Cups, Bowls and a trip to Welling

The September schedule will be just as relentless for Torquay United, as they take on three different competitions.

After the Gulls travel to Welling United in the National League South on Saturday, they can then start preparing for a tricky trip to lower league opposition in the FA Cup and a local derby in the St Luke’s Devon Bowl.

Before the midweek round of fixtures, Welling had put together the classic mixed bag start to the campaign: five games played, two wins, two defeats and one draw.

Welling opened their season with a 1-0 victory at home to Aveley, Martell Taylor-Crossdale scoring the only goal with a superb volley. Next on the menu was a narrow 1-0 loss at Bath City but they swiftly recovered, trouncing Farnborough 4-1 with goals from Daniel Chukwa, Chiori Johnson, Gene Kennedy and Josh Casey.

Given the quality of that victory, a 0-0 draw at Hornchurch and the 3-1 loss to Chesham were a disappointing end to August but the Gulls are guaranteed another tricky game in the NLS.

It is then on to the FA Cup on Saturday, September 14, and a trip to either Bishops Cleeve or Laverstock & Ford awaits the Gulls. The Bishops play in the Southern League, while Lavvy & Ford are in the Wessex League.

One more date for the United diary is a Devon Bowl trip down the road to Buckland Athletic on Tuesday, September 24, the same venue where United opened pre-season with a 0-0 draw.

Young defender Matt Carson has been rewarded for his impressive start to life at Torquay United with an extended deal until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Carson was part of the summer wave of recruits at Plainmoor and the former Southampton and Northern Ireland U19 defender introduced himself to the Yellow Army with a debut goal against Enfield.

United boss Paul Wotton said: “Matty came in on a one-year contract and has started the season well. He’s a really good young talent, and we believe in him, so he’s been rewarded with an extension.

“He’s a promising young player, he’s still got lots to learn, but we love having him about the place, and he has a lot to offer Torquay United.

“It gives him and us security.”