December 2021 (Page 3)

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Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins regarding the two red cards (and five yellows) picked up by the Glovers during their 3-0 loss to Torquay United on Boxing Day.

In a feisty affair, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was sent off after 64 minutes, goalkeeper Grant Smith saw red after the final whistle and Adi Yussuf, Matt Worthington, Dale Gorman, Luke Wilkinson and Dan Moss all saw yellow.

This is what the manager had to say on the three players who will be missing as a result of today’s indiscretions.

Sonny Blu-Lo Everton – red card – 64th minute.

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

“I thought it was petulant, that’s how I saw it, I have no idea what players think they’re ever gaining from those actions, I’ll have to see it again, but at the time it looked petulant. I don’t understand what they get out of it, the team don’t get anything out of it… listen, Sonny doesn’t help us stop those three goals, what Sonny was doing during the game very, very well was stay on the ball for long periods and get far more territory.

“So very disappointing, we’re disappointed in that type of behaviour, but we will keep those thoughts and comments in house.”

If confirmed as ‘Violent Conduct’ the Watford loanee would miss three games; Torquay, Bournemouth (FA Cup) and Southend before being available for the FA Trophy game with Needham Market Town on January 15th, one day before his initial loan spell from Watford is due to elapse.

Grant Smith – red card – after full-time

New Glovers’ ‘keeper Grant Smith

“I don’t know what happened with Grant (Smith), I can make an assumption that he has said something to the referee after the game. If he has and that is the reason why, then I don’t condone that, I’m all for tackling, competing, I’m not great defending players for dissent, if it’s dissent, but we’ll find out.”

If confirmed as being for ‘Foul and Abusive Language’, the Glovers’ number one would be subject to a two-game ban which would rule him out of the games vs Torquay next Sunday and Bournemouth in the FA Cup. Subject to an appeal process.

 

Dan Moss – fifth yellow card of the season – 75th minute.

Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“Mossy is always going to get five bookings in his season, he tackles more than anyone, that’s a tackle, that’s what he does, that’s why we play him, because he puts in those tackles.”

“That’s part of the season of having Dan Moss, the other stuff, the two sendings off, if they are for what I think they are, we will deal with that internally.”

It is expected that the Millwall loanee will only be absent for the game against Torquay, his loan was recently extended until January 24th which would give him four more games after his suspension whilst with the side.

 

As a side note, Jack Robinson, the loanee from Middlesbrough was seen with the side today after being out of contention with injury since the win over Yate Town. Alex Bradley missed out on the squad together as did youth team graduate Ollie Haste whilst the Gloverscast have asked Hemel Hempstead Town for clarification on the situation with midfielder Toby Stephens as his one month loan spell had been due to end.

 

 

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll talks to BBC Radio Somerset

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has challenged his players to overcome their “biggest test” after a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Torquay United on Boxing Day.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, he encouraged a level of ‘balance‘ after seeing the unbeaten run of 12 matches halted – but promised the side had a big week ahead.

“The important thing is, is to stay balanced, with this result… the season is a long season, it’s a marathon.

“What we’ve done very well (before today) is not allow crosses coming into the box, we’ve not allowed that happen. But today we were poor at it, especially down this right hand side, I think all the goals came down the similar angle of this right hand side, and we didn’t stop crosses well enough and what you have to then do is stop the outcome of the crosses.

“I think we’ve played a lot better than that, but the manner of the defeat left a very sour taste in my mouth, which is why we had a gentle conversation at the end.”

Sarll promised that his side would be in for a big week of training ahead of the return fixture with Gary Johnson’s Gulls at Huish Park next Sunday.

“I said to them ‘this could be your biggest test so far, it’s alright to call yourself special when things are going well, and tweet and all that malarkey that that lot do now, these are challenges, and you have to stand up to challenges in the same way you stand up to diversity.

“That was my biggest disappointment today. At 1-0 stay in the game, even at 2-0  (if)Matthew (Worthington) scores, we have a great chance. Our set plays weren’t good enough, our work in and around the box wasn’t good enough, we fired high and wide too often, when corridors of opportunity opened up, when you do that, and don’t defend your box, I don’t think it’s too hard to see why you concede three and don’t score any. “

“We have to make sure we have a good, strong week now, reassert those principles of firstly, how you behave when you play for Yeovil, that’s the most important thing. Then secondly, just this group of players will be bubbling by next (Sunday), they’ll be desperate to get back out there.”

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Venue: Plainmoor
Sunday December 26th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Typically Boxing Day.
Pitch: Soft and cut up quickly,

Attendance: 3830 (643 away)

Scorers: Ben Wynter 66 (0-1), Morgan Williams o.g. 70 (0-2), Joe Lewis 86 (0-3).

Referee: Scott Jackson

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Adi Yussuf 38, Matt Worthington 45, Dale Gorman 58, Dan Moss 75,
Torquay United: None.

Sending off:
Yeovil Town: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 64, Grant Smith – after the final whistle.
Torquay United: None.

 


Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Luke Wilkinson, Morgan William,s
Dale Gorman, Josh Staunton Matt Worthington
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Adi Yussuf, Charlie Wakefield

Substitutes: Tom Knowles (for Adi Yussuf, 69), Jordan Barnett (for Dale Gorman, 78) Reuben Reid (for Morgan Williams, 81),  Jaheim Headley (not used), Max Evans (not used).

Torquay United: MacDonald, Wynter, Martin, Lapslie, Lemonheigh-Evans, Wright, Little, Lolos (for Johnson, 81), Moxey (for Omar, 90+2), Sparkes (for O’Connell, 88), Lewis. Substitutes (not used): Hall, Holman.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town‘s 12-match unbeaten run (yes, we’re sticking with the Somerset Premier Cup counting) came to an end at Torquay United after collapsing following a red card for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

Then, to add insult to even more insult, goalkeeper Grant Smith was shown a red card after the final whistle, presumably for something he said.

The on-loan Watford forward was sent off after kicking out on 64 minutes and that led to the capitulation with Ben Wynter opening the scoring two minutes and it only got worse for the visitors from there.

The result was a masterclass for former Glovers’ boss Gary Johnson whose side were far more streetwise (zero yellow cards to our four) and had no problem making the most of their one-man advantage.

The Gulls deserved the win and it was a the first bad day at the office for Darren Sarll’s men since their last defeat at the end of October.

They’ll be looking to bounce back in six days time when Johnson brings his side to Huish Park, but Yeovil will have to do it without both Lo-Everton and Dan Moss, who picked up his fifth booking.

First half

As you’d expect, there were quite a few changes from the FA Trophy win over Woking last weekend with goalkeeper Grant Smith returning in place of Max Evans, Morgan Williams replacing loanee Jaheim Headley at left back after recovering from COVID-19, whilst up front Adi Yussuf replacing Reuben Reid and Charlie Wakefield came in for Tom Knowles. 

All those who missed out found their way on to the substitutes’ bench with Yeovil boss Darren Sarll seemingly setting his side up for a combative encounter on a pitch which quickly cut up as the half progressed.

Adi Yussuf came closest for either side in the first half.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Combative was exactly how the opening 45 minutes turned with a few tasty challenges going in from both sides in front of a bumper crowd – including a good following from Somerset.

Recognising it is a local derby, referee Scott Jackson certainly allowed quite a lot go preferring to give players from both sides a talking too rather than giving out early bookings. Commenting positively on National League referees is not something we do often, but is allowed in spite of Rule One of the Gloverscast.

In the first 20 minutes, striker Danny Wright headed over and midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans fired wide for the Yellows, and it took until the 19th minute for Yeovil to get their first chance with Charlie Wakefield hitting a soft one in to the arms of MacDonald.

The first clear-cut opportunity came just before the half-hour mark when Matt Worthington did well to dig out a cross to find Yussuf in the box, but his header went narrowly wide.

That was certainly as good as it got for Yeovil in the first half and there were not really any clearer chances for Torquay with a header over the bar from Joe Lewis just before the break the only real opportunity.

To sum up the first half in three words: Not a classic.

 

 Half time: Torquay United 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There were no changes for either side at half-time and it was Yeovil who came out of the traps the faster, perhaps with a Darren Sarll-sized flea in their ears at the interval.

Three minutes after the break, Dale Gorman’s free-kick found the head of Morgan Williams at the back post and the ball dropped to Luke Wilkinson whose header went over.

The feisty-ness of the match continued after the break and referee Mr Jackson’s willingness to let things go in the first half always threatened to let things bubble over and they did on 64 minutes when Sonny Blu Lo-Everton kicked out at Josh Lapslie. In the words of Yeovil Town media man Sam Collard on BBC Somerset commentary, the decision showed “the inconsistency of National League officials“. Rule 1, Sam.

Having started the game the stronger, that was the moment where the game fell apart for Yeovil Town. Two minutes later, a back-heel from, Wright found Lapslie whose effort pin-balled around the box until Ben WYNTER lashed it home. The visitors claimed an offside, but the lead was nothing less than the home side deserved.

On 70 minutes, it was 2-0 to Torquay. A ball in to the box found Exeter City loanee Jack Sparkes whose header deflected twice and hit Morgan Williams in the face and went in to the net for an OWN GOAL.

On 76 minutes, Matt Worthington found himself clear through on goal but his effort was turned wide by MacDonald who honestly should not have been given a chance. From the resulting corner, an acrobatic effort from Dan Moss came off the crossbar and away.

The third came came on when Lemonheigh-Evans’ ball in to the box found Joe LEWIS completely unmarked to head home.

Quite how the game only ended up 3-0 to the home side was testament to an outstanding save from Smith to deny Lemonheigh-Evans after good playu from Gulls’ substitute Chiori Johnson with the final effort of the game.

But, as if things weren’t bad enough, referee Jackson showed a straight red card to Smith as he applauded the away supporters.

Full time: Torquay United 3 Yeovil Town 0

 

 

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Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town have named a slightly altered side from the FA Trophy win over Woking with goalkeeper Grant Smith, defender Morgan Williams, midfielder Josh Staunton and forwards Adi Yussuf and Charlie Wakefield all returning to the starting line up.

Tom Knowles and Reuben Reid, who were  both in contention to continue their starring run in the side drop to the bench, along side new loan signing left-back Jaheim Headley and alongside Jordan Barnett, who has had a spell of illness in recent weeks.

Williams continues at left back, keeping both Headley and Barnett out of the side in their preferred position, which says a lot about his performances at full back.

For the home side, midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who has barely featured for the past month, returns to the starting line-up.

On-loan QPR striker Sinclair Armstrong misses out isolating with COVID-19, but on-loan Exeter City full-back Jack Sparkes starts.

Yeovil Town (4-3-3): Grant Smith, Dan Moss, Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt, Morgan Williams, Dale Gorman, Josh Staunton, Matt Worthington, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Adi Yussuf, Charlie Wakefield. Substitutes: Evans, Barnett, Headley, Knowles, Reid. 

Torquay United: MacDonald, Wynter, Martin, Lapslie, Lemonheigh-Evans, Wright, Little, Lolos, Moxey, Sparkes, Lewis. Substitutes: Omar, Hall, Johnson, O’Connell, Holman.

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In-form Yeovil Town head to the English Riviera on Boxing Day for the first of back-to-back fixtures against Torquay United – with the return fixture at Huish Park scheduled for January 2.

Gary Johnson’s Gulls are something of a hit-and-miss side this season, crashing out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Tonbridge Angels last weekend after back to back wins against Stockport County and W*ymouth in the National League.

Currently lying in 16th with 24 points, Devon’s yellowest side are no fewer that seven points behind the Glovers having conceded over twice as many goals as Yeovil.

That being said, they’ve also scored a fair few more (28, to our 20), more so at Plainmoor their form is pretty good; one defeat since mid-September, they’ve only failed to score once on home soil this season and will be feeling confident.

There’s been quite a turnover since reaching the play-off final – and eventually losing on penalties to Hartlepool United – at the end of last season.

Gone are goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, who scored a dramatic late equaliser and saved two penalties in the in the play-off final shoot-out at Ashton Gate, along with former Yeovil loanee Ben Whitfield, defensive kingpin Kyle Cameron and striker Aaron Nemane.

Nemane scored in the 6-1 drubbing handed out to Darren Sarll’s men on a Boxing Day to forget last year, and got the opener in the reverse fixture – only for late goals from Josh Neufville and Luke Wilkinson to win it.

Boxing Day encounters tend to be ones to forget for one side with Yeovil handing a can of the proverbial to Johnson’s charges with a 6-2 win at Huish Park in 2019.

Note: As a reminder that all of Dan Moss, Josh Staunton and Tom Knowles are one booking away from missing the reverse fixture on January 2.

Listen: You can still catch our pre-match chat with Torquay fan Danny from the Torquay Talk podcast on our latest edition – here.

FROM THE MANAGER

Former Latvia and Northampton (Cobblers, no it’s true…) manager *checks notes*… Gary Johnson told the Torquay official site:

“It’s a massive game for us, I always enjoy the Yeovil games because they’re always competitive.

“Last year we had one good one and one bad one in the space of just a few days.

“Yeovil are going very well at the moment as far as their form is concerned, I think they’ve won their last six out of eight (Ed: IThat’s in the League, Gary, and ten wins out of 12 in all competitions) , but our league form isn’t too bad either.

“So, it should be a good entertaining, competitive, match for the watching public, and I’m sure the Yellow Army will get behind their team and see them through.”

TEAM NEWS

Centre forward Danny Wright returned to goal scoring form against Tonbridge in the FA Trophy and will be in contention to start.

The match was the 37-year-old’s first game in three months and his return would be a boost for the hosts.

It is also expected that Shaun MacDonald (not that one, this one’s a keeper who played in the 6-1 result at Plainmoor last Boxing Day) will return in goal for the Gulls after sitting out the FA Trophy.

There’s no suspensions for Gary Johnson’s men, but midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has only managed six minutes in the last month suggesting he is an injury doubt.

As Danny from Torquay Talk told us on the podcast and as many Yeovil fans will no doubt recall, Gary Johnson is keen on playing his cards close to his chest about his team – so wait and see on that one.

The aforementioned Mr Johnson brought in Exeter City left-sided player Jack Sparkes, who can play left-back or further forward, last week, as well as winger Joe Felix who joined from Billericay Town a couple of weeks ago and is looking to make his debut,

Also on loan are giant striker Sinclair Armstrong, the 18-year-old who borrowed from QPR who scored the winner at W*ymouth the other week (kudos for that, Sinclair), and right-back Harry Perritt, who is on loan from Accrington Stanley.

One player who we’ll definitely from see is G**** *****s (name removed to adhere to Gloverscast Rule 5), the former Glovers’ youth team (and briefly first-team) winger who joined Torquay after his contract expired at Huish Park in the summer. He is on loan at Paul Wotton’s Truro City.

FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

The obvious connection between the two sides is Torquay boss Gary Johnson, but he needs no introduction to Yeovil fans.

Glovers’ top-scorer Joe Quigley, who will not feature on Boxing Day having only just returned to training, spent a two-month loan spell at Torquay whilst an AFC Bournemouth player.

But more likely to feature is another visiting forward Reuben Reid who spent seven games on loan at Plainmoor in 2007 on loan from Plymouth, scoring twice.

There are also two members of the Torquay squad with a foot in both camps. One is goalkeeper Marcin Brzozowsi, out at National League South side Gloucester City presently, who played twice in a half-a-season loan at Huish Park in 2019, whilst naming the other would be a violation of Gloverscast Rule 5 – but he’s out on loan at Truro City. See Team News for a clue on that one.

Striker Martin Gritton is a legend in yellow having scored 22 times in 88 appearances between 2002 and 2004 but is less so at Huish Park where he failed to find the mark in two loan spells in 2001 and another a decade later.

He’s actually a commentator on BBC Radio Devon these days, so you can listen to him if you want to tune in to them – we’d recommend BBC Somerset though.

Others with a foot in both camps (and there’s undoubtedly more) include:

  • Rhys Murphy – Torquay 2017, Yeovil 2019-2021
  • Ben Whitfield – Yeovil 2016-17, Torquay 2019-2021.
  • Jakub Sokolik – Yeovil 2014-2016, Torquay 2018.
  • Ryan Dickson – Torquay – 2007, 2018-2020, Yeovil 2012, 2015-2018.
  • Alex Lawless – Torquay 2005-2006, Yeovil 2016-2017.
  • Jamie Gosling – Yeovil 2003-04, Torquay 2004-05.
  • Jimmy Aggrey – Torquay 1998-2001, Yeovil 2002-2003.
  • Ryan Northmore – Torquay – 1998-2002, Yeovil 2004.
  • Steve Winter – Torquay 1995-1997, Yeovil 1997.

 

There are no tickets on sale on the day, BBC Somerset have audio coverage, Three Valleys Radio don’t… and we’ll do everything we can to give you a post match breakdown here as well later on Boxing Day too.

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The derby with W*ymouth has been postponed due to COVID-19 in the camp down on the seaside.

The match had been due to be played at Huish Park on December 28.

A new date will now need to be found for fixture, when tickets bought for the original date will still a valid.

Anyone who bought tickets and needs it refunded should contact the Ticket Office  at ticketoffice@ytfc.net

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Now we’re not saying the BBC programmers listen to the podcast (mostly because it’s not true), but our recent call for the FA Cup tie with AFC Bournemouth will now be televised.

We are on the BBC Red Button for the third round tie Saturday, January 8 with kick-off now slipped 15 minutes to 5.45pm.

There’s no replays in this round to help out that poor Mr Klopp has his squad which is running in to treble figures, so the 14 men of Yeovil Town will go to extra time and penalties if they don’t beat the Championship Cherries after 90 minutes.

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What and when is Half-Christmas, the Workaholics Holiday | TimeAs it’s Christmas tomorrow we thought it would be nice to share with you what we’d like for Christmas this year. As regular listeners to The Gloverscast will know, there’s three of us who like to chew the cud about our beloved football club and each of us have shared what we’d like left under the tree this year.

Ian: After a largely torrid couple of years as a Yeovil Town supporter 2021 is shaping up to finish rather well. The turnaround since October’s dismal run at Huish Park is a distant memory and our excellent form has given us a rather odd feeling of comfort and confidence. I don’t think I can recall feeling this way since the run in of the 2012/13 season – and we all know what happened there.

So, on tomorrow I would love to wake up to a carefully, extravagantly wrapped present containing more of the same please! Darren Sarll has worked miracles in spite of the off-pitch situation and has made this team one to be proud of. Keep it up lads, and let’s dream the impossible dream!

Dave: One of us had to take it off the pitch, so I would love to see a second half of the season where every fan wants to go to Huish Park.

We go in to Christmas Day with talks about takeover still bubbling, still concerns about the financial situation of the club, and still silence from those involved in these discussions.

So, rather than sending a letter to Santa this year, I would love to see one from someone in charge of our club with passion, a plan to improve the supporter experience and plot a course for further 125 years of a football club at the heart of its community.

Ben:

Dear Santa,

I’ve been a very good boy this year. Could I please ask for some nice things, not for me though, for my friends.

Can you please help Darren, Terry, Josh, Charlie, Tom, Grant, Max, Luke, Jordan, Adi and others get new contracts at Huish Park.

They’ve all worked so hard to bring joy to Glovers fans and I would like to see them rewarded.

I have such fun watching these players and would like the chance to see what this group can build not just for the remainder of this season but beyond. I’d hate for us to fall just short of our targets and not get the chance to see what they could achieve if given the chance to grow as a unit. I don’t want this squad picked off by other teams? I don’t want my friends to get broken up, we all have so much fun together.

Can you also ask if our new friends, Dan, Sonny and Jack can play with us a bit longer please? I know their parents think a lot of them, but they really do make things better.

Thanks, and Merry Christmas
Ben, age 33 ¾ 

We’d like to wish our Gloverscast listeners and readers a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for 2022.

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Happy Christmas Eve listeners. We couldn’t leave you without a Gloverscast on a Friday so here it is.

Ian, Ben and Dave chat about the week, what the implications of behind closed doors football could be, the FA Trophy and a look at Torquay on Boxing Day. Dave chatted to TorquayTalk to get the low down on Gary Johnson’s side. We’ve had some questions from the listeners and as always, there’s a quiz.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news from Huish Park.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, enjoy some retro content on Instagram. Leave us a review and share the pod with a pal.

WANT TO ADVERTISE ON THE GLOVERSCAST? Send us an email for our rate card.

If you want to take part in the quiz, have an idea for the website or just want to send us a message, email ian@gloverscast.co.uk

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Top scorer Joe Quigley is back in training with Yeovil Town as they head in to a busy festive fixture schedule.

The six-goal striker has not featured since picking up a knee injury in the 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge a little over a month ago but returned to training this week.

Assistant manager Terry Skiverton, who was deputising on media duties on Thursday in place of boss Darren Sarll who had a bereavement in the family, said the defender Mark Little was always “progressing well”   having returned after a long lay-off.

Speaking ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Torquay United, he said: “We have had a few back in training and it’s been good having Mark Little back on the training ground.

“Joe is doing little bits and pieces, Reuben is getting stronger with every game and training session, so it’s looking good.

“So, we’ve had a 7v7 and an 8v8 rather than a five-a-side in training which has been nice.”

He added: “The squad is getting stronger at the right time, so for us it is important we look to get results in these games.

“Recent results and performances means everyone wants to get in the team.”

Skivo was also asked about facing his old manager Gary Johnson twice over the Christmas period, the current situation with COVID-19 and off-the-pitch takeover rumours, here’s what the assistant had to say:

  • Skivo is backing his old manager, Gary Johnson, to “spike” his Torquay United side after going out of the FA Trophy at Tonbridge Angels last weekend.
    He said: “They were on a good run of results, especially the 2-1 win at home to Stockport and they beat Weymouth.
    “I watched their game against Tonbridge  and I know that when Gary is on the back of a disappointing result, he will spike them that next week.“
  • He recalled the 2-0 win at Plainmoor in January 2020 and also the 6-1 defeat there last Boxing Day, but said neither result would have any bearing on this weekend, adding: “That was then, but we have a totally different team now and Gary has four or five new faces of his own.“
  • The assistant said that there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the Glovers’ camp and praised the work of the club’s COVID officer for the virus not yet affecting preparations despite a large number of other clubs suffering from it.
    Asked about the possibility of games being played behind-closed-doors, he said: “Football without crowds is not the same. It took us a year to get back and celebrate with the supporters, because we have a special bond with them.
    “We missed that during that period and hopefully we don’t have to miss that again, but it’s there to save lives and stop the spread of this virus we have to do what the Government says. We will adapt and overcome but it will be a backwards step if we do.“
  • On talks of a takeover of the club almost two weeks after a deadline to complete a deal set by chairman Scott Priestnall passed, Skivo unsurprisingly could not offer any new information.
    He said: “Until something happens, that is something me, the manager and the players can’t control, all we can control is making sure we get three points.
    “Everything else, if it happens, it happens and we just work accordingly.“