Torquay United look to weather the storm as rebuild takes shape

Storm Boelo ruined Torquay United’s 1-1 draw against Maidstone United last Saturday as a test of football, but the conditions at AFC Totton on Tuesday night should reveal far more about where the Gulls stand in their current rebuild.

In the last few days Louis Dennis and Munashe Sundire have become the latest players to leave as manager Jimmy Ball prepares to lead his new-look United back to his old stamping ground at the Snows Stadium.

Totton (19th) and this Saturday’s opponents Walton & Hersham (23rd) by the Thames have both made shaky starts to the season.

But Torquay lost in the league and FA Cup in Hampshire last season, and losing four of their first six home games is out of character for Totton.

Midfielder Sundire was suspended for the Maidstone match, so his departure doesn’t force another change.

But still out injured are Jordan Dyer (knee) and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (foot), and this midweek might come just too soon for Callum Morton (calf strain).

When you think that there are still 34 games to go, it’s far too early to jump to any serious conclusions.

But, as ever, Gulls fans will expect to win at least one of these next two matches and, hopefully, avoid defeat in both.

Totton are now managed by Ball’s former No.2 and ex-Gulls centre-forward Scott Rendell.

They ended a worrying run of six successive defeats by winning at Hemel Hempstead Town (3-1) at the weekend.

Tony Lee, top scorer last season with 15 goals, notched his second of this campaign.

Midfielder Charlie Osborne, who had a short loan spell at Plainmoor near the end of last season, is back in Totton’s midfield.

And another man whom United (14th) might need to keep an eye on is striker Will Fletcher, who has made a good start at this level after a recent move from Southern League Premier club Wimborne Town.

Tuesday’s referee is Tom Ellsmore from Woking.

The pick of the night’s other matches is the top-of-the-table Kent derby between Maidstone and Ebbsfleet at the Gallagher Stadium.

Truro (3rd) are home to Slough, Dagenham (4th) make the short trip to Braintree, Salisbury (5th) go to Walton & Hersham and Billericay (6th) host Hampton & Richmond.

Possibly the strangest record in the division is held by Chelmsford City, who have still to taste defeat but are in 15th place because of nine draws in eleven games – they are away to Dover Athletic.

Meanwhile, United have been drawn against divisional rivals Horsham in the FA Trophy for the second time in three years.

They won 2-0 at home in December 2024, but will have to travel to Sussex for the Second Round tie on November 14.