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Torquay UtdTorquay Unitedvs.PlymouthPlymouth Argyle

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 July 2023, 21:44
Torquay United take on Plymouth Argyle in a pre-season friendly at Plainmoor on Tuesday evening.

The hosts are preparing for their first season back in the National League South next season, while the visitors will be hoping to build momentum ahead of their return to the Championship.

Match preview

Torquay will be very disappointed to have been relegated from the National League last season, just two years on from reaching the playoff final, but they must put that behind them now, as they look to return to the fifth tier at the first opportunity.

The Gulls did improve considerably towards the end of last season, picking up 17 points in their final eight games, however it was too little late, eventually being relegated by just two points after drawing the final game of the season against title-winning Wrexham.

Perhaps in light of the solid end to the campaign, Gary Johnson has been kept on as manager at Plainmoor, and his side have already been in action once, although they did not get the result he would have been hoping for.

Torquay were on the receiving end of a 6-2 defeat against Bristol City at the weekend, however there were some positive signs, as they did manage to take the lead twice in the game, courtesy of goals from Bradley Ash and Aaron Jarvis.

The Gulls are set for another tough match in their first pre-season game to be played in front of fans, with newly-promoted Championship side Plymouth Argyle set to visit Plainmoor for the third year on the bounce.

Plymouth have emerged as comfortable winners in the last two friendlies at Plainmoor, recording a 5-0 victory last summer, and they should be full of confidence heading into Tuesday's game, as they have now been promoted back to the Championship for the first time since 2010.

The Pilgrims managed to rack up an incredible 101 points during their title-winning League One season, and they have continued to impress in their first three pre-season games ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Argyle defeated Hearts 1-0 in their first friendly, before going on to defeat Plymouth Parkway, and most recently Blackpool, running out 2-1 winners at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon.

Torquay United friendly form:

Torquay United form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

D

D

Plymouth Argyle friendly form:

W

W

Plymouth Argyle form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Team News

Ash got off to a very good start in a Torquay shirt by scoring on his debut against Bristol City last time out, and the 27-year-old is set to lead the line again, alongside Jarvis.

Having initially signed on loan last season, Collins has now completed a permanent move to Plainmoor, and the former Newport County man is set to start in an advanced midfield role, with Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie also likely to get the nod.

Plymouth have also been fairly active in the transfer market, having signed Conor Hazard from Celtic, however the goalkeeper is yet to make an appearance for the Pilgrims, and Callum Burton is set to get the nod between the sticks.

There could also be game time for centre-back Julio Pleguezuelo, who has recently joined on a free transfer from FC Twente, as well as Kaine Kesler-Hayden, with the 20-year-old arriving on loan from Aston Villa.

Torquay United possible starting lineup:

Halstead; Thomas, Tomlinson, Crowe; Lapslie, Stobbs, McGavin, Hall, Collins; Jarvis, Ash

Plymouth Argyle possible starting lineup:

Burton; Casey, Pennington, Thompson; Dougall, Carey, Tharme, Apter, Trybull; Lavery, Hamilton,

We say: Torquay United 0-4 Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth are now playing four divisions above Torquay, and they should have no problem sweeping them aside on Tuesday night.

We expect it will be a case of how many goals the Argyle end up winning by, and they could rack up a victory by a considerable margin.

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