Ben Barrett (Page 118)

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Alex Bradley in conversation with manager Darren Sarll.

Yeovil Town midfielder Alex Bradley spoke to the BBC after the Glovers’ 1-1 draw away at Maidenhead and he said it was disappointing not to get the win on his return to the side.

The former Finland youth international was making his first league start of the season and played 87 minutes before being replaced by Adi Yussuf.

“I really enjoyed being back playing with the lads, just disappointed we haven’t come away with all three points”

“I’ll play wherever I’m told to play, when the manager wants me to play… I feel fit, I feel really fit, the gaffer has got me doing extra running and extra training so yeah, I do feel fit and tonight I felt good out there”

The game saw no fewer than three goals ruled out for various reasons, two for the Glovers; and Bradley says there’s more to come from this side.

“We’ve got to want more, we’ve got to keep pushing as a team and as a squad, we can’t be satisfied with coming here tonight and going away with a point because these are the places we have to come and look to get all three points”

With Chesterfield on the horizon, Bradley is adamant the Glovers will be out for the win, with confidence remaining high.

“I think every game we have to go into with confidence, if you don’t you’ve already lost the game, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing – top of the league or bottom of the league – the objective has to be the same, to be going to game to try and win”

He also praised the return of Charlie Lee as assistant manager in his first league game in his new role, saying Lee is a “great bloke” and it’s “great to have him back”.

Bradley and Yeovil head to Derbyshire to face Chesterfield this Saturday at 17:20.

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The Manchester Evening News reporter Sam Byrne is reporting thay Stockport County are likely to allow defender Ben Barclay to remain at Huish Park for the remainder of the season.

Ben Barclay
Pic: YTFC YouTube

Byrne, who covers Stockport for the MEN tweeted on Tuesday that with the loan due to expire this coming week a decision was due to be made and it appears that it has fallen in the Glovers favour.

Last week, Yeovil boss Darren Sarll said he’d be hopeful of keeping the central defender beyond his current stint and that appears to have been granted.

There is likely to be a recall clause in the deal, much like with Fela Olomola incase of emergency at the parent club, but we hope to hear some good news from the gaffer on the deal this week.

Barclay has been part of the Glovers defence that has kept three clean sheets since he joined.

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Another week at Huish Park passes us by and that means another Western Gazette column has been published.

For those of you who haven’t had chance to pick up the paper just yet, here is another chance to read our thoughts on how two key players could help us even out the form against the bottom sides to when we play the best teams in the National League.

Lawson D’Ath. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil Town’s season so far makes no sense.

If you told me there was a team that had beaten Wrexham, Bromley and Stockport away, dispatched Halifax on the TV and picked up a pair of draws against Solihull, I’d assume they were set for promotion.

Tell me there’s a team that has failed to beat King’s Lynn, Dover, W*ymouth, Maidenhead, Wealdstone and Altrincham you’d have a fair guess they’d be struggling towards the bottom.

But the Glovers fit both these categories and as a result sit slap bang in the middle of the National League.

We asked both Luke Wilkinson and Darren Sarll to try and explain our peculiar record and neither could quite nail it on the head.

It could be potentially a mental thing, against lower sides we have to enforce the pace and tempo of the play as sides sit back and invite pressure, whilst we do exactly the same to those above us with all the promotion pressure that the big spenders have.

But, at time of writing,just nine points separate the Glovers from the play off spots, it’s hard not to look at those results against the relegation fodder and dream of what might of been.

Quite how we overcome this hurdle is a tough question, but it may well boil down to two things; someone to unlock the defensive lines of those who shut up shop and someone to find the back of the net.

Lawson D’ath has the quality to unlock those pockets of space, and find the final quality ball we’ve so desperately missed, and if Fela Olomola can add the final touch then maybe some of the drab draws or dreadful defeats can be turned into wins and the momentum can build from there.

Those two have the ability to take the pressure off of the likes of Wakefield, Knowles, Yussuf and Reid who have had the focus firmly placed on them for the lack of goals in the side.

The Glovers have drawn 7 games this season, a stat only beaten by Chesterfield with 10, it feels like the holy grail isn’t all that far away, but if the Glovers are to make a late surge – much like Luke Wilkinson said they could – they need to find a way through quickly and definitely have to beat W*ymouth next time, too!

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Charlie Lee rises highest
? Mike Kunz

Yeovil Town have announced former midfielder  Charlie Lee has rejoined the club on a short-term deal as assistant manager to Darren Sarll.

Sarll has been looking for a new right-hand man since the departure of Terry Skiverton to join the first-team coaching set-up at League One Charlton Athletic last month.

Speaking about his return, Lee said he “can’t wait” for first time match on the Huish Park touchline as assistant against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

The 35-year-old said: “I’m really excited about it. It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’m going to learn so much, obviously there is a lot for me to learn. I’m new to the role but there’s a lot of things I know I can bring, whether that be day-to-day, with the team or away from the team. I’ll bring a lot of energy.

“I’ve been in football for a long-time, I’ve helped out before with things that the coaches are normally involved in, even when I was here as a player. For that to be my focus, it’s really exciting and I can’t wait for the game on Saturday.”

Lee has coaching experience with youth teams at some of his former clubs Leyton Orient and Stevenage and, as a player, has tasted promotion on five separate occasions with Peterborough United, Gillingham and Orient.

Darren Sarll said it took “a three-minute conversation” to persuade his former skipper to return to Somerset having retired from playing whilst at National League South side Billericay Town in December.

The manager said: ” I think the appointment of Charlie highlights so many wonderful things about the club. Firstly, Charlie was desperate to come back and work for me and really try and impact the players with his experience, winning mentality and character.

“Secondly, it goes to show how much he loves and has connected with this Football Club. This was a three-minute conversation and we had an agreement, I think that says it all about the man and his willingness to make a difference.

“Sure, there are certain aspects of the role he’ll have to learn, but who knows winning better than Charlie? Not many. He’ll be an excellent foil for me and a perfect bridge to a young changing room, his enthusiasm will help me continue the path this team is on. I am truly delighted he is back where he belongs.”

Nick Crittenden did help out for the derby against W*ymouth last month, but Sarll was keen to add someone on a full-time role until the end of the season.

Charlie Lee controls the midfield
? Mike Kunz

Lee played more than 60 times across two seasons in the Glovers’ midfield before leaving Huish Park at the end of last season and joining Billericay at the start of this season.

He announced his retirement from full-time playing citing back problems, but has been spotted playing Sunday League football in recent weeks.

Welcome back to Huish Park, Charlie!

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There were a few names which Glovers’ fans might have been expecting to see on the team sheet for the Somerset Premier Cup tie against Cheddar, who were missing, we’ve done some digging and this is why a few young Glovers were missing.

● Ollie Haste was away on international duty with the English Colleges FA. He played from the start against Wales today, earning his second cap. The defender has also been playing for Southern League Division One South side Barnstaple Town.

● Pedro Borges came off the bench against Bridgwater United and starred against Larkhall Athletic back in November, but has now signed scholarship forms at Exeter City and represents their Under 18s.

● Korey Andrews, who also made a couple of appearances from the bench in the SPC. He has now joined Western League Premier Division side Street and represents them in their first team.

However, there was a good representation of the Under-18s side in the squad which faces Cheddar tonight with defenders Mason Hunter and Finlay Ridout both named in the starting XI.

On the bench, there are places for Callum Smalley, Sam Hodges, Benjani Junior, the son of the former Manchester City and Portsmouth striker, and Fin Skiverton, one of Terry’s three sons who played and scored against Bridgwater United in a previous round and has been playing for Street recently.

As promised by manager Darren Sarll, there are starts for goalkeeper Max Evans, and midfield spots for Alex Bradley and Toby Stephens.

 

Yeovil Town (4-4-2): Max Evans, Mason Hunter, Finlay Ridout, Morgan Williams, Jordan Barnett, Matthew Worthington, Toby Stephens, Alex Bradley, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Adi Yussuf, Reuben Reid. Substitutes: Callum Smalley, Sam Hodges, Joshua Sutton, Aidan Skiverton, Benjani Junior.

Cheddar (5-4-1) Dan Jackson, Kyle Sampson, Jamie Laird, Joe Woodley, Steve Holland, Chris Coombs, Kris Bell, Ricky Bennett, Ethan Reed, Harry Taylor, Robbi Maggs. Substitutes: Webster, Groom, Biggs, Hucker, March.

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Glovers’ Ollie Haste
Pic From @yeovilcollege⁰

Yeovil Town Under-18s player Ollie Haste was named in the starting line up for England Colleges’ fixture against their Welsh counterparts on Tuesday.

The Glovers’ left-back, who has represented Darren Sarll’s side in both the Somerset Premier Cup and been on the first team bench on a couple of occasions, played the full game in a 1-1 draw played at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

This was the defender’s second appearance for the three lions after making his debut back in December.

As well as turning out for the young Glovers, Ollie is on a dual registration with Southern League Division One South Barnstaple Town. He played in their goalless draw at AFC Totton at the weekend.

Huge congratulations, once again, Ollie, from everyone here at the Gloverscast.

England College Line Up vs Wales including Ollie Haste ? @ECFA12

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Max Evans

Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll has promised to send a strong side for the Somerset Premier Cup tie against Cheddar on Tuesday night.

Speaking before the weekend’s game with Eastleigh, he said it would be the first team who line up.

He told the media: “Who else is going to play the game, the reserve team? Haven’t got one. Youth team? Haven’t got one.

“I’m not going to put 16 year olds out there, minors, I wouldn’t put 12 of them against men, someone is going to get hurt. I might be able to put two or three in and surround them with some big boys, but we have to play the competition and we’ve got one football team.”

Sarll confirmed later to the Gloverscast, that there would be some rotation within the smaller squad with a couple of obvious names in the frame to get some game time with the versatile Alex Bradley, young midfielder Toby Stephens and stand-in goalkeeper Max Evans all in line to start or play a key role.

“Max (Evans) like any young lad has had those games, Toby (Stephens) has had a loan spell at Hemel and he’s probably due another spell and we’d like to get him out especially now Lawson (D’Ath) is back.

“I don’t want that young man sitting idle, Toby is training very well by the way…they will definitely be involved, all three will play. I need to check on Toby to make sure we’re not breaking any regulations.”

Ticket and travel details for the trip to Bowden Park can be found HERE

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Dale Gorman.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The FA has confirmed Dale Gorman’s two-match ban following his tenth yellow card of the season in the goalless draw at Eastleigh at the weekend.

The FA Website has updated to show his 83rd minute booking has been listed as a ‘foul tackle’ and as such, he will be sat in the stands for a couple of games.

The Northern Irishman will miss the Glovers’ upcoming games against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday and Maidenhead United three days later.

He will be back for the trip to Chesterfield on Saturday, February 26.

As a note, he is available to Darren Sarll for the Somerset Premier Cup tie against Cheddar, which is not considered a first-team fixture for disciplinary issues.

 

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Ben Barclay
Pic: YTFC YouTube

Yeovil Town’s on loan defender Ben Barclay has been named in the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Week for his performance in the Glovers’ 0-0 with Eastleigh.

The centre back, on a temporary deal from Stockport has been named alongside Aaron Drewe of W*ymouth and Wealdstone’s Jaydn Mundle-Smith in the mythical back three.

Barclay is scheduled to remain at Huish Park for four more games including this Tuesday’s Somerset Premier Cup tie at Cheddar.

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Ben Barclay
Pic: YTFC YouTube

On loan Glovers defender Ben Barclay is pleased with the point gained against Eastleigh but hopes the side will build on their defensive resoluteness to win more games.

Speaking to BBC Somerset, he said;

“After Tuesday night’s result, we had to come here and prove a point to ourselves, to the manager, to the fans, we owed it to them. We were a bit soft on Tuesday, so we performed and come (away with) a clean sheet”

The visitors did see off a late scare with Eastleigh nearly grabbing the points at the death, but Barclay was happy to have made the last ditch block

“You see it in the programme every week, we discuss it in the changing room ‘would you rather a last minute goal or a last minute block’ us defenders always say a last minute block that was nice”

There was plenty of praise for both Luke Wilkinson beside him and the returning Fela Olomola on his 3rd debut, but there was an admittance that the focus needs to be on scoring a few more.

“Since I’ve been here, we’ve had three clean sheets out of five, which is not bad… we’ve shown real control today, in the territory, as a centre half I’ve spent most of the game on the half way line. We just need a bit of quality in the final third and the goals will start coming.”

Barclay has 4 more games with the Glovers (including the SPC on Tuesday) before his initial one month loan spell comes to an end.