Ben Barrett

Frank Nouble has set his teammates the target of getting the nine points they need to secure the National League South title as quickly as possibe.

The front man, who scored the only goal of the game against Braintree at the weekend, was on pre-match press duties and said that the win in Essex puts a poor run of form behind the Glovers;

[It was a] good feeling, great win for the boys which in the main thing.

Everything is pretty much to bed now, results wise and performance wise, a couple of days later we analyse the game with the manager and coaching staff and then we move on swiftly to the next one, we enjoy ourselves on the day and we look back on it as an important win, I’m sure a lot of people expected us not to pick up points there, 

It was a nice goal, like you say, I haven’t scored for a few games, hopefully that can inspire the next goals coming from all us attacking players.

Attention turns to an Easter Double header and the target is clear, get the points that are needed, and fast.

“Honestly, I just want to win the league as quickly as possible, I’m not going to shy away from that any more, I just want to win the league, I just want to win as many games as possible, six league games. If I score two or three before then, great, if I score five, excellent, but if I score none and we still win the league that’s the main thing.”

Ticket Sales have already topped 4500 for the Good Friday game at Huish Park and it’s a case of more the merrier for the striker.

“It’s good, it’s brilliant, it’s everything you wanted as a kid, you want to play in front of big crowds, I’ve been fortunate to play in front of big crowds in the past, it’s nothing new to me, but it’s also nice to have that at the club you’re currently at.”

“I just want to win the league as quickly as possible, I’m not going to shy away from that any more”

As for the Glovers opponents, Torquay, Nouble respects them – as a former Gull himself – but says it’s on Yeovil to do what they do best. 

“I know that they are going through a situation right now which is difficult, I’m sure as a club, we wish them all the best and hope they can come out of that, 

I’ve spoken to a few of their players, I think they’re happy that we can’t win the league against them, but we expect a tough game, they’re going to be a team which is looking to ruin the party like a lot of clubs have been trying to do recently, we expect a tough game, if we didn’t get a tough game, we’d be disappointed.

These games take care of themselves in terms of atmosphere and what it means. “

“I think the last three games, we went away from the honesty of working hard before respecting our quality, considering the position we are in the league, sometimes you can forget that.

We’ve gone back to that, we look a bit more solid, more than being in rhythm but the rhythm will come back and I think we saw glimpses of that on Saturday and hopefully we can have more on Friday, but working hard for this team is the minimum requirement.”

Nouble’s goal came from a corner, against Braintree and Frank was happy to give assistant Chris Todd plenty of credit.

“Set pieces have been huge, Toddy has been brilliant with us all year, trying to create scenarios for us to get the advantage of the position, we watch clips of other teams of how they set up for set pieces, it’s important for us to know what we’re doing, it worked perfectly, to a tee – but the others didn’t work, so we need to keep working.

The older I’ve got, I’ve got more accustomed to the community, to understand what they feel and what they think, doing my football training on the side with Sonny Blu [Lo Everton] has been brilliant, some of the kids are a bit more cheeky than others, but they’re brilliant, they’re like a little family, and they let us know what the crowd are thinking. “

Finally, when asked what it was like to share a spot in the official Team of the Week with Torquay and W*ymouth players whom he’ll come up against this weekend, he said he was happy to be nominated but…
“it’s nice to be recognised, as for W*ymouth, I don’t know what they’re doing this season – couldn’t care less – we look forward to playing them and hopefully taking points off them”

We’re looking forward to it, Frank!

Yeovil Town’s Frank Nouble has been named in the official Vanarama Team of the Week after his winning goal against Braintree.

The only goal of the game was enough to put the Glovers within nine points of securing the NLS title.

Keep ’em coming, Frank, we’re nearly there!

 

The Glovers picked up three big ones away at Braintree on NonLeagueDay 2024, how about the other Glovers out and about.

Jordan Maguire-Drew was an unused sub for Barnet as the Bees gave Dorking a 6-0 walloping.

Will Buse has to wait until Sunday for his action this weekend, Bath play Worthing live on TNT Sports.

Benjani Jnr and Melksham didn’t have a game either, this isn’t going very well is it?

Right, onto those who did have a Saturday game…

Ollie Haste helped Dorchester maintain their fantastic recent form, they picked up a 1-0 win over high flying Salisbury, Haste started and was part of the back line that were heavily praised for their efforts in front of a bumper crowd.

Ollie Haste celebrates putting Dorchester Town 2-0 up in their 4-1 home win over Basingstoke Town.
Picture courtesy of Phillip Standfield.

On to Shepton, where it was something of a bad day at the office for the Mallet who last 2-0 to Bridgwater Utd, Charlie Bateson did start the game, but it was one to forget for them.

Aidan Skiverton started for Sherborne in a 1-0 loss to Petersfield Town.

Welton Rovers also lost, league leaders Helston Athletic got the better of a 2-1 score line, Jacob Shore put in a very positive performance at back with Mason Alden used from the bench,

Whilst at Gillingham they’ve had a double header week; in midweek, they were 3-0 down to Wincanton, dragged it back to 3-3 only to suffer last minute heart break and concede a last gasp goal.

In contrast, from a seven-goal fest to a snooze fest against Bishops Sutton. 0-0 the game ended. 

Harrison Foster (who scored two of the goals in midweek), Jack Bareham, Josh Haskett, and Harry Lock all got plenty of game time across the two games. 

A stalemate at Slough for the first team, but what about those elsewhere?

Well, we were hoping that Bath City could do us an almighty favour in their game against Chelmsford (they couldn’t, cheers Jerry 😉) but it was good to see Glovers’ loanee Gloveman Will Buse back in goal.

He’s made two appearances this week for the Romans, in a 2-0 win over Hemel in midweek and in their 3-1 loss to Chelmsford on Saturday.

After the game in midweek, Jerry Gill said of his number 1;

“I thought Will was excellent, gave us a calmness, came and got a lot of crosses, and his kicking was excellent as well”

In the division above, Jordan Maguire-Drew was in the starting line up for Barnet, they lost 1-0 against Woking. 

JM-D was taken off ten minutes before the end.

Malachi Linton wasn’t in the W*ymouth squad for their game against Braintree, the Terras lost 1-0.

Dorchester were on the right side of a seven-goal thriller against Beaconsfield. Ollie Haste played the full 90.

Benjani Jr scored the only Melksham goal in a 2-1 defeat to Exmouth.

 Shepton Mallet had their game postponed, it’s been VERY damp of late… too damp for Gillingham v Bitton as well.

Welton Rovers were on the wrong end of a 5-0 score line against Clevedon. Max Dyer and Jacob Shore both started for Rovers

Jacob Shore in action for Welton Rovers
Pic: @AroundWelly on X

 

 

Another round of fixtures come and go, and whilst there might not be much to shout about from Huish Park, elsewhere Glovers were in action, and for the most part having some more success.

Firstly, looking upwards, Jordan Maguire-Drew couldn’t play for Barnet on Saturday as they were in FA Trophy action and he is cup tied, but he did manage to get on for the final two minutes (plus added on time) in the Bees’ midweek fixture.

In to the National League South and Malachi Linton was on the score sheet TWICE for… well, you know, them… as they won 2-0 away at Aveley. Excellent work Mal.

The brace comes after being named their Player of the Month for February,

 

Goalkeeper Will Buse was back on Bath City’s bench for their defeat to Farnborough, he didn’t make an appearance from the bench, but it does clarify that he is still on loan at the Romans at least following a spell on the sidelines.

Melksham Town were 1-0 winners over ten man Bishop Cleeve, Benjani Junior started the game and was taken off right at the end as his side looked to hold on to their lead.

He also played, and scored, in their 1-1 draw with Tavistock in midweek, good work, Benji.

 

Dorchester Town won 2-1 over Beaconsfield Town – Ollie Haste put in a solid display for the full 90 minutes in the Magpies’ defence.

Down to Shepton where Charlie Bateson opened the scoring for the Mallet in their 3-1 win over St Blazey. He didn’t quite see the full game out, but was taken off towards the end.

 

Bateson Celebrates
📷 Dean Halliwell

Welton Rovers changed their manager in the week, but the incoming boss still gave Jacob Shore and Max Dyer a go from the start against a strong Bridgwater United side.

Bridgwater won 2-0, Mason Alden was also used from the bench.

Over at Gillingham, they won 1-0 away at Shirehampton, plenty of young Glovers in their squad; Harrison Foster provided the assist for the goal, with Josh Haskett and Jack Bareham both starting alongside him, Harry Lock was also involved from the bench.

Pictures courtesy of Gary Brown. Please ask for permission before using.


 

Yeovil Town Team News

The Glovers are back at Huish Park for a double header of home games following two tough, but profitable away games.

Yeovil remain unbeaten on home soil this season and strugglers Welling will put that record to the test with just one defeat in their last nine games.

Yeovil are looking to extend a six match winning streak at Huish Park with the 2-1 win over Weston-super-Mare back on Tuesday 20th February the last win, on the green, green grass of home.

There isn’t much in the way of new team news from HP, other than Olly Thomas is back with the club to continue his second loan spell, he was injured playing for Bristol City’s Under 23s and has been sidelined for a few weeks whilst recovering back at Ashton Gate.

The other 16 or so players are all deemed to be ‘fresh’ after their quick fire double over the course of last weekend. 

A point of note, this match is the final game where a 10th yellow card would equal a two-match ban, both Charlie Cooper and Matt Worthington are treading the tightrope and “have been told’ by Mark Cooper to keep themselves out of trouble with the officials. 

Jordan Young celebrates his opener after 16 minutes at Welling United.

Welling Team News

Welling sit just outside the relegation spots at the bottom of the NLS, three points ahead of Taunton, although the peacocks do have five(!) games in hand on the wings.

Don’t let their league position fool you though, prior to losing against Farnborough in midweek, they hadn’t been beaten in eight league games and dragged them out of the dreaded bottom four.

Welling have just two wins away from home this season and the second worst defensive record on the road, conceding 37 goals in 17 games.

Welling boss described their midweek match against Farnborough as a ‘more winnable game’ than the Saturday trip to Huish Park (they lost), he also confirmed that the visiting squad will be staying over in Somerset on Friday night.

“We’ll come up against something slightly different [than Farnborough] on Saturday… the boys will work hard and get themselves ready, we’ll train on Friday morning and get on the coach and go down, the club has been good enough to put us up and give us every chance to get something out of Saturday…”

Tristan Abrahams has seven goals for the Wings so far this season, but the former Yeovil man hasn’t been involved for the side since early February and has since moved on to pastures new, they do though still have another former YTFC employee in their ranks, Chiori Johnson who made a long awaited return to the match day squad in midweek.

Chiori Johnson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

We’ve met before

Sorry to remind you, but yes, we did get an absolute tanking at the hands of Welling back in November.

Former Glover, Tristan Abrahams scored three times in 13 crazy second half minutes as the Wings won 4-1, Jordan Young with the opener on the day.

 

Back in 2019, the two sides met in the FA Trophy at Huish Park, with goals from Courtney Duffus and Chris Dagnall seeing the Glovers progress to the final 16.

 

Around the Grounds

Here’s where the other games are taking place around the NLS for the promotion contender.

Second pace Chelmsford, head to Gloucester (rather than Taunton or Plymouth) to take on Truro in the 7:30pm kick off, Worthing host Taunton, fourth placed Braintree host Slough Town, Hampton and Richmond take on the Glovers’ next opponents Chippenham, Maidstone v St Albans is a potential cracker in the race for a play off spot and Bath City are at home to Farnborough.

It’s also Aveley vs W*ymouth, where I think we’d like them both to lose… 

 

Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of the National League South to 12 points on Monday night with a 0-0 draw against Aveley. In a tight game, that lacked many moments of real quality, Glovers boss Mark Cooper was pleased with his squad’s resilience.

Speaking to BBC Somerset and Gloverscast’s Ollie Marsh he said that it was not a result to look at negatively.

“I thought Aveley were really well organised, we just battled, it was a scrap, wasn’t it? A really difficult pitch, difficult weather, difficult wind, their home record on Monday night is exemplary, so for us to come and get a point, is not to be sniffed at.

Credit to the players, the boys that came in, we had to rest some players tonight and we’ve come away with it, with a point and we’re a point further forward.”

Josh Owers
Josh Owers. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

Cooper made four changes to the starting eleven on Saturday, a heavy pitch and over 100 minutes of football in the legs just two days prior meant that the gaffer wanted to make the best of the numbers he had available.

“What we had tonight was all we had, 17 players, that’s all we’ve got at the minute, Charlie Cooper missed out tonight because he played 100 minutes on Saturday after being out for four weeks with a hamstring [injury] and we couldn’t risk that with ten games to go, Josh Owers came in and got his opportunity, so it was important that we motivated the squad and gave those boys the opportunities to play.”

Jordan Young returned to the squad after missing two games with suspension, Cooper was glad to see him return and to see Josh Owers take his chance from the start too.

“[Jordan Young] has been a top player for us, now he’s got ten games to kick on again and try and get some more goals and assists, 

It was a tough night for players out there, it was a scrap, Josh [Owers] had to scrap and battle, he acquitted himself well, got a booking quite early, it’s a tight rope then, but like I say, it was a real scrap.”

“It was a tough night for players out there, it was a scrap”

It was something of an agricultural performance from the hosts and there will be a fair few Yeovil players nursing some bumps and bruises, Will Dawes and Matt Worthington, both in the thick of it.

“[Will Dawes] has got a sore knee, we’ll asses that tomorrow and see how that is… I think [Matt Worthington] got a knee in the back of his hamstring and a couple of days rest and he should be fine.”

The gaffer admits to having one eye on Chelmsford v Worthing (2nd v 3rd) in the other game on the schedule on Monday night, but focus has already turned to this Saturday’s home game with Welling.

“Only later on, in the second half, once we saw the result [at Chelmsford] we needed to make sure we didn’t lose the game and saw it out which we did pretty comfortably… I think we just need to focus on what we do, if we do what we do, it doesn’t matter about the rest, tonight was just about making sure we got a result and got out of here with something.

We get an extra day’s preparation, the players need some time to rest now after two games in 48 hours, recover well, get back to training later on in the week and get ready for a massive game at Hush on Saturday.”