United are on the road tomorrow night, when they travel up to Somerset to face Weston-super-Mare.
Gary Johnson’s side will be looking for back to back wins following Saturday’s victory against Welling, as they face the Seagulls at the Optima Stadium..
Who’s the boss?
Scott Bartlett is in his second spell as Weston manager having taken his first managerial role with the club back in 2016, and in his eight months at the helm he led the Seagulls to National League South safety. Prior to his management stints, Bartlett had a playing career that started with him coming through the AFC Bournemouth and Cirencester Town ranks before moving to Salisbury City in February 2000, and during nine years and with over 400 games for the Whites, he helped them win the Southern Premier League title as well as leading them to a Play-Off win in the Conference South.
His release from the Wiltshire club saw the defender/midfielder firstly move to Weston-super-Mare in March 2009, before then moving to local rivals Bath City in February 2010. Forest Green were the last club Bartlett played for before a knee injury forced him to retire. Coaching roles including being Head of Academy came while at Forest Green, before the move to Weston, but eight months later he was back at Forest Green until leaving in May 2019, which was quickly followed up by the Seagulls re-appointing him for his second spell in charge.
Player to watch
Marlon Jackson came through the youth ranks at Bristol City before signing his first professional contract with the Robins in 2009, and while at Ashton Gate Jackson also had loan spells at Hereford, Aldershot Town, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and AFC Telford. Upon his release from City, Jackson re-joined Hereford, this time on a permanent basis, before heading North where he joined Bury, also having a loan spell at Lincoln City while at Gigg Lane.
FC Halifax Town, Oxford City and Tranmere Rovers were next on Jackson’s travels before a return to Oxford City in 2015, where he scored seven goals in just eight games. Two seasons at Newport County were next along with a third short spell at Hereford, before he came to the attention of Weston-super-mare for the first time, scoring nine goals in 24 games for the Seagulls. One season apiece at Gloucester City and then Chippenham Town came before Jackson returned to the Optima Stadium in 2021, helping the club to the Southern Premier title last season.
Played for both
Having established himself as a prolific goalscorer at National League South level with the likes of Weston-Super-Mare, Chippenham Town and Weymouth, 27 year-old Brad’s stock rose even higher during the 2022/23 season, with his 24 strikes helping to drag his Weymouth side to NLS safety. The Yellow Army will also be well aware of his past exploits, with Ash netting a spectacular late equaliser in United’s 2-2 draw at Weston during United’s memorable 2018/19 title-winning campaign.
After beginning his career with hometown club WSM, 14 goals in as many games prompted League One side Barnsley to secure his services, and although Ash was unable to make a first-team breakthrough at that stage, a loan return to the Somerset side saw him register another 19 goals in 34 games therefafter. A permanent transfer to Boreham Wood – followed by stints at Hereford and Chippenham – preceded his move to Dorset to sign for the Terras, before he signed for United in the summer of 2023.
How have they been doing?
The Seagulls started the season in blistering fashion winning their first three games, 1-0 at home to Havant & Waterlooville, 1-0 away at Tonbridge Angels and then an impressive 6-2 victory at local rivals Bath City, although the highs of those results soon waivered with successive 3-0 defeats at home to Slough and then away at Farnborough.
August ended with a home 1-1 draw against Hemel Hempstead Town, with September starting with back to back defeats, firstly 2-1 at Eastbourne Borough and then 3-2 at home to Yeovil Town, with a 1-1 draw at home to Hampton & Richmond ending that losing run. Three successive wins then followed with three clean sheets to boot, those being a 2-0 home FA Cup win against Truro City, followed by a 1-0 victory away at the same opponents in the league the following week.
A 1-0 win at Farnborough in the FA Cup rounded off September nicely for Scott Bartlett’s side, though October has so far brought three defeats and no goals, with the Somerset side losing 3-0 at home to Chelmsford City, an FA Cup exit at home to Maidenhead United, also 3-0, and then last time out they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Braintree Town, meaning that coming into this game Weston sit in 20th position in the table having won four, drawn two and lost six of their opening twelve games and they have fourteen points.
Previous Encounter
Weston-super-Mare 2 – 2 Torquay United | National League South | Tuesday 30th October 2018
United played out an entertaining if frustrating draw away to Weston-super-Mare on a cold Tuesday night back in 2018.
Weston took the lead in the 1st half thanks to Matt Bower, before United equalised in the second half through Saikou Janneh, and then took the lead thanks for a fantastic goal from Opi Edwards, but it wasn’t to be. Bradley Ash smashed in a late equaliser for Weston to keep the points shared in Somerset.
Live commentary will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.