August 2023 (Page 10)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Loan watch is back for another season and currently, the Glovers have three members of the first team squad out on loan.

Let’s start at Dorchester, where the Magpies lost out in dramatic circumstances to Welsh side Merthyr Town FC – the game ended 3-2.

Ollie Haste, started the game with number 11 on his back and helped create a number of first half opportunities for his side.

Whilst Haste played for the full 90, Benjani Jr had to wait for his chance from the bench, he was introduced into the game on 65 minutes as a replacement for another Ex-Glover Jordan Barnett.

One of Merthyr’s goals also came from the boot of a former Huish Park player – Alex John.

Ollie Haste In action for Dorchester
Pic: Becky Handley/Merthyr

Meanwhile, down at Taunton, Malachi Linton played 83 minutes as the Peacocks got off to a winning start in the National League South against Braintree.

Linton was replaced by Nick McCootie late in the game with the score already at 2-1 to the Somerset side.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town defender Morgan Williams has urged supporters not to panic after an opening day defeat to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Speaking to YTFC’s YouTube channel the central defender said: “Its obviously not nice to start with a loss, we didn’t think it would be like that, but we’ve got 45 games (to go).  We spoke about it, we’ve got 45 games left, there’s no need to panic or anything like that. I thought we played well in some spells, we know we are way better than that and we’ve shown that in pre-season, we just need to show that next Saturday.”

Following the error between Zac Bell and goalkeeper Will Buse that led to the only goal of the game, Williams isn’t concerned and backs his team mates to come good.

“We know that they’re good enough, it’s just an error, everyone makes errors, we’re all human. Busey and Belly have been top the whole of pre-season and we know that they’ll save us this season with a lot of chances and stuff, you rub it off and we go again.”

Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The defeat means that Yeovil haven’t won on the opening day since 2016, but Williams is sure things will get going sooner rather than later.

“We’re all good enough, we can’t make excuses this year, we’re going to go to places all over the (south of) the country and it’s going to be bad places, bad grounds, whatever, but we have to adapt to that and play how we want to play and we should get results.”

Plenty of praise for the Glovers fans, who may well have outnumbered the home supporters in a number just topping 1200.

“It’s very disappointing to let them down, we knew how many were coming and we apologise for letting them down, but we know we can put it right and hopefully they’ll all be down there on Saturday.”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews

Yeovil Town’s captain for the day Matt Worthington has stood by his team mates after a drawing a blank against Hemel Hempstead Town on the opening day of the new National League South season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins post-match, the midfielder, who took the armband in absence of skipper Josh Staunton, offered no excuses as to the result, but said that the goals would come.

“We were prepared for what we faced today, the Gaffer, prepared us as well as he could, ultimately it was down to us to put a performance together. We were solid for large parts of the game, we created, we had a lot of balls in their box especially towards the end of the first half, weshould have got a goal to go into half time with.

“Ultimately, at the end we concede – not a great goal – it was a day for learning and we need to put that behind us, we have four home games which I’m really looking forward to. It (the pitch) was tough, it was a tough surface to play on, they’re used to it, they train on it every day.”

Matt Worthington.
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

Despite creating chances, the Glovers couldn’t find the net after a profitable pre-season campaign in front of goal, but Worthy said he’s not concerned in the long run.

“The quality speaks for itself up front, we’ve got Jordan (plural), Frank, Murphy, and the lads that came off the bench. We will get goals this year, there’s no doubt about that, we created chances, and with them lads up front, we’re definitely going to score goals. We just need to make sure we continue to create those chances.”

The only Tudors’ goal came from a mix up between wing-back Zac Bell and goalkeeper Will Buse, but Worthington has said that it’s a chance to learn and move forward.

“You have to make them realise they can’t do that, it’s a mistake, everyone makes mistakes, like I’ve said to Busey in there, it’s almost good that it’s happened now, so he can learn from that and take it forward.

I think if we’d have kept it at 0-0 we’d always have a chance with the quality we have up top to nick a goal and win the game 1-0 at the end.”

“We have to move on, we have four home games now, this game is not going make or break our season, so we have to all stay together and go into the next four games.”

“(Huish Park) is going to a place where the fans can really get behind us and we have to make sure we give them everything – all the lads are looking forward to that, we’re lucky to have four home games so early on in the season, so we need to make sure we get as many points out of them as possible.”

On captaining the side in Josh Staunton’s absence, Worthy said: “It’s a massive honour, to look back at the captains we’ve had at the club, and still now, it’s just nice to know when he’s (Josh Staunton’s) unavailable to play I can put the armband on. Staunts, Lee Collins – people I really look up to, to put the arm band on is a massive achievement and I feel really happy.”

The Glovers take on St Albans City in their opening league fixture at Huish Park next Saturday.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has told BBC Somerset that he hopes his Yeovil side will take a loss to Hemel Hempstead as a ‘slap around the face’ and a ‘kick up the backside’.

Speaking to Sheridan Robins, he praised the Glovers’ support at the game, but couldn’t hide his frustration.

Mark Cooper speaking after the 4-0 pre-season friendly win at Buckland United.

“First of all, I thought it was an unbelievable turnout from the supporters, we didn’t give them what they deserved, so that’s a big frustration, but it can happen, we’ve had a good pre-season, everybody talking us up. It was always going to be a difficult game, really difficult pitch, no excuses, but we didn’t perform like we have done in attacking areas today.”

There were attacking debuts (or re-debuts) for a number of players, but it didn’t lead to an upturn of fortunes in front of goal.

“We didn’t  spark, we put as many forward players on the pitch as we could, but they didn’t spark today. If they don’t, you’re relying on keeping a clean sheet at the other end, but a calamitous goal sums the day up.

“It could be a good thing for us, it could be a kick up the backside, that this might not be easy – not that we ever thought it was – but it might be a slap round the face to say ‘we’ve got work to do’.”

“For me it was a case of it might have to be a 93 or 94 minutes, because they were wasting time, but to do that you have to keep a clean sheet and not give them anything to hold on to, and that’s exactly what we did. “

A single Joe Iaoficano goal was all that separated the sides for the opening day defeat, but the Glovers now go into a spell of FOUR matches in a row at Huish Park..

“Frustrating day, but we’ve got four home games now, as frustrating day as it was for everybody, we have to keep calm and not panic, and keep focus and perspective and be ready for next Saturday.”

Speaking on goalkeeper Will Buse, whose error led to the goal, the gaffer was quick to look at the wider picture regarding Saturday’s game.

“He’ll have to learn from that, but, what I will say is we didn’t spark at the top of the pitch, for me, we were flat at the front of the pitch and that’s where we were really good in pre-season, so it’s frustrating. We really appreciated the support today and we’ve got to be better than that, the players know that, we’ve got to keep it in perspective, they need to stick with us, we’ll be alright, we’ll be fine.”

Mark Cooper was talking to BBC Somerset, the interview on the YTFC Social Channels was slightly different but covered the same topics. 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Yeovil Town’s start to life in National League South began with a rude awakening and defeat at Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.

A goal from hosts’ striker Joe Iaciofano ten minutes from time was the difference. He capitalised on an error by Glovers’ keeper Will Buse who was involved in a calamitous mix-up with wing-back Zac Bell.

For their part, Yeovil huffed and puffed but could not find anything approaching the free-flowing play and goal-scoring which they had shown in pre-season.

Two thirds of the Gloverscast were there, and as part of the packed out away end, here’s how Dave saw proceedings.

First half

The opening exchanges showed exactly what an artificial surface was going to be like.

As well as sloping in half-a-dozen different places, there was no doubt the ball moved a lot quicker off this surface, and the home players knew exactly how and unsurprisingly adapted quicker to the conditions.
The first meaningful chance for either side saw Yeovil have the ball in the back of the net after ten minutes. Good play by Rhys Murphy on the left of the box saw his cross headed home by Jordan Maguire-Drew. But the assistant has his flag raised before the ball crossed the line.

The first booking of the match, handed out by Zac Kennard-Kettle, the son of former EFL referee Trevor Kettle (yes, that one), went to Zac Bell presumably for something he said. Three cards in under 30 minutes suggest he is indeed him father’s son.

Nine minutes later a spell of pressure saw Murphy denied by the offside flag again. Matt Worthington lifted the ball back in to the box, Murphy slipped his marker only to have his shot stopped by hosts’ keeper Craig King. The flag also up to deny him.
On 36 minutes, good play by Maguire-Drew who, aside from being denied by the linesman’s flag, had not seen a great deal of the ball, saw it drop to Murphy whose shot went over the bar.
That sparked a spell of sustained pressure with first Jake Wannell and then Charlie Cooper having efforts blocked.
Defender Jake Wannell, who impressed on his debut.
Picture courtesy of Dan Finill.

Maguire-Drew and Murphy combined again just before half-time but again the effort from the striker went over the bar.

The possession count was certainly in the favour of the home side but chances were at a premium although one came when a break forward saw Joe Re fire over.
The end of the first half saw rule changes to try and counter time wasting mean six minutes were added on. It is not an excuse for a fairly pedestrian display, but I would not be surprised if the home side contributed to the vast majority of this additional time.

Half time: Hemel Hempstead 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The first opportunity of the second half fell to the home side who strung together a good passing move which saw Joe Iaciofano one-on-one with Will Buse, who spread himself well to deny the striker.

Yeovil keeper Will Buse does well to save at the feet of Hemel striker Joe Iaciofano.
Picture courtesy of Dan Finill.

On the hour, Montel McKenzie saw an effort tipped over the bar, and on 63 minutes the first Yeovil opportunity dropped to Morgan Williams after a moment of sustained pressure from the visitors. JM-D’s cross dropped to him inside the box but he could not get a decent connection and the effort went over.

Looking for a spark, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was introduced in place of defender Jamie Sendles-White. That saw him move up front alongside Murphy and Nouble with JM-D dropping back in to the right side of midfield.

But it was Hemel who were creating the better chances with McKenzie flicking an effort over the bar after 70 minutes.

The breakthrough came for the home side came with a complete gift. A mix-up between Buse and Zac Bell saw the keeper a long way out of his goal to meet IACIOFANO who got enough on it to steer it in to the corner of the net. It was nothing more than Hemel deserved having exerted the greater threat, whilst Yeovil looked decidedly lacklustre going forwards.

Hemel Hempstead striker Joe Iaciofano steers home the game’s only goal.
Picture courtesy of Dan Finill.

There was a delay in the game not long after with trouble amongst Glovers fans – it seemed to involve supporters shaking the goal posts, a delay we could all have done without – whilst the referee and stewards tried to deal with the incident.

Once the game restarted, chances continued to come for the Glovers, Alex Whittle combined well with Frank Nouble, but the former Torquay man headed over with the game drifting towards a conclusion.

Yeovil threw on on loan Bristol City striker Olly Thomas for JM-D with ten minutes left and brought Jordan Young into the fray with added on time well underway, but to no effect.

The Glovers will head into four home games in a row with something of a reality check fresh in their minds.

Full time: Hemel Hempstead 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Vauxhall Road
Saturday, 5th August, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Plastic and sloping in at least half-a-dozen places
Conditions: Stopped raining at kick-off but not a minute sooner

Attendance: 1276 (no away number given)

Scorers: Joe Iaciofano 78

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Zac Bell (14), Jamie Sendles-White (22)
Hemel Hempstead: Reece Grant (28) George Williams (90+1) Elias Grant (90+8).

Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle
Assts: Ryan Dix & Shaun Barry

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Sonny Blu-Lo Everton (for Sendles-White 65), Josh Owers, Olly Thomas (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 81), Will Dawes, Jordan Young (for Nouble 90+5)x

Hemel Hempstead Town: Craig King, Montel McKenzie, Josh Williams, Kyle Ajayi, Jethro Hanson (for Eli Grant, 45+4), George Williams, Joe Iaciofano (for Finlay Corrigan 81), Joe Re, Chris Smith, Reece Grant (for Tyrese Briscoe 75), Arj Krasniqi.

Substitutes: Sayoud, Corrigan, Briscoe, Eli Grant, Carman.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Weston Super-Mare have confirmed that the fixture with the Glovers is subject to home/away segregation.

The game takes place on Tuesday 5th September (19:45 KO) and tickets are now available.

The Glovers have been allocated an initial 850 tickets which have been on sale since Friday night – They can be purchased HERE

Yeovil fans will be asked to enter via turnstiles 1 and 2 towards the front of the ground.

We’ll have a Ciderspace Travel Guide for you closer to the time, but judging by the numbers at Hemel Hemsptead this weekend, our advice is to get those tickets booked early.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Podcasts

 

The National League South season kicks off today!

As always, we endeavour to get some information from the opposition camp. We caught up with Dan, Hemel Hempstead’s media officer about what we can expect today when the Glovers arrive to Vauxhall Road.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Leave us a review and share the pod with a pal.

We’d love to welcome some local businesses into the Gloverscast family through advertising. If you’re a business that would like to speak to a dedicated audience of more than 1000 monthly listeners, please get in touch. Find out more about advertising with us here.

If you have an idea for the website, want to contribute or just want to send us a message, feel free to email ian@gloverscast.co.uk.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

The Board of Directors at Yeovil Town have issued a statement to supporters on the eve of the National League South season, wishing everyone associated with the club the best for the coming season.

Signed of by Martin Hellier, Stuart Robins, Mark Robinson and Rhys Rosser, the statement reads:

We are all extremely excited about the start of the season at Hemel Hempstead tomorrow and will all be in attendance at Vauxhall Road.

 

The process of rebuilding the Club over the last three months cannot be underestimated. There has been a daily routine of encountering new issues while also trying to provide Mark with the resources he needs to return the Club to where it should be.

 

Each of us have worked tirelessly to put the Club in the best position it can be, whether it involved dealing with unexpected creditors or restoring Huish Park to its former glory. It would be difficult to find ownership in the English ladder where a Chairman would be found with a brush in hand seven days a week.

 

Football is an extremely emotional game, especially when it comes to a Club with the history that Yeovil Town has. It results in needless rivalries where everyone simply has the best interests of their Club at heart. It is time to rise above these.

 

We wish everyone – the fans, the team, and the management – all the best for the coming season. This is a new beginning for Yeovil Town, as was said when the new ownership first took over, “rejoice, the winter of discontent is over.”

 

With all the best for 2023/24,

 

Martin, Stuart, Mark & Rhys
The Board

Well, that was a nicer one than the announcement of Tom Knowles leaving last season eh?

Bring on the football!

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Injured Yeovil Town striker Alex Fisher has said that he is targeting being back in training by November as he makes his comeback from a serious leg break.

The 33-year-old suffered a broken tibia and fibula and severely damaged his ankle after an accidental collision with Southend United goalkeeper Colin Andeng-Ndi in the Glovers’ 2-0 defeat at Huish Park in April.

Speaking on the latest edition of Gloverscast, he said he was hoping to defy the original opinion of medical advisors who suggested he should look for a return in January.

He told us: “The hospital said to budget for January, but given that I have done what they thought could have been six months (of recovery) in four months, if I do the same again I reckon I can maybe hit some time in November to train.

“As far as the body is concerned, there is no difference between training and playing games. So as soon as I am training, the leg will not know any difference to getting hit in training or getting hit in a match.

“So you have to be match ready to train and because I can do so much stuff between now and then, I am hoping that I will be able to get my fitness up before that time.”

Fisher has had the supportive cage which has been around his lower leg since the injury removed this week, and is now

Listen to our chat with Alex Fisher in full in the latest edition of the podcast – here.