1. Matt Carson makes his mark.
Fresh from signing a one-year extension to his existing contract at Plainmoor, left wing-back Matt Carson scored his second goal as he attempted a cross, but instead it flew past Aveley goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn and into the far corner. Throughout the game, Carson was one of the Gulls' best attacking threats and he was one of United's stand-out performers.
2. More goals required.
When former United manager Dave Smith was asked what was needed to win promotion, he replied 'score goals, lots of them'. It is probably no surprise then that current United boss Paul Wotton expressed his disappointment that his side didn't work the Aveley keeper enough throughout the course of 90 minutes, and said he considered the result as two points.
A feature of the Gulls' last four promotion winning sides has been a strike partnership who have scored 30 or more goals over the course of the campaigns in question; Dean Edwards (19) and Tommy Tynan (19) in 1990-91, David Graham (23) and Jo Kuffour (11) in 2003-04, Tim Sills (20) and Elliot Benyon (11) in 2008-09 and Jamie Reid (32) and Saikou Janneh (19) in 2018-19.
Messrs Ash, Cooke, Seymour and Crosbie over to you.
3. Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence.
Centre back Sam Dreyer has been one of the Gulls most consistent performers so far this season and he was amongst United's star performers again against Aveley.
Not only was Dreyer a commanding aerial presence, he also looked comfortably on the ball, and even could have won the Gulls a penalty as he had his shirt tugged in the box.
At age of 20, his performance belied his relatively tender years.
4. A third crowd above 3,000.
For the third successive game, United had an attendance of over 3,000, and it is the first time in recent memory that the Gulls had achieved this feat. 3,263 witnessed United's 1-1 draw with Aveley, following on from the 3,837, who witnessed their opening day win over Enfield Town and 3,566 saw them follow up that result with a 1-0 victory over Dorking Wanderers.
United attracted 3,000 plus crowds in two of their opening three fixtures in the 2007-08 and 2009-10 campaigns. However, this is the first time that they have managed it in all three of their opening home fixtures since the 2004-05 season under Leroy Rosenior. In 2004-05, they drew 3,973 for their first home game against Hull City, 5,005 against Sheffield Wednesday and 3,791 against Walsall.
5. A contrast from United's last meeting with Aveley.
Despite the disappointment of not winning the game, there is no question that the mood around Plainmoor is better than it was when the Gulls last faced Aveley in February 2024, shortly after Clarke Osborne announced his intention to put United in Administration. Under the ownership of the Bryn Consortium, the only way is up for the Gulls and they have the perfect opportunity to make amends on Tuesday night against Chippenham Town.
