After a two-week break in fixtures, Paul Wotton’s side are back on their travels again tomorrow, as they head to East Sussex to take on Eastbourne.
With both sides having started the season in impressive fashion, Saturday’s National League South encounter sees both teams eyeing the possibility of ending the day in pole position, depending on results elsewhere.
Who’s the Boss?
Former United midfielder Adam Murray was appointed as the new manager for the Sports at the start of January 2024.
Following spells in charge of Mansfield, Boston and Barnsley (caretaker), it was as manager of AFC Fylde that Murray won the National League North in 2022/23 before moving on to assist Darrell Clarke in Cheltenham Town’s battle to beat the League One drop.
As a player, Adam began his career in the Premier League with Derby County, before going on to make over 500 appearances with various clubs such as Kidderminster, Carlisle, Macclesfield and Oxford, as well as representing England at Under 20 level.
Having worked at Besiktas as assistant to ex-Watford manager Valerian Ismael, Adam will now be hoping to taste success at Priory Lane.
How have they been doing?
It’s been a strong start for Murray’s men, with their opening 11 matches seeing The Sports post 21 points, with their impressive run six wins, three draws and just two defeats extended by last weekend’s 1-0 win at Welling.
Player to Watch
There may have been a few raised eyebrows when powerful striker Alfie Pavey signed for Eastbourne from NLS rivals Maidstone in May, but it’s proven to be a move that’s benefitted both parties.
After starting out at Millwall, the now-29 year-old hitman boats a wealth of experience in non-League circles, with Dartford, Havant & Waterlooville, Dover, Braintree and Farnborough just some of the sides that been represented by the physically imposing centre-forward. Having represented no less than three sides in two divisions last term , Alfie will now be hoping to make Priory Lane his new home.
Played For Both
Norwich striker Ashley Barnes represented both The Sports and The Gulls earlier in his career, prior to making his name as a Premier League player with Burnley.
After starting his career at Paulton Rovers before joining Plymouth Argyle in 2007, his three seasons at Home Park Barnes saw him play just 22 games, with his main action coming during numerous spells on loan.
Those temporary stints saw him play for Oxford United, Salisbury City, Eastbourne and Torquay, before a switch to Brighton saw him seal a permanent move after he scored four goals in eight game.
Four seasons at Brighton were followed by nine seasons at Burnley, incluidng a European adventure in the Europa League in the 2018/19 season. After his last season at Turf Moor saw the club regain the Premier League place they had lost the season before, his release from the Clarets saw Barnes move on to Carrow Road, where he currently represents Norwich City in the Championship.
Previous Encounter
Eastbourne 1 -4 Torquay | Vanarama National League South | Tuesday 29th November 2023
United’s last trip to East Sussex couldn’t have gone much better, as they ran out clear winners in Eastbourne.
Calum Dolan got the evening off to a fine start, before Brett McGavin doubled The Gulls’ advantage with another quality finish before the break. The sending off of Eastbourne’s Lucas Defise midway through the first period left the hosts with a mountain to climb, however Callum Kealy’s second-half penalty did briefly put the result in question.
Two more quality strikes from McGavin and Brad Ash sealed the deal for United though, as they came away with a well-deserved three points.
Easbourne v Torquay United | Saturday 19th October 2024 | 3pm KO | Priory Lane, Langney, Eastbourne BN23 7QH