PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United vs Aveley FC

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 24^th February 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 0

Draw: 0

Aveley FC: 1

FORM GUIDE

Torquay: L, L, L, L, L, D

Aveley FC: W, D, L, L, W, W

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Brad Ash/Aaron Jarvis (9 each)

Aveley: Siju Odelusi (12)

AVELEY FACTFILE

Year founded: 1927

Nickname: The Millers

Last season’s league finish: 4th in the Isthmian Premier Division (won promotion through the play-offs)

Aveley Town notable honours:

Isthmian League Division One North:

Champions: 2008-09, 2022-23

MANAGER – DANNY SCOPES

After assisting the Cowley brothers (Danny and Nicky) during their rise through the leagues with Concord Rangers, Danny Scopes later managed the Beach Boys and guided them to the FA Trophy final in 2021, where they lost to Harrogate Town.

He took over as manager of the Millers in November 2021 and guided Aveley into National League South for the first time ever when he led them to promotion through the Isthmian League Premier play-offs last season. This was their second consecutive promotion, having won the Isthmian Division One North title in the previous campaign.

SCOPES STATS

Appointed: 7th Nov 2021

Date of Birth: 01/01/1970 (53)

Other Clubs Managed: Concord

PLAYER TO WATCH – SIJU ODELUSI

Central midfielder Siju Odelusi is currently the Millers’ top scorer with 12 goals – a figure which includes a hat-trick against Taunton Town earlier in the season. He joined Aveley in October 2022 from Leiston and made his debut in a 3-0 win over Haringey Borough, and has also had spells with Tilbury, Hayes and Yeading United, Northwood and Westfield.

ODELUSI STATS

Position: Midfielder

Date of Birth: 11/08/98 (25)

Birthplace: Unknown

Height: Unknown

Former Clubs: Leiston, Westfield, Northwood, Hayes, Tilbury, Witham

OLD BOYS

Torquay United: None

Aveley: Chris Regis

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United:

Mark Halstead

Arkell Jude-Boyd – Austen Booth – Ross Marshall – Dean Moxey

Will Jenkins Davies – Brett McGavin – Kevin Dawson – Ethon Archer

Brad Ash – Aaron Jarvis

Aveley FC:

Jonathan North

Jason Ring – Frankie Terry – Harry Gibbs – Eduino Vaz

Ryan Carr – Arj Krasniqi – Siju Odelusi – Manny Ogrunrinde – Razzaq Coleman-De Graft

Charlee Hughes

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 2nd September 2023 Aveley FC 2-1 Torquay United

United’s winning run came to an end on Saturday, as The Gulls slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Aveley’s Parkside Stadium.

Goals from Siju Odelusi and substitute Charlee Hughes put The Millers in charge, and despite Brad Ash’s late response, it wasn’t enough to deny the home side a memorable victory.