Callum Gould

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On the road again, this time to the outskirts of the capital as Yeovil take on Wealdstone on Saturday afternoon.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers’ form has them among the best in the league, with three wins and two draws from their last five fixtures. And it could be a case of missing those home comforts for the Somerset side, after dismantling Boston United 6-0 in their most recent outing.

Ryan Jones in action against Boston United. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

It’s a far cry from where we were this time last year, when we were in the midst of searching for our fourth manager just two months into the campaign. This term, however, things are settled, and there is blue sky above Huish Park.

The football being played is second to none. The whole team seems to be chipping in with goals, while the defence has looked extremely solid, having gone three games without conceding.

Long may this continue for the Glovers.

WEALDSTONE

Wealdstone have had a difficult start to the new season punctuated by some impressive results in their opening 12 matches including a 2-0 win at Sutton United on August Bank Holiday Monday and taking a point off both Carlisle United and Forest Green Rovers.

The Jekyll & Hyde start followed a dysfunctional summer which saw key players defender Deon Woodman (Bromley), midfielder Nathan Tshikuna (Tamworth) and winger Dominic Hutchinson (Worthing) all departing in the summer, whilst many new arrivals did not arrive until much closer to the start of the new season. In the Stones’ final pre-season friendly of the summer, they fielded seven trialists.

This was compounded by injuries to a number of key players notably defender Mason Barrett who suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury in the 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers ten days ago. The 27-year-old had been an almost ever-present for Wealdstone this season, but is expected to be missing for the rest of the season.

Having picked up just two wins in their first nine games, the Stones’ form has picked up a little in recent matches with a 4-0 home win over struggling Gateshead in their last outing at Grosvenor Vale, followed by the draw at Forest Green and then a defeat at Barrow in their last outing. However, that loss in Cumbria came courtesy of a winner deep in second half stoppage time last Saturday.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JOS BARKER

The young goalkeeper has been unstoppable over the last three games. His defence has certainly played its part in securing three consecutive clean sheets, but ultimately, the buck stops with the keeper. When you concede too many goals, it’s the goalkeeper who often gets the pelters from the fans, so it’s only fair that they get praise when the clean sheets start coming.

Jos Barker claims
Pic C/o Andy Preston AP Photography

To go three games without conceding is some feat, and it has built a foundation of trust throughout the team. The midfielders and forwards can go out and express themselves knowing they can rely on their teammates at the back to do a job. Equally, the defenders know they can have a tough afternoon and still have the reassurance that Jos Barker will more than likely be there to bail them out.

He’s a real presence in the area, gets down quickly and is a very good shot-stopper. What more could you want from your number one?

WEALDSTONE – OLUFELA OLOMOLA

Former Yeovil loanee striker Olufela Olomola has been one of the few Stones’ players who has had a relatively fruitful start to the new season.

The 29-year-old, who has had three spells on loan at Huish Park, returned to Wealdstone last season having had a spell in the Football League at Bromley and managed just six goals in 38 appearances, but has already got four in his first 12 appearances this season.

Oluefela Olomola. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE GAFFER…

At 64 years old, Gary Waddock has seen most things in football. As a player, he made more than 500 appearances in the Football League, predominantly for QPR at the start of his career and Luton towards the end.

As a manager, he has seen just as much. His career in management began at the same place as his playing career, Loftus Road, although he didn’t see out the 2005/06 season.

A two-year spell at Aldershot followed, before a three-year stint at Wycombe from 2009 to 2012. Since then, the former Republic of Ireland international has bounced around Oxford, Portsmouth and Aldershot, before finishing his time in management as caretaker boss of Southend in 2019.

A seven-year break from management followed before Waddock took up the Wealdstone job earlier this year.

Across the 11 times the two sides have met, the record is remarkably even, with both clubs winning three times and the remaining four games ending in draws.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The last time the two sides locked horns, back in March, the Glovers came away with a 0-2 victory at Grosvenor Vale.

On an early spring afternoon, it was Terrell Works who opened the scoring in the 38th minute. James Daly then doubled Yeovil’s advantage shortly after the break, securing all three points and sending them back to Somerset.

Terrell Works is congratulated for his goal.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

There’s only one player in the opposition ranks that travelling fans will recognise this week, and that comes in the shape of forward Olufela Olomola.

The 29-year-old had three spells at Huish Park, with his most recent coming on loan from Hartlepool during the 2021/22 season. He also featured during the 2018/19 campaign, again on loan, this time from Scunthorpe United. His first spell with the Glovers came in 2017/18, when he joined on loan from Southampton.

Across his three spells, Olomola made 57 appearances for Yeovil, finding the net 11 times.

Olomola for Yeovil Town.
Olufela Olomola in action for Yeovil. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Callum Jones is our match official for this one and you can find out more about him Ben’s article – here.

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Back-to-back games at Huish Park for Yeovil Town this week as they host Boston United this Saturday afternoon.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The good start to the season continues for the Glovers after they split the points on Tuesday night with Worthing 1-1.

It was billed as a tough game for Yeovil, and it proved just that, as the home side conceded just before the half-hour mark, with Razzaq Coleman De Graft breaking the deadlock.

A Brett McGavin free-kick then caused confusion and eventually found its way into the net straight after the half-time break, with the goal being awarded as an own goal to Worthing defender Joe Cook.

The result sees the Glovers stay in sixth place but improves their unbeaten record to four games.

Yeovil Town vs Worthing under the Huish Park lights.
Yeovil vs Worthing under the Huish Park lights.

BOSTON UNITED

Boston United have been very up and down start to the new season, which is probably why they currently lie 19th in the table. Their position in the league is perhaps a little unfair, with strong wins against Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham showing the quality The Pilgrims have in their side.

It’s been inconsistency that has cost them, though, with no solid run of form to push them up the table. However, last time out, a 1-1 draw away to FC Halifax on Tuesday night could give the today’s visitors to Huish Park side a bit of a boost as they head from Lincolnshire to Somerset.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – RYAN JONES

The chatter amongst the Glovers faithful has, rightfully so, been about the future of captain Luke McCormick. But when a story like that rears its head, it’s easy to forget about the great players we still have at our disposal. One such player is Ryan Jones.

The right-sided midfielder has been integral to the creative plan that Billy Rowley wants to implement. He hugs the touchline, gets into the attacking areas well and has the final product, whether it be assists or a goal or two.

What I find interesting about the 24-year-old, though, is that he kind of goes under the radar. Maybe that’s because he is Mr Consistent – you know what you’re going to get, and people just expect him to play well. For me, that should be rewarded. Look at the likes of James Milner, a model of consistency who never gets the credit he deserves.

A quick stat on Jones, however, is that whenever he has got an assist in a game this season, Yeovil have not won, with two losses and two draws to date.

Ryan Jones. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

BOSTON UNITED – JAMIE GRIMES

The left-back is certainly a stalwart of this Pilgrims defence. Through 11 league games this season, the defender has not missed a minute. The more impressive stat is that he is doing this at the ripe old age of 35. Now, in real terms, that is young, but for footballers, the legs should have gone by now, but they haven’t.

The veteran has impressed in the attacking areas as well, with two goals and an assist. For a more defensive full-back, that is a good return on investment, I’d say. Outside of his performances, Grimes adds experience, and in a side that needs calmer heads to prevail amid their patchy form, he can add that in bucketloads.

Back on the pitch, he wins the majority of his aerial duels, so don’t expect there to be many long balls targeting Yeovil’s right side. He is rarely beaten by a dribble, but can be susceptible to making errors that lead to a shot.

THE GAFFER…

A big name in Football League management has found his way back to Boston, with Paul Hurst now in the dugout for the Pilgrims. As a player, the 52-year-old played over 500 games for Rotherham between 1993 and 2008 before hanging up his boots following a loan spell at Burton.

It was quickly on to management for the former left-back, as he became joint manager of Ilkeston alongside former teammate Rob Scott in 2009. The two were swiftly on the move, joining Boston for two years before resigning. They then joined Grimsby a day later, where the pair jointly managed the Mariners until 2013, when Scott was dismissed for gross misconduct. This led to Hurst beginning his solo managerial career, staying at Grimsby for another three years.

Spells at Shrewsbury, Ipswich and Scunthorpe followed for Hurst before he returned to the Mariners in 2020, spending another three years there. Another spell at Shrewsbury followed before he left the club in 2024.

Hurst returned to the Boston Community Stadium in January last year. The 52-year-old is unbeaten against Yeovil in four games, with four wins to his name.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The last couple of meetings between the sides have been split, with Boston winning the most recent match-up.

Cast your mind back to a 2-1 defeat March this year, when the Glovers travelled to the Boston Community Stadium looking to claim a win. Aaron Jarvis looked to get Yeovil off to a good start, opening the scoring after just 16 minutes.

However, it was downhill from there, with the away side conceding just six minutes later when Jake Rooney equalised. It was then a ghost of Glovers past who secured the win, as Jody Hiwula netted in the 73rd minute to secure the points for the Pilgrims.

The last time the two met in Lincolnshire last March.

The last time the two met at Huish Park however, the score was 2-1 to Yeovil, as Luke McCormick double secured all three points for the Glovers.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

No ex-Glovers in the Boston squad to look out for on Saturday for the home crowd.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Rob Massey-Ellis  is our match official for this one and you can find out more about him Ben’s article – here.

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Huish Park, under the lights, what more could you want! That’s what Glovers will be getting this midweek as they face Worthing on Tuesday night.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

It’s hard to believe but we are already 10 matches into the season, which can give us a good reading as the form of teams and where they are headed into the middle part of the campaign.

For the Glovers it’s no different with Billy Rowley’s men looking comfortable sitting sixth in the table. In their last fixture they beat the high flying Kidderminster Harriers 0-1 away from home, with the in-form Johl Powell getting on the scoresheet once again. It was a positive performance as well for a team that was missing its captain through “internal matters”.

Brett McGavin and Hayden Muller celebrate with Johl Powell
Pic C/O Jayden at Tates Photography

WORTHING

Worthing themselves are in a purple patch too, as they are unbeaten in their last five, winning three of their most recent fixtures. This run of form has seen them sit steadily ninth spot, just a point behind Yeovil.

Most recently they beat FC Halifax 2-1, with goals coming from Joe Cook and former Glover Jordan Young getting the two goals. Away from home the Mackerel Men have been in decent form, beating Hartlepool 1-3, adding to three points they gained on the road to Carlisle United at the start of the season.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JOHL POWELL

The midfielder has been in fine form since coming into the team just a couple of games ago. The former Walton and Hersham man had to bide is time to get a chance in the side but has repaid Rowley’s trust very quickly.

The 26-year old was left out for at the beginning of the season for various reasons, mainly form of other players. However, since a certain player has been dropped a spot opened up. No matter your feelings on the situation it can’t be dismissed that McCormick is a miss to the side with his goal contributions, but Powell has found those just as easy to come by.

Over the last two games the midfielder has bagged three goals, two of which against Solihull Moors. That game against the Moors was his best in the short period of wearing the Green and White and he was only subbed on in the 84th minute.

Johl Powell celebrates his goal against Kidderminster Harriers.
Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tate’s Photography

WORTHING – JOEL COLBRAN

The right back has been a stalwart for Worthing since he made his debut for the club back in the 2016/17 season. Now aged 27 he is that me of the senior members of the squad as is clearly trusted by Adam Hinshelwood.

It’s not often a full back gets praise, as Jamie Carragher famously said: “No one grows up wanting to be Gary Neville.” Now that may be the case but a good full back, either on the left or right is hard to come by. But Colbran has been that for Worthing, playing all 900 minutes of the season.

Aside from his clear reliability, he also provides a base to build from with an 80% pass completion rate. Defensively he is as good as they come, with 10 ball recoveries a game and seven duals won. He may not be the prettiest player on the pitch but he gets the job done, and well.

THE GAFFER…

Adam Hinshelwood is a legend of Sussex football. Before stepping into management the 42-year-old played predominately for Brighton & Hove Albion from 2002-2009, making over 100 appearances for them. After leaving the Seagulls in 2009, Hinshelwood spent another two seasons playing, firstly for Aldershot then Wycombe before starting a career in the dugout.

Soon after retiring, the son of former Crystal Palace player, Paul, became boss at Selsey, where he stayed for two years. Then came Hinshelwood’s first spell at the Rebels, where again he stayed for two years from 2013-15. After a brief stint at Hastings United in 2017, Adam found himself back in Sussex and back at Woodside Road.

This time a much longer stint was to happen for Hinshelwood, staying at the Rebels from 2017-2024 becoming one of the most sought after young managers in the National League. The admiration quickly came with suitors and he left for the bright lights of York City. With the Uggla’s in charge in never looked like lasting l, and he was sacked the same season. Before joining back up with Worthing later that year.

He has faced the Glovers three times, winning twice and losing once.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two teams last met in 2024 when Worthing put Yeovil to the sword at Huish Park, winning 1-3. That day, the goalscoring robot that is Ollie Pearce opened the scoring before Brad Dolaghan doubled the rebels scoring. Alex Fisher, looked to have got Yeovil back in the game with five minutes to go. But that man Pearce popped up again to claim his brace.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in action when the sides last met in 2024.
📸 Gary Brown

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Tyrique Clarke – the midfielder started his career at Huish Park in 2018 coming through the youth setup. Although he never made a senior first team appearance he was in the squad for the Aston Villa League Cup game in 2018. He left in 2020.

Jordan Young – A more familiar name with Glovers is that of Jordan Young. The talented midfielder joined Yeovil in 2022 from Chippenham Town. After a tough start, the now 27-year-old warmed up to South Somerset and quickly became a fan favourite. After 76 games and 15 goals Mark Cooper (yes him again) decided to let Young go to Torquay, where he quickly became a fan favourite again.

Jordan Young for Yeovil Town.
Jordan Young for the Glovers.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Sunny Gill Singh is our match official for this one and you can find out more about him Ben’s article – here.

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Yeovil are back on the road this weekend as they travel to the midlands to take on the highflying Kidderminster Harriers at 3pm on Saturday.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers had a couple of weeks where things weren’t going their way: a tough loss to Southend, a hammering at Fylde, and a gutsy draw against Aldershot.

However, last time out for Yeovil, it felt like a performance we’d become accustomed to during our early-season purple patch. A 4-1 win at Huish Park under the Friday night lights gave home fans a reason to cheer, even if a ‘tactical’ change had us all worried.

Yeovil Town team huddle |
Photography by Andy Preston AP Photography

Maybe we should actually be more worried about playing on a Saturday afternoon, with no win during the Saturday 3pm kickoff window. That being said we have only lost one, as we have drawn the other two. Fourth time lucky is a saying…right?

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

Most of the time, newly promoted teams like to bed into the league, consolidate and just try to survive their first season up. Kidderminster are bucking the trend, however, and fair play to them.

Since losing their opening game of the season, the Harriers have been on a roll, with five wins and three draws from their following eight fixtures. That run of results puts them third in the league, with just Boreham Wood and Southend above them.

Last weekend, their three-game winning streak ended as Kiddie travelled to Surrey and played out a 0-0 draw with Woking. The Harriers have a habit of winning after a draw though, so the Glovers need to be watch out for a home side looking to keep their unbeaten record going.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JOS BARKER

Time for the goalkeeper to get his flowers this season. Barker had the unfortunate job of coming into the squad this summer after all Glovers were treated to the brilliance of Jed Ward last term. Some very tough boots to fill. Has the 22-year-old filled them yet? Probably not. Will he? It’s too early to say, but what isn’t too early to say is that we have another superb keeper on our hands.

The first thing you’ll notice about the goalie is his size. He is built like he should be playing in the front row for Bath, which undoubtedly gives him a presence in his box. He also stops the ball from going in the back of the net, which is the most important thing. With a 71% save rate this season, he has definitely earned us a couple of extra points.

If there is one criticism you could have, it’s that we have only kept one clean sheet this campaign, and ultimately, that is on the whole defence and not just Barker. At such a young age, let’s hope we have found our new number one for the next couple of years.

Jos Barker for Yeovil Town
Jos Barker comes from a cross. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS – LEWIS WALKER

For the Harriers, it’s at the other end of the pitch where their real difference-maker plays. Lewis Walker joined in the summer after leaving Braintree. After being dropped following a poor showing in his first game against Hornchurch, the 27-year-old made amends when boss Paul Wotton started him in the next fixture against Aldershot, where he bagged his first goal. Since then, it has been non-stop scoring for the forward, with four goals in his next six games and an assist to boot.

The previous two games have been a bit quieter for Walker, but it isn’t for a lack of trying, with two very good match ratings in both games. He is also your classic frontman, getting into the penalty area and finishing his chances, with all five of his goals coming from no further than 12 yards out. Statistically, Walker is Kidderminster’s most prolific player this season as well, bagging a goal every 115 minutes. The Yeovil defenders will have to be wary of Walker in and around the box.

THE GAFFER…

The gaffer for Kidderminster is none other than former Glover Paul Wotton. The former midfielder made six appearances for Yeovil in 2011 during a loan spell from Southampton, before joining the club permanently at the end of that season. He would go on to play 39 games during the 2011/12 season.

The 49-year-old is best known for his time at Plymouth Argyle, where he would start and end his playing career. During his first spell at Home Park, Wotton played over 400 games across 14 years before leaving to join Southampton. Wotton would rejoin the Pilgrims in 2012, making 52 appearances before retiring in 2015.

Paul Wotton as manager of Truro.

As a manager, the ex-Glover joined Truro in 2019, where he stayed for five years before joining Torquay United. Wotton would be in the job for two years but was sacked after a 5-0 defeat to Chelmsford, before joining the Harriers in May this year. In the two games he has faced Yeovil, he has lost both.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met over 25 years ago on the 16th April 2005. It was an away day for Yeovil that day as well, and the points were split in front of the 4,000 in attendance. Arron Davies was on the score sheet for the Glovers that day.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

There are no players in the current Harriers squad who have played for the Glovers.

However, as mentioned above, Paul Wotton is in the dugout for Kiddie. The former Glover first made an appearance for Yeovil in the 2010/11 season after joining on loan from Southampton. Wotton rejoined the Glovers at the end of that term and would go on to play 39 times in his only season at Huish Park.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Oliver Mackey is our match official for this one and you can find out more about him Ben’s article – here.

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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.