January 2025 (Page 9)

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The return of Ciaran McGuckin will provide some much-needed firepower up front for Yeovil. His recall back to Rotherham in October left us short on support for Aaron Jarvis – and with Harvey Greenslade not fully fit and then loaned out to Weston-super-Mare – the attacking combinations have quite clicked like they did with McGuckin in the forward line.

Aaron Jarvis has toiled so far this season, dropping deep to bring other players into the game and generally warring with defenders to keep the shirt on his back. McGuckin’s return will take the pressure off Jarvis somewhat, and add another dynamic to an attack that has struggled to break down teams higher in the table.

Ciaran McGuckin scores his first Yeovil goal. Pic by Gary Brown.

Speaking of the top of the table, over the weekend York City completed the permanent signing of Josh Stones from League One side Wigan Athletic. The 21-year-old hasn’t played a lot of football but scored seven goals in 10 appearances over two loan spells for Oldham and the rumours are that the Minstermen have spent six-figures on the striker.

The signing adds to the mountain of evidence that it takes big money to get out of the National League. Stockport, Wrexham, Notts County, Chesterfield have all spent fortunes to get back to the EFL and with York City not afraid to splash the cash and Forest Green Rovers bankrolled by Dale Vince, who in 2022 had a net worth of more than £100m, it’s going to take something special to lay a glove on the top of the table.


It’s not like we’ve not been here before though. Think back to that 2012/13 season and Gary’s heroes. On paper we had no right to be in the conversation with Doncaster, Bournemouth, Brentford and Sheffield United at the top end of the table – half of those four have become Premier League stalwarts since. But, we managed it with a brilliant team spirit and a togetherness with the supporters that has the potential to be the difference-maker on the day. If the January reinforcements arrive and this run of home games returns some performances and points, I believe we can keep the pace with the play off chasers.

FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE BILL

In the broader picture of the game, the Football Governance Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Lords, with some phases still to go, but an email from the Fair Game organisation popped into my inbox on the 30th of December and they think there’s further to go still. If you fancy settling in for a read they have plenty of suggestions about adding more teeth to the bill here. We’re an associate member of the Football Supporters Association and they’ve provided five suggested amendments too. Two of which are specifically around engagement with supporters. One thing is for sure; robust supporter organisations and representatives will be crucial when the bill comes into effect.

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Striker Harvey Greenslade has returned to Yeovil Town following the end of his loan at National League South side Weston-super-Mare.

The former Bristol Rovers frontman made the switch to north Somerset at the start of December and has appeared three times for the Seagulls without scoring.

He came off the substitutes’ bench in the 2-0 defeat at Tonbridge Angels at the weekend having sat out the New Year’s Day defeat to Chippenham Town through illness.

Greenslade is one of four players who have returned to their parent clubs from Weston with Bristol City trio defender Raph Araoye (formerly of this parish), midfielder Marley Rose and striker Brandon Bak also returning.

He bolsters the attacking ranks at Huish Park with former loanee Ciaran McGuckin expected to be announced as returning to Somerset at some point this week.

 

 

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Yeovil Town fans heading to Rochdale on Saturday January 25th can now purchase their tickets.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

It’s a fairly easy process to purchase your tickets, follow the link, select your seat in Block U of the Pearl Street Stand, select which ticket you require, fill in your details and pay your money. 

Lovely and simple.

There’s plenty of extra information to take in, let’s dive in a bit.

DISABLED TICKETING

The club offers a concessionary price in designated areas of the ground specifically reserved for wheelchair-using supporters. They are charged at the appropriate rate for their age with their carers being free of charge (Tickets must be obtained from the ticket office).

Ambulant Disabled are also charged the appropriate rate for their age for their ticket however, should they need a full time carer to accompany them, the carer is admitted free of charge (Tickets must be obtained from the ticket office).

Click HERE for ticket information. 

The club has 33 positions for wheelchair supporters with adjoining seats for their Personal Assistants (carers), if required. These are situated in Willbutts Lane Stand (16) for away supporters. Main Stand (8) and Smith Metals Family Stand (Pearl Street Stand) (9) for home supporters.

DISABLED CAR PARKING FOR AWAY FANS.

Rochdale AFC have two disabled parking bays reserved for away supporters, who can book the spaces by contacting Jan Marsh at least 24 hours prior to the game on 01706644648 or by emailing Jan@rochdaleafc.co.uk. Cost of £5 to be pre-paid in advance of the match.

 

 

 

 

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Rotherham United manager Steve Evans has confirmed that young forward Ciaran McGuckin will be returning to Yeovil Town on loan next week.

The Northern Ireland Under-21s international impressed during a month on loan when he scored twice in six appearances before being recalled by his League One parent club in late October where he has since made one start and two substitute appearances.

The Millers’ boss told the Rotherham Advertiser that the 21-year-old had been unable to make a more immediate return to Somerset until his original loan period had expired.

Evans said: “I’ve helped him negotiate his deal,. I’ve been saying: ‘You need a bit of this, you need a bit of that.’ I’ve become like a father figure to the kid.

“He had a really good spell there and got some goals. It’s important that he goes out and gets three months of football education.”

Ciaran McGuckin. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.
The report says other clubs in the National League were keen to acquire McGuckin, but his preference was to swap South Yorkshire for South Somerset for a second spell due to “the affinity he already has” with the Glovers.
 
He was an unused substitute for Rotherham in this weekend’s goalless draw at Huddersfield Town.
 
Evans added: “I’d have liked to have put him on late on (against Huddersfield) but we’d used our three rounds of substitutions. The way it works is that he can go there for 96 days.“
 

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No game for the Glovers, but some Yeovil Town players did get a run out on Saturday.

Starting with Weston-super-Mare who lost 2-0 away at Tonbridge Angels.

But, whilst that’s a negative, it did see the return of Harvey Greenslade who may have missed their New Year’s Day clash through illness, but was back in the squad, making an appearance from the bench.

Will Buse and his W*ymouth side are out of the FA Trophy, Boreham Wood getting the better of that clash, 2-1.

The only cup they’ll have to worry about are those commemorative ones from the last round.

Torquay are now also “focusing on the league” after dropping out of the Trophy.

Jordan Thomas played the full 90 of their 5-1 defeat to Worthing.

Corey Koerner’s Sherborne had their game called off, but he still got a run out in their reserves.

Scoring one of their two goals in a 4-2 defeat.

Down at Bridport, Sol Padmore (from the start) and George Geraghty (from the bench) got game time in their 4-2 win over Bovey Tracey.

 

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Yeovil Town’s home league clash with Boston United, originally scheduled for Saturday 1st February, has been postponed.

Boston have progressed to the next round of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win over Gateshead this weekend and as a result their next game in that competition takes precedent.

There’s no confirmed rescheduled date as yet, as soon as it’s confirmed, we’ll let you know.

 

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Yeovil’s 2025 was kicked off with a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers, let’s see how the rest of the division got on in chilly conditions…

We start back in 2024, where a New Years Eve derby took place – it was Solihull Moors who ended up victorious, in a 2-0 win over Tamworth to further their playoff push. Back to 2025, and we begin with Woking, who continued their 100% record under Neal Ardley, as they won 3-1 at home to Maidenhead United. Hartlepool United registered another home victory to continue their climb up the table, as they defeated a blunt Oldham Athletic 2-1, while at the other end of the table, Dagenham & Redbridge won the “Manager-less” derby in a 2-0 win away to Ebbsfleet United.

A 94th minute equaliser by Cameron Hargreaves salvaged a point for Aldershot Town away at Sutton United, and it was a point apiece for Eastleigh and Barnet. In front of a sellout crowd, York City retained their place at the top of the table with a narrow 1-0 win over Gateshead, while in the evening kickoff, Southend United won on their travels to Braintree Town in a 1-0 win.

There were postponements for Rochdale and Altrincham, and Wealdstone and Boston United due to waterlogged pitches, and the final game of the matchweek takes place on Saturday, as FC Halifax Town host AFC Fylde during the FA Trophy fixtures.

 

National League results – in full

Solihull Moors 2-0 Tamworth
Eastleigh 1-1 Barnet
Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Yeovil Town
Hartlepool United 2-1 Oldham Athletic
Rochdale P-P Altrincham
Sutton United 1-1 Aldershot Town
Wealdstone P-P Boston United
Woking 3-1 Maidenhead United
York City 1-0 Gateshead
Braintree Town 0-1 Southend United
FC Halifax Town v AFC Fylde (Sat 4th Jan)

National League table

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Football going on all over the shop over the festive period and plenty of the loanee Glovers were involved.

One that wasn’t involved was Harvey Greenslade, who missed Weston-super-Mare’s 3-1 defeat to Chippenham through illness.

There was a cleano for Will Buse in W*ymouth’s 0-0 draw with Salisbury.

… and as the headline suggests, Jordan Thomas got in a spot of bother with the officials in Torquay’s game with Truro.

Thankfully, his 83rd minute minute sending off didn’t prevent them from getting all three points to keep them top of the National League South.

Some chap called Jordan Young scored their winner.

Into the regional leagues and Sherborne didn’t play on New Year’s Day, but they did pick up a 1-0 win on December 29th, Josh Haskett was used from the bench in that one, but Corey Koerner didn’t play as he was involved for the U18s.

 

Down at Tavistock, Jacob Shore ended his time with the Lambs with a lovely ending, a goal!

A towering header at the back post against Falmouth, we thank Dave Crawford, the Tavistock Photographer for the use of these photos.

PHOTO: Dave Crawford
PHOTO: Dave Crawford

 

 

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Josh Sims has said his Yeovil Town team-mates were frustrated to come away from the New Year’s Day visit to big-spending Forest Green Rovers with nothing to show for it.

The Glovers led at The New Lawn going in to the 75th minute when Bristol Rovers loanee Kofi Shaw was sent-off for a second bookable offence and the home side were awarded a penalty which swung the game back in their favour.

Former Yeovil loan defender Ryan Inniss then grabbed a winner deep in to second half injury time to deny the visitors a point which Sims felt they deserved.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, he said: “It was similar to the Eastleigh game (on Boxing Day) when we were playing well for large parts of the game, it is just a shame. The sending off does not help and them they get momentum from the penalty but when you play so well and get nothing out of it, it is really disappointing.

“At half-time we were comfortable, we had them locked up with the way we were plying. They had one chance from a counter attack which (Kyle McAllister) puts past the post, but for the most part we were brilliant. That is what makes it so frustrating that we have come away from this game with nothing to show for it. That is football though, you do not get rewarded for good performances unless you get a point or three points. We have to build on the good things which we have done in the last few games, but we really have to cut out those mistakes which are costing us.”

Josh Sims. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The game swung on the decision of referee James Oldham who adjudged a foul by Shaw to be inside the penalty area and awarded Forest Green a penalty and the teenage attacker a second yellow card. The incident saw the Bristol Rovers player raise his boot as former Glovers’ favourite Tom Knowles stooped to head it.

Sims said:  “It is a 50-50 ball, the guy puts his head down and Kofi puts his head up, but you do see those get given. It is hard because (Kofi) does get the ball but the refs always seem to give those in favour of the guy putting their head down. It is a shame with the second yellow which really gives them momentum.”

Sims has been utilised as a left-sided wing-back in the past two games with Alex Whittle still absent and the former Southampton man says he has enjoyed the new defensive responsibility.

With no FA Trophy tie this weekend, the Glovers have a rare break in the fixture calendar meaning they are not in action again until Woking visit Huish Park on January 11th.

On his new position, Sims said: “I played there against Eastleigh. Whitts (Alex Whittle) has been out for a bit and we have not really got a left wing-back, so the Gaffer (manager Mark Cooper) has put me there in the last few games and I have really enjoyed it. It is obviously something different, you have more defensive responsibility but I have good people around me to talk me through the game which makes life a lot easier.”

On the nine-day break, he added: “Having a break at this time of the season is quite rare, but we have to be fresh and ready when the next game comes and build on the good things we have done. The break will be good for the boys who are coming back from injury and we will be ready for the next game.”