August 2024 (Page 6)

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Mark Cooper’s Green and White Army made it two wins on the bounce, with a thrilling 3-2 win over Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday night. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on, and where it leaves the Glovers…

We begin at last weekend’s hosts, where Braintree Town came from behind to beat Aldershot Town for their first points, and win, of the campaign in a 2-1 win, a 90th minute winner from Kyrell Lisbie, son of Kevin, sealing the win for the Iron. In another 2-1 win, Eastleigh ensured they were the only team standing with a 100% record after matchday 3, as they won at home against Solihull Moors to leave them at the top on their own! Boston United’s miserable start continued, as they still wait for their first goal, and points, following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Southend United.

Gateshead‘s first game following the horrific injury to captain Greg Olley ended in a 1-1 draw with FC Halifax Town, while Oldham Athletic and AFC Fylde also played out a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park to keep the hosts firmly in the playoff spots. There were SIX 1-0 victories last night, so we’ll run through those now; a late Zak Brunt winner gave Barnet the win over 10 man Forest Green Rovers, while it was opposite up north, as an early Ricky Aguiar goal gave York City the three points against Rochdale.

Sutton United continued to build their early promotion ambitions, as they won away at Wealdstone, Altrincham recovered from their weekend thumping to register a win away at Maidenhead United, Hartlepool United remain unbeaten under Darren Sarll as they scored a late winner away at Tamworth, and finally Woking got their first points on the board with a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.

 

National League results – in full

Barnet 1-0 Forest Green Rovers
Braintree Town 2-1 Aldershot Town
Eastleigh 2-1 Solihull Moors
FC Halifax Town 1-1 Gateshead
Maidenhead United 0-1 Altrincham
Oldham Athletic 1-1 AFC Fylde
Southend United 2-0 Boston United
Tamworth 0-1 Hartlepool United
Wealdstone 0-1 Sutton United
Woking 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Yeovil Town 3-2 Ebbsfleet United
York City 1-0 Rochdale

National League table

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper was pleased to see his side stick to their “footballing identity” as they picked up a 3-2 home win over Ebbsfleet United at Huish Park.

The Glovers dominated the first half and were deservedly 2-0 up at half-time through goals from Brett McGavin and Michael Smith, but a change of personnel at the interval saw the visitors grab two goals in five minutes to draw level.

Cooper withdrew left-back Alex Whittle, who was carrying a hamstring injury, and winger Josh Sims, who he had always planned to only play the first half, at the break, replacing them with Raphael Araoye and Charlie Cooper.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman after the game, the manager said: “I thought we were in complete control when they scored their first goal, we moved the ball nicely but it is about 90 minutes and you are not going to have every minute your own way.

“The pleasing thing for us was the character we showed and that is what I was screaming at them on the pitch at 2-2, I wanted us to stand up and be counted and go and get a third goal. I was so pleased with all the boys, including those who weren’t involved, the celebrations together and the commitment, effort and some of the football we played.”

He added: “We tried to stick to our identity pleased me the most. I know there are certain sections of our crowd that want us to boot the ball forward, but I will not do that and maybe my opinion is what makes us effective. We can have large parts of the game with the ball and we did that tonight. There is a place for (playing it long), when we are 3-2 up with a minute to go, we can kick it out of the ground, but the pleasing thing was we kept playing our football when we were under severe pressure at 2-2.”

Michael Smith is mobbed after making it 2-0. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Whittle, who came off in the second half of last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Braintree Town, had looked typically assured in the first half, and his replacement, on-loan Bristol City teenager Araoye had a torrid time with much of Ebbsfleet’s threat coming down the Yeovil left.

Cooper admitted the change “destabilised” his side, but backed Araoye to learn from the experience. He said: “Raph went on and his first time on the pitch at Huish Park. He will be better for that experience, he will come through that and will show us what a good player he can be. We have a couple of young players on the pitch and it is a big deal for them playing here. That destabilised us a little bit, I thought both goals were avoidable but that is football – there were five goals in the game, we scored three and we have got three points, so it’s a good night for us.”

Yeovil made five substitutes in the second half, the maximum they are able to under new rules introduced in the National League this season, and the arrival of match-winner Harvey Greenslade, Jordan Young and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton helped get them over the line.

The boss said he was pleased to be able to make the changes with a busy Bank Holiday weekend coming up as his side make the 12-hour round trip to Gateshead for a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, before hosting Rochdale at Huish Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

Cooper said: “The toughest thing for us we played tonight, Saturday at the other end of the country and then back here 48 hours later, so that is about managing the squad, managing the minutes players play and making sure we have enough fresh players on the pitch to deal with tough game against the best footballing team in the league in Gateshead and a big game here against another ex-League team here in Rochdale.”

He confirmed that midfielder Dylan Morgan and defender Finn Cousin-Dawson had trained this week despite both players not being in the squad at Braintree at the weekend or against Ebbsfleet.

The manager added: “We can only pick seven subs, but Finn and Dylan missed out but they are really important to us now, probably more so because we are going to need them over the next two games.“

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Yeovil Town match winner, Harvey Greenslade has said that despite Ebbsfleet fighting back into Tuesday’s game, he and the rest of the players had no doubt they would go on to win the game.

The former Bristol Rovers man was introduced into the game for Aaron Jarvis seconds after Ebbsfleet had equalised and would go on to score the winner after good build up play from Frank Nouble.

Speaking to the BBC after the game, the front man said: “It’s a really good feeling, when I came on, there was only one thing I wanted to do – needed to do – I had to come on and work my socks off, and thankfully I got the goal.”

Harvey Greenslade fires Yeovil back in to the lead.

Pre-match there was some doubt that Greenslade would even be involved, saying he’d taken a fitness test to make the bench.

“I was a bit of a doubt for the game today, I came in early to do a bit of a test, I told the coaches ‘I’m ready, I’m ready to play’. I’m delighted to come on and get the goal.”

Of the goal itself, it was Greenslade who won the ball back for the Glovers before Frank Nouble had not one – but two – bites of the cherry in the penalty area. Mark Cousins in the ‘Fleet goal pulled off brilliant back-to-back saves, before the ball fell kindly to Greenslade to sweep home.

“I saw us on the counter, and thought ‘I better get up there and do my job’ and luckily the ball came to me and there was only one thing that was going to happen.”

“there was not a doubt for us players that we weren’t going to win that game”

A dominant first half display from Yeovil was nearly all undone in five crazy second half minutes. Greenslade admitted things were tough for a while, but that he had little doubt the Glovers would see the game home.

“The first half, I thought we were really good, some things to work on, but some really good football played, the lads did really well first half.

“It’s always hard when you concede a goal when you’re 2-0 up, the momentum always goes to them and the game changes. I thought we still did well, we showed a lot of character towards the end. The whole team played their part, there was not a doubt for us players that we weren’t going to win that game. Yeah, ok, the two goals went in, but objective was still the same and get three points.

“The main message was to stay calm, we’ve been here before, especially the lads who were here last year that went on to win the league. I don’t think they know how to crumble, coming into it [the group] we’ve got a good team and structure to work on. The lads did really well to bounce back.”

Looking forward, Greenslade said he has high ambitions for the group… although he did admit the coach journey to Gateshead might not be fun on Friday.

“Coming back [to the National League] there’s only one thing I want to do, that’s get promoted, like the lads did last year, there’s no reason why we can’t.”

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A second half goal from substitute Harvey Greenslade saw Yeovil Town survive a scare from Ebbsfleet United and pick up their first home win of the season.

The Glovers were in cruise control in the first half and deservedly led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Brett McGavin and Michael Smith, but a flurry of substitutions saw the visitors score twice in the space of five minutes.

An error from goalkeeper Ollie Wright saw him spill the ball to the feet of Lewis Page on 64 minutes before Dominic Samuel bent one in from the edge of the box three minutes later to leave Huish Park stunned.

At that point, it would have taken a brave person to call which way this encounter was going to go, but it was Greenslade who struck with nine minutes of normal time remaining to seal the three points for Yeovil.

First half

There was a slightly worrying moment after eight minutes when Michael Smith went down awkwardly having vaulted over the visitors’ Lewis Page. The experienced defender went down looking to be in some discomfort, but returned to the fray soon after.

The opening 15 minutes saw Ebbsfleet willing to work hard to close down Yeovil who typically tried to keep the ball on the floor and pass their way through their opponents. It meant the visitors pressured the Glovers’ backline without creating anything to threaten Ollie Wright, whereas the home side kept patient.

Winger Josh Sims, making his first start for his hometown team, was involved in our best forward play missing out to Ebbsfleet keeper Mark Cousins on 18 minutes, before he linked up with Frank Nouble three minutes later to break in to the box but his effort was blocked.

But with 25 minutes the breakthrough came. Alex Whittle got away down the left and got a ball in to the box, Sam Pearson swung a boot at it in the middle of the box but only hit fresh air and Brett McGAVIN was there to fire an unstoppable strike in to the net. The first real opportunity for either side in the game and we’re in front.

Brett McGavin salutes the Thatchers Stand after his opening goal. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

The persistence of hard-running striker Aaron Jarvis almost paid dividends just after the half-hour mark when he snuck up on visiting defender Louis John and almost left the Ebbsfleet made red-faced.

There was a bizarre moment on 34 minutes when Cousins came charging out of his area to meet Nouble charging down the right side, he managed to see the ball out for a corner and Matt Worthington’s ball in was flicked on by Morgan Williams, who got a head to it but it was never threatening the visitors’ net.

The visitors lost striker Kwame Thomas to injury with seven minutes of the first half remaining and two minutes later the Glovers doubled their advantage.

A beautiful bit of interplay between Sims and Pearson down the right caused chaos in the Ebbsfleet defence, Jarvis tried to bundle it home but it was Michael SMITH who was there to smash home from close range.

There was a glorious opportunity to make it 3-0 soon after. McGavin’s corner found Nouble at the near post and he tried to flick it goalwards but broke to Worthington who was denied by a last-ditch challenge and the grateful Cousins dropped on the ball.

Sims came close with a minute of normal time to go, cutting in from the left and curling an effort not far over the angle of post and bar. This lad has some quality, I’m telling you.

After a slow opening 20 minutes, Yeovil have done exactly what we always talk about needing to do – taken their opportunities. But, the two goals they scored both came from fantastic moves.

Half time: Yeovil Town 2 Ebbsfleet United 0


Second half

There were changes for both sides at half-time with Sims going off as advertised by manager Mark Cooper in his pre-match interview along with Whittle with Charlie Cooper and on-loan Bristol City defender Raphael Araoye coming on to replace them.  The change for Yeovil saw Cooper sitting in midfield giving Worthington and McGavin more licence to push forward, whilst Araoye slotted in at left-back.

For the visitors, striker Dominic Poleon, who had scored in their opening two matches of the season, also came on.

The Yeovil pressure  – not dissimilar to the job Hartlepool United did on them back on the opening day of the season continued after the break. Pearson was in the middle of the early opportunities, first setting up Nouble whose effort was blocked and then almost finding Williams, who could not get enough on it.

Nouble put an effort high, wide and not so handsome soon after, but if anyone thought the half-time changes were Mark Cooper shutting up shop, the opening ten minutes proved otherwise.

With ten minutes of the second half gone, Ebbsfleet manager Danny Searle decided he saw enough and made two other substitutes. They are yet to lay a glove on the Glovers yet, but the changes brought a bit of impetus and the Kent side pulled a goal back on 64 minutes.

A ball in from the right from one of the new arrivals, Dominic Samuel, was not dealt with by Ollie Wright who spilt it to the feet of Lewis PAGE who steered it home.

That seemed to rock Yeovil who allowed themselves to get penned in by their visitors who found an equaliser three minutes after reducing the deficit. Worthington went in for a tackle just inside the penalty area, but he could not clear the ball and it broke to Dominic SAMUEL who fired in from the edge of the box.

With an hour gone it would have taken a very brave person to have suggested Ebbsfleet had any chance of finding their way back in to the goal. 

Mark Cooper responded with changes with three changes inside five minutes with Harvey Greenslade replacing Aaron Jarvis, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton coming on for McGavin and then Jordan Young coming on for Pearson.

Nouble was inches from getting on the end of a Pearson ball in moments before the Welshman’s departure, but the attacking verve of before that quickfire double from the visitors was sorely lacking.

Greenslade could not control a header after a lovely forward run and chipped ball in to the box from Smith found him unmarked with 77 minutes gone.

But it was the substitute who both created and finished the goal which restore the Yeovil lead  on 81 minutes. The ex-Bristol Rovers man won the ball in midfield and fed Nouble who had two efforts at goal, including one off the post, before GREENSLADE was on hand to sweep the ball home.

Harvey Greenslade fires Yeovil back in to the lead.

Soon after Jordan Young drifted in from the right side and curled an effort just the wrong side of the post and despite pressure from the away side, Yeovil were able to hold out to take the win.

No-one saw that coming after the first half, but three points on the board nevertheless.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Ebbsfleet United 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 20th August – 7.45pm

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch: Looking in good nick.
Conditions: Dry.

Attendance: 3,295 (95 away supporters)

Scorers: Brett McGavin 25 (1-0), Michael Smith 40 (2-0), Lewis Page 46 (2-1), Dominic Samuel 67 (2-2), Harvey Greenslade 81 (3-2)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ollie Wright 42, Frank Nouble 82
Ebbsfleet United: Lewis Page 45+6, Franklin Domi 89

Referee: Greg Rollason

 

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Charlie Cooper (for Josh Sims, 46), Raphael Araoye (for Alex Whittle, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for Aaron Jarvis, 68), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Brett McGavin, 71), Jordan Young (for Sam Pearson, 73), Jordan Thomas (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Ebbsfleet United: Mark Cousins, Luke O’Neill, Lewis Page (for Greg Cundle, 83), Josh Wright (for Franklin Domi, 55), Louise John, Jim Kellermann, Wes Fonguck (for Dominic Poleon, 46), Ben Chapman, Tom Dallison, Craig Tanner (for Toby Edser, 55), Kwame Thomas (for Dominic Samuel, 39). Substitutes (not used): Dylan Berry, Tyler Cordner.

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New boy Josh Sims will play 45 minutes of tonight’s National League match with Ebbsfleet United at Huish Park, according to Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper.

The former Southampton youngster signed last week having left Scottish Premiership side Ross County at the end of last season and impressed having appeared as a 76th-minute substitute in the 1-0 win at Braintree Town last weekend.

He is one of two changes to the starting XI with Sam Pearson also coming in to the side with Harvey Greenslade, who Cooper revealed picked up a knee injury at Braintree, and Jordan Young dropping to the bench.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Mark Stillman, the manager said: “It is a natural progression for Josh, he played 20 minutes on Saturday and he will play 45 minutes tonight and then he will be ready to go (at Gateshead) this Saturday.

“He showed really good glimpses (at Braintree) so if we can get 45 minutes in to him, he will be ready for this Saturday.”

Josh Sims in the warm-up at Braintree Town.

Cooper is expecting a different test from tonight’s opponents to the one Yeovil faced at Braintree three days ago. Ebbsfleet lost 5-1 at Gateshead on the opening day of the season, before going down 2-1 at home to pre-season title favourites Barnet on Saturday.

The Glovers’ boss said: “It will be a tough game with Ebbsfleet desperate to get up and running because they have not got a point yet.

“We were resolute and tough to beat (at Braintree) in really difficult conditions, it was just about going there and getting our first win on the board. Braintree had John Akinde and Inih Effiong at the top of the pitch, so they are going to get everything in the box, I would expect Ebbsfleet to be more subtle.“

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New signing Josh Sims has been handed his first start as Yeovil Town take on Ebbsfleet United at Huish Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The Yeovil-born winger is joined by Sam Pearson in the starting XI with Jordan Young and Harvey Greenslade both dropping to the substitutes’ bench having started the 1-0 win at Braintree Town on Saturday.

There is no place on the bench for either midfielder Dylan Morgan, who picked up a knee injury in pre-season, or defender Finn Cousin-Dawson. Both were in the squad for the opening day defeat against Hartlepool United, but neither featured at Braintree at the weekend.

For the visitors, striker Dominic Poleon, who has scored in both of Ebbsfleet’s opening two matches of the season, is named on the bench with former Wrexham striker Kwame Thomas looking like a lone frontman for the visitors from Kent.

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Yeovil Town Badge on huish park

It’s time for our first evening game of the season. Yeovil will face Ebbsfleet at 7.45pm Tuesday night in what will be hopefully a noisy Huish Park.

Here’s what you need to know…..

Form Guide…

After two games the Glovers have won one and lost one which has them sitting mid-table. Their win on Saturday was solid and should provide some building blocks for the Somerset side. 

Morgan Williams wheels away as the ball nestles in to the Braintree net.

Ebbsfleet have lost both games to start the season but they have had to face two of the favourites for promotion in Barney and Gateshead. In their last game against Barnet they only lost 2-1, so will provide a stern contest for the home side.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Matty Worthington

So we have looked at forwards and defenders in the last two weeks, so let’s now look at a midfielder. Matty Worthington is a stalwart, he does the things many don’t want to do, he is the definition of box-to-box and above all else he is a bloody good captain. 

The “Ginger Pirlo” has been a mainstay in the midfield since he joined the Glovers permanently in 2019. Last season he started to add goals to his game which has been what’s missing for him. If he can carry that on this season he’ll be even more of an asset to Mark Cooper. 

Matt Worthington.
Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

As captain he doesn’t need to do much else, Worthy is a modern Yeovil great, who has green and white running through his blood.

Ebbsfleet United – Dominic Poleon

The striker has been at The Fleet since 2021 after leaving Newport County. Poleon has bagged one goal in his only game so far this season. 

The big man has been what you’d call prolific for the Kent side, scoring 71 goals across 131 games. Originally a Leeds United academy product the St Lucian has bounced around the leagues and will be a handful for the Glovers defense on Tuesday.

Thats what he said…

Ahead of Tuesday night’s game Yeovil boss Mark Cooper spoke to the clubs social media.

“I haven’t thought about it yet…but we’ll have some tired bodies.  I’ll have to pick the freshest best team we can to try and get the three points in tough game on Tuesday.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent Danny Searle was looking at the good his side has done so far this season. He said: “Let’s get ourselves back on the training pitch, let’s go to Yeovil and take the positives from today, and we’ll look at the negatives and address them.”

We’ve met before…

Yeovil have the head to head record in this match having only played one game against each other in the covid hit 2019/20 season.

That year Darren Sarll’s side romped to a 3-1 win. With goals coming from Rhys Murphy, Remeao Hutton and Tom Whelan. Aswad Thomas was scored Ebsfleet’s only goal.

Don’t I know you…

For the second week in a row there is no former Glovers who now ply their trade in Kent. 

However last season, they did have Billy Clifford. Technically he never actually played a game for us but he did have a loan to Somerset in 2013, that’s the best link we can get.

Who’s been naughty then…

Although neither team has players  missing through suspension, both sides had yellow cards in their last games.

What makes this noteworthy is Ebbsfleet received five bookings throughout the game so there maybe some hotheadedness within their ranks if Yeovil can find the right buttons to push.

The Fleet will be without first-team coach Grant Basey who was sent off against Barnet.

HOW CAN YOU KEEP ACROSS THE GAME?

IN PERSON

Get to Huish Park! Tickets are available for the game here.

ON THE RADIO

Ian is back on the mic with Jack Killah for BBC Somerset and Three Valleys Radio will have full match coverage too.

ON THE TV/ STREAM

National League TV has this game listed as available to watch. Match Passes are £9.99

ON THE GLOVERSCAST.CO.UK

We’ll have team news, match report, Five Conclusions and our usual reaction podcast to follow on Monday.

 

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Tickets for this Saturday’s (24th August) away game against Gateshead are now on sale.

REMINDER THIS MATCH IS NOW A 12:30 KICK OFF.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

There are multiple ticket types for Glovers’ fans to purchase.

🎟 AWAY FAN – Adult Admission (aged 22-64) – £22
🎟 AWAY FAN – YOUNG ADULT (aged 17-21) – £12
🎟 AWAY FAN – YOUTH (aged 15/16) – £7
🎟 AWAY FAN – CONCESSION (aged 65+, Blue Light, Serving & Veteran Armed Forces) – £17
🎟 AWAY FAN – CARER – Allows access with some one who needs assistance that has their own ticket. NOT VALID ON ITS OWN – FREE

For all age-banded categories proof of eligibility may be asked for, if you can not provide, you will be asked to pay the additional to an Adult priced ticket.

For the recent home game against Ebbsfleet, the Gateshead ticket site said that those ages 14 or Under are admitted FREE of charge with a paying adult, (which is really rather good), but something to consider when travelling up.

Away fans are situated in the North end of the Tyne and Wear Stand and can enter from 11am through turnstiles One and Two.

All online purchased tickets are delivered to your email address and will need to be scanned/shown to enter the ground, so make sure your phone is charged!

If anyone has any questions or required additional support from Gateshead, they give the contact email address as info@gateshead-fc.com

Other away tickets currently on sale to Yeovil Fans
(correct at time of writing)

BOSTON AWAY – SATURDAY AUGUST 31ST – CLICK HERE

FYLDE AWAY – SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER – CLICK HERE