Dover Athletic v Torquay United - 3pm 5th Aug

[Midlandgull]

Here we go then, the new season begins. Hoping we can begin with a win at a team that has been at NL level in recent years, so you would expect it to be a tough game.

What are your score predictions?

I'll go Dover 1-2 Torquay with Ash and Jarvis getting the goals

[United62]

Most anticipated fixture of the season. No, not because it's Dover.... no-one WANTS to go to Dover unless they really have to... but a new season, a new league (which is going to be much tougher than last time around) and a Torquay United team that has a massive point to prove this time out. Last season is best forgotten (no sh!t Sherlock!) and all our energies should be put behind supporting the team which, on paper, should be up there or thereabouts come the final day.

Not the easiest opening game for the travelling Yellow Army considering the distance... yes it's in the South of England... but right in the arse-end of it. A word of warning for those travelling to the game: Operation Brock is in full swing (details here: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-u ... ion-brock/) and what with the awful congestion (understatement!) that has been commonplace around the port of Dover lately, you might want to leave just that little bit earlier.

So, prediction time...

Dover 1 Torquay 4 (Jarvis and Ash a brace apiece)

....and so the fun begins!

[Wolborough]

Optimistically - Dover 1 Torquay 1. It is early days yet, expect this opener to be a tough game.

[happytorq]

Optimistically - Dover 1 Torquay 1. It is early days yet, expect this opener to be a tough game.

"optimistically"? Crikey.

Anyway. Dover are a mess. They were extremely lucky not to get relegated last season (goal difference), they've had turmoil trying to recruit players - announcing a signing one day and then having to walk it back a few days later when the guy signed for the team that *did* relegated from NLS - and their assisitant manager lasted less than a week before quitting.

Torquay have got a relatively settled squad thanks to little turnover during the close season, and the signs have been pretty good in pre-season. You can ignore the results, of course, but there has been signs of an encouraging style of play, carrying on from the backend of last season. Thinness of the squad is a slight concern but for this game we should have enough.

I'll go with a 3-0 Torquay win. Anything less than a victory would be a huge disappointment since these sides should be at opposite ends of the table come april.

[Wubble U]

Not sure whether the website is up to date but Dover seem to only have 10 first team players:
https://www.doverathletic.com/list/firs ... d-2022-23/

There are some recent signings on there so I was assuming it was, and I have heard some talk about them struggling to put a team together this year.
I wonder whether we a few youth team fillers starting on Saturday

[brucie]

Blimey we've got to be beating these surely?

[dagglebert]

Wonder whether there will be any last minute loan signing surprises. Or does that have to wait until the squad gets stretched by injuries etc. ? We should , and have to win this one.

[DerekDawkinsJnr]

Dover 1 - Torquay 3.

[Wolborough]

Yes totally concur we need to win this one BUT this is Torquay United and we all know how things often can be disappointing. I really hope they win easily but I remain to be convinced they have the squad to deliver a triumphant season. I will be there is Saturday screaming for them to win!

[Cheddargull]

Dover 1 Torquay 3

[DevonBee]

Dover 0 Gulls 4

[Admiral]

1-9
Jarvis x6 Ash Lapslie Crowe
281 Gulls

[Mr Tea808]

Dover 0 Gulls 3.

[swindon gull]

2-1 Torquay

[Cruisinho]

Dover 0 Torquay 3 (Jarvis x2, Ash)