Two sides who will be keen to commence a new month meet for the opening game of March at the Kuflink Stadium this weekend. Neil Warnock, in interim charge of Torquay United, brings the Gulls to visit for the first time since 2019. The 77-year-old was thrust back into the limelight following the sacking of Paul Wotton last week. Warnock holds the record for most promotions in the Football League and the most senior matches as manager (some 1,600-plus) and is back to give the Gulls’ promotion campaign a shot in the arm.

Form
Torquay were top of the table this time last month but have lost four of their last six in a winless run that has seen their title ambitions wither. Having lost at bottom club Eastbourne two weeks ago, things got even worse with a 5-0 home defeat to Chelmsford last Saturday and they needed a last-gasp equaliser to take a point from a meeting with Farnborough in midweek at Plainmoor.

The Fleet also recorded a 2-2 draw with fast-improving Farnborough in our last game and, like Torquay, are seeking a greater points haul in March to cement those places in the play-off zone.

Last time out
Torquay edged the game at Plainmoor back in October courtesy of a single Jordan Young goal, a fixture Fleet felt they had done enough in for at least a point. The last head-to-head here at the Kuflink Stadium was Garry Hill’s final game in charge when the Gulls won 4-2, Josh Umerah scoring both goals for the Fleet before later moving on to Torquay.

Who’s who?
Top scorer Jordan Young has 15 goals this season, one of them against the Fleet, but hasn’t scored in his last five appearances. He won promotion from this division with Yeovil Town two seasons ago and has also played for Chippenham Town at this level, having been with Swindon Town prior to that.

Will Tizzard is a new arrival on loan from Sutton United who made his debut in the back line last week. Torquay have been rocked by defensive injuries with Jordan Dyer out and skipper Sam Dreyer having missed the last few games. Squad depletion has meant Torquay have only named five subs for the past couple of matches so Tizzard will need to get up to speed quickly.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton probably has the most eye-catching name in the National League South but he’s also the player catching the eye for Torquay at present. He has come to the fore with a number of man-of-the-match performances during the team’s tricky spell of late as well as three goals in the last five games. Another player secured from Yeovil, he arrived in the summer having been something of a protégé at Watford as a youngster before joining Wealdstone.

Tickets
Match tickets can be purchased in advance here with prices rising at midnight.

Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 12:30pm. Please make sure you get a ticket from the steward in attendance and not from the ticketing machines which will not apply the discounted matchday price.

The Rose pub
The Rose Pub (1 Rose Street, DA11 9EQ) is open from 11am to home and away supporters. Located close to both the ground and Northfleet and Ebbsfleet stations, it’s an ideal venue for that pre- and post-match drink with food available throughout the day.

Segregation
Tomorrow’s match will be segregated on advice of the safety officers of both clubs and local authorities; however, we have a great relationship with Torquay and join with our fans in welcoming their travelling support. Visiting fans will be allocated a section of the Swanscombe End and will have available a bar with non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages along with light refreshments and snacks, as well as a food stall that includes burgers, hotdogs, chips and more.

Fleet supporters will be allocated the Main Stand, Plough End, Geeks’ Corner and a section of the Swanscombe End and can enjoy the usual matchday drinks and refreshments facilities which include the Eat Street Van, the Social Bar, the Main Stand bar, food outlet, Main Stand Kiosk and Geeks’ Corner Kiosk around the home segregation area.

Programmes
Our Fleet Review programme can be pre-ordered for £3 online with your ticket, or through our online club shop here up until 10am on matchday. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main turnstiles and at the Plough End social club. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.