A look at this evening's opponents
TORQUAY UNITED: THE FACTFILE
LAST RESULT: Oxford United 1-0 Torquay United, Sky Bet League 2, 18th January 2014
FORM (LAST TEN GAMES): Won: Three, Drawn: Three, Lost: Four
The Gulls aren’t in the best of league form over the last ten games, with a 2-0 win over AFC Wimbledon being their first success of the calendar year. Torquay are currently two points from safety, having played a game more than most of their closest rivals.
THE GAFFER: CHRIS HARGREAVES
Torquay boss Chris Hargreaves has been in the role for a matter of weeks, having taken over from Alan Knill at the beginning of January.
This is Hargreaves’ first job as manager, having previously been first-team coach under Eddie Howe at AFC Bournemouth.
Hargreaves enjoyed a long playing career in the lower divisions, playing for Grimsby Town, Hull City, Hereford United, Plymouth Argyle, Northampton Tow, Brentford, Torquay United and Oxford United, where he finished his career in 2010.
HEAD TO HEAD:
Torquay United Wins: 5
Draws: 3
Burton Albion Wins: 6
LAST TIME WE MET:
Tuesday 22nd October 2013, Sky Bet League 2, Pirelli Stadium
Burton Albion 2-0 Torquay United
The Brewers kept pace on the top seven with their second home win of the season.
With the game poised at 0-0 at half-time, goals from Jimmy Phillips and Adam McGurk in the last 20 minutes secured the win for Albion to keep themselves only five points off top spot.
ONE TO WATCH – KARL HAWLEY
An accomplished lower league centre forward, Hawley has so far scored three goals for struggling Torquay this season, as well as assisting three more.Â
Hawley made his name for Carlisle United, signing for the Cumbrians in 2004 as they returned to the Football League. His best season was 2005-06, in which he scored 22 times as Carlisle won promotion to League One. Hawley was joint top-scorer in the division and was named in the PFA Team of the year.
Since leaving Carlisle in 2007 he’s struggled to replicate his scoring form, playing for the likes of Preston North End, Northampton Town, Notts County and Scunthorpe United.
Hawley’s last goal came in Torquay’s 3-1 defeat to Exeter City in December 2013.