Foot In The Opposition Camp – Forest Green Rovers (H)
2025-12-20
It’s match day! Rhys Anderson is back on the Gloverscast to share the latest from Forest Green Rovers for this episode of a foot in the opposition camp.
Match Preview: Yeovil Town vs Forest Green Rovers
2025-12-19
It’s back-to-back home games for Yeovil Town as they welcome Forest Green Rovers to Huish Park on Saturday afternoon.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers made it three from three under new manager Billy Rowley last time out after they beat Maidstone United in the FA Trophy. The game was a hard fought battle, with the first goal not being scored until the last minute when Josh Tobin converted a James Daly cross. Then in stoppage time the Stones equalised. However, the Glovers came through on penalties thanks to two saves from Jed Ward.
It’s been a bit of a revival under Rowley, who still has perfect record since coming in as manager. Not only has the young gaffer got his team playing attractive football, they have also started to find the back of the net more regularly. Four wins from four will be the target for his side when they face a strong Forest Green Rovers side.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS
The Gloucestershire team have been in brilliant form under Robbie Savage and currently find themselves second in the league. They are unbeaten over their last five games with three wins and two draws. Rovers have scored 11 goals in that period, keeping up their good scoring form. However, they do concede goals as well, with no clean sheet in the league since the 1st October.
Last time out, Rovers saw off Weston-Super-Mare in the FA Trophy, with a convincing 4-0 win. Doubles from Kyle McAllister and Jayden Clarke in the second half helped put to bed a defiant Seagulls side.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JAMES DALY
Daly probably doesn’t get as much credit as he deserves. Throughout this season he has been one of the Glovers more consistent forwards. Although he may not score many goals he does provide a threat on the left wing, being more of a provider. That quality was on show last time out when he set up debutant Josh Tobin.
Under the previous manager and interim manager, it felt that Daly’s game didn’t suit the way they liked to set up. However, under new manager Billy Rowley, the winger has sprung into life like many of his counterparts. The 25-year-old will also need to start providing more with his position back under threat with fellow wingers James Plant and Josh Sims making their way back from injury.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS – KYLE McALLISTER
It’s Christmas, so I had to pick a McAllister (hopefully he will also be left at home alone). This McAllister however has been Rovers best player this season whether it’s when talking about goals or assists.
Primarily used on the right side of a front three, the Scotsman has been in scintillating form under Robbie Savage. In fact the 26-year-old is his sides top scorer with seven goals, he also leads the assists chart in Gloucester with four to his name. And if your like your match ratings, SofaScore has not given McAllister a rating below 7.0 since the FA Cup loss to Luton.
In what looks set to be a battle of the wingers, who will come out on top?
THE GAFFER…
The blonde locks (now verging on grey) of Robbie Savage will be gracing the Huish Park away dugout this weekend as he brings his side to Somerset. A face that will be recognisable to most in English football, Savage has took like a duck to water in management. In his first season at The New Lawn, the former Welsh international has guided his team to second in the table.
The Rovers job is his first leading a professional side, after he spent a year leading Macclesfield Town. As a player the 51-year-old played over 340 games in the Premier League, most notably for Leicester, Blackburn and Birmingham.
Savage has managed one game against Yeovil Town to date which was a 2-0 win back in August.
LAST TIME WE MET…
As mentioned the Glovers last played Forest Green Rovers in August, which they lost 2-0. That day goals from Jili Buyabu and Kairo Mitchell secured the Gloucestershire side all three points.
When Rovers last came to Huish Park in March this year Yeovil looked like they secured a win after a 24th minute goal from Sonny Blu Lo Everton. Unfortunately for the Glovers that day former player Ryan Iniss came back to haunt them getting an equaliser in 90+1st minute.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
There are a couple of familiar faces who are likely to feature for Forest Green. Ryan Inniss played for Yeovil six times on loan from Crystal Palace in the 2014/15 season. Tom Knowles is the other name that Glovers faithful will know, after playing 78 games for Yeovil between 2020 and 2022.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Alan Dale takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here.
Gloverscast #468 – “The Kelly Youga Club”
2025-12-19
Ian, Dave and Ben are back to preview tomorrow’s match with Forest Green Rovers. We talk about the FA Trophy draw and take your questions.
Greenslade: I hope fans can see we are turning a corner
2025-12-18
Striker Harvey Greenslade has said he is enjoying life under new Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley and is looking forward to a busy festive period in the next few weeks.
The former Bristol Rovers player has started the last two matches and played the first hour of last weekend’s FA Trophy third round win over Maidstone United before being replaced by loanee Andrew Oluwabori ahead of the game’s penalty shoot-out.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah on Thursday, he admitted he is enjoying the style of play being implemented by Rowley and believes it will give him more opportunities to score. The 21-year-old has not netted since scoring in the FA Cup defeat at Hemel Hempstead Town back in October.
Greenslade said: “We made it hard for ourselves against Maidstone, they are a tough team and a bit different to what we normally play in the National League, but three on the bounce is nice.
“In possession we are getting on the ball more, the Gaffer has got a new way of playing which we like and I feel like we will only get better. I think the fans can see that progression from the first game he came in (the 2-1 home win over Boston United) to the last one, I feel like it has improved massively. It has been very good and we have enjoyed coming in to training.
“I feel I will get more opportunities. For me it has always been about scoring and creating goals and the new way we are trying to play, I feel like there will be more chances for players like me, Macca (Luke McCormick), get on the half-turn and feed Jarv (Aaron Jarvis) and JD (James Daly) down the line and I feel like the goals will come – and hopefully soon.”
Yeovil face their biggest test since Rowley’s arrival when big-spending Forest Green Rovers come to Huish Park this weekend for an evening kick-off with the match being broadcast on DAZN. The Gloucestershire side, who are managed by former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, have not lost in the league since October.
Asked about what he expected the atmosphere to be like, Greenslade said: “I think it will be rocking! Three wins in three, I feel like the fans can see we are turning a corner in terms of the way we play. I like coming to Huish under the lights and I feel like we can put on a good show for them.
“They may be undefeated (since October in the league), but we are still Yeovil Town – we are still a good team, still a big team. Why can’t we be the ones to beat them? We played there at the start of the season and they are obviously a very good team, but I feel like now we are also a good team.
“We need to be calm and ready for the challenge, we know it is going to be a test, but so was Hartlepool. We are excited to play them because you always want to play against the better teams and prove what you have, so all the lads are excited to have that test.
“Winning at home is the best feeling for a player, it certainly is for me anyway! It needs to be a fortress, we need to say ‘this is our house and no-one is coming here and getting three points’, we should be insulted if that does happen and in the past it has been easier for teams to come to Huish Park and pick up a few points.“
Sims and Plant both back in full training
2025-12-18
Midfielders Josh Sims and James Plant have both been back in full training for Yeovil Town ahead of the visit of high-flying Forest Green Rovers to Huish Park this weekend.
The pair have both missed the last two games through injury, but manager Billy Rowley confirmed they had both trained all week and would be available to face Robbie Savage’s side.
He also confirmed forgotten man midfielder Jacob Maddox, who was signed from Forest Green Rovers by former boss Mark Cooper almost a year ago, would be back in full training next week having not featured since February due to injury.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah on Thursday, Rowley said: “I think (Alex Whittle) is the only one who has not trained this week, so we are in a decent and we are happy with where we are at squad-wise. I have said a couple of times we may look to add one or two here and there but that is not something I am actively looking at.
“Whitts will be available over the Christmas period, I imagine he will go out on the pitch and do some bits on Saturday and will be back in full training and available next week.”
Forest Green Rovers arrive in Somerset for an evening kick-off in second place in the National League Premier Division, tied on 46 points with leaders Rochdale and third-placed Carlisle United albeit with Rochdale having played three games fewer.
Managed by former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage, the Gloucestershire outfit have spent big again this season as they look to return to the Football League and Rowley is under no illusions that it will be his toughest test since arriving in the Huish Park hot-seat.
He said: “They are obviously a very good team with some serious talent in their roster. We have watched them all week and seen a lot of their work and it is something we are trying to focus on. We want to be respectful of the qualities of our opposition, but we also want to try and imprint our style on the game, so it is about trying to find that balance at the moment.
“They are a good side and have some serious talent, so we are going to have to defend well for spells but we also want to look at trying to cause them some problems in their half as well. Sometimes you can be too respectful of your opponents and sometimes in the week building up to a game, you end up talking too much about the opposition. They are a great team and Robbie (Savage) has done a great job and they are right up there for a reason, but we want to be focusing on how we can hurt them and score some goals and excite our fans.”
Loan signing midfielder Josh Tobin made the perfect start to life in green-and-white coming off the bench in last weekend’s FA Trophy third round win over Maidstone United at Huish Park last weekend. The Bromley player, who signed until the end of the season ahead of the match, came off the bench to score an 89th minute goal on his debut.
Rowley said: “He is a great character and it is just like him to come in and slot straight in with the boys from a personality perspective and I had no doubt he could step up to the level. He has been through a few injuries this season with hamstrings and tendonitis in his knee, but he seems fine and he’s trained brilliantly. It might take him two or three weeks up to speed, but his talent is obvious.”
But, the Glovers have lost the services of Watford loanee Leo Ramirez-Espain who impressed against Maidstone, but was recalled by his parent club. The manager admitted the decision was a surprise to him despite that appearance being the only minutes he had got since joining.
Rowley said: “It was a little bit of a surprise. I had some good chats with Leo last week and he is a great lad, he always trained well, it was just difficult to get him in. I felt Maidstone was a good chance to bed him in and he did really well, he was composed and helped us build up the pitch and then out of the blue he was called back. We wish Leo well, we have some cover in that position with Josh (Tobin), so the timing was good for us.“
Match Officials – Forest Green (Home)
2025-12-18
Alan Dale is the man in the middle this coming Saturday night when Forest Green Rovers head to Huish Park.
We most recently had Mr Dale in charge back in August 2024, when he took charge of a 1-0 defeat at home to Rochdale, a late late goal from the visitors on that day.
He booked Aaron Jarvis, and Kyle Ferguson, although the defender was wearing red and black stripes rather than Green and white on that afternoon.
In total, weve had him six times, weve won three of them and Jordan Maguire-Drew scored the only penalty he awarded us in a 2-0 over Dagenham and Redbridge.
Much like many other officials at this level hes used just as much – if not more – in the Premier League 2 games and that’s the case here too.
Nine times hes taken the whistle, in the four that came in the National League – or that silly little cup thing some teams are doing – he’s given out eight yellows, no reds and no penalties awarded!
He’s even taken charge of a game between Boston Utd and Leeds U21s where he didnt even reach for his pocket once. Game’s gone.
He’ll be assisted by Kevin Morris and Bailey Walker with Sam Read on Fourth Official duties
Yeovil Town FC (First Team) v Forest Green Rovers (First Team)
National League – Premier
Referee: Dale, Alan
Assistant Referee: Morris, Kevin
Assistant Referee: Walker, Bailey
Fourth Official: Read, Samuel
MOTM Result – Maidstone Utd (H)
2025-12-17
For the TENTH time this season, Jed Ward has taken the most votes to be named your Gloverscast Man of the Match.
A couple of superb penalty saves against Maidstone Utd was enough for you wonderful fans to tick the box this time, the Bristol Rovers loanee once again wins by a landslide.
Brett McGavin comes second and Harvey Greenslade makes the podium positions for an eleventh time this campaign!
| 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%) |
Ramirez Returns to Watford
2025-12-16
Leo Rameriz-Espain has been recalled by Watford.
The midfielder made just one appearance in the green and white, starting the FA Trophy clash with Maidstone Utd.
He returns to Vicarage Road to ‘bolster their squad’ over the busy festive period.
Glovers handed home tie in FA Trophy
2025-12-15
Yeovil Town will host Southern League Premier Division Central side Alvechurch in the fourth round of the FA Trophy next month.
The Midlands side put out National League North side Alfreton Town after a penalty shoot-out in last weekend’s third round and will head to Huish Park on Saturday 10th January.
The Worcestershire-based side sit just above the relegation zone in their division, which is two steps below Yeovil in the football pyramid, having played a few less games than some of the teams around them.
Former Premier League winning goalkeeper Tim Flowers resigned as manager at the end of November following a seven-gaming losing run, with ex-Solihull Moors midfielder Kyle Storer taking over in interim charge. They have midfielder Sam Perry, who played for Yeovil 12 times on loan from from Walsall during the Chris Hargreaves era at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, in their squad.
If the game goes to penalties again, be warned that Alvechurch have some pedigree. They have won all their three Trophy ties in shoot-outs this season, dispensing of Real Bedford and Worcester City as well as Alfreton Town.
The Glovers needed spot kicks to progress to the fourth round after seeing off National League South side Maidstone United with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win at the weekend.
Gloverscast #467 – “The Alice Band Collective”
2025-12-15
Chris Fox joins Ian and Dave to chat through the penalty shootout win over Maidstone in the FA Trophy.
Thanks to Tim Hubble, Andrew Foot and Michael Stone for the voicenotes.