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Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Aveley FC vs Torquay United – National League South

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Saturday 29th March 2025

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 0

Draw: 2

Aveley: 1

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W4 – D2 – L0

D 2-2 Boreham H

W 3-1 Chippenham A

W 1-0 Tonbridge A

D 2-2 Salisbury H

W 1-0 Dorking A

W 1-0 Bath City H

Aveley FC – W0 – D2 – L4

L 1-2 Hampton & Richmond H

D 2-2 Salisbury H

L 0-1 Boreham Wood A

L 1-2 Worthing H

L 0-2 Eastbourne Borough H

D 1-1 Hemel Hempstead A

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (14)

Aveley FC: David Kawa (10)

AVELEY FC FACT FILE

Year founded: 1927

Nickname: The Millers

Last season’s league finish: 7th in National League South

Aveley Town notable honours:

Isthmian League Division One North:

Champions: 2008-09, 2022-23

THE 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. He followed up this achievement by guiding the Millers to the National League South play-offs.

PLAYER TO WATCH – DAVID KAWA

David Kawa started his career at AFC Wimbledon before departing and joining Sevenoaks Town on loan in the Isthmian South East division for the second half of the 2022-23 season.

Following an impressive string of performances, Kawa made the move to Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee. After scoring on multiple occasions for The Posh’s youth team, the forward joined Reading for a few months to continue his progression, and made his debut in the Premier League 2 for U21 sides and played 53 minutes in the Royals 3-0 victory over Manchester City.

He stepped away from youth football in the summer when the Millers secured his signature, and he is currently the club’s top scorer with ten goals.

KAWA STATS – Position: Striker – Date of Birth: 16/12/03 – Height: 1.81m – Former Clubs: Kinetic Academy, Wimbledon, Sevenoaks, Peterborough – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 29, Goals 8, Yellow/Red Cards 5/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Aveley FC: None

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-2-3-1): James Hamon; Jay Foulston, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Finley Craske; Oscar Threlkeld, Dan Hayfield; Will Jenkins Davies, Jordan Young, Matt Jay; Offrande Zanzala

Aveley (5-3-2): James Holden; Nkwonta, Harry Beadle, Brooklyn Kabongolo, Jack McDowell, Jake Leahy; David Hicks, Tyrese Owen, Imran Uche; David Kawa, Charlee Hughes

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 31st August 2024, Torquay United 1 Aveley FC 1

A stunning free-kick from Alex Hernandez helped to earn Aveley a point against Torquay United, who remain a work in progress under Paul Wotton. Chances for both sides were few and far between in the opening stages. However, the game sprang to life in the 18th minute when Aveley’s Emmanuel Ogunrinde missed the target with an angled effort. Two minutes later, Gulls’ striker Brad Ash had a shot blocked by Millers’ skipper Harry Gibbs before Dan Hayfield saw a header palmed away for a corner by Aveley keeper Carey Bloedorn moments later.

On 33 minutes, a cross from Hayfield fell to Lirak Hasani who attempted a shot that was turned behind by Millers’ defender Harry Beadle. Five minutes later, a long throw from Jason Ring asked a few questions of the Gulls’ defence, but goalkeeper James Hamon smothered the danger. In first half injury time, Matt Carson made a thrusting run down the left before attempting a cross that he curled past Bloedorn to score his second of the campaign.

In the second half, the Gulls pushed on in search of a second as Hasani connected with an Ed Palmer cross before blasting over on 55 minutes. Four minutes later, Aveley drew level when Alex Hernandez struck with a free-kick from 30 yards to score his third of the season, which secured a share of the spoils for the visitors.