October 2022 (Page 5)

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Yeovil Town’s youth sides are back in action in the Junior Premier League this weekend.

Five of the six age group teams which play as part of the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust will be taking on opponents from Juventus Devon – based in Newton Abbott not Turin – whilst the Under-16s take on their counterparts from Southampton-based Chievenor Soccer School.

There is no match for the Glovers’ Under-18s in the South West Counties Youth League this weekend with the next fixture at Bath City Under-18s next Saturday.

 

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Ollie Haste has rejoined Truro City on loan for the rest of the season.

The Glovers’ youngster originally saw his first loan spell come to an end following a string of impressive displays for the White Tigers.

Haste was on the bench once, without appearing, following his return, but now heads back to Paul Wotton’s side for the remainder of the campaign.

Go well, Ollie.

 

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Elliot Watts was at Taunton and he’s joined Ian, Ben and Dave on this episode of the Gloverscast to chat about the game, the aftermath of the game and what happens next. We speak to the Boundary Park Alert System about our opponents on Saturday, Oldham Athletic. We take your questions, and we have another Fan’s Five with Ian Whatmore!

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Chris Hargreaves has revealed that he has a couple of unnamed players training with his Yeovil Town squad who he is hoping to bring in to bolster his squad.

The Glovers head to Oldham Athletic on Saturday looking to banish the ignominy of an FA Cup exit at the hands of lower league Taunton Town on Tuesday night.

Asked about whether he could have reinforcements before that match, the boss told BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins that delays in registering players was causing delays.

He said: “We have got a couple of players training with us but unfortunately it comes down to registration and clearance which is holding us up at the moment.

“That has been the delay for over ten days now which is frustrating, so that one is out of our hands, but I am actively looking.”

The length of the delay would suggest that international clearances may be a factor, although forward Gime Toure did also arrive following a period on trial.

Hargreaves admitted that he did not have a big budget to go out and bring in reinforcements as he seeks to pull the Glovers out of the bottom half of the National League table.

He added: “Is there a huge pot of money to go and get some of the best players in the National League? Of course there isn’t, you have to be realistic.

“We work with what we work with and, as I have said many times, we are where we are as a club and we can’t change that.

“Clubs at all levels have to be sustainable because we want clubs to exist, so I just have to get on with my job with the tools I have got.

“In my opinion, other than the two games (against Taunton) we have seen which I will apologise again to the fans that travelled, in the main the players have been extremely competitive.”

Whilst Yeovil beat Solihull Moors in their last league outing, their opponents have drawn two and lost two of their previous four matches and sit in 18th place, one below the Glovers, with the sides separated by six goals on goal difference.

The Latics were recently taken over by the Rothwell Family, led by chairman Frank Rothwell who made his wealth selling cabins, and appointed former Everton defender David Unsworth, who Hargreaves admitted will be in no doubt about how tough life is in the National League.

He added: “David will be under no illusion about how tough his job is and I have no problem with the reaction (of Yeovil Town supporters who booed the team off) after the game on Tuesday.

“I think our fans have given a lot and taken a lot over the last few years, but they just want to see their club do well and so do I.

“If I was a shrinking violet I would not have taken it and if I didn’t believe I could do it, I would not have taken it.

“I can’t step over the white line for the players, I can give them the information about the opposition, how I think we can beat them and then it’s up to them to go and deliver and there’s enough players to go and do that.”

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The Glovers Trust has responded to criticism at its lack of communication in recent months as it looks to elect new members to its board.

In an update posted on its social media on Thursday, the Trust said it had “been necessary to take a step back, learn from our mistakes and come back stronger” following the departure of long-standing chairman Brendon Owen, the collapse of Simul Sports‘ bid to buy the club which was backed by the Trust, and the sale of Huish Park to South Somerset District Council (SSDC).

The Trust Board said: “It’s understandable that our lack of communication has led to more frustration and anxiety among Trust members – as a board we are more determined than ever to change, improve and secure the future of Yeovil Town FC for future generations.

“As the largest independent supporters group, we still believe the Glovers Trust remains our best hope of doing so.”

It confirmed the Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at The Arrow pub on Abbey Manor Park, Yeovil, starting at 7pm.

The Trust has invited club chairman Scott Priestnall and fellow director Stuart Robins to “speak at the event and encourage all of our members to attend, either in person or online.”

It added: “We are looking to expand and diversify our board, to better represent supporters and affect positive change. We’re particularly keen to hear from women, young people and under-represented voices from the Yeovil Town family.

“Above all we’d love to hear from you if you’re motivated to help keep the club alive – we are now accepting applications at communications@glovers-trust.co.uk. Please send a short introduction about yourself and your history following Yeovil and we’ll be in touch soon.

“Please be in touch by email or social media with your questions or comments. Your input will help shape the Trust and ultimately the future of the club. In the all-too-familiar words of YTFC on social media – we go again.”

The update described the collapse of Simul Sports’ bid to buy the club in May as “beyond disappointing for all at the Trust.” In recent statements, both Scott Priestnall and Stuart Robins have said the consortium, led by former Cardiff City director Julian Jenkins and including ex-Glovers’ midfielder Marc Bircham, had never showed it had the financial backing to complete the deal.

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FA Cup giant killing and Yeovil Town have a long history. But, a season after setting the record for the non-League club with the most League scalps in the FA Cup, the Glovers’ campaign has been ended early by lower league Taunton Town.
As he was for the first match, Rich Willcox-Smith was watching on from the stands at Wordsworth Drive – we’ll not ask in which end – and here he gives his conclusions on another difficult night to be a Yeovil Town fan.
It started okay. In my conclusions after Saturday and on the podcast on Monday, I said that I was surprised how sluggish Yeovil were from the off in the first game. But from the off, they looked faster and fitter and the ball spent a lot of time in the Taunton half. If the personnel were the problem at the weekend, the arrival of experienced heads like Jamie Reckord, Alex Fisher and Gime Toure seemed to be the tonic – for the first 15 minutes at least.
We struggled with balls in to the box. We know we are struggling to score goals and, if that is an issue, a sound defence is absolutely crucial but we really struggled with Taunton’s balls in from wide and set pieces. It was one of these that got Taunton a penalty. It was a dangerous ball in that was on its way out if it was left, but a silly, more stupid, raise of a hand gave the ref no option to point to the spot. Couldn’t really be argued with. Even know Grant Smith did get booked for not agreeing with the decision.
The scoreline could have been a lot worse. As was the case of Saturday – I seem to be saying that a lot – Taunton could have been more than one goal ahead at half-time. In the second half, if they had got another two I don’t think anyone could have complained. They were more than deserving of their victory and an away tie at MK Dons in the first round.
If you don’t take shots, you don’t score goals. Forgive me the obvious comment, but the way we struggled to make Jack Bycroft in the Taunton goal work was painful. Over 180 minutes of football, there was nothing which made the keeper have to pull off a worldie for his cleano – sorry, Ben! This is the same team by and large that has managed to get results against the likes of Wrexham, Chesterfield and Solihull Moors in the league.

Is this rock bottom? Two abject performances in space of three days, Ben Richards-Everton and Matt Worthington coming together after the match and supporters protesting against the manager the owner, it’s not a great look. In his post-match interview, Josh Staunton said that this has to be our rock bottom. [Think we said that was the defeat against York City, Rich, or was it the draw at Altrincham? – Ed] It is heart-breaking to see so many supporters say they have had enough and will not return until Hargreaves, Scott Priestnall or both are gone. As Dave keeps on saying, nothing changes until everything changes – but the big question is, who is going to bring about that change? Whoever it is and whatever it is, it needs one happen fast.

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As was evident on social media last night, many are unhappy with the situation at Yeovil Town at the moment under the management of Chris Hargreaves.

As a website that tries to gather opinions of across the Yeovil Town piste, we’d like you to share your view on the poll below on whether you think it’s time to make a change.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

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Yeovil Town captain Josh Staunton said the club’s exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Taunton Town had to be “a wake-up call”.

He admitted there was “an air of negativity” in the dressing room which was “crippling” the squad, but he said the 300 travelling supporters were within their rights to boo the team off the pitch at the final whistle.

He said: “We have let them down. As a group of men we have not delivered a performance that a club or our stature deserved and that falls on the players.

”Those scenes at the end are a wake up call, that hurts me as captain of that team and trust me you will not find anyone more disappointed than me over these last two games.

“We need to be inspired to do something and when chances fall our way, we have to be the ones who want to make a difference.

”That is how you turn a season around, one bit of passion or heart to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and be the one to make a difference, at the moment we look like we are passing the buck.”

Manager Chris Hargreaves cited the inexperience of some of his side’s younger player saying that the occasion of the Cup tie may have got to some players.

Asked about the response to going behind to a first half penalty from Taunton’s Lloyd James, Staunton said that was the moment his team-mates had to react positively.

He said: “That is where you either become a player who has some longevity in your career and you want to make a difference, or you find it hard to galvanise yourself and go in to your shell.

”As soon as we concede a goal at the moment, it seems like we are climbing a mountain and it all comes down to belief and confidence and when things are not going your way you have to find that yourself.“

The captain concluded that there now needed to be a response as the team travels to Oldham Athletic on Saturday looking to their 17th place position in the National League.

Staunton said: “It is a test of resilience. You can either lay down and be someone who lets the game pass by or be someone who will stand up and say ‘this is it, this is our turning point.’

”This has got to be the rock bottom that we bounce back up from. It is now a case of galvanising the group, picking them up for Saturday and being the one who leads the group by putting your shoulders back and taking the responsibility and criticism.”

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Chris Hargreaves apologised to Yeovil Town supporters for a performance which was “nowhere near good enough” as his side went out of the FA Cup at Taunton Town.

A first half penalty from Lloyd James was enough to settle the fourth qualifying round tie and send the National League South side, who sit 24 places below the Glovers in the pyramid, through to the first round.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, the manager said he “could not accept that kind of performance” from his players.

He said: “I picked a team I believe could win the game comfortably, it’s a group of lads that has been good enough to get results against good sides in the National League.

”So against a very resilient team, albeit one from a lower league, we did not deliver, so apologies to anyone who turned up tonight to watch that.”

The travelling 300 supporters at Wordsworth Drive made their feelings known with the team booed off at the final whistle for the second successive match. They faced a similar reception at the end of the tie’s first game at Huish Park on Saturday.

Hargreaves said he did not blame fans for the reaction: “They have to see something (from the team) which they can hold on to and get behind you. I have no problem with (the reaction of supporters.

”The players have got to step over that white line and give them something to cheer about over the two legs they haven’t which is bitterly disappointing.”

He admitted there was “no hiding place” from criticism of his record since taking the manager’s job and compared the situation with Bristol Rovers, where he was previously part of the youth team set up.

He said: “I have seen (Bristol Rovers manager) Joey (Barton) take a lot of stick and then turn it round and that is all you can do in football – prove people wrong, fight and believe and I do.

”If I didn’t (believe) I would not have taken the job and I want everyone else to do that.”

The final whistle saw some Glovers’ players clashing with each other with defender Ben Richards-Everton and midfielder Matt Worthington involved in some fiery exchanges.

Asked about it, the manager said it was a product of their annoyance at the performance and result.

He added: ”The boys are giving everything, but tonight a few nerves showed with some of the younger players and the occasion got to them.

”We have to work with them quickly because we need them to play.”

He added that he would “have to see a reaction” from the players when they returned to training on Wednesday morning.

They travel to Oldham Athletic in the National League on Saturday looking to build on a 1-0 home win in their last league match.

Hargreaves said: “I will now move on to a National League game having won the last one, that is my mindset. I can’t forget about that.

”Since that game there has been a very disappointing two (games) against a team in a lower division.

”This club needs to be in the Football League, not win the FA Cup. I go in to the next game on Saturday as determined as I was when I walked in the door.”

 

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Venue: Wordsworth Drive
Tuesday October 18th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but cold
Pitch: Narrow and slopey

Attendance: 2,347 (350 away supporters)

Scorers: Lloyd James (pen) 26

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Worthington 33
Taunton Town: Grimes 13, Z.Smith 48

Referee: Paul Johnson

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Max Hunt  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                                 Chiori Johnson                                                       Jamie Reckord

Sam Pearson       Callum Rowe (for Will Dawes, 70)      Matt Worthington

Gime Toure  (for Jake Scrimshaw, 78)   Alex Fisher (for Malachi Linton, 78)

Substitutes: Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Sam Perry, Ollie Hulbert.

Taunton Town: Bycroft, Foulston, Grimes, Ball, Chamberlain, James, Jarvis, McCootie (for Sims-Burgess, 83), Guest, Smith, Lucas. Substitutes: Budd, Warwick, Stearn, Staley, Morgan, Irish.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town’s FA Cup campaign came to an end

Thanks to Jake Farrant from the Green & White Supporters’ Club who allowed us to use his match report – you can read it on the club’s own page – here – with none of the Gloverscast trio in attendance.

Here’s how he saw it…..

First half

Yeovil had the better of the opening exchanges but they weren’t able to put Taunton under any sort of pressure and the game soon began to be a bit dull, much like the first game at Huish Park.

As Taunton began to have some play of their own they were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes when Chiori Johnson handled the ball in the box and Lloyd JAMES stepped up to fire the ball past Grant Smith.

On 30 minutes the home side almost made it 2-0 when Ollie Chamberlain broke through the Yeovil defence but he fired his effort wide.

Very little happened for the remainder of the half as Yeovil just didn’t look like getting an equaliser and they trailed at the break.

Half time:  Taunton Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Neither side made changes at half time and the game continued with Yeovil playing poorly.

Both teams struggled to create chances during the second half with Yeovil being limited to half chances.

As time ticked away it was inevitable that Yeovil were heading out of the cup and when the full time whistle went the fans were less than impressed.

Full time:  Taunton Town 1 Yeovil Town 0