September 2021 (Page 9)

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Two groups are in discussions to buy Yeovil Town from its current owner Scott Priestnall, according to  the Glovers’ Trust.

In a statement, the  Trust says it has been speaking with a consortium is “in the latter part of negotiations” around a takeover with a second group is also “at an advanced stage.”

The Trust added that it believes Priestnall “is willing to sell the football club” and that it had spoken with a number of potential investors including “one of the most high-profile names in English football“, businessmen and supporters about a takeover.

Chairman Scott Priestnall, left, with manager Darren Sarll talking to the club’s YouTube channel.

The statement said: “We are now able to confirm, that a consortium who have held, and continue to hold regular meetings with the Glovers Trust board, is now in the latter part of negotiations to take over the football club.

“Due to Non- Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), we are not able to offer any detail on exactly what this entails, however we would like to assure supporters, that our preference is that the whole Huish Park site and football club is sold together.”

“We are also aware of a second bid to purchase the football club, and we believe this bid is also at an advanced stage.

“We held conversations with the head of this second consortium early in 2021 and have reconnected this week after not hearing anything for some time.

“We have requested a meeting with this group so that we can gather a greater understanding of the detail. We await their response.”

The Trust added that it had been made aware of plans from supporters to protest following the club’s announcement it had increased its loan from Sport England to more than £800,000.

It added: “We absolutely understand and share the frustration of fans, and we call upon the current ownership to communicate and offer some clarity on the situation.

“Nobody wants this to escalate to that stage, especially after such a promising start on the pitch.”

Read the statement in full – here.

In July, the club issued a statement from Chairman Priestnall which revealed he was talking to “interested parties including development firms” about the future of the land at its Huish Park stadium.

Speaking at the time, he said: “We are in discussions with a couple of people at the moment and hopefully I will be able to update on progress.

“The immediate concern is making sure we are competitive and structured operationally and we can have fans back in the stadium in a safe environment.

“We have to be competitive on the pitch and have the resources to be competitive, so that has been a focus for the last couple of months.”

The previous month the Chairman told supporters on social media that he had been “approached by a group to buy the club.”

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The sons of two footballing legends were on target for Yeovil Town’s Under-18s who opened their South West Counties Youth League campaign with an 8-0 win on Saturday.

Finlay Skiverton, the son of Glovers’ assistant Terry, and Benjani Junior, the son of former Manchester City striker Benjani, were on target in the win at New College Swindon (Academy) Under-18s, who had a player sent-off in the game.

Joshua John netted a hat-trick with Darren McAlastair scoring twice to complete an emphatic scoreline.

Ollie Haste who has appeared on the substitutes’ bench for the first-team during pre-season was in the line-up.

Yeovil Town Under-18s: William Armstrong, Callum Deemer, Max Dyer, Jake Graziano, Ollie Haste, Joshua John, Jonny Lye, Darren McAlastair, Benjani Junior, Callum Smalley, Finlay Skiverton.

Substitutes: Mason Aiden, Robert Holland, Mason Hunter, Aidan Skiverton, Joshua Sutton.

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Yeovil Town’s Watford loanee Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was singled out for praise by Darren Sarll when speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 1-0 win over Halifax Town on Saturday.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Lo-Everton, who started in an attacking role just in behind frontman Joe Quigley before being substituted late on for Adi Yussuf caught the eye of the sponsors who gave him the Man of the Match, and his boss was full of praise for the 18-year-old:

“He’s a brilliant footballer, he has a brilliant mind, for someone that creative he is actually a little too inquisitive because he should just trust his eyes.

“If we all saw football like Sonny did, there would be far more creative players in the country and there isn’t and that is because they don’t see the game that way, Sonny certainly does and I think as he plays more for us, he will trust more what his eyes tell him more and he’ll be even sharper, quicker and smoother.

“He never looks like he has to try hard, Sonny, he has the lovely way of making everything look easy.”

Lo-Everton has now started each of the last two games for the Glovers after coming off the bench late on vs King’s Lynn on the opening day, and whilst he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes, he’s already making a lasting impression on this Yeovil side.

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Charlie Wakefield in action vs King’s Lynn – Pic Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil Town winger Charlie Wakefield spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 1-0 home win over FC Halifax Town on Saturday and was delighted to secure not just a second win on the bounce, but also the team’s first clean sheet.

“It was a bit like Monday (vs Aldershot), we had to dig deep, it was an unbelievable atmosphere, Monday was an unbelievable atmosphere with the away fans and we’ve managed to do it again

“That’s our third game where we’ve come in at half time 1-0 up, first one (vs King’s Lynn) we lost a man, we let it slip, but to show the character to bounce back and get the win.

“I always feel like we enjoy these more than a 4-0 or 5-0, where you have to dig real deep, when the final whistle goes and you see the fans like that – it was some atmosphere, huh?”

On his own performances and his introduction to the Glovers’ team the former Chelsea academy product says he’s adapted his game for the good of the team.

“Normally I’d be a bit running at the ball (Editor’s Note; I think he means defence!), I’m a very direct player, I’ve been working, I feel like I’ve been working hard for the team and i’m enjoying that, I want to work, I want to be the one that puts the shift in for the boys, for the club.”

Wakefield was quick to highlight the performances of both Joe Quigley – who’s goal separated the two sides – and Max Hunt as a rock in defence during the win over the Shaymen.

“Joe, has been unbelievable hasn’t he? Unreal, when you’ve got someone on form like him, he goes into every game confident that he’s going to score – which helps me, if I go down the line, nine times out of ten, when you’re striker’s on form, he’s gunna put it in, so I get a bit of credit too!

“We are all in a really happy place… you want to work that extra mile, you want to put that extra yard in for the person next to you.

“Hunty (Max Hunt), at the end, his tackle, unreal, not only going forward are we clinical with Joe, but those sort of tackles means we get the win.”

Wakefield finished off the interview by saying there was no fear heading into next weekend’s game against Stockport, the team, he says couldn’t be going into the clash any more confident.

 

 

 

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Yeovil Town Manager Darren Sarll has been speaking to the media following the Glovers’ 1-0 win over FC Halifax Town live on BT Sport on Saturday evening.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

both the BT Sport team and BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, Sarll praised the ‘character’ and ‘robustness’ of his side, who, despite the one-goal margin of victory looked fairly comfortable for large parts.

Speaking to BT Straight after the final whistle he said: “I thought tactically we were excellent, even in periods of the second half when we were defending deeper, our shape was good and I can’t remember too many moments when (Grant Smith) had to make too many big saves.
“That was testament to the two full backs (Dan Moss and Jordan Barnett) in particular.”

Something he reiterated to the the BBC shortly after with some added praise for Max Hunt; “I thought we dealt with most things well, in the second half we had to defend a bit deeper and I thought even then the shape was very strong.

“I thought the two young full backs (Dan Moss and Jordan Barnett) were absolutely fantastic and that is probably Max Hunt’s best game for the club.”

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot, Joe Quigley smashing the ball home after Tom Knowles was brought down in the box.

Joe Quigley hammers home the opener.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But, it’s not just the in-form striker’s goals that are impressing the gaffer:

“He was okay, I thought defensively he was very good, he contributes a hell of a lot and he is getting better, but he has a home now, Yeovil is his home and we do not throw people away and it is important that people feel that comfort and that we have got their backs when they come to work.”

“He is in good form and he’s a real big plus for us and if he stays fit we might have half a chance”

Overall, Sarll was pleased with how he side coped with the second half onslaught from Halifax who tried to get back into the game late on, but a resolute performance from the defence and central midfield duo in particular were enough to see the game out.

“I thought we were better in possession than Halifax, I thought we were better out of possession, our shape was very good, the players’ attitude was magnificent.
“I thought we were comfortable and deserved (the win), the only disappointment was the couple of chances (for substitute Adi Yussuf) which we should have taken to make the game a bit easier.

Sarll confirmed to the BBC he wouldn’t be thinking about next Saturday’s trip to Stockport County until Monday, suggesting he, the players and the fans have all got a night or two to enjoy a fantastic Glovers win.

 

 

 

 

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FC Halifax Town Manager Pete Wild spoke to the the media following his side’s 1-0 loss to Yeovil Town on Saturday evening.

He said that his side had ‘”given Yeovil too much respect” in the first half before ‘”totally dominating'” the entire second half.

The only goal of the game came from Joe Quigley’s right boot, 12-yards out he smashed home his second penalty of the season and it was enough for all three points.

Despite, the entire BT Sport analysis team, commentary team and most importantly the referee all in agreement it was the right decision, Wild wasn’t so sure.

Speaking to the Halifax Courier he said:“Naz (Niall Maher) is clearing the ball and he falls over his leg – how’s that a pen?…These decisions seem to happen week-in, week-out and nothing gets done about it.”

Maher’s foul on Tom Knowles wasn’t the only time Wild got angry with the officiating – the  manager got booked twice in the space of 60 seconds and saw the last few minutes of the match from the comfort of the away dressing room, an incident he says he was sorry about.

“My frustrations boiled over, I shouldn’t be getting sent-off and I apologise for that,” he said.

“My yellow, apparently, is for getting the ball back in play, which is ridiculous…and then my red, the fourth official’s looked at me, smiled, and given the ball the other way, so I just said ‘you’ve done that on purpose’.

“Highly frustrating, but until the issue of refereeing’s addressed in this league nothing’s ever going to change.”

Overall, Wild was critical of both side’s attacking prowess saying the game should have ended 0-0 and that neither side deserved the full three points.

Wild said: “I don’t think either side deserved to win it, I don’t think there was enough chances for either side to deserve to win.

“But we need to be better. we didn’t test the keeper enough, we looked tired, and we’ve got to be better than that.”

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday September 4 2021, 5.30pm kick-off.

Conditions: Dry and bright
Ground: Perfect

Scorers: Quigley pen 14 (1-0)

Attendance: 1,899 (54 away)

Referee: Thomas Parsons

Bookings:
Yeovil: Gorman 52, Staunton 52
Boreham Wood: Slew 70, Warburton 84

Yeovil Town : (4-4-1-1)
Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Luke Wilkinson, Jordan Barnett
Charlie Wakefield, Dale Gorman, Josh Staunton, Tom Knowles
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Joe Quigley

Subs: Adi Yussuf (for Lo-Everton, 84), Alex Bradley (for Knowles, 90), Max Evans (not used), Morgan Williams (not used), Toby Stephens (not used).

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Debrah, Bradbury, Maher, Benn, Warren (for Gilmour, 67), Woods, Summerfield  (for Green, 64), Warburton, Waters (for Allen, 83), Slew.
Substitutes: Spence, Swaby-Neavin.

SUMMARY

We broke the hoodoo, we got the monkey off our back, put it however you like but for the first time since Wembley 2013, Yeovil Town won a match on the telly.

The BT Sport cameras have not been kind to the Glovers since our return to non-League and it took a penalty smashed down the middle from Joe Quigley (who else?) to earn three points under the spotlight.

It came after 14 minutes when Tom Knowles was caught with a high kick from Halifax captain Niall Maher and referee Thomas Parsons had no hesitation but to point to the spot.

Here’s how David Coates saw it watching on the telly…..

FIRST HALF

On the day when breaking hoodoos was the order of the day, Yeovil Town boss Darren Sarll will have been pleased to name an unchanged starting XI to the one which had won at Aldershot Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

The boss’ only change was a fifth substitute on the bench in the form of Alex Bradley who returned after illness.

The game started with the move which led to the home side taking the lead. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton‘s ball in from the left could not find Quigley and rebounded as far as Tom Knowles who was caught by visiting captain Niall Maher.

Tom Knowles is caught by FC Halifax Town captain Niall Maher inside the box.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
Referee Thomas Parsons had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Quigley stepped up to put it down the middle.
Knowles had a claim for a second spot kick five minutes later after a coming together with Maher but (again) he referee got it right and waved away any appeals.
That led to the game slowing down as Yeovil frustrated the visitors who were second best in the tactical battle, and it was not until the closing stages of the half that either side carved out any opportunities.
In the 45th minute, Charlie Wakefield‘s ball in from the right was heading towards Quigley at the back post, but was well defended by Tyrrell Warren, and a minute later a free kick from Dale Gorman was headed over by Luke Wilkinson, who was flagged offside. The television replay, however, suggested otherwise.
The lead was nothing less than Yeovil deserved having looked comfortable against a Halifax side who had picked up wins in their previous two matches.
Half time: Yeovil Town 1 (Quigley, pen) FC Halifax Town 0

SECOND HALF

With Halifax boss Pete Wild hopping around on the touchline for much of the first half (more on that later), the expectation was that the visitors would come out with a spring in their step or a flea in their ear after the interval.
If they did it was not immediately obvious Yeovil again starting the brighter with Gorman’s lofted ball in to the box finding Quigley, who could only manage a tame header.
The Shaymen did start to find their way back in to it and had their best chance of the game on 54 minutes when a free-kick from Matt Warburton, who probably the visitors’ only real attacking threat in the first half, was pushed away by Grant Smith.
His clearance only went as far as striker Jordan Slew whose shot from the far post rattled off the post and away.
From there the game started to get stretched with neither side able to find any fluidity. Wilkinson had a shot deflected over and Slew fired a ball in to the box which flashed past his strike partner Billy Waters, who had scored three in his first three matches for the visitors but was anonymous throughout.
It was not until the closing stages that either side managed to create a real opportunity. With  two minutes to go substitute Jamie Allen got away down the right and it was only thanks to an excellent interception from Max Hunt inside the area that he did not get his shot away.
Striker Adi Yussuf fires a shot in on goal.

Then, in the second minute of injury time, Glovers’ substitute Adi Yussuf broke away and rather than squaring the ball to either Quigley or Alex Bradley to his left, he tried to take on the shot which he put over.

That was too much for Wild who finally combusted and it did not take a lip reader to work out what he said to the officials to earn himself a red card. Ironically, in the build up to the game, Wild had spoken about how he expected Yeovil to bully his side and said he would be advising his players to keep cool heads.

His judgement presumably impaired by the loss of his temper, he later told the BT Sport cameras his side had “dominated the second half from start to finish.” If you say so, Pete.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 (Quigley, pen) FC Halifax Town 0

 

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Former Yeovil Town defender and BT Sport Co-commentator Adam Virgo was full of praise for the Glovers after they held off Halfiax Town to record a 1-0 win.

Whilst on commentary for BT Sport, the former defender singled out Dan Moss, Joe Quigley and Josh Staunton for praise before naming Luke Wilkinson as he Man of the Match,

It was Quigley’s first half penalty that separated the two sides in the end, with Yeovil looking controlled defensivley, restricting their visitors to nothing more than half chances.

After the game, Virgo tweeted that it was a ‘deserved’ win for Darren Sarll’s side who recorded their first clean sheet of the season in the process.

Virgo scored five goals in 36 appearances for the Glovers in the 2010/11 season.

 

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Yeovil Town  name an unchanged starting XI from the Bank Holiday win over Aldershot Town as they face FC Halifax Town in today’s televised home game (5.15pm kick-off)

The only change comes on the substitutes’ bench where Alex Bradley returns after missing the first two games through injury.

Former Glovers Matt Warburton and Tom Bradbury and Martin Woods, who had a brief loan spell at the club in 2008, all line up for the visitors.

Yeovil Town: Smith, Barnett, Wilkinson, Hunt,  Moss, Staunton, Gorman, Wakefield, Knowles, Lo-Everton, Quigley.  Subs: Evans, Bradley, Williams, Stephens, Yussuf.

FC Halifax Town: Johnson, Debrah, Bradbury, Maher, Benn, Warren, Woods, Summerfield, Warburton, Waters, Slew. Subs: Gilmour, Allen, Green, Spence, Swaby-Neavin.