November 2025 (Page 8)

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After 10 days off, it was not a happy return to Huish Park for Yeovil Town. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions from a miserable night under the lights.

Where was the intent? From the kick off Wealdstone seemed to show all the intent, energy and desire. They controlled the ball – albeit it was Cooperball-esque – but we were never able to keep it and build our own pressure. Every scrap of something we had was a ball out to Oluwabori or Plant and hoping they could make something happen. All over the pitch we were sloppy with our passing and I thought, tactically, we had no answer to the visitors. Even if you take the conditions into account, Wealdstone had no problems and we cannot use it as an excuse. Wealdstone looked the like the home team last night [insert jab about training in Bristol] and that’s pretty damning.

Aaron Jarvis’ effort goes inches wide. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

One step forward, two steps backwards. The improved performance against Carlisle United gave supporters a nugget of hope. We appeared to have turned a corner and the hope was to build some momentum. Maybe get some players back in and fit. Sadly, Sims and McGavin weren’t ready and yet again we still looked leggy. Oluwabori had little impact, Morais made no difference from the bench and Jarvis and Campbell were feeding off scraps. Even the Efete and Nurse, who I though looked good in the last outing, barely completed a pass to a teammate. Maybe the Carlisle draw (only our second all season) papered over the cracks, but our next two are even more difficult against Scunthorpe and Southend.

Goals goal goals. Nine matches at home this season, nine goals, three of which came against Gateshead. 25 goals at home last season, 18 at home in 22/23, 20 in 21/22.  Bar the National League South season (46), we’ve not had many chances to cheer during League matches. It feels like a tale as old as time in the National League, we struggle to created chances for our strikers. Last night was no different, Jarvis nearly got on the end of a cross in the 2nd half, but he and Campbell spent so much time coming deep to get the ball and bring others into the game but they get zero service. Oh for a Sonny Blu…

Mussa ran the midfield. Wealdstone’s number four seems to love Huish Park. Back in October 2021 he pulled the strings for W*ymouth in Yeovil’s 1-1 FA Cup draw and he did it again last night. Cool on the ball, fancy feet get out of tight spots – which set them on their way to a second goal – and read the game expertly. With McGavin and Maddox to return from injury to add to Joliffe and McCormick in the midfield, I really hope we can see some of that in our midfield. Or maybe, we can sign him in January? It’s not always raining sideways Omar.

What’s left this season? We’ve not even reached firework night and I feel like the reasons to believe this season are ebbing away. The minor momentum and good-will from Carlisle vanished last night with boos ringing around Huish Park on full time. Hopefully the FA Trophy draw is kind to us and we get can get a decent run in that. But, I’ve not seen enough consistency to think we can achieve anything more than mid-table this season. I hope I’m wrong on that and hope that preparation for 2026/27 is going on in parallel because, if the attendance is going to stay over 2,000, we need something to believe in.

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In 2009, a couple of young loanees turned up from Tottenham Hotspur and made an instant impact. One of those, Jonathan Obika, came back a further three times leaving a mini-mark on Huish Park. On this month’s Glovers Past, we catch up with the former striker who scored 24 times in his 77 appearances in green and white.

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On loan winger James Plant was not blaming the horrendous weather conditions for Yeovil Town’s below par performance in a 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone on Tuesday night.

The Port Vale player, who returned to the starting XI for the first time after a month out with injury, said there was “a lot of frustration and disappointment” in the Huish Park dressing room after the game.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah after the game, he said: “I was buzzing to be back out there, but I feel deflated now. No-one can be happy after that. There is a lot of frustration, a lot of disappointment but we will work it out as a team, let the dust settle a bit and go again for the rest of the week and hopefully put it right on Saturday.

“You can’t predict the weather and predict it will be blowing a storm. We had a game plan to nullify them and it worked to an extent, but maybe we did not make the most of the weather. I thought we came out pretty decent in the second half, then the goal deflates us and there is a bit of panic. We are trying to get back in the game and then they get another goal which obviously killed us.

“We will watch it back and that is where we will make decisions on what we should have done, but right now there is just a lot of disappointment.”

The Glovers’ had a strong wind at their backs for the opening 45 minutes but did not threaten the visitors’ goal and allowed Wealdstone to boss possession. Then, after a bright opening ten minutes from Yeovil, the Stones broke the deadlock through Dominic Hutchinson before Max Kretzschmar added a second.

Plant added: “You can’t blame the weather for this result, but it does change the way you do things. These things play on your mind, but as a team we could have made better decisions, we definitely could have been better on the ball even though the pitch was lively. They were better on the ball than us and that is what cost us.”

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Yeovil Town manager Richard Dryden said he could understand fans’ frustration after his side were booed off the Huish Park pitch after a 2-0 defeat to Wealdstone.

The Glovers turned in a damp squib of a performance on a miserable night with wind and rain lashing South Somerset and goals from the visitors’ Dominic Hutchinson and Max Kretzschmar sealing the defeat.

Asked about the reaction at the final whistle, Dryden told BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah: “We have not given them enough to cheer about. When we started the second half off with a shot, the intent was there, but we have to give them more to cheer about. I can totally understand their frustration.”

The Glovers failed to take advantage of having the conditions in their favour in the first half, failing to muster a meaningful effort on the Wealdstone goal, and lacked an intensity to take the game to the visitors.

There was a brief rally after the break, but the goals punctured any hopes of a comeback.

Dryden added: “Out of possession we were pretty good, but in possession we were not good enough as a whole group when we got the ball back. When you look at the goals, there was probably a free-kick (for a foul in the build-up) on Tav (striker Tahvon Campbell) but there a lot of things that happened after that when we should have done better.

“For the second goal, we are in a decent position and we give it away and whilst it is not game over, 2-0 is a high bar to come back from.

“We know what Wealdstone are like, we have got their (possession) stats, but we felt that in the blocks we would win the ball back and we did. The issue was when we got it back we were not good enough on the ball tonight. When we did get up the pitch and got in to good areas, it was not up to the standard we want and expect.”

Yeovil were without the suspended Finn Cousin-Dawson and Harvey Greenslade and the injured Josh Sims and Brett McGavin, leaving Dryden few options to bring off the bench as Wealdstone dominated the midfield with ex-W*ymouth midfielder Omar Mussa impressing.

Dryden said: “We were without Simsy and Brett, but we were trying to change the shape and get an extra man in there, we just did not have enough to change it too much. James Daly came on (in the 81st minute) and Junior came on to try and bring a bit of spark. But in possession was the big problem.”

The manager said he hoped Sims would be back in training later this week with the ominous task of a trip to a Scunthorpe United side who have made an impressive start to life back in the National League Premier Division this season. 

He added: “There are some good characters in that dressing room. No-one likes to get beaten, we want to win games. It is a frustrated changing room, but as a group we have got to bounce back.”

It sounds unlikely McGavin will be fit to return for the trip to Lincolnshire with Dryden saying he is “probably another week away, maybe a bit longer.“

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Yeovil Town turned in a performance as damp as the weather at Huish Park as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Wealdstone on a miserable Tuesday night.

The Glovers failed to take advantage of the wet and windy conditions being in their favour as they failed to trouble the visitors’ goal and then in the second half Wealdstone showed them how it should be done and goals from Dominic Hutchinson and Max Kretzschmar sealed the win.

There were boos around the stadium at the final whistle and, having been forced to watch a poor performance in terrible conditions, you cannot blame the home crowd.

First half

The game started in atrocious conditions with strong wind and driving rain working against Wealdstone who were attacking the Thatcher’s Stand from the kick-off.

Jake Wannell was the first Yeovil player to try his luck from distance with a wind-assisted effort from fully 30 yards after seven minutes, it went high over the bar in the away end but worth a goal in these conditions. Wealdstone had a lot more of the ball in the opening 15 minutes with ex-W*ymouth midfielder Omar Mussa dominating in the middle of the park whilst Yeovil tried to play the ball over the top without much success. You’d need rockets on players’ boots to get on the end of those balls.

With 16 minutes gone, Dom Hutchinson got away and it required a good block from Miche Efete to deny Wealdstone an opportunity at the back post. It all feels a bit too easy for the visitors who appear to have played in the wind and rain before, not sure our players have on these opening exchanges.

The first moment came just before the half-hour when Wannell moved forward and took us higher up the pitch, suddenly we had more players in the attacking third and broke to Jarvis and the ball went out for a corner. That’s about the nearest to anything we have managed in this opening 30 minutes. One moment of aggression and something happens. 

To say we have not adapted to the conditions would be an understatement whereas Wealdstone have been dynamic and not been afraid to press higher up the pitch. We have sat back and tried to catch them on the counter attack, but every ball forward has been overhit. Everything we have not been, they have been. That said, there’s not been any real saves from either goalkeeper.

Half-time goalless. Need to something better from us against the wind in the second half than we did with the wind in the first.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Wealdstone 0

Second half

In under two minutes of the second half, James Plant drove forward, Luke McCormick clipped the ball in to the box almost found the chest of Aaron Jarvis, just millimetres away. Moments later, a long George Nurse throw broke to McCormick on the edge of the box, his effort flew wide but we are already showing some attacking intent which is an improvement.

On 51 minutes, McCormick squared a ball from the right and picked out Jarvis in front of goal, his effort went wide. As close as we’ve come even if that is a low bar. But we are looking more aggressive and on the front foot.

Aaron Jarvis’ effort goes inches wide. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

But, on 57 minutes the visitors took the lead. Wealdstone won the ball back and Sak Hassan got away down the left, whipped a ball in and it came to Dominic HUTCHINSON on the spin at the far post and he fired a shot in to the near post. A very clever finish and you cannot say Wealdstone do not deserve it.

Richard Dryden did not hang about to respond to going behind with Junior Morias replacing James Plant. The substitute was involved in a good moment on 68 minutes when he fed in Andrew Oluwabori who powered forward, fed the ball out to the right side where Campbell had a shot from a tight angle which was deflected away for a corner.

Moments later, Micah Obiero got away with just Efete between him and Jed Ward and flashed his effort just past the post and then on 70 minutes the ball broke to McCormick inside the box and his powerful effort was pushed away by Dante Baptise in the Wealdstone goal. I think that is the first time I have mentioned the visiting goalkeeper. More of that.

On 73 minutes, it was 2-0 to Wealdstone. Yeovil did not clear the danger and two headers from the visitors landed to the feet of Max KRETZSCHMAR who smashed home the second from point blank range. Heads are down.

A poor back pass from Baptiste gifted the ball to Oluwabori, he weaved towards goal but rather than going further forwards he laid it off to McCormick who tried to find Campbell but lost possession. Sums us up. That was the last action for Oluwabori as he was replaced by James Daly with nine minutes remaining. Pretty late to make any changes.

The second half was an improvement from the first, not that that is saying much. But for many of those 90 minutes there was a lack of intent to either put pressure on Wealdstone or look to take the game to them. They had both those things and were worthy winners.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Wealdstone 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 4th November, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Dominic Hutchinson 57 (0-1), Max Kretzschmar  73 (0-2)

Pitch: Wet.
Conditions: “Absolutely soaking sideways rain” – Jack Killah, BBC Radio Somerset

Attendance: 2,337 (52 away supporters)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams 54
Wealdstone: Connor McAvoy 49

Referee: Kirsty Dowie

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Junior Morias (for James Plant, 58), James Daly (for Andrew Oluwabori, 81), Alex Whittle (not used), Dan Ellison (not used), Kyle Ferguson (not used), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Wealdstone: Dante Baptiste, Jack Cook (for Steven Turner, 71), Anthony Georgiou, Omar Mussa (for Eddy Nsasi, 71), Enzio Boldewijn, Max Kretzschmar (for Nathan Tshikuna, 76), Sak Hassan (for Olufela Olomola, 90+4), Micah Obiero (for Daniel Nkrumah, 76), Dom Hutchinson, Connor McAvoy, Terrell Agyemang.

Substitutes (not used): Hubert Graczyk, Moussa Diarra.

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Loan winger James Plant returns to the Yeovil Town starting XI as they get back to National League Premier Division action at home to Wealdstone tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The Port Vale player has not featured since departing in the 55th minute on the 3-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood a month ago and replaces Harvey Greenslade, who is not on in the squad at all.

Striker Junior Morias returns on the substitutes’ bench, but there is no place for midfielder Brett McGavin. Youngster Ollie Hughes is among the seven subs named by manager Richard Dryden.

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Another home game for the Glovers as they welcome Wealdstone to Huish Park on Tuesday night under the lights.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Over the last five games Yeovil have been very inconsistent, with two wins, two losses and a draw. The two losses have been against tough opposition in the way of Boreham Wood and Rochdale.

Last time out, the Glovers got a well deserved point against third place Carlisle. Yeovil took control of that game early on after Morgan Feeney scored an own goal in the 15th minute, a lead that the Somerset side relinquished in the 68th minute. It was a performance far removed from the 0-3 hammering by Rochdale. However, that fixture was over a week ago now, after Yeovil’s game on Saturday was postponed due to the F.A. Cup first round being played.

Jarvis rises highest
Pic C/O Gary Brown

Wealdstone

The last five fixture for The Stones have been a lot better than their counterparts. Three wins, a draw and a loss show good form, especially when the one loss was to York City. Those results have put the London club in 11th in the league.

In their last fixture Wealdstone proved too strong for Southend United as they beat them 1-0 in the F.A. Cup. The goal was scored by former Yeovil man, Olufela Olomola. Their last league fixture, went the same way with a 4-2 victory over Sutton United, with another ex-Glover Anthony Georgiou bagging a goal for the Stones.

KEY PLAYERS…

                                                                  YEOVIL TOWN – TAHVON CAMPBELL

Campbell has been a spark in the Glovers side this season. With a side that has struggled for goal from their frontmen, it’s been the 28-year-old who had the shot that led to the own goal last week against Carlisle. The striker played the full 90 and seems to be Richard Dryden’s preferred forward, picking him over the likes other Aaron Jarvis and Junior Morias to lead the line.

It has however been a tough start to his career back at Yeovil after signing permanently at Huish Park in the summer. The striker will be hoping he can turn these starts into scoring goals.

Tahvon Campbell celebrates his goal
Pic C/O Gary Brown

WEALDSTONE – MICAH OBIERO

The talismanic front man has played every game bar one this season, which has led to him scoring four and assisting one, the most goal involvements of any Stones player this season. Obiero has played the full 90 on the last six occasions, helping his side to to five results from those six fixtures. 

THE GAFFER…

The man in charge at Grosvenor Vale is Sam Cox, who was appointed the summer. The 34-year-old had a spell as interim manager during the final five games of the 2023/24 season, his first time in charge at any level.

Cox, then took charge at Oxford City, for the start of 2024/25 season, but left the role after nine games. The former midfielder was then out of a job for the next year until the Stones asked him back to the club. 

It was as a player that Cox made a name for himself at Grosvenor Vale after two stints at the club. The former midfielder first spell at the club was in 2016 where he stayed until 2019. Although he did have a loan spell at Hampton & Richmond during the period.

Cox has never managed against Yeovil.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met in in February, a game which saw Yeovil beat 1-2 at Huish Park. Finn Cousin-Dawson scored the Glovers only goal of the game, with Joshua Grant and Enzio Boldewijn bagging for the Stones’ to take all three points.

The first game between the two last season saw Yeovil take all three points 0-3. The game was a complete game for the Somerset side, with goals coming from Ciaran McGuckin, Aaron Jarvis and Brett McGavin.

Photo: Gary Brown

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Two ex players are in the Wealdstone squad in the form of:

Olufela Olomola – The striker has had three loan spells at Yeovil, back in 2017/18, 18/19 and a short spell in 2022. Across the three stints he played 57 games, scoring 11 goals and assisting seven times.

Olufela Olomola. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Anthony Georgiou – The midfielder was on loan at Yeovil for a month back in 2022 from Leyton Orient, making just the two appearances.

Anthony Georgiou. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Kirsty Dowle takes charge of the game against Wealdstone. Read Ben’s article – here.

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Ref, Referee, Match Official

It’s not every day Yeovil Town are reffed by an actual FA Cup Final official, let alone one that’s also a current FIFA International referee.

That’s exactly what we have on Tuesday night when Kirsty Dowle takes charge of the game against Wealdstone.

Dowle, from Kent, took charge of the 2022 Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley, Chelsea beating Man City 3-2 after Extra Time, in front of nearly 50,000 people. 

A year later, she also took charge of the Women’s League Cup Final. 

She was added to the FIFA International list in 2020, just six years after starting her referee career.

She’s taken part in an exchange programme with the Japanese FA and was a lead official at the Women’s Under 17s European Championships in the summer. That, is some CV!

This season, six games have seen 24 yellow cards issued and one red.

As far as we can tell, she has never refereed a Yeovil Town (or a Wealdstone) game before.

She will be assisted by David Nicholson and James Hooper, Bailey Walker will be in charge of the dugouts.

Dowle, (2nd official from the left) looks out at Wembley before the 2022 Women’s FA Cup Final

Yeovil Town FC (First Team) v Wealdstone FC (First Team)
National League – Premier    
Referee: Dowle, Kirsty
Assistant Referee: Nicholson, David
Assistant Referee: Hooper, James
Fourth Official: Walker, Bailey