Ben Barrett (Page 122)

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Yeovil Town have announced the signing of Jamaican goalkeeper Dillon Barnes from Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

The 25-year-old signs as the club have depleted numbers in the goalkeeper position, due to Grant Smith’s two-match suspension. 

The announcement from Yeovil refers to it as “a short-term deal” whilst the keeper’s parent club confirms the loan runs until January 26.

Arriving with League experience, Barnes has made 25 appearances in the EFL in both League One and League Two for Burton Albion and Colchester United.

Last season, he spent a short spell in the Scottish Premiership with Hibernian, where made eight appearances in all competitions. 

Earlier this year, Barnes made his full international debut for Jamaica, starting in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

A quick check of the records shows that Barnes has come up against Yeovil twice in his career, both during the 2018/19 season whilst at Colchester.

A 3-1 Glovers win and a 1-1 draw at Huish Park, a game in which he was sent off, just before the hour mark.

After clashing with a Glovers player shortly after conceding… none of that kind of shenanigans please Dillon!

Everyone at the Gloverscast wishes Dillon well on his stay in Somerset.

 

 

 

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On loan midfielder Sonny Blu Everton has had his suspension confirmed by the FA following his red card vs Torquay.

The FA have confirmed that the 64th minute sending off has been classed as ‘Violent Conduct‘ and as such comes with a three game, cross competition suspension.

He will miss games with Torquay and Southend in the league and also the FA Cup 3rd Round tie with Bournemouth.

The attacker is back for the FA Trophy tie with Needham Market on January 15th. His original loan deal was due to expire on January 16th.

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On loan Millwall defender Dan Moss will be absent for the January 2nd game against Torquay United after getting his 5th yellow of the season on Boxing Day.

As expected, the FA’s Club Discipline site has been updated to show the full back’s upcoming spell on the sidelines. 

He’d already been booked against; Wrexham, Bromley, Eastleigh and Solihull.

Following the match on Sunday, Manager Darren Sarll said;

“Mossy is always going to get five bookings in his season, he tackles more than anyone, that’s a tackle, that’s what he does, that’s why we play him, because he puts in those tackles.”

“That’s part of the season of having Dan Moss, the other stuff, the two sendings off, if they are for what I think they are, we will deal with that internally.”

The full back will be available for the FA Cup tie against Bournemouth the following Saturday.

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Yeovil Town goalkeeper Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Grant Smith looks set to miss the upcoming games against Torquay and Bournemouth following his post match red card against Torquay on Boxing Day.

Multiple reports suggested the Goalkeeper was shown a red card following the conclusion of the 3-0 defeat, an incident which has now been confirmed as an act of “Foul and Abusive Language”, something which Darren Sarll seemed to assume after the game;

“I don’t know what happened with Grant (Smith), I can make an assumption that he has said something to the referee after the game. If he has and that is the reason why, then I don’t condone that, I’m all for tackling, competing, I’m not great defending players for dissent, if it’s dissent, but we’ll find out.”

We face Torquay and Bournemouth in the next two games which, unless there are any appeals, will see Max Evans (or a loan replacement) between the sticks.

 

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Yeovil Town may have Bournemouth and Needham Market on their minds in cup competitions in January, but in February, the Somerset Premier Cup comes back into the schedule with the Glovers playing away at Cheddar FC.

Cheddar have confirmed to the Gloverscast the expected date and details of the 3rd round tie which will be played on February 15th, squeezed in between Eastleigh away on Feb 12th and Dagenham at home on February 19th.

If anyone fancies a Valentines trip to the Cheesemen, details can be found below…

Cheddar FC v Yeovil Town
Somerset Premier Cup Third Round
Tuesday 15th February – 19:45pm

Tickets: £6 Adults, £3 OAPs, £1 Under 12s.

Address:
Bowdens Park
Draycott Road
Cheddar
BS27 3RL

Directions:
From M5 Junction 22 follow signs for A38- Bristol Airport, turn right onto A371 signposted Axbridge/Cheddar.
Follow through village and club is located on the right of the A371 heading towards Wells.
From Wells follow signs for A371 Cheddar/Weston Super Mare, club is located on left just before entering village.

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Josh Staunton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town midfielder Josh Staunton fronted up to the media after the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat to Torquay United and couldn’t hide his disappointment  at the result or performance.

He told BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins: “We weren’t anywhere near our best today, but we were still competing for probably 65 minutes, and then we’re disappointed at the ending, because we’ve been finishing games so strongly, the way we’ve come to the end of the run is really disappointing.

“I think it’s important as a group, we don’t feel like it’s the end of the world, it gives us a chance to start a new run. We’ve got a chance to put it right after New Year’s Day”

When asked about the impact of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s red card on 64 minutes with the game still goalless, he said the team could have responded better.

He added: “I think that’s where we have to take a bit more responsibility, remain calm, I think we lost our composure and that’s something which we haven’t done the last two months even when we’ve faced a bit of adversity, we’ve stood up to it, and today we didn’t.

“We let the red card (for Lo-Everton) really affect us, not in terms of numerical advantage, but in terms of mentality on the pitch. It’s something which we can’t allow to happen again.”

Staunton was questioned on what he and the side would take away from the defeat and he was adamant that the team would be stronger for it.

“You learn from every loss and every win, and unfortunately today, we’ve learnt the hard way. It’s a good lesson for us as a group, in terms of – we went behind against Woking but managed to come back – but we just lost our composure and lost our cool and it just goes to show, at this level, you can’t afford to have those days.

“Even for 65 minutes we weren’t at our best, but still competing, and we were in the game. We didn’t agree with things on the pitch and it’s cost us today. It’s important we learn those lessons that not everything is going to go our way, but we remain as a group and stand up and face them head on.”

Attention turned to the reverse fixture with Torquay again in the Glovers’ firing line, this time at Huish Park next Sunday.

“We take every game on it’s merit, but it (playing Torquay again so quickly) adds a bit of fuel to the fire, because, just like when we played Weymouth (in the FA Cup) we’ve got a point to prove.

“It’s disappointing, we haven’t got the game on the 28th to have a quick rebound, so we have got to hang fire for a week, but it gives us chance to right some wrongs in training, work hard and get back to what we have been doing previously.

“The most important thing is that we don’t get too down after today, because over a campaign you have ups and downs and today, we’ve had one of those downs.”

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Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins regarding the two red cards (and five yellows) picked up by the Glovers during their 3-0 loss to Torquay United on Boxing Day.

In a feisty affair, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was sent off after 64 minutes, goalkeeper Grant Smith saw red after the final whistle and Adi Yussuf, Matt Worthington, Dale Gorman, Luke Wilkinson and Dan Moss all saw yellow.

This is what the manager had to say on the three players who will be missing as a result of today’s indiscretions.

Sonny Blu-Lo Everton – red card – 64th minute.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“I thought it was petulant, that’s how I saw it, I have no idea what players think they’re ever gaining from those actions, I’ll have to see it again, but at the time it looked petulant. I don’t understand what they get out of it, the team don’t get anything out of it… listen, Sonny doesn’t help us stop those three goals, what Sonny was doing during the game very, very well was stay on the ball for long periods and get far more territory.

“So very disappointing, we’re disappointed in that type of behaviour, but we will keep those thoughts and comments in house.”

If confirmed as ‘Violent Conduct’ the Watford loanee would miss three games; Torquay, Bournemouth (FA Cup) and Southend before being available for the FA Trophy game with Needham Market Town on January 15th, one day before his initial loan spell from Watford is due to elapse.

Grant Smith – red card – after full-time

New Glovers’ ‘keeper Grant Smith

“I don’t know what happened with Grant (Smith), I can make an assumption that he has said something to the referee after the game. If he has and that is the reason why, then I don’t condone that, I’m all for tackling, competing, I’m not great defending players for dissent, if it’s dissent, but we’ll find out.”

If confirmed as being for ‘Foul and Abusive Language’, the Glovers’ number one would be subject to a two-game ban which would rule him out of the games vs Torquay next Sunday and Bournemouth in the FA Cup. Subject to an appeal process.

 

Dan Moss – fifth yellow card of the season – 75th minute.

Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

“Mossy is always going to get five bookings in his season, he tackles more than anyone, that’s a tackle, that’s what he does, that’s why we play him, because he puts in those tackles.”

“That’s part of the season of having Dan Moss, the other stuff, the two sendings off, if they are for what I think they are, we will deal with that internally.”

It is expected that the Millwall loanee will only be absent for the game against Torquay, his loan was recently extended until January 24th which would give him four more games after his suspension whilst with the side.

 

As a side note, Jack Robinson, the loanee from Middlesbrough was seen with the side today after being out of contention with injury since the win over Yate Town. Alex Bradley missed out on the squad together as did youth team graduate Ollie Haste whilst the Gloverscast have asked Hemel Hempstead Town for clarification on the situation with midfielder Toby Stephens as his one month loan spell had been due to end.

 

 

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll talks to BBC Radio Somerset

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has challenged his players to overcome their “biggest test” after a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Torquay United on Boxing Day.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, he encouraged a level of ‘balance‘ after seeing the unbeaten run of 12 matches halted – but promised the side had a big week ahead.

“The important thing is, is to stay balanced, with this result… the season is a long season, it’s a marathon.

“What we’ve done very well (before today) is not allow crosses coming into the box, we’ve not allowed that happen. But today we were poor at it, especially down this right hand side, I think all the goals came down the similar angle of this right hand side, and we didn’t stop crosses well enough and what you have to then do is stop the outcome of the crosses.

“I think we’ve played a lot better than that, but the manner of the defeat left a very sour taste in my mouth, which is why we had a gentle conversation at the end.”

Sarll promised that his side would be in for a big week of training ahead of the return fixture with Gary Johnson’s Gulls at Huish Park next Sunday.

“I said to them ‘this could be your biggest test so far, it’s alright to call yourself special when things are going well, and tweet and all that malarkey that that lot do now, these are challenges, and you have to stand up to challenges in the same way you stand up to diversity.

“That was my biggest disappointment today. At 1-0 stay in the game, even at 2-0  (if)Matthew (Worthington) scores, we have a great chance. Our set plays weren’t good enough, our work in and around the box wasn’t good enough, we fired high and wide too often, when corridors of opportunity opened up, when you do that, and don’t defend your box, I don’t think it’s too hard to see why you concede three and don’t score any. “

“We have to make sure we have a good, strong week now, reassert those principles of firstly, how you behave when you play for Yeovil, that’s the most important thing. Then secondly, just this group of players will be bubbling by next (Sunday), they’ll be desperate to get back out there.”

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Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town have named a slightly altered side from the FA Trophy win over Woking with goalkeeper Grant Smith, defender Morgan Williams, midfielder Josh Staunton and forwards Adi Yussuf and Charlie Wakefield all returning to the starting line up.

Tom Knowles and Reuben Reid, who were  both in contention to continue their starring run in the side drop to the bench, along side new loan signing left-back Jaheim Headley and alongside Jordan Barnett, who has had a spell of illness in recent weeks.

Williams continues at left back, keeping both Headley and Barnett out of the side in their preferred position, which says a lot about his performances at full back.

For the home side, midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, who has barely featured for the past month, returns to the starting line-up.

On-loan QPR striker Sinclair Armstrong misses out isolating with COVID-19, but on-loan Exeter City full-back Jack Sparkes starts.

Yeovil Town (4-3-3): Grant Smith, Dan Moss, Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt, Morgan Williams, Dale Gorman, Josh Staunton, Matt Worthington, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Adi Yussuf, Charlie Wakefield. Substitutes: Evans, Barnett, Headley, Knowles, Reid. 

Torquay United: MacDonald, Wynter, Martin, Lapslie, Lemonheigh-Evans, Wright, Little, Lolos, Moxey, Sparkes, Lewis. Substitutes: Omar, Hall, Johnson, O’Connell, Holman.

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In-form Yeovil Town head to the English Riviera on Boxing Day for the first of back-to-back fixtures against Torquay United – with the return fixture at Huish Park scheduled for January 2.

Gary Johnson’s Gulls are something of a hit-and-miss side this season, crashing out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Tonbridge Angels last weekend after back to back wins against Stockport County and W*ymouth in the National League.

Currently lying in 16th with 24 points, Devon’s yellowest side are no fewer that seven points behind the Glovers having conceded over twice as many goals as Yeovil.

That being said, they’ve also scored a fair few more (28, to our 20), more so at Plainmoor their form is pretty good; one defeat since mid-September, they’ve only failed to score once on home soil this season and will be feeling confident.

There’s been quite a turnover since reaching the play-off final – and eventually losing on penalties to Hartlepool United – at the end of last season.

Gone are goalkeeper Lucas Covolan, who scored a dramatic late equaliser and saved two penalties in the in the play-off final shoot-out at Ashton Gate, along with former Yeovil loanee Ben Whitfield, defensive kingpin Kyle Cameron and striker Aaron Nemane.

Nemane scored in the 6-1 drubbing handed out to Darren Sarll’s men on a Boxing Day to forget last year, and got the opener in the reverse fixture – only for late goals from Josh Neufville and Luke Wilkinson to win it.

Boxing Day encounters tend to be ones to forget for one side with Yeovil handing a can of the proverbial to Johnson’s charges with a 6-2 win at Huish Park in 2019.

Note: As a reminder that all of Dan Moss, Josh Staunton and Tom Knowles are one booking away from missing the reverse fixture on January 2.

Listen: You can still catch our pre-match chat with Torquay fan Danny from the Torquay Talk podcast on our latest edition – here.

FROM THE MANAGER

Former Latvia and Northampton (Cobblers, no it’s true…) manager *checks notes*… Gary Johnson told the Torquay official site:

“It’s a massive game for us, I always enjoy the Yeovil games because they’re always competitive.

“Last year we had one good one and one bad one in the space of just a few days.

“Yeovil are going very well at the moment as far as their form is concerned, I think they’ve won their last six out of eight (Ed: IThat’s in the League, Gary, and ten wins out of 12 in all competitions) , but our league form isn’t too bad either.

“So, it should be a good entertaining, competitive, match for the watching public, and I’m sure the Yellow Army will get behind their team and see them through.”

TEAM NEWS

Centre forward Danny Wright returned to goal scoring form against Tonbridge in the FA Trophy and will be in contention to start.

The match was the 37-year-old’s first game in three months and his return would be a boost for the hosts.

It is also expected that Shaun MacDonald (not that one, this one’s a keeper who played in the 6-1 result at Plainmoor last Boxing Day) will return in goal for the Gulls after sitting out the FA Trophy.

There’s no suspensions for Gary Johnson’s men, but midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has only managed six minutes in the last month suggesting he is an injury doubt.

As Danny from Torquay Talk told us on the podcast and as many Yeovil fans will no doubt recall, Gary Johnson is keen on playing his cards close to his chest about his team – so wait and see on that one.

The aforementioned Mr Johnson brought in Exeter City left-sided player Jack Sparkes, who can play left-back or further forward, last week, as well as winger Joe Felix who joined from Billericay Town a couple of weeks ago and is looking to make his debut,

Also on loan are giant striker Sinclair Armstrong, the 18-year-old who borrowed from QPR who scored the winner at W*ymouth the other week (kudos for that, Sinclair), and right-back Harry Perritt, who is on loan from Accrington Stanley.

One player who we’ll definitely from see is G**** *****s (name removed to adhere to Gloverscast Rule 5), the former Glovers’ youth team (and briefly first-team) winger who joined Torquay after his contract expired at Huish Park in the summer. He is on loan at Paul Wotton’s Truro City.

FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

The obvious connection between the two sides is Torquay boss Gary Johnson, but he needs no introduction to Yeovil fans.

Glovers’ top-scorer Joe Quigley, who will not feature on Boxing Day having only just returned to training, spent a two-month loan spell at Torquay whilst an AFC Bournemouth player.

But more likely to feature is another visiting forward Reuben Reid who spent seven games on loan at Plainmoor in 2007 on loan from Plymouth, scoring twice.

There are also two members of the Torquay squad with a foot in both camps. One is goalkeeper Marcin Brzozowsi, out at National League South side Gloucester City presently, who played twice in a half-a-season loan at Huish Park in 2019, whilst naming the other would be a violation of Gloverscast Rule 5 – but he’s out on loan at Truro City. See Team News for a clue on that one.

Striker Martin Gritton is a legend in yellow having scored 22 times in 88 appearances between 2002 and 2004 but is less so at Huish Park where he failed to find the mark in two loan spells in 2001 and another a decade later.

He’s actually a commentator on BBC Radio Devon these days, so you can listen to him if you want to tune in to them – we’d recommend BBC Somerset though.

Others with a foot in both camps (and there’s undoubtedly more) include:

  • Rhys Murphy – Torquay 2017, Yeovil 2019-2021
  • Ben Whitfield – Yeovil 2016-17, Torquay 2019-2021.
  • Jakub Sokolik – Yeovil 2014-2016, Torquay 2018.
  • Ryan Dickson – Torquay – 2007, 2018-2020, Yeovil 2012, 2015-2018.
  • Alex Lawless – Torquay 2005-2006, Yeovil 2016-2017.
  • Jamie Gosling – Yeovil 2003-04, Torquay 2004-05.
  • Jimmy Aggrey – Torquay 1998-2001, Yeovil 2002-2003.
  • Ryan Northmore – Torquay – 1998-2002, Yeovil 2004.
  • Steve Winter – Torquay 1995-1997, Yeovil 1997.

 

There are no tickets on sale on the day, BBC Somerset have audio coverage, Three Valleys Radio don’t… and we’ll do everything we can to give you a post match breakdown here as well later on Boxing Day too.