December 2023 (Page 7)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

With Yeovil out of that pesky FA Trophy, it allowed us time to catch up with some league football! Following the entertaining 2-2 draw away to Dartford today, let’s take a look at what else happened with our fellow NLS combatants in both the league, and the FA Trophy.

We’ll start with the league action, where only 2 other games took place today, and they were absolute corkers! The main event took place in Worthing, where they played out a 4-4 thriller with St Albans City, ex-Glover Shaun Jeffers finding himself on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, a current Glover, Malachi Linton, made an appearance off the bench for Taunton, as they thrashed Farnborough 4-0 at home. Truro City and Dover Athletic was postponed before kick-off due to an unplayable surface.

Into the FA Trophy, and we’ll cover the pick of the round first, where Chippenham Town defeated Gloucester City in a 5-3 cracker at home. The National League North visitors put up a decent fight but the attacking threat of Matt McClure and Craig Fasanmade was too much for them. Another thumping for a fellow NLS competitor came in Frome, where Torquay United won 4-1 away from home to book their place in the next round.

There were one or two “cupsets” involving NLS sides, for the better and for the worse. Bath City and Hampton & Richmond both pulled off wins over National League opposition in the shapes of Boreham Wood and Southend United respectively, while on the other end of the spectrum, W*ymouth were knocked out by Hendon.

 

National League South results – in full

Taunton Town 4-0 Farnborough Town
Truro City P-P Dover Athletic
Worthing 4-4 St Albans City

FA Trophy 3rd Round results (NLS teams in bold)

Aveley 1-1 Hungerford Town (Aveley won 8-7 on pens)
Barnet 4-0 Maidstone United
Bath City 1-0 Boreham Wood
Bromley 1-0 Slough Town
Chippenham Town 5-3 Gloucester City
Frome Town 1-4 Torquay United
Hendon 2-0 W*ymouth
Oxford City 0-1 Chelmsford City
Southend United 2-2 Hampton & Richmond Borough (Hampton & Richmond won 2-4 on pens)
Welling United 1-1 Brackley Town (Welling won 4-3 on pens)

By:
On:
In: Five Conclusions, Gloversblog

We paid for not taking our chances: It’s not often you hear a reference to the Fab Four in a Yeovil Town post-match interview, but I cannot put it any better than Mark Cooper’s: “The lads were saying in there if some of them had six shots at John Lennon today, he’d still be alive.” That was the difference between one point and three points.
The Dartford keeper, Ryan Sandford, deservedly picked up the sponsors’ Man of the Match Award for some outstanding saves, but there are chances where we should not have given him a chance to make them. The opening couple of minutes, you would put your house on Rhys Murphy to find the net when he’s clean through and drags it wide; it’s that type of chances. Yes, we have scored more goals than any other side in the division, but in these games we have to be more ruthless.

Rhys Murphy walks away wondering how he missed an early chance.

Cox was excellent: In the first half at Princes Park, Dartford simply could not live with us (see Conclusion #1 if you’re asking ‘so why was it 1-1 at half-time?‘). Every time we attacked with the pace of Sonny Cox, Murphy and Jordan Young, they were rocking and Cox stood out for me showing a desire to battle alongside his obvious natural pace and talent. The past couple of times I have seen him, he has looked a bit off it but I thought he was a stand-out player in the first half.

Sonny Cox

In the second half, we stopped doing what was working: Having been so dominant in the first half, we seemed to stop doing the things that were working for us in the second half. Dartford upped their game and credit to them for that, but playing ‘direct’ very quickly proved itself as not working and yet when we got it down and moved it, we looked a greater threat. Don’t agree? Watch our second goal. I am, by the way, aware that (as one fellow fan told me when I remarked) if these players were perfect, they’d be playing higher. But, if we have genuine ambitions to win promotion, we have to be better than the level.

I’m looking at this as a point gained: It’s the old football cliche – is this one point gained or two points dropped? I’m going to look at it as the positive after a game of two halves. How many cliches can I fit in one conclusion?! Of the five teams in the top seven that have gone to Dartford this season, only one (Maidstone United) have left with three points and, although inconsistent, they have some good players (Moussa Diarra at the back is one we’ve come up against many times for Woking – you can’t miss him, he’s a giant!) and other teams will drop points here before the season’s done.

Let’s get back to home comforts: It’s back to Huish Park next weekend for what feels like another big one as third-placed Hampton & Richmond come to town. They have won five of their 13 away games (the third-highest in the division) but let’s not forget we have won nine of our 11 home games and are still unbeaten. Pick up points on the road and get wins at home (Cliche Klaxon), that is what makes title contenders and Hampton will not look forward to coming to Somerset. There’s a crucial Christmas period (oh, there’s another one!) coming up, so let’s make Huish Park an intimidating place for teams to come.

You know what to do next weekend, people.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

The Glovers left Kent frustrated, but our cohort of loanees (well those who didn’t have pitches under water) had slightly better Saturday afternoons.

Starting up at Twerton Park and Bath City pulled off one of the upsets of the FA Trophy taking out National League Premier side Boreham Wood 1-0.

Will Buse was back between the sticks after missing out against his parent club on Wednesday night and kept a Cup Cleano.

Down at Taunton, they gave Farnborough a bit of a thrashing. It was 4-0 in the end with Malachi Linton used from the bench in the 2nd half.

As an aside, Linton has also been awarded the Peacocks’ November goal of the month for his strike against Street in the SMPC. Nice finish, Mal.

 

Ollie Haste clocked up 90 minutes more for Dorchester, he and his side picked up a big away win, 2-1 at Swindon Supermarine.

Haste nearly scored himself just after the hour and was booked in the 81st minute.

 

Plenty of games fell foul to the weather including Shepton Mallet.

But it’s worth noting that Charlie Bateson did make his comeback during a midweek match for them.

He came off the bench to mark his first game since being involved in a car collision. It’s great to see him back on the pitch.

 

Melksham didn’t play, neither did Sherborne, Gillingham were off and it was just too damp at Welton.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Here’s what Yeovil boss, Mark Cooper said to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall following the Dartford draw.

Ian Randall: Well, Mark, thanks for your time. I think there was a knowing nod between you and Alan Dawson at the end. You you’d had a decent competitive game there today.

Mark Cooper: The game should be over at half time.

IR: Well, it should be over after 15 minutes, arguably.

MC: We should be sat on the bus with at least four or five goals but listen, that’s football. We had total domination in the first half. They had one cross in our box which we didn’t defend. I’ve made those feelings known. I think we had 12 big chances. I’ve just seen 12 big chances that the way we played and what we set up, we cut them open, they couldn’t deal with our two number tens rotating into the middle of the pitch. Through balls, clean through on goal numerous times, side foots into an empty net and somehow we let their keeper make saves when should be just rolling in the corners. But listen, it sometimes happens like that, and then at half time I kind of knew what was coming because they have to do something and you know we had to battle for a point in the end. Yeah, it’s just the way it is. And at half time I would have settled for a point because I knew what was coming,

IR: Would you be more angry if you hadn’t made twelve chances? Because by making twelve chances, that says there’s not a lot wrong with the process.

MC: [It’s] Exactly what we worked on after the Bath game and being more in control of the game and cutting them open with our two number 10s rotating into the middle of the pitch and overloading it. Sliding the ball through clean on goal. That’s what we worked on and that’s what we do. And, I’m pleased as a coach that we created that number of chances.

IR: But as you say, Sanford had his day, didn’t he?

MC: Listen, first half, we were magnificent and the football we played. I just said to the players there, as a coach, I can get from the edge of our box, to the edge of theirs really safely and in control of the game. But I can’t do the last bit, which means you got a desire to head the ball out of your goal and mark your man and I can’t finish and show you how to finish when you’re under pressure. That’s an individual thing, and that’s what it is. We weren’t good enough in both boxes so, we should score loads and we gave two crap goals away.

IR: In terms of your attacking play, there was quite a lot of chaos at times in the Dartford area. Does that make it harder for the forwards because it is a very uncontrolled situation?

MC: No, because before the chaos comes calm where we’re running in on goal or it’s a pullback and it’s a free shot at the goalkeeper from 6/8 12 yards. The chaos comes when the goalie saves it and it rebounds and then we get a second chance. But the first chance is clear cut and we should be more precise. But listen forwards sometimes missed chances. If we play like we did first half 100 times we win, I think 99.

IR: Overall, then, at the end of this sequence, this long series of away matches you finished seven points clear. You’ve got a clear week now, and a home game. The joy of a home game next week with with some time to get a few bumps ready, hopefully?

MC: Yeah. We’re looking forward to it. Looking forward to having a clear week, we can rest for a couple of days, get the boys really fresh and a cracking game for us at home to Hampton and Richmond next Saturday.

IR: Will they get days off now because they’ve done a lot of miles, you’ve had a busy schedule, is it question of just actually just releasing the valve almost?

MC: Sometimes less is more and more is less. You know, sometimes they need to rest and and that’s better than training. I don’t think there’s anything too structurally wrong with us. We look a good team. We look as like we know what we’re doing certainly with the ball. And we just have to keep recreating those, those kind of performances and certainly the players will get time to rest this week, but we’ll also have some time where we’ve gotta work really hard.

IR: And just about calmness, Jordan Young was calm with the chance at 2-2, because the ball, the ball did ricochet to him in the D and he never looked like he was going to miss?

MC: The lads were saying in there if some of them had six shots at John Lennon today, he’d still be alive. So yeah, I fancied Youngy on that one because it sat up really nice. He’s been great, hasn’t he? And listen for the first half was a brilliant performance. It’s just a shame it hasn’t ended with a win.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Jordan Young spoke to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall following the Glovers 2-2 draw at Dartford. Here’s what he had to say.

Ian Randall: Jordan, thanks for your time. What was Mark’s message at the end?

Jordan Young: Probably disappointment. Overall, I think you know, [in the] first half, we had so many chances. It was frustrating that we didn’t put more away and then conceded one goal in the first half that was the only thing they did. You know, it’s disappointing when you come at half time. Second-half is always going to be difficult. You know, disappointing overall.

IR: Did you speak about the wind as a factor in the game? Because when you were left to play with it in the first half, were you conscious that and you we’ve got to make capital out of this?

JY: A little bit. I mean, obviously you can see in the first half you know the ball’s going up in the air and it’s running through. So you know, Murph gambled really well and got in a couple of times and yeah, we used that. In the second-half it wasn’t as bad, I don’t think so it was kind of more of an even game I would say.

IR: And you know, you had two attempts from distance in the first half. One just over the bar, one that clipped the top of the bar, and Sonny Blu, hit the bar from halfway. So it was the day when there might have been a really unusual goal scored?

JY: Yeah, of course. I’m just waiting for a free kick to actually go in instead of hitting the bar every week. You know, but that’s the thing it’s game of margins, isn’t it? You know, one of them goes in it’s 2-0, it’s a different storyline. Yeah, we’ve just got to keep going. We’re in a good position, just got to keep going.

IR: And equally, you had to keep going when Chin scored as well, because to come out of this with nothing would have seemed, would have seemed desperately unjust. And it was Michael’s cut back when he got away on the right that created your goal to make it 2-2.

JY: Yeah, well, we we always know we can score goals and I think it was a sloppy goal to concede, the second one. We just needed to make sure that we didn’t lose the game in the end, which we did, you know, and it’s an away game. You come away, sometimes you take a point, don’t you?

IR: As the season has unravelled, have have you noticed that people are paying more and more attention to you as an individual and they get markers doubling up on you. You know, you’re you’re having a lot more fouls committed against you, that sort of thing?

JY: Not particularly. I think we’ve got good players in our team and we’ve got good wingers the other side as well. We get a lot of fouls because we attack quite frequently with our team. It’s obviously a compliment that when someone doubles up on you, there’s space somewhere else in there. So that’s just what we’re trying to do.

IR: And at 2-2 at the end, 10 minutes to go you were still chasing the third one and, in fact, both teams were to be fair?

JY: Yeah, it was a bit end to end. I mean, we wanted to win the game, so of course we’re going to look for a goal and make sure we we’re solid at the back, which we were in the end. Yeah, we take the point away.

IR: What does the next week look like?

JY: We’ve got no midweek game, so a little bit of rest in the week and then we go again next week.

IR: Do you do you need that? [a rest]

JY: I think so. I mean, we had lots of games, haven’t we? Saturday Tuesday, and we’ve had three games this week. So I think I think the boys definitely need it, yeah.

IR: And Hampton next week is is important too, because they’re tucked right in behind you, aren’t they?

JY: Yeah, it’s a massive game and we’ll go into that fresh and looking to win.

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

Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of National League South with a 2-2 draw at Dartford.

Or, alternatively, Yeovil Town missed the chance to go even further ahead at the top of National League South as they dropped two points at Dartford.

The laws of two things being able to be true at the same time came pass the Glovers took an early lead through a Rhys Murphy penalty, only to be pegged back soon after by the home side who added a good second after some sloppy defending.

It was left to Jordan Young to fire home an equaliser after good play from substitute Frank Nouble on 78 minutes, and the visitors left with a share of the points.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from the away end in Kent….

First half

Three minutes in and a ball over the top saw Rhys Murphy beat the offside trap but pulled his shot past the far post with just the keeper to beat. A big chance and one you would have bet on Murphy to finish.

Four minutes later, a ball threaded through to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who flicked it sideways to Jordan Young whose shot was blocked on the line by the giant frame of Moussa Diarra. The pace of the visitors’ start was causing all kinds of problems.

But it took until the tenth minute for a breakthrough to come. Another Yeovil attack saw Matt Worthington went down under pressure inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. MURPHY stepped up to make no mistake.

There was a strong wing blowing behind the visitors throughout the first half, which was definitely assisting the attack.

But on 17 minutes, a mistake in midfield saw Dartford gifted possession and break away with Luke Allen clipping a beautiful ball to the back post and on loan Bromley striker George ALEXANDER was on hand to head past Joe Day at the far post.

From the restart, Charlie Cooper came within in a whisker as he used the wind to his advantage and tried to chip Sandford who was off his line. The ball ricocheted off the woodwork, the keeper and went out for a corner.

A breakaway after 24 minutes put Michael Smith one-on-one with the keeper but his effort was blocked and a minute later a curling effort from the impressive Sonny Cox was turned aside by the fingertips of Sandford. The keeper is having a great game.

Young had a 35th minute shot just over the  Dartford crossbar before four minutes later a free-kick from the winger had crossbar shaking.

Then, with three minutes or normal time remaining, a great move started by Cox saw the on loan Exeter City man fire in a shot was stopped by Sandford who was having a great game. From the block, the ball broke to Worthington who pulled his shot wide.

The sides went in level at the interval but it will have been Mark Cooper who would have been the more disappointed with Yeovil having had all the chances……except the one Dartford scored, of course!

Half time: Dartford 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

It was the home side who started the second half in the ascendancy. Goal-scorer Alexander was denied by a superb interception from Morgan Williams before at the other end Young’s free-kick on 52 minutes went straight in to the wall.

Just after the hour mark, a ball over the top from Alexander set Luke Coulson free but Joe Day was there to claim it and Young tumbled inside the box but the useless referee was unmoved.

There were chances at either end and moments later a Young run ended with a foul on the edge of the box and Cooper’s free-kick just missed the incoming Williams at the back post.

On 64 minutes, Jake Hyde and Frank Nouble replaced Murphy and Cox with Nouble taking up Cox’s position out wide and Hyde replacing Murphy through the centre. Get Frank through the middle, surely,

There was always the nagging doubt that missed chances (more in the first half than the second) would come back to haunt us, and on 70 minutes Dartford took the lead. On loan Charlton Athletic midfielder Richard CHIN stole the ball off a Yeovil defender and bent a super shot past Day from the edge of the box. A good finish, but more sloppy play cost us.

The deficit seemed to stop Yeovil from doing the thing which had made them look at their most threatening. A lot of balls in the air – against a giant centre half like Diarra – rather than keeping it on the ground made things look scrappy.

With 17 minutes left, Nouble fed Hyde but the striker’s header was off target before more great play from the impressive Chin was not matched  by a finish which would have given him his second of the match.

And, in the 77th minute, a bit of play on the floor led to an equaliser. Nouble’s powerful run down the left and the ball broke to YOUNG who slammed a ball in.

Will Dawes had a shot straight at Sandford with ten minutes remaining, and in injury time the giant frame of Diarra almost bundled home a corner. There may have been a block in there from Wannell.

With three of five minutes added on played, Young was replaced  by Jordan Maguire-Drew, but there was to be no late winner and Yeovil were left to rue missing good early chances.

Full time: Dartford 2 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Princes Park
Date: Saturday 9th December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Soft but held up surprisingly well considering the rain it had endured
Conditions:  Dry and cold after 12 hours of non-stop rain with a strong wind behind Yeovil in the first half

Attendance: 1,072

Scorers: Rhys Murphy pen 10 (1-0), George Alexander 16 (1-1), Richard Chin 69 (1-2), Jordan Young 78 (2-2)

Bookings: 
Dartford: Moussa Diarra 20, Jordan Wynter 63, Luke Allen 88
Yeovil Town:  None
 

Referee: Charles Martland

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 64), Frank Nouble (for Sonny Cox, 64), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Jordan Young, 90+3), Josh Owers (not used), Duncan Idehen (not used).

Dartford: Ryan Sandford, Moussa Diarra, Jordan Wynter, Max Statham, Luke Allen, Sam Odaudu, Luke Coulson, Richard Chin, George Alexander, Joash Nembhard, Tyrell Miller-Rodney (for Paul Rooney, 65). Substitutes (not used): Baris Altintop, Alex Wall,  Lewis Manor, Archie Woods.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town have made for changes from the midweek win at Bath City as they take on Dartford this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Full-back Alex Whittle, who left the field in the first half on Tuesday night, is replaced by Will Dawes with top-scorer Rhys Murphy and on-loan Exeter City man Sonny Cox coming in up front for Frank Nouble and Alex Fisher.

Defender Duncan Idehen misses out with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton coming in to midfield.

The full team is as below.

 

 

By:
On:
In: Foot In The Opposition Camp, Latest Yeovil Town News, Podcasts

It’s Match Day Morning so we are back with another Foot In The Opposition Camp episode.

Ben chats to Will Bass, Dartford’s media man and match day commentator to get the lowdown on the Darts.

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.