PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Havant & Waterloovile versus Torquay United

Venue: Westleigh Park, Havant

Date: Saturday 11th November 2023

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 0

Draw: 1

Havant: 1

FORM GUIDE

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

Havant: L, L. L, D, L, L

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Aaron Jarvis (9)

Havant: Muhammadu Faal (6)

HAVANT FACTFILE

Year founded: 1998 (When Havant Town merged with Waterlooville)

Nickname: The Hawks

Last season’s league finish: 10^th in National League South

Notable honours:

National League South:

Winners: 2017-18

MANAGER – STEVE KING

An experienced manager in non-league circles with Lewes (twice), Northwich Victoria, Farnborough, Macclesfield Town, Whitehawk, Welling United, Dartford and Gloucester City under his belt, Steve King took charge of the Hawks in September 2023, following the dismissal of Jamie Collins.

The most successful spell of his career came during his first spell in charge of Lewes, who he led from Isthmian League Division One South to the National League.

KING STATS

Date of Birth: 04/11/74 (49)

Appointed: 10th September 2023

Other Clubs Managed: Lewes, Northwich, Farnboro, Macclesfield, Whitehawk, Welling, Dartford, Gloucestert

PLAYER TO WATCH – RYAN SEAGER

Former England Under-17 international Ryan Seager recently joined the Hawks from National League side Dorking Wanderers.

Seager, who was born in Yeovil, started his career with Southampton and appeared for the Saints in the Premier League in the 2014-15 season. After several loan spells with Crewe Alexandra, MK Dons, Yeovil and Dutch side Telstar, he joined the Glovers on a free transfer in 2017.

He was released by Yeovil at the end of the 2019-20 season and then signed for Hungerford Town, where he stayed for two years.

In the 2022-23 season, Seager returned to the National League when he joined Dorking Wanderers.

SEAGER STATS

Position: Striker

Date of Birth: 05/02/96 (27)

Place of Birth: Yeovil

Height: 1.76m

Former Clubs: Southampton, Crewe, MK Dons, Yeovil, Telstar, Frome, Hungerford

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Havant: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (3-5-2)

Mark Halstead

Shaun Donnellan – Ollie Tomlinson – Dean Moxey

Jack Stobbs – Callum Dolan – Asa Hall – Lewis Collins – Dillon De Silva

Bradley Ash – Theo Williams

Havant & Waterlooville (4-4-2)

Ross Worner

Devante Stanley – Tom Bonner – Joe McNerney – Kai Innocent

Sion Spence – Jake McCarthy – Jack Jebb – Jacob Berkeley-Ayepong

Ryan Seager – Kieran Phillips

LAST MEETING

Tuesday 20^th October 2021, Havant & Waterlooville 4 Torquay United 2, FA Cup 4th qualifying round replay

Ten-man Torquay United crashed out of the FA Cup when Havant & Waterlooville, who came from behind twice in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Plainmoor, did it again in a rain-soaked and often bad-tempered tie at Westleigh Park. It is the National League South Hawk

The score was 2-2 – goals by Chiori Johnson and Klaidi Lolos had given the Gulls the lead just before half-time – when substitute Dan Martin, who had already been booked, received a straight red card for a scything challenge on Havant forward Tommy Wright.

Havant, who had opened the scoring through former United defender Joe Oastler during a first half they mostly dominated, drew level through Jake McCarthy midway through the second half.

Then they made their extra man count with goals in the last eight minutes by another Plainmoor old boy, Scott Rendell, and finally Wright.

COYY – STEVE

OPPOSITION Q&A – LES HYSON

Hi Les tell us a bit about yourself and how long have you followed the team?

My name is Les Hyson and I have followed the Hawks since they were formed in 1998, before that followed Havant Town.

How’s your recent form been, and are you better than your league position suggests?

Our recent form has not been good with lots of players in and out of the club and no we are bottom of the league because we have been poor.

Who are your key players and why?

Our key player Is keeper Ross Worner who has been outstanding. Devante Stanley, Jack Jebb and new signing Ryan Seager are players to watch.

Who’s your manager and how does he like to set the team up?

Steve King is the new manager who has in my opinion got a very tough job to get us back on track.

What’s your likely line up?

Worner, Stanley, Innocent, McCarthy, Phillips, Seager, Jebb, Berkeley-Agyepong, Spence, McNerney, Bonner – Subs Faal, Roberts, Bursaries, Kier, Stephanie

Where’s best for pre-match refreshments?

Before and after the game the Westleigh will be open and Torquay fans will be made very welcome.

What’s the strengths and weaknesses of the team?

It is difficult to access strengths and weakness as there have been a lot of changes in the last month, but IMO Ross Worner is the best keeper in this league and we have shipped too many goals.

Which opposition teams and players have impressed most?

For me Worthing were the best team we have played, it was like men v boys at times.

And give us a prediction?

I’m going for a Havant 2-1 win.