September 2024 (Page 3)

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Yeovil Town are back in the comforts of home, the Glovers welcome Aldershot Town to Huish Park on Saturday.

Form Guide…

One of these sides have only scored one goal since August turned to September, the other is on a four-game streak without scoring any… 

That being said, Yeovil Town will be far happier with a battling point at Sutton United in midweek than the Shots will be with a home defeat to Barnet. Bees’ striker Nicke Kabamba (who else?) with the only goal of the game in Hampshire on Tuesday night.

Aldershot sit 17th in the table, 13 points on the board, 16 scored, 16 conceded.

Yeovil a couple of places above them, 14 points secures, 12 scored, 13 conceded.

It’s fair to say the form suggests there really isn’t much between them.

Update: Since the publication of this preview article, Yeovil have announced the signing of Port Vale midfielder James Plant on loan until January and the return of winger Dylan Morgan from his spell on loan at National League side South Weston-super-Mare.

Meanwhile, The Shots have signed Bristol Rovers’ teenage centre-back Dan Ellison, who impressed with Chippenham Town last season, on a one-month loan deal.

Key Players…

Aldershot Town – Joshua Barrett

The man with the finest surname in all the land is the scorer of the Shots’ only goal of September so far, he opened the scoring after 29 minutes against Boston United a couple of weeks ago.

He wasn’t involved against Barnet on Tuesday night, but with important players missing, Barrett might need to be a creative force, particularly down the visitors’ left hand side – against a Glovers right hand side, which might well be missing Michael Smith.

Yeovil Town – Jordan Young

The Glovers need goals. On Tuesday night, only two shots on target were recorded, one of those came from the boot of Jordan Young.

Young already has one goal to his name this season (away at Boston), but a second would do wonders for … well, everyone to be honest.

We know he has the quality to dip the shoulder, cut inside and shoot and equally he’ll be vital at creating chances for others too.

There will be changes to the Shots’ defence and it might be a moment of magic, or a guilt edged opportunity to produce some quality that gets Huish Park rocking, sounds like a job for Jordan Young.

Jordan Young – Pic Gary Brown

That’s what he said…

Aldershot boss Tommy Widdrington said on Thursday: “We will be approaching the next game [vs Yeovil] in the same way we have the last two games, with a group of players that I think can win a football match.

“[Yeovil are] a big football club, a good manager who has been around the block and knows the division inside out, there isn’t an easy game in this division trust me, I don’t know where they are in the league, but ultimately, they’re a team I don’t expect to be at the wrong end of the table at the business end”

Mark Cooper on the other hand is expecting a tough contest against the side managed by the former Bristol Rovers’ caretaker manager.

Cooper said: “They were a whisker off the play-offs last year and if the National League put them up when Gateshead dropped out, they would have been in the play-offs. They have some good players, staff and manager who know what they are doing. Tommy’s team will be on the front foot and trying to get after us, they will be tactically sound and we are expecting a tough game. No-one is going to give you three points which we have done in every game except that Solihull game. If we keep playing with that attitude and enthusiasm we will be fine.“

You can read all the good stuff from Mark Cooper’s Pre Match Presser – HERE

We’ve met before…

The last meeting between these two teams was at the back end of the 2022/23 season (apologies to anyone who had removed that from their memories), a 1-1 draw at their place, goals from Tyler Cordner and Callum Harriott (again, apologies).

The last time we met at Huish Park however, wasn’t a draw – it was a 2-0 Aldershot win – Giles Phillips and Tommy Willard on the score sheet – thankfully none of those four players will be at Huish Park on Saturday.

August 2021 was the last time we beat Aldershot, Joe Quigley was at the double on that occasion in a 2-1 win.

Don’t I know You..?

Does the name Christian Maghoma mean anything to you Yeovil fans? The Congolese defender joined Yeovil in the 2015/16 season from Tottenham on loan and proceeded to play… *checks notes* ZERO minutes in Green and White. 

No, really, he did join us – really… 

Aldershot also have Cameron “son of” Hargreaves, who never did play for us, but you know.

Also, David Smalley their goalkeeper coach is listed on the Aldershot staff page as having played professionally for the Glovers, so now you know. 

Who’s been naughty….

Aldershot have two players missing, Theo Wriddrington picked up his fifth yellow of the season on Tuesday so sits out and prevents us from from having the Father-Son-Derby of Wriddringtons v Coopers. Selfish.

He had played nearly every minute of every game until then and will be a big loss in midfield, as will defender Aaron Jones who saw a straight red card on Tuesday night – he’s got three games to think about how naughty he’s been. 

For Yeovil, Charlie Cooper is on four yellow cards, he stands to miss a game if he picks up one more.

I want to get involved….

Great, you can.

Go to Huish Park – Mark Cooper has said he wants to get the home fans going again – that means YOU!
Tickets Available HERE

Can’t go? Listen
Our man Ian Perkins is front and centre for the game on BBC Somerset. 

Want independant news, views and reaction all in one place?
Your MULTI-TIME Award nominated Gloverscast will have you covered on Monday morning. 

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Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper believes results will come for his side if they keep on performing as they have done in recent games.

The Glovers take on Aldershot Town at Huish Park on Saturday looking to break a drought of four games without a goal which has seen them collect two points from a possible 12 with the most recent coming in a goalless draw at Sutton United on Tuesday night.

The manager said he believed the 1-0 home defeat to Solihull Moors which started that run was the only time his side had not performed this season, and he called on the home support to get behind his team this weekend.

Speaking on Thursday, Cooper said: “If we keep getting performances, they are the key. I know everybody looks at results as the be all and end all, but if you keep the performance levels up, the rest follows. We need the place to come alive again like it was last year. The Ebbsfleet game, the atmosphere was electric from the off, and I know we have not played particularly well in other games, but we have not recaptured that. But sometimes the players need a bit of a lift and I am hoping the fans can give the boys that lift. If you keep telling someone they are not very good, but if you keep cheering them on, that can only help.”

The Glovers have drawn a blank in front of goal in their last four matches having scored seven in the two fixtures prior to that run, but the manager insists the intent is always to try and get goals.

He said: “Nothing has changed, we don’t say ‘we don’t want to score, we will get everyone around the ball’. There are some tactical geniuses out there that keep telling us we have too many men behind the ball, but we want to go and attack. We usually play with two wingers and two strikers, either two up top or one in behind, and we usually try and push our full-backs on. So it is not a case of sitting back and trying to nick a goal, we want to get at the opposition.

“We battled really well in a tight game at Oldham, they got the rub of the green and we didn’t, and then (at Sutton) we played well for 60 minutes and had another penalty decision that went against us. I was happy with the effort and commitment and if you keep working that hard and doing the right things.

“We defend as a team and we attack as a team. We can look at what we are not doing or we can say we look organised and committed and if we keep doing those things right, I am sure things will turn. It is the small things that are not going right for us at the minute, getting the rub of the green on decisions, a slight misplaced pass in front of goal, those things will turn.”

Michael Smith limps off early in the second half of the 1-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic.

Full-back Michael Smith, who missed the midweek match with a hamstring injury sustained last weekend, will be “touch and go” for the visit of Aldershot this weekend, but left-back Alex Whittle is expected to be available. Forward Harvey Greenslade is still a way off making a return to fitness and on-loan Bristol City defender Raphael Araoye is expected to feature for his parent club’s under-23s’ side on Monday.

Aldershot come to Somerset on a run of five matches without a win having lost to early season leaders Barnet at home on Tuesday night.

But the Yeovil boss is expecting a tough contest against the side managed by former Bristol Rovers’ caretaker manager Tommy Widdrington.

Cooper said: “They were a whisker off the play-offs last year and if the National League put them up when Gateshead dropped out, they would have been in the play-offs. They have some good players, staff and manager who know what they are doing. Tommy’s team will be on the front foot and trying to get after us, they will be tactically sound and we are expecting a tough game. No-one is going to give you three points which we have done in every game except that Solihull game. If we keep playing with that attitude and enthusiasm we will be fine.“

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Back to Huish Park we go this Saturday and the man charged with keeping tabs on Yeovil Town vs Aldershot Town is Robert Massey-Ellis.

Mr Massey-Ellis comes from an officiating family, his wife, Sian Massey-Ellis has officiated in all match day roles at the highest levels across the men’s and women’s games.

Do you think they talk about refereeing at the Sunday dinner table and hand out household yellow cards if the he doesn’t do the washing up properly or she doesn’t put the bin out on the right day? No, probably not.

Anyway, enough of that, Rob Massey-Ellis has refereed two National League games so far this season, both at ‘W’ teams; Wealdstone and Woking dishing out seven yellows across the two.

He also took charge of a feisty Premier League 2 game between Arsenal and Aston Villa with TWO players sent off for violent conduct… don’t be bringing any of that shenanigans to the National League Cup, will you lads!?

In terms of Yeovil fixtures, he’s only refereed us twice – both at Huish Park.

A 0-0 draw with Maidenhead in the 2022/23 season, where Messrs Bevan, Reckord and Oluwabori were booked, and the season before that a 1-1 with Dover Athletic with Adi Yussuf the only Glovers’ goal scorer and only Glover in the book, as well. – We’ve seen it back and we’re still not sure he touches’ the ball whipped in by Jordan Barnett…

The main talking point though was a late incident where Tom Knowles suffered a concussion after – what can only be described as a WWE-Style Power Slam by Danny Collenge – check the highlights out below and let us know what you think? Darren Sarll called the Dover defender “Hulk Hogan” after the game and was stunned there wasn’t a red-card issued!

 

Rob Massey-Ellis explains to Alex Bradley why he’s not going to send off Hulk Hogan for his body slam on Tom Knowles.

 

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We know there’s a couple of home games coming up, but we also know a large number of travelling Yeovil Town fans like to think ahead on their away days.

So, you might be pleased to know that tickets for our game at Wealdstone are now on sale and they are cheaper when bought in advance.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

The game is currently scheduled for Saturday 19th October and the prices are as follows.

Adult – £18

Concessions– £13

“Next Gen” (or 19-23 year olds).– £11

U19s (or Next-Next Gen, I suppose?) – £7

Please note, there are different tickets for standing or seating, so please take note of which ones you are buying if buying ahead of time.

Right, let’s do the Terms and Conditions bit… this comes directly from Wealdstone FC.

Away supporters have been allocated the west end of the stadium; a total of 1,025 tickets which includes 369 unallocated seats in the Modu Stand and a mix of covered and uncovered terracing.

Away supporters please follow the instructions of the stewards who will direct you to the away end.

If you require a seat, please book a Seating ticket but please note that seats are unallocated. 

Concession Tickets

Available for those aged 65+ and for mature Students (ID Required). For younger students, it is cheaper to purchase a 19-23 or an under 19s ticket. 

Disabled supporters are also eligible to purchase a Concession Ticket. If a ticket is required for a Carer, please email tickets@wealdstonefc.com with your order number and one will be issued free of charge. 

If you are a current Season Ticket holder for a Premier League, or English Football League club you can gain admission to a Stones home National League match for just £13 if purchased online – your Season Ticket must be presented with your match ticket at the turnstile. 

Similarly, if you are member of the Armed Services or a paid staff member in the NHS, Police Force, Fire Service and Ambulance Service, you can gain entry to a Wealdstone FC National League game for £13 if your ticket is purchased online – your ID must be presented with your match ticket at the turnstile.

Next Gen 19-23 year olds and under 19s tickets

We are pleased to be able to offer significant discounts for 19-23 year olds via our Next Generation ticket offer and to under 19s. However, please note that ID will be required at the turnstile along with your ticket to demonstrate you are eligible.

Social Club/Bar

The Vale Social Club will be open before the game for both sets of supporters. Due to segregation, only Wealdstone fans will have access at half time. Both sets of fans are welcome after the game. 

Car Parking

Car parking on match days at Grosvenor Vale is currently limited to players, management and club officials only. There is limited street parking close to the stadium and supporters are asked to park courteously and not block or overhang driveways of residents.

We recommend that supporters travel to Grosvenor Vale via public transport as the club is remarkably well served by tube, train and bus routes.

Refreshments/Food

Hot and cold food and drinks will be available to purchase outside the ground and inside the ground in both home and away sections.

On the gate prices

Buying your ticket online in advance is the cheapest way of purchasing on a match by match basis. Tickets are available at The Vale on match days, either via the Ticket Office outside the turnstiles or on the gates themselves. However, these prices are:

  1. £20 Adult 
  2. £15 Concession
  3. £13 Next Gen 19-23 year olds
  4. £8 Under 19s

Got all that? Brilliant. Up the Glovers! 

 

 

 

 

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Yeovil Town drew 0-0 with Sutton on Tuesday night, one ‘nil’ was good, one ‘nil’ – not so much.

But, the good ‘nil’ got Morgan Williams a place in the Team of the Midweek, because, who doesn’t love a cleano?

Great work, Morgan!

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Yeovil Town Women Progress In FA Cup

Match Round Up

Yeovil Town Women advanced in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after a penalty shootout triumph against Pucklechurch Ladies. The visitors overcame the Glovers in the same competition last season, however Paul Knight’s side made amends in this year’s competition.

Paul Knight made three changes to the eleven who lost last time out at Helston, as Charlotte Johnson started in goal, Jess Hodge returned to the side and Laura Wensley made her full debut for the club.
The first decent chance of the match came to Yeovil as Becky Miles crossed in for Hodge who was unable to steer her effort on target.
Despite the hosts’ early pressure, it was Pucklechurch who opened the scoring via their number 7, who converted following a cross.
Yeovil went in at the break a goal down.

Similarly to last week’s fixture, Yeovil desired a quick start in the second half and it took them 12 minutes to earn a goal back.
Midfielder Abbie Carslake fired the equaliser in for the Glovers, opening her account for the season.
Yeovil continued to push throughout the second half but were unable to find the winner against a well organised Pucklechurch outfit.
The tie would go straight to penalties, with the hosts winning 4-3 following the spot-kicks. Terri Will, Niamh Nicholls, Charlotte Johnson and Ava Beattie all scored their penalties, with goalkeeper Charlotte Johnson being the hero of the shootout, saving Pucklechurch’s fifth
effort.

Johnson’s penalty heroics earnt her the Player of the Match award.

 

That’s what they said

Paul Knight spoke after his side’s victory in the FA Cup and began by providing his thoughts on the tie;

“I thought the girls dug deep, played well, I thought they deserved the win. I think we could have taken the win in normal time, we’ve come back from a bit of a shaky few weeks, where on the pitch I felt that we won the games, especially the one two weeks ago. We commanded the game today, we were better in the second half, a lot of opportunities from a statistics point of view, it was just the final third where we were slightly lacking”.

On the penalty shootout,

“Penalty shootouts are never nice, we would have rather have gone to extra time, as we felt like we were about to pinch it any minute. We haven’t practiced it for a while so fair play to the players today”.

Ahead of next week Paul said,

“Our season started today quite simply, I said this to the team, it had to start today. We need to put everything behind us, all the little niggles, the backroom stuff, it’s crept in a little bit.

The players knew they needed to step up today, next week we’re back in league action, we’ve got the bit between our teeth and I think you’re going to see a bit more of the old Yeovil play”.

 

Match Action

YouTube highlights haven’t yet been made available, if they do’ll we’ll pop them in here.

Up Next

Yeovil Town Women return to action on Sunday 29 th September, as they travel to Bideford AFC 14:00 KO.

OppositionKick OffH/ACompetitionScoreLocationScorers
September
01.09.2024SGS Olveston Utd14:00AFAC 1st Q Rnd0-2SGS CollegeN Nicholls '8, B Miles '92
08.09.204Sticker14:00HLeague2-2Alvington LaneB Miles '11, E Hall '55
15.09.2024Helston Athletic14:00ALeague3-1Helston Ath FCB Miles '46
22.09.2024Pucklechurch AFC14:00HFAC 2nd Q Rnd1-1 (4-3Pens)Alvington LaneCarslake '57
29.09.2024Bideford AFC14:00ALeague0-9Kingsley RoadCarslake '10, Hodge '20, Nicholls '45 '85 '90, East '50, Miles '65 '69, Beattie '75
October
06.10.2024Weston-super-Mare14:00HLeague2-1Alvington LaneCarslake '11, Miles '32
13.10.2024Southampton Women's FC14:00HFAC 3rd Q Rnd 1-1 (4-2 Pens)Alvington LaneBall '35, Evans S/O '81
13.10.2024Feniton14:00ALeagueP-PTBC
20.10.2024Plympton14:00ALeague3-0Paradise Road, Plympton
November
03.11.2024Cheltenham Town14:00AFAC 4th Q Rnd7-0Newlands Park
03.11.2024W*ymouth14:00HLeagueP-PAlvington LaneRearranged for 27.04.25 at Huish Park
10.11.2024Sticker14:00ALeague4-0Burngullow Park
17.11.2024Feniton Women14:00ALeague1-4Station Road, FenitonCarslake '26, Davenport '46, Wensley '59, Miles '60
December
01.12.2024Bideford AFC14:00HLeague7-0Alvington LaneMiles '14 '75, Will '42, Davenport '56, Hughes '76, Nicholls '78, Carslake '79.
08.12.2024Weston-super-Mare14:00ALeagueP-PTBC
15.12.2024Honiton14:00HLeague6-0Alvington LaneHughes '8 '40 '49, Davenport '17, Fordrey '44, Childs '68
January
05.01.2025Plympton14:00HLeague3-4Buckler's Mead Leisure CentreUndisclosed Scorers
12.01.2025W*ymouth14:00ALeague1-3Bob Lucas StadiumFordrey '8, Carslake '44, Hunt '69
February
02.02.2025Feniton14:00HLeague5-0Somerton Sports Club Hall '9, Hunt '11 '34, Childs '12, Fordrey '80
09.02.2025Saltash Utd14:00HLeague3-0Alvington LaneMiles '17, Hunt '39, Carslake '53
March
02.03.25Honiton14:00ALeagueHoniton Sports and Social Club
09.03.25Weston-super-Mare14:00ALeagueThe Optima Stadium
16.03.25Keynham Town14:00ACounty CupKeynsham Town FC
23.03.25Saltash United14:00ALeagueKimberly Stadium
April
27.04.25W*ymouth14:00HLeagueHuish Park

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The search for a green and white goal goes on, but at least Yeovil came back from Sutton with another point on the board. Here are Ollie Marsh’s conclusions from the away end at Gander Green Lane.

The midfield wasn’t missing. There’s been some criticism that Yeovil haven’t been strong enough in the middle of the park recently, so it was nice to see tonight’s pairing make their mark. Brett McGavin was brought back into the side, and his tidiness on the ball proved a perfect complement to Charlie Cooper’s ‘wasp at a picnic’ playing style, giving us more control in the game, in the first half at least. When Cooper Jr is on it- flying into tackles, breaking up play and kickstarting attacks – it’s particularly pleasant to see, even if he did perhaps get the wind taken out of his sails as the game wore on.

Put some respect on Ollie Wright’s name. Last season, Mark Cooper made the right call by ditching his young keeper and bringing in a more experienced pair of hands. This time around, he deserves credit for sticking by his man after some called for a repeat. Wright still has the odd wobble – as you’d expect from a 21-year-old – but his shot-stopping over the past two games should mean his stock is higher than it is within some sectors of the fanbase. The nerviest moment from our man between the sticks was when he painfully collided with the woodwork while claiming a cross, but he recovered to ensure his MOTM-worthy performance remained blemish free.

Ollie Wright did superbly to turn a first half free-kick from Lewis Simper over the bar.

We need to make more of Aaron Jarvis’ bag of tricks. The striker’s hold-up play remains impressive, and he puts himself about like no other, battling away with the best of them and making himself a nuisance… but to what end? Mark Cooper pinpointed “seven or eight crosses across the face of goal in the first half” and “a one-v-one which he will be frustrated he did not score”, but I would argue the service he received probably still left Jarvis wanting more. While Frank Nouble did seem to stick a little closer to him than usual, leaving him less isolated than in previous games, it does still feel like we’re not quite utilising our number nine. It’s a question we need the answer to if we’re going to end our four-game goal drought.

What was going on with the final balls? Both teams had their share of wayward shots and crosses, with nobody able to show the composure needed in the final moment. If Sutton had inflated the match balls with helium, it still wouldn’t have quite explained how Jordan Young managed to find the corner flag with an effort that looked for all the world like it was shaping up to be one of his trademark cut-inside-and-put-it-top-bins goals. The comedy moment of the evening must surely have been claimed by Finn Cousin-Dawson though, whose foul throw was the ‘chef’s kiss’ on a night where everybody was fluffing their lines.

We need a little more. A 0-0 draw away at Sutton should be considered a good point on the road, but nothing more than that. If we’re aiming to go “back-to-back” or for “play-offs minimum”, we need to find a way to get ourselves on the right side of those fine margins, and that means turning defeats into draws and draws into wins. If we can get all three points at Huish Park on Saturday, it will go down as a fantastic week’s work, but anything less and there may be some grumbles.

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Ollie Wright earned the plaudits for a fine performance between the sticks as Yeovil drew 0-0 with Sutton United on Tuesday night, after the game he spoke to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall:

Q: A busy night for you, particularly in the second half, was it good to get a clean sheet out of it?

A: Yeah, the back four and myself did our job tonight which is the main thing, I’m happy with the clean sheet.

Q: You made the save in the first half, from the free kick [from Lewis Simper] there was a similar one in the second half and you put an extra player in the wall, was that deliberate?

A: Yeah, the main focus there was to protect the goal and the rest will take care of itself, which we felt like we had to do and it worked.

Q: Which of the saves, looking back do you think is the most important?

A: I think all of them were important saves, particularly in the second half and the one I tipped onto the post, if that went in the game would have changed. Every save is an important save.

Q: That shot came from a fair way out and we said on commentary it may have just died on you a bit.

A: … and it came through a body as well, I think it came through Morgan Williams so it was hard to see and it had a bit of swazz on it as well, so I just did enough to tip it onto the post.

Q: They had a few corners too, lots of jostling bodies in and around you, you’re a tall lad and you’ve got to stand up for yourself haven’t you?

A: I think crosses are a strength of mine and I think I didn’t really show it, I got away with one of them, but I just need to keep being positive and keep coming for them because I enjoy doing it.

Ollie Wright did superbly to turn a first half free-kick from Lewis Simper over the bar.

Q: Who are the talkers in front of you who keep giving you the information?

A: I think everyone gives me information, even at the top of the pitch like Frank [Nouble], but Morgan and Jake Wannell have been brilliant to me so far, both of them have been good. We’ve got a good little relationship going.

Q: After Saturday, disappointing to lose a 0-0 situation late in the game, is it good tonight to get the clean sheet to give you a bit of bounce into Aldershot?

A: Yeah, like I said, we did our job, I think we need to focus on scoring goals now, so hopefully on Saturday we can go and get the three points.

Q: Equally, even in points in the game in which were quite quiet, you’ve still got to keep your concentration.

A: That’s one of the hardest things about being a goalkeeper, you have to be switched on for the full 100 minutes, so it’s tough, but that’s part of being a goalkeeper.

Q: How much do Southampton keep in touch with you when you’re out on loan like this?

A: They come and watch my games, they’ve watched most of my games, I stay in contact with my goalie coach, me and him are really close, he’s worked with me for years now, so they’ve been really good to me.

Q: Do you find the jump from National League South to National League a big one?

A: I think this is a massive jump, I think it’s one of the biggest jumps in the football pyramid for me personally, I know I haven’t played in the League yet but compared to the National League South it’s a huge difference, with the tempo, the players and the physicality, so yeah, that’s what I’ve noticed. 

Q: Overall, happy with your performance tonight?

A: Definitely, I got the clean sheet, I’ve done my job. It’s all about staying solid. 

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper said his side were denied “a blatant penalty” as his side were held to a goalless draw at Sutton United tonight.

The Glovers’ boss insisted there was a handball from a defender when Ciaran McGuckin challenged for Frank Nouble’s cross to the back post with 52 minutes gone. 

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall after the game, he said: “It is another blatant penalty. I have just seen it back, the lad has his arm in the air, our players heads the ball on to his arm. I got sent off for lifting my arms above my waist (at Oldham) on Saturday, but their centre-half had his hand above his head, the ball hits his hand, it is a clear penalty. It doesn’t matter if he’s not looking at the ball, his hand should not be up there. We have not had a penalty this season, but let’s hope when these decisions do turn for us it will be like London buses and they all come at once.”

The boss praised his side’s first half performance which saw them dominate a Sutton United relegated out of League Two last season which went in to this match on the back of consecutive victories.

But, having failed to convert opportunities they carved out before the break, the home side came back in to the game and Yeovil were indebted to saves from on-loan Southampton keeper, Ollie Wright.

Cooper said: “I thought first half we were outstanding. We had two or three gilt-edged chances that we had to score, Youngy hits the goalkeeper in the face and Jarv has a chance which he should score. But when you don’t take those chance you know it is going to be more difficult in the second half because we do not have something to hold on to. I was really pleased with the performance, the boys were magnificent, we battled and ran and dominated the first half but then we had to dig in for the second half. 

“If you do not score when you are on top, you are waiting on one mistake, we had to be wary but we defended brilliantly as a unit. They changed their shape at half-time because I thought we were on top in the first half, but we gave the ball away cheaply and that gave them energy. That is what we said at half-time ‘don’t give them any energy because we are on top. That is football.”

Ollie Wright did superbly to turn a first half free-kick from Lewis Simper over the bar.

On Wright’s performance, the manager added: “He has been outstanding. He has had some stick from our fans which I do not understand. He’s a young man trying to make his way in the game, but he is going to be a top goalkeeper. He commands his goal and kicks the ball really well and it is another clean sheet for him.”

The Glovers made four changes from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic with McGuckin and Jordan Young brought in to the starting XI alongside Brett McGavin and Dom Bernard, the latter replacing the injured Michael Smith who has picked up a hamstring injury.

The boss added: “I thought the boys who came in were great, I thought (Brett) McGavin was really good. We controlled the game in the first half and our midfield was dominant, our centre-halves were aggressive and our full-backs were good. We looked lively at the front of the pitch, if we had scored I think we would have gone on to win the game.”

The result means the Glovers have not scored in 362 minutes of football since Bernard’s late winner at AFC Fylde on 7th September and it was an off-night for striker Aaron Jarvis, who toiled with little effect.

Asked whether more could be done to support the summer signing from Torquay United, Cooper added: “We played two wingers and two up front, I am not sure what more support we can get to him. There were seven or eight crosses across the face of goal in the first half, he had a one-v-one which he will be frustrated he did not score. But if we keep creating those chances and putting the ball in there, as long as we stay tight at the back, we will start scoring goals and winning well.”

The manager revealed that he expected Bristol City loan defender Raphael Araoye is expected to return to training on Thursday having been missing with a dead leg he sustained in the 3-1 win at Boston United at the end of August.

Smith is a doubt for Saturday’s home match with Aldershot Town, but the Glovers are hopeful he will be back for the following match at home to Dagenham & Redbridge. He was unsure how long he winger Josh Sims, who is suffering tendonitis in his knee, will be missing and forward Harvey Greenslade is still “a few weeks away” from returning to training after suffering a shoulder injury at Boston.

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Another point on the board for Yeovil on Tuesday night, as they played out a 0-0 draw against Sutton United. But how did the rest of the division get on?! Let’s find out!

We begin in the Midlands, where a fairly comprehensive 3-0 victory for a visiting York City took them up to 2nd place, while the hosts Solihull Moors continue to look for their first home win since matchday 2. There was another away 3-0 win tonight as well, as Rochdale took the three points home from Hartlepool United.

There was an entertaining 2-2 draw played out at the Silverlake Stadium between Eastleigh and Woking, while there was drama at Mill Farm as another late winner for Tamworth made it two away wins in a row, against manager-less AFC Fylde. Another 2-1 win came in the Manchester area, as Altrincham ended Dagenham & Redbridge’s three game winning run despite former Glover Dion Pereira’s best efforts in the form of a penalty strike.

Maidenhead United registered their first win of September in a 2-1 result at home against bottom side Ebbsfleet United, while two first half goals put Boston United back into the relegation zone in a 2-0 defeat away at Gateshead. In a game of late goals, it finished all square at Grosvenor Vale between Wealdstone and Southend United, a 91st minute Callum McFarlane goal for the hosts cancelled out by a 94th minute equaliser for Josh Walker and the visitors.

Even more late drama came at Braintree Town, as a 90th minute penalty from Inih Effiong gave the hosts the win over FC Halifax Town, a tense battle between two playoff sides ended in victory for Oldham Athletic, as another Mike Fondop goal was the difference in a 1-0 result against Forest Green Rovers, while in the final game of the night, 10-man Aldershot Town fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to league leaders Barnet.

National League results – in full

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

National League table