March 2024 (Page 4)

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Yeovil Town recent poor form will be somewhat of a worry ahead of their trip to the in-form Braintree Town on Saturday.

With just the one win in the last five, the Glovers will not be relishing their trip to Essex to face the side in third in National League South table. What makes for even less appetising viewing is that in the last two visits to the county the Somerset side have picked up one point from a possible six.

Braintree on the other hand are very much the in-form team in the division, having not lost a game in their last 14. Making this the first time Mark Cooper’s men go into a game as the so-called “underdogs” this season.

Yeovil Town Team News

Cooper knows how difficult this game will be, having faced a tough challenge earlier in the season. He said: “They are one of the best teams we have played here and they are one of the only teams which have not changed how they play when they came here. Full credit to Angelo (Harrow, the Braintree manager) and his team for that.

” I am hopeful it is two teams that go and have a go at each other and it is a good spectacle rather than last week which was not a great spectacle.”

Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

The Glovers’ boss also feels today’s opponents won’t be treating us as the underdogs “considering we’re 12 points in front of them”.

Cooper is hoping that some slight disruption in the Braintree team can help his side. He said: “I am hoping they are tired after that, I know they have had a bit of illness in the camp, but they have recruited some good players.”

Centre back Morgan Williams gave his views on the upcoming fixture. He said: “So every team is going to give it their all against us because we are top of the league and the best team in the league, so we just have take it game by game. We have to respect Braintree, they are doing really well, but we have just got to do our best on Saturday.“

Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Town will be without full-back Michael Smith, who is missing with a hamstring injury, and long-term injury victims strikers Rhys Murphy and Jake Hyde. Speaking on Thursday ahead of the game, Coopwr said left-back Alex Whittle had “a great chance” of making it on Saturday. He also revealed on-loan Bristol City striker Olly Thomas missed last weekend’s goalless draw on an artificial surface at Slough Town due to issues with his knees caused by ‘growing pains’.

Braintree Town Team News

The Irons manager, Angelo Harrop talked about how his team will prepare for the game. He said: “We will prepare like we always do. I knew this was always going to be tough.”

Harrop, also believes “it’s a tough, tough league” and that “anyone can beat anyone” so fancies his teams chances.

Speaking after his side’s goalless draw at home to W*ymouth on Tuesday night, the 35-year-old knows he has the backing of his fans for the game. He said: “The crowd will be fully behind us, they were unbelievable tonight [vs Wey*outh], so we’re going to need that support Saturday.”

Harrop said is side’s good form and league position puts pressure on his players team, which he encouraged his players to relish. He said: “There should be pressure on our team; we’re in a really good position and we’ve got to enjoy that pressure.

“There’s pressure on my shoulders, the players’ shoulders and we’ve got to embrace that.

“Going back to the Chelmsford home game (the Iron’s last defeat on home soil on Boxing Day) when this place was packed out, we need to learn from those experiences – it’s the time to turn it on and really embrace it.”

Braintree have some notable names in their squad with players including former West Ham United academy graduate, striker Freddie Sears, who has more than 450 EFL appearances to his name for clubs including Ipswich Town and Colchester United. The 34-year-old arrived at the Rare Meats Company Stadium having left National League Premier side Dagenham & Redbridge earlier this month.

Another familiar daces for the travelling Glovers to watch former Yeovil man, winger Charlie Wakefield, who arrived on loan from Woking last month.

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Yeovil Town defender Morgan Williams has said his focus is entirely on the team’s ambition of getting promoted back to the National League this season.

The 24-year-old, who has kept 14 clean sheets this season as part of the Glovers’ backline, turned down the opportunity to play for England C in their 1-0 defeat against Wales on Tuesday night.

Speaking about the decision on Thursday, he said: “A lot of thought went in to it, but I think it was the right decision. I have got to focus on the target we set at the start of the season and that was to get promoted and that was why I made the decision I did. My family sent me some responses and I am thankful that the fans can see I am trying to do something right for the club. I was in a bit of an awkward situation last year with us getting relegated, and I want to help the club get back to the National League.”

Williams’ pairing alongside Jake Wannell, who arrived in the summer from Taunton Town, has been a major feature in the club’s success this season which sees them sitting seven points clear at the top of National League South.

The centre half described this campaign as his “best by far” having spent his previous campaigns at Huish Park in a variety of positions including left back, right back and even filling in as a defensive midfield player.

On his partnership with Wannell, he said: “He’s a great guy and a great defender and we have worked really hard to get a bond. The staff have really helped with that as well and given us the belief and confidence to keep pushing on and hopefully we will get more clean sheets. He is winning at the moment, but I am hoping I can get a few and help the team out which is the main focus. We have a laugh about it, but the main focus has been winning a game.

“I have not really had that opportunity to concentrate on building a partnership, I have not really played centre half in the three years I have been here. I have been right back, left back or just filled in where I am needed, but it is really good the manager has trusted Wans and I to build that connection and I think we have done quite well so far.”

The partnership between Williams and Wannell has been a key part of success this season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The Glovers travel to third-placed Braintree Town this weekend to face a side which has not lost in league action since New Year’s Day, looking to pick up a win on the road having picked up three points just once in their last six matches.

Williams said: “Every team we play against gives 110%. We have played Welling twice and they beat us twice and they play 150% higher. You watch them against other teams and they do not play like that. So every team is going to give it their all against us because we are top of the league and the best team in the league, so we just have take it game by game. We have to respect Braintree, they are doing really well, but we have just got to do our best on Saturday.“

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has called on his players to get back to what they have been doing all season as they travel to third-placed Braintree Town this weekend.

The Glovers’ boss admitted that last weekend’s goalless draw at Slough Town was the first time this season he had deviated from his game plan all season, as they ground out a point to stop the rot of back-to-back defeats.

He revealed that full-back Alex Whittle had “a great chance” of being available having been taken off injured in that game and said the 3G surface in Berkshire was part of the reason he did not risk striker Olly Thomas, who has been suffering with a knee problem.

Speaking on Thursday, the boss said: “Saturday was the only time this season we have changed the message which was to go more direct because of the pitch. Until then the message has been let’s go and attack, we go and play and do our stuff. Sometimes it just does not happen.

“When you consider Slough are 19 points unbeaten at home when the pitch is a difficult surface, we looked really solid and had a few bits and pieces but could not manage to get that goal. But, on the road at Slough it is a good point.”

Asked whether he enjoyed the tactical battles, he added: “I would love to be 4-0 up with ten minutes to go and just relax and think about my Sunday dinner! But football is not like that, is it? At this moment, people will be looking at……and it is the Press’ job to build a negative narrative, that is their job because that gets headlines, it gets people asking ‘what is going on at Yeovil?’

“But I think if you look at the bigger picture, Leicester were 12 points clear (in the Championship) six weeks ago and they are now behind Leeds United, Wrexham were second in (League Two) and have now won three in 12, Chesterfield had the chance to win the (National League) last night and conceded four goals (to lose 4-2 at FC Halifax). So it is about putting things in to perspective and my biggest job is to fill the players with confidence. It would be easy for the fans to berate the players and me, but we are trying our best and, ask the teams at the top of any division, it is not easy at the top because every team is desperate to beat Yeovil.

Jordan Young drops a shoulder. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

“These players have done tremendously and it is my job to get Jordan Young back firing, get Sam Pearson back firing, Frank back on the goal trail, and fill them with the confidence, trust and love that we have for them. From our side it is positive and we have seven games left and we know what we have to do.

“Every week, it is like they are playing against a super human effort because the opposition are desperate to beat us. That desire to beat Yeovil is huge and I would be the same if I were a player, but we have to deal with it. I think the supporters understand that and we have to make sure the players and the fans keep that tremendous bond and trust together, that is what will keep us going.”

On the injury front, Cooper was already without influential full-back Michael Smith on top of long-term injury victims striker Rhys Murphy and Jake Hyde. On loan Bristol City striker Thomas was not in the squad and then left-back Whittle limped off after 65 minutes.

On Whittle, the manager said: “He has a really good chance for Saturday. But we are not a team that moans about injuries because we have a small, but really good squad. It is very rare we have anyone missing who is not on the bench. We have recruited the players and sometimes get injured, when they are back, they are back, but until the physio tells me they are fit we just get on with Saturday and I pick the best team I can.”

On Thomas, he added: “Olly did not train on Thursday or Friday. He is still only 18 and he is growing rapidly and it is effecting his knees, so we have to be careful with him as he is not our player. He did not train and it was a 3G pitch (at Slough) so it did not make sense for us to try to aggravate that.”

He bolstered his squad with the arrival of Yeovil-born full-back Brooklyn Genesini and striker Jahmari Clarke, who joined on loan from Swindon Town and Reading respectively until the end of the season.

Cooper said: “I thought Brooklyn looked energetic, quick and bright and that is what we wanted to do, we wanted to give the a lift by bringing in players who would give us that spark. The big fella up top looks like he has real potential. You always want boys who are desperate to play and (Charlie) was desperate to play. He probably should not have but tablets, strapping and he got through the game and then rest again, but we can only have boys in the team who are desperate to play for us. Look at the signings we have made, Brooklyn is from Yeovil and that aligns with us trying to make our recruitment as local as we can, the big fella from Reading was desperate to come and play some games. That is what we need and we want to try and keep it going.”

New signing Brooklyn Genesini. Picture courtesy of YTFC.

Braintree were held to a goalless draw at home on Tuesday night by a W*ymouth side which they defeated on the south coast just 72 hours earlier. The Iron are unbeaten since New Year’s Day in National League South action and Cooper was full of praise for them for their performance at Huish Park last October, a game which Yeovil won 2-0.

He said: “They are one of the best teams we have played here and they are one of the only teams which have not changed how they play when they came here. Full credit to Angelo and his team for that. You can see last week they signed Freddie Sears who has been at West Ham, Colchester and Dagenham, tremendous player for this level. I am hopeful it is two teams that go and have a go at each other and it is a good spectacle rather than last week which was not a great spectacle.

“It is difficult when two teams play each other Saturday and then Tuesday, they were at W*ymouth last Saturday and then again at Braintree on Tuesday. They were both really tight games, I watched them both and I am expecting a good game. I am hoping they are tired after that, I know they have had a bit of illness in the camp, but they have recruited some good players. They brought in Charlie Wakefield who Yeovil fans will know, so we are expecting a tough game.”

“I am sure Braintree would say we are not the underdogs because we are top of the league and 12 points in front of them, so they would say we are the clear favourites. That is for people like you to debate, all I know is we have to go and try and win the game.“

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Ian and Dave are joined by Wattsy to chat through the ‘nondescript’ 0-0 at Slough. We chat through the new signings, the tactics and take your GCQs.

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

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Yeovil’s two game losing run came to end with their 0-0 draw away at Slough on Saturday. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on, in a rarely seen full schedule!

We begin at Tonbridge Angels, who thumped a struggling Torquay United to leave them just three points outside the relegation zone, following their ten-point deduction. Three goals in five minutes for the hosts secured them a 4-1 victory! There were plenty of goals to discuss, and plenty of 3-1 home wins at that, one of which came at Welling United. They continued their impressive escape from relegation with a big win over Weston-super-mare, two late goals securing the win for the hosts.

There were also big results involving teams at the top of the table – Chelmsford continued to apply pressure on the Glovers’ title hopes, as they defeated Bath City, while Worthing took another damaging blow to their title ambitions, as Chippenham Town secured their second 3-1 win of the week. The final 3-1 win came for Farnborough, as they defeated the 10 men of Aveley to reignite hopes of a potential late playoff push.

There were further big results for teams near the top, and the bottom of the table, as Hampton & Richmond condemned their hosts Hemel Hempstead to yet another defeat, the Tudors now winless since January, while the visitors jumped to 4th in the table, undefeated in six. Truro City continue to show signs of life, as they put a dent in St Albans’ playoff charge with a 2-1 win; meanwhile Eastbourne Borough moved to within three points of safety with a 2-0 win over fellow relegation strugglers Taunton Town.

Dartford had yet another miserable afternoon as they sit just inside the drop zone, with their main keeper Billy Terrell being sent off just before the hour in a 2-0 loss at home to Maidstone. Down on the south coast, our noisy neighbours W*ymouth were surprisingly resilient in a 1-0 loss at home to next weekend’s hosts, Braintree Town, while in the battle of the bottom, it ended 0-0 between Dover Athletic and Havant & Waterlooville.

 

National League South results – in full

Chelmsford City 3-1 Bath City
Chippenham Town 3-1 Worthing
Dartford 0-2 Maidstone United
Dover Athletic 0-0 Havant & Waterlooville
Eastbourne Borough 2-0 Taunton Town
Farnborough 3-1 Aveley
Hemel Hempstead Town 1-2 Hampton & Richmond Borough
St Albans City 1-2 Truro City
Tonbridge Angels 4-1 Torquay United
Welling United 3-1 Weston-super-mare
W*ymouth 0-1 Braintree Town

National League South table

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Charlie Cooper battling in midfield.

The gap at that top of National League South is now seven points (with a game in hand) over Chelmsford City, but goals are proving difficult to come by for Yeovil Town. A goalless draw at Slough Town yesterday did nothing for the Glovers’ goals for column and here’s how Marcus Duncomb saw the game from his vantage point in the away side (first half)/end (second half).

I didn’t realise quite how much influence a right back can have on a whole team. I know Michael Smith was playing in the Europa Conference League last season and scoring worldies against Germany a few years ago… BUT I still didn’t expect a right back to hold quite so much importance to our team. Whether it’s his technical ability or his calmness and leadership on the pitch, he is sorely missed. This is no dig at Genesini, but not having Smith effects the whole team – especially whoever is playing on the right wing.

New signing Brooklyn Genesini. Picture courtesy of YTFC.

Speaking of right backs, Brooklyn Genesini is definitely more of a wing back than a full back. The Yeovil lad started the game at right wing back and throughout the game was one of our more assured performers. He was still sound as a more natural full back towards the end when we switched to four at the back, but he looked more comfortable going forward so I wonder if we may stick with the five/three at the back until Michael Smith is back. Still, it’s nice not to have dealt with the issue rather than sticking square pegs in round holes for the rest of the season!

We’ve now got four very tall frontmen. Towards the end of the game there was a moment where we had Jahmari Clarke, Alex Fisher and Frank Nouble (all 6ft3) as our front three, with Olly Thomas not in the squad. Earlier in the season Cooperball was certainly more about passing it around and patiently waiting to create opportunities, but now with the height of those three I think there’s certainly an argument to be made to play our football a bit more direct. Especially as we enter the crunch point of the season – at this point I’d like to start seeing us win ugly in games where our normal patient style isn’t working. We missed that in Slough.

Jordan Stevens. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

We can get more out of Jordan Stevens. It took me a while to work out his role in our formation at Slough yesterday. Cooper was playing as the deepest midfielder and then Worthington and Stevens were playing in the advanced midfield roles. Stevens struggled to influence the game with his pace and energy in a packed middle of the pitch – it was when he instinctively drifted out wide that he showed glimpses of his danger. There’s a serious player in there and unlocking it (and wrapping him in cotton wool) could be crucial to us securing the title.

We’re missing a poacher type striker to finish off the scraps in the box. Jahmari Clarke looked exciting and played the ball across the face of the box twice in a short space of time, but without Hyde and Murphy, our two more classic number 9s, there was no one there to fire home. This has been the case for a few games now and while the energy and hard work of players like Fisher is definitely adding something, you can never say no to a classic fox in the box striker to win you a game from a messy goal.

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A stalemate at Slough for the first team, but what about those elsewhere?

Well, we were hoping that Bath City could do us an almighty favour in their game against Chelmsford (they couldn’t, cheers Jerry 😉) but it was good to see Glovers’ loanee Gloveman Will Buse back in goal.

He’s made two appearances this week for the Romans, in a 2-0 win over Hemel in midweek and in their 3-1 loss to Chelmsford on Saturday.

After the game in midweek, Jerry Gill said of his number 1;

“I thought Will was excellent, gave us a calmness, came and got a lot of crosses, and his kicking was excellent as well”

In the division above, Jordan Maguire-Drew was in the starting line up for Barnet, they lost 1-0 against Woking. 

JM-D was taken off ten minutes before the end.

Malachi Linton wasn’t in the W*ymouth squad for their game against Braintree, the Terras lost 1-0.

Dorchester were on the right side of a seven-goal thriller against Beaconsfield. Ollie Haste played the full 90.

Benjani Jr scored the only Melksham goal in a 2-1 defeat to Exmouth.

 Shepton Mallet had their game postponed, it’s been VERY damp of late… too damp for Gillingham v Bitton as well.

Welton Rovers were on the wrong end of a 5-0 score line against Clevedon. Max Dyer and Jacob Shore both started for Rovers

Jacob Shore in action for Welton Rovers
Pic: @AroundWelly on X

 

 

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Yeovil Town earned a draw at Slough Town after two defeats in a row, in a result that Glovers boss Mark Cooper said was fair.

The manager told BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall that he needed to solidify his team for the trip, where the hosts have not lost in 15 home matches.

“I’m pleased we’ve had a real solid performance, which is what we needed and we kind of set up for after the last couple of games. We tried to take away that lack of confidence by being really solid and hoping that we nick a goal. We had a couple chances there towards the end, where we’re hoping we could land on something. But, its a solid performance [at a] difficult place, they win a lot of games here, [on a] difficult pitch, so we’ll take a point.”

“When you try and play open football, like we have done, and the confidence wavers a little bit, it can be dangerous as it was the other night. So as a coach, you want to try and put a stop to that. Make sure everyone’s in good position, not risking too much with the ball and hoping to land on something.”

Prior to the match Cooper talked about his two loan signings, Brooklyn Genesini and Jahmari Clark, revealing that Michael Smith will be out for a few weeks, and what we can expect from Reading-loanee Clark: “So late deadline yesterday, we managed to get a centre forward in that’s a real physical specimen in Jahmari Clark. He was at Forest Green last year, so Ian Weston who works with us here, knows him really well, and he’s very, very complementary. He’s got very, very good pace, physicality and I think it just complements the top of the pitch and gives us a lift. We needed a bit of spark and that’s what those two boys will give us.”

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Brooklyn Genesini made his Yeovil Town debut in the 0-0 draw with Slough this afternoon and the Swindon loanee said signing for his hometown club felt right.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall about his move to Yeovil, the fullback said: “I didn’t take the route of Yeovil when I was younger. I went elsewhere, obviously went to Bournemouth, and obviously ended up in Swindon and then on loan here. I think everyone’s got their own journeys and obviously mine was different to maybe some lads, but  I’m back at my home club, which just feels comfortable, feels right. So, it’s so nice to be back and being able to perform for the crowd out there, which have travelled all this way, and hearing them for the whole 90 minutes. It really does feel like I’m back home, so I’m really enjoying it.

“It’s obviously a mad week, but being a footballer, that’s what we have to be ready for. I’ve been a football since I was God knows how young, probably 5-6, and through my whole career I’ve have to be have to be ready for late calls and anything like that. And when I got the call from Yeovil to come in train and then find out I was in the squad today. I wasn’t really a shock, I’m ready for it. I’ve come straight and gelled with all the lads and felt very comfortable to come straight into the team. It could have been hard out there, I could have come in yesterday and not really got to know anyone and it might have been such a welcoming team. But, honestly it feels like a family out there. When I was on the pitch I felt like I’ve been playing for months here.”

Genesini came straight into the side as the right wingback in a back five, and was given a busy afternoon. He said: “I don’t think I’ve defended that much in my life. A lot of 1v1s out there, but that’s what I’m there to do. I’ve got put into the team straight away. The gaffer is backing me and I need to perform for him and the fans and also my own team. What I’ve got to do is to graft and I’m a footballer, that is what I’m here to do.”

With Chelmsford picking up a 3-1 win against Bath City this afternoon, the gap at the top of National League South was slimmed to seven points (with a game in hand) and Genesini is looking forward to chipping in and helping the Glovers achieve promotion.

He said: “I knew what it was like when I got told that I was coming in. Being my hometown, I knew that anyway, so when I got the call, I was fully ready to come in and help the club get that promotion. And no matter what we do, even though we only got the one point today, but we were away from home, it was a hard battle out there, and I can’t fault the lads that are out there at all because they put 110% in throughout that whole entire game. Maybe the quality wasn’t there, but it was a hard surface to play on but let the lads really put 110%.”

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A balanced game saw both Slough and Yeovil share the points on a dark and grey Saturday afternoon.

A fairly even first half, with no real chances for either side. Yeovil looked solid, if unspectacular, and the same could be said for Slough, who defended vigilantly.

The second half had a few real chances, but neither side could find a breakthrough as Yeovil ended their two game losing run.

First half

With big games on the horizon, and perhaps looking to spark a response from his side, Mark Cooper shuffled the pack with four changes to the lineup. Brooklyn Genesini, Jay Foulston, Jordan Stevens and Frank Nouble come into the starting XI, with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Jordan Young and Sam Pearson dropping to the bench, and Olly Thomas missing out entirely.

The first chance of the game came for Yeovil just a couple of minutes into the game, as Stevens knocked a ball forward in the middle of the park, with Alex Fisher finding himself on the edge of the box, his audacious lob just bouncing wide of the post.

Shortly after, Slough got them in and around the Yeovil box, before Nathan Minhas found his way into the official’s book after just four minutes for a heavy challenge on Jordan Stevens.

Ten minutes in, and Yeovil had their next chance, as Jake Wannell played a great ball downfield under pressure from the Slough attack. He found Frank Nouble, who dominated Temi Eweka physically before some fancy footwork got him out of further trouble. He found Jordan Stevens in space who attempted a shot from distance, winning Yeovil a corner, resulting in a Williams header that landed comfortably in the hands of Dan Lincoln.

Both sides continued to feel each other out, with both defences doing a good job of snuffing out any chances at goal. The first corner of the game came on the 20 minute mark, with Nouble clearing initially before a good cross from Matt Lench forced an important defensive header for another corner.

There were calls for a penalty just a minute later, as a ball forward clipped Charlie Cooper’s shoulder, but his arms were down and the referee promptly gave the visitors a free kick for a foul on the aforementioned.

Charlie Cooper battling in midfield.
Charlie Cooper battling in midfield.

A cagey few minutes followed, and it wasn’t until the 27th minute where we saw the first proper Yeovil chance, a backheel from Jordan Stevens feeding Alex Whittle on the wing, his cross being blocked by player-manager Scott Davies and cleared for a throw. Yeovil began to stamp their authority on the game, as a ball forward for Alex Fisher allowed him into the box, his shot being blocked for a corner.

Yeovil found themselves on the attack once again, as Nouble started a counter-attack following a successful press in midfield, his ball failing to find Fisher, before Stevens picked up the loose ball and tried to find Fisher once again – unfortunately he was off balance and the ball petered out for a goal kick.

David Ogbonna showed off his frightening pace against Alex Whittle, forcing a free kick just a few yards outside the box, Matt Lench only able to find the head of Morgan Williams, before the follow-up shot was blocked by Cooper’s chest. Slough continued to apply pressure on the Yeovil defence, but to no avail.

A counter-attack from Slough was swiftly cut out by the debutant Genesini, the ball then falling to Matt Worthington who had a shot from distance, however he could only find the hands of Dan Lincoln, following a deflection.

A wonderful flick-on from Alex Fisher fed through Matt Worthington in the 41st minute, he was brought to ground inside the box by a Slough defender but the referee wanted none of it. Yeovil continued to press, earning a corner shortly afterwards; it was a dangerous ball from Charlie Cooper but it was well cleared by Bayliss. The resulting throw-in had bodies scrambling, the bouncy artificial surface causing issues for both teams, before Jay Foulston found himself with the ball, his shot bouncing wide.

A weak foul from Genesini resulted in a free-kick for Slough just before half-time, but Slough couldn’t capitalise, leading to a Yeovil Town counter. Jordan Stevens charged downfield, but a heavy touch meant the ball trickled out of play, and the half-time whistle brought an end to the first half.

 

Half time: Slough Town 0 Yeovil Town 0


Second half

There were no changes at half time as things got underway, with the first meaningful action coming a few minutes in. A free kick to Yeovil by the edge of the pitch on the line of the 18 yard box was whipped in by Charlie Cooper, but Scott Davies got to it first and put it out for a corner.

Slough’s first chance of the half came in the 52nd minute, as Scott Davies stood over a free kick from about 25 yards, however it cannoned over the bar and out of the stadium. Not one for the highlight reel Scott…

Yeovil followed up with their first proper chance of the half, as Worthington took a ball into midfield, layed it off for Genesini. He danced past his man and found Stevens in a gap between the midfield and defence, he then surged forward before arrowing a shot just over the bar.

A sequence of free-kicks followed for Slough, with a great ball from Gabe George finding the head of Temi Eweka, but his header was tame and landed straight in the hands of Joe Day.

Minute 59 ticked over, and the first substitution of the game was made by Yeovil, with Jahmari Clarke replacing Jordan Stevens, who had a good showing when he did get himself on the ball.

Slough earned their second yellow of the game when Jeanmal Prosper made a cynical foul on Charlie Cooper on the 61st minute. Yeovil continued to demonstrate their impressive ball-playing abilities, drawing the press from Slough and making their way into the opposition half, before Alex Whittle went down requiring treatment. He was helped off the field, and was replaced by Jordan Young in the 65th minute.

Clarke’s first involvement in the game came just a couple of minutes later, as he beat the offside trap and his cross was blocked for a corner. From the resulting corner, Jordan Young found the head of Wannell, but his header was scuffed and it floated over the bar.

Slough’s first substitution came on the 70 minute mark, as David Ogbonna was replaced by Slavi Spasov. A couple of minutes later, Yeovil found themselves on the attack once again, a great bit of linkup between Worthington and Genesini creating space for Jahmari Clarke, who battled past two Slough players, his dangerous cross being cleared for a throw.

Shortly afterwards, Jake Wannell found himself in the book for stopping a counter-attack inside Slough’s half. Slough’s second substitution came on 74 minutes, as Nathan Minhas was replaced by Trae Cook-Appiah, as they looked to take something from the game. Another dangerous attack came for Yeovil when play got underway, in similar fashion to the previous, this time Nouble leading the charge.

Alex Fisher became the second player to be booked for Yeovil for remonstrating with the referee following an elbow to the head after the whistle had been blown for a free kick, it didn’t make any impact as he was substituted immediately afterwards for Sam Pearson.

Slough took the opportunity to grab a couple of chances on goal, including a cannon of a shot from Scott Davies forcing a good save from Joe Day. A bitty few minutes followed, with some offisde calls and sloppy long balls from both sides bringing us to the 83rd minute where Sam Pearson danced around a couple of Slough players, feeding it to Young but the attack died out.

Slough had the next chance a couple of minutes later, as a shot from Josh Jackman whizzed past the post.

The artificial turf caused some issues for both sides once again on the 89th minute, as a long kick forward from Joe Day bounced over the midfield, and the two banks of Yeovil attackers and Slough defenders. Sam Pearson nearly got on the end of it but Dan Lincoln beat him to it, not that it would’ve mattered as Temi Eweka was down nursing an injury anyways.

A probing long ball from Charlie Cooper forced a corner for Yeovil as the game entered extra time, but Yeovil couldn’t capitalise. Cooper then found himself in the book, assumedly for some not-so-nice words to the referee, before Slough made their final substitution, with Matt Lench being replaced by Christie Ward.

For all their huff and puff, neither side could find a breakthrough as the final whistle blew.

Full time: Slough Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Arbour Park
Date: Saturday 16th March

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Bouncy and plastic
Conditions: Mild, breezy at times

Attendance: 1,533 (469 away)

Scorers: None.

Bookings:
Yeovil Town:  Jake Wannell 72, Alex Fisher 77, Charlie Cooper 90+1
Slough Town: Nathan Minhas 4, Jeanmal Propser 61

Referee: Rob Ablitt

Yeovil Town (5-2-1-2)

 

Substitutes: Jahmari Clarke (for Jordan Stevens, 59), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (not used), Jordan Young (for Alex Whittle, 65), Sam Pearson (for Alex Fisher 77), Dylan Morgan (not used).

Slough Town: Dan Lincoln, Josh Jackman, Gabe George, Dan Bayliss, Jeanmal Prosper, Matt Lench, Nathan Minhas, Johnny Goddard, Scott Davies, Temi Eweka, David Ogbonna.
Substitutes: Joe Dandy, Christie Ward (for Matt Lench, 90+2), Leon Chambers-Parillon, Trae Cook-Appiah (for Nathan Minhas, 74), Slavi Spasov (for David Ogbonna, 70).