Ben Barrett (Page 63)

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Ben has had to call in the cavalry for this episode with FGCQC Rob Manley and Birthday Boy Chris Fox tagging in.

We pick apart the 1-0 win over both Dagenham and Redbridge, look ahead to an FA Cup weekend and discuss… is Ciaran McGuckin giving anyone else Paddy Madden vibes!?

All that and more in your latest multi award nominated Gloverscast.

Football Content Awards. Thanks to you, we are nominated in two categories! The Best in Non League – Editoral for this silly website and Best in Non League – Podcast for football chat and nonsense such as ranking roast lamb lower than pork. In spite of that, please do go and vote for us here.

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The Glovers were back winning games at Huish Park on Saturday and go into the FA Cup break unbeaten in three outtings.
Sheridan Robins was back at Huish Park as a fan for the first time in a long while and here are her Five Conclusions on a very nice 1-0 victory.
Sheridan Robins from her usual vantage point watching Yeovil Town from the BBC Radio Somerset commentary box.
That was the best performance in a while… 
As many of you will know, I haven’t been able to watch much of my beloved Glovers this season, but of the three games I have managed to get to – that was easily the best of the bunch. It was controlled, assured and entertaining.
In truth, 1-0 flattered Dagenham and particularly in the first half, we should have been a couple up. I watched a lot of us last season, and it was a joy, but yesterday it was clear how big the step up in level is (with the greatest of respect to last season’s opponents).
We can’t afford to make mistakes, and minus a few nervy moments at the end (I think genuinely down to not having won at home in a while) we looked more than competent at this level – and I say that talking about every area of the pitch. 
 
Ciaran McGuckin scores his first Yeovil goal.
Pic GARY BROWN
 
Ciaran McGuckin could be star quality….
He scored the winner, yes, and what a header it was! But, he dictated play well, he made things happen when driving forward, he has pace and creativity – what a find he has been by Mark Cooper.
Two in his past two games and he could have had more! He came upstairs after the game to answer some questions and he was asked about his time here so far. He said ‘can I swear? I ******* love it here!’ It got a big laugh, but Ciaran, we ******* love it too!
 
Charlie Cooper. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.
 
Charlie Cooper might finally get the respect he deserves… 
I have spoken countless times about how I believe over the past few years Charlie Cooper has been one of our most consistent and important players.
Well, he was near faultless in this game. Won his duels, forced fouls when he nicked the ball off his opponents and read the game to switch play on either wing. I know exactly what it is like to have your surname hang heavy over you – but he is getting on with the job and playing so well this season. Long may it continue. 
 
The Thatcher’s Stand at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
 
Huish Park at its best is a powerful place… 
Last time I watched the Glovers, they were lacklustre and lost 1-0 to Solihull.
The crowd didn’t have much to cheer about. In this game, it was different and the crowd played their part. Understandably, there were some nerves when the fourth official raised the board for six minutes added time. But, whether it was Ollie Wright’s catch, or Morgan Williams hoofing the ball away, the green and white faithful got behind the lads to secure the elusive – and deserved – home win.
Make this place a fortress again, and we might just be able to dream. 
 
Mark Cooper salutes the away supporters after a 4-3 win at AFC Fylde. Picture courtesy of Bekah Harper.
 
And lastly, here’s to another 100 games under Mark Cooper… 
I said to Mark yesterday, if I told you when I interviewed you at Gateshead away back in April 2023, you would manage 100 games for Yeovil Town would you have believed me?
He said no, and I wholeheartedly agreed. There were points where it looked like we would be left wanting by what might have been for a Mark Cooper Yeovil side. But, he stuck by us, and we stuck by him, showcasing that loyalty and belief can be crucial in football – even if we don’t see it in the game much.
I am so grateful for what he has done for our football club and it was fitting he won his 100th game in charge.
The future is bright and I think we might yet see another great achievement from Coops, and I for one can’t wait!
 

Up the Glovers! 

Sheridan is running 5k every day in October to help support Prostate Cancer UK.

If you’d like to support her challenge – and this wonderful cause – you can donate, by clicking the link below

https://prostateunited.prostatecanceruk.org/fundraising/sheridan-robins-prostate-united-fundraising-page

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The Glovers were winning and Huish Park and our loanees were finding success too on Saturday afternoon.

We start with Jordan Thomas at Salisbury who was in the starting line up and was involved in two of their goals in a 4-3 win over St Albans in the National League South.

The game was 4-0 on the hour mark, but three late goals from the home side made for some squeaky final few moments, but the points were secured.

There were 90 minutes in the bank for Will Buse for W*ymouth. They lost 1-0 to Enfield Town in the league. The Terras also safely negotiated their FA Cup 3rd Qualiyfing replay in midweek, Buse again, in the side. 

Plymouth Parkway booked their spot in the next round of the FA Trophy with a 3-2 win over Banbury.

Corey Koerner came on shortly after half time.

Josh Haskett was on the bench for Sherborne for their clash against United Services Portsmouth FC. 
Krystian Woods was on the bench for Street for their 1-1 draw against Buckland Athletic.

 

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James Plant whips a ball in to the box.

No, I won’t apologise for that headline… 

Yeovil Town’s on loan defender/midfielder/attacker/assister James Plant spoke to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the 1-0 over Dagenham and Redbridge and said he was delighted to play his part in a goal… and a win.

“I only came in last week, but I could feel from the group, just how desperate they were to win, from what I spoke to them about, they were playing well, but just couldn’t get that result over the line.

Obviously, today we dug in, got the goal and it was brilliant from everyone to keep a clean sheet, because that’s what will win you points throughout the season,

I thought we could have had more goals, so as a team we’ll look at that because we want to keep getting better, it felt good today.”

“We want to keep getting better, it felt good today.”

It was Plant’s cross that was glanced in by fellow loanee Ciaran McGuckin for the only goal of the game and the Port Vale man said he was chuffed to provide an assist on his first start at Huish Park;

“I got near the byline and just thought, ‘I’m going to dig out what I can’ and it’s an unbelievable header from Ciaran, so yeah, I’m happy with it.  

I’m more happy with the overall performance, I feel like I’m getting back to where I need to be in terms of minutes, fitness and that kind of thing, I’m happy with how I’m going.”

James Plants a cross… (get it?)
Pic GARY BROWN

The youngster.- who played in about four different positions throughout the 90 mintues – was happy with the way the whole squad dealt with the late pressure from the visitors and is looking forward to getting the FA Cup campaign underway next week.

“We dealt with their pressure really well, particularly towards the end, the back three – we went to a back four at the end – were just heading everything, getting the second balls and getting us back up the pitch, the big man Frank [Nouble] was dealing with absolute scraps and causing absolute mayhem for them, everyone played their part.”

“We’ve got to enjoy the win, but also, work next week on things we can improve on – we’ve got the FA Cup match next week, it’s always nice to have a cup run, so we’ll focus on that for now, and then build some momentum in the league after that would be ideal”

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said he was delighted with the 1-0 win over Dagenham and Redbridge.

Speaking Post-Match to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah he said how the performance was ‘fantastic’ and that the team adapted to a slightly different set up well.

“I thought we were fantastic, I really enjoyed watching the team, the atmosphere, the fans bought into it; we ran, played football, fought – everything you have to do to get three points and that’s four unbeaten for us now.”

“We played a little bit different today – we played with a back three, we played a box in midfield with two ‘tens’, two ‘sixes’ and we’ve got really good technicians in there that can pick passes and I thought first half we were outstanding, we should have been a couple ahead I thought.

The key is at half time, I said to the boys ‘How do we recreate that energy?’ it’s really difficult because the opposition have to react, which they did. We weren’t as fluent in the second half, but we showed a real physical, organisational side to us that managed to get the job done.”

“You always judge a forward on if you’d like to play against him and I wouldn’t like to play against Ciaran”

The only goal of the game came from the head of Ciaran McGuckin with the front man latching on to a cross from Port Vale loanee, James Plant, Cooper said the new additions had added a different dimension to the team.

“[The goal was] another really good bit of play, we try and play, we want to play, but those two boys have come in and given us a real athleticism and a will to run in behind people and they both can run for days, Planty is like Road Runner, he can play left and right like I said before and Ciaran looks like he’s got a knack of scoring goals. He led the line on his own and you always judge a forward on if you’d like to play against him and I wouldn’t like to play against him.”

Ciaran McGuckin celebrates his second goal in green and white
Pic Gary Brown

The gaffer also confirmed that Aaron Jarvis missed the game after suffering a concussion last week and was still working through the protocols, whilst Michael Smith was taken off at half time as a precaution after feeling his hamstring, saying that “when you’ve got someone as good as Dom [Bernard] on the bench, it makes sense not to risk it”

“Dom came on and was fantastic, really steady, we know Dom, I’ve managed him for years and he’s really steady, great personality but he’s always seven out of 10, you can rely on him and then Raph came on the other side and had a couple of amazing runs down the left wing late on to make sure we kept the ball.”

Finally, Cooper said he would take in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Replay between Chesham United and Bishops Cleeve on Tuesday as the Glovers prepare for the Fourth Qualifying clash against the winner of that tie next Saturday.

 

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

 

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It was win number 44 in game number 100 as Yeovil Town manager for Mark Cooper, as his men put on a fantastic display in a 1-0 win at home against Dagenham & Redbridge.

Here’s how Yeovil Town Radio’s Tom Bailey saw it from the press box at HQ.

The first half was certainly Yeovil’s, with great linkup play across the field, and a couple of early chances from Jordan Young and Frank Nouble forcing Dagenham ‘keeper Elliot Justham into saves. All the first half needed was a goal for the hosts…

Into the second half, it was more of the same; despite Dagenham & Redbridge looking like they remembered how to play football, Yeovil continued their dominance of the game, and were duly rewarded as a beautiful James Plant cross found the head of Ciaran McGuckin to nod his second goal in two games.

Further chances came for Yeovil, and despite a small spell of late pressure for the visitors, it was a superb 1-0 win for a superb home crowd.

Across the 90 minutes, Yeovil deserved the win no doubt, in one of the most complete performances we’ve seen from the Glovers this season; long may it continue!

 

First half

Mark Cooper made two changes from last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Aldershot Town, with Michael Smith and James Plant replacing Dominic Bernard and Alex Whittle. There was also a return to the squad for Josh Sims and Raphael Araoye.

It was a cagey opening few minutes between the two sides, with some wayward passes and poor touches for both teams; the first chance of the game came four minutes in, as we saw a trademark Jordan Young run, cutting inside from the right wing, his curling effort collected well by the Daggers ‘keeper.

The second chance came just a few minutes later, and it was again down the right hand side – a well worked chance starting in midfield, eventually reaching Michael Smith who whipped a lovely ball in for Frank Nouble, his towering header forced Elliot Justham to make a solid save between the sticks.

Yeovil continued to press and probe the visitors throughout the opening exchanges, with well timed tackles picking on sloppy mistakes from the opposing side – early signs of a good performance for the Glovers so far.

Play was halted in the 13th minute for Ciaran McGuckin, who was down clutching his ankle; he received treatment and was able to re-enter the field soon after.

More positive play for Yeovil followed, and a sloppy pass from the Dagenham defence led to Yeovil’s next chance; it fell to Ciaran McGuckin but he couldn’t repeat his heroics from last weekend.

The possession and chances continued to come for Yeovil as the “halfway-to-halfway” mark approached, not allowing Dagenham to grow into the game at all, the limited chances that they had on the ball being wasted, including a free kick that resulted in a foul for Yeovil after a shove in the back on Charlie Cooper.

On the half hour hour mark, Dagenham had their first half chance, as former Glover Dion Pereira cut inside from the right, in Jordan Young-esque fashion, his shot from outside the box being blocked by Morgan Williams. A half chance for Yeovil followed, a long ball over the top for Young just a little too heavy for him to get on the end of.

A corner in the 36th minute was wasted by Yeovil, allowing Dagenham to break in similar fashion to Aldershot’s goal last week, except Michael Smith was there to stop Pereira in his tracks, winning two 50/50s and getting the ball out for a throw-in.

Further spells of possession for Yeovil followed, before Dagenham made the Yeovil defence think for a moment with a break down the left; the eventual cross from the right was sloppy, and floated out of play for a throw.

Another couple of solid crosses were well defended by Nouble and McGavin respectively, with McGavin’s header sparking a counter attack for Yeovil and Jordan Young, with the number 11 squeezing the ball past two Dagenham players, feeding McGuckin on the left – the eventual chance came to nothing.

A good challenge from Brett McGavin was flagged as a foul, leading to the final chance of the half for Dagenham; the free kick from 35 yards amounted to nothing. All things considered, a positive first half from Yeovil, all we need now is one of those goal things…

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Dagenham 0

Second half

A change at half time for the hosts, as Michael Smith made way for Dominic Bernard before the action got back underway.

Within the first minute, the visitors had themselves a corner, but it led to nothing as Yeovil’s counter-attack was stopped by Oscar Rutherford.

We had to wait until the 51st minute for the next flash of quality in this game, as a shot from Josh Umerah was well saved by Ollie Wright; he was flagged for offside, but good work from the shot-stopper nonetheless.

After more good possession for Yeovil, the icing on the cake came after 54 minutes… a well worked attack on the left hand side, with Morgan finding Plant; his cross was expertly on the head of Ciaran MCGUCKIN, who nestled it into the bottom corner to give the Glovers a well deserved lead.

Ciaran McGuckin
Pic GARY BROWN

More positive play came a few minutes later, with Nouble charging down the right, he got past his man and laid it back for McGuckin once again, his shot was slightly scuffed though and ended up in the hands of Elliot Justham.

Further attacks followed, with Dylan Morgan winning a corner on the left hand side, McGavin’s ball floated deep and lost, but recycled well – shots followed from McGavin’s resulting cross from Morgan Williams and McGavin himself.

After Dagenham’s first substitution, another chance came for Yeovil, as Brett McGavin’s shot from distance forced Justham into a low save to his left, forcing a corner, which unfortunately led to nothing.

There was a flashpoint in the 65th minute, as a seemingly innocuous challenge on Charlie Cooper prompted ire from the Dagenham players as the whistle blew; things calmed quickly and a yellow card was handed out to Ryan Hill.

Another yellow followed in the 67th minute for Josh Rees for a heavy challenge in midfield, as the visitors continued to struggle against a well-drilled Yeovil side.

Just before the second Yeovil substitution, we saw our first goalkeeper header of the season, as a long ball forward for the visitors was cleared via cranium by Ollie Wright, eventually leading to a foul; the second substitution saw the re-introduction of Raphael Araoye, not seen since the victory at Boston United.

A spell of attacking play for Dagenham followed, defended well once more by the hosts, before a halt in play for treatment on Brett McGavin. A few cagey minutes followed, with Dagenham reaching the edge of the Yeovil box, but to no avail.

As the 80-minute mark approached, it was Yeovil on the attack once again, with a ball forward for Nouble from Plant leading to a throw-in, which then led to a corner; unfortunately it came to nothing, as Dagenham foiled Yeovil’s resulting balls forward.

83 minutes in, a ball down the left hand side for Dagenham was kept in play just about, as the ball in from Ryan Hill was headed out of danger by Morgan Williams, the resulting corner was poor and resulted in Yeovil regaining possession via a goal kick.

The visitors continued to show signs of life, with Dylan Stephenson flicking the ball over the head of a Yeovil player, but Charlie Cooper recovered expertly to send it out for a throw in.

Two late subs came for Yeovil, as Matt Worthington and Josh Sims entered play, replacing the sponsors (and my) man of the match Ciaran McGuckin, and Jordan Young respectively.

The final spells of play were somewhat sloppy from Dagenham, as Huish Park roared on Yeovil through the 6 minutes of stoppage time, despite the efforts of Dion Pereira on the right hand side as he shrugged off a challenge from Josh Sims, his cross finding nobody.

Another late cross was caught by Ollie Wright, and sent downfield, as the final whistle blew. The win takes Yeovil up to 10th in the league, as they sit just 3 points outside the playoff spots after 13 games – as Dave said last week, if you told me we’d be 10th after 13 games, I’d have shook your hand off!

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Dagenham 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 5th October – 15:00 Kick Off

Competition: National League

Scorers: Ciaran McGuckin 54 (1-0)

Pitch:  Glorious!
Conditions: Sunny, with a fresh breeze

Attendance: 2,998 (114 away)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town:
Dagenham & Redbridge: Ryan Hill 65, Josh Rees 67

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes:  Matt Gould, Sam Pearson, Matt Worthington (for Ciaran McGuckin, 87), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Josh Sims (for Jordan Young, 87), Raphael Araoye (for Dylan Morgan, 70), Dominic Bernard (for Michael Smith, 45)

Dagenham & Redbridge: Elliot Justham (C), Frank Vincent (for Christian N’Guessan, 61), Jake Hessenthaler (for Dylan Stephenson, 78), Harry Phipps, Dion Pereira, Josh Rees, Josh Umerah, Ryan Hill, Romoney Crichlow, Oscar Rutherford, Paul Kalambayi

Substitutes (not used): Luca Woodhouse, Josh Strizovic, Shiloh Remy, Ralph Vigrass, Alfie Terry