April 2025 (Page 3)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper  was full of praise for his Yeovil Town side who played the entire second half with ten men in the 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

On loan winger Otis Khan was shown a straight red card after he threw an elbow at the home side’s Chris Maguire on 36 minutes with his side already trailing 1-0 following Maguire’s goal after half-an-hour.

Following results across the National League Premier Division, Yeovil can now mathematically not make the play-off places or get relegated out this season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Cooper said: “I thought the players were fantastic. We dominated the first 30 minutes, we should have been 2-0 up through two really good chances and then we had a five minute spell where they scored.

“We didn’t deal with a bit of pressure down the left-hand side, we didn’t get across as a defence and block the goal but apart from that we I think we dominated the game with ten men in the second half and we should have got something.

“You have to say the red card changed the game. We are a man fewer and so we cannot get as many bodies forward, but you would not have known we had ten men in the second half. It looked to me like the referee did not like us very much, so that was a bit frustrating.

“But I thought the players were tremendous. They ran, they were brave with the ball and we created chances and the only criticism I have today is that we were not ruthless in front of goal. We had two great chances in the first half and could have been out of sight, then in the second half we had bits and pieces around the edge of the box where we have to hit the target. I think Josh Sims hits a great shot, the keeper saves it and the referee remarkably gives a goal kick.”

Some of the 642 Yeovil fans that travelled to Eastleigh

You can probably tell from some of Cooper’s carefully judged words that he was not impressed with the standard of the officials. Asked what he felt needed to be done to improve the standard of refereeing, he said: “If you watch every manager’s post-match interview today up and down the country, I would say four in five managers will mention a referee. The only way you make it better is if you make them full-time because then there is no excuse for them. They get fitter and when they are fitter they make better decisions.”

There was praise as well for a strong travelling support from Somerset with 642 fans filling the away section at the Silverlake Stadium for what could easily have been viewed as an end-of-season ‘dead rubber’, with neither side challenging/threatening at either end of the table.

Cooper said: “I am delighted with the players and the fans, what a turn out. They got behind the team, cheered us on and kept the boys going and they got a performance where we never stopped, even with ten men we never stopped running and kept pushing ahead the whole game. We have got an amazing fan base and we are a big club and we want to start thinking about next year, start planning and have a right good go at the league next year.”

In his final question, Cooper was asked whether he sees defender Jake Wannell or striker Aaron Jarvis being available for the remaining two games of the season, he replied: “No.” 

In his pre-match interview, the manager had put a strong emphasis on the word apparently when discussing Wannell’s absence from the matchday squad, saying: “Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan (Williams) will start.”

By:
On:
In: Match Reports

On loan winger Otis Khan was sent off for Yeovil Town as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

Having gone a goal down when Chris Maguire put the home side in front after half-an-hour, Khan grappled with the experienced frontman five minutes later and appeared to throw an elbow at him leaving referee Harry Wager with no choice but to brandish the red card.

That left Yeovil with a numerical disadvantage throughout the second half and, despite more than holding their own, they were unable to find an equaliser.

There were chances for Yeovil at the start of the game and Josh Sims forced a good save from Eastleigh keeper Joe McDonnell towards the end, but a failure to take their chances and the red card proved too much in the end.

First half

The first chance came after just 40 seconds when Eastleigh captain Chris Maguire got away from Marcel Lavinier, who was in for the Alex Whittle at left back,

Lo Everton found Kyrell Wilson running in to the box, he got away from his defender and his shot beat Joe McDonnell in the hosts’ goal but it was blocked on the line. Strange referee Harry Wager pulled play back for an offside.

On 12 minutes, Wilson got away down the right and got a great ball in to Otis Khan in the centre of the box and his effort was deflected wide by Luis Fernandez for a corner. Great opportunity to open the scoring.

Otis Khan can’t believe that’s not gone in – and nor can Kyrell Wilson or Harry Kite.

After a strong start, the game settled down with neither side creating anything to trouble the keeper until Jai Semenyo’s effort was turned away by Aidan Stone. After a strong start from the visitors, Eastleigh have reshuffled their back line to commit more players forward and have come back in to it.

But on the half-hour mark Eastleigh took the lead as they took advantage of some sloppy Yeovil defending. Angel Waruih got away down the right side and had time to feed it to Chris MAGUIRE who stepped in to the box and hit a shot across Stone and in to the corner of the next. 

There was a worrying moment soon after when Harvey Greenslade tried to get away down the right side and was sent crashing to the ground and was clutching his shoulder. That is the same injury which kept him out for a couple of months at the start of the season, but the striker seemed to shrug it off and played on. Keep an eye on that one….

Eastleigh’s tails are now up and Semenyo pulled one wide on 35 minutes and then Yeovil’s afternoon got worse. Otis Khan elbowed Maguire to the floor and was given the easiest red card the referee will give all season. Maguire, an experienced campaigner, has made the most of it, but utterly brainless from Khan. 

Otis Khan heads down the tunnel after 36 minutes.

Three minutes in to first half injury time, Eastleigh tried to work an opening down their left side with Nathan Tshikuna eventually feeding Shade who was one-on-one with Stone on the edge of the six-yard box. The keeper made a fine stop.

From the resulting goal kick, Greenslade was shoved in the back by Fernandez and crashed to the turf again. He’s holding his shoulder again and this time he’s not going to be able to continue. No substitution was made, but I’ll be amazed if we see Harvey Greenslade in this second half. Mark Cooper quite justifiably asking how that is not a booking for Fernandez.

After a bright opening 15 minutes, it has gone from bad to worse for Yeovil and you feel it is going to take quite a shift up through the gears to change it in the second half.

Half time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

Well, consider me amazed. Harvey Greenslade is back out for the start of the second half. Eastleigh are starting the second half like they finished the first, doubling up on Yeovil in wide positions.

Soon after the restart, the rain began to fall heavily in Hampshire and that triggered a couple of changes from Yeovil. In the 53rd minute my amazement reduced as Ciaran McGuckin came on to replace Greenslade, with Josh Sims replacing Michael Smith. It still looked like a back four with Sims going in at right back, whilst McGuckin joined Wilson as a front two.

Despite having a man disadvantage, Yeovil are not giving up here and are pressing forward with Lavinier in particular causing problems down the right side. But, despite that, Joe McDonnell in the Eastleigh goal as not been forced in to a meaningful save.

The lesser spotted Lewys Twamley replaces Marcel Lavinier

There were a couple of changes for the visitors with Charlie Cooper replacing Harry Kite after 75 minutes and then Lewys Twamley (yes, he exists) replaces Lavinier.

On 85 minutes, Yeovil had a great opportunity when Sims picked the ball up on the left and tried to curl one in to the top corner, it was flicked over the bar by McDonnell. Amazingly the referee adjudged McDonnell had not touched it and gave a goal kick. Another great chance to add to a couple at the start of the match.

As the game ticked in to injury time another good break forward found Sims bursting forward and he tried to curl one again, McGuckin tried in vain to get his head on it but it went harmlessly wide.

Full time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Silverlake Stadium
Date: Monday 21st April, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Chris Maguire 30 (0-1)

Pitch: Looked outrageously good 
Conditions: April showers – and a bit of thunder and lightning

Attendance: 2,657  (642 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Eastleigh: Corey Panter 33, Angel Wariuh, 77, Richard Brindley 85
Yeovil Town:  Harry Kite 19, Finn Cousin-Dawson 81,

Sending off:

Eastleigh:
Yeovil Town: Otis Khan 36

Referee: Harry Wager

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Ciaran McGuckin (for Harvey Greenslade, 53), Josh Sims (for Michael Sims, 53), Charlie Cooper (for Harry Kite, 78), Lewys Twamley (for Marcel Lavinier, 83), Alex Whittle (not used), Dom Bernard (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Eastleigh: Joe McDonnell, Luis Fernandez, Ludwig Francillette, Chris Maguire (for Richard Brindley, 73), Tyrese Shade, Angel Waruih, Corey Panter, Noa Boutin (for Jake Vokins, 46), Ben Close, Jai Semenyo (for Paul McCallum, 57), Nathan Tshikuna (for Lee Hodson, 78). Substitutes (not used):  Lloyd Humphries, Connor Underhill, Tommy Scott.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper is hoping the four players he has brought in to the starting XI for the Easter Monday trip to Eastleigh will freshen up the side.

Defenders Michael Smith and Marcel Lavinier replace Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard with loanees Otis Khan and Kyrell Wilson replacing Josh Sims and Ciaran McGuckin in the forward line from the Good Friday draw with Forest Green Rovers.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins ahead of kick-off, Cooper said: “We can’t go up and we can’t go down and it’s about playing for the shirt and finishing the season properly. Morgan Williams will start, Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan will start. We have some players that did not start on Friday that will start today and hopefully give us some freshness.

“They spent heavily in the summer and have some big names in there and I am expecting a tough game. They had a good result (a 1-1 draw) at Barnet on Friday, so we will see if that has taken anything out of them but we will have a right go at it and try and win the game.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Team News

Yeovil Town have made four changes from Good Friday’s 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers as they take on Eastleigh on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off).

Kyrell Wilson and Otis Khan are both in the front three alongside Harvey Greenslade with Marcel Lavinier and Michael Smith replacing Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard in the full-back positions.

All those dropping out of the starting XI are named on the bench at the Silverlake Stadium.

By:
On:
In: Podcasts

Happy Easter from the Gloverscast!

Ben and Dave have gone for some extra support on this edition, we have both FGCQCRob Manley and Chris Fox to chat about Forest Green Rovers, the two penalties we didn’t get and how we’re sick to death of Ryan Inniss scoring late goals.

We chat Eastleigh and Easter for good measure too!

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

After a last minute heartache saw them settle for a draw on Good Friday, Yeovil Town will be looking to rise again as they travel to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

FORM GUIDE…

It’s been a tough run of form for Eastleigh without a win in their last eight matches and than coming against relegation-haunted (and now relegated) Ebbsfleet United on home soil back at the start of March.

However, The Spitfires did have a good result on Good Friday with a 1-1 draw away at champions elect Barnet where Paul McCallum, a name synonymous with the top of the National League’s scoring charts, took advantage of a defensive mix-up to put them ahead. 

This should serve as a notice to Yeovil that there is still plenty of quality in their hosts’ squad on Easter Monday. Their last three fixtures at the Silverlake Stadium have seen them beaten by Southend United and held to a draw by FC Halifax Town and Hartlepool United.

In comparison, Yeovil are in good form with three wins, Good Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to play-off candidates Forest Green Rovers, and a defeat in their last five matches.

The performance against Forest Green built on a good showing in the previous match at home to Oldham Athletic and manager Mark Cooper will be looking for his side to carry on that form on Easter Monday.

KEY PLAYERS

Yeovil Town – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton

Who would have bet on Sonny being a key player a couple of months ago? Having been a regular until the end of November, the 4-0 defeat at York City seemed to be the death knell for his career at Huish Park. The former Watford youngster disappeared with a mystery injury and was reportedly placed on the transfer list and had a trial in the Middle East.

Then, come the home match against Tamworth in mid-February, he was back and straight in the starting XI. Since then he has been a revelation, leaving fans wondering where was he during those dark months.

Those last few games I talk about have been the last two in particular, at home to Oldham and then Forest Green on Good Friday. Lo-Everton has scored three in two for the Glovers, showing that he can be a crucial cog in the midfield for Mark Cooper. With three games to go, will the midfielder add more.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Eastleigh – Tyrese Shade

The winger has been the main man for Eastleigh this season with 12 goals to his name and eight assists.

It’s not only been his goal contributions but the fact he has stayed fit almost all season. Shade has got over 3,200 minutes in 40 appearances for the Spitfires. The last four games have been slow for the St Kitts & Nevis international, with just the one assist.


THAT’S WHAT HE SAID

Eastleigh manager and former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis spoke about the match following the 1-1 draw at Barnet in Good Friday’s televised match. He said: “The challenge is whether we can recreate that level of focus and determination? It will be a different game, for sure, and Yeovil are going well and have picked up some strong results in recent times, so it will be a tough game. But, we are at home and we do want to finish strong and show every individual that puts on the shirt wants to give their best.”

Eastleigh manager Kelvin Davis speaks after the 1-1 draw at Barnet.

In his post-match comments following the draw with Forest Green, Yeovil boss Mark Cooper said he expected to make changes for the match with several of the team which started on Friday having just come back from injury. He said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“

 

WE’VE MET BEFORE

There has only ever been nine games between the Glovers and the Spitfires, with Yeovil having the better head to head record. Yeovil have four wins, Eastleigh have two wins with there being three draws.

The teams last met on Boxing Day, where a 2-2 draw was played out. With Yeovil’s goals coming from Sean McGurk and Morgan Williams.

DON’T WE KNOW YOU?

After the Forest Green match where every other player had some kind of a connection with both clubs, Eastleigh second choice goalkeeper Tommy Scott is the only one for this match.

He started out in the Under-18s set-up at Huish Park before making the move to Southampton’s B team where he made a few appearances before dropping in to non-League where he did a tour of the South Coast with spells at Hamworthy United, Poole Town, Wimborne Town and W*ymouth before signing for Eastleigh in the summer of 2023.

WHO’S BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY THEN?

No one on Yeovil’s side is suspended.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Officials
Ref, Referee, Match Official

No sooner has the Easter Bunny come and gone, does the football get going on and the Glovers make the relatively short trip to Eastleigh for a Monday Afternoon clash.

I’d be willing to… Wager… that we’ll have a referee for that game, step forward Harry Wager. 

Mr Wager will be officiating just his third National League Premier game of the season, having been used predominantly across the North/South divisions.

He’s only been in the middle 13 times this season across the three leagues, 65 yellow cards, four reds and six penalties have followed him.

Most recently he took charge of Dagenham’s 3-1 defeat to Tamworth where he sent off Daggers’ Chris Francis, for what can only be described as an absolute shocker of a challenge, so fully justified.

Yeovil have seen him twice, both last season, the 3-1 win over Dartford which saw us lift the trophy (Frank Nouble missed the penalty that Mr Wager awarded us!)

He was also in charge for the 1-1 draw away at St Albans.

Nick Blogg and Stuart Kane are flagging up and down the line, Steven Hughes will be signalling the subs. 

Eastleigh FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier    
Referee: Wager, Harry
Assistant Referee: Blogg, Nick
Assistant Referee: Kane, Stuart
Fourth Official: Hughes, Steven

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

It was late heartbreak for the Glovers on Good Friday, as a 91st minute Ryan Inniss goal spared Forest Green’s blushes at Huish Park in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on…

We begin in the lunchtime televised kickoff, as York City defeated playoff contenders Gateshead to keep themselves well and truly in the title hunt. The hosts opened the scoring, but three goals without reply from the Minstermen secured a 3-1 win on their travels. Maidenhead United continued their brave battle against relegation, as they were pegged back by Woking to tie 2-2, the result leaves the Magpies four points off safety with nine to play for.

There were three 2-1 results, all with varying levels of drama; in a massive game for the playoff picture, Rochdale won away at Altrincham, with an 89th minute Devante Rodney goal securing the points for the visitors. Solihull Moors won a second consecutive game, as they came from behind at Tamworth, an 87th minute winner from Alex Whitmore giving the Moors a much needed confidence boost, while Oldham Athletic came from behind at home to beat Hartlepool United.

Boston United continued their impressive resurgence in front of a stadium record attendance, a Frankie Maguire double ensured the three points stayed in Lincolnshire, as they defeated Wealdstone. In the evening televised kickoff, Barnet‘s title celebrations continue to be put on hold as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Monday’s hosts Eastleigh, while Aldershot Town and Sutton United shared the points at the Recreation Ground.

Following their ownership/funding debacle, Dagenham & Redbridge secured possibly the biggest win of their season, as an 87th minute Josh Umerah penalty defeated relegated Ebbsfleet United. The first team to join Ebbsfleet was confirmed, as AFC Fylde lost 1-0 at home to playoff hunters FC Halifax Town, ending their two year stay in the fifth division and condemning them to the National League North. Finally, Southend United and Braintree Town played out a 0-0 draw.

National League results – in full

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

National League table