Callum Gould

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

After a disappointing result in the FA Cup, it’s back to league action for Yeovil as they travel to league leaders Rochdale on Saturday.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Consistency remains a major issue for the Glovers this season, both on and off the pitch. Since Richard Dryden was reappointed as manager, the team has shown a real Jekyll and Hyde form. The first three games under Dryden’s leadership featured strong performances and promising results that fans could support, however, in the two matches since the team has looked lacklustre, and the results have reflected that.

The 3-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood was understandable given their opponents strong start to life back in the National League Premier Division status as one of the league’s top sides. But the recent defeat to lower-league Hemel Hempstead was far more concerning. The Glovers looked devoid of confidence. While the Tudors played well, Yeovil were equally poor, leaving travelling fans frustrated after the 2–1 loss and another early exit from the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage.

The only positive was Harvey Greenslade getting back on the scoresheet with a 71st-minute equaliser. Hemel had opened the scoring through Kyle Ajayi and sealed the win three minutes from time when Finley Wilkinson found the net.

Like this Tahvon Campbell shot, Yeovil were off target at Hemel Hempstead last weekend.

Rochdale A.F.C

Dale were also knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend, but their defeat came against much tougher opposition in York City (with no disrespect to Hemel Hempstead). Like Yeovil’s match, York took the lead before Dale equalised in the 72nd minute through top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. However, York struck again in the final minute to end Rochdale’s hopes of progressing.

Outside the Cup, things have gone well for the Greater Manchester side. They’ve lost just one of their last five league matches—a defeat to FC Halifax Town, and only their second of the season, the other coming at Brackley Town at the end of August.

Rochdale currently sit top of the league and remain the only side without a draw this season. That means if the Glovers can come away with even a point, it would be seen as a good result.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK

We’ll be honest it was tough pick this week, with no players really showing any form as of late. But looking back to when we three on the bounce McCormick was one of the real stars of the show.

The midfielder controlled the games, sat back when needed to but also helped out in the attacking third as well. It was the Aldershot game that really caught my attention though, as he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, along with others and brought some joy at a time of need for fans.

Luke McCormick in action for Yeovil Town.
Luke McCormick. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Since then he has seemed quiet, and we need his tenacity back if were going to get results. Maybe it’s all the football he is playing catching up with, as he hasn’t missed a minute of football since the Braintree game. Which is indicative of the whole squad, some more players to help rotation in the middle of park could be beneficial to making McCormick tick again.

ROCHDALE – ETHAN EBANKS-LANDELL

This was also a hard choice but for different reasons, do we go for experience and leadership or goalscoring prowess, an we’ve gone for the former.  Ebanks-Landell has been a stalwart football league defender for the majority of his career, amassing 286 appearances in the EFL.

Now in the latter years of his career, the centre-back has found a home in the North West. Having joined Rochdale from Shrewbury in the summer of 2022, he has been a leader for Dale. As well as controlling the defensive line, he has become captain which has no doubt contributed to Dale’s success this season.

In fact the two games where he hasn’t played a big part in Rochdale lost both. First against Brackley, where he didn’t feature at all, his side lost 2-1. The second loss was to Halifax, where the 32-year-old played a total of 20 minutes. Maybe the Glovers will have to get him off the pitch if they stand a chance of winning.

THE GAFFER…

Jim McNulty will be in the home dug-out at Spotland on Saturday. A true Rochdale stalwart, McNulty has spent most of his recent footballing life at Spotland. After a solid playing career in the lower leagues with clubs like Brighton, Tranmere, and Barnsley, the Scouser joined Dale in 2015.

He spent eight years as a player at the club before retiring and moving into coaching. As part of the backroom staff, McNulty was involved during a difficult period that saw Rochdale relegated from the Football League in 2023—for the first time in 102 years.

After two short stints as caretaker, Rochdale’s ownership took a chance on their former defender and appointed him as permanent manager. Since then, the 40-year-old has built a strong side aiming for a return to the EFL this season. His record against Yeovil so far? Two wins from two.

Rochdale boss Jim McNulty.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Rochdale took all three points the last time the sides met in January, handing Yeovil a heavy 4–0 defeat. Goals from Devante Rodney, Kairo Mitchell, Leon Ayinde, and Jake Burger punished the Glovers in a game most fans will want to forget.

Their last meeting in Somerset also ended in a Dale win, though by a much narrower margin. It was a fairly even contest until Conor McBride struck in the 90th minute to snatch a 1–0 victory and take the points back to Greater Manchester.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Dan Moss will be a familiar name to Glovers fans. The right-back spent the first half of the 2021/22 season at Huish Park, making 23 appearances during his five-month loan spell. Now 24, he will face his old side.

Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Glovers’ defender Kyle Ferguson is a name the home fans will recognise. The defender made 25 appearances for Rochdale before making the switch to Yeovil.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Jamie O’Connor is the referee taking charge of today’s game in Greater Manchester. Read Ben’s preview of the man in black – here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

It’s the return of the FA Cup this weekend, as Yeovil make their way to Hemel Hempstead to face of in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

As we all know, form goes out the window when it come to cup competitions, especially in the FA Cup. The competition can make or break so many smaller clubs seasons, and even if the top 6 find it a burden, the magic is still there for the likes Glovers.

Yeovil are famed for their giant killings in this competition, but the club hasn’t reached the first round proper since 2023, when they were knocked out in the second round, to the glitz and glamour of Wrexham.

Over the last five games it has been solid for the Glovers with three wins and two losses. One of those losses cam last time out to Boreham Wood as Richard Dryden’s men were soundly beaten 0-3 at home.

Kyle Ferguson has plenty of attention – Pic Gary Brown

Hemel Hempstead

The Tudors began their FA Cup exploits in the second of qualifying, where they faced Bishop Stortford, 4-1. They then drew Hereford in the next round, which went to a replay, after drawing  2-2 at Vauxhall Road. It was then off to Hereford for the replay, where Hemel came out on top with a convincing 0-3 victory.

The Hertfordshire side are unbeaten over their last five games, which includes their three cup games. Last time out The Tudors faced struggling Chippenham Town side which they one 0-1, thanks to a goal from forward Millar Matthews-Lewis.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – Junior Morias

Although quiet in recent games, the FA Cup could be the perfect opportunity to reignite the Jamaicans spark. Morias has scored goals wherever he has gone, but he needs to be playing in a position that suits him.

In the recent games where he has been less involved Dryden has deployed him as a left-winger. However, when Morias was playing arguably his best football so far this season, Mark Cooper had him playing centrally in-behind the striker/s. It is understandable that he needs to play where the team needs him, but also to get the best of him and to make him the key player that he was for those three fixtures, Morias needs to be through the middle.

We here that Cup games can take pressure of teams and players, something different to focus on, and utilised properly Morias could cause havoc against lower-league opposition.

Junior Morias shhots
Pic – Gary Brown

Hemel Hempstead – Millar Matthews-Lewis

Matthews-Lewis has been a handful for opposition teams this season. Since joining from Farnborough FC in the summer, the forward has bagged five goals in the league so far this season. In the games against Hereford the striker was a  dangerous presence for Hemel contributing twice across both pictures. The first of his goals came in the original tie, where he equalised late on to send the fixture to a replay. Matthews-Lewis then opened the scoring in said replay, converting an indirect free-kick from edge of the six yard box.

The youngster is one of many talented striker to have played for Farnborough which includes the likes of Jamie Cureton and Michael Folivi. He will definitely be making sure the Yeovil centre backs will have their work cut out.

THE GAFFER…

Lee Allinson is the man who has the pleasure of leading out The Tudors every week. The former midfielder has a very short managerial career having only retired six years ago.The 41-year-olds first steps into management came at Biggleswade Town where he stayed for six months before joining Hendon.

Hendon is where Allinson then stayed for five years, before signing as manager for Hemel in 2024. In his first full season in charge he has the Tudors playing good football with his side currently sat 6th in the National League South.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The Glovers last met The Tudors back at the start of 2024 in Yeovil’s National league South title winning season.  The game ended in a 2-0 win for The Glovers at Huish Park, with both goals coming from Sam Pearson.

Yeovil vs Hemel Hempstead - Image Courtesy of Dan Finill
Yeovil vs Hemel Hempstead – Image Courtesy of Dan Finill

The only other time the two teams have met was at Vauxhall Park, in the same season, this time however Hemel won 1-0, with Joe Iaciofano getting the only goal.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Jake Gray – The midfielder had an up and down time in Somerset. Gray joined the club in 2017 from Luton with high expectations, but never really delivered on the talent that he shown on occasions, leaving for Woking in 2019.

Gray will forever be remembered for his announcement video, where the clubs media guru at the time, Alex O’Loughlin, used Snapchat maps to introduce him to Glovers fans.

Jevani Brown also spent the entirety of pre-season with the Glovers as a trialist, but never went on to sign on at Huish Park.

Hampton captain Jake Gray.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Richie Watkins is the man in the middle, he’s taken charge of seven Hemel games in his career – no side has seen him more! He’s also been looking after games involving Yeovil twice in the past. Read more here.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

Yeovil Town return to Huish Park this Saturday to face fifth placed Boreham Wood in the National League.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers can confidently stake their claim as one of the in-form sides in the league. Over their last five games, Richard Dryden’s men have won four (whisper it quietly) and lost just once, the single game reign of former boss, Danny Webb.

It’s the last three matches, however, that have truly impressed. After the hiring and swift departure of a manager in just 10 days, no one would blame the players for being unsettled. Yet the performances and results have been anything but with three straight wins, Yeovil sit in tenth just two points off the play-off places,

In their most recent outing, the Somerset side delivered another solid display, overcoming a struggling Sutton United team under the lights. The Glovers came out on top with a 2-1 victory. The ever-impressive loanee, Andrew Oluwabori, opened the scoring, before Sutton pulled one back. But in the 81st minute, Aaron Jarvis calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after Josh Sims was brought down in the box.

The midwek win at Sutton United made it three in a row for Yeovil. Picture courtesy of Ollie Marsh.

 

BOREHAM WOOD

It has been an amazing return to life in the National League Premier Division for Boreham Wood. Last season’s National League South play-off winners are undefeated since losing to fellow high-fliers Rochdale on the opening day of the season.

With Luke Garrard in charge once again – the club legend quit after relegation in 2023-2024 but returned in September – they have put together a steady mix of wins and draws including three wins and two draws in their last five games.

The summer saw the long-serving Tyrone Marsh depart the club, but Garrard strengthened his squad with the arrivals of the likes of experienced wing-back Jeff King and midfielder Zak Brunt on loan from York City and Barnet respectively. Former Swindon Town striker Luke Norris was also recruited and started with four goals in his first three games before suffering an ankle injury which has seen him sidelined since early September. Both Norris and fellow long-term injury victim Jack Payne, the club’s player-assistant manager, are both expected to miss the trip to Somerset.

In midweek, they faced a strong Southend United side in a tightly contested affair that finished 1-1. Top scorer Matt Rush was on target with his sixth goal of the season.

Yeovil should also be wary of Boreham Wood’s ability to disrupt their opponents, as the Hertfordshire outfit have seen their opposition reduced to 10 men on four separate occasions this season.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – Morgan Williams

The centre-back has been in top form over the past few weeks, delivering key defensive performances  and even chipping in with a goal. Amid the recent upheaval off the pitch, Williams has remained a constant, earning the trust of fans with his consistency.

Morgan Williams was the match winner against Altrincham last weekend. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

As a defender, he offers the full package for a National League centre-back. Comfortable on the ball and solid across any position in the back line, his defensive reliability has played a major role in Yeovil keeping three clean sheets in their last five games.

But it’s not just his work at the back that stands out. Williams is a regular threat from set pieces, having recently found the net against Altrincham last time out at Huish Park.

BOREHAM WOOD – Matt Rush

The forward has already netted six times in 12 appearances this season, including three goals in his last four outings. With 22 goals in 38 games for The Wood, Rush has proven himself to be a clinical and consistent finisher.

In recent matches, he’s led the line as a lone striker, with summer signing Luke Norris absent from the squad for the last four fixtures through injury. That shift in responsibility has sparked an upturn in form, as Rush continues to thrive as Boreham Wood’s primary attacking threat.

THE GAFFER…

Luke Garrard is nothing short of a Boreham Wood legend. After a playing career that saw him move between lower-league clubs, Garrard first joined The Wood in 2005 for a season before departing for Northwood FC. Following spells at Northwood and AFC Wimbledon, he returned to Meadow Park in 2010, where he spent six years before retiring as a player/manager.

Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard.

Initially combining both roles, Garrard eventually took on the managerial position full-time. A true one-club manager, he has spent his entire coaching career at Boreham Wood. His first spell in charge lasted nine years and included 411 games. Though he stepped away in April 2024, he made a swift return just five months later in September and has overseen 53 games since.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Yeovil have not faced Boreham Wood since the final day of the 2022-2023 campaign when a Tyrone Marsh goal saw the Glovers’ time in the National League Premier finish with a defeat as we were relegated to the South.

Boreham Wood in action at Huish Park. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The last meeting at Huish Park came in September 2022 and finished in a 1-1 draw. Alex Fisher found the net for the Glovers, while Jack Payne, now assistant manager to Garrard, scored for Boreham Wood.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There are no players in the Boreham Wood squad who have previously featured in the home dressing room at Huish Park. The Glovers’ Junior Morias and Charlie Cooper both had spells at Meadow Park though, so they will be familiar to the away fans at least.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

The referee for Saturday’s match is Niall Smith. Read more here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

Yeovil play under the lights this midweek as they travel to Hampshire to face Aldershot Town on Wednesday night.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

It was tough going last time out as the Glovers suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Midlands against Tamworth. The result marked Yeovil’s sixth loss of the season, just 10 games in, and dropped the Somerset side to 17th in the league.

Yeovil in possession against Tamworth.

Over their last five games, Yeovil have shown improvement compared to their form under Mark Cooper. However, the lack of quality in the squad is evident when against stronger opposition. Richard Dryden will be back in charge, after Danny Webb resigned earlier in the week.

Aldershot Town

The Shots picked up their first win in five on Saturday, edging out Hartlepool United at The EBB Stadium. Midfielder Cameron Hargreaves sealed the victory with the only goal of the game in the 20th minute.

Despite their recent winless run, Aldershot had only suffered one defeat in their previous six matches—a loss to Carlisle. The Hampshire side have also been involved in some high-scoring encounters this season, including a standout 5-1 away win over Solihull Moors.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Luke McCormick

The central midfielder has been one of Yeovil’s most consistent performers this season, alongside Josh Sims. A Chelsea Academy graduate, McCormick has firmly established himself in the holding role during Charlie Cooper’s absence. His value to the team is clear in the numbers—he’s started 80% of Yeovil’s games, with the last time he didn’t complete a full 90 minutes being the clash with Braintree.

While he provides a solid shield in front of the back line, McCormick has also shown he can contribute going forward, registering two goals and an assist so far. If Dryden is to get the best out of this squad, McCormick will undoubtedly be a key figure.

Luke McCormick in action for Yeovil Town.
Luke McCormick. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Aldershot – Ryan Hill

Another midfielder travelling fans should keep an eye on is Hill. Since joining the Shots from Dagenham & Redbridge in the summer, he’s been a revelation—racking up six goal contributions in just 10 games. Four of those have been goals, making him Aldershot’s top scorer so far this season.

On top of his attacking output, Hill has been ever-present, playing 95% of the available minutes. It’s been a season of change for him positionally too; typically a central midfielder, he’s been deployed mainly on the left, a shift that certainly hasn’t hindered his impact.

THE GAFFER…

A man of many hats sits in the Aldershot dugout, with Tommy Widdrington the one tasked with going head-to-head against Dryden. After a lengthy playing career that began at Southampton, Widdrington stepped into coaching as a player-coach at Salisbury in 2009. Since then, he has taken on a variety of roles including assistant manager, scout, chief scout, and manager, across various levels of the football pyramid.

Early managerial experience came with short spells at Salisbury and Hemel Hempstead in the early 2010s, before he took the reins at Eastbourne Borough, where he spent five years in charge. He later worked as Chief Scout at both Coventry City and Bristol Rovers.

The Geordie returned to the dugout as caretaker boss at Rovers, before moving on to manage King’s Lynn and eventually Aldershot, where he has been in charge since 2023.

Widdrington has a solid record against Yeovil, having never lost to the Glovers in four meetings—winning once and drawing the other three.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met on the final day of last season, with Aldershot claiming a 2-1 win. On a very wet afternoon in Hampshire, the Glovers put in a below-par performance and fell behind five minutes before the break to a Jack Barham goal. The Shots then doubled their lead just four minutes into the second half, as Tyler Frost turned in a low cross at the back post.

Jack Barham opens the scoring for Aldershot.

The Glovers got back into on the hour mark that day thanks to a Dom Bernard goal, but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be for Yeovil.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Tristan Abrahams – The striker had a short loan spell at Huish Park in 2019. Arriving from Norwich in the January, Abrahams played 15 times for the Glovers scoring on three occasions.

Tristan Abrahams in a Yeovil shirt during his loan spell in 2019-20. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

The referee for Wednesday night’s game is Stephen Parkinson. Read more here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

A new era starts on Saturday for Yeovil, as new boss Danny Webb is set to take charge of his first match against Tamworth – and the National League Premier Division’s only artificial pitch.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

A last gasp winner from midfielder Luke McCormick deep in to second half stoppage time earned the Glovers their third win of the season last time out. The three points at home to Woking last weekend moved us up to 15th in the National League Premier Division table after nine matches.

This Saturday however will see a new name in the Yeovil dug-out with new boss Danny Webb taking charge of his first game. Webb will be looking to use last weekend’s victory at Huish Park as a spring board to push up the table in the Midlands.

Tamworth

Tamworth’s form has spiked in recent weeks with three victories in their last four games, a record on blotted by a defeat at big-spending York City. They picked a 3-2 win away at Sutton United last weekend, a result which spelt the end of Steve Morison’s time in charge at Sutton.

The Lambs operate on a part-time model with players days jobs ranging from a bricklayer to a plumber, and have some dangerous players notably striker Manny Duku who has three goals in his last four games and midfielder Tom Tonks, who became a national star for his long throw-ins during Tamworth’s FA Cup run last season.

Manager Andy Peaks rested a number of his first-team players for their 2-1 win over Everton Under-21s in the National League Trophy, making three substitutions in the first four minutes to underline the ridiculousness of that competition.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Kyle Ferguson

Having sat out much of the start the season, summer signing centre half Kyle Ferguson has turned in some commanding performances in recent weeks, none more so than in the Glovers’ two most recent wins at Solihull Moors and at home to Woking.

Against a Tamworth side who are guaranteed to be physical on an artificial surface, the strength and heading ability of the Scotsman will be key to Yeovil’s chances of taking anything home from The Lamb Ground.

Kyle Ferguson. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Tamworth – Manny Duku

With four goals from his first nine appearances this season, it is hard to look beyond the 6’2″ frame of striker Duku as Tamworth’s danger man.

The Dutchman was released by Solihull Moors at the end of last season and ended up swapping places with fellow beanpole Dan Creaney, who moved to Solihull in the summer having scored 19 times for Tamworth last season.

In keeping with the team ethic on this Lambs’ side, Duku’s recent goal-scoring form is complimented by an ability to bring the side’s wide players in to the game.

THE GAFFER…

Tamworth manager Andy Peaks may not be a household name but he has proven himself to be a canny operator at National League level.

Having guided the Lambs to the National League North title in the 2023-24 season he led them to a tenth place finish in the Premier Division last season and added a run to the third round of the FA Cup where they faced Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.

Ahead of that tie, which followed League scalps in the form of Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, Peaks was handed a full-time contract and quit his job as a college support worker to do so.

It was a fitting reward for a remarkable performance since taking over in February 2022.

He saved the club from the drop in his first season in charge after leading the relegation-threatened Lambs to a 13-game unbeaten run, and then guided them to back-to-back promotions – first from the Southern League Premier Division – and then as the surprise winners of the National League North and last season’s impressive tenth place finish.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Yeovil remain unbeaten in all their matches against Tamworth, but before you get too carried away there have only been two games between the sides!

We last met in February when goals from Charlie Cooper and Frank Nouble earned a valuable 2-1 home win over the Lambs, fighting back from a first half goal from the visitors’ Rohan Maher to earn the three points.

The Glovers were held to a goalless draw on a miserable midweek at The Lamb Ground last October. Defender Morgan Williams picked up a red card and we lost midfielder Matt Worthington to an injury picked up before kick-off. Plastic pitches, we need say no more!

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There are no former Glovers in the Tamworth squad we will face this weekend.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Dale Baines, who officiated the home fixture we played against Tamworth last season, will be the man in the middle on Saturday. Read more about him – here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

Yeovil Town are back in action at Huish Park on Saturday as the Glovers face the difficult test of welcoming York City to Somerset.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The home side come into the game off the back of a win. However, this was the Glovers’ first three points since a 2–1 victory over Brackley in the third game of the season. The result did put to bed a three-game losing streak and ended a run of back-to-back matches where they had taken the lead, only to squander it.

In that last game against Solihull Moors on a very wet Tuesday night, Richard Dryden’s side played some good football in spells, though they made a poor Moors side look better than they were. It was at the end of a tentative first half from both teams that Yeovil took the lead, with a goal from Junior Morias. The ex-Peterborough man slotted the ball into the back of the net after a deflected shot from James Plant fell to him at the back post. The Glovers then saw out a tough second half in which Solihull threatened on several occasions.

Junior Morias opens the scoring.

A clean sheet and a lead kept was just what Yeovil needed after some disheartening results, but the visit of York will be no easy task.

York City

The Minstermen form has been solid with no defeats across their first four fixtures, with two win and two draws making some impressive reading. That good form to start the new campaign though wasn’t enough to keep former manager Adam Hinshelwood in a job, with Matt Uggla sacking him just over a week ago.

The Yorkshire side will be well rested for their visit to Huish Park having not played a game since Bank Holiday Monday, where they drew 1-1 with Woking. York were supposed to play Rochdale on the 30th August but the match was suspended due a Women’s Rugby World Cup fixture being played at the ground.

A fresh York side with a point to prove could be a scary prospect for the Glovers.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Jed Ward

We focussed on Jed ward at the start of the season as being a key player if Yeovil were going to get wins, and on Tuesday night he showed everyone why.

After a couple of games where he had shipped in a fair amount of goals that weren’t all his fault, many may have predicted that young goalies head could drop. To Ward’s credit he didn’t let the tough results get to him and put in a fine performance to not only help his side to a win against Solihull Moors but also to his first clean sheet of the season.

Jed Ward holds a shot during pre-match warm up.
Jed Ward. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

In a second half full of chances for the midlands side, the Bristol Rovers loanee made save after save to thwart Moors and predominantly striker Jacob Wakeling. Hopefully can produce the same kind of performance on Saturday.

York City – Hiram Boateng

Boateng is the sort of the midfielder every club dreams of, always available and instantly brings a presence to the middle of the park. The 29-year-old does the ugly things well, he regains possession, tackles well and is the starting point for many attacks.

Playing the majority of his career in a defensive midfield role, Boateng has a wealth of experience that York can count on. The British-Ghanian, has 301 appearances in League One and Two, with this being his first season in non league.

So far this season Boateng has been an ever present for The Minstermen, having not missed a minute of football. It will be an intriguing battle to see the former Mansfield man going up against Brett McGavin et al.

THE GAFFER…

Stuart Maynard has taken charge at York following the club’s decision to sack Adam Hinshelwood. A familiar name to many non-league followers, Maynard spent 10 years as a player, mostly in the lower tiers of non-league football.

He began his coaching career at Hemel Hempstead, the final club of his playing days. In 2012, the Tudors brought him in as assistant to former teammate Dean Brennan, and the pair built a strong partnership over six successful years. In 2018, they took over at Billericay Town as manager and assistant but left the club just four months later after the board terminated their contracts.

They then took charge at Kingstonian but chose to resign after five games, deciding the fit wasn’t right. Later, they joined Wealdstone during the COVID-shortened 2019–20 season and led the club to promotion as champions.

When Brennan stepped down in 2021, Maynard stepped up as manager. He impressed during his time at Wealdstone, which drew attention from Notts County in January last year. He accepted the County job and managed the side for just over a year. Despite leading the Magpies to the League Two Play-Off Semi-Finals, where they lost to AFC Wimbledon, the club chose to part ways with him shortly afterward.

Maynard has faced Yeovil five times in the past, winning one, drawing three, and losing one.

LAST TIME WE MET…

York have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, and Yeovil haven’t beaten them since 2016. In their most recent meeting, York earned a 1–0 win at Huish Park thanks to a penalty from star striker Ollie Pearce, who sealed all three points for the visitors.

Ollie Pearce slotting home his penalty. Picture by Gary Brown

When the two sides clashed at the LNER Community Stadium, York ran out 4–0 winners. Pearce caused problems for the Glovers once again, scoring a hat-trick, while Tyrese Sinclair also found the net. Yeovil finished the match with nine men after Finn Cousin-Dawson and Dom Bernard both received red cards.

Ollie Pearce flicks home his third

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

It looks like there are no ex-Yeovil players at The LNER. We know, unusual for Uggla.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

It will be Lewis Sandoe in the middle for the fixture on Saturday, with just one previous fixture at Huish Park. Read more here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

The fixtures are coming thick and fast for Yeovil Town, as they head to the Midlands for Tuesday night game against Solihull Moors.

FORM…

Yeovil Town

It hasn’t been a good start to the season for the Glovers. With six games under their belts, Yeovil have struggled to find their groove and manager Mark Cooper has paid the price.

On Saturday at FC Halifax Town, it was more of the same from a team lacking in confidence. Interim manager Richard Dryden put out a strong side to face the Yorkshire-men, and it looked positive for most of the first-half. That was until Owen Bray popped up to score the opening goal of the game for the home team.

Yeovil equalised through a Junior Morias penalty, before Harvey Greenslade put the visitors into the lead. However, for a second consecutive game, the Glovers squandered their lead, as Bray got his second. With 10 minutes left of the game, and Dryden’s men looking to get back on the road with a point, substitute Will Harris gave FC Halifax the lead and all three points.

The manager may have changed, but the results have not.

Yeovil Town's players jump on striker Harvey Greenslade after his 58th minute goal.
Yeovil Town celebrate Harvey Greenslade’s goal at FC Halifax Town on Saturday.

Solihull Moors

Believe it or not, Solihull have made an even worse start than Yeovil, they currently sit rock bottom of the Enterprise National League Premier Division. The season started off with draws in their first three fixtures, which included a 2-2 draw against Forest Green Rovers on the opening day, when they were down to ten men. However, since a 1-1 draw with Carlisle it has been a bit of a horror show for Moors conceding nine and scoring only two in the proceeding three games.

In their last match, at home to Southend, they lost 2-1 thanks to a brace from old boy Andrew Dallas with Solihull’s only goal coming through Dan Creaney.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town –Junior Morias

There is a reason why players who score earn the big money and Morias is definitely one of them. The well-travelled striker has shown throughout his career he knows where the goal is, and it hasn’t been any different here in Somerset. Before joining the Glovers in the summer, the 30-year-old was on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge from Notts County, where he contributed to a goal 14 times in 30 games, scoring 11 goals.

Junior Morias on the run.
Junior Morias. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Having joined up with Yeovil part-way through pre-season, Morias needing to to get up to speed, playing just 29 minutes in the first two games. It has been in the previous two fixtures though that former Peterborough man quality has really shone through, with two goals and an assist.

So far this term, Morias is playing in an attacking midfielder role, a position he has rarely played throughout his career. Normally in the role as centre-forward the Kingston man has found himself playing behind Harvey Greenslade, but the change in position seems to have helped both him and Greenslade to date.

Solihull Moors – Dan Creaney

The striker has so far been the main man in a rather disappointing Solihull Moors side, with two goal and an assist to his name. Creaney joined The Moors from Tamworth in the summer after an impressive scoring season last term. The striker bagged 19 goals to help keep Tamworth in the league and even played a part in his sides unforgettable FA Cup run.

As mentioned with Morias a man who can find the back of the net  consistently is a worth their weight in gold in any league, and especially in the National League and Creaney’s record shows how invaluable he will be to manager Matt Taylor.

THE GAFFER…

The man in the dug-out in the Solihull Moors is a familiar face in the shape of former Portsmouth player, Matt Taylor. As a player, he was known for scoring what can only be described as ‘belters’, he was a peak Barclaysman. Taylor, played predominantly as a left sided midfielder for Portsmouth, Bolton, West Ham and Burnley making over 300 appearances in the Premier League.

Now as manager, the 43-year-old hasn’t had the same longevity at clubs as did as player, with his longest stint at coming at Shrewsbury Town where lasted 35 games. Taylor, first step into management came at Walsall in 2021 where he managed for just under a year. After some time out of the game, he returned to management at Shrewsbury, lasting half a season. He then joined Wealdstone a couple of months later, where he again got the chop before becoming manager at Solihull in the summer.

During his career as a manager, Taylor has faced Yeovil twice, losing both games – most recently last March when the Glovers ran out 3-0 winners at Damson Park.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The sides last met in March when Yeovil ran out 3-0 winners at Damson Park. The Glovers took the lead that day through Josh Sims in the 28th minute. It was then in the second half where Yeovil went through the gears, doubling their lead when Sims found Ciaran McGuckin on 50 minutes. The win was sealed six minutes later when Alex Whittle popped up with a spectacular finish from outside the box to make it 0-3.

Ciaran McGuckin celebrates Yeovil’s second goal.

With the return fixture, seeing Solihull win 1-0 at Huish Park thanks to a goal from Connor Wilkinson.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Emmanuel Sonupe anyone? Remember him? No? The former Tottenham Hotspur academy midfielder who was going to be the next big thing when Darren Sarll brought him to Huish Park in November 2020. He played 15 matches, scored twice and left at the end of the season before going to play for Dartford and then had spells in the USA and UAE.

Well, he signed for Solihull last week and appeared as an 82nd minute substitute in their 2-1 defeat at home to Southend United on Saturday.

Emmanuel Sonupe, remember him now? Still no? Okay.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Saturday’s fixture will see Harrison Blair take charge of his first Gllovers’ game. For more information on the match officials, read Ben’s article here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

Managerless Yeovil Town will travel up to West Yorkshire on Saturday to face FC Halifax Town, who sit one place below them in the league table

FORM…

Yeovil Town

It’s the first game for Yeovil in two-and-a-half seasons without Mark Cooper at the helm. Cooper’s sacking is directly linked to their form in the calendar which has seen them pick up just six wins. The poor run of form at the end of last season carried into the first five games of the current campaign and the new Glovers hierarchy disposed of him on Tuesday.

It comes after one win to begin the season and a real Jekyll and Hyde performance against Gateshead at Huish Parkon Monday. The Glovers stormed into a 3-0 going into the half-time against Gateshead, thanks to goals from Josh Sims, Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade.

Harvey Greenslade celebrates with Junior Morias.
It was all smiles for Yeovil Town after a scintallating first half display against Gateshead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

But, the performance in the second half was every bit as bad as the first 45 minutes had been good. Gateshead got a foothold in the game as early as the 46th minute and an injury time winner sealed a dramatic comeback to win 4-3 and seal Cooper’s fate.

The club’s ownership is now actively looking for a new manager with coach Richard Dryden given responsibility for first team affairs starting with the trip to Halifax.

FC Halifax Town

The Shaymen are also in a little bit of a rut at the moment, with the exact same form as their opponents on Saturday, one win, three losses and a draw.

Last time out for the Yorkshire side saw them get respectable 1-1 draw away to Scunthorpe United. The first half of that match was a cagey affair with no team taking their chances. A red card for Scunthorpe however just before half-time did little to change the complexion of the game. It was seven minutes into the second 45 when Halifax conceded to go 1-0 down, however they responded three minutes later with a goal from David Kawa.

The have not scored more than a goal in a game this season, so if Yeovil can replicate their first-half performance against Gateshead, it could be difficult for the Halifax to respond.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Harvey Greenslade

After Saturday’s dismal display, it is hard to pick anyone as the man to watch for the Glovers. But if one player does deserve to keep his place in the side, it is striker Harvey Greenslade.

Another player who has a turbulent start to life at Huish Park. Joining from Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2024, the 21-year-old only played a bit part for Cooper to begin the season. A loan spell at Weston-Super-Mare over the festive period looked to spell the end of Greenslade’s time at Yeovil. Before rejoining his parent club for the remainder of the campaign, again only playing a bit part role.

However, the season has look to have rejuvenated the strikers form, with him playing 203 minutes across the opening five fixtures, already a quarter of the minutes he amassed last term. A strong performance and a goal last time out will hopefully see Greenslade push on for this season where he can help lead the line for the Glovers.

Harvey Greenslade celebrates a goal.
Harvey Greenslade celebrates scoring his first goal of the season against Gateshead on Bank Holiday Monday. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Halifax Town – David Kawa

A summer signing from National League South side, striker David Kawa has already shown he is able to cut it at a higher level with two goals and an assist in his first five matches at Premier Division level.

Not only is a goal involvement every 162 minutes impressive, it’s the fact two of the contributions has led to his team getting crucial points. It also means he has been a part of 75% of his teams goals so far this term.

 

THE GAFFER…

Although he may only be 40 years old,new  Halifax boss Adam Lakeland has a lot of experience in management. He began his coaching career at Blackburn Rovers Women before gaining back-to-back promotions , where he stayed until 2011. It was as first-team coach of Curzon Ashton where Lakeland first made his foray into the men’s side of the game, gaining back-to-back promotions with them.

In 2016, he moved in to frontline management at to Northwich Victoria igetting them to the Northern Premier League One Division North play-off final, after being in charge for only six months and, following a break from the game, he achieved another play-off finish at Farsley Celtic before getting them promoted to National League North in 2019.

His job prior to joining Halifax was at King’s Lynn who he guided to the National League North play-offs last season before being appointed at The Shay following the departure of long-serving boss Chris Millington at the end of last season.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The Shay has not been a happy hunting ground for Yeovil in recent years. In our last visit there in March, an early goal from winger Angelo Capello was enough to give the home side three points on a beach of a surface. In fact, you have to go back to September 2019 to find out last win there with a brace from Gold Omotayo sealing the three points.

The surface at The Shay has been replaced by a semi-plastic surface over the summer, so hopefully a less dreadful surface will herald better luck for the Glovers.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There are no former Glovers representing The Shaymen this season.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Saturday’s fixture will see Richard Aspinall take charge of his first Yeovil game. For more information on the match officials, read Ben’s article here.

By:
On:
In: Match Previews

Yeovil Town will play their third game in a week, as they take on Gateshead on Monday afternoon in the league.

FORM…

Yeovil Town

Another match day, another reason to start to getting worried about the form of the Glovers. Yes, it’s only been four games but in those four games Yeovil have looked void of ideas up front. Mark Cooper’s wish of having a small squad looks like it could come back to bite him if his side succumb to a third defeat of the season.

In their last game, on Saturday, the Glovers were defensively solid for 77 minutes until Braintree forward Sahid Kamara bagged the only goal of the game to move his side above the Yeovil in the table. It was going forward where the Glovers lacked any real momentum, with the attacking players frustrating the travelling fans once again with very limited chances.

Yeovil look to attack against Braintree.

Gateshead FC

A long trip down from the Northeast for Gateshead await them as they look to put back-to-back wins together. In their first four games of the new campaign, The Tynesiders have looked shaky at best with two wins and two losses to their name. Two heavy defeats to promotion favourites, Southend and Rochdale, have shown the vulnerabilities that Yeovil could look to exploit. On the flip side, the Head have beaten Eastleigh and Tamworth respectively.

Last time out saw them bag the second of their two wins, coming in the form of a 2-0 win at home to Tamworth. William Richard Flint got a brace for Gateshead on Saturday to send his team home with all three points.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Jake Wannell

Jake Wannell has been a bit of a stalwart at centre back for Yeovil since joining from Somerset rivals, Taunton, in 2023. It has been in the last nine months however that Wannell has really stepped up for his team. With long time club captain Matt Worthington leaving for pastures new, the 31-year-old defender took his place as captain for the remainder of the season. Over the summer Cooper has since made Wannell club captain on a permanent basis.

Jake Wannell leads Yeovil Town's players on to the pitch.
Captain Jake Wannell leads out Yeovil Town. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

On the pitch, the defender has improved considerably since taking on more responsibility, not to say he wasn’t already a good player. As well as being a leader on the pitch, he has also been very dependable compared to his centre back partners in Finn Cousin-Dawson and Morgan Williams who have both shad injury problems and dips in form.

After Worthington left it look like we may miss his passion and leadership, but in Wannell the Glovers have definitely found a capable replacement.

Gateshead – Harry Chapman

Chapman has been a bit of a journeyman for someone of his spritely age of 27, playing for nine clubs in total. He can play on either wing or just behind the striker, making him a very useful utility man. Although the majority of his career has been spent in League One and below, Chapman had a strong youth career culminating in winning the Under 20s World Cup with England, a squad that included the likes of Dean Henderson, Ezri Konsa, Ademola Lookman and Dominic Solanke to name a few.

Chapman joined The Tynesiders this summer from last years champions Barnet. The attacking midfielder has started all four games under new manager Alun Armstrong, contributing to one goal so far. Last season, he didn’t have the best of luck getting into a strong squad making just 22 appearances for the Bees.

THE GAFFER…

Alun Armstrong will be the man taking on Mark Cooper and the two have a bit in common, with both bosses having managed Darlington although in there different incarnations.

As a player Armstrong started his career at Newcastle but it was his 160 appearances for Stockport County where made his name. After his four years in Greater Manchester, the Gateshead born forward moved back to the Northeast to play for Middlesborough, before travelling around for the last seven years of his career.

As a manager, this is only Armstrong’s third team having had long successful spells at Blyth Spartans, and Darlington. After a couple of years as Head of Elite Performance at Gateshead College, Armstrong became manager of the Head over the past summer.

This will be the first time Armstrong will have faced Yeovil.

LAST TIME WE MET…

When the two side last faced of in January, it was a goalless draw on cold Friday night. That night the Glovers didn’t have the rub of the green with two efforts hitting the woodwork and a Kofi Shaw shot blocked in the six-yard box.

Finn Cousin-Dawson goes close for Yeovil v Gateshead
Pic Gary Brown

The game earlier in the season was more of a an entertaining affair even if Yeovil came out second best, losing 3-1. The Glovers goal that day coming through Aaron Jarvis.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Just the one player again for Glovers to look out for and that is former fan favourite, Frank Nouble.

Frank Nouble – Nouble played his part in the National League South winning season as he was the focal point in attack for Mark Cooper that season. It was halfway through last year when things started going south for Nouble at Huish Park so he decided to go North to Gateshead. It is unclear what happened between the striker and his former manager but if social media is anything to go off, there is no love lost between the two.

Frank Nouble was back in the starting line-up and wearing the captain’s armband again.

Nouble signed for Yeovil in 2023 fromTorquay before leaving in March in 2025. During his near two year stay at Yeovil, Nouble played 83 times scoring 14 goals.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Monday’s bank holiday fixture will see Harry Wager as the man in the middle. The last time he officiated a Yeovil match, he sent off Otis Khan in April. Read more about the officials for Gateshead here: Match Officials Gateshead (H).

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

Yeovil Town kick off the August Bank Holiday double header on Saturday with a trip to Essex to face Braintree Town.

Form…

Yeovil Town

Three games into the season and teams are starting to see where they are in terms of quality against other teams in the league. For Yeovil it has been a mixed start to the National League Premier Division season, which is shown in the form as they have drawn, lost and won their opening three fixtures.

Last time out the Glovers faced newly-promoted Brackley Town beating the Saints 2-1 at Huish Park on Wednesday night. Goals from Josh Sims and Ben Wodskou secured the first three points of the season for the team. A late goal from Brackley’s Tyler Lyttle gave the Glovers a scare but they got to the final whistle.

On loan Birmingham City striker Ben Wodskou was Yeovil’s hero on Wednesday night.

Braintree Town

The Iron start to the season hasn’t been to dissimilar to that of Yeovil’s. The Essex club have won one game and lost two and they sit just below the Glovers in the table.

Having started the campaign with an impressive 3-0 win at home to FC Halifax Town, followed by another win at the Rare Breeds Meat Company Stadium over Leicester City’s kids in the National League Cup, they have lost their last two matches.

A defeat at Hartlepool United last weekend was followed by a 2-1 loss at Boreham Wood in midweek. Probably more worryingly than the results is the fact they have had a player sent off in both fixtures. In their last game, it was former Glovers’ loanee Frankie Terry who was shown red, ruling him out from facing his former team-mates at the weekend.

The game will be big for both sides as each team could use it as a platform to kick on for the season.

Key Players…

Yeovil Town – Josh Sims

Sims has had an odd start to life in Somerset. Joining around this time last year on free, the former Southampton man was seen as a big coup for the Glovers, however his performances last term led many to believe he would be leaving over the summer having seemingly fallen out of Yeovil boss Mark Cooper’s plans towards the end of the campaign.

Josh Sims breaks away.
Josh Sims breaks away. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

However, this season has seen a rejuvenated Sims. He has starting all three games and playing two full 90 minutes and one 81 minutes so far. Against Brackley, the 28-year-old found the net for Yeovil’s first goal of the season and bagging a sack of spuds in the process.

If Sims can maintain this form he could be just what Yeovil need to improve on last year’s position.

Braintree Town – John Akinde

The forward is very much a nomadic character in the lower echelons of English football, playing for no more than 17 clubs in his 19 year career. Playing the majority of his career as a centre forward Akinde has bagged 182 goals and set up 70 goals for his team mates.

Although he hasn’t found the net yet this season, the 36-year-old did captain his side last time out and will looking to break his duck this season. He scored ten for The Iron in the National League last season – including the opening goal at Huish Park back in December.

John Akinde puts Braintree Town ahead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The Gaffer….

Steve Pitt is the man faced with out witting Mark Cooper on Saturday as he takes charge of his second match against Yeovil.  Pitt’s only previous game against the Glovers, he lost 3-1 at Huish Park.

In his career the 64-year-old hasn’t left Essex with a spells as manager of Clacton and then Leighton before moving into the role of Director of Football at Heybridge Swift in 2016. Then in 2020, he joined Chelmsford in the same role before leaving Billericay’s Director of Football a year later.

He moved on again after just a year in that role to become Angelo Harrop‘s number two at Braintree, where he enjoyed early success with Harrop. After the young manager’s sacking in November last year, Pitt took over in the December for his first managerial role in 14 years and he did it with some success finishing 17th, one place about Yeovil and three points adrift of the relegation places.

Two of those wins came against eventual champions Barnet and promotion-chasing York City, so let’s put some respect on those.

Last Time We Met…

These two sides last faced each other just before Christmas last year. The game finished 3-1 to the Glovers, with goals from Aaron Jarvis, on loan defender Ed James, and a late strike from Brett McGavin.

When the two sides last met in Essex, it finished 0-1 to Yeovil with Morgan Williams bagging the only goal.

Morgan Williams wheels away as the ball nestles in to the Braintree net.

Don’t I Know You?

Just the one this week for ex-Glovers to look out for, in the shape of centre-back Frankie Terry – but you’ll need to look in the stands for him.

Frankie Terry – The Colchester United defender spent time on loan at Huish Park last season, making 10 appearances for the club. Terry is also the son of former Glovers midfielder, Paul. As mentioned above, he’ll be unavailable through suspension following his red card at Boreham Wood on Wednesday.

Man In The Middle…

The man in charge of the officials is Peter Wright who last took charge of a Yeovil game six years ago. Read here more information on the officials.