Ben Barrett (Page 122)

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Benjani Junior in action for Yeovil Town Under-18s.
Picture courtesy of @ytfcacademy.

Yeovil Town‘s Under-18s have been drawn away at Bovey Tracey in the FA Youth Cup Second Qualifying Round.

The match will take place on Monday 26th September with a 7pm kick-off, unless both teams agree to change the time.

The Moorlanders, who play in the Devon Counties Under 18 South East Division, booked their place with a penalty shoot-out win over Plymouth Parkway in the competition’s first qualifying on Thursday night.

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To be honest, the headline kind of said everything you need to know, but you’ve scrolled down so I better pad it out a bit here.

Yeovil Town’s game against Woking (with him, that other fella and the other one) has been rearranged for Tuesday 1st November.

The game, scheduled for September 10th was postponed as the game paid its respects after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The new date comes with a 7.45pm kick off and any pre-paid tickets are still valid. The Cards advised that any other ticket enquiries should be directed to tickets@wokingfc.co.uk. If you had a ticket for the original date and can’t make this one, you can get the cost refunded, just contact Woking and ask them.

Ticket prices are:

Adult: £20.00 (£22.00 walk up)
Concession (65+): £15.00 (£17.00 walk up)
Next Generation (aged 16-22): £12.00 (£14.00 walk up)
Under 16: £5.00

For anything else you need to know about visiting Kingfield, don’t miss the Ciderspace Away Travel Guide – here – once we’ve whipped Huish Hugh to update it with the new date and ticket details!

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Yeovil Town Manager Chris Hargreaves has said his side will take the game to Chesterfield when the table toppers visit on Saturday.

The Spireites are unbeaten so far in the National League, but Hargreaves says his side are up for the challenge.

“We do well against the so called bigger teams, Chesterfield have got a really great start and they are probably a team that feel they should go up, probably the money they’ve spent. Good players, and they’ll be up and around it this season.

“But, I know what my players can do and know the potential they’ve got. Its a fantastic game for us, all the lads are looking forward to it. We have to be on the front foot.

“I have to thank the fans, I thought they were fantastic on Tuesday (against Eastleigh), frustrated at the end, I get that because we should have done more second half. But as I say, it’s a massive thanks from me and the players – to have that kind of players on a night game is excellent.”

Sam Perry. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Hargreaves confirmed that Callum Rowe will be missing for the next six weeks or so and Walsall loanee Sam Perry is still suffering the consequences of a blow to the head he took against York City.

“Sam Perry was concussed, quite badly and has suffered since then, Callum Rowe has got an injury which will keep him out for potentially six weeks which is a big blow.
That’s why those two players have featured.”

As for Will Dawes, the new addition from Stratford Town, the gaffer said he was happy to play the waiting game and could even send the front man out on loan to aid his progression further.

“We’ve had a conversation, myself and Will, a really bright footballer, obviously he’s got to get up to speed with what we think and what we believe he needs to be and he’s close. Will falls into the category of the type of player we need to recruit to the club – potential. And if he shows he’s capable of competing for that start then he’ll stay around, if he’s not then it’ll be a case if going to get some games somewhere.”

In an interesting addition, he confirmed that he was frustrated at the Glovers position and that performances prior to the last two could have yielded more points, and that the team were working to put that right.

“I think that in the last two games (the points return) is reflective, we took the lead, but second half Eastleigh were better than us. York game fell below the standard I require, every other game before that we were in it and could potentially have won it.

We didn’t get the points we should have, we should have four or six more, we haven’t, we’ve got to deal with where we are. On paper, if you look at that a point away, you might take it, but we’re looking at context here and we’ve got to put it right.”

No better time than this Saturday, we say Chris!

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Ollie Haste in action for Truro City. Picture courtesy of Cameron Weldon/Truro City FC.

Ollie Haste notched up another 90 minutes for Truro City on Wednesday evening.

The White Tigers faced Weston Super-Mare in a league game and played out a 0‐0 draw against Reuben Reid’s side.

Haste played the entire game whilst Toby Stephens was an unused substitute in a game with fairly few chances between two unbeaten sides.

 

 

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Yeovil Town’s on loan defender Owen Bevan has been called up by Wales Under 21st for a training camp ahead of an upcoming fixture.

Bevan, who joined the Glovers from Bournemouth after the departure of Alfie Pond will link up with his international squad later this month.

Bevan will head to the Vale of Glamorgan on Wednesday 21st September and will be hoping to catch the eye before the coaching staff pick their team for the game in Vienna, Austria on Tuesday 27th September.

Bevan told afcb.co.uk: “I’ve been hoping to get involved with the under-21s for a while and I’m delighted to have been included in the training camp. I’m looking forward to showcasing what I can do.

“We’re training for the first three days and there’s a game on the Saturday when I think a few of the first-team coaching staff are going to be watching so, hopefully, I can impress.”

His participation for the Glovers home game against Boreham Wood on Saturday 24th September is now in question.

The centre back played his first 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Eastleigh on Tuesday evening.

He also told AFCB.co.uk he’s enjoying his time at Yeovil and working alongside an old team mate.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Chris Hargreaves. They like to play football which is something I’ve done my whole life so I’m enjoying that.

“I knew Scrimmy (Jake Scrimshaw) had the option of going there before me so having him there has been good. It’s always nice to see a familiar face and we’re both enjoying it.

“I just want to play as many games as I can and get all the different experiences. I need to be playing men’s football, getting myself out there and working on different sides to my game.”

Congratulations to Owen on his first Wales Under 21s call up.

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Sam Pearson tussles with former Glover Dale Gorman. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town goal-scorer Sam Pearson was pleased to get on the score sheet on Tuesday against Eastleigh, but could not hide his frustrations when talking post-match to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins.

“I’m happy to get my first goal, but I’m gutted it wasn’t the winning goal, I think the boys showed that we are fit enough to play this game, we did well to go in front, but second half we weren’t on it.”

The Glovers took an early lead, but it was ‘keeper Grant Smith who was singled out for praise after a string of top saves as Yeovil were penned in against their hosts.

“He (Grant Smith) is a top goalkeeper, we all know that, he shows that in training all the time, he makes ‘worldie’ saves, we have to take that to our advantage, when he’s making them saves you’ve got to go and do something at the other end of the pitch. 

In the second half, we just needed to keep the ball a bit better, we needed to get three or four passes together, we just defended for the whole half, it’s a difficult one to take.

First half, we came out positive and we knew we had to bounce back from the other week (vs York) which we did, an early goal and we just didn’t capitalise on that and I think it’s a disappointing result.”

Played as an attacker in a 4-3-3 formation for the first time, the Bristol City loanee was frustrated his side couldn’t transfer their training pitch form onto the league setting.

“It’s a bit frustrating when we are just kicking it long and we’re not stringing the passes together in the middle, but even when we go long we need to try and make something happen, it’s very frustrating.

I think second half we all could have done a bit better on the ball, we do it in training, we just need to have the heart and courage in the second half there and show it on the pitch.

It’s a hard one to take, because we went 1-0 up, we just need to build on that 1-0, six minutes in, we need to keep going and get another and then maybe defend – even then, don’t just defend for the rest of the game.

We go again Saturday and put in a big shift against on form Chesterfield, it’ll be a hard task, but we like being the underdogs and it makes us hungry to go and win Saturday.”

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Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves was full of praise for Eastleigh after Yeovil let a 1-0 lead slip on the south coast on Tuesday.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, he admitted that the players and he were disappointed with the draw, but were looking forward.

“They’re (Eastleigh) are a good side, first and foremost. First half we looked dangerous, second half they improved, they changed the shape, they changed the bodies and were a different proposition entirely.

“We didn’t get our foot on the ball and play when we could, we went too long and were erratic at times. I had a chat with the players and I will do again tomorrow (Wednesday), I think on the road it’s a good point against a very good side.

“They (Eastleigh) have a squad of good players, there’s no doubt about it – you’re not going to roll teams like this over.

“You take the lead, you look on the front foot and then it’s a step back with a mentality where – especially second half – we just didn’t play enough.”

Hargreaves said that the side would be working towards the weekend’s fixture against table-toppers Chesterfield and trying to make better decisions and create better chances.

“It’s playing in the right areas, it’s having the courage to play – that’s what we encouraged at half time and it didn’t materialise. So, it’s looking at the game again, trying to understand what we can do better and working out how to beat Chesterfield.

“(If) you take the lead in any game, you’ve got to see it out, to be honest, did we create enough second half? No we didn’t.

“There’s still some boys learning the game out there, but there’s enough experience to solidify it and get a foothold in it and relax on the ball when we have time.

“You’re going to get periods of pressure, I know that, but when you have got the ball – just make the right decision… and that’s what I was disappointed with.”

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

There was plenty of praise for the Glovers’ goal scorer Sam Pearson and Grant Smith who make numerous saves to keep his side in the game.

“I think there were some tired legs out there, but as I say, players like Sam Pearson, this is a big introduction to a very aggressive, competitive league and we’re asking him to do a lot.

“It’s a great finish (by Pearson) I think that the reason he played in the pocket there is that he can pick the ball up and hurt the opposition, I’m really pleased for him a good moment for him.”

Interestingly, the gaffer also referenced the supporters’ frustrations, just one win in eight now since the start of the season, but promised the work was being done behind the scenes.

“So, there were some elements I was pleased with, I have to say the support was incredible and I get the frustrations, 100%, because they want to see us win, but, a point away at a very good Eastleigh side is OK. It’s just what the fans saw in the first 25 minutes, and some dangerous spells in the first half, didn’t happen second half.

“We know what we want to do in the changing room, there’s no two ways about it, we’ve got to take this model of a point away and three points at home and see that out. I know that a lot of the boys in there are annoyed and they don’t want to be where we are – and neither do I. But, as I say, it’s a point on the road, we dust ourselves off and look forward to the next game because it’s a brilliant challenge for us.”

 

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Yeovil Town’s on loan winger Oliver (Olivier to his friends) Hulbert made a goal scoring return to Gloucester City on Tuesday night.

After joining on a one-month loan, the winger was put straight into the starting line up for their game against Telford United.

In total, the former Bristol Rovers man played 67 minutes before being taken off in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Gloucester also started new signing Matt Buse of Glovers Trialist fame and Daniel Leadbitter who also has a season at Huish Park under his belt.

Excellent work, Olivier!

Truro City – with Ollie Haste and Toby Stephens – aren’t in action until Wednesday evening, we will update you as to their progress when we can.

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Finley Craske (R) warms up ahead of the Barnet game with Olivier Hulbert (C) and Matty Grivosti (L)

Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher has told the Plymouth Herald that he and first team coach Kevin Nancekivell have been in regular contact with both Finley Craske and Yeovil Town regarding the defenders progression and have said that they are “quite happy” with his progress.

Schumacher told reporter Chris Erringtond: “I would like him to play but at the moment he’s not getting in their team. Nance (Kevin Nancekivell) is in touch with Chris Hargreaves, who says he’s doing okay.

“It’s a big step up the National League to what Finley played last year so he’s probably just getting used to it, but they are quite happy with how he’s training and he’s not far away from getting in the squads and in the team, so we will leave him where he is for the time being.”

Craske, who has joined for the entirety of the 2022/23 season on loan from our Devonshire friends, is yet to make an appearance for his new side and has only been seen once on the bench, when as an unused sub on the opening day at Scunthorpe.

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Toby Stephens in action for Truro City. Picture courtesy of Cameron Weldon/Truro City FC.

Only one of Yeovil Town’s loan duo was in action on Saturday as Toby Stephens completed his first 90 minutes for Truro.

The Cornish side were dumped out of the FA Cup by Merthyr Town losing 5-2 in the First Qualifying Round.

Paul Wotton‘s side were depleted through injury and availability naming just five subs on the bench with a full seven allowed.

Ollie Haste was not involved in the squad with Wotton saying post match that two of his loan signings – one of which was presumably Haste – was “not eligible to play in the FA Cup”.

We can assume then that Haste had not been given permission to play to avoid the youngster being cup-tied should the Glovers require him later on in the competition.

The White Tigers next fixture is… almost inexplicably… away at Merthyr Town again, this time in the league next Saturday.