March 2026

A spirited first half performance was cancelled out by a professional opposition on Saturday, as Yeovil Town were defeated at home by Scunthorpe United. The Glovers had the better performance going into half-time, with chances for Aaron Jarvis and James Daly going amiss.

The second half saw Scunthorpe step their game up, with a fortunate penalty being tucked home by Danny Whitehall, before a double from his replacement Leo Farrell put the game out of reach for Yeovil. The defeat leaves Yeovil 17th in the table, still eight points above the bottom four.


First half

Billy Rowley named an unchanged lineup from Tuesday night’s win over Tamworth, with youth product Ollie Hughes once again making the bench.

The opening stages of the game saw Yeovil with more of the possession, forcing the visiting Scunthorpe into a series of fouls in the midfield, allowing the Glovers to further assert themselves on the game. Scunthorpe had the first real opportunity to score though, as a good run from Joe Rowley broke through the Yeovil defence, forcing a save from Jed Ward.

Just before the ten minute mark, Yeovil fired back though, as a tantalising cross from Josh Sims was missed by James Daly and Aaron Jarvis – the ball was recovered on the other end of the box by Troy Perrett, and after some pinball in the box, Jarvis couldn’t sneak a backheel past Scunthorpe ‘keeper Lewis Jones.

Another chance followed for Yeovil soon after, as they beat Scunthorpe’s press and attacked down the right hand side once again; Sims got the ball to Dakarai Mafico but his shot ballooned over from all of 30 yards out.

Scunthorpe then forced the Glovers into a mistake, as a mixup between Brett McGavin and Jake Wannell allowed attacker Callum Roberts to pounce; his shot was blocked, almost wrong-footing Jed Ward, but the Bristol Rovers loanee scrambled across his net to recover.

22 minutes in, and a pause in play was called for an “injury” to Danny Whitehall, who seemed to feel that Jed Ward had kneed him in the back as he moved past him following a Scunthorpe chance… after his treatment (and a yellow card to Jed Ward), play got back underway.

Neither side looked to threaten for a spell, with pantomime villain Danny Whitehall earning himself a spot in the referee’s book the only noteworthy moment. A few minutes later, Aaron Jarvis stormed down the left hand side for Yeovil, putting a lovely cross in for James Daly, but the in-form number 11 scooped his shot over the bar.

A few half-chances for Yeovil were the remaining events for the final ten minutes of the first half, but both sides went into half-time goalless. A positive first half performance from the Glovers, who went into the half-time break the better of the two sides.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Scunthorpe United 0


Second half

The Glovers took kickoff for the second half, kicking towards the Thatchers Terrace, and it was in front of the terrace where the first chance of the half came. A patient passage of play allowed Josh Sims to put a good ball in for Aaron Jarvis; his flick on was found by Troy Perrett, but the Cardiff youngster couldn’t control the ball and the move fell apart.

Scunthorpe went down the other end, and following a challenge from Joy Mukena, the Iron won themselves a penalty. Up stepped the pantomime villain, as Danny Whitehall sent Super Jed Ward the wrong way to give the visitors an arguably undeserved lead.

Not long after, the visitors were on the attack again, a stray boot following a shot from Whitehall left Brett McGavin on the floor needing treatment. Scunthorpe continued to push forward following the restart, with two chances being blocked, then sent over the bar.

Yeovil looked to respond, building momentum and introducing a fresh face in the shape of Tahvon Campbell. More chances came and went for Yeovil, with the biggest of the lot coming from a low-driven Ryan Jones cross; it was blocked and sent into the path of Tahvon Campbell, but his shot from five yards was saved by the ‘keeper.

Just before the 70 minute mark, Scunthorpe’s defence was scrambling once again, as another Campbell shot was blocked, forcing a corner, before a raft of subs were introduced, three for the visitors and one for Yeovil.

Soon after, Scunthorpe doubled their lead following a very tidy passage of passing, unlocking the Yeovil defence and leaving recently-introduced Leo Farrell with acres of space and an easy tap-in.

Yeovil huffed and puffed, but aside from a handful of hopeful forays into the opposition third, nothing of any quality was produced. It took until one of the nine (yes, nine) added minutes for Yeovil’s next chance to come, as Harvey Greenslade’s shot hit the side netting.

From the goal kick, Scunthorpe went down the other end and breezed through the Yeovil defence – there were calls for offside, but the flag stayed down as Leo Farrell tucked home his second, and Scunthorpe’s third. The visitors comfortably saw out the remainder of the game, heading home as 3-0 winners.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Scunthorpe United 3


Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 7th March, 3:00pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Danny Whitehall 49 (0-1), Leo Farrell 74, 90+4 (0-2, 0-3)

Pitch: Green! Soft and slippery
Conditions: Fresh, mist hanging in the air

Attendance: 3,016 (147 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jed Ward 23
Scunthorpe United: Danny Whitehall 34

Referee: Callum Walchester

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Matt Gould, Alex Whittle, Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Brett McGavin, 83), Harvey Greenslade (for Josh Sims, 70), Kyle Ferguson, Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis, 60), Ollie Hughes

Scunthorpe United: Lewis Jones, Branden Horton, Andrew Boyce, Danny Whitehall (for Leo Farrell, 70), Callum Roberts (for Alfie Beestin, 90), Joe Rowley, Zain Tahir (for Tyler Denton, 70), Oli Ewing, Zain Westbrooke, Connor Smith (for Aidan Dausch, 64), Ross Barrows (for Joe Starbuck, 70)

Substitutes (not used): Rory Mahady, Carlton Ubaezuonu

Billy Rowley has said that his copy and paste team sheet is because the line up suits the Glovers as much against Scunthorpe as it did for Tamworth.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset’s Jack Killah pre-match he said;

“I would have looked to change it if we needed to, but I think stylistically as well the game is very similar. They play a similar shape to Tamworth. I think they’ve got a tiny bit more quality in their team, but in terms of our prep for that game, it leads on nicely to this one. And providing they don’t throw any curveballs at us, it won’t take too long to adjust to what they’re trying to do. So I felt like it would give us a bit more clarity in the game plan, and obviously the boys played well, so kept it the same.

…like us, I think it’s important to realise they’ve had a tough run.
They’ve played some good teams. And watching their games back, they’ve also—as football works, you know—they’ve created decent chances, just maybe weren’t as clinical as they needed to be. So football can change, as we’ve seen week to week. I’m not going to look too deeply into that. We’re going to treat them like they are a top team in this division, and we’re going to have to be a, you know, a great version of us to get anything from the game.”

Billy Rowley watches on | Pic by Gary Brown

With bench also unchanged, the gaffer said that they were at basically full strength with Harvey Greenslade ready to go after not being involved against Tamworth.

“I’m happy with our bench today. I thought Finn and Fergie brought a lot of bite and character to the game when they came on. Harvey Greenslade today—he’s actually like fit and able to play. On Tuesday, he was just doing us a favour really by sitting on the bench. So a fit and healthy, energised Harvey is a frightening prospect with his speed and his movement. So, that’ll add to the bench. So hopefully we won’t need to look too deeply at the bench and we can perform with the boys on the pitch, but it’s nice to know they’re there.”

Luke McCormick
Pic c/o Gary Brown

Luke McCormick was seen with a clipboard and note book on the bench against Tamworth, his groin injury is a serious one and Rowley said that there’s no rush on getting the midfield maestro back; with others stepping up in his absence.

“It’s probably going to be the end of the season, to be honest. He’s got a torn groin, like off the bone really, so it’s not good. It’s not good. I’m not really looking to rush him back this season. My preference would be just make sure he’s 100%, and if he turns up to pre-season fully ready, then that’s fine.”

Dakarai has really stepped up. Troy—had to speak to Troy privately just a little bit about like his bite and defensive actions. You know, he’s only 19, just turned 19, and he’s got so much talent and he’s going to have a great career. But obviously, we were at the bottom end of the table and we need to show a lot of grit and determination. And like I say, his talent is top level, and since he’s started to like put his foot in a little bit more, he looks like a really accomplished player”

Yeovil Town go with an unchanged line up for their clash with Scunthorpe at Huish Park.

The same XI that began against Tamworth get the start here too, same bench too, which means youngster Ollie Hughes retains his spot.

Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has said that he feels like his side is heading in the right direction after back to back league wins.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on his Friday evening’s Sports Show he revealed the impact of gruelling schedule on the Glovers and said whilst Scunthorpe post new tests, he’s concentrating on his own side.

“We went to Southport with a very depleted team and two or three of the lads who were kind of playing injured really. I’m an honest person, I’m always mindful that, that after losing games, it’s difficult to give excuses after a game because that’s what all the people will then say, but the truth is we were very tired going into that game. The boys on the pitch, two or three ideally wanted to sort of probably come off at halftime, but they tried to to dig in and we just didn’t have enough legs and energy and freshness to get over the line. We lost that game fair and square, but we had a few days rest leading up to the Tamworth game and we performed really well.

The Glovers stepped up on Tuesday night, and the 2-0 over Tamworth was as comfortable as a match as been in Huish Park for weeks. Rowley said: “I thought in possession, it might have been our probably one of our best performances, some really clear ideas and patterns for the lads. We just reviewed it with the boys after lunch as well and just showed them a load of good practice videos. I feel like they’re in a good spot now it and football can change game to game, week to week, but I feel like a lot of the lads are in a good place and ready to go out there and get another win.”

New players, managing injuries, cup ties status and constant back to back games have meant getting any kind of training in has proved difficult for Rowley.

It takes time for players to embed your ideas and what we’re asking them to do and it’s some new ideas and some new patterns. It’s never going to be sort of smooth sailing and a linear process. There needs to be some bedding-in period and I think I said as well in the last post-match, I think probably since Telford in the last round of the cup is, has been the last time we’ve had a full week’s training and all you can really do is, is turn up Monday, recover and then you’re playing again Tuesday. So it’s been really hard to actually work with the players. It’s just literally been game after game. So next week will be good for the boys, providing we get a good result on Saturday.”

He added: “We get a full week’s rest leading into the Boston game and I do feel if we can keep getting points on the board and play with a bit more freedom that I think the fans can expect us to be playing some of our better football. I think we’ve in the last two home games we’ve created some really big chances and we’ve sort of dominated both of those games on not only the scoreline but all the metrics and stats that you’d want. So yeah, moving in the right direction.”

Yeovil Town huddle | Photo: Gary Brown

​As for today’s opponents, 6th placed Scunthorpe, the manager said: ​”[They’ve got] some really dangerous players. . But look, we’re prepared for them, but I’m a coach and I’m a manager that, I obviously need to look into the opposition, but I want our players to be playing our game and I don’t want us to be over-analysing the opposition. We have to be obviously mindful and respectful of what they bring, but we want to be playing front-foot, attacking football and going out there and creating chances ourselves. So hopefully that will be the case.”

It’s the Ian Botham Derby this weekend as Yeovil Town take on Scunthorpe United at Huish Park on Saturday afternoon.


FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

With the Glovers in the midst of small run of bad form, with one win in five, a victory was needed against Tamworth last time out. And a 2-0 win is just what the Huish Park faithful got. Yeovil grew into the game through the first half with a goal looking likely for the home side. They were then rewarded for their good work when Ryan Jones‘ bagged the opener after a mazy solo run through what seemed the entire Tamworth team, on the 40th minute.

Yeovil vs Tamworth.
Yeovil vs Tamworth.

The Glovers then doubled their lead 10 minutes in to the second period when on loan centre-back, Declan Skura, became the scorer. Not only did Billy Rowley‘s men secure all there points, it was potentially the most complete performance this season from the team. Hopefully this was a little glimpse into what the future could look like under the 43-year-old.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED

The Iron haven’t been in the most scintillating form over their last five games with three losses and two draws in that time. However, they do sit sixth in the table, so will no doubt be a dangerous opposition.

The Lincolnshire side didn’t had a game of two halves last time out as they drew 3-3 with Solihull Moors. The first half was one to forget as Conor Wilkinson put The Moors 0-2 up at halftime. The Iron came out all guns blazing and pulled one back through Danny Whitehall on the 48th minute. The action kept coming when Solihull’s Tyler French was sent off just five minutes later. This gave Scunthorpe hope and they equalised with 10 minutes as Whitehall got his second, before completing his hat-trick on the 85th minute. Then just when the home side looked like they secured all three points, Isaac Moore popped up to spoil the party.

With the shipping of those three goals, that was the third time in as many games that The Iron have conceded three goals.


KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – RYAN JONES

It feels good to be going a couple of games not saying the same two names for once this season. Although Jed Ward and Luke McCormick have been by far our best players this term, it feels like we are becoming less reliant on them two for our wins, other players are starting to step up. Jones is one of those name and although he hasn’t been able to get the run of games he’d have hoped due to being cup tied, he really showed up on Tuesday night.

Ryan Jones in action for Yeovil Town
Ryan Jones tackles Kwaku Donkor. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

You have to start with that wonderful solo effort. The 23-year-old drifted past the Tamworth players like they were not there before striking it past Jasbir Singh from a tight-ish angle on the corner of the six-yard box. Outside of that goal, Jones created plenty and played like a player who wanted to be here (unlike some). As with many this season, let’s hope it’s not just a one off.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED – DANNY WHITEHALL

Whitehall is one of two players I could have picked for this, with Callum Roberts, being the other. And although, Roberts has more goal involvements this season, I have to pick the man who has been plugging away and scoring goals whilst his side have been far from impressive over the last five games.

As mentioned in the form, last time out for the striker was a memorable day. Not only did he help his team get back into a game and pick up a point, he claimed the match ball in doing so. That hat-trick has put him level with Roberts this season on 13 goals this season, with the two fighting it out to be the Iron’s top scorer.

Will Wannell withstand Whitehall?


THE GAFFER…

Andy Butler will be heading to Huish Park on Saturday to take on Billy Rowley. The 42-year-old  has been in charge of the Iron since 2024, when he replaced Jimmy Dean.

It was as the Doncaster Belles, in woman’s football, where Butler cut his teeth as a manager, before he took over as caretaker boss of the mens side, where he had played 245 times.

As a player Butler started his career at Scunthorpe before going on to play for eight other teams. He would play 675 times during his career.

Butler has only faced the Glovers once as a manager, earlier this season, when he won 1-0.


LAST TIME WE MET…

It’s been quite few dull years when these two side have faced off. When they met earlier this season at the Attis Arena, Scunthorpe secured a 1-0 win thanks to a Tyrell Sellars-Fleming goal.
Scunthorpe celebrate Tyrell Sellars-Fleming’s opening goal.

It was an even more drab affair when the last played at Huish Park in 2022, with the game finishing 0-0, here’s hoping for a more lively encounter this time around.


DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There will be no ex-Glovers coming to Huish Park on Saturday.


THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Callum Walchester will be the man with the whistle on Saturday afternoon. For more on him and his team read Ben’s article here.

Callum Walchester is the man in the middle for the Glovers’ clash against Scunthorpe United this weekend.

He’s a busy man these days having covered 19 games this season, the vast majority of which have come in the National League.

In ten games at this level this season, he’s dished out 38 yellows, and three reds – and three pens.

He has already sent of a Scunthorpe player this season too, Joe Starbuck got a pair of yellow cards in their away game at Brackley and topped off a feisty contest by getting exclusive use of the changing room ahead of his team mates.

He’s officiated the Glovers twice, both green and white wins actually, most recently, in a 2-0 away win over Maidenhead United – goals from Frank Nouble and Harvey Greenslade – as well as a 1-0 away win over Braintree, the latter in the National League South campaign.

He’ll be assisted by Ryan Saward and Thomas Staten, David Nicholson is on fourth official duties.

Matt Robinson strikes at goal for Braintree.
(Referee Callum Walchester in the background)

Yeovil Town FC (First Team) v Scunthorpe United FC (First Team)
National League – Premier
Referee: Walchester, Callum
Assistant Referee: Saward, Ryan
Assistant Referee: Staten, Thomas
Fourth Official: Nicholson, David

A great performance from the Glovers saw them coast past Tamworth last night. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions from Huish Park.


How comfortable was that? From the first ball being kicked, Yeovil felt in total control across the pitch last night. How Tamworth are 10th in the division I have no idea. They kept things condensed centrally, but as soon as we were able to get the ball into wide areas they didn’t really know how to contend with us. We should probably have created more in the first half for our dominance but in a team that’s rebuilding confidence and trying to find a rhythm after a dismal Cup exit, it’s understandable.

Close from Troy Perrett and he knows it.

We were defensively sound. You can only contend with what you’re up against, and Tamworth had nothing other than route one for the majority of the match, but the back three of Jake Wannell, Declan Skura and Joy Mukena dealt with everything they had to with relative ease. They handled the Tamworth big lads well and in the latter stages when the visitors started working crosses into the box, they dealt with that too.

Jake Wannell
Pic c/o Gary Brown

Ryan Jones is coming good. He’s been in and out because of being cup-tied and postponements but after last week’s decent performance, Jones stepped it up again. He was a constant threat on the left hand side and really thrives when he’s carrying the ball. I don’t want to be hyperbolic, and I’m not going to be, but the way he moves with the ball and runs reminds me of Michael McIndoe. Clearly it’s too early to say he’s the second coming, but clearly there’s magic in those boots. His wonderful first touch, his fleet footed dribble through defenders and drilled shot into the bottom corner was superb.

Ryan Jones tackles Kwaku Donkor. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

It was the reaction we needed. After a terrible weekend everyone had to follow up. Did the Sutton win paper over the cracks? What’s going to happen to the teams around us? Well, pleasingly we really built on last Wednesday – albeit against very different opposition – and managed to get ourselves up to 14th and eight points clear of the bottom four. The nervousness of last week has dissipated and we can go into another home match on Saturday with confidence.

Billy Rowley
Pic C/O Gary Brown

We need to build on it again. The lack of consistency has been the story of our season. The elation of Sutton to the despair of Southport and then the uncomfortably comfortable win last night is our season in a microcosm. We’ve got an opportunity to step up against Scunthorpe – who are without a win in six matches – and show that we really are coming good. It’s not going to be perfect, but back to back wins at home gives us enough reason to be positive.