David Coates (Page 136)

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Whilst Yeovil Town are looking to end a disappointing season on a high, the visitors to Huish Park this weekend, King’s Lynn Town, are looking back on a good first season in the National League.

The Linnets, whose late equaliser earned a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture on the opening day of the season, will survive in the absence of relegation, but are unlikely to achieve boss Ian Culverhouse‘s aim of not finishing in the bottom three.

Even if you don’t count Dover Athletic, technically rock bottom on zero everything, they are sandwiched between Woking and Barnet and come in to the fixture without a win since the Easter Monday victory over Altrincham.

You have to go back to mid-January and a 1-0 win at Eastleigh to find the last time they won on the road, but they can’t go down which equals success for the Linnets.

Like many clubs, they have players on furlough and therefore unable to play – because, well, they are on furlough – and Culverhouse has had to bring in players from Step 2 and Step 3 clubs looking to make a name for themselves at this level, and a number of loan signings.

FROM (OUR) MANAGER

Normally, I would try to find you the views of the opposition manager in this pre-match previews, but I cannot find a word from Ian Culverhouse about his side’s trip to South Somerset.

So, here is what Glovers’ manager Darren Sarll had to say about them: “It’s a group of players playing with ridiculous freedom because their sole goal this season was to maintain their status in the league.

“They have done that with no relegation, which translates in to some very good football at times.

“A good game for us is winning and playing good football and my focus is on us rather than King’s Lynn.”

There is more from the manager on the club’s official matchday preview which you can read – here.

TEAM NEWS

According to the Eastern Daily Press, the Linnets’ only fitness concern is over midfielder Ryan Jarvis, who came off at half-time in the 4-1 defeat at Chesterfield in midweek.

That was the former Torquay United man’s first game in two months due to a knee injury.

Central defender Elkan Baggott, who is on loan from Ipswich Town, could return at Huish Park having missed the midweek defeat playing in an FA Youth Cup semi-final for his parent club.

It has been a busy season season for the 18-year-old, who made his senior debut for the Tractor Boys in the League Cup earlier this season, signed a professional contract, got called up by the Indonesian national team and joined King’s Lynn on loan.

The visitors will be without Adam Marriott, the prolific striker who nicked an 87th-minute equaliser against Yeovil on the opening day.

He joined Eastleigh in April with his contract at King’s Lynn up in the summer.

 

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Tai Fleming – an 18-year-old defender who on his personal website describes himself as “a no nonsense defender who takes pride in defending” has made 15 appearances for King’s Lynn this season.

But, up until May 2020, he was on a scholarship with Yeovil Town and captained the youth team with four first-team appearances in pre-season friendly matches.

The youngster appears to have been a regular starter since arriving at The Walks, so expect him to line up against his old club this weekend.

Kwesi Appiah – spent a month on loan with Yeovil from Crystal Palace during the 2012-2013 – which turned out alright for us, as I recall.

He made five appearances for Gary Johnson’s men, coming off the bench for four of them which the Glovers won, and starting one – a 2-0 defeat at Colchester United on a cold February night.

Earlier in his career, whilst with Peterborough United, Appiah had a prolific spell with King’s Lynn FC scoring nine in 10 games for the Northern League Premier side before his loan spell was cut short when the club went bust. I’m not saying he’s unlucky, but….

King’s Lynn FC were eventually wound up in November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and  reformed as today’s King’s Lynn Town in January 2010.

 

For the lowdown on King’s Lynn, listen to the chat with Jamie Heaphey, a volunteer at King’s Lynn Town, talk about loan players playing for expenses for the club on the latest edition of the Gloverscast.

Gloverscast #72 – “Do fish know when it’s raining?”

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Glovers defender, Billy Sass-Davies has been the subject of much praise from him parent club’s manager David Artell.

The Crewe boss spoke on Friday about the Welshman’s progression since joining on loan in February.

“He has gone down there on loan and held his place and it will be another great learning curve for him. It is one of the reasons why I have allowed Olly to leave us. Billy has got to be given his opportunity and I think he is ready.”

Artell added: “I will talk to him, to reassure him that him going out on to Yeovil is all part of his development. He has been placed on loan for that very reason, much in the same way Owen Dale was. “

At the time of writing, Sass-Davies has played 18 games for Darren Sarll’s side, scoring the one goal – against Barnet, he has also made his Wales Under 21s debut whilst on loan with the club and looks set to be in Crewe’s plans for their first team campaign next season.

More evidence that sending young talent on loan to Huish Park is of benefit to everyone, more of the same next season, please!

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Former Yeovil Town loan striker Olufela Olomola has been released by Scunthorpe United following the expiry of his contract.

The 23-year-old, who had two spells on loan at Huish Park under former boss Darren Way, is among 17 players being shipped out of the League Two club in what looks like a major clear out.

Fela first joined us in the 2017-18 campaign from Southampton and made 28 appearances scoring seven times. He returned in 2018-19, this time from Scunthorpe, scoring just three times in 27 appearances.

He made just seven starts for the Iron this season.

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Darren Sarll has said it is inevitable that “players fans really like” will be leaving the club this summer.

But, the manager has said he is committed to  bringing in other talent who will go on to become fans’ favourites as he looks to build for next season.

He said: “We are starting to build for the future and next season, Scott (Priestnall), the Yeovil Town chairman) and I are talking all the time about what we want this team to look like and how we want it to represent the fans. We built a lovely connection with our fans last season and we want to rebuild that with players that we want to have that and with players that we bring in. Players that they really like will be leaving, that is inevitable, and some players that they like  (who are currently not at the club) will be coming in. We need to add (new players) to bring a nice, new energy to the group and we need to keep some of what we’ve got because they are brilliant people and they deserve another crack at it.”

 

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Current Yeovil Town loanee Michael Kelly and former Glovers’ star Ed Upson have both been released by Bristol Rovers, the club has announced.

The pair are among 12 players who have been released following the  expiry of their contracts this summer.

Full-back Kelly has been on loan at Huish Park since the end of January making 17 appearances this season, while Upson has been a regular starter as the Gas were relegated to League Two. He made 33 appearances, scoring once.

 

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There appears to be no sign of a return from exile for Yeovil Town winger Gabby Rogers.

The possible return to the fold of the young midfielder has been a topic for discussion among supporters with an injury crisis crippling the first-team.

Gabby Rogers in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Rogers has not featured since coming off the bench for extra-time at the end of the 3-2 FA Cup defeat at Stockport County back in November and Sarll said at the time he had “pretty much requested to be on the transfer list.”

Asked about him again ahead of the weekend’s home game with King’s Lynn, Sarll said: “Nothing has changed from the first time around. I will only play players who want to play for the football club, it does not matter who it is. We want to produce a group of people that are highly committed to the club. Gabby was (committed to the club) but things change.”

The possible return was a topic for discussion on the Gloverscast the other week and in a recent edition of the Gloversblog, read here .

*Editors note: this question has been omitted from the Official coverage of the pre-match press conference

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Yeovil Town have appealed the red card shown to Alex Bradley in Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat at Aldershot Town and are hopeful he will return for this weekend’s visit from King’s Lynn.

Bradley was dismissed for a tackle from behind on Shots’ striker Harry Panayiotou after 55 minutes of the game in Hampshire, but boss Darren Sarll is hopeful the three-match ban will be overturned on appeal.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Sarll said: “We have appealed. We think the video footage is good enough to exonerate him. There was a similar tackle from an Aldershot player midway through the second half which is probably worse than Alex’s, so we will be saying that and hopefully  we can get Alex in on Saturday.”

You can see for yourself with the match highlights – see here – on the club’s YouTube channel – the moment is at 2 minutes and 55 seconds in.

Sarll also revealed that some of his long list of injuries could return for the match at Huish Park.

He was without Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt, Albi Skendi, Carl Dickinson, Jimmy Smith, Matt Worthington, Rhys Murphy and long-term absentee Josh Staunton at Aldershot.

But, the boss revealed that he was hopeful that a number of those missing in midweek would be available.

Sarll said: “I don’t think in an ideal world we would have them this weekend, but there are players that have been very forceful in saying they recognise the situation and want to help. They are putting themselves at risk for the benefit of the team, myself and the football club, so I am hopeful on a couple of them. I would rather not name them in case I set myself up, but I am hoping that some of them will be available where it is cameo roles or from the start.”

Midfielder Lawson D’Ath, who has been missing since January, made a welcome return as a second-half substitute at Aldershot and there was another appearance for under-18s midfielder, Toby Stephens.

On the subject of poor refereeing decisions, Sarll also revealed he had received an apology from the FA for mistake of not giving a penalty for a foul on striker Reuben Reid in the 3-0 home defeat to Halifax Town.

With the Glovers’ trailing 1-0 in the 83rd minute, Reid was pulled back in the box by visiting defender Niall Maher, but referee Elliot Swallow waved the appeals away and the visitors broke away to get a second moments later.

Sarll said: “I’ve had another email today saying (the referee) got it wrong again with Reuben’s penalty against Halifax. That stops them getting the second goal and  potentially brings us back to 1-1. I guess there are 14 points of mistakes we’ve not got from referees this season.”

One person who won’t be surprised is Halifax manager Pete Wild who admitted after the game that it was “definitely a pen.”

 

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Yeovil Town boss Darren Sarll has revealed the club couldn’t say no to QPR on the deal offered for Alfie Lloyd.

The academy product’s move to QPR was confirmed earlier this week after he had a successful trial at the London club.

Speaking to the press today, Sarll said: “It was a brilliant deal, we could not say no. It is the best deal in terms of monetary value that the club has done for 4-5 years. It is a good deal up front and a good deal if Alfie is successful and it is a good deal for Alfie in terms of his football career and education and that is what he needs. We are really pleased for him because he is a brilliant guy and we are delighted for him.”

Sarll stressed the importance of good finances at the club, given the uncertainty COVID has caused, and touched on the deals we’ve done this season, presumably the selling of Myles Hippolyte, Courtney Duffus and Lloyd.

“Everyone knows we are in COVID financial times and money is at a premium, so we needed to do it. We have sold three players and we have brought in what is moving to hundreds of thousands of pounds in remuneration, so that is all good. That will only create a stronger foundation and that is what is going to have to happen. That is like any business. What we have seen over the years, so many mistakes with young players who spend ages out on loan and then get released. We are in a position next season where every penny has to be spent very wisely and next season if players can’t contribute to the first team, we can’t have them with us.”

Sarll praised his young signings, Tom Knowles, Alex Bradley and Max Hunt. He talked about the character they bring to the squad, and how the experiences of this season will only improve them.

He said: “The experience young players are getting on and off the pitch has been huge, but we have to get through this difficult time.
They will only be better for these life and football experiences. I am really excited about players like Tom Knowles, Alex Bradley, Max Hunt, they are going to be brilliant players for the club.

“We need to make sure we keep that character because the team that fell out of the League was devoid of character in my opinion. We need to keep that in senior players, but there are also young players out there with that same character that you need. Look at Tom Knowles, his strength of character means he’s as tough as old boots, brave as a lion, takes the ball, gets kicked and gives it back.”

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If you are feeling brave, the highlights of our 2-0 defeat at Aldershot Town on Tuesday night are now available on the club’s YouTube channel.

If you spool forward to 2 minutes, 55 seconds in, you’ll see the sending-off of midfielder Alex Bradley – what do you think? Red card? Just a yellow? Referee banned for three matches?

Give us your opinion on the Gloverscast Twitter, here: https://twitter.com/gloverscast

 

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It was another difficult night for Yeovil Town’s walking wounded as they went down to their third consecutive defeat on a disappointing night at Aldershot Town.

With a decent starting XI – with Luke Wilkinson in goal – on the treatment table, Darren Sarll’s starting XI was the walking wounded from the opening whistle.

A battling first half saw them match their hosts, but a defensive error from an out-of-position back line and a harsh straight red card for Alex Bradley inside four first half minutes left the already depleted Glovers with too much to do.

Here’s how I saw it…..

FIRST HALF

With too many injuries to mention – look at the match preview if you’re interested – there was a welcome return for Lawson D’Ath on the substitutes bench, marking his first appearance in the squad since the 3-0 win at Weymouth on January 5.

Joining him on the bench were four members of the Glovers’ under-18s, youth team captain Jiah Medrano, midfielders Adam Heaton and Toby Stephens, the latter who made his first-team debut at Wrexham at the weekend, and keeper Max Evans, who has been a regular on the bench this season.

On the pitch, the injury-ravaged visitors lined up with central midfielder Charlie Lee in the heart of defence alongside Billy Sass-Davies, and Josh Neufville playing at right back rather than his more forward approach with Bradley at the base of the diamond.

However, Yeovil started brightly and made much of the early running with Emmanuel Sonupe having an early shot blocked before Tom Knowles and captain Reuben Reid linking up nicely for Knowles to jink in to the box and fire in a shot that was well tipped away by Aldershot keeper Mitch Walker.

Shots’ striker Harry Panayiotou fired one wide having been found by a fine George Fowler pass soon after, but – despite what the Aldershot live stream pundits told us at half time – the Yeovil chances were not restricted to one effort.

On 11 minutes, Reid held the ball up well on the edge of the box, squared it to Dagnall whose shot was well-saved by Walker. That’s at least two efforts that had the keeper working.

But, that was about as good as it got for the Glovers in the first half, with the home side turning up the pressure after that with Craig Tanner having a shot come off the outside of the post.

The final 25 minutes of the half turned in to a less end-to-end affair although it was Aldershot who looked more threatening going forward.

That pressure showed up  exactly where Yeovil’s defence had players out of position with Neufville looking particularly vulnerable, as he did when he was deployed at right-back in the game at Chesterfield earlier in the season.

An equally big concern was head injuries to Sass-Davies and Chris Dagnall, the latter who ended up with a bandage around his head – injuries are not what we need right now.

Half time: Aldershot Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

SECOND HALF

Now, remember how I said in the first half that the out-of-position Neufville getting caught out of position? Well, with six minutes in to the second half, good play between Fowler and Tanner down the rightv saw a ball go to the back post and Chike Kandi got in front of Neufville to head Aldershot ahead at the back post.

To add insult to injury, three minutes later Alex Bradley saw red for a tackle from behind on Panayiotou in the middle of the box.

I’m obviously out of practice with this match reporting lark because I looked up just as the tackle went in, looked up to see Bradley walking. It looked wild to me at a first glance, but suffice to say not all of Twitter agreed with my glancing review, see below!

And, having watched the replay at the end of match, I concur with the views of Twitter – it was a yellow card, but never a red.

To add further injury to injury (or should that be insult as well?) a crunching tackle from behind on Tom Knowles by Aldershot substitute Jon Nouble’s on 69 minutes looked every bit as bad as the one Bradley saw red for.

Nouble got a yellow. What’s the first rule of the Gloverscast again?

Red card or not, the loss  put Yeovil’s walking wounded were under even more pressure and Kandi will be disappointed not to have doubled their advantage shortly after.

There was a bright spot with D’Ath making an appearance in the 67th minute, replacing Sonupe, and despite an obvious lack of match fitness, he showed his usual composure on the ball.

Sass-Davies threw his body on the line on at least two occasions to block shots coming in from the home side, but with nine minutes to go Dagnall headed over with a rare opportunity.

The home side continued to turn the screw and it was another defensive mistake that led to the doubling their advantage.

A long ball forward found Nouble with only Kelly in the vicinity of him and, with the rest of the Yeovil defence racing back from…..well, somewhere…..he played in Panayiotou  who hammered it home.

Adam Smith pulled off an amazing double save soon after, but dead on their feet is the way to describe how Yeovil looked by the closing 10 minutes of the match.

So, another defeat ends with me thinking the same thing as the after the last one – can’t we just finish the season now? Pretty, pretty please.

Full time: Aldershot Town 2 Yeovil Town 0

ALDERSHOT TOWN: Walker, Fowler, Sendles-White, Lyons-Foster, Rees (for Nouble, 28), Kandi (for Hinds, 74), Panayiotou, Anderson, Edser, Kinsella, Tanner (for Bettamer, 74).
Subs not used: Ogie, Miller.
Bookings: Lyons-Foster, Nouble, Panayiotou.

YEOVIL TOWN: Smith, Bradley, Sass-Davies, Lee, Kelly, Knowles, Sonupe (for D’Ath, 67), Dagnall (for Stephens, 82), Neufville, Quigley, Reid.
Subs not used: Evans (GK),Heaton, Medrano.
Sending off: Bradley.