Wrexham v

Torquay United

Saturday 15 October 2005

 

Kick Off @ 15:00

The Gulls
Andy Marriott
Following their relegation along with Wrexham last season Torquay have found it difficult to acclimatise to life back in League Two. Having lost the services of top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa to Swansea City it was always going to be difficult for the Gulls and the last thing they need was an injury crisis that struck them during September.

Torquay' chairman Mike Bateson has backed his manager Leroy Rosenior to allow him to strengthen the squad despite the club being above salary capping limits. "The shortage of players is having an obvious effect on results and we've no choice but to address the matter, said Bateson. "Our gates are down and this puts us in a poor position in relation to salary capping, we're already over budget."

Rosenior was not slow to react immediately signing striker John McAliskey on loan from Huddersfield but before he could open his account with Torquay he also picked up a groin injury and returned to Huddersfield without a goal in the two games played for Torquay.

The game will see Andy Marriott return to the Racecourse since his move to Sunderland in 1998 with the goalkeeper taking over a first choice towards the end of last season, replacing another former Reds keeper Kevin Dearden between the sticks.

Past Encounters

Juan UgarteLast season Wrexham failed to record a victory over Torquay with a narrow defeat at Plainmoor and then had to rely on a late goal from Juan Ugarte to rescue a point in the return fixture at the Racecourse.

 

The two clubs have only ever met in the league and in the 30 games played Wrexham just edge it with 13 wins against Torquay's 12 and there have been 5 draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham: DWWLDDLW

 Torquay: LLWLWLWD
Torquay had to wait until the middle of September before they recorded their first league win of the season with a 2-1 victory at home to Shrewsbury. Since then their form has been patchy but they have recorded a further victory at home to Lincoln and their first away win of the season came two weeks ago at Cheltenham with Alan Connell scoring the only goal of the game. The away from has been the problem with heavy defeats suffered at Mansfield, Rochdale and Grimsby but they returned to Plainmoor last weekend to record a goalless draw against Barnet.

Wrexham are a different team away from home this season as they have failed to pick up a victory on their travels but the home comforts of the Racecourse have totalled 13 of the 16 points so far this season. In their last four home games Barnet, Cheltenham and Stockport have been despatched with ease with Macclesfield coming away with a draw.

Bookies View

Wrexham are odds on favourites with the best price at 5/6 with Paddy power and Stan James. The draw is priced at 12/5 with Ladbrokes, Bet Direct and Sporting Odds. VC Bet are offering the Torquay victory at 10/3.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: The international break has allowed Wrexham to work on the injured players and as a result four players are unavailable and a last minute check will be made on Dennis Lawrence when he returns from international duty with Trinidad & Tobago on Friday. Of the remaining injured players Matt Crowell and Lee Roche have now returned to training but are not match fit but Shaun Pejic and Jim Whitley are still ruled out.

Michael Ingham returns in goal for Wrexham with a back three of Paul Linwood, Dave Bayliss and Dennis Lawrence but if Lawrence is ruled out then Paul Warhurst and Andy Holt are options in the squad. Danny Williams will make his 100th appearance for Wrexham in midfield alongside Mark Jones and Darren Ferguson with Dean Bennett at right wing back. Depending on the defensive options Andy Holt is a contender for left wing back although Alex Smith would be unlucky to lose his starting spot and up front Lee McEvilly or Robbie Foy will partner Jon Walters.

Wrexham Squad (17): Ingham, Michael Jones, Linwood, Lawrence, Bayliss, Holt, Smith, Williams, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Walters, Foy, Mackin, Warhurst, Bennett, Spender, McEvilly.

Torquay Team News: Torquay will be without long term absentees Martin Philips, Carl Priso, Brian McGlinchley and Alex Lawless whilst utility player Matt Hockley is set to be sidelined by an eye injury. Defender Steve Woods (hamstring) is fit again and midfielder Darren Garner has completed a one-match suspension.

Torquay Squad (19): Marriott, Hockley, Bedeau, Taylor, Sharp, Woods, Hill, Sow, Garner, Hewlett, Kuffour, McAliskey, Constantine, Connell, Sako, Bittner, Flynn, Coleman, Hancox.

Officials: The referee is Neil Swarbrick from Lancashire and he is assisted by Joe Taylor and David Unsworth with Neil Hancox as the fourth official.

Other League 2 Games:

Cheltenham v Grimsby (Friday)
Northampton v Oxford United (Friday)

Barnet v Chester
Boston United v Bristol Rovers
Bury v Darlington
Carlisle v Mansfield
Leyton Orient v Lincoln City
Macclesfield v Peterborough
Rochdale v Notts County
Shrewsbury v Stockport
Wycombe v Rushden & Diamonds

Venue Guide

Address: Racecourse Ground, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AH

Telephone Number: 01978 262129

Fax Number: 01978 357821

Web Site: www.wrexhamafc.co.uk

Torquay Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at Junction 10a to join the M54 and continue on this road as it becomes the A5 past Shrewsbury and Oswestry. When you reach Oswestry turn right at the roundabout (An ESSO Service Station will be on your left), staying on the A5. Continue straight through the series of roundabouts to join the A483 and leave this road at junction ?. At the roundabout turn right towards Wrexham and after going straight over the next roundabout the ground is ahead of you on your left.

By Train: Wrexham General is next to the ground and there is a service every two hours between Chester and Shrewsbury. There is also an hourly service between Wrexham and Liverpool. Click here for the Network Rail Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.
When you are there
Car Parking: NEWI College just before the ground and a local car park just before the Shell Garage on the opposite side of the road and both cost around £2.00. Free parking is available on the two retail parks by turning left or right at the second roundabout but do not park in ALDI or you will get clamped!

Beer and Grub: The Turf is right next to the Kop but it gets very busy in the hour leading up to kick off, so arrive early. The Official Supporters Club has use of the Centenary Club on matchdays and this is located behind the Sainsburys Stand with the entrance off the club car park. The Plas Coch Retail Park has a pub and is normally a favourite for away supporters. The Railway is located down the side road along the Remploy factory at the other end of Crispin Lane to the ground. There are plenty of pubs in the town centre and the closet to the ground is a Wetherspoons Pub by following Mold Road through to sets of lights and is on your left after the next junction. If you continue into the town centre McDonalds will be on your left and the next pub you reach is The Horse and Jockey and opposite that under the archway is a good chip shop. There are a more pubs on High Street and to find them continue pass the Horse and Jockey, passing Burger King on your left, and High Street is the junction with Burtons. On there you will find another Weatherspoons, Yates plus other pubs and bars.

Cash Machines: The Shell Garage on Mold Road with further machines at Sainsburys and Boots on the Plas Coch Retail Park. If you are heading into the town centre you will pass a number of banks on your way to the pubs.

How much to get in?

Kop: £14; Sainsburys: £16 PG Stand: £17

Eric Roberts Away Stand: £16

Adult & up to 2 Children: £20 all areas

Two adults & 2 Children: £30 all areas

Seniors/Students: £10 all areas

Juniors: £5 all areas

Disabled Facilities
Wrexham have 45 disabled places available at the front of the Pryce Griffiths Stand. There are 22 parking spaces and two disabled toilets with dedicated refreshment kiosks. Admission is £10 for the disabled supporter (£5 concessions) and the helper admitted free. Please contact Tony Millington at The Racecourse on 01978 262129.

Weather Forecast
Sunny intervals with temperatures reaching 17 degrees Celsius and a 13 mph south easterly wind.