The Coasters return to league action this weekend as we host Torquay in the Vanarama National League – a vital fixture as we look to close the gap on teams above.
After Tuesday’s postponed game due to a waterlogged pitch, the wait for a return to league action had to continue until this weekend.
Tom Walker has had to wait to make his debut after the midweek postponement, but Saturday will finally present him the opportunity to pull on a Coasters shirt.
Matty Kosylo serves his final game of his suspension, whilst Danny Rowe and Scott Duxbury left Mill Farm in the week.
Besides that, it’s a clean bill of health for the Coasters – and Jim Bentley will have some tough decisions to make.
The Opposition
Name: Torquay United
Form: LDLWLL
Nickname: The Gulls
Ground: Plainmoor
League Position: 15th
Torquay are one of the numerous teams in the National League who have had Football League experience.
After being relegated from League Two in the 2013/14 season, the Gulls have never really recovered from that – falling as low as the National League south in 2018.
Since getting promoted back to the National League, they have enjoyed a good season in a tight league – with the Gulls sitting just seven points of the playoff places.
In charge of Torquay is former Cheltenham boss, Gary Johnson. The 64-year-old took charge in September 2018 and lead the Gulls to the National South trophy with three games to spare.
They seem to have carried that form into this season and although they sit in 15th, Johnson and his side will be happy with the points return so far.
A poor run has seen them slip down the table, but they know a run of wins could put them right back in the playoff mix.
One To Watch
This week’s one to watch is striker, Jamie Reid.
Jamie Reid is this week’s pick on our one to watch and there’s every reason to keep an eye on him. This season Reid has scored 17 goals for Torquay in 29 games.
Reid has spent most of his career at Plainmoor, but before he made the switch, he began his play days at Exeter as a youngster.
He then made the switch to Torquay on-loan in 2015 after a short spell at Dorchester. A move to Truro never worked out and he found himself back at Torquay for two more loan spells.
In 2018 – after spending a couple of seasons at Torquay – Reid made the move permanent to help fire the Yellows to National League South glory.
From The Opposition Dugout
Speaking to the local press, Gary Johnson adressed both injuries – and the AFC Fylde game.
“I have been writing down our squad when everybody is fit, and it’s definitely good enough.
“We’ve got a squad that can compete within our own ranks.
“We have got to keep the players believing in the strategy, their ability and their teammates’ ability.
“There’s a couple of positions we need (to strengthen), and we know that, but most people can pick an experienced squad when everybody is fit, and the sooner we can get that, the better.”
On the Coasters:
“Their team is probably good enough not to be where they are. We have got to be ready and not think that, because they are below us, they are a poor team.
Head-to-Head
This will be the fourth time the two sides have met – with Fylde having two wins to Torquay’s one.
2017/18 – Vanarama National League
18/11/17 – AFC Fylde 2-0 Torquay United
10/4/18 – Torquay United 1-3 AFC Fylde
2019/20 – Vanarama National League
5/9/19 – Torquay United 2-1 AFC Fylde
Coverage
You can follow the game via Twitter as we provide regular updates, post-match interviews and more.
There will be full match commentary on Coasters live with your commentary team of Nick Bell and Callum Foster.
The commentary team will bring you pre-match build up, full game commentary and both half-time and full-time reaction.
You can find commentary on mixlr.com/afcfylde
