David Coates (Page 2)

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Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley has made six changes to his starting XI for tonight’s trip to Hornchurch (7.45pm kick-off).

There are first starts for on loan Bristol City defender Seb Naylor and striker Owen Dean with defender Joe Gubbins, midfielder Zane Westbrooke, winger Charlie Lennon and striker Ste Walker all starting.

Archie Davies, Hayden Muller, James Daly, Ryan Jones and Slavi Spasov, who all started the 2-1 home defeat to Altrincham on Saturday, are all named on the bench. Defender Ben Radcliffe misses out through suspension after his late red card in the last match.

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Having gone down to a defeat in the rain at home to Altrincham at the weekend, Yeovil Town are looking to bounce straight back when they visit Hornchurch for the first time on Tuesday night.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Despite defeat in their last outing at home to Altrincham on Saturday, it has been a sensational start to the new season for Billy Rowley’s men who still sit in the National League play-off places going in to this one.

The Glovers last loss was only their third in 13 league matches but did expose some defensive fragilities which they will need to solidify if they are to get anything from their trip to Essex.

They will be without the services of loan defender Ben Radcliffe. The Crawley Town player is suspended for three matches after his late red card at the weekend.

HORNCHURCH

The home form table for Hornchurch looks very different to the away form table. The National League Premier Division new boys sit third in the home table having won five of their six matches, but away from home they have lost six of their eight matches.

The latest defeat on the road came at Hartlepool United on Saturday when they went down 2-1 with former Yeovil loanee Angelo Balanta on target. But seven days earlier they were 2-0 winners over Eastleigh back on home soil.

After promotion via the National League South title last season, they strengthened with experience through the likes of defenders Ryan Inniss and Joe Kizzi, winger Myles Weston, midfielder Nathan Ferguson and striker Josh Walker.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JOHL POWELL

As introductions to a new division go, there can be few better than Johl Powell’s arrival in the National League Premier Division this season.

The forward has made the step up two tiers of the football pyramid look easy and goes in to Tuesday’s game with eight league goals in his last six appearances – make that nine in nine if you include the FA Cup.

He has proven himself an instinctive finisher who refuses to give up on a chance when he has got a scent of goal and ford in to this match as a player on top of his game.

HORNCHURCH – RYAN INNISS

At the heart of Hornchurch’s impressive start to life in the National League Premier Division is the colossal frame of former Yeovil loan defender Ryan Inniss.

The 31-year-old arrived in Essex in the summer having been released by Forest Green Rovers where he had been a regular fixture in the backline.

Inniss has been an ever-present for the Urchins this season and will bring experience and organisation alongside his defensive qualities and threat at the other end of the pitch in the Yeovil box.

If the Glovers are going to succeed in this one, getting past the one-man wall of Inniss is something they will have to achieve.

Ryan Inniss during his loan spell at Yeovil Town in 2014. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE GAFFER…

Daryl McMahon is not just manager at Hornchurch, he is part of the club’s ownership group.

Following promotion via the National League South play-offs (beating Yeovil Town Old Boys Torquay United) last season, the Irishman was awarded a new three-year contract at the club which saw him become a part-owner.

Announcing the deal back in June, Urchins’ chairman Alex Sharp said McMahon would help to “build a sustainable pathway to deliver EFL football for Hornchurch within the next five years.”

Hornchurch manager Daryl McMahon.

As a player, McMahon won promotion from League Two with Leyton Orient in 2006 and the FA Trophy with Stevenage a year later and finished his playing career at the same time he started his coaching one at Ebbsfleet United in 2015.

He got Ebbsfleet promoted from National League South in 2017 before jumping up for an ill-fated spell in the EFL at Macclesfield Town which lasted just half-a-season with the club deep in the financial mire. Within 24 hours of leaving Macclesfield, McMahon was appointed Dagenham & Redbridge manager where he stayed until February 2023.

He arrived at Hornchurch, then in the Isthmian League Premier Division, in January 2024 and guided them to promotion before following that with a play-off win in last season’s National League South final.

WE’VE MET BEFORE

We haven’t! Tuesday night’s game at the Hornchurch Stadium will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides.

DON’T I KNOW YOU?

Two former Yeovil loanees are among those they will face on their first visit to Hornchurch. Defender Ryan Inniss and attacker Angelo Balanta both had spells at Huish Park.

Inniss had a six-game loan with the Glovers in the 2014-15 season whilst he was on the books at Crystal Palace, whilst Balanta was part of the squad which reached the League One play-offs with the Glovers in 2013. The Colombian made seven appearances whilst on loan from QPR during that campaign.

It is not the first time either have faced their former employer with Balanta having previously faced us for Dagenham & Redbridge and Inniss whilst at Forest Green Rovers. In fact, the centre half scored an injury time winner against the Glovers on New Year’s Day 2025.

Angelo Balanta in his loan spell at Yeovil Town in 2013. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Harry Wager is no stranger to refereeing Yeovil Town matches. He was the man in the middle for one of our most infamous matches last season,

To find out which one, read Ben’s article – here.

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Bristol City defender Seb Naylor has joined Yeovil Town on loan until the start of January.

The 21-year-old can play on the left side of the back line or in midfield and arrived at Ashton Gate in January having been in the youth set-up at Manchester City.
He featured just once for the Robins’ first team last season and has been mostly involved in the Under-21s side in the current campaign where a lot of hie game time has come in midfield.
Announcing the signing on Friday, City Sporting Director James Ellis said: “Seb has been on the fringes of the first team since he joined Bristol City and has made a significant impact playing for the Under-21s.
“This move gives him the opportunity to gain vital senior experience at a club in the South West in a very competitive division. We are looking forward to seeing his progress.”
In the Glovers’ statement, they added: “The versatile youngster is capable of playing at left back or in midfield, offering Billy Rowley further options across the squad as the Glovers continue their National League campaign.

“The loan move provides Naylor with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in senior football and continue his development at Huish Park over the coming months.”

The left sided defender will give boss Billy Rowley options with Jordan Norville-Williams the only recognised left-back at Huish Park.

Naylor was an FA Youth Cup winner with Manchester City in the 2023-24 season and then collected a Premier League 2 winners’ medal the following season having made 19 appearances.

He joined Bristol City on a three-and-a-half year contract in January and was a regular in first-team squads under then-Robins’ boss Gerard Struber. His first appearance came in an FA Cup tie at Port Vale in March, a game which his side lost after extra time.

Following Struber’s departure, Naylor remained on the fringes of the first team during Roy Hodgson’s temporary spell in charge and he appeared in a number of pre-season friendlies for current boss Michael Skubala at the start of this season.

However, he has been a prominent part of the Under-21s side, managed by ex-City skipper Louis Carey, often starting in the centre of midfield showing a versatility to his game which has no doubt attracted Yeovil’s interest.

Welcome to Huish Park, Seb!

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The Green & White Supporters’ Club is running coach travel to the FA Cup 1st Round Proper tie at Chesterfield on Saturday 7th November (3pm kick-off).

Coaches will depart Huish Park at 7.45am with prices:

Members: Adults – £45, Concessions – £43

Non-members: Adults – £48, Concessions – £46

To book, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570. You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat. Prices are maximum and may reduce depending on booking numbers.

Payment can be made by bank transfer, please reference the match you are booking for and message Paul Hadlow to confirm the payment.

Account name: Green & White Supporters’ Club.
Account number: 8343 6772
Sort code: 20-68-15
Reference: Chesterfield

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Yeovil Town striker Slavi Spasov has said he is happy to be the type of frontman who is in the right place at the right time.

The summer signing took his tally for the season took his tally for the season to four (five if you include the Somerset Men’s Premier Cup) with a double in the 5-2 FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay win over Leatherhead on Tuesday night.

His goals this season have all been from close range, often providing the crucial finishing touch to a flowing move.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman after the game, the 24-year-old said: “I pride myself on (arriving at the right time) and my two goals prior to that were quite similar.

“I’d rather get 20 of them a season than score three from the edge of the box. I’d like to think that I’m always sniffing it out and I’m there at the right time.”

Asked how it was to play in a side which has already racked up 47 goals in all competitions (yes, including the SMPC) this season, he added: “It’s exciting. I feel like most of the time when we do get forward, we look like a threat. We look like we’re going to create a chance or we’re going to score a goal.

“There’s no better feeling as an attacker than to know you’ve got Ryan Jones and obviously James Daly, and then Johl Powell, and Brett McGavin pulling the strings behind them.

“I think everyone, whether they start or come off the bench, is just itching to get on the pitch and score goals, which obviously shows in the number of bodies we get in the box all the time.”

Despite a comprehensive-looking shoreline, Yeovil were made to work for their place in the First Round Proper by a Leatherhead side which refused to give up despite being reduced to ten men just before half-time at Huish Park.

The visitors, who had already staged a comeback to earn a replay in the opening match of the tie at the weekend, took the lead inside the opening 90 seconds, a goal which Spasov admitted he was at fault for having given away possession cheaply.

He said: “It was not our best performance of the season. I think we struggled with how disciplined they were in their low block last game.

“Tonight we said we probably should get a few more crosses into the box, so either obviously score from one or have them sink in a little deeper.

“Luckily, it paid off because I actually gave the ball away for their goal. Hopefully I made up for that one with my goal and equaliser.”

Slavi Spasov salutes the home fans having netted twice against Leatherhead.
Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

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Yeovil Town made no mistake at the second time of asking against a spirited Leatherhead as they booked their place in the FA Cup First Round Proper at Huish Park.

The visitors made a dream start when Kofi Anokye-Boadi opened the scoring within the opening 90 seconds before two goals from Slavi Spasov and Ryan Jones made it 3-1 going in to the half-time break. The clinical finishing we have become accustomed to in recent weeks was back.

Just a minute before half-time, the visitors saw defender Charlie Kennett sent off for a late tackle on Jack Kingdon and when substitute Charlie Lennon made it 4-1 on 58 minutes it looked like this tie was over. But, as they did in the opening game on Saturday, Leatherhead had no intention of giving up and pulled one back through Connor Harris with 14 minutes remaining.

There was a great chance for the visitors Tom Dryer to get another as the Tanners refused to say die, but eventually it was left to Lennon to seal the tie when he turned home a beautiful cross from Glovers’ youngster Liam Nardiello with four minutes remaining.

Another thrilling FA Cup tie and both sides soaked up well-deserved praise from their supporters at the final whistle. It’s Yeovil who are in to the next round, but make no mistake, Leatherhead made them know they were in a game.

First half

Huish Park was in good voice from the kick off, but within 90 seconds of the kick-off you could hear a pin drop as the visitors took a shock lead. Slavi Spasov was knocked off the ball too easily and allowed the visitors to break and find a pass which found Kofi ANOKYE-BOADI inside the box and he curled a beautiful finish in to the bottom corner. The 200 travelling supporters are going crazy and who could blame them? It’s a dream start for the side two divisions below Yeovil in the football pyramid.

Yeovil got back on the ball and tried to find their way through a Leatherhead side who showed no signs of giving anything away. But patience paid off when Joe Gubbins whipped in a lovely deep cross in to the box, Slavi SPASOV peeled off his defender and headed in to the ground and past Sonny Wheeler in the visitors’ goal with 15 minutes gone.

Ryan Jones on the run in the first half at Huish Park. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

Leatherhead are not changing their tactics, getting bodies behind the ball and making it as difficult for their hosts as they can. There was a shout for a penalty when Archie Davies, who scored Yeovil’s first in the opening game at the weekend, made a lovely turn to get inside the box and got a push in the back. Referee Harrison Blair was unmoved by the appeals for a spot kick.

But it was a moment of magic from who else but Ryan JONES which put the Glovers ahead with 24 minutes on the clock? Full credit to defender Ben Radcliffe who threaded a beautiful pass through the eye of a needle to pick out the winger who slotted it home equally beautifully. That was the clinical football attacking football which we have got used to from Yeovil this season, the ball never left the floor and kissed the post on its way in to the net. Chef’s kiss.

The Glovers are continuing to ask questions of a resolute Leatherhead side, Johl Powell has an effort deflected wide, but there’s no shortage of energy from the home side. Then with just a minute of normal time remaining in the first half, the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Charlie Kennett, who had been on the receiving end of a challenge from Davies which aggrieved the visitors earlier, put in a full-blooded tackle on Jack Kingdon after the whistle had gone. Perhaps a bit of revenge for Leatherhead, but referee Harrison Blair had no doubt about brandishing the red card.

With a man advantage and the memory of Saturday’s comeback still fresh in their minds, Yeovil were not taking any chances and made it 3-1 with four minutes of the seven added on played. The ball broke to Powell whose effort was only pushed away by Wheeler as far as Slavi SPASOV who tapped in the third.

A fantastic response from Billy Rowley’s men after the disappointment of the weekend and that opening 90 seconds tonight.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 3 Leatherhead 1

Second half

For the Glovers, Jordan Norville-Williams and Charlie Lennon replaced James Daly and Archie Davies, whilst the visitors also made three changes at half-time and showed their intentions to not give up this tie despite their numerical disadvantage. Within nine minutes of the restart, they had a good opportunity to reduce the deficit when a free-kick from James Dickson had Jos Barker scrambling across his goal. Luckily there was no-one in a blue and white shirt to get a touch on it.

But just before the hour mark Yeovil added a fourth after a mix-up in the Leatherhead defence. Wheeler appeared to fail to give his defence a shout when he came to collect a Brett McGavin free-kick in to the box, visiting defenders and keeper collided and there was Charlie LENNON to tuck the ball home. Almost immediately after the goal, striker Ste Walker replaced Johl Powell and shortly after Loick Ayina came on for Kingdon.

Jumping for joy. Charlie Lennon celebrates his goal. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

Further changes for the visitors as well and one of the new arrivals, Nathan Hogan, had a great opportunity to pull a goal back. Tom Dreyer put him clean through on goal against Jos Barker who did well to deny the substitute from close range. They might be behind and a man down, but Leatherhead are not giving up trying.

With 73 minutes on the clock and the tie seemingly settled (let’s not rule anything out after the weekend!), Under-19s forward Liam Nardiello replaced Ben Radcliffe and went to right back. He’ll not be used to that.

Remember how I said let’s not rule anything out? Leatherhead got the second when Ayina got drawn in and a ball around the corner allowed Connor HARRIS to get through and powered a shot past Jos Barker. The visitors are not taking the moment to celebrate in front of their travelling fans, they grabbed the ball and went straight back to the restart. Got to admire that spirit.

The visitors are not playing around here, it should have been 4-3. Another sloppy moment from Ayina as he receives a pass from Nardiello and gives it away to Tom Dryer who lifts his effort over. Then seconds later, a terrific ball in from and it goes out of play, but that was close. Billy Rowley cannot believe what he is seeing from his defence.
There had not been much flowing football from Yeovil this half, but when it arrived with four minutes of normal time remaining it brought a fifth goal. Great play from Nardiello saw him fire a beautiful ball across the six-yard area and there was Charlie LENNON to turn it away. The Barnsley loanee almost grabbed a hat-trick when he saw a shot come off the post soon after, before Ryan Jones had an effort well stopped by Wheeler as the game crept in to injury time.
The First Round Proper will see Yeovil travel to League Two Chesterfield, but let’s give huge credit to Leatherhead who have proven the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well over these two matches. A fantastic comeback in the first game and tonight they may have gone away defeated, but they have shown an amazing spirit to play their part in another rip-roaring tie. Best wishes to the Tanners for the rest of the season and thanks for a memorable tie!
For Yeovil, that is 20 goals in four matches and we’re well on our way to matching last season’s tally for the entire campaign before the fireworks come out of the box for Bonfire Night!

Full time: Yeovil Town 5 Leatherhead 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 20th October, 2026, 7.45pm

Competition: FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay

Scorers: Kofi Anokye-Boadi 2 (0-1), Slavi Spasov 15 (1-1), Ryan Jones 24 (2-1), Slavi Spasov 45+4 (3-1), Charlie Lennon 58 (4-1), Connor Harris 76 (4-2), Charlie Lennon 86 (5-2)

Conditions: Autumnal chill in the air
Pitch: Grass is definitely shorter than Saturday, looking good

Attendance: 2,094 (198 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Archie Davies 30
Leatherhead: Cameron Black 82

Sendings off

Leatherhead: Charlie Kennett 44
Yeovil Town: 

Referee: Harrison Blair

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Jordan Norville-Williams (for James Daly, 46), Charlie Lennon (for Archie Davies, 46), Ste Walker (for Johl Powell, 59), Loick Ayina (for Jack Kingdon, 64), Liam Nardiello (for Ben Radcliffe, 73), Matt Gould (not used).

Leatherhead: Sonny Wheeler, Charlie Kennett, Cameron Black, Niran Butler, Louis Paget, James Dickson (for Nathan Hogan, 65), Mark Waters, Matt Everitt (for Connor Harris, 46), Anas Igozolun (for Harry Murphy, 65), Kofi Anokye-Boadi (for Tom Dryer, 46), Marcel Barrington (for Kemall Wilson, 46).

Substitutes (not used): Maksym Zabashta, Deondre Dante.

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Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has said home advantage could be crucial as his side look to step over an FA Cup banana skin in tonight’s fourth qualifying round replay at home to lower league Leatherhead.

The Glovers needed a late equaliser from midfielder Johl Powell to bring the Isthmian League Premier Division side back to Somerset after the Tanners scored three times in a frenetic last 15 minutes in Surrey.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman ahead of the game, Rowley said: “Home advantage is massive. It is such a shame we couldn’t play here in the first game, but this is what the FA Cup is about, isn’t it? I’ve got a lot of respect for Leatherhead. They’re a good local club to me, and it should be a really interesting game for us.

“But this is definitely more suited to us here. The grass is shorter, the pitch is wet, and we’ll be able to move the ball with a bit more purpose and rhythm. Obviously, we’ll be supported by our brilliant fans, so hopefully we can put on a really good show for them, and that will give the boys a little bit more energy.”

Yeovil celebrate Archie Davies opening goal in the opening minute of the second half at Leatherhead on Saturday.

Yeovil looked to be cruising in to the First Round Proper at the weekend when they led 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining at Leatherhead three days ago, but they conceded three goals in 13 second half minutes to trail and grabbed a replay courtesy of Powell’s strike with a minute of normal time remaining.

Rowley pointed to criticism of his decision to make five changes in the second half, the last of which saw influential midfielder Brett McGavin replaced by defender Loick Ayina just two minutes before Leatherhead’s first goal.

He said: “I really think it was a good performance up until the last 15 minutes, which were a bit crazy. Obviously, I can take a lot of flak for making so many substitutions, but I was just talking to the ownership upstairs, and we made the same substitutions, and the same number of substitutions, against Boston at home and Wealdstone away in 6-0 wins.

“It just so happens that the substitutions didn’t help us score more goals this time, and we conceded a couple of corners. I’ll obviously take the flak for that, but I thought the performance was good, barring the last 15 minutes.”

The manager said winger Mason Obeng, who appeared as a second half substitute at the weekend, had been left out of the squad with a hamstring injury, he is replaced by Under-19s’ striker Liam Nardiello on the bench. The only change to the starting XI sees captain Joe Gubbins replace Jordan Norville-Williams in defence.

Rowley said: “Jordan is physically getting through some serious yardage and high-intensity work every game. We’re going to try to, not necessarily rest him, but have him available for the second half if we need him.

“Also, Joe coming in adds a lot of height from a defensive aspect. His left foot is incredible, and he might be able to open up some longer-range passes to the opposite side of the pitch for us.”

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Captain Joe Gubbins has returned to the starting line-up for Yeovil Town as they face Leatherhead in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at Huish Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The skipper returns in place of Jordan Norville-Williams who drops to the substitutes’ bench in the only change from the first game which finished 3-3 in Surrey on Saturday.

Mason Obeng, who appeared as a second half substitute three days ago, is not named in the squad with Under-19s striker Liam Nardiello named among the substitutes.

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Yeovil Town and Leatherhead will do it all again in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at Huish Park on Tuesday night after a frenetic first encounter yesterday. Dave was in the away end at Fetcham Grove and here are his conclusions.

That’s a different kind of six: When we said “we want six”, this wasn’t quite what we meant! I think the “magic” of the FA Cup is as near as I can get to explaining that one. We looked like we were cruising to a comfortable win, suffering a giant-killing and then clinging on for a draw all in the space of 20 second half minutes. We did not deserve to lose that tie, but fair dos to Leatherhead, they played their part in proceedings to perfection. I bet the photographers who snapped their celebrations after the third goal thought they had got the story – thank goodness for Johl Powell.

We lost control after the changes: With an hour played, I think we had controlled at least 50 minutes and looked to be cruising comfortably in to the First Round Proper. But four changes including withdrawing Ryan Jones, James Daly, Ben Radcliffe and, perhaps most importantly, captain Brett McGavin, on 58 minutes was a lot of change all at once – and then we put a central defender in the middle of the park. We never quite got in to our rhythm again after that and once the home side got one back, their tails were up and our fragilities were exposed.
We needed to be more clinical: That sounds ridiculous when you side we won our previous two matches 6-0, I know, but this game could have been dead and buried by the hour mark if we had taken our opportunities. There were chances for Archie Davies and Mason Obeng just before Leatherhead pulled a goal back where both players looked like they were going for the spectacular, when the simple was an option and let’s not forget McGavin’s penalty miss. We dominated so much of the possession (our passing game really was a joy to watch again) that to be four up with an hour gone would not have flattered us. That finishing almost cost us.
Stick with us Prabhu: It was great to see chairman Prabhu Srinivasan in the away end again, he has been a regular sight at recent matches and I know a lot of fans appreciate how accessible he makes himself. But to see him in amongst it at 2-0, but then making a swift exit at 2-2 did not go unnoticed. Stick with it through good times and bad, Mr Chairman, that’s the way we do it.
We’re still in the hat: It’s a cliche, I know, but Ball 68 of the draw for the First Round Proper of the FA Cup is still Leatherhead or Yeovil Town. A replay on Tuesday night is not ideal, but our next league opponents, Altrincham, also face a replay with FC United of Manchester in midweek. Leatherhead performed absolute heroics to run us this close yesterday and they will have to be almost superhuman to do that again on Tuesday night at Huish Park. Dust ourselves down and go again, we should have enough to get through – but they haven’t lost away in 2026!
Not your average football fare, but steak and chips was on the menu at Leatherhead.

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Yeovil Town came within a whisker of being on the end of an FA Cup giant-killing after a late Johl Powell equaliser saw them forced to a fourth qualifying round replay at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

The Glovers looked to be home and dry after Archie Davies and Brett McGavin put them 2-0 up with goals either side of a missed penalty from McGavin in the second half, but when Leatherhead captain Mark Waters pulled a goal back with 77 minutes on the clock, the home crowd sensed an FA Cup shock.

The atmosphere inside Fetcham Grove seemed to spur the home side and exploded when Waters pulled them level and then fired them ahead. A giant-killing looked to be on the cards before Powell steered home an equaliser with a minute of normal time remaining.

First half

Yeovil Town named another unchanged starting XI for the third consecutive game with the only change coming on the substitutes’ bench where Owen Dean dropped out having played for Farnham Town in the competition’s earlier rounds.

The possession statistics must have been almost perfect for the visitors in the opening 20 minutes with the Glovers passing the ball around beautifully with Leatherhead playing like the away side looking to hit on the break.

On eight minutes, James Daly smashed an effort in to the side netting and then with 22 minutes gone, then a powerful run by Daly down left played in Johl Powell who did well to turn inside a crowded area and get in a shot which hosts’ keeper Sonny Wheeler got a glove to before defender Niran Butler hacked it clear.

For the Tanners, winger Anas Igozouln was a threat down the right and came in for some rough treatment notably from Yeovil captain Brett McGavin who was perhaps fortunate to get away with a yellow card for his challenge on 25 minutes.

Anas Igozouln on the run for Leatherhead.

There were nervous moments when striker Tom Dryer broke through the Yeovil defence with eight minutes of the first half remaining. But a combination of goalkeeper Jos Barker and Jordan Norville-Williams saw the danger away, but only far enough for the hosts to flash a cross in front of the visitors’ goal.

There was some good last ditch defending from the home side, but aside from the Powell effort there was not a meaningful chance on the Leatherhead goal.

There was a deep and meaningful conversation between Billy Rowley and his assistant Darren Simpson before they went back in to the dressing room at the interval. They knew that the dominance we had in the opening 45 minutes could not go unpunished if this was not going to be a difficult afternoon for us.

Half-time: Leatherhead 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Any fans who stayed a minute later in the bar at half-time would have been disappointed as Yeovil took the lead in the opening minute of the second half. Jack Kingdon picked the ball up just inside the Leatherhead area, fed it through to Archie DAVIES who smashed in an angled shot.

Yeovil celebrate Archie Davies opening goal.

Then three minutes later there was a golden opportunity for the visitors to double the advantage when Daly went over a raised boot inside the box and referee James Durkin pointed to the spot. Brett McGavin stepped up and smashed his penalty against the underside of the crossbar and away.

The captain then suffered at the expense of the woodwork again soon after when he was found by Powell on the edge of the box, but his curling effort came back off the post. Yeovil continued to press for a second and first Jordan Norville-Williams and then Powell lifted efforts over the bar.

But captain McGavin found the breakthrough just before the hour mark. Ryan Jones weaved in from the right wing and looked set to shoot before laying it back to Brett McGAVIN who hammered home from the edge of the box.

With the score line looking more comfortable, Rowley rang the changes with four changes as Joe Gubbins, Charlie Lennon, Mason Obeng and Ste Walker coming off the bench in place of Jones, Daly, Ben Radcliffe and Slavi Spasov.

There were opportunities for both Davies and Obeng to put the game out of reach of the hosts and they were chances which would come back to haunt the visitors when Leatherhead pulled a goal back with 11 minutes of normal time remaining. A free-kick swng in from the right side saw Jos Barker come for it and miss, the ball was headed back across goal where Louis PAGET was there to head one back.

Suddenly Leatherhead found another gear and sensed blood and began turning up the pressure and flooding the penalty area and Everitt’s corner in to a crowded penalty area found a mass of bodies and one of them turned it home. Tanners’ captain Mark WATERS took the credit, but honestly it could have been a number of players from either side who got the final touch.
If Leatherhead sensed blood before, they smelt it stronger now. Barker pulled off a sensational to deny Waters from another penalty area scramble. and with three minutes remaining WATERS drove in to the box and smashed the home side in to the lead. Cue scenes which FA Cup qualifying rounds are all about with the entire team and most of the bench joined in the celebrations. A giant-killing was afoot.
But the drama was not done there, Yeovil pressed forward desperate not to be the headlines of the FA Cup and Hayden Muller tried a shot from the edge of the box, keeper Wheeler could only parry it as far as Johl POWELL who was there to stab home the equaliser with a minute of normal time remaining.
There were opportunities for both sides to have snatched a winner, but instead the game went to a replay at Huish Park.

Full time: Leatherhead 3 Yeovil Town 3

Match Details

Venue: Fetcham Grove
Date: Saturday 17th October, 2026, 3pm

Competition: FA Cup fourth qualifying round

Scorers: Archie Davies 46 (1-0), Brett McGavin 58 (2-0), Louis Paget 77 (1-2), MarkWaters 81 (2-2), Mark Waters 86 (3-2), Johl Powell 89 (3-3)

Conditions: Dry and sunny

Pitch: Glorious and only a little slopey in the goal mouths

Attendance: 2,000 (400 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Brett McGavin 25
Leatherhead: Mark Waters 90

Referee: James Durkin

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: James Daly (for Mason Obeng, 62), Ryan Jones (for Charlie Lennon, 62), Slavi Spasov (for Ste Walker, 62), Ben Radcliffe (for Joe Gubbins, 62), Loick Ayina (for Brett McGavin, 75), Matt Gould (not used).

Leatherhead: Sonny Wheeler, Charlie Kennett, Cameron Black, Niran Butler, Louis Paget, James Dickson (for Nathan Hogan, 74), Mark Waters, Harry Murphy (for Marcel Barrington, 55), Kofi Anokye-Boadi (for Connor Harris, 74), Tom Dryer (for Matt Everitt, 63), Anas Igozolun (for Deondre Date, 65).

Substitutes (not used): Kemall Wilson, Maksym Zabashta.