Gulls look to fill blank FA Cup weekends

Torquay United will look to rearrange matches if their early FA Cup exit leaves them with gaps in the Gulls’ National League South programme (writes Dave Thomas).

As a result of last weekend’s shock 3-0 defeat at Bishop’s Cleeve, Paul Wotton’s squad – they’re home to St Albans City in the NLS this Saturday - have no match on September 28, the date of the Third Qualifying Round.

United travel to Hampton & Richmond on October 5, but there’s then a distinct possibility of another blank Saturday on October 12, when they’re due to entertain Maidstone United.

The Stones, who knocked out Torquay, Barrow, Stevenage and Ipswich Town on their way to the Fifth Round last season, have been drawn away to Herne Bay in the 3rdQR, and they will be favourites to win there.

“We’ll have to cross that bridge when we know what Maidstone are doing,” said Wotton, “but it’s not ideal for us to be not playing for two weeks at a time.

“It’s not ideal for the fans either.”

As well as Maidstone, another forthcoming Saturday opponent, Chelmsford City, are still in the Cup, and they’re due at Plainmoor on November 2, the date of the First Round Proper.

Chelmsford are home to Bromsgrove Sporting in the ThirdQR on Saturday week (Sept 28).

Wotton, who stressed the importance of drawing a line under the Bishop’s Cleeve result, did try to look on the bright side on the fixture front.

His only longer-term outfield casualty is defender Jordan Dyer (hamstring), who hopes to resume light training any day.

“Jordan will hopefully be back fairly soon,” said Wotton.

“Not having games also gives us a chance to assess the squad and weigh up whether we need a couple more incomings.

“And it gives us a chance to keep working on things on the training ground, because it’s absolutely clear that we’re nowhere near where I want us to be.

“But two lots of two weeks is a long time to be without football (matches).”

The St Albans game has taken on added importance for United (5th), and Wotton has re-signed Plymouth Argyle midfielder Will Jenkins Davies on loan this week.

He added: “I can’t promise what the result will be on Saturday – that would be disrespectful to St Albans – but the FA Cup game has shadowed our start to the season, and I am convinced there will be a reaction.”