November 2024 (Page 6)

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The FA’s Club Discipline site has updated to show a four-match ban for Yeovil defender Jake Wannell.

Wannell was sent off by referee, Jason Richardson in the latter stages of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Halifax, an offence which has been deemed ‘violent conduct’.

However, as this is Jake Wannell’s second dismissal of the season, an extra game has been added on to the ban. He’ll miss games against York, Barnet, Woking and the FA Trophy 3rd Round Tie, before returning for the clash against Braintree on December 14th. 

Yeovil Manager Mark Cooper is hopeful (or expecting) this to be overturned on appeal however saying after the game on Saturday;

“I have seen it back, the Halifax player grabs Jake Wannell’s leg and he has nowhere to put his foot, Wannell turns round to run away and takes a natural step. It will be rescinded on Monday, it was never a stamp.”

Once that change has come to fruition, we’ll update you.

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said the club will appeal against the red card which saw defender Jake Wannell dismissed late in a 1-0 home defeat to FC Halifax Town today.

The Glovers boss was confident the decision would be rescinded on appeal following an off-the-ball incident where visiting defender Will Smith accused Wannell of stamping on him.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, Cooper said: “The linesman on the dug-out side of the pitch is 70 yards away, but he tells the referee he has seen a stamp and the referee is ten yards away. 70 yards away, through bodies and the linesman says he has seen a clear stamp. If he can see that from 70 yards away, he should be in the military as a sniper, not a linesman.

“I have seen it back, the Halifax player grabs Jake Wannell’s leg and he has nowhere to put his foot, Wannell turns round to run away and takes a natural step. It will be rescinded on Monday, it was never a stamp.”

The game was settled by a strike from the edge of the box from the visitors’ Florent Hoti after 57 minutes prompting the manager in to a double substitution with Michael Smith and Josh Sims both coming on nine minutes after going behind.

That led to a strong last half-an-hour from Yeovil which saw Sims twice go close and Pedro Borges force a fine stop out of Sam Johnson in the Halifax goal.

Cooper said he believed striker Aaron Jarvis was denied “a blatant penalty” during one of the periods of pressure, but said his side were too slow with the ball until the changes were made.

He said: “We did not move the ball quick enough at the back, our centre halves did not move forward with the ball, they were too happy to not take a risk with it which allowed them to get bodies back. We were a bit negative with our press in the first half, we let them bring the ball to the halfway line which was not the plan.

“We had to make some changes and the boys that came on were very good. The effort was terrific, we created loads of chances, the only problem is that on too many occasions this season we have not been ruthless enough to finish the game off. Even with ten men we should score.”

The result saw Yeovil slip out of the National League Premier Division play-off places as Halifax leap-frogged them in to seventh place. The Glovers travel to league leaders York City next weekend.

Cooper said: “That will be a totally different game, York will try and be on the front foot. That means there will be more space, it is chalk and cheese. Halifax have done a good job on us today, they were really organised, got bodies behind the ball and a cheap goal from our point of view. We just have to make sure we are quicker with the ball.“

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Yeovil Town’s seven-match unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of FC Halifax Town in a match which saw defender Jake Wannell red carded late in the game.

Following a thoroughly forgettable first half, the visitors took the lead on 57 minutes when Florent Hoti rifled home from the edge of the box, but it was a double substitution nine minutes later which changed the game for the home side.

Michael Smith and Josh Sims replaced Frank Nouble and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton as Yeovil pushed for an equaliser with Sims spurning some great opportunities and Pedro Borges forcing a fine save out of Halifax keeper Sam Johnson.

With 90 minutes on the clock, Wannell was given a straight red after an off-the-ball tangle with visiting defender Will Smith, who accused the Yeovil man of stamping on him.

The result means Halifax leap-frog their hosts in to seventh place in the National League Premier Division table with the Glovers dropping to eighth.

 

First half

Yeovil were on top from the start and were spraying some lovely accurate passes around Huish Park, but there was nothing to trouble either Ollie Wright or Sam Johnson in the opposing goals in the opening 15 minutes.

The first chance fell to the visitors’ Billy Waters on the 15 minute mark. A long ball over the top saw the Yeovil defence stand still expecting an offside flag which did not come and they were indebted to Ollie Wright who made a superb save with his legs. Seconds later Florent Hoti flashed an effort just wide of the left-hand post. A let off for the Glovers.

Ollie Wright dives as Florent Hoti’s shot goes wide. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

For the next 15 minutes, the similar formations and styles of the two sides boasting the third and fourth-best defensive records in the division rather cancelled each other out.

On 33 minutes, Hoti called Wright in to action again, this time with a long range effort which the on loan Southampton keeper got down smartly to parry away. 

There were no efforts on goal for Yeovil but Kofi Shaw gave the crowd something to get excited about on 35 minutes. He produced a Cruyff turn about 25 yards from the visitors’ goal, drove forward and fired a ball back across goal which Johnson did well to cut out with green-and-white shirts arriving behind him.

The half finished with Waters’ chance in the 15th minute the only meaningful effort on goal from either side. Stalemate.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 FC Halifax Town 0

Second half

The first opportunity for the home side came three minutes after the restart and a great opportunity for Nouble to play a sideways pass to Shaw who was in a great position, but instead he tried to chip it forward to Jarvis. Almost a great opportunity. Almost.

The opening ten minutes of the second half were more lively than the opening 45 minutes. The game has become a bit of a scrap with Hoti firing another effort wide for the visitors.

But on 57 minutes, Hoti broke the deadlock. A free-kick in to the box was not dealt with by the Yeovil defence, Adam Adetoro laid it off to Florent HOTI on the edge of the box and he smashed it through a crowded area past Wright.

Florent Hoti’s effort flies past Ollie Wright to put FC Halifax Town in to a 1-0 lead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

With still no efforts on goal from the home side and Halifax having the best defensive record in the division on their travels, this is a test.

On 66 minutes, Yeovil rang the changes with Michael Smith and Josh Sims replacing Frank Nouble and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. That mean a back four with Whittle, Wannell, Cousin-Dawson and Smith, whilst Borges moved in to the middle alongside McGavin.

Sims almost had an instant impact when he got his head on a left wing cross from Whittle a minute after his arrival, but it was straight in to the hands of Johnson.

Soon after the same combination saw Whittle’s ball drop to Sims on 70 minutes and the former Southamnpton man’s volley went over.

But the best opportunity came from Jake Wannell two minutes later when he got a close range header in from a superb cross from Shaw, but Johnson was there. We have definitely upped the tempo since the changes, but Johnson’s not really been tested yet.

The keeper was at full stretch with 79 minutes on the clock. A scruffy clearance from the Halifax defence landed to Borges who did superbly to chest the ball down and fire in a shot which Johnson parried wide.

On 85 minutes, another great opportunity when Sims burst in to the box and side-footed it to Shaw who went down in a bundle inside the six-yard area. The roar went up from the Huish Park crowd, but it was not given by the referee.Two minutes (yet) another chance, McGavin’s corner fell to Shaw (I think) and it was scrambled away, then seconds later Wannell found himself inside the box and yet he could not get enough on it to scramble it home. How Yeovil have not scored in these last ten minutes, I do not know.

Undoubtedly, the impact of Michael Smith and Josh Sims has had an impact, ever since their arrivals it has been chance after chance – but still nothing over the line.

“1-0 to the referee” was ringing around Huish Park and they got louder with a minute of normal time remaining when Jake Wannell was sent off. An off-the-ball incident between the defender, who had been playing up front for the past five minutes, and Halifax’s Will Smith led to loud complaints accusing Wannell of stamping on his opponent from the visitors and a red card shown by referee Jason Richardson.

Jake Wannell cannot believe his eyes. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

No way could the referee have seen that incident, presumably one of his assistants did. If there is no appeal (or an unsuccessful one), that would be Wannell’s second red card of the season and a four-match ban.

That did not stop the Yeovil efforts to find an equaliser, so much so that Ollie Wright even went forward for a free-kick deep in to injury time. It was not enough.
 
You would never have predicted that second half after a tepid first half, but the changes from manager Mark Cooper made all the difference and they pushed hard for an equaliser. Not to be.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 FC Halifax Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 16th November 2024 – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Florent Hoti 57, 

Pitch:  Skiddy
Conditions: Grey, cold, damp 

Attendance: 3,829 (69 away supporters)

Bookings:
FC Halifax Town: Florent Hoti 82
Yeovil Town: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 32, 

Red Cards:
FC Halifax Town: None
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 90

Referee: Jason Richardson

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

 

Substitutes:  Michael Smith (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 66), Josh Sims (for Frank Nouble, 66), Dom Bernard (not used), Dylan Morgan (not used), Harvey Greenslade (not used), Matt Gould (not used) .

FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, Adam Senior, Angelo Cappello (for Jack Evans, 75), Will Smith, Jo Cummings, Adam Adetoro (for Adan George, 72), Tom Pugh, Jack Jenkins (for Andrew Oluwabori, 83), Jamie Cooke, Billy Waters, Florent Hoti (for Owen Bray, 84).

Substitutes (not used): Nathaniel Ford, Frankie Sinfield, Zak Emmerson.

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper wants striker Aaron Jarvis to continue his run of impressive goal-scoring form as he returns to the starting line-up against FC Halifax Town today.

The former Torquay United striker is one of two changes to the side which won 1-0 away at Southend United seven days ago with Brett McGavin, who was on the bench in Essex, replacing the suspended Charlie Cooper in midfield.

Jarvis has got three goals in his last three matches including a double last time out at Huish Park when Yeovil ran out comfortable 3-1 winners against Maidenhead United.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah ahead of the match, Mark Cooper said: “We want him to hit the ground running and get back to where he was before the suspension. Brett starts again after missing out with illness last weekend and Sonny (Blu Lo-Everton) comes in for Charlie Cooper. Josh (Sims) has had a couple of training sessions, but he is still not 100% so he is one of the six subs along with Michael Smith.”

Exeter City loanee Pedro Borges impressed playing right wing-back at Southend last weekend and the boss said he has no doubt about the 19-year-old’s ability to cause problems.

He added: “The way we ask our wing-backs to play they are more or less wide midfield players, which is something he is accustomed to. Pedro has energy and physicality so if he brings us that, he has a chance to play well.”

Today’s fixture sees two of the National League Premier Division’s best defences go up against each other. The visitors have conceded 16 in their 17 league matches this season, whilst Yeovil have let in just 15 goals in the same amount of games.

Cooper said: “They are very resolute, well-structured with a lot of energy in the team. I say it every week, but every game is really difficult and sometimes you need a bit of luck. We have put a good run together and I said (in the pre-match press conference) on Thursday we have earned the fans getting behind us. We have played some good stuff and looked a decent team, so hopefully they can get behind us from the start and we can give them something to keep shouting about.“

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Yeovil Town top scorer Aaron Jarvis is back in the starting XI for today’s National League Premier match with FC Halifax Town at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).

The frontman is one of two changes from the Glovers’ side which started the 1-0 win at Southend United last weekend with Brett McGavin coming in for the suspended Charlie Cooper.

Full-back Michael Smith, who has been missing since the start of December with a hamstring injury, is named among the substitutes alongside defender Dom Bernard, who is available after serving a one-man ban seven days ago.

For the visitors, former loanee Andrew Oluwabori is named on the substitutes’ bench.

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Yeovil Town return to Huish Park this weekend, looking to extend their unbeaten run of form to eight games, as they host FC Halifax Town.

Form Guide…

The Shaymen find themselves in a stop-start run of form as of late, with their most recent game, a 4-1 home loss to Middlesbrough Under-21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday night, taking their run of form to LWLWL.

Manager Chris Millington made five changes to his starting XI for the midweek match from the 1-0 home win over Woking last weekend. Former Glovers’ loanee Andrew Oluwabori played the full 90 minutes against in the Tinpot Cup, having come off the bench in their last proper fixture.

Looking purely at league form, it’s not dissimilar, as they have won their last two league games, and three of their last five.

 

The Glovers are coming into the weekend off the back of their 1-0 win at Southend United last weekend, taking their unbeaten run to seven games, and have won four of their last five in the league.

It’s a big game for both sides regarding their league position, as seventh placed Yeovil could build a five-point gap over eighth placed Halifax.

Key Players…

FC Halifax Town – Adam Senior

The 22 year old right back has been a part of a seriously solid backline, as Halifax have only conceded a goal more than Yeovil (and we know how good our backline can be) – an ever present, playing every single minute of Halifax’s league campaign so far, Senior could make life interesting for the left side of Yeovil’s attack on Saturday.

Yeovil Town – Aaron Jarvis

Yeovil’s top-scorer sat out last weekend, having collected his fifth yellow card against Maidenhead United in the previous match. He will be looking to keep his impressive scoring run going against FC Halifax Town, and Yeovil will need him to do just that in order to break down a steely backline. If selected, Jarvis will be looking to get back to the form which saw him score twice against Maidenhead in his last outing at Huish Park.

Aaron Jarvis

That’s what he said…

Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper spoke to the media ahead of the clash this weekend. He said: “I think they will come and have a go, they like to play on the front foot with real pace. They have got Andrew Oluwabori who is an absolute flying machine, Billy Waters, who is a a top player for the level, so I think they will come and have a go at us. But we have to concentrate on  what we do, we are playing some really good football at the moment, we are dominate and whilst we do our homework (on the opposition) but we have to concentrate on what we do really well.”

FC Halifax Town manager Chris Millington speaking after last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Woking.

 

Halifax manager Chris Millington spoke after the midweek defeat to Middlesbrough Under-21s, summarising his views on the weekend ahead. He said: “York and Rochdale don’t need any explanation as to why they were tough, but Yeovil will be the same, on a good run of form, good manager, they’ve recruited well, they’ve got resources to be able to strengthen and have quality in the right areas, so it’s going to be a challenge, but one that we’re really looking forward to.”

We’ve met before…

These two have faced off eight times in all competitions, with Yeovil winning four of them, the other four games being split into two draws and two Halifax wins.

The last time these two faced off was in March 2023, where a late Malachi Linton equaliser sent the Glovers back to Somerset with a point in a 1-1 draw. The last four games have been low scoring affairs, with no more than one goal apiece for either side.

Don’t I know you…

The Shaymen have one familiar face, and it’s a face that actually played for the Glovers in the last game between Yeovil and Halifax.

Andrew Oluwabori turned out 25 times for Yeovil during his loan spell from Peterborough United in the 2022-23 season, scoring two times.  He arrived in West Yorkshire last season following his departure from The Posh and made 39 appearances scoring four times. This season he has featured 17 times, scoring twice, and was a late substitute in Halifax’s 1-0 home win over Woking last weekend.

Andrew Oluwabori. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Who’s been naughty then…

Defender Morgan Williams is serving the last of his three-game suspension, and while Aaron Jarvis and Dominic Bernard return from their one-game bans. Midfielder Charlie Cooper now misses out, following his fifth yellow card during the Southend game.

Halifax have no suspensions as they travel to Huish Park. The Shayman have collected the fewest yellow cards of any team in the National League Premier with just 22.

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