August 2022 (Page 6)

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Malachi Linton, left, celebrates with team-mates Jamie Reckord and Alex Fisher. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In what will be a shock to absolutely nobody, Malachi Linton made this week’s Non League Paper’s ‘team of the day’ following his wonderstrike earned the Glovers a 1-1 with Wrexham.

Linton joins three ex-YTFC names on the list with Tristan Abrahams and Rohan Ince both in the mythical side managed by Darren Sarll.

The full team is below.

Non League Paper Team Of The Day

Safe to say we’ll be watching the strike on repeat once the highlights are out, what a way to get off the mark in Green and White.

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The first match under Chris Hargreaves at Huish Park ended with a 1-1 draw with the National League favourites Wrexham. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions (although it could have been more) from a scorching afternoon of football.

Let’s not write off the 3-5-2 just yet. I wondered if we’d see a back four against Wrexham after the terrible first half against Scunthorpe. What do I know though? It was significantly more effective against Wrexham and we we’re on the front-foot with it too. Charlie Wakefield and Jamie Reckord were wingers more often than they were at full-back. Matt Worthington and Sam Perry got early touches on the ball and we used them in the midfield far better than last week. But for the sloppy opener, it felt like things started to click yesterday.

Josh Staunton was imperious in the second half. In the first 45 minutes, Wrexham got a lot of joy. It felt like Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin were given a bit too much license to dictate. After the half time break, there were a couple of moments where Palmer dropped deep to pick up the ball and Staunton was on top of him immediately to prevent it. He won duels with Mullin in the second half and showed why he’s pivotal in that back three. Based on yesterday, I’d have Staunton at the heart of the defence moving forward.

Matt Worthington. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Because Matt Worthington stepped up and took charge in midfield. It feels like we say every season is a big season for Worthy, but yesterday was one of the best games I can remember him having in green and white. In a trio of Perry and Sam Pearson, Worthington is the experience. He’s always had experience around him, whether it was Charlie Lee, Jimmy Smith, Staunton or Gorman, Worthington has always been the ‘young’ one. But, yesterday he showed what he can be about. He never stopped running, he never stopped challenging for headers that he was never going to win, he put himself about and (just about) managed to stay out of trouble. Towards the end of the game, he went shoulder to shoulder with Paul Mullin and came out on top with the ball and got a move going nicely, which typified his performance.

Gime Toure could be a fans’ favourite. His first touches of the ball saw him wriggle through three Wrexham players and earn a free kick. His second touches of the ball saw

Gime Toure fires a ball in. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

him drive at the right back and flash a wicked ball across the face of goal that was screaming to be tapped in. He showed moments of skill and a real intention to drive forward. He’s a different type of attacker to anyone else we’ve got at the club and hopefully he’ll build off of that cameo and produce even more.

Malachi Linton can be the star of this team. His first game in front of the Huish Park faithful will be one to remember. A goal as good as any you’ll see at Huish Park, smashed home with frustration after missing a guilt-edged chance moments earlier says a lot about the character of Malachi. Like his teammates, he never stopped chasing, he fought for the team and that effort led to the chance that Howard saved. Last weekend he showed enough to make me optimistic and yesterday I thought the same. He’s off the mark now, let’s see where he goes!

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Sam Pearson

Chris Hargreaves had special praise for loan duo Sam Perry and Sam Pearson following the Glovers’ 1-1 draw with Wrexham.

Perry, on loan from Walsall, impressed after a difficult debut and speaking exclusively to the Gloverscast’s Ian Perkins the gaffer said how pleased he was with the young midfielders showing.

“As a midfielder especially – I was a midfielder, so I’m probably harder on midfielders, once you get into the game and into a passing rhythm you become a different player”.

“When that first couple of passes comes off you work your way into the game, I said the same to Worthy (Matt Worthington) at half time.

I thought both midfielders were outstanding, they worked their socks off, very pleased with that but would like them to chip in with goals.”

Pearson & Matty Grivosti

As for Pearson, on loan from Bristol City, Hargreaves was pleased with his ability to step up to this level.

“It’s a big jump for Sam to come into such a big environment and such a big game. He’s been playing (Under) 23s football at a very good club in Bristol City but its very different.

He was excellent, he was bright, his legs had given up on him so we had to give him a rest, but he showed enough to show he’s a very talented footballer with a bright future”

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Ollie Haste at Truro ? Truro City YouTube

Two of Yeovil Town’s loan players clocked up more valuable minutes for their temporary clubs on Saturday.

Defender Ollie Haste played the full 90 minutes for Truro City in a convincing 4-0 home win over Dorchester Town.

Whilst goalkeeper Max Evans was once again in action for Larkhall Athletic.

The Larks went down 1-0 at home against Tavistock AFC with the Larkhall social media team praising Evans for his performance between the sticks.

Toby Stephens remains yet to play a competitive game for Truro, he joined at the same time as Ollie Haste, played as a trialist against Torquay, but has not figured since.

Next up, Evans’ Larks travel to Bishop’s Cleeve in the Southern League Division One South on Tuesday night, whilst Truro face Poole Town on Wednesday.

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Yeovil Town striker Malachi Linton has said the frustration of missing a one-on-one opportunity helped inspire him to score a wonder goal seconds later against Wrexham.

The 21-year-old saw an opportunity turned round the post by the visitors’ keeper Mark Howard, only for the ball to come to him outside the box and lash home wanted he admitted was “up there” with the best he has ever scored.

Malachi Linton celebrates his stunning equaliser with team-mate Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, he said: “If the first one goes in, maybe I don’t score the second. I want to take the easier ones as a striker but there was venom and frustration behind that second shot.

“I hit it with some passion because I did miss the first one and I am happy to be off the mark in front of the home fans.

“As a striker on your home debut you want to get off the mark and now I just want to move forward.”

He praised his team-mates for “being resilient” to come back from going behind to a seventh minute goal from Wrexham star striker Paul Mullin.

The striker added: “The gaffer sent us out there with a good game plan and we executed it well.

“The early goal put us on the back foot, but credit to the whole team and staff for being resilient to come back and take a well-earned point.”

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Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves said he was disappointed his side only came away with a point from 1-1 draw in the opening home fixture of the season against promotion favourites Wrexham.

The Glovers fell behind to a soft goal from Paul Mullin, which the boss admitted his players were “annoyed” at conceding, but fought back and earned a point thanks to a stunning strike from forward Malachi Linton, his first for the club.

However, the arrival of substitute Gime Toure, who was signed on Friday having been released by Carlisle United at the end of last season, saw the hosts carve out a number of opportunities in the second half.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the match, Hargreaves said: “I’m disappointed actually because we should have won that.

“But the lads have showed tremendous character after conceding early from a pretty simple long ball which we had discussed, so the boys are annoyed with themselves on that one.

“The good thing is they could have wilted and they didn’t in a high pressure game, they showed great character and for the second week running the second half was an entirely different game. Saying that, I thought we were competing in the first half, more than competing.

“On reflection, we should have won the game, but we are playing against a very good side and we can take heart from it and go in to another game on Tuesday against a good opponent (in Barnet).”

The boss started with three central defenders in captain Josh Staunton, Max Hunt and Morgan Williams with Charlie Wakefield and Jamie Reckord playing as wing backs, despite the formation causing issues in the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United seven days earlier.

Hargreaves said: “We did essentially match them out of possession, but in possession we wanted it to be about us and our good players.

“I was contemplating changing it in the second half to be even more on the front foot, but when Mal did that I thought ‘let’s let us do our thing and think less about the opposition.

“And, but for a little bit more devilment in that six yard box, we win that game and I don’t think it would have been undeserved.”

Of Linton’s goal of the season contender, the manager said he continued to have faith in the striker despite him not finding the net in pre-season.

He said: “I know what Mal can do. He was at King’s Lynn last season where my son (Cameron) was playing and that is why I saw Mal a lot.

“What I saw was someone who was brave and thrives on goals and maybe it hasn’t quite happened for him in pre-season, but that is one hell of a goal in any game.

“He deserves it for his hard work and we’ve kept faith with him because that is what he can do.”

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday August 13th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Hot…..very hot!
Pitch: Impressive, as you’d imagine.

Attendance: 2,880 (645 away supporters)

Scorers: Paul Mullin 7 (0-1), Malachi Linton 49 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Linton, Worthington, Wakefield, Williams
Wrexham: J.Jones

Referee: Lewis Smith


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Charlie Wakefield, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord

Sam Perry, Matt Worthington, Sam Pearson (for Lawson D’Ath, 70)

Alex Fisher (for Gime Toure, 72), Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 88)

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Alfie Pond.

Wrexham: Howard, Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth, Mendy (for Hosannah, 64) , J.Davies, Young, Lee (for J.Jones, 70), Mullin, Palmer. Substitutes: Watson, Tunnicliffe, J.Jones, Dalby.

 

Match Report

A goal of the season contender from Malachi Linton earned Yeovil Town a point against title favourites Wrexham in the opening game of the season at Huish Park.

The 21-year-old striker, who joined in the summer following his release by Wycombe Wanderers, lashed home an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box on 49 minutes to cancel out an early opener from visitors’ star striker Paul Mullin.

On a scorching hot day there were plenty of drinks breaks and substitutions with new boy Gime Toure impressing with a lively display after coming on with 72 minutes gone.

Here’s how it played out in Somerset……

 

First half

The only change from the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United saw winger Sam Pearson replace Ben Richards-Everton, who was in the stands with an injury, as Yeovil lined up with Josh Staunton, Max Hunt and Morgan Williams as three central defenders.

New arrivals forward Gime Toure and defender Alfie Pond, who both joined on Friday, were both named on the substitutes’ bench.

Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The system was an unmitigated disaster in the first half seven days about, but the hosts actually made a decent start seeing plenty of the ball and controlled it without really threatening their visitors but, with just six minutes on the clock, a defensive clanger gifted Wrexham an opener.

A long ball forward from the visitors saw Paul MULLIN sneak in behind Williams and fired through the legs of goalkeeper Grant Smith. It was the striker’s first goal of the campaign, but there’s every chance he won’t score an easier one.

Having gone behind, the home side went back to having more possession and, five minutes after the opener, a whipped corner by Matt Worthington found Josh Staunton who could not direct his effort goalwards.

Williams almost got caught out again when he tried to clear his lines only be caught out by Ollie Palmer, but the defender put in a fine block to deny the visitors’ other star striker……oh, Elliot Lee as well.

However, there were things to be positive about from the hosts – despite the goal, of course – with a far more composed performance in the formation which showed no sign of paying off seven days earlier.

The mercury rising to 33 degrees may have meant there was not a huge amount else to write home about for the rest of the half.

It took until two minutes before the break for either side to create anything approaching an opportunity and it fell to Yeovil with Worthington’s corner forcing a scramble with Hunt and Alex Fisher both in there, but neither being able to test Mark Howard in the visitors’ goal.

 Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Wrexham 1

Second half

The first chance of the second half came out of nowhere when a long ball forward from Hunt forced an error by former Glover Ben Tozer and Linton was free. He burst clear on goal, but was denied by the fingertips of Howard.

Malachi Linton chases down Dan Moss whilst playing for King’s Lynn on the opening day of last season at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But, just when you thought the young striker had missed his chance to impress his new supporters, LINTON picked the ball up on the edge of the 18 yard box and he smashed it right footed in to the top corner. If Jordan Barnett’s wonder strike against Torquay last season was the goal of the season, it will take something special to top that.

With only five minutes of the second half gone, the fear was a rapid Wrexham reaction (trying saying that after a few drinks!) but there was not a huge amount to trouble either Smith or Grant in the 20 minutes that followed.

Sam Pearson, who impressed coming off the bench at Scunthorpe, looked lively again down the wing and caused some problems up until he was replaced in the 70th minute by Lawson D’Ath.

Toure replaced Alex Fisher shortly after as both sides began to make changes with the heat taking its toll.

It took Toure only a few moments to make an impact. He picked the ball up on the left, drove at the Wrexham defence and flashed a ball across the face of goal, but there was no-one there to finish the opportunity.

There was a heart in mouth moment soon after when Smith tried some fancy footwork to get around Palmer and was very lucky not to gift the striker a goal. If looks could kill, Chris Hargreaves would have been on a murder charge with his goalkeeper!

The heat even had an effect on the officials with referee Lewis Smith going off and the result was seven minutes of stoppage time being added on at the end.

As the game ticked in to the additional time, Toure flashed a ball across the face of goal in what could have been a win.

However, there was plenty to be optimistic with an impressive performance to banish the disappointment of the opening day – bring on Barnet.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Wrexham 1

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Yeovil Town director Stuart Robins has said “several discussions” are continuing with potential investors and directors to the club.

In a ‘Board Update’ article in the matchday programme for today’s opening league fixture at Huish Park against Wrexham, he said there was “nothing concrete” to report on the discussions.

The retired businessman and lifelong supporter joined the club’s board at the end of May becoming both a director and a shareholder.

Robins said: “We are sure most of you know, we have been looking for investors in to the club and consequently new board members.

“We have several discussions ongoing, but there is nothing concrete to report to you all yet. We are continuing our discussions as well as seeking out new potential investors, and we will be happy to update you as soon as there is anything material to report.”

Speaking in April, chairman and owner Scott Priestnall said he was having “positive conversations” with “people to join the board, from an investment point of view, to invest in the football club going forward.”

In an address to supporters in the Alec Stock Lounge, he declared: “I am pleased to say there has been some positive conversations on that part and I’m hoping to have a concrete framework around the board by the end of the season, so we are not in limbo during the summer.”

If we assume the conversations being had four month later are with the same individuals, there’s no chance of anyone accusing us of rushing in to bringing new blood in to the boardroom.

In his programme article, Robins also confirmed that funds generated from the sale of Tom Knowles to League Two side Walsall on the eve of the new campaign would be available to manager Chris Hargreaves.

He said: “As disappointing as it is to lose Tom, there is now an increase in funds available to Chris to improve the squad.

“Of course, this will not be easy, but if hard work is a pointer to success, then Chris and his team will succeed and have a highly successful campaign and, of course, that is what we are all hoping for.”

Speaking after the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United, Hargreaves said that Priestnall had told him the funds would be available.

On Friday, he brought in forward Gime Toure, a free agent following his release by Carlisle United at the end of last season, and a sixth loanee, teenage Exeter City defender Alfie Pond.

 

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Winger Sam Pearson is handed his first start since joining Yeovil Town on loan as they face title favourites Wrexham in the opening league fixture at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).

In what could be either a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation, the Bristol City youngster replaces centre half Ben Richards-Everton who is not in the squad and understood to be injured.

Recent arrivals Gime (pronounced ‘Jimmy’ we’re told) Toure and defender Alfie Pond are both named on the bench alongside Lawson D’Ath, Chiori Johnson and goalkeeper Will Buse.

For the visitors, summer signings Elliot Lee and Jacob Mendy both come in come off the bench in the opening day win over Eastleigh last weekend.

Lee, who scored twice seven days ago to earn his new side a win, is paired alongside Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer in what can only be described as a ridiculously talented front three at this year.

Yeovil Town: Grant Smith, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord, Charlie Wakefield, Sam Perry, Matt Worthington, Sam Pearson, Alex Fisher, Malachi Linton. Substitutes: Buse, Johnson, Pond, Toure, D’Ath.

Wrexham: Howard, Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth, Mendy, J.Davies, Young, Lee, Mullin, Palmer. Substitutes: Watson, Hosannah, Tunnicliffe, J.Jones, Dalby.