IN the build up for tonight's (Friday, 25 September) FA Trophy third qualifying round clash at home to Ware, new Aveley boss Alex Akrofi completed four signings.

Defensive midfielder Emmanuel Harvest has followed Akrofi from Brentwood Town to become the new manager's first signing at Parkside.

Harvest, who numbers Hornchurch and St Albans City among former clubs, started his career through the youth academy of Leyton Orient, making his way through their ranks up to their Under 18s. While at Brisbane Road he went on loan to Harlow Town for a couple of months at the back end of the 2022/23 season.

The following season Harvest joined Hornchurch on loan while they were in the Isthmian Premier League, before his two-month loan ended and he joined St Albans.

At the start of the 2024/25 season Hornchurch signed Harvest on a permanent deal, and he went on to make 25 appearances before joining Brentwood Town at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.

In addition Aveley have signed three young players in Jack Glassborow, Bilal Hibbert and Said Mohammed-Mariche.

Goalkeeper Glassborow, joins from Sutton Athletic. Despite his age of just 19 the teenager has a lot of men's senior football under his belt. He made his senior appearance for AFC Uckfield Town despite being in Year 11 at secondary school. During the 2023/24 season, he won promotion to Step 5 with Rushall & Larkfield. Glassborow then made the move to Sutton Athletic at Step 5 and was named Manager and Supporters Player of the season.

Defender Hibbert, 18, is predominantly a right back and has featured heavily for Brimsdown last over the last couple of seasons and Brentwood Under 23s in the Essex Senior Reserve league.

Forward Said Mohammed-Mariche, 18, is another exciting youth prospect. He has also featured for Brimsdown, at the age of 16. Mohammed-Mariche has been featuring for Elite Energy in the Essex Alliance League where he has scored many goals, including a hat-trick mid-September.