Callum Gould (Page 4)

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Yeovil Town will be looking to build upon their impressive start to the season as they play host to another team from Kent in Tonbridge Angels.

After four games this season the Glovers are sitting sixth in the league having not lost since the opening fixture. Goals have been hard to come by though for the Somerset side, only finding the net five times so far this season, but Town have found strength in wearing teams dowm, to score late on.

However, Saturdays opposition, Tonbridge Angels, are no lightweights and will be wanting to extend their winning run to three games with a victory at Huish Park.

Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper feels his team are “heading the right way” after the last three fixtures. He said: “If you’re taking seven points from every three games you’re on target. So if we do that over the season, you’ll probably win the league, so we have to keep perspective.”

He continued: “We’re getting enough points…if we had got over the line last Saturday we’d have been top of the league, so were one win from being top of the league.”

The ex-Swindon town boss believes The Angels will be “just as fit as his players” but feels the “sharpness of being a full time team will show” as it has done in the latter stages of previous games.

The 54-year-old, also gave a call to supporters to stay positive during games. He said: “The most difficult thing for a fan to do is be positive, I understand that. But the more they can get behind the players the more positive outcome they will get.”

All players will be available for selection with the exception of Jordan Stevens who is in the last stages of rehab.

Tonbridge Angels

Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders spoke to Angelstv, after their win at Chippenham Town, about the long trip down to Somerset. He said: “I don’t mind the away games, the support will be fantastic…It will be a different task Yeovil, obviously they’re one of the fancied sides but today my team looked good. We just have to keep improving.”

Angels midfielder Lewis Gard also spoke to Angelstv about the bank holiday weekend fixture. He said: ” I know a few of the boys they’ve signed, they’re some big signings. But at the end of the day anything can happen, so we’ll go there and give them a good game.”

Tonbridge will be without midfielder Tommie Fagg after dissmissal for an off the ball incident against Chippenham Town last weekend.

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Yeovil Town will want to extend their winning streak to three games, as they welcome Maidstone United to Somerset on Saturday.

Following a hard-fought win against Truro City in midweek, the Huish Park faithful will be hoping for a better display of football against one of last seasons other relegated sides from the National League Premier. The Stones, however, are no pushovers sitting two places below Town on goal difference just three games in to the National League South season.

Having won their opening day match over a ten-man Slough Town, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Bath City last weekend before bouncing back with a 2-1 at Braintree Town on Tuesday night.

In the two previous fixtures this century between the clubs both games have ended as score draws. With the most recent game finishing 2-2 at Huish Park last February when a header from visiting defender Jerome Binnom-Williams saw the Kent side snatch a late point – but, fear not, the giant centre-half was released in the summer!

Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper believes the “attractive football will come” after complaints from some sections of the fanbase, following Tuesday nights dogged victory over Truro. Speaking on Thursday, he said: “It is the way I feel we can dominate teams with the ball and we had spells the other night..we have a lot of work to do, but we will get better.”

Cooper also claimed that Bristol City loanee Olly Thomas may be contention for the starting XI after his super sub performance against Truro. He said: “Every game there is going to be opportunities for someone to stake a claim in the team and Olly [Thomas] certainly did that.” 

Olly Thomas.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In terms of the opposition, the former Barrow boss made it clear that everyone at the club “respects who they play against“. He went on to say: “They [Maidstone] have their strengths, like every team, but we have to make sure we stick to what were going to do.”

After sustaining a dead leg in the first half against Truro defender Morgan Williams is a doubt for this game, whilst midfielder Jordan Stevens, who Cooper said was previously targeting this game for a comeback, recently underwent a scan which has pushed his comeback date further back albeit by “days rather than weeks.”

Maidstone United News

The long trip from Kent to Somerset is Maidstone’s third away fixture out of a run of four with their Gallagher Stadium home switched to Huish Park due to building work to restore the matchday control room and a toilet block.

Having gone down to a 3-0 defeat at Jerry Gill’s Bath City in their second match, the Stones bounced back with a 2-1 win at Braintree Town in midweek and captain Gavin Hoyte said he believed the drubbing last weekend helped them get a result in their last outing.

He told Kent Online: “It’s a funny thing to say, but it can be a good thing for the team to lose because it brings you back to reality. Sometimes, without meaning to do it, players do get a bit ahead of themselves.” With these words in mind, let’s hope for more of these ‘good things’ from the visitors on Saturday!

Hoyte, who started his career in the Arsenal academy, said he believes the weekend’s clash with Yeovil will be a “good test” for his team-mates.

He said: “They’ve come down, like us, and they’ve got to adapt to the league. I don’t know if they’ve been at this level before [We have, Gav, albeit not for quite a while}.

“I’m not sure how many players they’ve kept from last season but they will be a strong side and they always have been. You do look out for these games a little bit but you put it to the back of your mind because it’s just another game.

“Playing early in the season, there’s perhaps not the same pressure as there might be later on, depending on where we are in the table. It could ease the pressure playing at this stage but that goes for both teams.

“Everyone will still be looking at this game, where we’ve both come down, and saying, ‘Wow, Maidstone are doing well’ or ‘Yeovil are looking strong’.”

Talking to Stones TV after their midweek win at Braintree, manager and former Wolves defender George Elokobi spoke about making sure his players were ready for a tough trip to Somerset. He said: “It’s all about the recovery process now, ensuring that our players will be ready for Yeovil.” The former Premier League defender continued: “We have to show respect to our next opponent [Yeovil Town]… it’s a tough place to go and we have to be resilient and stay organised.”

Elokobi has brought in seven new signings over the summer including striker Ogo Obi, once dubbed “the Nigerian Messi” by a (perhaps over-excited) journalist during his time in Watford’s academy, although he did have a trial with Manchester United having been prolific at youth level for the Hornets. In more recent years, he’s been prolific in the lower reaches of non-League football with spells at Hemel Hempstead, Hanwell Town and Hayes & Yeading.

 

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Yeovil Town will be looking to put a poor opening day performance behind them as they face St Albans in the first game at Huish Park this season.

After what has been a turbulent week off the pitch for the Glovers, the playing staff will be hoping they can right some of the wrongs of the last week with a win.

The Saints however come in to the game off a 2-1 win against Towns bitter rivals W*ymouth.

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Manager Mark Cooper expressed his desire to show what his team are “really about”. He said: “We were miles away from where we need to be and I know that and the work this week has been trying to refocus and get the boys in to a place where they can have a platform to showcase their ability.”

Cooper was not happy with his teams decision making in the final third last week. He said: “We picked so many wrong selections of passes and crosses last week that it was always going to be difficult for us to score.”

 

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper speaking to the media.

The former Forest Green Rovers boss referenced the fact “Jake Hyde was available for selection” as a reason for a turnaround in his sides attacking play against St Albans.

Cooper also backed local boy Will Buse, “to thrive off the home crowd” this weekend after his mix up with Zac Bell led to the Hemel Hempstead goal.

Jordan Stevens is the only player unavailable for selection through injury.

St Albans News

Speaking to St Albans YouTube after their win against W*ymouth, manager David Noble spoke about the up coming match against the Glovers. He said: “We will go watch their game from today and go from there. We’re just focusing on ourselves, it’s a tough, but we have to play everyone at some point.”

Noble, who had a loan spell at Yeovil in 2009, has another former Glover in Shaun Jeffers at his disposal. However, after scoring 27 goals last season for the Saints, he has found himself on the bench for the opening game and most of preseason. This is down to Noble preferring players who “run rather than score goals” according to the “A Podful of Saints” podcast.

The Hertfordshire side have quality in their ranks outside of Jeffers, with central midfielder Ryan Blackman a key player for the Saints. After joining in January, Blackman quickly became a fan favourite helping guide his side to the playoffs last year.

Left Back Ben Wyatt, is touch and go after picking up a slight knock.

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Saturday marks the return of competitive football, with Yeovil Town making the trip to outer London to face Hemel Hempstead Town.

As one of the so-called “big teams” in the National League South, the Glovers will be hoping to make an instant impact. Over recent years though, they  have found it difficult getting off to a good start, having not won an opening day fixture since the 2016-17 season against Notts County.

Hemel Hempstead record is much better however having won three out of their last four fixtures to start a season.

Hemel Hempstead News

Hempstead manager Brad Quinton is up for the challenge making sure his team are ready for what he describes as a “big unit of a club” going to Vauxhall Road. He said: “They [Yeovil] have to understand they’re coming here to our home ground, they’re going to be in for a good game and we’re looking forward to it.”

Quinton added: “They’re going to possibly be in and around titles, but you can only beat what’s in front of you and all my teams fight and work hard for each other.”

Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has been impressed with The Tudors throughout pre-season, saying: “You can tell they are very well coached, they have some lively players but our mantra has been ‘we can have no excuses’.”

Cooper believes the Hertfordshire side will be a tough test, with “one of the best players he’s ever coached” George Williams in their ranks. But the Yeovil manager has made sure his squad will be up for the fight. He said: “We have to deal with the pitch and everything else but we will be ready.”

The 3G pitch at Vauxhall Road

Yeovil Town captain Josh Staunton and frontman Jake Hyde are unavailable due to not being able to play on artificial pitches, Jordan Stevens misses out through injury. Morgan Williams will be able to play after his sending off in pre-season only counting towards other friendly games.

If you are heading to Vauxhall Road for season’s curtain-raiser, check out the Ciderspace Away Travel Guide to Hemel – here.

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Yeovil Town have announced the departure of Zanda Siziba to National League side York City after the mutual termination of his contract.

Arriving in March, under the Matt Uggla “Stewardship”, Siziba went on to make six appearances for the Glovers scoring one goal.

The former Ipswich Town player will once again join up with Uggla at The Minstermen, after the businessman acquired a majority shareholding in the Yorkshire side.

 

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Yeovil Town have announced the management staff of the remodelled youth setup now known as the ‘Performance Centre’.

Jamie Phillip will be the Chief Executive of the newly founded Performance Centre, bringing with him a wealth of experience. Phillip is currently the first team manager of Cardiff City LFC, who won the FA National League Division One South West last season, which saw him earn the Manager of the year.

Overseeing the coaching standards within the green and whites youth system is the returning Mark Challen. Previously the Under 18’s head coach at Yeovil, the 38-year old had a successful nine years at Yeovil where he brought through the likes of Toby Stephens, Ollie Haste and Alfie Lloyd, before departing in 2021. Part of Challen’s role will be to create an inclusive coaching enviroment that will enhance player development.

Bob Thomas will see his role change from Football Development Officer with what was the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust, to Head of Development Phases. With more than 15 years working for the Glovers, Thomas’ knowledge of the club and its values will prove critical for the clubs youth sytsem going forward.

Ben Jones also joins the Performance Centre as the Head of Foundation Phases. Jones’ experience within youth setups will prove invaluable as he was previously head of the South Somerset Regional Talent Centre, based in Bridgwater. The Head of Foundation Phase role will see Jones give his support to players, coaches and parents at age group level.

Roy O’Brien has been appointed the Player Liason officer for the Performnce Centre,the Irishman will be a wlecome additon to the new setup. Having played over 90 games for club, as well as working for the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust, the 48-year old not only brings with him a wealth of experience but a sense of what it means to play for the Glovers, which he can pass onto potential first team talent. O’Briens role will see him be the connection between players, staff and parents alongside dealing with disciplinary cases.

O’Brien playing for Yeovil

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Yeovil Town winger Callum Harriott‘s short spell in Somerset has come to an end after the club announced his departure, with both parties agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract.

The news comes after the Gloverscast revealed he had been called up on international duty by Guyana for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary rounds.

The 29-year-old originally arrived at Huish Park in March on “a short-term deal” with an option to extend for an extra year at the time SU Glovers, led by Matt Uggla, were attempting (ultimately unsuccessfully) to turn their “stewardship” of the club in to a takeover.

The ex-Colchester United and Charlton Athletic player man did make a small impact in the three games he he did play for the Glovers scoring one goal in the 1-1 draw with Aldershot Town on Good Friday.

All at Gloverscast wish Callum the best in the future.