PREVIEW

Steve Harris

@steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United versus Weston-super-Mare

Venue: Plainmoor

Date: Monday 1st April 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 0

Draw: 1

Weston: 2

FORM GUIDE

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

Weston: W, L, L, L, L, W

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Brad Ash (12)

Weston: Reuben Reid (10)

WESTON FACTFILE

Year founded: 1887

Nickname: The Seagulls

Last season’s league finish: 1st 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

Appointed: 24th May 2019

Date of Birth: 30/05/1979 (44)

Other Clubs Managed: Forest Green (Caretaker)

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: Midfielder

Date of Birth: 24/07/91 (32)

Birthplace: Weston-super-Mare

Height: 1.83m

Former Clubs: Forest Green

OLD BOYS

Torquay United: Brad Ash

Weston: Reuben Reid

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United:

Mark Halstead

Austin Booth – Asa Hall – Dean Moxey

Jack Stobbs – Tom Lapslie – Brett McGavin – Ethon Archer – Arkell Jude-Boyd

Will Jenkins Davies

Brad Ash

Weston SM:

Max Harris

Kieran Thomas – Raphael Araoye – Lloyd Humphries – Jason Pope

Robbie Willmott – James Dodd – Dayle Grubb – Bailey Kempster

Jordan Bastin – Reuben Reid

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Tuesday 24th October 2023, Weston-super-Mare 3-2 Torquay United, NLS

United went down to defeat in Somerset in front of 850 travelling fans, as Weston-super-Mare ran out as winners.

Former Gulls’ loanee Reuben Reid netted in both halves, once of which came via the penalty spot after Aaron Jarvis had levelled matters in the second-half with his ninth of the campaign. Kieran Thomas’ late strike eventually decided matters, even though he later put through his own net shortly.