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Dom Roman
@DomRoman
Will Aaron Jarvis still be a Gull for 23/24? I hope so. Let’s take a look back at his 22/23 season when he was not only top goal-scorer, but also a deserved Gulls Player of the Year…
01/07/22 – SIGNS FOR TORQUAY UNITED
When the influx of signings occurred during the summer of 2022, I think it’s fair to say that Aaron Jarvis’s move from Scunthorpe did not raise many hopes amongst the Plainmoor faithful, mainly because his Football CV up to that point included very few goals! And early doors his cause wasn’t helped by an injury that kept him out of Torquay’s August schedule of games. Injury prone and shot shy strikers have been a common occurrence at Plainmoor, with the season starting poorly the Yellow Army needed to see the big man in action.
03/09/22 – DEBUT – SOUTHEND (A)
Jarvis finally arrived on the scene at Roots Hall in early September as a 78th minute sub for Corie Andrews (yes Andrews did manage to play that long!). United had a 2 goal lead at that point after goals from Ryan Hanson (yes Hanson did score one!) and Will Goodwin, but Southend grabbed one back to set up a very nervy finish. 3 points were eventually secured and Torquay’s new target man was back in action.
04/10/22 – GOAL NUMBER 1 – MAIDENHEAD (H)
Will Goodwin put United one nil up at Plainmoor, before a crazy 12 minutes of injury time in the first half (due to Evans’ injury) saw 3 goals scored. Acquah grabbed an equaliser for Maidenhead, but an accurate long ball from Dan Martin found Jarvis in the penalty area and his neat turn and left footed finish beat the keeper. Nice control and poise from the striker to show the Yellow Army the variety that he possessed in his repertoire. Maidenhead would equalise shortly after and then win all 3 points at the death. Aaargh!
01/11/22 – GOALS 3-5 – ALDERSHOT (H)
With Mark Ellis and Stephen Wearne signed on loan, United suddenly found some much-needed form at Plainmoor and Aaron scored his first hat trick for the Gulls. The first goal was the pick of the bunch, a cross from Dillon De Silve found Jarvis in the box and he juggled the ball and acrobatically arrowed an overhead kick into the corner. The second was a towering header from a corner at the start of the 2nd half and the hat trick was completed late on with a tap in on 87 minutes. Torquay’s first win at Plainmoor for 22/23, with Jarvis causing havoc all game alongside Will Goodwin.
28/01/23 – GOAL 10 – MAIDSTONE (H)
This was a must-win for the Gulls at Plainmoor, a relegation dogfight and by now Aaron Jarvis was very much Torquay’s top dog, showing battling qualities as well as a turn of pace and finishes with both feet – in amongst the 2022 summer dross we had found a diamond. With the game edgy and the second half minutes ticking on, Tope Fadahunsi played in Jarv on the left hand side of the penalty area and his powerful left footed shot beat the Stones keeper. A super winner from a man whose reputation was growing.
21/02/23 – GOAL 12 – DORKING (A)
With the Gulls 1-0 down at Dorking in a relegation scrap, the striker scored one of his best goals just before half time. Picking the ball up well outside the area Jarvis composed himself and unleashed a fierce right footed shot from 25 yards out that arrowed into the left side of the goal. This gave United momentum going into the 2nd half when Lapslie put them 2-1 up, but then a red card for Evans and two late goals saw yet more points squandered. Jarvis continued to gather the plaudits for his efforts….and sympathy for playing in such a poor Torquay team.
25/03/23 – GOAL 14 – DAGENHAM (H)
A month later and United’s relegation fate looked all but sealed, as the Daggers took all 3 points home on a harrowing afternoon at Plainoor. Jarvis remained a bright spark in these darkest of times and put the Gulls ahead just before half time with a rocket into the right of the goal from around 25 yards out. Head over the ball and confidence in his ability to find the target, goal 14 was a splendid one from the striker.
15/04/23 – GOALS 16-18 – YORK CITY (H)
A few weeks later and the Gulls had been invigorated, with Frank Nouble becoming an able partner for Jarvis and helping to breed confidence into the whole squad. On a beautiful sunny day at Plainmoor Jarvis was crowned POTY before kick off and then bagged his 2nd hat trick of the season, a feat not achieved by a Torquay player since Robin Stubbs in 1965/66!
The first on 14 minutes saw Kieron Evans loop a lovely ball across and the strike headed home with authority, then on 21 mins he doubled his tally when Collins beat the offside trap and curled in a perfect cross for Jarvis to stab in from close range. On 57 mins Aaron was pulled back in the box and duly despatched the penalty hard and low to take the match-ball.
The season would end in despair but the striker could hold his head up high, proving the doubters wrong and impressing the Yellow Army time and again with a variety of hold up play, smart finishes and strong battling performances against a never ending line of imposing centre backs. If he stays then another big season surely awaits.
GOALS BREAKDOWN
WHERE? HOME 12, AWAY 6
HOW? RIGHT FOOT 9 (INCL 3 PENS), LEFT FOOT 3, HEADER 6
COMPETITION? NATIONAL LEAGUE 15, FA CUP 1, FA TROPHY 2
JARVIS STATS
Date of Birth: 24th January 1998
Birthplace: Basingstoke
Height: 1.88m
Previous Clubs: Basingstoke, Luton, Boreham Wood, Falkirk, Sutton, Hemel, Scunthorpe
Last Season:
Appearances 44, Minutes 3646
Goals 18, Assists 8
Yellow Cards 6, Red Cards 1
TT MOTM 4, Average Rating 6.5
Win % 30
COYY – DOM
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