March 2022 (Page 6)

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Goalkeeper Ted Cann has returned to Yeovil Town on a short-term loan deal from Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

The 21-year-old played three times in January 2020 when he was brought in to cover for an injury to Stuart Nelson.

Having made his debut in a 4-0 FA Trophy win over Hampton & Richmond, Cann played in a 2-2 home draw with Hartlepool United and a 1-0 defeat at Woking – beaten by a worldie from Shaun Donnellan in the latter game!

Ted Cann in action during his last spell at Huish Park.

There is no indication in the club’s statement as to whether the arrival of the young stopper means there is an injury to first-choice Grant Smith, although manager Darren Sarll did say Smith had not trained ahead of the draw at Notts County a fortnight ago.

We will have to wait until the Friday morning press conference and then hope a member of the assembled media thinks to ask the manager.

Since returning to The Hawthorns, Cann has been a regular in West Brom’s under-23s side and has been on loan at National League North strugglers AFC Telford United since the end of November.

It’s not been an easy time for the second-from-bottom side who have conceded 33 times in the 19 matches since his arrival.

He goes in to the matchday squad for tomorrow’s visit to bottom-of-the-table Dover Athletic with Yeovil looking for their first win since the end of January.

Welcome back to Huish Park, Ted!

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In the latest Western Gazette column for the Gloverscast, Ben decided to open the briefcase of stats once more to try and crunch the numbers surrounding our lack of goals this season…

So, read on if you dare, the numbers are not great…

Yeovil players celebrate Charlie Wakefield’s FA Cup winner in Round 2

To quote to the great striker, Thierry Henry… “sometimes in football, you have to score goals”.

He’s not wrong, and he certainly knew how to find the back of the net and whilst that quote might be taken slightly tongue in cheek on it’s matter-of-fact stance, it actually comes in quite handy for the Glovers.

Our lack of prowess in front of goal has been well documented but it’s only once you break down the numbers do you realise just how poor our strike force have been.

So, if you’re sitting comfortably, here are those all too gruesome numbers.

Adi Yussuf fires a shot in on goal.
?Mike Kunz.

28 goals this season is the second lowest in the league, only already relegated (and Yeovil’s next opponents) Dover have scored less.

28 is a full nine fewer than Barnet managed as the lowest scorers last season (37) can the Glovers score 10 in the last 12 games to at least break that barrier?

Of those 28, only 12 have come at home.

12 goals in front of your home supporters, that’s a pretty expensive season ticket if you go by the tried and tested goals-per-pound method.

Of those 12 home goals, 5 have come before the 15 minute mark… don’t turn up late to Huish Park.

We’ve scored 57% of our goals away from home this season, a divisional high.

Some light relief for those who travel away from home.

We’ve not scored twice in the league since the amazing win at Wrexham… in November, we’ve not scored at home in three.

We’ve only got two points from losing positions all season… let’s hope we don’t go behind.

Joe Quigley, still our top-scorer (7)
? Mike Kunz,

28 is at least seven less than Aleksander Mitrovic has this season, whilst at our level, its just four more than Kabongo Tshimanga has… and he’s not played since just before Valentines day.

Add together Paddy Madden’s 13 with Angelo Balanta’s eight and seven from Rhys Murphy and you’ve got a former YTFC strike force that matches Yeovil’s squad this season.

And here’s the cherry on top. When we crashed out the EFL we scored 41 goals in 46 games… that’s 0.89 goals per game.

Our current ratio is 0.88

It all makes for rather depressing reading. 

Goals win games… goals sell tickets… goals keep the season alive.

I don’t have the answers, we all know the context which surrounds our club right now, but with the season drifting to an end, the least the fans deserve are a few moments to savour.

Channel your inner Thierry Henry, lads, sometimes, you have to score goals.

Don’t forget to read our column in the Western Gazette every week, available in all good local outlets (and the rubbish ones as well)

 

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Ben and Dave are joined by Steve Sowden on this episode. Dave also chats to a Dover fan, Pete, about the trials and tribulations of the 2021/22 season.

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.

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Defeat at home to Yeovil Town this weekend will spell relegation out of the National League for Dover Athletic with more the a quarter of the season to go.

They can actually still win the match if Aldershot Town beat fellow relegation strugglers King’s Lynn Town on Saturday..

Should results go against the Kent side – and given our current form, that is far from a given – then it brings about what has been fairly inevitable since the opening day of the season.

Having failed to fulfil their fixtures last season, the Whites started on minus 12 points and, heading in to the weekend, they still sit on minus four having picked up five draws – including one at Huish Park back at the end of November.

Their only win of the season in any competition came at home to Eastleigh at the end of January.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler admits they have been fighting a losing battle, he told Kent Online: “It’s been coming and it’s a shame but before we even kicked a ball it was always going to be tough because we’ve got the smallest budget in this league.

“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the sides down the bottom of the table, not just Dover, are the ones with the smaller budgets.

“It was always going to be a mountain to climb and deep down maybe we knew that this day would come (when we started).

“Of course, we want to be in the top flight of non-league but next season Dover will be in a league that we can compete in financially.”

Top scorer Alfie Pavey is on loan from Kent rivals Maidstone United and has five goals to his name which is only one fewer than Yeovil Town’s top scorers (no, not Joe Quigley) Charlie Wakefield and Adi Yussuf with six each (or four if you’re Adi).

FROM THE MANAGER

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler has blooded some products from the Crabble academy this season and says this is something he will continue to do for the rest of the season.

He told Kent Online: “The kids are showing how good they are and we’ve got to try and promote them.

“Hopefully the fans recognise that and come to support them, watch them play and see how good they are.

“We’re focusing on that to the end of the season. Will Moses had his first start in over a year, played out of position in midfield and did very well. George Wilkinson also started and Luke Baptiste and Harrison Byford came on.

“We’ve still got to have the experienced players in the team, even though they are quite young themselves in most cases with the average age of 21!

“We can’t throw too many of them in (at once) but it’s nice that they are handling themselves well at this level of football.

TEAM NEWS

Striker TJ Bramble, who scored the second minute goal for Dover at Huish Park back in November, missed the trip to FC Halifax Town last weekend with a back injury.

He was joined on the injury lies by wingers Marshall Wratten (hamstring) and James Caton (both hamstring), and teenage striker Noah Carney (foot), who was called up by England Schoolboys’ earlier this year.

All four are facing a battle to be fit for the visit of the Glovers, but certain to be missing are Yeovil old boy Seth Twumasi (knee), captain Ryan Hanson (ankle), defender Alex Green (ankle), and winger Travis Gregory (knee).

Player-coach Reda Johnson, who has played more than 150 Football League games for clubs including Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City, is available having been unavailable since November.

 

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi seems certain to be out of the match to face his old employers, see ‘Team News’ above, and the only member of either playing squad with a foot in both camps.

Seth Twumasi in action for Yeovil Town in 2014. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The 31-year-old arrived at Huish Park at the start of our season in the Championship making just three appearances towards the back end of the season.

But, despite a red card in a League Cup defeat at home to Gillingham at the start of the following season, he went on to make 30 appearances before being released and turning up at Newport County.

The Ghanaian arrived at Crabble in July following his release by Maidenhead United and has made 11 appearances this season.

Other players with connections in Somerset and Kent include Mitch Brundle (is there anyone he’s not played for?!) who began his career at Huish Park and had a two-year spell at Dover between 2017-19, and Ryan Bird, the striker who scored eight times in 36 appearances for Yeovil in 2015-16 and was more prolific at Dover with 20 in 48 appearances between 2017-18.

Colin Miles/Pluck was one of Gary Johnson’s first signings at Huish Park following his departure from Crabble in the summer of 2001 and went on to play more than 150 times in green-and-white as a legendary whole-hearted centre half.

Steve Browne was part of Graham Roberts’ side which earned promotion back to the Conference in 19797 and went on to manage Dover in the 2004-05 season. Steve, who sadly died after a battle with bowel cancer in 2017 aged just 52, is the father of another former Glover, Rhys, now a player at Wealdstone.

Midfielder Gareth Risbridger was a graduate of the Yeovil Town youth set up in 1998 before he followed manager David Webb to Southend United, where he was sent on a three-game loan spell at Dover in 2001.

Jeez, there’s more of these than you think, here’s a few more:

  • Carl Alford (Dover Athletic – loan – 1998, Yeovil Town 2001-2002)
  • Oscar Gobern (Yeovil Town – 2017-18, Dover Athletic – 2019-2021)
  • Terrell Forbes (Yeovil Town – 2006-2010, Dover Athletic – 2013-14)
  • Keanu Marsh-Brown (Yeovil Town – 2012-13, Dover Athletic – loan – 2018)
  • Michael Woods (Yeovil Town – 2012, Dover Athletic – 2019-2020)

Finally, Jerahl Hughes – anyone? I’m going to file him under ‘really don’t remember him’, but apparently he made two substitute appearances for us in the 2007-08 campaign before going on to play 52 times for Dover in the next season.

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Anyone who is making the long trip to Dover Athletic may want to consider leaving a little more time with the possibility of traffic delays getting in to the Kent coast.

P&O Ferries, which operates ferries between Dover and Calais, announced on Thursday that it was sacking around 800 workers to replace them with overseas labour and there have been reports of security guards trying to board ships with handcuffs to remove staff.

The result has been the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has called on trade unions and the wider public to “mobilise and protest” against P&O.

Dover is to the north of the town and a couple of miles away from the Port of Dover, but given the volume of traffic going in and out of the port there is every chance a few delays could very quickly become a lot of delays.

For everything else you ever wanted to know regarding Dover, visit our Ciderspace Away Travel Guide – here.

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Northwich Victoria 0 Yeovil Town 2 – Saturday 16th March 2002

The FA Trophy Quarter Final in 2002 was a hugely significant match for Yeovil Town. Despite our pedigree as a non-league team and the record-breaking number of wins against Football League teams in the FA Cup, Yeovil had not reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy since back to back appearances in 1971 and 72. They had only reached the Quarter Final once since, losing at home to Macclesfield in 1992.

My first experience watching Yeovil in the FA Trophy was a dismal 89th minute 1-0 defeat at Isthmian League Yeading in 1998. The 286 people present on that West London trading estate is almost certainly the lowest crowd to ever watch Yeovil in a Trophy match. Following that was another last minute defeat at eventual winners Kingstonian in 1999, and a pretty spineless home defeat to the same team a year later – 1-0 again, but not in the last minute this time. Kingstonian would go on to win the final at Wembley for the second year in a row, beating Yeovil on the way both times. In 1998/99, we had set a Conference record of only two away defeats in a season, matched by Gary Johnson’s team in 2001/02. The Glovers had actually not lost away all season until losing their unbeaten record at Barrow the week before the Trophy tie.

In 2000/01, the FA Trophy games came after Christmas when the Glovers were really struggling for form after a 100% home run had seen us clear at the top of the Conference. A very narrow 2-1 win after going a goal down saw us squeak past minnows Bath, followed by a 4-2 win at Emley despite having Tony Pennock sent off. The 5th round tie was away at Northern Premier League Burton, putting in what was one of the worst performances I saw that season, deservedly going 2-0 down before a 90th minute Andy Lindegaard goal which was not much of a consolation. The Burton match came in the middle of a six match winless run which saw Rushden go top of the Conference and title hopes begin to fade away, it was a very dark time.

Cut to a year later, and despite all the upheaval in between, things were looking much brighter – after a mixed start, Gary Johnson’s team were coming together and were up to 2nd in the Conference after an unbeaten run of 18 league and cup matches. Star of the show was obviously Adam Stansfield, whose scoring prowess gave the team a huge confidence boost having scored 11 goals in 11 games and five goals already in the Trophy, scoring in every round.

After casting aside local side Tiverton, strong Conference opponents in Doncaster and previous holders Canvey Island, the Glovers were drawn away at Northwich Victoria. Always a difficult place to go, Northwich were a founder member of the Conference in 1979, then known as the Alliance Premier League, and were one of only three teams who had been ever present, the other two being Telford and Kettering. Northwich’s home, Drill Field, is thought to have been the oldest ground in the world to be in continuous use, having hosted football since 1875. 2001/02 would actually be the last year that Northwich played at Drill Field – at the end of the 2002 season, they ground-shared with rivals Witton Albion, while their new stadium was being built. They moved to the new Victoria Stadium in 2005, which was also home for a time to Manchester United’s reserves. The new stadium was only a few hundred metres from Witton’s ground. In 2012, the club were evicted from the stadium after it was sold to a neighbouring chemical company, and were forced to share at Stafford Rangers some 40 miles away. This was also during a time of financial problems and several relegations which saw a breakaway club, 1874 Northwich, formed by supporters. Northwich Victoria still exist, and are back to sharing with Witton Albion, but currently lie below 1974 Northwich in the non-league pyramid.

Drill Field had a traditional non-league style grandstand on one side and the relatively new covered Dane Bank terrace opposite, with both ends open. The Dane Bank offered a superb view, and housed around 800 or so travelling Yeovil fans on the day. The Dane Bank would follow the Vics to their new Victoria Stadium in 2005, and when that was demolished in 2012, was re-purposed and transported to Broadhusrt Park, the home of FC United of Manchester.

Yeovil went into the game with a back three of White, Skiverton and Pluck, with Anthony Tonkin at left wing back in place of the suspended Michael McIndoe who had been sent off against Hereford. Replacing the injured Darren Way was a rare outing in midfield for Roy O’Brien, who was also joined by Frenchman Olivier Brassart alongside the usual Lee Johnson. Carl Alford started up front with the on-fire Adam Stansfield. The Vics boasted a similar striker in Gregg Blundell, who had scored a spectacular goal in the opening-day 3-2 win at Huish Park in Gary Johnson’s first game, and got himself sent off for over-celebrating into the bargain. The reverse fixture had gone Yeovil’s way, with the Glovers winning 3-1 at Drill Field in November, with Adam Stansfield getting his first goal for the club.

At this point in the season, Yeovil were scoring a lot of goals, but conceding a lot as well. They had not kept a single clean sheet at home in the league so far. However they had won nine and drawn three of their 12 games since Christmas, and were unbeaten in 18 games, scoring 34 and conceding 16. However this game was surprisingly comfortable as the Glovers absolutely dominated the first half, going close several times and hitting the woodwork before Adam Stansfield converted a Tonkin cross to make it 1-0 on 35 minutes. Right on half time, a Lee Johnson free kick beat everyone and was bundled home by Carl Alford from close range. 2-0 at half time, and Yeovil were in command.

At half time, Stansfield was replaced by Chris Giles as he had taken a knock. The second half was much more controlled, as the Glovers dictated the pace and Roy O’Brien in particular was absolutely superb, breaking up opposition play. Vics manager Jimmy Quinn brought himself on with about 20 minutes to go, but his plans for a comeback were scuppered just minutes later. Vics midfielder Val Owen clattered Carl Alford on the touchline, right in front of the dugouts. Alford appeared to retaliate and both players were sent off as there is reportedly fighting in the tunnel as the players depart. This took any remaining sting out of the game, as Yeovil were able to play out time. Giles struggled to lead the line on his own, but Gary Johnson brought on Lockwood to play five at the back and there was nowhere for Northwich to go. It was a very significant game that Yeovil were completely up for, and although it didn’t take the shine off the day, Northwich barely turned up – much like we had against Kingstonian in 2000 and Burton in 2001! The Glovers were in top form, had a settled side, and steamed in to the FA Trophy Semi-Final to face Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion.

Team that day: Chris Weale, Tom White, Terry Skiverton, Colin Pluck, Anthony Tonkin, Nick Crittenden, Roy O’Brien (sub. Adam Lockwood, 75), Lee Johnson, Olivier Brassart (sub Andy Lindegaard, 77), Carl Alford (sent off, 79), Adam Stansfield (sub. Chris Giles, 46). Subs not used: Jon Sheffield, Darren Way

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W*ymouth have put tickets for away supporters on sale for the National League derby fixture down by the seaside on Easter Monday.

It also appears our seagull bothering ‘friends’ are planning on a 1pm kick-off although their website does state that this “may alter on police advice.”

The game is all ticket with no tickets available to purchase after midnight on April 17.

For full details and to buy tickets, visit the W*ymouth website – here.

Our last visit to the seaside ended in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory – just.

As it the trip for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, 200 seats have been designated for away fans with the rest of the allocation being standing on the Windowman Stand terrace.

However, a similarly small allocation of seated tickets was initially offered for the Cup tie and then increased when we sold all our tickets, so there’s every chance more will be made available – but don’t bank on it.

The website states that “Concession Rate is for : Over 65, Registered Disabled or a member of the Armed Forces ONLY” – but does offer the option for other age discounts, i.e. students, under-16s, etc, and lists prices as follows:

Adults – £16
Concessions (Over-65s, Armed Forces, Dorset Carers Card) – £11.
Students (Under-19s) in full-time education with photo ID – £7.
Under-16s – £4
Under-7s – 50p

There is also car parking available to away supporters, priced at £5 per vehicle, to book this visit – here.

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Dave and Ben are joined by Chris Fox to talk about the 2-0 loss against Grimsby.

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.

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It was another tough afternoon for the Glovers on home soil, with Yeovil falling to a 2-0 defeat against play-off pushing Grimsby Town. Here are BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins‘ conclusions from the match.
It has been glaringly obvious the issues for the Glovers but the pressure on not being able to score means defensive errors are creeping in. When you know your strength isn’t up top, there is only so long you can be so impressive defensively. The defenders this season have certainly earnt their money and have done more defending than most teams – and eventually something has to give with the reliance on a strong back four becoming too much. Both goals were avoidable, with the second the most disappointing from a corner. There is no doubt if the team were able to find the back of the net, the defensive line would be a lot more comfortable – it is a team game after all.
The players are putting their bodies on the line. Reminiscent of last season when Lawson D’Ath played a full 90 when he really shouldn’t have, players are entering the business end of the season with a whole heap of minutes behind them and bodies which could do with a rest. Charlie Wakefield – for example – has racked up considerably more minutes than his last few seasons combined but must play every week. It cannot be an excuse, of course, but Grimsby were able to make five changes and keep their usual system – this is not possible for Yeovil and the manager knows they are putting everything in when their bodies are screaming at them. That commitment doesn’t equal points, but it explains why fans are still so fond of this team, despite the form.
Lawson D’Ath. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

I think it is fair to say there are few midfielders better with the ball to feet in the National League than Lawson D’Ath and it was a masterstroke to keep him around the club and support his recovery. His delivery from corners was just what Yeovil had been missing and his ball retention is unbelievable. Another 60 minutes in the tank yesterday and I hope we continue to see him shine in the next few weeks. There may be little to play for now, but for the purists watching him play is a joy – his anger at referees et al.

Yeovil are now solidly midtable and so Darren Sarll can and will mix it up. I liked the impact of the diamond early on and the back three was something we haven’t seen since the opening day. It might be something that can impact us and as the manager said after the match, if you keep things the same, the same things could keep happening. I will – of course – be at the games for the rest of the season and I would like to see us go for it, take games to teams and impact other team’s seasons. We had more possession than so many games this season against Grimsby and I enjoyed seeing Yeovil with the ball – but the key is punishing teams when we do. I expect a raft of changes over the next few weeks (within the constraints of the small squad of course).
Lastly, Huish Park has such potential but needs more. The Her Game Too dedicated fixture meant a lot to me personally and the players embraced what it meant, while young girls’ teams took to the pitch before kick-off and at half time. This is something the club need to do more of as it is so important – but the place needs some love. The staff are working as hard as they can, but they can’t do it all. As Geoff Twentyman said yesterday, BBC Bristol/Somerset are trying to talk to the hierarchy but to no avail. Certainty is needed for future fans, current fans and the players, manager, and staff. But, I am so proud the club has embraced the Her Game Too campaign so brilliantly – there are so many amazing women at the club working so hard and they deserve to be celebrated. I am sure I echo everyone’s views when I say seeing Pat Custard being on the front of the programme was a joy.

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Sarll chats to BT Sport

It was another case of all bark, no bite at Huish Park yesterday as the goalless run at home extended to three games. Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the match, Darren Sarll talked about the struggle to score goals, again.

“I think its a true reflection of what we are and where we are in this moment in time. I think good sides in any division can score really bad goals, really poor goals, where it makes it look too easy. Look we try really hard every week and we really struggle to score goals. I think that’s an art in itself.

“We had two really good chances from four yards today and I think we’ve had the ball in the box more times than we have in recent weeks. It’ll turn,” he said.

The manager was pleased with the first half performances, but was disappointed with how his side executed their tactics in the second half.

He said: “I was really pleased in the first half. I thought we utilised the assets of Wakefield and Olomola very very well. I was pleased with how Lawson and Dale were feeding [the forwards, I guess?]. I was disappointed in second half, because even though the wind was quite strong against us, I thought that should have played in to our hands – being able to play harder, faster, longer passes into good positions and using the athleticism of Olomola and Wakefield.

That was my biggest disappointment of the game tactically; that we didn’t carry those instructions through and those encouraging signs through from the first half to the second. Again, we could have easily been three or four up, but it’s very hard to keep justifying that when it’s week in – week out.”

Asked about the mistakes that were creeping in over the course of the last couple of matches, Sarll said that’s where the team are in their development, but added that Luke Wilkinson and Josh Staunton have been playing injured for a couple of weeks and that others are putting their bodies on the lines at the moment.

As for the rest of the season and beyond, the manager said he might a bit experimental to avoid dying ‘the same death every week.’ 

“I think with the position we’re in, I think we’ve probably got enough grace and we’ve got enough time where we can probably be a little bit more experimental now. Otherwise, I think we might die the same death every week and we might see the same mistakes every week.”

He added that the injuries to players “might be the acceleration that we need in order to try something new until the end of the season. There’s nothing to lose. All of these things that we put into the players, even if we change shape, they’re all good learnings for next season.”