PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Weston Super Mare versus Torquay United

Venue: The Woodspring Stadium, Weston Super Mare

Date: Tuesday 24th October 2023

Kick-off: 7.45pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Weston: 1

Draw: 1

Torquay: 0

FORM GUIDE

Weston Super Mare: W, W, W, L, L, L

Torquay: W, L, W, L, L, W

TOP SCORERS

Weston Super Mare: Marlon Jackson (3)

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (8)

WELLING FACTFILE

Year founded: 1887

Nickname: The Seagulls

Last season’s league finish: 1^st in the Southern League Premier Division South (promoted as champions)

Notable Honours:

Southern League Premier Division South:

Champions: 2022-23

MANAGER – SCOTT BARTLETT

After a playing career which included spells with Cirencester Town, Salisbury City, Weston Super Mare, Bath City and Forest Green Rovers, Scott Bartlett moved into coaching following his retirement due to a knee injury and took charge of Forest Green’s academy.

He would also have two caretaker spells in charge at the New Lawn, in 2013 and 2016. His second spell also included taking Forest Green to the 2016 National League Play-off final following the dismissal of Ady Pennock towards the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

Bartlett is currently in his second spell with the Seagulls and led them to the Southern Premier Division title last season.

BARTLETT STATS

Date of Birth: 30/05/79 (44)

Appointed: 24th May 2019

Other Clubs Managed: Forest Green Rovers (Academy)

PLAYER TO WATCH – DAYLE GRUBB

A graduate of Weston Super Mare’s academy, Seagulls skipper Dayle Grubb is currently in his second spell at the Woodspring Stadium.

His first stint with the club began in 2009 and remained with the club until midway through the 2017-18 season when he tried his luck in the EFL with Forest Green Rovers. After making 71 appearances and scoring 11 goals for the Green Devils, he returned to Weston at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

GRUBB STATS

Position: Left Winger

Date of Birth: 24/06/91 (32)

Place of Birth: Weston-Super-Mare

Height: 1.83m

Former Clubs: Forest Green Rovers

NLS 23/24 Stats: Appearances 9, Goals 2, Yellow/Red Cards 0/1

OLD BOYS

Weston Super Mare: Reuben Reid, Opi Edwards, Luke Pearce

Torquay United: Brad Ash

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Weston-Super-Mare (4-4-2):

Harry Lee

Kieran Thomas – Lloyd Humphries – Sam Avery – Jacob Roddy

Robbie Willmott – Jacob Jagger Cane – James Dodd – Rex Mannings

Reuben Reid – Luke Pearce

Torquay United (3-1-4-2):

Mark Halstead

Shaun Donnellan – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey

Brett McGavin

Jack Stobbs – Tom Lapslie – Lewis Collins – Finley Craske

Brad Ash – Aaron Jarvis

LAST MEETING

Saturday 2nd March 2019, Torquay United 1 – 2 Weston-Super-Mare – NLS

United slipped to a first home league defeat since Gary Johnson took charge, as a rugged Weston-super-Mare soaked up a second half onslaught to secure the points.

A Gethyn Hill strike had the Gulls chasing the game early on, however a dominant second half display was eventually rewarded with a Jamie Reid penalty. However, Weston substitute Alex Bray went on a superb solo run before slotting home the winning goal in the 84^th minute.