National League champions Wrexham will be looking to finish the 2022-23 season in style when they travel to Plainmoor to face relegation-threatened Torquay United on Saturday evening.
While the Red Dragons are seeking to increase their record-breaking points tally in the fifth tier of English football, the Gulls need to claim maximum points to have any chance of survival.
Match preview
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Just two years after finishing second in the National League and losing to Hartlepool United in the playoff final, Torquay find themselves on the cusp of relegation to the sixth tier.
The 'Great Escape' appeared to be on for the Gulls after putting together a five-game winning streak between March 28 and April 15, but a thumping 5-1 defeat to Chesterfield brought their impressive run to an end before playing out a 2-2 draw with Altrincham last weekend.
Gary Johnson's men were 2-1 up heading into stoppage time courtesy of a second-half brace from Asa Hall, but they suffered a devastating blow in the 91st minute when Zak Goodson converted from the penalty spot to force both sides to share the spoils.
Torquay have won 12, drawn 11 and lost 22 of their 45 league matches this season and they sit 21st in the table, three points adrift of both Maidenhead United and York City who travel to Gateshead and Notts County respectively on the final day.
Victory on Saturday may not be enough to maintain the Gulls' National League status, but anything other than a final-day triumph over Wrexham is guaranteed to see them join Maidstone United, Scunthorpe United and Yeovil Town in dropping out of the division.
Torquay secured a slender 1-0 win the last time that they welcomed Wrexham to Plainmoor, but they were on the wrong end of an emphatic 6-0 scoreline in their last meeting in Wales seven months ago.
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Wrexham's 15-year wait to return to the Football League has finally come to an end after a 3-1 home victory over Boreham Wood last weekend secured their promotion to League Two.
Boreham Wood threatened to ruin Wrexham's evening in front of over 10,000 fans when Lee Ndlovu opened the scoring after 43 seconds, but Elliot Lee restored parity on the 15-minute mark before a second-half brace from top scorer Paul Mullin completed the comeback to secure the National League title with a game to spare, sparking a jubilant pitch invasion at the Racecourse Ground.
Phil Parkinson's side have now amassed a record-breaking 110 points in the National League after winning 34, drawing eight and losing just three of their 45 matches, including 22 victories in 23 home games, and they sit four clear of second-placed Notts County, who boast a respectable 106 points but are forced to enter the playoffs.
Wrexham's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who took over the Red Dragons in November 2020, can watch the final game of the season in a relaxed manner knowing that the club's fate is finally sealed, but they will be keen to exit the fifth tier on a high and avoid a third successive away game without a win.
However, the Welsh outfit head to Devon on Saturday having dropped points in 10 away games this season, while they have failed to win each of their last six visits to Plainmoor since a 1-0 victory back in December 2015.
Team News
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Torquay defender Dean Moxey was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup before kickoff last weekend due to injury and he could miss out again on Saturday, so Ben Wyatt is set to continue in the back three alongside Nico Lawrence and Shaun Donnellan.
Kieron Evans or Brett McGavin could replace Kevin Dawson in centre-midfield, while a front two of Franck Nouble and top scorer Aaron Jarvis, who has found the net 15 times this season, is set to remain intact.
As for Wrexham, Jordan Tunnicliffe is doubtful with a back problem, while Jacob Mendy recovered from a minor injury to play the full 90 minutes against Boreham Wood and will likely continue at left wing-back.
Goalkeeper Ben Foster could be making his final appearance for the Red Dragons, with his short-term deal expiring in June, while either Sam Dalby or Ollie Palmer is set to start up front alongside Mullin, who will be looking to add to his 38 National League goals.
Torquay United possible starting lineup:
Halstead; Donnellan, Lawrence, Wyatt; Stobbs, Lapslie, Hall, Dawson, Collins; Jarvis, Nouble
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Foster; Forde, Tozer, O'Connell; Barnett, Cannon, Lee, Jones, Mendy; Palmer, Mullin
We say: Torquay United 2-4 Wrexham
Securing three points is the solitary aim for Torquay, who are somewhat fortunate that Wrexham have already wrapped up the league title before Saturday's clash, and they will hope that the champions are still feeling the effects of their celebrations as they bid to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.
However, Parkinson and co are keen to go out on a high and finish the campaign in a professional manner, and while the hosts are sure to throw everything at this final-day fixture, we believe that the Red Dragons will come out on top in a thrilling contest.
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Top tip
Oliver Thomas
