Ben Barrett (Page 105)

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has expressed his disappointment at the red card, and the handling of the game from the officials as the Glovers drew 1-1 with Plymouth Parkway.

Defender Morgan Williams was singled out as the only one to do anything wrong in a 21-man melee late in the first half, with the Glovers already 1-0 up after Jake Hyde’s goal after 29 minutes.

The home sign, who start next season a division below the Glovers in the Southern League Premier Division South, scored with their final attack of the game when substitute striker Dylan Jones headed home a leveller in injury time in a match which Yeovil controlled for large parts.

After the game, Cooper told YTFC on ‘X’ (Twitter in ‘old money’): “It was a good game to start with, we were solid and we looked threatening going forward once the game settled down.”

“Then the big incident spoils the game really, it ruins any tempo to the game, we go down to 10 men. The referee has told me and their manager (Lee Hobbs) a lie, he told us before the game that if there was any disciplinary issues, he’d give us a shout and we’d be able to get any players off.

Mark Cooper speaks after the 1-1 fdraw at Plymouth Parkway.

“The linesman marched onto the pitch and said that Morgan Williams had punched their player in the face, even though their player said he hadn’t… it looked to me like he couldn’t wait to get his red card out.

“That spoiled the game from us, we had to sit in and try and make sure we got something out of the game, so it was disappointing.”

Speaking about the dismissal in his post-match interview, Parkway boss Hobbs said: “We were disappointed when they lost a man because they were testing us and we needed that test, and I’m not sure what the sending off was for, to be honest.”

On the game as a whole though, Cooper was pleased with the reaction even if his side couldn’t quite see the game off. They finish pre-season with a record of five wins, one draw and one defeat from their seven matches.

The manager added: “We had a few chances to see the game off, if you don’t, and they get a corner in the last minute, you’re always vulnerable.”

With the pre-season campaign now concluded, Cooper was adamant his side we’re all good to go ahead of next week’s National League South curtain raiser away at Hemel Hempstead Town.

He said: “We’re ready, we look fit, the pitch was difficult today, but I said to the players we wont make any excuses and we have to deal with it”

‘

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Gloverscast Ben took in Yeovil’s final pre-season friendly against Plymouth Parkway, there were plenty of talking points, here are his five conclusions from Bolitho Park.

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If we do things chronologically, the first thing I noticed was actually pre-match.

During the warm up, I noticed that the coaches were actually doing relatively little.

Rather than being told to go here, go there, run this way, around this cone, once a structured stretching session was completed, the little groups broke away in their positions and took control of what they needed to do.

The defenders worked on some shape and some heading, the midfielders pinged passes about and the attackers were working on their close control and finishing. It sounds simple enough, but it just looks like a group who know what they need to do and how they’re going to do it.

A refreshing change from the lost individuals masquerading as a team we saw so often last season.

Staunton, Wannell and Williams warm up

Once the game was underway, it is clear, no matter if we like them or loathe them, high flying wing backs are here to stay.

For the most part, in the first half, it worked, too.

Jordan Young had chalk on his boots on the right and on the left Will Dawes took the much coveted Gloverscast Man of the Match award.

He DID NOT stop causing havoc both in attack and defence.

His crosses were dangerous, his position constantly drew the opposition out of line and it made for a very attacking first half.

If we have the ability to take that approach against better sides, it will garner positive results.

Both Hyde and Nouble looked dangerous from Dawes’ deliveries and we continued to push forward even in the second half with ten men.

Will Dawes
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

The red card changed the game and it was totally needless.

Firstly, I really think it was a good thing that the game had a bit of bite to it, teams aren’t going to roll over and let us rub their tummies this season. Plenty of sides will boot us about, we best get used to it.

Next, the initial challenge did look nasty, the 21-man melee was a bit over the top (the Parkway keeper clearly didn’t fancy it), but to see a red card brandished was totally unnecessary.

If Williams deserved to see red, so did a dozen others.

There was no surprise to see Mark Cooper head onto the pitch and explain that he could, if needed to, substitute Morgan Williams rather than scupper the game’s integrity.

The Glovers will, I’m sure, have trained for lopsided numbers in training and to be honest, still kept Plymouth at arms length through most of the second half.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper and his assistant Chris Todd ‘discuss’ the sending off with the referee.

The game also changed when Frank Nouble was taken off.

During the first half, Nouble was kicked, booted, dragged down, pulled and pushed, but kept himself right in the mix of everything.

He dropped deep to pick up the ball, he kept it stuck to his boot when playing a solo role up front and nearly scored and assisted himself.

But, Olly Thomas didn’t have quite that same effect on the game and as a result, the ball came back at the Glovers defence a bit too much.

I have no doubt in my mind in a league game, Mark Cooper would have kept Nouble on for exactly the reason of keeping the ball at the right end when playing with 10 men to buy time and soak up pressure.

Thomas has his place for Yeovil this season, but I’m not sure that was it.

Frank Nouble.
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

Finally, with the attacking options we have, players from last season (like JMD, Owers, Dawes to name just three) adding extra %s to their pre season games it’s safe to say the Glovers head into the season in the best position I’ve seen the side since dropping into Non League and maybe before.

The options are plentiful, the link ups look like they’re well in the process of gelling nicely.

We’ve thrashed a couple teams, scored a couple goals, had some moments of adversity and a little wake up call in defeat too.

The lads are ready, the stadium is ready, the supporters are ready.

Roll on Hemel.

 

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An injury time equaliser saw Yeovil Town’s pre-season campaign finish with a draw at Plymouth Parkway on Saturday.

A header from the home side’s substitute Dylan Jones saw the Glovers pegged back late on having played the entire second half with ten men after a questionable sending off for defender Morgan Williams late in the first half.

Striker Jake Hyde made it four goals in his four pre-season appearances to open the scoring on 29 minutes before Yeovil keeper Lewis Williams saved a penalty late in the first half with the other Williams departing soon after.

Ben was among the away supporters at Bolitho Park and here is how he saw it…..

 

First half

In a scrappy first couple of minutes, both sides struggled to get the ball down, Parkway found a little joy down their left hand side to force a corner, but it was well dealt with at the second attempt by Jake Hyde.

The first Glovers attempt came just 90 seconds later. Hyde again in the action linking up with Jordan Young who forced a good save from the Plymouth keeper from close range.

There was an urgency to the away side, both Jordan Young and Will Dawes keeping the game moving at a rapid pace.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton saw a free-kick come to nothing before Plymouth had a set piece of their own.

A training ground manoeuvre failed to come off with Matt Worthington closing down.

Plymouth were having some early success down the Glovers right as the home side looked to take advantage of Young’s more attacking position, but nothing Morgan Williams couldn’t handle.

Dawes was soon back into the action down the left 11 minutes in, linking up with Hyde to produce a cross that Frank Nouble could only nod wide.

With 16 minutes on the clock, Parkway arguably should have taken the lead, a hopeful long ball found hosts’ striker Jack Crago, but Yeovil keeper Lewis Williams’ position forced the striker into a looping shot which fell high, wide and not so handsome.

Yeovil did have the ball in the net on 18 mins, Hyde sliding Young’s through ball under the keeper, but the former Southend man was flagged offside.

After 20 minutes, a Young effort from 20 yards was well cleared, after more good work from Dawes down the left, the Glovers were turning the screw.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was a constant menace just in behind the front line, his driving run into the box could only result in a scuffed shot wide with a quarter of the game gone.

Dawes was once again picking off crosses down the left, Hyde just unable to get enough leverage on his header as the away side continued to press.

It was just before the half-hour mark that Yeovil finally found a breakthrough. The ball stuck to Nouble like glue and his whipped cross in was tapped in by HYDE. A goal he had deserved, but down entirely to Nouble’s footwork.

 

Jake Hyde in action.

More good work from Nouble, Hyde and Young forced a couple of free kicks in a game which didn’t lack a little spike. The resulting set piece was straight down the keeper’s throat.

As the half drew to a close, Parkway did grow into the game, the two Josh’s, Staunton and Owers mopping up on multiple occasions.

With 39 minutes in the clock, Plymouth were awarded a somewhat…questionable penalty.

Nouble was adjudged to have fouled Crago in the box, but Williams was equal to the shot from the home side’s captain Ryan Lane diving down to his right with the rebound blazed over.

With minutes left before the break, Matt Worthington was brought down by a rash challenge by Parkway’s Callum Hall.

21 of the 22 were soon engaged in some aggressive cuddling in the centre circle.

Morgan Williams was shown a red card after the melee, following a discussion between assistant and referee. The assistant seemed to suggest ‘punching’ from the Glovers’ number 2.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper and his assistant Chris Todd ‘discuss’ the sending off with the referee.

Half-time: Plymouth Parkway 0 Yeovil Town 1


Second half

The changes started to come after the break, but the Glovers were still intent on keeping their full-backs high.

Dawes on the left combined with Lo-Everton to force a corner whilst Zac Bell had a couple of nice touches early on.

Hyde was proving to be a handful, sheer strength from him saw a ball slide through to Olly Thomas, but the Bristol City loanee couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet.

A Sendles-White long throw caused havoc in the Parkway defence, Zac Bell scuffed a shot wide.

Owers linked well with Thomas, but the ball squirmed away, the Glovers were in no mood to take their foot off the gas.

Jordan Maguire-Drew, Alex Whittle, Rhys Murphy, Charlie Cooper and Will Buse were introduced just before the hour mark.

Jordan Maguire-Drew was introduced after an hour at Plymouth Parkway.

The goalscorer, Jake Hyde was one of those sacrificed. He scored once, but on another day he could have had four.

The changes in personnel did bring about a slight change in formation.

Olly Thomas a lone front man with Murphy and JM-D playing as a duo in behind.

JM-D flung at least one dangerous cross in to force set pieces, but they were snuffed out by a wall of yellow.

At the other end, Will Buse punched a Parkway free kick clear with Josh Owers adopting the role of chief mopper upper.

JM-D’s set pieces were again causing trouble. Olly Thomas not able to capatalise on a ball he wasn’t expecting to get.

Parkway did manage a few forays into the Glovers’ final third, but some sensible defence defending from Jamie Sendells-White and some harmless pot shots were all that the hosts could really offer.

At the right end, Charlie Cooper had a shot closed down after some one touch magic with Rhys Murphy whilst Alex Whittle sent a shot in from distance, it might take some finding.

Charlie Cooper was really in the mood, he and Owers charged forward, but Murphy couldn’t release Thomas as the loanee had strayed offside.

Olly Thomas battles for the ball.

Cooper was playing a box-to-box role in his short stint on the pitch, mopping up on the edge of our 18 yard box and getting forward at every opportunity.

It was Cooper again who had a sniff at goal, JMD and Murphy were exchanging neat touches in around the edge of the box before Whittle whipped in a hard and low cross that Cooper got to, and but for an outstretched boot, may well have scored with.

Yeovil found themselves absorbing a little bit of pressure late on, Parkway getting a couple of corners and free kicks. For the most part, Yeovil were equal to the challenge.

But with a few minutes left on the clock, THOMAS rose highest from a set piece to nod the hosts level.

At the very death, Rhys Murphy was clean through on goal, but his effort was well saved despite the almighty shove he received as he shot.

It was, one of the more dominant 1-1 draws you’ll likely see with the first half penalty the only real chance to fall the way of the hosts before last gasp equaliser.

The Glovers will be happy to have navigated a fair amount of time with 10 players, even if they didn’t take advantage of more opportunities.

Full time: Plymouth Parkway 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

Yeovil Town: Lewis Williams (for Will Buse, 60), Morgan Williams, Josh Staunton, Jake Wannell (for Jamie Sendles-White, 46), Will Dawes (for Charlie Cooper, 65), Jordan Young (for Zac Bell, 46), Matt Worthington (for Alex Whittle, 65), Josh Owers, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 60), Frank Nouble (for Olly Thomas, 46), Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 60).

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Sonny Blu Lo Everton is a Yeovil Town player for the second time after his signature was confirmed ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Announced with significant theatrics, the midfielder joins a Mark Cooper squad packed with attacking talent and with the opportunity to really step on with his career and show his quality.

Having previously spent the 2021-22 season on loan at the Glovers from Watford, he returns to Huish Park on a permanent spell after a short trial with the club.

Speaking to YTFC.net, Lo-Everton said: “I’m really happy to back, really happy. It’s such an exciting time for the club and everyone involved in it. I’m just really excited to get back and get the club where it’s meant to be.”

“When I was here before we had a good six-month period and then it kind of whittled off a bit towards the end. I’m definitely here to win.”

“I’m so happy to back, if I’m honest with you. To play in front of the Yeovil fans; it was such a special thing back then and it makes it even more special now.”

The 20-year-old was released by League One Derby County at the end of last season and appeared as a trialist in last week’s 5-0 win at Dorchester Town and as a second half substitute in the 2-1 victory at AFC Totton on Saturday.

Lo -Everton was a regular under Darren Sarll during his first stint, scoring a memorable goal away at Wrexham in a 2-0 win and assisting Charlie Wakefield for the FA Cup giant killing of Stevenage.

Welcome back, Sonny!

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Yeovil Town and Maidstone United have announced that the venue for the two games will be switched for the upcoming season.

The Glovers were meant to travel to Kent on August the 19th, but the two sides will now face each other at Huish Park instead due to ongoing works at the Gallagher Stadium.

Flip that around, when it comes round to February 3rd, we’re all of to Maidstone instead.

This change means the Glovers have FOUR home games in a row between the 12th and 26th of August and a stint of consecutive away games in early February.

NEW VENUES
Yeovil Town v Maidstone Utd – Huish Park – Sat August 19th – 15:00
Maidstone Utd v Yeovil – Gallagher Stadium – Sat February 3rd – 15:00

Tickets will be available for the home game in due course. Please update your calendars accordingly and let your Glovers friends know (especially those with season tickets!!)

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Yeovil Town skipper Josh Staunton has been awarded a Community Champion award by the Professional Footballers Association.

The award, for the 2023/23 season recognises those who have made a difference in their communities.

Staunton was heavily involved in the battle against the National League’s contract changes and led the division’s captains in working with the League to resolve the issue.

He fronted up to supporters during a difficult season and lead the club’s acknowledgement and apology following relegation and has been a constant presence in the local, Glovers’ community.

He said on twitter that he was ‘proud and honoured’ to have been given the award.

All that whilst tending to his new lawn… sorry  child. His new child!

Congratulations, Captain.

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A first half hat-trick from Rhys Murphy saw Yeovil Town return to winning ways with a solid performance against Southern League outfit Tiverton Town in the third match of their pre-season campaign.

Having opened the scoring after just three minutes, the frontman embarrassed Tiverton keeper Ollie Saunders to add a second on 13 minutes, turned provider for strike-partner Frank Nouble on 32 minutes before completing his hat-trick before the break.

Manager Mark Cooper made a number of changes in the second half as the home side pulled two goals back, but he will have been pleased with what he saw of his side who bounced back after a 2-1 defeat at Wimborne Town on Tuesday night.

Once again, our thanks to Callum Hallett who was on the ground in Devon to witness the win, here’s how it went……

 

First half

The Glovers’ starting line-up included defender Morgan Williams, who sat out the defeat at Wimborne three days earlier after limping off in the opening friendly of the summer against Buckland Athletic last weekend. Mifdielder Matt Worthington was also named among the substitutes, quashing a concerns over his fitness after being taken off as a precaution on Tuesday.

Having kicked off a little later than planned it took just four minutes before the partnerships which manager Mark Cooper had spoken about being important in pre-season became apparent. Frank Nouble won the ball off a defender and fed strike partner Rhys MURPHY who dinked the ball over the keeper.

The striker, who returned to Huish Park in the summer, had a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down (he’s still in to those, it seems) before doubling the advantage on 13 minutes. Saunders thought he was Ederson and ended up red-faced as MURPHY nicked the ball off him to make it 2-0.

Tiverton midfielder River Allen had a great chance to reduce the deficit on 24 minutes when his shot was well-saved by Will Buse, only for the hosts’ player to put the rebound over.

On 32 minutes, Murphy turned provider with a great ball through to NOUBLE who had all the time in the world to finish in to the bottom corner.

Debutant Zac Bell, who joined on loan from Bristol City in the week, had a good shot saved soon after before Williams headed just over the bar from a Jordan Maguire-Drew corner kick.

It took until five minutes before the break for MURPHY to complete his hat-trick. The striker won a penalty and stepped up to make no mistake from the spot.

Half-time: Tiverton Town 0 Yeovil Town 4

Second half

Mark Cooper rang the changes after the break with goalkeeper Lewis Williams, who had previously played for Tivvy, replacing Buse, Josh Owers coming on for Charlie Cooper and Will Dawes replacing Alex Whittle.

Within eight minutes of the restart there was another enforced change as Maguire-Drew went down under a heavy tackle and was replaced by Jordan Young following an impressive performance from the initial Jordan.

Jordan Young in action at Tiverton Town.

Two minutes after his departure the hosts pulled a goal back. A corner bounced around inside the box before Jamie Richards slotting through the legs of Williams.

Murphy was denied following a Dawes long throw, before another good chance fell to the frontman after good play by Owers. He was denied a fourth by a great challenge from Jamie Richards on the hour.

On 63 minutes, Yeovil introduced Malachi Linton, Ollie Haste and trialist Matt Buse in place of Murphy, Jake Wannell and Nouble.

Then, in true pre-season fashion, another round of changes came with 70 minutes on the clock. Benjani Junior, Jamie Sendles-White, Matt Worthington and Under-18s player Aidan Skiverton, replaced Jordan Stevens, Williams, Bell and Josh Staunton respectively.

Perhaps unsurprisingly the much-changed Glovers began to give the hosts more of the game with Saunders’ long ball found to Niall Thompson whose 20 yard effort went over.

Sendles-White was off again on 74 minutes being replaced by Unde-18s’ player Jacob Shore. Perhaps a bit of a knock for the experienced head.

Worthy had a great run and shot soon after before brilliant platy from Linton on 83 minutes set up Benjani Junior for a chance which forced a fine stop out of Saunders in the home side’s goal.

Tiverton got a second on 84 minutes. The ball dropped nicely for Jack Rice to hook the ball in past Williams after the ball had ricocheted around the box. Jordan Young had an effort well saved by Saunders soon after – he’ll score one day, we’re sure.

Full time: Tiverton Town 2 Yeovil Town 4

 

Yeovil Town: Will Buse (Lewis Williams, 45), Morgan Williams (for Jamie Sendles-White, 70, for Jacob Shore, 74), Josh Staunton (for Aidan Skiverton), Jake Wannell (for Ollie Haste, 63), Alex Whittle (for Will Dawes, 45), Zac Bell (for Matt Worthington 70), Charlie Cooper (for Josh Owers, 45), Jordan Stevens (for Benjani Junior, 70), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Jordan Young, 53), Frank Nouble (for Matt Buse, 63), Rhys Murphy (for Malachi Linton, 63).

Attendance: Approx 250 Yeovil Town supporters.

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Yeovil Town’s first match in regional football since the mid-1990’s sees us head to Hemel Hempstead Town and tickets are now on sale via the home team’s website.

Click HERE to purchase yours.

Tickets are priced at

Adult: £15
Concessions: £10
Under 18s: £5
Concessionary price is available for over 65s, students in full-time education, military personnel and emergency services. Identification will be required.

IDENTIFICATION
For concessions, Under 18s, the following forms of identifications are acceptable:

Current Passport
EU National ID Card
Current Full UK Driving Licence
Student Identification Card (or ISIC)
UK Armed Forces ID Card
OAP Travel Pass

The Glovers’ opening game of the season is a 3:00pm kick off on Saturday 5th of August at the Focus Community Arena

The imperious Ciderspace Away Guides will return in full for the upcoming season with Huish Hugh working through them all – you can read a not quite completed version of the Hemel Hempstead FC one HERE

At time of writing there has been no indication about potential segregation at the ground, something which we’ll try and keep on top of this season.

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has told the Gloverscast that he has built his squad for the new season expecting that midfielder Scott Pollock would be playing elsewhere.

But, he has not (quite) closed the door on the former Boston United player’s career at Huish Park, revealing that he is waiting for him to regain fitness after a knee injury before making a decision.

He told us: “Scott joined us in early March and he was injured, he had not played for Boston for a couple of months.

“He didn’t play for three or four weeks when he joined us, but we didn’t have enough bodies and he had to play.

“Over the summer he has had a couple of more scans and he has still going a problem with his knee, so we are waiting for that to clear up.

“He is doing his rehab closer to his home and once he is fit we will see what the future holds.”

Asked if he would want to keep the 22-year-old, Cooper added: “I had been told earlier in the summer that he has not going to be here, he was going somewhere else.

“So I recruited with that in mind, I recruited without him and now we have got a balance (in the squad) there has to be a balance.

“We have to make sure those books are balanced and once Scott is fit we will make a decision as to where he goes.”

Pollock arrived from Boston United at the start of March as one of a number of players signed under the ‘stewardship’ of SU Glovers, the group led by Matt Uggla which attempted to buy the club at the end of last season which eventually saw the Glovers relegated.

Uggla has subsequently taken over at National League York City and brought in Zanda Siziba and Callum Harriott, who both featured for Yeovil at the end of last season, with Pollock widely tipped to follow him to Yorkshire.

The one-time Hashtag United and Northampton Town player managed seven appearances for the club last season with his final appearance (of last season) being the 1-0 defeat at Boreham Wood on the final day of the season.

 

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BBC Somerset have confirmed to the Gloverscast that they intend to continue full coverage of Yeovil Town throughout the 2023/24 season including Match Day Commentary.

The coverage will also see an increased presence for the likes of Taunton town, Weston-super-Mare and Bath City, as the amount of interest increases over the season.

That will mean full radio coverage of all fixtures including those big derby games, providing a service for Glovers’ fans who cannot attend matches on any given day.

Both Gloverscast Ian and Ben were regular voices alongside Sheridan Robins and the team last season, if schedules allow, we hope to be able to play a part in live match-day coverage this campaign too.

Three Valleys Radio had already committed to a full package of commentary for the upcoming season, whilst you know full well where you can find the very best post match chatter (in both Podcast and Written form) on all things YTFC… right here at the Gloverscast!