September 2022 (Page 5)

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Yeovil Town Manager Chris Hargreaves has said his side will take the game to Chesterfield when the table toppers visit on Saturday.

The Spireites are unbeaten so far in the National League, but Hargreaves says his side are up for the challenge.

“We do well against the so called bigger teams, Chesterfield have got a really great start and they are probably a team that feel they should go up, probably the money they’ve spent. Good players, and they’ll be up and around it this season.

“But, I know what my players can do and know the potential they’ve got. Its a fantastic game for us, all the lads are looking forward to it. We have to be on the front foot.

“I have to thank the fans, I thought they were fantastic on Tuesday (against Eastleigh), frustrated at the end, I get that because we should have done more second half. But as I say, it’s a massive thanks from me and the players – to have that kind of players on a night game is excellent.”

Sam Perry. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Hargreaves confirmed that Callum Rowe will be missing for the next six weeks or so and Walsall loanee Sam Perry is still suffering the consequences of a blow to the head he took against York City.

“Sam Perry was concussed, quite badly and has suffered since then, Callum Rowe has got an injury which will keep him out for potentially six weeks which is a big blow.
That’s why those two players have featured.”

As for Will Dawes, the new addition from Stratford Town, the gaffer said he was happy to play the waiting game and could even send the front man out on loan to aid his progression further.

“We’ve had a conversation, myself and Will, a really bright footballer, obviously he’s got to get up to speed with what we think and what we believe he needs to be and he’s close. Will falls into the category of the type of player we need to recruit to the club – potential. And if he shows he’s capable of competing for that start then he’ll stay around, if he’s not then it’ll be a case if going to get some games somewhere.”

In an interesting addition, he confirmed that he was frustrated at the Glovers position and that performances prior to the last two could have yielded more points, and that the team were working to put that right.

“I think that in the last two games (the points return) is reflective, we took the lead, but second half Eastleigh were better than us. York game fell below the standard I require, every other game before that we were in it and could potentially have won it.

We didn’t get the points we should have, we should have four or six more, we haven’t, we’ve got to deal with where we are. On paper, if you look at that a point away, you might take it, but we’re looking at context here and we’ve got to put it right.”

No better time than this Saturday, we say Chris!

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Ollie Haste in action for Truro City. Picture courtesy of Cameron Weldon/Truro City FC.

Ollie Haste notched up another 90 minutes for Truro City on Wednesday evening.

The White Tigers faced Weston Super-Mare in a league game and played out a 0‐0 draw against Reuben Reid’s side.

Haste played the entire game whilst Toby Stephens was an unused substitute in a game with fairly few chances between two unbeaten sides.

 

 

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Former Yeovil Town FC media officer, Alex O’Loughlin, was summarising for BBC Somerset at Eastleigh yesterday evening. Here are his conclusions from the 1-1 draw in Hampshire.

We don’t look like scoring. There’s a general consensus surrounding football that as long as you’re creating chances, results will eventually come and concern can fall by the wayside. I, however, remain concerned. The goal last night came from a glaring error from Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell (although credit must go to Malachi Linton for being alert and Sam Pearson for a subsequent smart finish), but the keeper didn’t even have an opportunity to atone for his mistake. Unless the drizzly haze at the Silverlake Stadium played tricks on my eyes, I can’t recall another meaningful attempt on goal. That’s a worry, especially when Linton, Pearson, Charlie Wakefield, Lawson D’Ath and Alex Fisher were all on the pitch at some point.

Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The curious case of Charlie Wakefield. Having been crowned ‘the best on earth’ following a scintillating first season at Huish Park, it’s just not happening for Chaz at the moment. Understandably subdued when deployed as a wing-back, he didn’t get into the game in an attacking sense at all at Eastleigh – no sight of the lung-busting runs or weaving his way to the byline before picking out someone in the middle. Credit, though, must be awarded for a tenacious defensive display. Charlie continually tracked back to double up with Morgan Williams and his effort can’t be questioned. I just hope we can find a system and tactics that gets the best out of him. ‘A silky winger, is just what we need’.

Alfie Pond who? I’m aware this has all been a bit doom and gloom, so to chirp us up a little, I think we can look forward to watching more of Owen Bevan this season. After Alfie Pond’s unexpected departure on deadline day it seemed as if the back four was to be left weakened, but if last night is anything to go by, Bevan has firmly grasped one of the centre back spots. Brave, commanding in the air, quick on the turn and with a bit of s***housery that we all enjoy watching, the Bournemouth loanee stood out on a disappointing night. Without trying to over-hype the young lad, it was Steven Caulker-esque how he slotted straight in and looked a cut above the rest.

A point on the road is never to be sniffed at, but it’s only a good point if we win on Saturday. Despite the odds being stacked heavily in Chesterfield’s favour at the weekend, the lads need to produce a performance that ends in victory – the Wrexham display (although a draw) should give us some form of hope. In an ideal world, the Spireites are dispatched and we have four points from a possible six – happy days. The alternatives are either two points or, worse still, one point from a possible six and, quite possibly, a drop into the relegation zone. Gulp.

Marcus Stewart celebrates his 87th minute goal in the League One play-off semi-final at Nottingham Forest in May 2007. Picture courtesy of Len Copland – www.lencoplandphotography.blogspot.com.

Some things are bigger than football, and seeing Marcus Stewart in the dugout was a heart-warming moment. The outpouring of support from all corners of the footballing world following the announcement of his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease highlights just how well-respected Marcus is, both as a footballer who was capable of mesmerising brilliance, and, more importantly, as a wonderful human being. It was great to see the passion that Marcus adds on the touchline and as a Glovers family, we’ll be behind him every step of the way.

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Yeovil Town’s on loan defender Owen Bevan has been called up by Wales Under 21st for a training camp ahead of an upcoming fixture.

Bevan, who joined the Glovers from Bournemouth after the departure of Alfie Pond will link up with his international squad later this month.

Bevan will head to the Vale of Glamorgan on Wednesday 21st September and will be hoping to catch the eye before the coaching staff pick their team for the game in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday 27th September.

Bevan told afcb.co.uk: “I’ve been hoping to get involved with the under-21s for a while and I’m delighted to have been included in the training camp. I’m looking forward to showcasing what I can do.

“We’re training for the first three days and there’s a game on the Saturday when I think a few of the first-team coaching staff are going to be watching so, hopefully, I can impress.”

His participation for the Glovers home game against Boreham Wood on Saturday 24th September is now in question.

The centre back played his first 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Eastleigh on Tuesday evening.

He also told AFCB.co.uk he’s enjoying his time at Yeovil and working alongside an old team mate.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Chris Hargreaves. They like to play football which is something I’ve done my whole life so I’m enjoying that.

“I knew Scrimmy (Jake Scrimshaw) had the option of going there before me so having him there has been good. It’s always nice to see a familiar face and we’re both enjoying it.

“I just want to play as many games as I can and get all the different experiences. I need to be playing men’s football, getting myself out there and working on different sides to my game.”

Congratulations to Owen on his first Wales Under 21s call up.

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Sam Pearson tussles with former Glover Dale Gorman. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town goal-scorer Sam Pearson was pleased to get on the score sheet on Tuesday against Eastleigh, but could not hide his frustrations when talking post-match to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins.

“I’m happy to get my first goal, but I’m gutted it wasn’t the winning goal, I think the boys showed that we are fit enough to play this game, we did well to go in front, but second half we weren’t on it.”

The Glovers took an early lead, but it was ‘keeper Grant Smith who was singled out for praise after a string of top saves as Yeovil were penned in against their hosts.

“He (Grant Smith) is a top goalkeeper, we all know that, he shows that in training all the time, he makes ‘worldie’ saves, we have to take that to our advantage, when he’s making them saves you’ve got to go and do something at the other end of the pitch. 

In the second half, we just needed to keep the ball a bit better, we needed to get three or four passes together, we just defended for the whole half, it’s a difficult one to take.

First half, we came out positive and we knew we had to bounce back from the other week (vs York) which we did, an early goal and we just didn’t capitalise on that and I think it’s a disappointing result.”

Played as an attacker in a 4-3-3 formation for the first time, the Bristol City loanee was frustrated his side couldn’t transfer their training pitch form onto the league setting.

“It’s a bit frustrating when we are just kicking it long and we’re not stringing the passes together in the middle, but even when we go long we need to try and make something happen, it’s very frustrating.

I think second half we all could have done a bit better on the ball, we do it in training, we just need to have the heart and courage in the second half there and show it on the pitch.

It’s a hard one to take, because we went 1-0 up, we just need to build on that 1-0, six minutes in, we need to keep going and get another and then maybe defend – even then, don’t just defend for the rest of the game.

We go again Saturday and put in a big shift against on form Chesterfield, it’ll be a hard task, but we like being the underdogs and it makes us hungry to go and win Saturday.”

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Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves was full of praise for Eastleigh after Yeovil let a 1-0 lead slip on the south coast on Tuesday.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, he admitted that the players and he were disappointed with the draw, but were looking forward.

“They’re (Eastleigh) are a good side, first and foremost. First half we looked dangerous, second half they improved, they changed the shape, they changed the bodies and were a different proposition entirely.

“We didn’t get our foot on the ball and play when we could, we went too long and were erratic at times. I had a chat with the players and I will do again tomorrow (Wednesday), I think on the road it’s a good point against a very good side.

“They (Eastleigh) have a squad of good players, there’s no doubt about it – you’re not going to roll teams like this over.

“You take the lead, you look on the front foot and then it’s a step back with a mentality where – especially second half – we just didn’t play enough.”

Hargreaves said that the side would be working towards the weekend’s fixture against table-toppers Chesterfield and trying to make better decisions and create better chances.

“It’s playing in the right areas, it’s having the courage to play – that’s what we encouraged at half time and it didn’t materialise. So, it’s looking at the game again, trying to understand what we can do better and working out how to beat Chesterfield.

“(If) you take the lead in any game, you’ve got to see it out, to be honest, did we create enough second half? No we didn’t.

“There’s still some boys learning the game out there, but there’s enough experience to solidify it and get a foothold in it and relax on the ball when we have time.

“You’re going to get periods of pressure, I know that, but when you have got the ball – just make the right decision… and that’s what I was disappointed with.”

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

There was plenty of praise for the Glovers’ goal scorer Sam Pearson and Grant Smith who make numerous saves to keep his side in the game.

“I think there were some tired legs out there, but as I say, players like Sam Pearson, this is a big introduction to a very aggressive, competitive league and we’re asking him to do a lot.

“It’s a great finish (by Pearson) I think that the reason he played in the pocket there is that he can pick the ball up and hurt the opposition, I’m really pleased for him a good moment for him.”

Interestingly, the gaffer also referenced the supporters’ frustrations, just one win in eight now since the start of the season, but promised the work was being done behind the scenes.

“So, there were some elements I was pleased with, I have to say the support was incredible and I get the frustrations, 100%, because they want to see us win, but, a point away at a very good Eastleigh side is OK. It’s just what the fans saw in the first 25 minutes, and some dangerous spells in the first half, didn’t happen second half.

“We know what we want to do in the changing room, there’s no two ways about it, we’ve got to take this model of a point away and three points at home and see that out. I know that a lot of the boys in there are annoyed and they don’t want to be where we are – and neither do I. But, as I say, it’s a point on the road, we dust ourselves off and look forward to the next game because it’s a brilliant challenge for us.”

 

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Yeovil Town’s on loan winger Oliver (Olivier to his friends) Hulbert made a goal scoring return to Gloucester City on Tuesday night.

After joining on a one-month loan, the winger was put straight into the starting line up for their game against Telford United.

In total, the former Bristol Rovers man played 67 minutes before being taken off in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Gloucester also started new signing Matt Buse of Glovers Trialist fame and Daniel Leadbitter who also has a season at Huish Park under his belt.

Excellent work, Olivier!

Truro City – with Ollie Haste and Toby Stephens – aren’t in action until Wednesday evening, we will update you as to their progress when we can.

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Venue: Silverlake Stadium
Tuesday September 13th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry after a couple of days of rain
Pitch: Slippy

Attendance: 1,977 (291 away supporters)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 7 (1-0), JJ McKiernan 72 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Jamie Reckord 15, Ben Richards-Everton 22
Eastleigh: Vincent Harper 25, Ousseynou Cisse 60

Sendings off

Eastleigh: Brennan Camp 90

Referee: Paul Johnson


Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams Owen Bevan Ben Richards-Everton Jamie Reckord

Lawson D’Ath (for Jake Scrimshaw, 90) Josh Staunton Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield (for Alex Fisher, 76)  Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 89) Sam Pearson

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Gime Toure.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Oyenuga (for Hesketh, 72), Camp, Cisse (for Carter, 62), Panter (for Langston, 62), Martin, Harper, McKiernan, Hill, Whitehall, Abrahams. Substitutes: Rutherford, Ebanks.

Match Report

An early goal from Sam Pearson earned Yeovil Town a point after a backs-to-the-wall performance against an Eastleigh side who did more than enough to win the game.

The on loan Bristol City winger took advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Joe McDonnell to open the scoring after just seven minutes, but it was the home side who were completely dominant with goalkeeper Grant Smith pulling off three exceptional saves.

But, in the 77th minute on loan Watford midfielder JJ McKiernan fired home a deserved equaliser and set up a kitchen sink affair.

W*ymouth-born Brennan Camp saw red for a crunching tackle on Lawson D’Ath in added time and the visitors held on for a point.

 

First half

Chris Hargreaves made three changes from the 1-0 home defeat to York City ten days earlier and reverted to the 4-3-3 formation which saw Sam Pearson returning to the starting XI as part of a three-man forward line alongside Malachi Linton and Charlie Wakefield.

Other changes saw AFC Bournemouth loanee defender Owen Bevan replacing Max Hunt in the centre of defence while Matt Worthington who replaced Sam Perry, who was left out of the squad with the manager revealing he suffered a concussion in the York match.

After a fairly uneventful opening seven minutes, it was a howler from Eastleigh keeper Joe McDonnell which gifted the visitors a lead. Malachi Linton was alive to the error from the gloveman and teed up Sam PEARSON who did superbly to fire home an early opener.

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Six minutes later, a mistake by Josh Staunton in midfield gifted the ball to striker Tristan Abrahams, who has two goals to his name since joining from Carlisle United in the summer, but the former Glovers’ loanee fired his effort wide.

Then, three minutes later, a carbon copy error from Staunton gave Abrahams another opportunity to shoot and this time forced Grant Smith in to action.

The keeper was in action again after 20 minutes to deny Spitfires’ striker Danny Whitehall. The reaction from the home side to going behind was strong with the visitors pinned inside their own half.

Another mistake from a slip by an Eastleigh defender gave Yeovil another opportunity which saw Charlie Wakefield, back in his favoured position on the right side of attack, break through and have a shot which was blocked with Linton in a decent position.

Defender Corey Panter’s free-kick forced another fantastic stop out of Smith soon after and the ball dropped to defender Aaron Martin, who has seen service with Yeovil, but his effort was superbly blocked by visiting debutant defender Owen Bevan.

Despite the advantage, it was Eastleigh in the ascendancy with some attractive football with the pace of Abrahams a real thorn in the side of his former club.

As the game pressed towards half-time, a good spell of pressure saw an opportunity break to Malachi Linton whose effort went wide on 40 minutes.

Half time: Eastleigh 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Smith was in action again on 52 minutes when Abrahams’ effort was turned over the bar by the keeper to add another outstanding save to a string of them.

The linesman had his flag up for a handball against the home side, but referee Paul Johnson overruled his assistant. To say that the visitors’ bench let the fourth official know their views would be a mild way of saying it.

Shortly after the hour mark, Eastleigh had two good opportunities through first substitute Charlie Carter, whose effort was blocked by Worthington, and then full-back John Oyenuga went over the bar.

Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The pressure that had been mounting since Yeovil took the lead continued to mount and on 70 minutes the home side’s forwards seemed to be queuing up to turn a ball across the face of goal with Ryan Hill perhaps best placed. None of them did and the ball broke to Smith.

But, the goal that had been coming finally came with 72 minutes gone. Staunton was outmuscled by on loan Watford midfielder JJ McKIERNAN who hammered an effort across the slippery surface past Smith. It was nothing more than Eastleigh deserved.

There was no drop off in intensity from the home side after their equaliser whilst Yeovil still could not get a foothold in the game. Defender Brennan Camp – who was born on a rock south of a Dorset coastal town – was the latest to have a chance as headed just over on 76 minutes.

Attacks at the other end were a case of having to take what you could find and a half chance from Pearson as the game ticked over 90 minutes – with six added on. With the home side still (yes, still) piling on the pressure, that was all Yeovil needed to hear.

With a couple of minutes of the added on time gone, Camp saw red after a crunching tackle on Lawson D’Ath which left the play-maker in a pile on the floor. Referee Paul Johnson had no hesitation in showing the card. Dirty W*ymouth…..etc.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Jamie Reckord was well positioned to deflect a goalbound effort wide and that was (mercifully) the final opportunity for the home side.

Full time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 1

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On loan AFC Bournemouth defender Owen Bevan is handed his Yeovil Town debut for tonight’s trip to Eastleigh (7.45pm kick-off).

The teenager replaces Max Hunt as one of three changes as the Glovers look to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to York City ten days ago.

Matt Worthington returns from injury in place of Sam Perry, who is not in the squad, with on loan Bristol City player Sam Pearson replacing Alex Fisher, who is on the bench.

We’re calling this as a 4-3-3 line-up from the Glovers – we’ll see how it plays out though.

 

Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams Owen Bevan  Ben Richards-Everton Jamie Reckord

Lawson D’Ath Josh Staunton Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield  Malachi Linton Sam Pearson

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Chiori Johnson, Gime Toure, Jake Scrimshaw, Alex Fisher