Team News – Hemel Hempstead Town (away)
On loan goalkeeper Jed Ward and winger Andrew Oluwabori are named in Yeovil Town’s starting XI for today’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Hemel Hempstead Town (kick-off 3pm).
There is no place for James Plant, who went off with a shoulder injury in the 3-0 league defeat to Boreham Wood last weekend, but Josh Sims has recovered from an injury seven days ago to start.
Striker Aaron Jarvis is not in the squad at all with Tahvon Campbell, Junior Morias and Oluwabori expected to lead the attack.
For Hemel, striker Jevani Brown, who spent the summer on trial at Huish Park, starts.
Foot In The Opposition Camp – Hemel Hempstead Town (Away)
The magic of the FA Cup takes us to Hemel Hempstead this afternoon, a place we’ve been before!
We welcome Will Beesley, the stadium announcer for Hemel to the pod to chat about their excellent start to the season.
Webb breaks his silence on Glovers’ exit
Former Yeovil Town manager Danny Webb has spoken for the first time after his departure from Huish Park after just 11 days in charge.
He spoke to the Derbyshire Times and honestly he did not really say a great deal more than came out in the announcement which came out with his shock departure which was followed swiftly by a return to his old job as assistant manager at Chesterfield.
Webb said: “I think the statement said it all – personal reasons. Football, non-football, that is not my place to divulge. As the statement has gone out, it would not be fair on either party to say any more on that. But when the opportunity did arise after leaving to return to my previous role it would have been mad to turn it down. I wish them all the best as a football club. There are some really good people in charge down there.
“There will be things that I have learnt from my own development, whether personal or career, and that has got to be a positive what I take away from the experience.”
It took just ten days after the announcement of his departure from Yeovil on September 22nd for Webb to be reinstalled as number two to Paul Cook at Chesterfield, the club he had spent four-and-a-half years with before his brief spell away.
Asked whether he believed he would return to frontline management again, he told the Derbyshire Times: “You never rule it out. It was not something that I thought ‘I have to go and do this now’ before an opportunity came up. At the time it felt like the right thing to do. What I would say now I am back in my previous role is that my focus is solely on assisting Paul Cook and the staff to get us back up the right end of that league.”
That is probably as much as we are ever going to find out about the reasons behind Webb’s departure, so we wish Danny all the best with whatever happens next in his career. Good luck, Danny, and thanks for bringing Andrew Oluwabori!
Dryden “we’re actively looking to build the squad”
“The FA Cup is is beneficial to the lower leagues. Everybody in the qualifying now wants to get through to the first round, not just for the the glory of it, but it’s financially good as well. So Hemel have the same ideas about us, wanting to get through. So it’s a tough place to go. You know, we’ve watched a lot of clips on them, they’re well organized. Very athletic. So you know, we’ve done our due diligence like we do with every game. So we’re going to get set up for them.”
Pic C/O Gary Brown
Match Preview: Hemel Hempstead vs YEOVIL TOWN
It’s the return of the FA Cup this weekend, as Yeovil make their way to Hemel Hempstead to face of in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
As we all know, form goes out the window when it come to cup competitions, especially in the FA Cup. The competition can make or break so many smaller clubs seasons, and even if the top 6 find it a burden, the magic is still there for the likes Glovers.
Yeovil are famed for their giant killings in this competition, but the club hasn’t reached the first round proper since 2023, when they were knocked out in the second round, to the glitz and glamour of Wrexham.
Over the last five games it has been solid for the Glovers with three wins and two losses. One of those losses cam last time out to Boreham Wood as Richard Dryden’s men were soundly beaten 0-3 at home.
Hemel Hempstead
The Tudors began their FA Cup exploits in the second of qualifying, where they faced Bishop Stortford, 4-1. They then drew Hereford in the next round, which went to a replay, after drawing 2-2 at Vauxhall Road. It was then off to Hereford for the replay, where Hemel came out on top with a convincing 0-3 victory.
The Hertfordshire side are unbeaten over their last five games, which includes their three cup games. Last time out The Tudors faced struggling Chippenham Town side which they one 0-1, thanks to a goal from forward Millar Matthews-Lewis.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – Junior Morias
Although quiet in recent games, the FA Cup could be the perfect opportunity to reignite the Jamaicans spark. Morias has scored goals wherever he has gone, but he needs to be playing in a position that suits him.
In the recent games where he has been less involved Dryden has deployed him as a left-winger. However, when Morias was playing arguably his best football so far this season, Mark Cooper had him playing centrally in-behind the striker/s. It is understandable that he needs to play where the team needs him, but also to get the best of him and to make him the key player that he was for those three fixtures, Morias needs to be through the middle.
We here that Cup games can take pressure of teams and players, something different to focus on, and utilised properly Morias could cause havoc against lower-league opposition.
Pic – Gary Brown
Hemel Hempstead – Millar Matthews-Lewis
Matthews-Lewis has been a handful for opposition teams this season. Since joining from Farnborough FC in the summer, the forward has bagged five goals in the league so far this season. In the games against Hereford the striker was a dangerous presence for Hemel contributing twice across both pictures. The first of his goals came in the original tie, where he equalised late on to send the fixture to a replay. Matthews-Lewis then opened the scoring in said replay, converting an indirect free-kick from edge of the six yard box.
The youngster is one of many talented striker to have played for Farnborough which includes the likes of Jamie Cureton and Michael Folivi. He will definitely be making sure the Yeovil centre backs will have their work cut out.
THE GAFFER…
Lee Allinson is the man who has the pleasure of leading out The Tudors every week. The former midfielder has a very short managerial career having only retired six years ago.The 41-year-olds first steps into management came at Biggleswade Town where he stayed for six months before joining Hendon.
Hendon is where Allinson then stayed for five years, before signing as manager for Hemel in 2024. In his first full season in charge he has the Tudors playing good football with his side currently sat 6th in the National League South.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The Glovers last met The Tudors back at the start of 2024 in Yeovil’s National league South title winning season. The game ended in a 2-0 win for The Glovers at Huish Park, with both goals coming from Sam Pearson.
The only other time the two teams have met was at Vauxhall Park, in the same season, this time however Hemel won 1-0, with Joe Iaciofano getting the only goal.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
Jake Gray – The midfielder had an up and down time in Somerset. Gray joined the club in 2017 from Luton with high expectations, but never really delivered on the talent that he shown on occasions, leaving for Woking in 2019.
Gray will forever be remembered for his announcement video, where the clubs media guru at the time, Alex O’Loughlin, used Snapchat maps to introduce him to Glovers fans.
Jevani Brown also spent the entirety of pre-season with the Glovers as a trialist, but never went on to sign on at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Richie Watkins is the man in the middle, he’s taken charge of seven Hemel games in his career – no side has seen him more! He’s also been looking after games involving Yeovil twice in the past. Read more here.
MOTM Result – Boreham Wood
Sorry to bring up that 3-0 home loss again, but despite the defeat there was at least one stand out performance.
Jed Ward claims your Man of the Match vote with a huge margin of support.
A little over 70% of you gave the Bristol Rovers loanee your backing with Harvey’s Greenslade’s second half cameo enough to grab second ahead of Kyle Ferguson in third.
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESPONSES | 1ST (Votes / Percent) | 2ND (Votes / Percent) | 3RD (Votes / Percent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | |||||
| 09.08.2025 | HARTLEPOOL (Home, 0-0 draw) | 172 | JED WARD (52 / 32.4%) | Morgan Williams (44 / 25.6%) | Jake Wannell (22 / 12.8%) |
| 16.08.2025 | FOREST GREEN (Away, 2-0 loss) | 87 | JED WARD (39 / 44.8%) | Byron Pendleton (16 / 18.4%) | Morgan Williams (11 / 12.6%) |
| 20.08.2025 | BRACKLEY TOWN (Home, 2-1 win) | 153 | JED WARD (89 / 58.2%) | Josh Sims (23 / 15%) | Tahvon Campbell (14 / 9.2%) |
| 23.08.2025 | BRAINTREE TOWN (Away, 1-0 loss) | 71 | JED WARD (29 / 40.8%) | Josh Sims (15 / 21.1%) | James Plant (7 / 9.9%) |
| 25.08.2025 | GATESHEAD (Home, 4-3 loss) | 174 | HARVEY GREENSLADE (65 / 37.4%) | Junior Morias (59 / 33.9%) | Josh Sims (23 / 13.2%) |
| 30.08.2025 | HALIFAX (Away, 3-2 loss) | 93 | JOSH SIMS (36 / 38.7%) | Harvey Greenslade (29 / 31.2%) | Junior Morias (13 / 14%) |
| AUGUST PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 JED WARD (12 PTS, 3 MOTM) | 🥈 JOSH SIMS (8 PTS, 1 MOTM) | 🥉 HARVEY GREENSLADE (5 PTS, 1 MOTM) |
||
| 02.09.2025 | SOLIHULL M (Away, 1-0 win) | 98 | JUNIOR MORIAS (28 / 28.3%) | Luke McCormick (24 / 24.2%) | Jed Ward (15 / 15.2%) |
| 06.09.2025 | YORK CITY (Home, 3-1 loss) | 108 | JOSH SIMS (48 / 44.4%) | Luke McCormick (33 / 30.6%) | Jed Ward (7 / 6.5%) |
| 13.09.2025 | WOKING (Home, 1-0 win) | 127 | LUKE MCCORMICK (47 / 37%) | Kyle Ferguson (37 / 29.1%) | Harvey Greenslade (11 / 8.7%) |
| 20.09.2025 | TAMWORTH (Away, 1-0 loss) | 62 | JED WARD (17 / 27.4%) | Kyle Ferguson (10 / 16.1%) | Josh Sims (7 / 11.3%) |
| 24.09.2025 | ALDERSHOT (Away, 4-1 win) | 94 | ANDREW OLUWABORI (36 / 38.3%) | Tahvon Campbell (25 / 26.6%) | Luke McCormick (10 / 10.6%) |
| 27.09.2025 | ALTRINCHAM (Home, 1-0 win) | 154 | ANDREW OLUWABORI (51 / 33.1%) | Jed Ward (37 / 24%) | Morgan Williams (18 / 11.7%) |
| 30.09.2025 | SUTTON UTD (Away 2-1 win) | 119 | JOSH SIMS (88 / 73.9%) | Andrew Oluwabori (20 / 16.8%) | Jed Ward (6 / 5%) |
| SEPTEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 ANDREW OLUWABORI (8 PTS / 2 MOTM) | 🥈 JED WARD (8 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥉 JOSH SIMS (7 PTS / 2 MOTM) |
||
| 04.10.2025 | BOREHAM WOOD (Home - 0-3 loss) | 87 | JED WARD (61 / 70.1%) | Harvey Greenslade (10 / 11.5%) | Kyle Ferguson (5 / 5.7%) |
| 11.10.2025 | HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (Away 2-1 loss) | 44 | HARVEY GREENSLADE (18 / 40.9%) | Jed Ward (10 / 22%) | Byron Pendleton (6 / 13.6%) |
| 18.10.2025 | ROCHDALE (Away 3-0 loss) | 49 | JED WARD (17 / 34.7%) | Harvey Greenslade (10 / 20.4%) | Kyle Ferguson (5 / 10.2%) |
| 25.10.2025 | CARLISLE (Home 1-1 draw) | 140 | Max Jolliffe (60 / 42.9% | Harvey Greenslade (16 / 11.4%) | George Nurse (13 / 9.3%) |
| OCTOBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 HARVEY GREENSLADE (9 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥈 JED WARD (8 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥉 MAX JOLLIFFE (3 PTS / 1 MOTM) |
||
| 04.11.2025 | WEALDSTONE (Home 0-2 loss) | 67 | LUKE MCCORMICK (13 / 19.4%) | Jed Ward (12 / 17.9%) | Aaron Jarvis (9 / 13.4%) |
| 08.11.2025 | SCUNTHORPE (Away 1-0 loss) | 46 | JAMES PLANT (15 / 32.6%) | Jed Ward (12 / 26.1%) | Harvey Greenslade (10 / 21.7%) |
| 15.11.2025 | SOUTHEND (Home 0-1 loss) | 89 | JED WARD (74 / 83.1%) | Max Jolliffe (5 / 5.6%) | Junior Morias (3 / 3.4%) |
| 22.11.2025 | MORECAMBE (Away 0-0 draw) | 49 | JED WARD (22 / 44.9%) | Harvey Greenslade (12 / 24.5%) | Finn Cousin-Dawson 4 (8.2%) |
| 29.11.2025 | BOSTON UNITED (Home 2-1 win) | 108 | LUKE MCCORMICK (68 / 63%) | Brett McGavin (10 / 9.3%) | James Plant (6 / 5.6%) |
| NOVEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 JED WARD (10 PTS, 2 MOTM) | 🥈 LUKE MCCORMICK (6 PTS / 2 MOTM) | 🥉 JAMES PLANT (4 PTS / 1 MOTM) |
||
| 06.12.2025 | HARTLEPOOL UTD (Away, 2-0 win) | 106 | LUKE MCCORMICK (78 / 73.6%) | Jed Ward (11 / 10.4%) | Harvey Greenslade (7 / 6.6%) |
| 13.12.2025 | MAIDSTONE UTD (Home, 1-1 [4-2 on pens]) | 125 | JED WARD (83 / 66.4%) | Brett McGavin (10 / 8%) | Harvey Greenslade (9 / 7.2%) |
| 20.12.2025 | FOREST GEEEN (Home, 0-2 loss) | 94 | LUKE MCCORMICK (22 / 23.4%) | Harvey Greenslade (20 / 21.3%) | Jed Ward (17 / 18.1%) |
| 26.12.2025 | TRURO CITY (Away 0-1 loss) | 67 | JED WARD (55 / 82.1%) | Jake Wannell (3 / 4.5%) | Josh Tobin / Aaron Jarvis (2 / 3%) |
| 30.12.2025 | EASTLEIGH (Home 1-1 draw) | 113 | LUKE MCCORMICK (46 / 40.7%) | Jed Ward (29 / 25.7%) | Jake Wannell (10 / 8.8%) |
| DECEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 JED WARD (10 PTS, 2 MOTM) | 🥈 LUKE MCCORMICK (9 PTS / 3 MOTM) | 🥉 HARVEY GREENSLADE (4 PTS / 0 MOTM) |
||
| 03.01.2026 | BRAINTREE (Home 3-1 win) | 164 | LUKE MCCORMICK (44 / 26.8%) | Aaron Jarvis (27 / 16.5%) | James Daly/Brett McGavin (20 / 12.2%) |
| 10.01.2026 | ALVECHURCH (Home 0-0 [3-1 on pens]) | 172 | DAKARAI MAFICO (86 / 50%) | Jed Ward (55 / 32%) | Josh Sims (9 / 5.2%) |
| 17.01.2026 | BRACKLEY TOWN (Away, 2-1 loss) | 81 | DAKARAI MAFICO (19 / 23.5%) | Harvey Greenslade (15 / 18.5%) | Kyle Ferguson (12 / 14.8%) |
Gloverscast #449 – “FA Cup Fever”
It’s FA Cup week at Yeovil and it’s a fairly tricky looking tie for the Glovers away at Hemel Hempstead Town.
But, because it’s cup week, we’ve decided now is the time for not one, but two debuts on the Gloverscast.
Ben welcomes voice note regulars Michael Stone and Andrew Foot to the pod to chat about the goings on at Huish Park!
Match Officials – Hemel Hempstead (Away)
It’s cup time, everyone!
Yeovil Town will take on some old National League South adversaries in the form of those plastic pitchers, Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday and the man in charge definitely knows his way to the ground.
Richie Watkins is the man in the middle, he’s taken charge of seven Hemel games in his career – no side has seen him more!
He’s also been looking after games involving Yeovil twice in the past – both times saw the Glovers lose.
He took charge of a 1-0 home defeat to Bromley in 2022/23 and a 2-0 away defeat to Maidenhead United.
Below you can see him dealing with a minor skirmish in the Glovers’ penalty area – Grant Smith is about to get that Yellow card he’s holding.
This season, he’s been a little on the stricter side, four National League games have seen 25 yellow cards, and he got two of his three ones out in a tasty little game between Altrincham and Carlisle.
He will be assisted by Amarjit Sarao and Alex Rolfe with Dan England on fourth official duties.
Hemel Hempstead Town (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
FA Cup
Referee: Watkins, Richie
Assistant Referee: Sarao, Amarjit
Assistant Referee: Rolfe, Alex
Fourth Official: England, Dan
Gloverscast #448 – “A fig leaf of modesty on the bank balance”
The winning run finished rather abruptly on Saturday with Boreham Wood putting on a show. Ian, Ben and Dave are back to chat through the defeat and what we think needs to happen next. We take your GCQs and have a voice note from Tim Hubble!