Sunday 24 August 2014

FORMER DUO LOOKING TO CALL THE SHOTS AGAINST THE GULLS

In their fifth game of their 2014-15 Conference campaign, Torquay United will be facing two of their former players when they host Aldershot Town on Easter Monday.

Ex Gulls Joe Oastler and Damon Lathrope will be lining up for Andy Scott's Shots against the Gulls- just two years on after helping United to reach the League Two Play-off semi-finals under Martin Ling.

The pair were the only two regular outfield players who failed to score for the Gulls during the 2011-12 season, but both proved to be unsung heroes for Ling's men.

Oastler made the right back spot his own, making 51 appearances in all competitions- as part of a defence that kept a club record 20 clean sheets- whilst Lathrope added extra strength to the centre of midfield as a holding player sitting in front of the defence- thus allowing the more attack minded duo of Eunan O'Kane and Lee Mansell to flourish (they scored 18 goals between them: O'Kane scored 5 and Mansell found the back of the net 13 times).

In the end the Gulls remained in contention for automatic promotion right up until the final day of the regular campaign before losing to Cheltenham Town over two legs in the Play-off semis.

The duo are two of 11 former Gulls who will be plying their trade in the Conference this season and who are likely to be facing Chris Hatgreaves' men between now and the end of April.

Ex Torquay United players playing in the 2014-15 Vanarama Conference

Aldershot Town- Damon Lathrope, Joe Oastler

Alfreton Town- Lathaniel Rowe-Turner

Barnet- Charlie MacDonald

Bristol Rovers- Daniel Leadbitter, Lee Mansell

Chester- Kieran Charnock

Eastleigh- Craig Stanley, Chris Todd

Kidderminster Harriers- Kevin Nicholson

Woking- Scott Rendell