited all three cup competitions (Fa Cup, Trophy and Devon Cup) at the first juncture to the hands of AFC Totton, Maidstone and Brixham respectively. Since the festive period they are unbeaten, with their last loss at Totton in the ENLS on December 20th. The result of this run means that the Gulls have usurped Hornchurch at the top of the table, currently sat three points clear but with more games played than Dorking, Hornchurch and Weston-super-Mare who can overtake them.
Fixture history
This is the ninth competitive fixture between the two sides, with the first two coming in the previously mentioned 18/19 season. A goal from Matt Smith in Devon and goals from Nick McCootie and Dean Evans settling the Wiltshire tie.
Our next meeting came with the Gulls cam in the FA Trophy in December of 2022. We rushed into a 2-0 lead thanks to Jordan Young and Alex Bray, but the then National League club showed their class with a comeback courtesy of a Stephen Wearne brace.
The meetings since have all come in the league, with only one result to speak about from CTFC as we earned a point thanks to Matt McClure’s strike in early 2024.
The reverse fixture this season finished 3-0 to the Gulls in October after a fast start. Despite a strong second half we were unable to get on the scoresheet.
Familiar Faces
Despite 125 miles separating the two teams there is crossover between the clubs, with four players in both squads having played for both.
Jay Foulston – Foulston played for us across two spells, the first in 2019/20 on loan from Newport County. In the COVID curtailed season, he would feature in 31 league matches as well as in our FA Cup First Round match against Northampton. He would re-join us the following season, for a single game on loan from Taunton. Since his departure, he was won the Step 2 title with Yeovil Town and has been with the Gulls since 2024.
Jordan Dyer – Dyer had an even more brief spell with us than Foulston, with the former playing just four matches in the COVID-cancelled 2020/21 season, playing four times in the league as well as a couple of cup appearances. Since leaving us Dyer has had a loan and permanent deal down the A4 in Bath and joined Torquay in 2024.
Jordan Young – A second Jordan of the list, as Jordan Young will be the most recognisable of the team sheet for both supporters. Young signed for us in the early part of 2022 from Gloucester City, scoring a brace on his debut. Young’s crowning moment came in Hampshire as he scored a brace against Havant & Waterlooville to get us into the playoffs. Young departed us for Yeovil in early 2023 and has since joined Torquay. Young has 25 league goal contributions this season, with 15 goals (joint second league highest) and 10 assists (league highest). In terms of Dangermen, Young is the man to look out for.
Olaf Koszela – The only Gull turned Bluebird in this list, Koszela made his First-team football debut for Torquay United in their 18/19 season, scoring his first goal against us. He was loaned to the Southern league five times from the Gulls before his release in 2023 and he was signed permanently by Dorchester. In 24/25 he was his league’s third highest scorer, and was voted Dorchester’s player of the year as they narrowly missed out on promotion. He signed for us this summer and has scored four times for us this season.
Supporter Information
Supporter segregation will operate for this fixture.
Away club supporters must purchase the correctly specified ‘AWAY SUPPORTER’ match ticket and enter the stadium via the Sheldon School end entrance. Any visiting supporter found in the wrong end of the stadium risks being ejected without refund.
Random bag searches will operate on entry to the stadium, with gates opening at 18.30 for the fixture.
Please note: No alcohol will be permitted outside the clubhouse, due to our licensing rules.
Because of segregation lines, alcohol will not be available to away supporters and will only be served in the clubhouse for home fans.
Online tickets are available for purchase, head over to our INTIX page!
Pay on the Gate tickets being available for both sets of supporters, for the same prices as online.
See you there! 💙
