October 2021 (Page 5)

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Yeovil Town went down to a 2-0 defeat at National League table-toppers Grimsby Town yesterday, stretching their run without a win to eight matches. 

Marcus Duncomb, who was on co-commentary duties for BBC Somerset at Blundell Park, gives us his Five Conclusions from the match……

Being 1-0 down away at the league leaders at half time isn’t terrible. But it was clear that change was needed in the Yeovil team. We never looked like creating any chances (which I’ll get onto later…) and with Simper, Knowles and Yussuf all on the bench, I think Darren Sarll needed to look to his bench earlier than he did. This has happened in a few games now and while I understand that we don’t have much squad depth at the moment, there were at least three players on the bench who could have influenced the game.

We were actually quite solid at the back and retained possession nicely in midfield. Yes, we conceded two goals, but one of them was a penalty and the other was in the 90th minute when we’d lumped Max Hunt up front to go all out for an equaliser. As much as Yeovil couldn’t get forward much, the team did very well to limit the chances that Grimsby created. We kept the league leaders quiet for the majority of the match which is a positive.

We never looked like scoring. I don’t know what our attacking plan is or, indeed, if there is one but we never threatened Grimsby’s defence. We had a lot of the ball in midfield but the final ball was just non-existent. We’re missing that Lawson D’Ath-esque playmaker in midfield and also midfielders who make runs into the box like Jimmy Smith and Albi Skendi. I’m aware I’m just listing previous players who we could do with now, but we really are crying out for goals and creativity from midfield.

Get him some tequila because Dale Gorman bloody loves a shot. Any time he gets the ball with in 40 yards of the goal and with some space ahead of him, the Irishman will be lining up to thump one from range. Don’t get me wrong, we need goals so please try anything! Sometimes however, we’ve worked the ball into a decent position deep in the opponent’s box and could create a clear-cut chance but he just gifts the opponent a goal kick from a pot shot.

As Sheridan said in the Five Conclusions from the W*ymouth replay – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton is a very talented footballer. He’s got great skill and frightening technique, but some games just don’t fit his style or maybe he doesn’t suit Yeovil’s style. I really want him to succeed, and I know he can, but unfortunately he got pushed off the ball a few too many times and the game just passed him by leaving him somewhat invisible.

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Goalkeeper Adam Smith in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Former Yeovil Town Goalkeeper Adam Smith signed for Stevenage this weekend, making his debut only a few hours after putting pen to paper – he would go on to be named Man of the Match in a 0-0 draw with Leyton Orient.

Smith, who played every game during the 2020/21 season also spent time on loan at Huish Park the season before.

Speaking prior to his debut for his new club he said that his time with the Glovers had been difficult following the passing of Lee Collins.

“It was tough, a tough season with everything that happened. Obviously I played everygame which was good, but obviously the unfortunate events of the captain, a good friend kind of put a downer on the season.”

“No matter how good the season was, the overshadowed everything”

Everyone at the Gloverscast wishes Adam Smith all the best at the new club.

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Jordan Barnett
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town’s Jordan Barnett spoke to BBC Somerset reporter Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 2-0 defeat to Grimsby.

Despite the loss, and lack of fire power in front of goal, the former Notts County man said that there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

“I think we were all over them for the majority of the game, I think we should have taken our chances that we had throughout the game, and I think we’d have won the game”

“They didn’t cause us much threat, so yeah, it was an all good performance from us today I think”

Both of Grimsby’s goals had elements of luck and misfortune to them, one from the penalty spot and the second late on as the Glovers pushed for an equaliser; Barnett admits this adds to the team’s frustration.

“The first goal has killed us, obviously if that didn’t happen I think we’d have dominated the game, we’d have won that game – two sloppy goals”

Manager Darren Sarll kept faith in the majority of his side who had played a gruelling 120 minutes or more against Weymouth on Tuesday and Barnett admitted that the team felt a little tired but that it wouldn’t be an excuse.

“We are a little drained, but we go again Tuesday and hopefully get the win Tuesday night, we need the win”

The Glovers are now on a streak of eight games without a win in 90 minutes, but Barnett is sure the turn around in form is coming

“We are a young team, we are finding our way in and building a good relationship together, and I think we are playing really well and the results will come.”

 

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll talks to BBC Radio Somerset

Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset following the Glovers’ 2-0 defeat against Grimsby, an eighth consecutive game without a win.

“I thought we were excellent, I’ve just said to them, I dont want them to think playing well, and not winning is ok, but, when you start a game and come to good football club, like this, and you know there’s going to be a big crowd, with really clear instructions to be brave, pass the ball – they dont expect us to come and pass the ball – let’s get on the ball and pass, and I thought we were very good, I thought we were the better side in both halves”

“I thought we worked the goal more, some of our – obviously we all know we are short of a centre forward, that’s going to score or bundle things in or force things in, like  a (Rhys) Murphy type, clever with his finishing”

“I thought Charlie (Wakefield) was a threat, Joe (Quigley) looked a threat, but tired very quickly, and it was a good game for Sonny (Blu Lo-Everton) to be in for his learning, but I would say he’d have to do better next time”

Grimsby’s first goal came from the Penalty spot after a spell of sustained pressure from the hosts, it’s a goal that could have been prevented according the gaffer.

“It was four or five mistakes, the goalkeeper’s kick was one, of course and then we didn’t deal with that kick, in midfield, didn’t deal with that, and then the winger comes rolling in off the side and we switch off, but to come here and give that opportunity away – and only that opportunity away – is testament to our performance”

Despite three changes, Sarll was frustrated that the game didn’t change in the Glovers’ favour, however there was praise for the replacement’s efforts and endeavour.

“Three attacking players, not sure how any of them affected the goal… all of them have got great energy, brilliant attitude, they come on and they try their absolute best. Giles Coke comes on for Grimsby and has more Football League experience than the starting eleven – on his own”

“I was really impressed with every player’s attitude today, I was really impressed with their motivation, courage to take the ball, I like what (Jack) Robinson and (Jordan) Barnett are doing at the moment – I think they are fantastic together, but we build – but we know we have to come out all guns blazing on Tuesday (vs Woking)”

Darren Sarll also confirmed that Exeter loanee Ben Seymour was missing after a delayed result from a COVID PCR test, but said he would be available for selection on Tuesday.

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Venue: Blundell Park
Saturday, October 23 2021, 3pm kick-off.

Conditions: Dry with a slight breeze
Ground: Fine.

Scorers: John-Lewis 20 (0-1), McAtee (0-2)

Attendance: 6,470 (116 away supporters)

Referee: Andrew Miller

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Gorman 89
Grimsby Town: None


Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)
Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jack Robinson
Matt Worthington, Dale Gorman, Jordan Barnett
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton Joe Quigley Charlie Wakefield

Substitutes: Adi Yussuf (for Quigley, 70), Tom Knowles (for Lo-Everton, 76), Lewis Simper (for Barnett, 84) Max Evans, Jordan Dyer.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Sears, Waterfall, Towler, Crookes, Fox, Clifton (for Revan, 82), Hunt (for Coke, 64), Bapaga (for Sousa, 70), McAtee, John-Lewis
Substitutes: Pearson, Wright.

Match Report

A first half penalty and an injury time second was enough to send Yeovil Town home pointless and table-topping Grimsby Town kept their 100% record in front of their own fans.

The story was all too familiar for Yeovil with just one shot on target coming from a Dale Gorman free-kick late in the second half.

That said, the home side only had three on target themselves as the Glovers huffed, puffed but could simply not blow the house down.

Darren Sarll named an unchanged starting XI from the midweek FA Cup win over W*ymouth with seven players in the line-up having played 120 minutes plus penalties four days earlier.

For the home side, who had an outbreak of COVID-19 in the days leading up to the match, there were two changes with Will Bapaga and John-

The opening exchanges were relatively uneventful with neither side, the first chance of the game came after 20 minutes and led to an opener.

Speedy winger Will Bapaga broke free and got to the ball just ahead of visiting goalkeeper Grant Smith who caught him late and referee Andrew Miller gave the penalty.

After his midweek exploits from a shoot-out, Smith must have hoped his luck could continue, but Lennell JOHN-LEWIS‘ effort was too much despite the keeper guessing the right way.

From the next attack, Jordan Barnett appeared to get away with one after seeming to control the ball with his arm inside the box.

There was a risk of the visitors, backed by a bumper home crowd and boasting a 100% record could sense blood, but the visitors did well to keep them at bay.

There was a suspicion of a penalty for Yeovil on 24 minutes when Dan Moss was pulled down and just after the half-hour mark, Charlie Wakefield had a strong shot blocked by hosts’ defender Luke Waterfall after good interplay with Matt Worthington.

A trademark off target 35-yard effort from Dale Gorman with three minutes of the half remaining was about all there was else to report before the break.

The story was an all too familiar one with the visitors having their opportunities but lacking a real attacking impetus. For the hosts, one attack of note, one goal.

Half time: Grimsby Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

Smith was called in to action four minutes the restart when good play from John-Lewis laid the ball down to Harry Clifton whose venomous effort was turned aside by the keeper.

A minute later John McAtee wriggled away down the right but he fired his shot wide.

Wakefield had a shot turned wide soon after and from the resulting corner Max Hunt missed an opportunity to head home the equaliser with more chances in the opening seven minutes of the second half than the entire opening 45.

John Lewis fired in to the side netting after 58 minutes and seven minutes later his strike-partner McAtee tried to catch Smith off his line, but his effort went wide.

Wonderful play by Clifton fed McAtee who was bearing down on goal and seemed certain to fire a second, but laid the ball off to John-Lewis who shot wide from three yards.

The chance was so good the score alerts messages all proclaimed a 2-0 lead for the Grimsby – but didn’t.

Joint top-scorer Ryan Taylor was missing from the starting line-up, presumably one of the Mariners’ COVID victims, but had he been in instead of John-Lewis it could have been a far more convincing scoreline.

In an effort to improve the visitors’ attacking impetus, Adi Yussuf and Tom Knowles were introduced in place of Joe Quigley and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, neither of whom really featured in their 70-odd minutes on the pitch.

Worthington had an effort wide with seven minutes remaining and then two minutes later Yeovil won a free-kick from 35 yards out, which obviously meant Gorman was taking it.

His effort was on target but James McKeown in the hosts’ goal was equal too it.

It was left to McATEE to wrap the game up for the home side when good play from substiute Erico Sousa set him up at the back post to fire home.

Game, set and match.

Full time: Grimsby Town 2 Yeovil Town 0

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Yeovil Town name an unchanged starting XI from the midweek FA Cup win over W*ymouth with what appears to be a 4-4-3 line-up.

Seven of those starting today played the full 120 minutes (plus penalties) of the pulsating FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory in midweek.

On loan striker Ben Seymour misses out having come off the bench in that match.

The home side start the game defending a 100% record at Blundell Park and make two changes from their last National League outing, a 1-0 win at Woking two weeks ago.

Lennell John-Lewis replaces joint top-scorer Ryan Taylor, who is not in the squad, and Will Bapaga replaces Erico Sousa who drops to the bench.

Bapaga, who is on loan from Coventry City, scored twice in last weekend’s 5-0 FA Cup mauling of Bromsgrove Sporting, when boss Paul Hurst took the opportunity to rest a number of his first-team regulars.

On Friday, Hurst confirmed a number of players were suffering from COVID-19 and one assumes the absence of Taylor from the matchday squad makes him one victim.

Yeovil Town: Grant Smith, Dan Moss,  Josh Staunton, Max Hunt Jack Robinson, Matt Worthington, Dale Gorman, Jordan Barnett, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Joe Quigley, Charlie Wakefield.
Substitutes: Max Evans, Jordan Dyer, Tom Knowles, Lewis Simper, Adi Yussuf.

Grimsby Town: McKeown, Sears, Waterfall, Towler, Crookes, Fox, Clifton, Hunt, Bapaga, McAtee, John-Lewis
Substitutes: Revan, Pearson, Coke, Wright, Sousa.

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The expectation being placed on Yeovil Town’s young squad is “far too high“, according to Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll.

He said it was “rubbish” to suggest that his side should be under pressure after a run of three draws and a defeat during a run of back-to-back matches at Huish Park.

Speaking ahead of the trip to table-topping Grimsby Town on Saturday, the manager said that the pressure of the media and social media was impacting his side (Editor – who’s he talking about?).

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll talks to BBC Radio Somerset

He said: “The expectation on this group is far too high and this is why we get to 88 and 89 minutes and they are under pressure.

“It’s because because social media and the media is all around us and (the players) know it because articles fly out.

“This team is exactly where they should be and the only team comparable to use is Aldershot (which have the youngest squad in the National League), so we are doing okay.

“It is not a ready-made winning team, that group of players minus (the injured) Mark Little, Reuben Reid, Luke Wilkinson and Mitchell Rose, they have not ready to be doing it week in, week out and be top of the league. They are learning their trade.

“So I don’t really buy in to this ‘recent game/’ rubbish, because the expectation on this team is far too high and the pressure on these young men is too high.”

Yeovil’s 23-man squad has an average age of 24.5 years which accounts for the likes of injured defender Mark Little and striker Reuben Reid, both 33, and 31-year-old defender Luke Wilkinson, who is presently missing through injury.

Only second-from-bottom Aldershot have a younger squad age, 23.9 years,  with the average age of a National League squad being 26.1 years.

However, Sarll went on to say he thought his side were capable to challenging for the play-offs following the return of experienced heads such as Little and Reid.

Both are expected to return from long-term lay-offs in December having picked up injuries in pre-season.

He said: “If we can get them (Little and Reid) in our team (we can make the play-offs), we just have to make sure we keep ourselves in a competitive state.

“We need to be in a position when they return over the Christmas period that we can have a run and a jump at it.

“Once you get momentum with a team that is good enough, and it is unbelievable what can happen when you hit your stride with a team that is good enough.”

Speaking alongside the manager at the start of the season, chairman Scott Priestnall confirmed that the club’s ambition was to be challenging for promotion.

He said that his focus during the summer months had been ensuring the club could “be competitive” in the National League.

Priestnall added: “Our goal is to be fighting for those play-off positions, just as it has been for the past two seasons.

“Our goal remains the same, but the way we go about it is different.”

You can watch that interview HERE – and fast-forward to 10 minutes and 12 seconds in to hear the chairman’s set the club’s target.

Sarll tells podcast ‘I still want to be in the play-off picture’ – read more here.

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Grimsby Town will be without players for tomorrow’s visit from Yeovil Town after an outbreak of COVID-19 in the squad.

Boss Paul Hurst said he had “a couple of decisions” after cases came to light in his squad on Thursday, but he did not go as far as mentioning which players he could be without.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, he said: “We have some COVID in the camp, so that will impact the squad and maybe some selection. There’s an inevitability about it looking at the wider picture.

“Unfortunately the headlines we are seeing about figures going through the roof, we think we have done things to stop it spreading.

“We’ve still got a squad for the game, but it has had an impact on what happens in terms of selection.”

There is no suggestion from anything coming out of Grimsby (well, Cleethorpes) to suggest tomorrow’s match is at risk.

For more on the Mariners, check out our pre-match preview including the latest off-the-field happenings at Blundell Park – here.

If you are travelling to the East Coast, don’t forget to check out our Ciderspace Away Travel Guide to Grimsby Town – here.

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Dion Pereira will not be returning to Yeovil Town having returned to his parent club  Luton Town, according to Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll.

The winger played in the 2-0 defeat against Notts County earlier this month and was described as being “massively fatigued” to the extent he returned to Kenilworth Road for treatment.

Asked by Gloverscast roving reporter Ben Barrett ahead of the trip to Grimsby this weekend, Sarll said: “I’m not sure we’ll see Dion again, I think he will stay at Luton.”

Dion Pereira in action against Notts County.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Following the 22-year-old’s return, Luton manager and Yeovil old boy, Nathan Jones, said Pereira picked up “a slight injury” – whichever it was, that seems to be the last we’ll see of him.

The manager also updated on loan agreements for defender Dan Moss, who he sounded confident would be staying on when his current youth loan expires next month.

However, he said the deals for striker Ben Seymour and defender Jordan Dyer would depend on the needs of their parent club, Exeter City. The pair joined on a one-month loan at the end of September.

Sarll said: “I phoned Millwall for Dan Moss after one week of him starting with us, so there will be a strong possibility of him staying with us.

“That is a discussion we are having, but I would like to think he will stay with us. He can’t go in to the League before the window, so I would like to think he’ll be with us until January.

“Because of the nature of (Ben) Seymour and Jordan (Dyer)’s loan that will go right to the wire, and I think Matt Taylor (the Exeter City boss) will have that discussion about whether he needs them back.”

Going in to the match at top-of-the-table Grimsby on Saturday, the manager said he expected to be without defenders Luke Wilkinson, Morgan Williams and Alex Bradley.

He said Wilkinson and Bradley “could be okay” for next Tuesday’s home game with Woking, but said they were taking extra precautions with Williams.

The boss added: “Morgan is a weird one because his knee rocked when he landed so we are having to be careful with him.”

Former Grimsby midfielder Mitchell Rose is “still struggling with a hamstring” injury sustained in the 2-0 defeat against Notts County on September 9 .

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There cannot be too many clubs who finished the previous season 92nd in the Football League and yet started the new campaign with such positivity.

But that was the case at Grimsby Town where a change of manager and ownership has Blundell Park rocking and the team top of the National League going in to the weekend.

The new owners, Jason Stockwood and Andrew Pettit, completed their takeover from the deeply unpopular former owner John Fenty in May.

The pair were born in the resort and returned after successful careers of their own. Stockwood held senior roles at Skyscanner and lastminute.com whilst Pettit has a venture capital background working for Lehmann Brothers among others.

The philosophy behind their investment is three Ps, as they told The Times: “Passion for the club we love.

“Philanthropy — giving back to a community that has been home to our families.

“And Pride — developing and growing the Mariners as a community asset which can be a significant catalyst for the regeneration of the area.”

It is certainly going down well with supporters as the DN35 Podcast told us on the latest edition of the Gloverscast – listen here.

On the pitch, the return of Paul Hurst, who got them promoted back to the Football League after a six-year absence in 2016, seems to be doing the trick.

He very quickly and quietly assembled a squad which gives them options in just about every position and the results have been impressive.

Eight wins already in the National League puts them two points clear at the top of the table with a 100% record at Blundell Park.

Oh and last time out at home they won 6-0 against Dover Athletic  and 5-0 at Bromsgrove Sporting in the FA Cup last weekend.

The Cup tie saw Hurst make seven changes, including resting his first choice strikers, and they didn’t have 120 minutes plus penalties in the p*ssing rain in W*ymouth either.

 

FROM THE MANAGER

Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst has said he expects Yeovil Town’s FA Cup heroics at local rivals will give them a lift as they face a Mariners side with a 100% home record so far this season.

He described the Glovers’ form so far this season as “a bit mixed” but he said he is preparing for a challenge this weekend.

He said: “Yeovil are not going to come to Blundell Park and roll over, they will be buoyed by a win in midweek albeit on penalties.

“So we have got to bring our best game to it and hopefully we can keep our 100% record.

They are a couple of games behind, so that could be improved upon. 

“(Yeovil manager) Darren (Sarll) has talked about missing players, everyone has to go through that but he is missing some experienced players.

“They would have preferred not to have gone through extra time on Tuesday night, but they have come out the right side in the end. I am sure that will give them some confidence.

“But, we want to perform and give them something to think about and maybe even worry about.”

 

 

TEAM NEWS

Grimsby boss Paul Hurst has a selection headache (oh, for one of those!) with the return from suspension of Michee Efete from suspension for the weekend.

Ryan Sears has played every game during the summer signing’s absence following a red card which led to the 3-1 defeat at Bromley in late September.

Hurst had the luxury of resting his first choice front two John McAtee and Ryan Taylor for last weekend’s whitewash of Bromsgrove Sporting, but both seem certain to return for the visit of Yeovil.

He can even have experienced heads like Sean Scannell, not seen in the best part of two years, Giles Coke and former Glover Joel Grant missing and not even notice it.

Grant, who arrived on the East Coast following his release by Swindon Town in the summer, played half-an-hour for his new employers in pre-season and has not been seen since.

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Yeovil Town striker Adi Yussuf seems likely to be the only member of either playing squad to feature in the starting XI.

He spent the second half of the 2016-17 at Blundell Park having been released by Mansfield Town, scoring twice in 11 times before departing to Barrow.

In fairness, he must have made an impression as Grimsby fans were talking about getting him back last summer – let’s hope he can be the returning old boy who does some damage this year.

The other ex-players with a foot in both camps who seem unlikely to feature at Glovers’ midfielder Mitch Rose. He spent two years at Grimsby between 2017 and 2019.

In the Mariners’ camp is forward Joel Grant who was part of Gary Johnson’s squad in our Championship season in 2013-14 and stuck around for the ill-fated plunge through League One in 2014-15.

He departed to be a fan-funded acquisition for Exeter City before spending time with Plymouth and Swindon Town, where he was last season before joining Grimsby in the summer.

But, see the Team News for details of why Grant seems unlikely to feature on Saturday.

Other honourable mentions for having spent time with both clubs are late Yeovil Town legend Stuart Housley who played 34 times in five years at Grimsby in the 1960s before moving to Huish.

The Doncaster-born winger had two spells as a player with the Glovers followed by holding just about every other role at the club before sadly passing away earlier this year.

Phil Jevons, a hero of our Football League heyday, joined us from Grimsby Town where he was similarly popular having scored 18 times in 63 appearances between 2001 and 2004.

Still doesn’t hold a candle to his record of 42 in 84 matches in green and white. What a player!

Others who have a foot in both camps:

  • Terrell Forbes
  • Russell Slade
  • James Tilley
  • Rhys Browne
  • James Berrett
  • Diallang Jaiyesimi
  • Jordan Cook