Callum Gould

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It is a return to home surroundings for Yeovil Town this weekend as AFC Fylde visit Huish Park for the unusual spectacle (this season, at least) of a 3pm kick-off on a Saturday.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers got their first taste of defeat this season in their last outing. Having been 2-0 up with an hour played at Southend United, they were blown away by a rampant home side who roared back to claim a 3-2 win with three goals in 19 minutes.

It was a game which manager Billy Rowley admitted his side were second best in. And after a unheralded start to the season the result may have been a bit of a reality check to supporters and staff alike that we do have a long way to go if we want to compete at the very top end of the table.

That being said there are always some bright moments in defeat, and I don’t think it should be overlooked that we were 2-0 up, whilst being second best. The fact we actually scored twice is a positive as well, after a couple of years, with lets say some non goalscoring attacking players, it’s good to see we have got players who know where the net is. The third being Luke McCormick, that’s all I need to say.

AFC FYLDE

If Yeovil’s start to the new season has surprised a few non-League football watchers, AFC Fylde’s will have equally raised a few eyebrows. The Lancashire side arrive in Somerset with an identical record to their hosts – P6, W3, D2, L1 – and sitting in sixth place in the early season table – not that we look at that until the end of the month, of course.

Wins away at Tamworth and Solihull Moors and a home victory over Forest Green Rovers show they will be no pushovers, but there is perhaps a chink in the armour in scoring late. Their only defeat came at Woking when two goals in second half stoppage time was their downfall, and last weekend they were leading fellow new boys Worthing until the 89th minute.

The Coasters returned to the National League Premier Division after one season away in some style, winning the National League North with 100 points and having scored 112 goals. Under new manager Craig Mahon, who joined them having worked miracles at unfashionable Curzon Ashton, they finished five points clear of South Shields in a competitive division.

Their top scorer, Danny Ormerod, who bagged more than 30 goals in all competitions, was snapped up by League One side Peterborough United for a fee of £600,000 plus add ons at the end of August, but there are plenty of goals still in the side in the like of Luca Main, who scored twice against Worthing last Saturday, and full-back turned winger, Harvey Broad, who already has four for the season.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – BRETT MCGAVIN

It’s the turn of another member of the midfield trio with brilliant locks of hair, and that’s Brett McGavin. As much as the praise has been toward his captain and midfield partner, Luke McCormick this season, McGavin is quietly going about his business in a spectacular way.

Even playing with a stomach upset in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Southend where manager Billy Rowley said the midfielder was “a bit of a shadow of himself”, McGavin was at the heart of the control Yeovil had on the game and that ebbed when he was substituted after an hour.

The 26-year-old has been as effective as ever for the Glovers and is making his mark on the team once again. Others may get the goals but the former Torquay man has played his role perfectly, providing three assists so far this campaign, and that’s where McGavin has excelled this season in his passing. The midfielder so far this season has been averaging 52 passes a match, 10 more than his closest teammate Ben Radcliffe. Of those 52 passes in a match 1.5 are considered key, the most of anyone in the team.

Defensively he has been just as influential, as he sits back whilst over go forward. This has led to him recovering the ball 8 times a match and is rarely dribbled past. What does this mean in the grand scheme of things? It means Billy Rowley has found his midfield lynchpin, the Mr Reliable, a lower league Rodri if you will.

Brett McGavin. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

AFC FYLDE – HARVEY BROAD

The ‘defender’ has been by far and away the most impactful player in the Coasters side this season, featuring heavily in the attacking stats. At 20-years-old, Broad is one of the younger players in the team, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.

When looking at Fylde’s goal scoring stats this campaign it’s Broad’s name that sits atop the list with four goals, he currently lies second on the assist chart as well with two to his name. In fact the last time he didn’t contribute to single goal in a game was in the opening fixture vs Tamworth.

Broad is listed as a defender but so far this season has been deployed down the left side of midfield. This role change under Craig Mahon has been effective with his contributions in the final third. If there is one weakness of the youngster that Yeovil may look to exploit is that he doesn’t get back much to do the defensive work, so any balls in behind him could leave Fylde’s defence a tiny bit exposed.

THE GAFFER…

Craig Mahon took over at AFC Fylde following their relegation out of the National League at the end of the 2024-25 season with a strong reputation from his first managerial role at unfashionable National League North side Curzon Ashton.

He brought an attack-minded style of play to the Lancashire club and finished last season as champions of the North with 100 points and 112 goals in their 46 league games. Under the Irishman, Fylde have adopted a possession-based style not dissimilar to that we are seeing at Yeovil under Billy Rowley.

As a player, he made more than 200 appearances at Chester in a career in non-League football before joining the coaching staff at Curzon Ashton. Having briefly held a role in interim charge at the Manchester club, he took the job permanently in 2023 and guided them to the highest-ever points tally in the North in 2024-25 before leaving to join Fylde.

LAST TIME WE MET…

When these two sides last met in the 2024-25 season, both games were memorable for different reasons – but both ended with the Glovers on top.

Striker Harvey Greenslade bagged the only goal in a 1-0 home win for Yeovil in March 2025 when he struck in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time. That match saw Mark Cooper’s side struggle to break down a resilient Fylde before the substitute grabbed a late winner.

But even that drama is topped by the ding-dong encounter the two sides had when they met in Lancashire in September 2024. Having been 2-0 down at half-time, the two sides traded blows throughout a gripping second half with ended with debutant Dom Bernard grabbing an 87th minute winner for the visitors to seal a 4-3 win.

Harvey Greenslade in a Yeovil town shirt
Harvey Greenslade celebrates his late winner against Fylde in March 2025.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

A Thursday afternoon signing has set up the return of striker Millar Matthews-Lewis to Huish Park. Remember him? Don’t worry, you are forgiven.

The 21-year-old striker played 120 minutes in a six-game loan spell after signing on loan from Burton Albion last March when the Glovers were desperately short on numbers and even shorter on goals. He arrived with an impressive scoring record for Hemel Hempstead Town in National League North which earned him his move to the League.

In fairness, the situation made it an uphill struggle for the player who did made a substitute appearance for his parent club in the League Cup around a month ago – but he was fairly forgettable in green-and-white. Don’t say it!

Miller Matthews-Lewis appears for the game at Gateshead last season, he started and was substituted after 29 minutes.
After MLM, it’s a tale of two Whelans for the Glovers’ old boys returning to Huish Park. But only captain and defender Corey Whelan is expected to start this one with midfielder Tom Whelan expected to miss out through injury.

Corey made 11 appearances during a loan spell from Liverpool in the 2017-18 season whilst Tom is a more recent face having made just eight appearances in Yeovil’s first season back in non-League in 2019-20.

The missing midfielder’s absence is a major blow for Fylde having been one of the stand-out performers in their charge to the National League North title last season.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Paul Marsden is our match official this weekend and……well, we will leave you to find out more about him Ben’s article – here.

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Yeovil Town will travel to Essex on Saturday lunchtime as they take on Southend United in what should be an interesting affair against one of the most highly-fancied sides in the division.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers will be hoping to carry on their fine start to the season when they take on one of the division’s pre-season promotion favourites, Southend United, in Saturday’s National League lunchtime kick-off.It’s been an unbeaten start for the Glovers this season with three wins and two draws, the latter more highly-fancied opposition in Scunthorpe United and Carlisle United. It is the best start the club have made since the 1990-1991 season in the GM Vauxhall Conference and they actually went seven games unbeaten that year.

In their most recent fixture, Yeovil showed plenty of the class which has seen them make an impressive start to the season with some scintillating forward play in the 3-2 home win over Tamworth on Bank Holiday Monday.

Luke McCormick once again showed his class when opening the scoring, before Tamworth pegged the home side back through Jacob Hutchinson. It was in the second half when Yeovil really stepped up a gear and got their second through tricky winger Mason Obeng. Ryan Jones then rounded off the Glovers scoring exploits in the 66th minute, only for Kieren Donnelly to halve the deficit two minutes later. However, Yeovil held on to claim another three points.

Yeovil Town celebrate Mason Obeng’s goal against Tamworth. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

SOUTHEND UNITED

The Shrimpers have not made a bad start to the new season have just a point fewer than Yeovil after the opening five games of the National League season.

One of the bookies’ favourites for promotion and just one defeat in their opening five means they are living up to this billing. The first three games looked somewhat easy for Southend as they dispatched both Altrincham and Solihull Moors away from home, whilst also beating Scunthorpe 1-0 at Root’s Hall.

It was over the recent August bank holiday weekend though that things got a bit tough for the Shrimpers, first losing 3-1 at home to Kidderminster on Friday night, then drawing 1-1 to Woking most recently. The last two games may have not been what the fans have expected but Kieron Dyer’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE MCCORMICK

We’re five games into the season and I have already picked a player twice, and surprise, surprise it’s Captain McCormick. The midfielder leads by example, controls the game very well and seems to score goals for fun. Don’t get me wrong, without everyone else doing their jobs well, the 27-year-old wouldn’t be able to push forward like he does to grab goals.

Luke McCormick celebrates with Brett McGavin. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

However, the former Bristol Rovers man is also the captain and that comes with a lot of responsibility. They have to lead the team, and he does that perfectly, he constantly directs the play, is not afraid to the dirty work and bosses people about when needed. That’s what you need in a midfielder in this league and a captain, someone who can grab the match by the scruff of its neck and not settle. One thing I can promise you is I won’t be choosing him next week even if he does score a hat-trick.

SOUTHEND UNITED – OLI COKER

It could be a very interesting battle at lunch time on Saturday in the middle of the park, with captain Oli Coker impressing so far this season for the Shrimpers. The 23-year-old has himself bagged two goals this season with one assist to go with it, but he like McCormick does the defending well too.

We’ll get on to his attacking in a minute, but for Coker he very much likes to sit on the right side of midfield for Southend, controlling the game from there and spreading the play. Looking at his long ball accuracy to date, the youngster has completed 52% he has tried, showing that he’s not worried to go long if needed.

It’s his attacking that needs to be looked at though, as he doesn’t seem to get into the opposition box as much as say McCormick but yet has scored twice already this season. With him focusing play in the right centre midfield channel, the battle between him and McCormick on Yeovil’s left could be where the game is won and lost.

THE GAFFER…

Kieron Dyer is one National League manager who needs little introduction to the average supporter. The former Newcastle United player took on his first frontline coaching role as he replaced Kevin Maher, the boss who was sacked just 48 hours after guiding the club to an FA Trophy win back in May – but crucially failing to win Southend promotion back to the League.

The 47-year-old has had plenty of experience as a coach prior to arriving in Essex having served under Paul Cook at League Two Chesterfield and previously at Ipswich Town, where he began his career as a player.

It is as a player that many will remember Dyer’s name however, first of all coming up through the ranks at Ipswich Town before being sold to Newcastle United for £6 million in 1999. It was during his eight-year spell in the North East that the former England international made a name for himself – and not always in a good way.

In what is now a very famous Premier League moment, Dyer found himself in a punch up with team-mate Lee Bowyer in a match against Aston Villa in 2005. With the two having to be separated by both sets of players, with both men receiving bans from the FA. Hopefully there will be no scraps on the touchline with Billy Rowley on Saturday!

This will be Dyer’s first game in charge against Yeovil.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two teams last met in March after the fixture was rescheduled for the sides. It was a mild-ish Spring evening at Roots Hall, as the Glovers succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.

Goal-scoring full-back Gus Scott-Morriss, who left the Shrimpers to join Oldham Athletic in the summer, opened the scoring in the fourth minute before former captain Jake Wannell levelled just after an hour with an sumptuous strike. But, it was Southend who took the three points with Keenan Appiah-Forson nicking the winner with six minutes to go.

Jed Ward is helpless to keep out Gus Scott-Morriss’ opener back in March.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Remember Lewys Twamley? The Welsh winger signed from Merthyr Town midway through the 2024-25 season and looked half decent when given the chance?
Well, in what seems another Mark Cooper ‘disasterclass’, following his unceremonious release six months after arriving at Huish Park the 23-year-old headed back to Merthyr only to be picked up by Southend a year later having scored 16 goals in 46 appearances in National League North last season.
The 22-year-old made his first start under Kieron Dyer in the 1-1 draw at Woking on Monday having appeared off the substitutes’ bench a further three times.
Lewys Twamley. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Tolu Sangowawa will take charge of his first match involving Yeovil Town this weekend. To find out more about the man in black, check out Ben’s article – here.

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It’s a quick turnaround for National League clubs as Bank Holiday Monday football comes to Huish Park with the visit of Tamworth.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers have had a brilliant start to the season. Eight points from four games, seven goals scored and only three conceded. If we’re being honest, none of the fan base expected this start, surely? And out of the 24 teams in the National League, only three remain unbeaten, and Yeovil are one of them.

The early-season worries of conceding late on have eased slightly, even if Friday night was touch and go, but the team is showing real progression. That is the most refreshing thing about watching this Yeovil side. Not since probably Darren Sarll’s first season at the club have I been this excited about the journey that could be ahead.

However, we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. It is only four games into the new campaign and there is still a lot that can happen, but the early signs are encouraging. Our2-1 away win at Barrow on Friday night showed us everything about this team in just 90 minutes. They dug deep, showed quality in the final third and, defensively, we are solid, even if there are some areas for improvement. It also showed that our midfield is more than just three guys with great hair.

All jokes aside, Brett McGavin, Luke McCormick and Zain Westbrooke (a new member added to the boyband) add control, stability and a foundation from which to play forwards, something that has been missing for years now.

Yeovil Town celebrate with the travelling supporters at full time in Barrow.

TAMWORTH

If you thought the end of our match at Barrow on Friday night was dramatic, Tamworth went one better as they picked up their first win of the season at home to newly-promoted Worthing.

The Lambs scored twice in stoppage time at the end of the game including a winner in the eighth minute of time added on when their opponents were down to nine men and having led twice. It was a textbook Tamworth never-say-die performance and when midfielder Nathan Tshikuna levelled with a penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time they pressed for the winner which came through Morgan Roberts, a summer signing from Brackley Town.

Boss Andy Peaks admitted the first win was important. He said: “It’s massive, we needed something today having lost the last two games and now you look at our league position, we have four points from four games and it is a lot healthier. Yeovil away is always a tough fixture, it has not always been the best place to go for us, it’s a big pitch and they actually have a good team this year, so that could be really hard. But to get this first win gives everyone a lift.”

Roberts’ winner is not even the latest goal Tamworth have scored this season, on the opening day midfielder Ben Milnes converted a penalty in the 12th minute of stoppage time to earn a 3-3 draw at Boreham Wood. Since then, they lost at home to AFC Fylde and were beaten 4-1 at FC Halifax Town before the late win over Worthing.

Off-the-pitch, our opponents today have had takeover with Abdullah Ashraf, a 24-year-old businessman from the US, targeting EFL football and promising to buy their stadium (sound familiar, Glovers?) in the summer. The new owner has backed manager Peaks bringing in a flurry of new faces including experienced defender Tom Parkes, midfielder Tshikuna from Wealdstone, and three players from Brackley in full-backs Tyler Lyttle and Riccardo Calder as well as Roberts.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – RYAN JONES

The whole team could be in here at the moment, and to be honest, I was stuck between Jones and Josh Barker after his spectacular night in Cumbria (sorry, Dave). But the 24-year-old Jones has been amazing over these first four games.

In the opening two fixtures, the former Aldershot Town man showed his quality in the forward areas, providing two assists in those two games. We knew when signing him from the Hampshire side that he had that bit of quality, and we saw it when he first joined.

Ryan Jones. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

In the two games since Carlisle, the winger may not have got on the scoresheet, but he has provided an outlet on the right that has caused opposition left-backs real trouble. Even on Friday night, when he was subbed off after 47 minutes, which felt a bit harsh, he had played to a good standard.

The cause for concern for Rowley would have been that he wasn’t providing the same outlet he had been in the opening games, so he wanted to switch things up. Besides that really minor blip, Jones could become the team’s main playmaker out on that right flank.

TAMWORTH – KIERAN DONNELLY

I know it’s easy to go with the top scorer in the side as the key player, but the 25-year-old really is a difference-maker up top. Now, I am happy with Yeovil’s options at striker, but after looking at Donnelly’s stats, I’m surprised we weren’t looking at him this off-season. The Lambs signed the frontman from Boston United, where he didn’t get much of a look in and was loaned out to Kidderminster Harriers. And it’s his form at Kiddy that really piques my interest.

Donnelly scored eight goals in 15 appearances for the Midlands side at the back end of last season, helping push them to promotion from the National League North, with one of his contributions coming in the play-off final against South Shields. That incredible form has carried on into the new campaign with his new side, where he has already bagged himself three goals.

If there is anything you could discredit the striker for, it’s that he hasn’t found the net in the last two games. But, to caveat that, he did score twice on the opening day in a 3-3 draw against a quality Boreham Wood side. The Glovers’ backline need to be on high alert to deal with the Lambs’ talisman.

THE GAFFER…

Andy Peaks is a bit of a stalwart when it comes to being a club’s manager, having only ever managed two clubs in his 13-year career. That is no slight on the former defender and shows that he is very good at what he does. It was at his former club, Rushden & Diamonds, where the 55-year-old established himself, first as a player and then as a manager.

During his playing days in the semi-professional ranks, Peaks spent six years at the Midlands club before moving around multiple clubs in the area for another 10 years before retiring in 2008. After spells at AFC Long Buckby, Daventry Town and Rushden & Diamonds as an assistant manager, it was at Nene Park where he got his breakthrough and was offered the top job in 2013. Over the next 10 years, Peaks solidified the Diamonds’ position and never looked like leaving.

It was then in 2022 that the then 51-year-old decided to step out of his comfort zone and become the manager of Tamworth, where he has now been for five years. His record against the Glovers doesn’t read the best, having faced us four times, winning once, drawing once and losing twice.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The last time the two sides met was in a rescheduled fixture at Huish Park in March. That day, the Glovers strolled to a 2-0 win, with goals either side of half-time.

Ryan Jones got the first on 40 minutes after a scintillating run from the winger took him past his man before he coolly finished past the keeper. Declan Skura was also on the scoresheet that night, with another brilliant goal to boot.

Brett McGavin, as always, produced a free-kick of the highest quality, which was tipped onto the bar by Jasbir Singh. The ball fell to the edge of the area, where Skura was waiting to strike it on the half-volley past the unfortunate Singh.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Tom Parkes is probably a player better known as an opponent for Yeovil Town in recent years. The towering centre-half joined Tamworth from Hartlepool United having had a career including four years at Bristol Rovers, but had a very brief loan spell at Huish Park whilst a Leicester City player in the 2010-11 season, making just two appearances.

In one of his more recent appearances against the Glovers, Parkes used all his experience to tumble inside the box and win a penalty for Hartlepool in December 2024.

Went down easy for a big man. Parkes wins a penalty for Hartlepool. Picture courtesy of Frank Reid.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Matthew Scholes is our match official for this game, to find out more about the man in black check out Ben’s article – here.

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After the joy of Saturday lunchtime football last weekend, the National League fixture computer (sponsored by DAZN) is serving up Friday night football as Yeovil Town make the long journey to face Barrow.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers have been in fine form to start the season, with two draws and a win to kick things off. Not only have the results been good but the performances have been ones for fans to get behind. 

That was shown last time out as Yeovil took on Gateshead at Huish Park. In what has been a bit of a dodgy fixture for the Glovers in recent times, this team had no such worries, dispatching their rivals 3-0 with a more than competent performance. Striker Ste Walker made it two in two as he put the home side ahead early on, the game then became Yeovil’s for the taking and on 81 minutes captain fantastic, Luke McCormick popped up to double the lead for Yeovil. The game wasn’t over there for the home side or McCormick as he bagged his brace in the 90th minute to secure all three points.

Yeovil Town goal-scorers Luke McCormick and Ste Walker celebrate in the 3-0 home win over Gateshead. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

BARROW

Following relegation out of the Football League on the final day of last season, the summer has found National League old new boys Barrow starting to enjoy themselves again.

Having got rid of former Glovers’ legend Sam Foley, who took the wheel at an already sinking ship in Cumbria Lancashire (ignore the road signs!) at the end of last season, the Bluebirds brought in Adam Murray as manager, fresh from the success of guiding Kidderminster Harriers to promotion from National League North.

He managed to retain a number of those worth keeping from last season, but his forthright comments about finding a club which was “an absolute shambles” and warning of the “poison” of a losing mentality suggest he has not quite got it how he wants it.

On the pitch, things went well in pre-season with Barrow going unbeaten with wins over EFL sides Blackpool and Murray’s old club Mansfield Town, but the opening day of the National League season saw them lose 2-0 at highly-fancied Hartlepool United and then suffer a 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Hornchurch. The latter sparked the type of comments listed above from the manager.

However, in their most recent outing, they performed much better at Harrogate Town to grab a 2-2 draw with a last gasp equaliser on Saturday. The physical style which Murray has advocated since his arrival in the hot seat saw him earn some criticism from opposing fans captured on camera in his post-match interview. “That’s the biggest compliment I can take,” was his reply.

There are some familiar faces in the Barrow squad to knows who have watched the National League in recent seasons. Striker Alex Reid has arrived from Hartlepool – albeit he has only been used as a substitute so far – along with Halifax defender Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Altrincham duo Issac Marriott and Olly Crankshaw. The Bluebirds also snapped up Gateshead midfielder Keaton Ward in a move only announced ahead of kick-off last weekend.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK

Having had his campaign cut short by injury last year, the Glovers’ new captain has once again started this season like a train. Even if his name didn’t appear on the stat sheet across the first two games, the captain made sure he did during the win over Gateshead. 

Luke McCormick of Yeovil Town
Luke McCormick
Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

The combative midfielder looked every part of the player he was before a season ending injury last term, bringing energy to the midfield with that finishing touch that led him to win top goal scorer. It was after a small coming together with former teammate Kyle Ferguson that seemed to spark a light under the 27-year-old. A couple of minutes later he got his name on the scoresheet for the first time this season, before doubling that in stoppage time. 

Yeovil have looked very good to date, and if McCormick can carry on producing the type of performance we saw against Gateshead, we might be in for a good season. 

BARROW – MJ WILLIAMS

Defensive midfielder Williams has been made club captain in a season which sees Barrow celebrate 125 years of professional football and is one of the players Bluebirds’ fans were glad to see stay on from last season.

The stats back up why Barrow fans were so keen to see him stay at Holker Street this summer. The 30-year-old has played every minute for his team this season, whilst also producing 80% pass accuracy. It’s his calmness on the ball that could trouble the Glovers as he’ll be able to control the tempo if given the opportunity. As a defence-minded midfielder, he does that side of the job extremely well too, winning over half his duel and aerial duels as well, leading to him receiving the ball for his side 15 times this season. He will definitely be the player that could break up Yeovil’s attacking play.

He also stands at 6’2″, so is one of those who will relish hearing his manager talk up the importance of physicality as they acclimatise to the rough and tumble of non-League football, but a player who is the heartbeat of the Barrow side. If he plays well, Barrow play well.

THE GAFFER…

Adam Murray was a combative, box-to-box midfielder in his playing days and has made no secret of his desire to shape his new club in that mould having arrived at Holker Street.

The Barrow boss left just enough time to wash the champagne out of his tracksuit having earned Kidderminster Harriers promotion back to the National League before making the move to the North West. Having sealed that promotion, the Bluebirds moved quickly to trigger a contract clause which allowed Murray to join an EFL club – which Barrow technically still were at that point – and appoint him on a two-year contract.

Murray admitted he did not want to repeat the mistake he made at AFC Fylde who he took up to the same level in 2023, only to be sacked two months later when things did not go to plan. Whilst the move to a recently-relegated former League club with parachute payments in their pocket, has not enabled him to bring in every player he has wanted, he has seen himself well-backed in the summer transfer market.

LAST TIME WE MET…

It was August the last time we visited Barrow and that proved a day in 2019 to forget for travelling fans. Having seen their coach break down on the long journey up the motorway, Yeovil fans found their side already 1-0 down. A scoreline which lasted until the final whistle.

The 2019-20 season saw Barrow promoted having topped the National League for much of the campaign cut short due to the outbreak of COVID-19. They were four points clear at the top of the division when play was suspended and never even got the opportunity to make the return trip to Somerset.

Before that you have to go back to February 1999 to find another match between the two sides – a 2-0 defeat for the Glovers in Cumbria – and the last win for Yeovil came courtesy of a Darren Keeling goal at Huish Park in the reverse fixture in January 1999.

Warren Patmore prepares to fire in a shot in a match at Barrow in 1999. Picture courtesy of Tim Lancaster.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Ben Whitfield is on the books at Barrow. The winger made 42 appearances for Yeovil Town whilst on loan from AFC Bournemouth in a fairly forgettable 2016-17 campaign under Darren Way in League Two.

Since his days at Huish Park, he had a spell at Torquay United before becoming part of the Stockport County side which won the National League in 2022.

Whitfield never got the opportunity to play in the League with the Hatters, but managed it with Barrow who he joined in the summer of 2022 and enjoyed some success under then-boss Pete Wild.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Ross Martin is our match official for Friday’s televised game, check out Ben’s article – here.

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Saturday lunchtime football is back with a Gateshead side who have a 700-mile round trip to Somerset to contend with the visitors to Huish Park this weekend.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers have been in good nick to start the season. Two games against very good opposition which includes the title favourites, has given fans something to talk about and the potential this squad has against similar opponents to themselves. 

In a the first game back to Huish Park it looked to be all rosey as Yeovil took the lead through Stephen Walker. The game got a lot harder for the when defender Joe Gubbins was given a second yellow, and the Glovers couldn’t hang on once again in stoppage time when Harvey Bunker equalised in the sixth minute of added on time. The game finished 1-1.

Now I’m not one to dismiss the obvious parallels of Yeovil’s first two games, with two late goals being conceded. And of course we can look at it and talk about how we could be on six points instead of two, but we would also have bitten someone’s hand off if we had been offered two points after two games against opponents who dominated us last season. 

What has really impressed is the style of football that has been implemented, and if that continues this team will only become more dangerous. 

GATESHEAD

The story of Gateshead’s summer is very similar to that of our last opponents, Carlisle United, at Huish Park. The Tynesiders got the rough end of that stick with manager Rob Elliot leaving in the summer and taking his entire backroom staff and the heart of the defensive unit with him to Cumbria.

His replacement in the manager’s office is former Sunderland tough-tackling midfielder Lee Cattermole and results in their opening fixtures have not been too disastrous considering the upheaval. An opening day defeat at Eastleigh was followed by a 2-0 home win over managerless Woking last weekend – with ex-Glover Kyle Ferguson on the team-sheet – and then a 1-1 draw with an impressive Nottingham Forest Under-21s side in the National League Cup on Tuesday night.

In terms of style, there’s a bit less of the risk-taking of playing out from the defence which was a hallmark of Elliot’s reign which ended with a miraculous escape from relegation last season, and an injection of the steel which personified Cattermole as a player.

With so many outgoings at the International Stadium, the new manager has had to work quickly to get bodies in the door this summer. Winger Michael Spellman, formerly of Sunderland’s academy, is one who impressed against Woking last weekend. He made 40 appearances for Newport County in League Two last season.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – STEPHEN WALKER

With the start of a new season, come getting to know new players and Stephen Walker is one of them. The forward came with a reputation of scoring goals and that’s what the Glovers have missed since Rhys Murphy’s first stint. 

Not to put any pressure on Walker but that’s the sort of striker he needs to follow if Yeovil have any chance of making the playoffs, and after last week’s showing he looks more than capable. It was in the 1-1 draw with Carlisle, that the former Crewe man showed what he can do, as he latched onto a Ryan Jones through ball and converted comfortably. Now that might not seem a lot to most, but to a Yeovil fan it’s like seeing rain for the first time after a two month drought.

Stephen Walker celebrates his opener for Yeovil Town
Stephen Walker celebrates his opener. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tate’s Photography.

GATESHEAD – ALEX LANKSHEAR

With last seasons defence being ripped apart, Gateshead needed to reinforce the backline, and they have done more than reinforce it with Lankshear. A product of the Arsenal academy, the left-back has made a big impact since going the side from Boston United. Not only did he score last time out, but more importantly for a defender he kept a clean sheet. Now that might not be amazing to some but he did all that on his debut.

In all aspects, the 23-year-old performed well, from his defensive duties, winning all his aerial duals, to the more attacking side of the game with 67% accuracy on his crosses. The Glovers will certainly have their work cut out keeping him quiet at both ends of the pitch. But if they can handle him, they may stand a chance of getting something out of the game.

THE GAFFER…

Gateshead’s new coach Lee Cattermole will be no stranger to watchers of the Premier League over the past 20 years. One of the most robust of defensive midfielders, he started his career at Middlesbrough but is best known for his time at Sunderland where he made more than 200 appearances.

This is his first frontline managerial role having had a spell coaching the Under-18s at Middlesbrough and then a very brief spell on the coaching staff at Bristol Rovers at the end of 2024. He joined under Matt Taylor who was sacked by The Gas four days later with Cattermole and fellow coach David Horseman given the caretaker managerial role, but he left the club before he had the chance to take charge of a match with Indigo Calderon being appointed.

His initial comments suggest Cattermole is keen to build on the foundations left at the International Stadium by Rob Elliot, but expect there to be an added feisty-ness to his side – and on the touchline.

LAST TIME WE MET…

How can we forget the last time these two sides faced each other at Huish Park. Bank Holiday Monday last August and Mark Cooper’s Glovers found themselves 3-0 up at half-time and seemingly cruising, but when the visitors’ Kyle Hurst pulled one back a minute in to the second half, there was a sense of dread among Yeovil fans. The capitulation in the second half was the stuff of nightmares with Gateshead coming back to win 4-3 deep in to second half injury time.

Josh Sims celebrates his goal at Huish Park.
It all started so well last August, Josh Sims celebrates Yeovil’s opener against Gateshead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The return fixture on Tyneside back in March also ended in defeat with the Glovers on the wrong end of a 2-1 final scoreline. Second half goals from Gateshead’s Keaton Ward and Yeovil old boy Mark Beck did the damage that day.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

There is likely to be two faces in the Gateshead defence on Saturday who are likely to be remembered  by Yeovil supporters. Central defender Kyle Ferguson made 34 appearances for the Glovers last season before being one of a number released from Huish Park in the summer. The Scotsman warmed up for his return to Somerset with the second goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Woking. Don’t say it.

Don’t even think it… Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The other ex-Glover in the visitors’ squad may be less well known. Jack Robinson made 19 appearances during a loan spell at Huish Park in the 2021/22 season whilst still in the Middlesbrough academy. He has since turned up at both Carlisle United and Hartlepool United before missing the whole of last season through injury. The 25-year-old turned up at Gateshead in pre-season and earned a one-year contract having impressed on trial.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Richard Aspinall will be taking charge of the lunchtime kick-off in Somerset this weekend. He has some interesting connections with our opponents, check out Ben’s article – here.

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It’s back to Huish Park on Saturday afternoon as Yeovil Town take on Carlisle United in their first competitive game at home this season.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

As is the same for every team one game into the season there isn’t any real form to go off, and it’s no different for the Glovers. We can however cast our eye over last weeks fixture to make some sort of judgement on the team. Drawing 1-1 against Scunthorpe United on the opening day of the season in no mean feat, and a section of the fans (even if tongue in cheek) described it as the same old Yeovil.

That feels harsh though, it was strong showing for a side that has only had pre-season to get to know each other. Another reason to look at it with a small glint of rose tinted glasses was the fact we were winning the match until the 89th minute. Some fans frustrations are understandable that we didn’t take home all three points, but all you have to do is watch the highlights to realise that not even Thibaut Courtois would have stopped that’ll going in from Luke Brennan.

Mason Obeng puts Yeovil into the lead at Scunthorpe last weekend.

All in all I think it was mostly positive from the Glovers last week, which will hopefully put us in a good place going into another tough game against the Cumbrians.

CARLISLE UNITED

It hasn’t been the best of starts for the Cumbrians under new manager Rob Elliot. Pre-season was tough as they struggled to just the one win against Darlington in their friendlies. That would mean nothing if the came into the opening game and won with the style and type of performance they came accustomed to under Mark Hughes last season. However, much like Yeovil, they were found ruing their missed chances after 90 minutes at home against newly-promoted Worthing.

In a game that started slowly, the Blues finally took the lead just before half-time through forward Georgie Kelly, giving his side a good foundation to build on. Whatever Worthing boss, Adam Hinshelwood, said at the break seemed to make a difference as on the 67th minute Dominic Hutchinson got the away side back in it.

It wasn’t until the last 10 minutes though that game really kicked into life as Razzaq Coleman and Ricky Aguiar quick fire double put the visitors 1-3 up with four minutes to go. The game looked done and dusted until Kelly got his brace for the Cumbrians to set up a tense final couple of minutes. It wasn’t to be however for the home side, which lead to boos from some disgruntled fans.

Archie Mair was in goal for Carlisle last weekend with recognised number one Gabe Breeze on the bench and the homegrown keeper departed for Cambridge United this week. His  replacement, Gateshead stopper Adam Desbois, was in goal from the Tynesiders in their 2-1 opening day defeat at Eastleigh last weekend.

The number of former Gateshead players who manager Rob Elliot, a former boss at the International Athletics Stadium, has brought to Cumbria has been a point of contention for supporters. Long throw specialist Brad Nicholson, fellow defender Kenton Richardson, have both made the move from the North East to the North West alongside a number of backroom staff – and now Desbois.

Wherever they have come from, there is no doubt that Carlisle’s squad has enough quality – without mentioning the likes of last season’s top-scorer Regan Linney, winger David Ajiboye, midfielder Callum Whelan and summer signing Harvey Bunker – to bounce back from opening day defeat at Huish Park.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – MASON OBENG

The whole team last week look solid, putting in a shift that the away fans could be happy with traveling back down to the South West. One player stood out more than others and that was winger Mason Obeng. In fact, since he arrived at Huish Park the 22-year-old has shown why Billy Rowley was keen to get him from Walton & Hersham.
Mason Obeng. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The winger has provided a contestant threat down the left hand side since joining, and proved last week how effective he can be for the team. The youngster, not only showed glimpses of his silky feet but also how clinical he can be in front of goal. His timing for said goal was impeccable, a perfectly-flighted free-kick from former Aldershot Town man Ryan Jones, was played deep to the back post, and just when it looked a wasted opportunity, up popped Obeng to volley it in to the opposite corner of the goal.

Even if the Glovers couldn’t hang on the new signing showed what could be to come against Carlisle and the season ahead.

CARLISLE UNITED – GEORGIE KELLY

It was a tough one to pick as David Ajiboye and Georgie Kelly are both great players. Besides the two goals last week, the reason I chose Kelly was due to Ajiboye underperforming the last time we met, after I picked him to watch out for.

That’s not a disservice to the Kelly in any way though, as the forward proved what a key asset he could be to Rob Elliot last week. Similar to Obeng in that he kept up his side of the bargain with two goals that should’ve at least got the Cumbrians a point. One game is way to early to start pointing fingers but it wasn’t the Irishman’s fault they lost last weekend.

And Yeovil will have to be careful he doesn’t pick up his scoring boots this weekend or the defence could have a long afternoon ahead.

THE GAFFER…

A familiar face in this league and also in the Premier League, it’s Rob Elliot who takes the reins for the opposition at Huish Park on Saturday. Everyone now knows the spiel on the 40-year-old, as a player he made over 50 top flight appearance for Newcastle United, whilst also playing five games in the Europa League as a goalkeeper. Throughout his 20 year career, Elliot mainly served as a back up making over 200 appearances.

It’s as manger that he has made a name for himself, especially in the National League, where he guided Gateshead to FA Trophy glory in 2024. He left the following season for football league side Crawley but after some poor results the pair parted ways. He soon rejoined Gateshead with the objective of keeping them up, which he did with two games to spare. It was in May that the former goalkeeper joined Carlisle as their manager.

Elliot has faced the Glovers on three occasions winning two and losing one.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Remember what being cold was like? Well, if you can cast your minds back to February this year when Yeovil Town were beaten 3-0 at Brunton Park in our last meeting. That day the game was over before Billy Rowley even had a chance to sit in the dugout as Morgan Feeney put the home side up 1-0 after five minutes. Only 12 minutes later and Luke Armstrong had doubled the scoring for the Blues as they ultimately played the Glovers off the pitch. The game was then put to bed in first half stoppage time when Ryan Galvin made it three for the Cumbrians. The only saving grace that day for Yeovil was that they didn’t concede any goals in the second half.

Morgan Williams challenging Carlisle keeper Gabe Breeze at Huish Park last season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The last time Carlisle made the long journey to Somerset saw the sides held to a 1-1 draw at Huish Park last October. With Richard Dryden in the dug-out, the Glovers took the lead after just 15 minutes with Tahvon Campbell credited with the goal before the visitors’ substitute Harvey McAdam equalised after 68 minutes.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Former Glovers’ defender Bevis Mugabi is on the books at Brunton Park, but he won’t be featuring at Huish Park this weekend.

The Uganda international, who made more than 100 appearances having joined the Glovers from Southampton in 2016, is one of a number of players on the treatment table for Carlisle.

The 31-year-old is suffering with a knee tendon injury which has kept him out since the end of last season.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Lewis Sandoe will take charge of Yeovil’s first game of the season with more detail here from Ben.

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Football is back….league football, that is. After a pre-season of wondering how much we can read in to a performance, Yeovil Town make the long journey to Scunthorpe United for the opening fixture of the new National League Premier Division season.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Well there isn’t any real form to go off. As much as pre-season offers players the opportunity to dust off the cobwebs and try to hit the ground running, the results are ultimately meaningless. Saying that I will be using them to try and establish some sort of form guide for the first competitive game of the 2026/27 season.

For the Glovers, results in these games have probably been a bit lower down the pecking order than in previous years. 15 new players trying to gel and figure each other out was the most pressing matter and after finishing last season with an injury-ravaged squad,  boss Billy Rowley wasn’t keen to get through the warm-up games unscathed, which it seems like has been the case.

Ben Radcliffe wins a header. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

However, the results have probably frustrated Rowley, none more so than when pushing Newport County close last week. The game finished 1-2 to the football league side, but perhaps could’ve been different had Yeovil kept a hold of their early lead. It wasn’t to be though, with the Glovers succumbing to the quality of the opposition. That felt like the story of the pre-season for the Glovers, which hopefully will be turned around come Saturday.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED

Scunthorpe manager Andy Butler has made it perfectly clear this pre-season has been about getting minutes in to the legs of his squad. If you wanted proof of this, the Iron’s final friendly – a 1-1 draw with Chesterfield last Friday night – added an extra 30 minutes after the regulation 90, just to get those minutes in to legs.

There were nine friendlies in the Scunthorpe schedule (three more than Yeovil, for context) and the results range from a win over Leeds United’s highly-rated Under-21s to drawing with a strong League One opposition in Chesterfield, to defeat at Buxton and a draw at Spalding United, managed by former boss Jimmy Dean.

There have been plenty of comings and goings at the Attis Arena. The most notable departures are winger Callum Roberts, who delivered 21 goals as the Iron made the play-offs last season, and midfielder Oli Ewing who have gone to League One new boys Notts County and National League rivals Forest Green Rovers respectively.

Incomings include former York City captain Callum Howe, the defender turned down a contract extension at the Football League’s latest member to make the move, and Luke Brennan, a tricky winger brought in from National League North side Buxton, who is being seen as at least part of the answer to replacing Roberts.

The biggest point of intrigue going in to the opening game is between the posts. Last season’s number one, Louis Jones, has been handed the number one jersey, but that was a decision manager Andy Butler only made late in pre-season. His rival for a place between the post, Maison Campbell, signed a new contract in the summer, but was handed the number 25.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK

Many fans will be looking towards the new players to provide the spark and be a shiny new toy that can propel us to the playoffs. But it is the midfield maestro and new captain Luke McCormick that could be the key to unlocking this teams potential.

The 27-year-old played a huge role last season, as he orchestrated the team on the pitch from midfield, whether it was getting back and doing the dirty work or finding the back of the net at the other end. And it’s those goals that helped us secure safety last season, with our strikers underperforming Yeovil needed someone to step up and it was the former Bristol Rovers man who did so. If it wasn’t for a long term injury who knows how many more he could’ve bagged.

He clearly had an impact off the pitch as well, with manager Billy Rowley naming the midfielder our new captain. It wasn’t just his boss he impressed, as the curtained colonel endeared himself to the Huish Park faithful, which isn’t all that easy to do. McCormick has been here for a season now but it feels like 10, and that’s the biggest compliment I can pay him.

Danny Whitehall tucks home a penalty in Scunthorpe’s 3-0 win at Huish Park last season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED – DANNY WHITEHALL

If you wanted to genetically engineer a striker that you’d love to play for you, but hate playing against you, you’d probably end up with the genes of Scunthorpe’s Danny Whitehall in your test tube.

The 30-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot when the Iron won 3-0 at Huish Park last March and picked up a booking – standard.

He’s someone who will probably empty Jos Barker’s water bottle at the first opportunity, is guaranteed to be in the referee’s ear when he’s hurled himself to the floor when the Yeovil defence looked at him sideways, but give him a chance in front of goal and there’s a good chance he’ll take it.

THE GAFFER…

Andy Butler is royalty when it comes to Scunthorpe United. The former defender started his playing career at The Iron in 2002 and would go on to make over 130 appearances for them in a six year spell. He’d go onto play for the likes of Huddersfield, Walsall and Doncaster Rovers over the next 10 years (with some loan spells dotted in there) before returning to Glanford Park in 2019. After a season however, he’d leave to return to Doncaster, where he’d make 20 appearances. After flirting with the lower leagues, Butler would find himself back where it all started for him 21 years earlier at Glandford Park where retired a legend.

As a manager the 42-year-old  has been in charge of the Iron since 2024, when he replaced Jimmy Dean. However, it was as the Doncaster Belles boss, in woman’s football, where he cut his teeth, before he took over as caretaker boss of the mens side.

Butler has only faced the Glovers twice as a manager, both last season when he would win both games.

LAST TIME WE MET…

It’s back to March, when the two sides last met, with The Iron running out 3-0 winners at Huish Park. It was a tough day that for the Glovers but one they would have learned many a lesson from. It was fairly even affair for the first 45 as both teams wanted to give nothing away. it was in the second half though that Yeovil threw away all their good work.

Zain Westbrooke, left, in Scunthorpe United colours at Huish Park last season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Five minutes into the second period Scunthorpe were given a penalty after Joy Mukena brought down Danny Whitehall. The aforementioned Whitehall would then convert the spot kick to take a 1-0 lead. Billy Rowley’s men wouldn’t be pushed about easily though and made it tough for the away side, before Leo Farrell doubled The Iron’s lead on the 75th minute. With the game almost complete, Farrell got his brace as he converted a Tyler Denton pass in added time to make it 3-0.

The last time the two sides met in Lincolnshire was last November when Scunthorpe ran out 1-0 winners at Glanford Park. A first half goal from Hull City loanee Tyrell Sellars-Fleming was enough to sink Richard Dryden’s side.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

No ex-Glovers for the traveling support this week, and given we released 10 players last season that is a surprise.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Michael Barlow will take charge of Yeovil’s first game of the season with more detail here from Ben.

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It’s the final game of the season this weekend as Yeovil Town take on Solihull Moors, with kick-off at Huish Park 12:30pm.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

It’s the end of the season, and even I’m bored of saying it but the Glovers have been inconsistent at best throughout the campaign. The most consistent they have been is when losing three in a row back in August. Thankfully though with the end of the season comes the end of the Jekyll and Hyde form (fingers crossed).

Last time out form had to be chucked out the window as Yeovil took on a formidable York City side. In what was always going to be a difficult away trip, the Glovers succumbed to a 3-0 defeat, although playing some decent football, the quality in sides was easy to see. An opener from league top scorer Ollie Pearce set the Minstermen on the their way to three points, before their other star man, Josh Stones doubled the lead three minutes from half time. With the game all but wrapped up, Joe Grey added a third in the second minute of added time at the end of the match.

Josh Stones on the turn inside the opening stages.

SOLIHULL MOORS

The Moors sit one spot above Yeovil going into this game, and have been very similar to the Glovers when it comes to recent form. From the last five fixtures, they have two losses, two draws and a win to their name. That sole victory was two and a bit weeks ago, when they defeated Boreham Wood 4-1 at home.

If we look at their most recent game, the Midlands side lost 3-0 at home to Boston United. That game saw Solihull drop to 15th in the table and replaced by Boston. The game was in the balance until the 66th minute when striker Conor Wilkinson was sent off for allegedly making a discriminatory remark to referee Sunny Singh. The official took both sides off the pitch for 20 minutes and The Moors never recovered, Boston scored three times in the final 23 minutes to win comfortably.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – THE TEAM

With it being the last game of the season I thought I’d bring some positivity to end the season. In what has been a very turbulent campaign for the Glovers, with it being the first year of the new ownership, having four managers and ultimately a high turnover in players.

So for the last game of the season, the whole team is important. From Player of the Season contender goalkeeper Jed Ward to the fellow loanees of Terrell Works, Dak Mafico and Troy Perrett and everyone in between. Vote for your Player of the Season – HERE. It may not have been pretty at times but this team has seen us to a solid mid table position even if it looked scary at times. For many it’s the last time they will play in front of the Huish Park faithful and let’s hope they can put in a performance that we as fans can be proud of as we stroll off into the early summer sun.

Brett McGavin leading out the Yeovil Town side.
Brett McGavin leading out the Yeovil Town side.
Pic C/O Gary Brown

SOLIHULL MOORS – LAURIE WALKER

It’s not just the Glovers who have their own star keeper, with the Midlanders’ number one being their main man. Walker, has been solid this season, keeping key clean sheets and being, like Jed Ward, a solid base at the spine of the team. It was a tough time out last time for the shot stopper as he conceded three but he was a strong presence before his side went down to 10 men.

Before that game however he had been in what can only be described as great form, with only two goals conceded in the five games leading up to the Boston game. Clean sheets are what makes a keeper valuable and for Solihull Moors they have a very valuable asset in Walker.

THE GAFFER…

The final gaffer to sit in the away dugout at Huish Park this season is Chris Millington. The 50-year-old has had very solid first season in charge at the ARMCO Arena. Millington took over the job at the start of October after Matthew Taylor’s dismissal.

The former Man City academy player never made an appearance in professional football as he became a coach of the Altrincham under 18’s at an early age. Millington first foray into professional football as a manager was as the assistant to Pete Wild, when he was caretaker boss at Oldham. In 2019, Wild was announced as Halifax Town manager taking his assistant with him. After a successful three seasons in Yorkshire, Wild moved on to pastures new at League Two side Barrow. Millington however stayed and became the first team boss a day later. After another three years at Halifax, Millington resigned.

LAST TIME WE MET…

It was way back on September 2nd the two sides last met, which was at the ARMCO Arena. Yeovil took the three points that day with a smash and grab 0-1 win. The only goal of the game was scored by Junior Morias at the end of the first half.

Junior Morias opens the scoring.

The last game played at Huish Park between the two, was in September 2024, with Solihull taking the spoils. A Conor Wilkinson goal in the third minute that day secured the three points for the Moors.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Just one former Glover making his way back to Huish Park on the Solihull bus this Saturday. That sole player is Emmanuel Sonupe, and you will be forgiven for not remembering the winger. The 30-year-old joined Yeovil in November of 2020 and would go onto make 15 appearances for the Glover until he left in the following September. Sonupe scored twice during his time in Somerset.
Emmanuel Sonupe, remember him now? Still no? Okay.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Andrew Humphries will be the man with the whistle on Saturday, for more on him and his team read Ben’s article here.

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It’s the final away game of the season as Yeovil Town travel to York City for an evening kick off.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers have been very up and down all season and with the campaign drawing to a close it is no different. However, over the last five fixtures it has been more down than up, as they have lost three, won one and lost one.

It was in the last game that Yeovil provide that single draw, as they took on FC Halifax Town at Huish Park. The game was far from a fun watch, with it finishing 0-0. Neither side really threatened to break the deadlock with Halifax’s goalscorer-in-chief Will Harris being kept quiet by a none other than Jed Ward. Now, that is an achievement in itself to be fair to Billy Rowley‘s men, but as the story has been all season with Yeovil, finding the back of the net was a struggle.

Ryan Jones vs Halifax
Pic C/O Gary Brown

YORK CITY

It’s been a story of success for the Minstermen this season, as they top the league with just the four defeats in 44 games. If that record wasn’t enough for the Yorkshire side, they have scored 110 goals to date, yes you read that right. Both those impressive records have led to 104 points for City, two points ahead of second place Rochdale.

Last time out for York, it was a more quiet affair for them on the goal front with just a 0-1 win over a strong Tamworth side. The Minstermen only goal of the game came through Ollie Pearce, more on him later.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JED WARD

Once again, I’m picking the brick wall that is Ward. As with every other week, he is key to whether Yeovil get a good result or not. Unfortunately for him, he can’t really rely on the defenders in front of him to keep Ollie Pearce at bay, due to more rotation of the backline and the quality of Yorks attack. The way the Glovers will ruin the party is if the young shot stopper plays one of his best games of the season.

From selfish point of view, Ward will be wanting to put in a top performance to prove to his parent club, Bristol Rovers, he is worth the chance or potentially a move elsewhere. Ward vs Pearce will hopefully be a very good matchup for both sets of fans.

YORK CITY – OLLIE PEARCE

Picking just a single player in a side that could go onto break many of the National League’s records is hard. But it was impossible to overlook Pearce when it comes to the most influential player. The striker has been in no uncertain terms out of this world this season, bagging himself just the 33 goals to date.

Ollie Pearce in action against Yeovil.
Pic – Gary Brown

The 30-year-old has been on a bit of a baron spell, if you can call it that, with just three goals in his last five games. Last time out he even broke a drought of two games without a goal. The Glovers defence will have their backs against the wall this Saturday facing one of the most feared strikers outside the football league.

THE GAFFER…

Stuart Maynard is the man in charge at the York Community Stadium. The 45-year-old is no stranger to putting up title challenges after guiding Notts County to the League Two playoffs last season. Maynard could be considered unlucky in his dismissal at County after losing in the semi-finals to AFC Wimbledon.

Before joining The Magpies, the former midfielder spent three years as manager at Wealdstone United, in what was his first step into first team management.

LAST TIME WE MET…

York have had the run of the results when the two sides have met in recent seasons. In the most recent fixture between the two teams, York won convincingly 1-3 at Huish Park. Ollie Pearce opened the scoring that day with a penalty in the 25th minute, Ollie Banks then doubled the lead nine minutes later. The Glovers looked to get back into the game on 77 minutes when Luke McCormick pulled one back, before Jake Wannell scored an own goal to seal the game for York.

Luke McCormick scrambles the ball home against York
Pic – Gary Brown

When the previously faced off at the York Community Stadium, the game finished 4-0 to the Minstermen. An Ollie Pearce hat-trick and a Tyrese Sinclair goal that day saw off a depleted Yeovil side.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There is one very familiar face in the York side, Morgan Williams. A tough one for the Glovers to stomach, as this will the first time we will have seen the defender since he joined York from Yeovil in January.

Williams was a stalwart for the Glovers amassing 172 appearances across a seven year spell. Those seven years started with two loans in the 19/20 and 20/21 seasons, before joining on a free in from Coventry in the summer of 2021.

I think I can speak for all fans in giving a warm welcome to Williams when he faces off against us on Saturday.

Morgan Williams celebrating Yeovil Towns National league out title win.
Morgan Williams celebrating Yeovil Towns National league out title win.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Darren Drysdale will be the man with the whistle on Saturday, for more on him and his team read Ben’s article here.

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Yeovil Town are back at Huish Park on Saturday afternoon as they take on FC Halifax Town in their penultimate home game of the National League Premier Division season.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

With three games to go in the league, the Glovers are now mathematically safe from relegation. With that horrible thought now under control for another year, we may see a Yeovil side let loose a bit. After the last couple of weeks, the side has been up and down form wise and that was no different in their last game on Easter Monday.

That game saw them travel to the south coast to face Eastleigh short on bodies after a gruelling fixture schedule. Off the back of a hard-fought win against now-relegated Truro City on Good Friday, the Glovers went down to a 2-1 defeat as Eastleigh striker Aaron Blair scored a goal in each half before forgotten man, defender Dan Ellison, pulled a late consolation goal back for Yeovil.

That game saw all three Under-19s players, defender Jaydon Biss, midfielder Ollie Hughes and striker Liam Nardiello, all coming off the bench in the second half underlining the selection headache facing boss Billy Rowley.

Dan Ellison

FC Halifax Town

The Shayman have also been in form that resembles a roller-coaster. Over their last five fixtures, the Yorkshiremen have won twice, lost twice and drawn once. They arrive in Somerset five points outside the play-off places with Southend United, who occupy the spot above the dotted line, also having two games in hand.

Last time out, The Shaymen played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Tamworth at The Shay. That match saw them miss a penalty in second half stoppage time having made a comeback from going 1-0 down in the first minute.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – DAKARAI MAFICO

On loan Cardiff City midfielder Mafico started life at Yeovil with a bang, putting in superb performance after superb performance and showing the Huish Park faithful what the quality is like in the league above. He then settled in a bit more and those good performances felt normal and were maybe taken for granted.

Dakarai Mafico. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The youngster then picked up an injury and has been out for a couple of games, and it has shown in the games he has missed. Rowley revealed the 19-year-old will be available to face Halifax and our midfield hasn’t felt as strong without him in it, as the 19-year-old knits everything together. As well as combining defence with attack, he does the hard work as well, covering the pitch and putting tackles when needed. With him back in the squad on Saturday hopefully we will get to see more of the Cardiff youngster before he returns to Welsh capital.

FC HALIFAX TOWN – WILL HARRIS

There is a number of reason why teams put themselves in play-off contention whether it be from a solid backline to great manager. But the most common reason for pushing high up the league is having someone who knows where the goal is. One of those players is Will Harris.

Now, Harris may not be one of the household strikers in the league like Yprk City’s Ollie Pearce‘s or Rochdale’s Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who lead the division’s scoring charts. But the 25-year-old has definitely put himself in that bracket after the season he is having. He sits behind the aforementioned Pearce and Dieseruvwe, as well as Boreham Wood’s Matt Rush in fourth on the National League top scorer table, with 21 goals.

The Glovers have struggled against top striker so far this campaign and Saturday afternoon may be no different unfortunately.

THE GAFFER…

Adam Lakeland will be in the opposing dug-out at Huish Park as he winds down his first at the helm in Yorkshire. The 41-year-old has certainly earned his striped working up through leagues. Lakeland’s first managerial job in senior men’s football was at Northwich Victoria, where he managed for a season. After a year out, he would move onto Farsley Athletic, finishing his four year stint there in 2021.

He would return to Curzon Ashton, where he was once an assistant manager, and take the main job at the Tameside Stadium for two years. He would then leave for Kings Lynn, where again he lasted two years before moving onto FC Halifax Town.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The Glovers will be hoping to put some bad memories behind them having not beaten The Shaymen since 2022. That record was continued last time out when the two played out a thrilling 3-2 win for the Yorkshiremen.

On that day in late August, Owen Bray would open the scoring in first half stoppage time. Yeovil would fight their way back in the second half, with Junior Morias converting a penalty on the 52nd minute, and then took the lead through Harvey Greenslade six minutes later. Bray would get his brace only a few moments later, before Will Harris won the game for the home side ten minutes from time.

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

The last game at Huish Park was less eventful, with Florent Hoti bagging the only goal in a 1-0 win for Halifax.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Don’t worry home fans, it looks like no returning faces will be coming to haunt Yeovil this weekend.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Rob Massey-Ellis will be the man with the whistle on Saturday, for more on him and his team read Ben’s article here.