Torquay United boss relishes Plainmoor double-header

Worthing and Chippenham visit Plainmoor this week

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson says his players are relishing their first chance to play in front of their home fans as the Gulls prepare for a Plainmoor double-header.

Worthing come to Plainmoor on Saturday (3pm) for the first-ever competitive meeting between the two teams, while Chippenham Town visit Torquay on Tuesday night (7.45pm) as United’s National League South campaign gathers pace.

Torquay raced into a 2-0 lead in their opening fixture at Dover last Saturday before allowing the home side back into the game and finishing with a 2-2 draw.

Now they have the chance to underline their role as potential front-runners in National League South.

“It’s not a mug league,” said Johnson at his weekly press conference. “If you want to get a result in this league you’ve really got to earn it.

“Worthing will be a difficult nut to crack. They have got strengths, and you can see why they have done well.

“But we’re all looking forward to it. The two home games will be a couple of great occasions, and we’ve got a positive mood going. We have got some very good players, and there’s a good team spirit.

“We’ve got to keep believing in our players, and the supporters have got to believe too. The players are as disappointed as we are when we don’t get the result we want”

After Chippenham’s visit Torquay are on the road again, facing St Alban’s away on August 19.

“After this batch of three games we’ll have a bit more of an idea of where we are,” said Johnson.

Torquay have no new injury worries after the trip to Dover, but will still be without midfielder Kevin Dawson as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Winger Jack Stobbs is recovering from a slight injury while defender Dean Moxey is likely to start on the bench again on Saturday as he continues his return to full fitness.

Worthing beat Tonbridge Angels 1-0 with a 95th minute goal last Saturday, and will have former Gulls Joe Felix and Ricky Aguiar in their squad for the trip to Plainmoor.