MATCH PREVIEW: Torquay United vs Chippenham Town | National League South | Tuesday 21st October 2025
CTFC make the journey to the English Riviera
CTFC make a second midweek away trip of the season, as we head to Devon to face Torquay United.
The Opposition
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 has been disappointing by their lofty ambitions. They sit fourth in the table, but have exited in both the FA Cup, at the hands of AFC Totton, and out of the Devon Cup.
Fixture history
This iteration of the fixture will be the eighth between the two sides, with Torquay leading the head-to-head. As mentioned previously, in Torquay’s National League South winning campaign we defeat the Gulls both home and away. With a Matt Smith settling the Plainmoor fixture, and goals from Dean Evans and Nick McCootie sandwiched by Olaf Koszela’s first Torquay goal.
The couple of wins have proved our only wins against the Gulls, with a draw at #TheTSStadium in 23/24 the only other result in which we have gained any points.
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 nine goal contributions this season, the second most in the league.
Dangermen
Other than the aforementioned Young, Louis Dennis has provided a significant amount of firepower going forward, with two goals and four assists. Dennis signed for the Gulls this summer, from League Two Bromley. Dennis has played against us just the once, for the second half of our FA Trophy tie with The Ravens.
Sam Dreyer, a centre-half, has played every league minute this season, contributing to three clean sheets in their last four games. Dreyer joined from Peterborough in the summer of 2024, having had previous non-league experience with Hendon, Bedford Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Supporter Information
Ticket information can be viewed via Torquay’s website. Both online and Pay on the gate tickets are in operation, with only card payments accepted on the gate.
We will be providing Mixlr live match commentary, join Nathan Potter from 19.35 for all of the action.
