David Coates (Page 3)

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Winger James Daly is “touch and go” to be available for Yeovil Town as they prepare to take on Gateshead in a lunchtime kick-off at Huish Park this weekend.

The winger has been unavailable for training needed “a few stitches” in his foot after a horror tackle from Carlisle United’s substitute Jonah Lowes in the final seconds last Saturday. The wild challenge from the 18-year-old came in the ten seconds following the restart after the visitors scored an equaliser deep into second half stoppage time.

The Glovers will also be without defender Jake Gubbins who is suspended after his sending off last weekend for picking up two yellow cards, but boss Billy Rowley revealed that central defender Loick Ayina was “fine” having suffered a knee injury which has kept him out of the opening fixtures of the season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Josh Perkins ahead of the weekend, the manager said: “JD came on, and I thought he helped us weather that storm we were dealing with with ten men, and he’s taken a blow to the foot. He’s missed training all week and he had to have a few stitches in his in his wound, so he hasn’t he hasn’t been out here. He just did a bit of running today, but I’m not sure if he’ll be available for the weekend, it’ll be touch and go.”

Carlisle substitute Jonah Lowes (he’s the pink blur) with a horrific tackle which left James Daly needing stitches in his foot.

There was also an appearance in training from midfielder Joe Haigh, the summer signing who has yet to appear having undergone surgery in the summer.

The 23-year-old, who joined from National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge in the summer, went under the knife for a “minor ankle injury” which the Glovers were aware of when he signed. He is now out of a protective boot he had been wearing since his operation and back on the grass at the club’s Bristol training ground.

Rowley said: “Joe is still recovering from his ankle surgery, so he’s been in the gym a lot. I think he might be out here doing some running next week, which is pleasing to see.

“You can see his spirits lifted as soon as that boot came off, so  we’re really looking forward to to seeing Joe back on the grass. I feel like it’ll be be like a new signing when he when he gets among the group, he’ll add his quality, so we’re really happy to see him out of the boot and hopefully we’ll see him on the pitch soon.”

Having been held to a 1-1 draw courtesy of a late equaliser at Scunthorpe on the opening day, the Glovers suffered further heart-break when Carlisle grabbed a point with just six seconds remaining last weekend having been with ten minute after Gubbins’ 65th minute red card.

Rowley admitted Lady Luck had not smiled on his side in either of their opening two games, but he was hoping for a bit more against Gateshead this weekend.

The boss said: “If you think back to Scunthorpe, the linesman has killed us (with an incorrect offside decision given against Luke McCormick) to go 2-0 up and then they score a great goal in the 89th minute which felt like a dagger to the heart for us.

“Then last week (against Carlisle) we do feel like both Joe’s yellow cards were justified, so we are not disagreeing with those. But, at 1-0 there are a couple of chances for us to get in the box and be a bit more clinical and then that game goes 2-0 to us at home and you would fancy us to hold on.

“So both those games are a little bit of a kick in the teeth, but it could be worse, we could be sitting here on zero points. In an ideal world we would have six points, but we have got two and we will be looking to get another three on Saturday.”

​Striker Stephen Walker got his first goal since his summer signing from National League North side Scarborough Athletic against Carlisle and Rowley said he was pleased with his side’s attacking intent in that game.

He said: “We’ve obviously got some really talented front players that are that are exciting, some good one-v-one players which are some of my favourite players to watch.  I think it’s just going to take some time for us to embed our ideas and feel really familiar and comfortable with what we’re asking the boys to do which is a bit of a process, but the early signs are good.

“I feel like we could get in the other team’s box a little bit more. We we should have threatened the opposition’s goal more, but I like  our control in the middle part of the pitch and our play the final third is a lot better. It’s just about putting icing on the cake now and trying to trying to get some goals.”

Stephen Walker fires Yeovil ahead against Carlisle. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tate’s Photography.

This weekend’s opponents, Gateshead, picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory at home to Woking last Saturday before drawing 1-1 with Nottingham Forest Under-21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday night.

They have former tough-tackling Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole in the dug-out after he was appointed to replace Rob Elliot, who quit to take over at Carlisle having led them to a miraculous escape from relegation last season.

Speaking about his opposite number this weekend, Rowley said: “Anyone who plays Premier League football is an incredible thing for anyone to achieve, so I have nothing but respect for that. I think a couple of our lads have been part of his training sessions before and they speak very highly of him, so I am expecting him to be a very successful manager and I am looking forward to meeting him. Hopefully we beat them, but hopefully there will be a chance to have a chat with him afterwards and chat to him about football.”

One familiar face in the Gateshead squad will be defender Kyle Ferguson who played 21 of the 34 matches he featured in for Yeovil last season under Rowley. The Scotsman was one of a number of players released by the Glovers at the end of last season and signed a two-year contract on Tyneside – and scored the second goal in last weekend’s victory.

Rowley said: “I really like Fergie, he’s a top lad for us. I had a few calls in the summer about about managers asking about him and and gave him great character reference, so it’ll be good to see him.

“Sam (Curry, the club’s analyst) has been watching them in the past 48 hours, he saw them play Forest Under-21s on Tuesday and they looked like they have got some good ideas. I think they’ve got some some decent players, so it looked like Lee hastried to embed some some new ideas in the past couple of games. We’ve got to be mindful of that, but I think in terms of our preparation we’ll be pretty solid. Every game is in this league is going to be difficult and the worst thing we could do is turn up thinking we’ve won already.“

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The Green & White Supporters’ Club has published its plans for travel to Yeovil Town’s next four National League away fixtures.

They will be running travel to this Friday’s fixture at Barrow as well as the away matches at Southend United, Aldershot Town and Kidderminster Harriers in September..

Details are as follows:

Barrow – Friday 28th August

  • Member prices: Adults – £41, Concessions – £39
  • Non-member prices: Adults – £44, Concessions – £42
  • Coach departs Huish Park: 10am

Southend United – Saturday 5th September

  • Member prices: Adults – £35, Concessions £33
  • Non-member prices: Adults – £38, Concessions – £36
  • Coach departs Huish Park: 6am

Aldershot Town – Tuesday 15th September

  • Member prices: Adults – £24, Concessions – £22
  • Non-member prices: Adults – £27, Concessions – £25
  • Coach departs Huish Park: 3.15pm

Kidderminster Harriers – Saturday 26th September

  • Member prices: Adults – £30, Concessions – £28
  • Non-member prices: Adults – £33, Concessions – £31
  • Coach departs Huish Park: 9.30am

To book your place on the coach, message or call Paul Hadlow on 07736044570.

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: Scunthorpe United

You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat. No alcohol is allowed on the coach.

If you are travelling to any away fixture, make sure you check out our Huish Hugh Ciderspace Away Travel Guides to every venue – click here.

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The new season got underway at Huish Park in heart-breaking fashion yesterday as Carlisle United snatched a point scoring an equaliser with the final kick of the game. Dave paid a rare visit to Huish Park and here are his conclusions from his view on the Thatcher’s End.

Absolutely gutted: The first emotion I and I am sure everyone of a Yeovil Town persuasion felt at the final whistle was absolute heartbreak. It felt like it was going to be a tall order to keep out even a below par Carlisle side for 25 minutes with ten men following the sending off of Joe Gubbins. But it looked like our heroics had done it right up until Harvey Bunker’s equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time. It was de ja vu from last weekend at Scunthorpe, that mixed emotion of positivity at how we had played, but utter heartbreak that we had not got all three points.

The scoreboard at full time was full of ‘so close.’

Heroic defending: For the final 25 minutes with ten men we defending like absolute lions, but our good defending extend beyond that. Yes, granted Carlisle were not great, but our defence made players who are good even below their best, the likes of Regan Linney, David Ajiboye and Georgie Kelly, look average. That was the case last weekend at Scunthorpe as well and that is not just by chance.

Super Jos Barker in goal: We always needed to see Jos Barker in competitive action before we judged him and I’m liking what I see. He’s not afraid to mix it and comes for everything and gets it more often than not. It is only two competitive games, but from the a player who has jumped two tiers of the football pyramid, he has not looked out of place from anything I have seen.

Jos Barker – he came to claim a lot and he got more than he didn’t.

How good is it to have a striker again?: Did anyone else get Rhys Murphy vibes when Ste Walker picked up that through ball from Ryan Jones and coolly slotted it home? In his competitive debut for us, that is the mark of a true striker. I can only imagine what the strikers we had at the club last season would have done in that situation.

So much to be positive about: We are sat here a matter of minutes (seconds in the case of yesterday) away from six points against two sides who will be in the promotion mix come May, and we only have two on the board. But I can’t feel anything but positive about how we have started the season. Seeing us pass the ball quickly and look to move it forward when the time is right is like meeting an old friend after many years apart. Even when we had to move it sideways or backwards, I felt like it was all part of the plan. To hear so many cheers and applause at the final whistle, I know I can’t have been the only one.

Ste Walker celebrates his first league goal in green-and-white. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tate’s Photography.

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Yeovil Town suffered late heartbreak for the second weekend in a row as Carlisle United snatched a point with the final kick of the game at Huish Park on Saturday.

The Glovers had taken the lead through striker Stephen Walker’s first goal for his new club in the first half, but were reduced to ten men when defender Joe Gubbins picked up his second yellow card and got his marching orders after 65 minutes.

Carlisle, who are the bookmakers’ favourites for the National League title, pressed and it looked like heroic defending would keep them out until defender Harvey Bunker flicked in a header at the death.

First half

The headline for the team news was that striker Stephen Walker was handed his league debut having been an unused substitute against Scunthorpe United on the opening day of the season. Slavi Spasov was named on the bench.

Carlisle, who were beaten by newly-promoted Worthing in their first game last weekend, showed they were ready to press Yeovil whenever we had possession.

After just three minutes, it almost paid dividends with a cross from Kenton Richardson turned towards goal before Ben Radcliffe got a foot on it to clear the danger. At the other end, former Carlisle man Archie Davies tried an effort from just outside the box on seven minutes, but it sailed over the bar.

Having had to watch the visitors dominate possession for the opening exchanges, it was a quick break which saw Yeovil take the lead after 19 minutes. A stumble from Carlisle defender Ryan Galvin presented Ryan Jones with an opportunity to put Stephen WALKER through on goal and he made no mistake to open his account in green-and-white.

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

The impetus was Yeovil’s having taken the lead on a number of occasions they broke dangerously with Jones and Davies linking up well down the right side. But, a Brett McGavin effort wide and a offside call which went against Walker was as near as it came to finding a second goal.

With three minutes remaining until half-time, McGavin bent a free-kick around the wall which keeper Adam Desbois got down to parry away.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Carlisle United 0

Second half

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with Carlisle enjoying much of the pressure as they probed the Yeovil back line, but a Richardson header over the bar after 54 minutes was as near as they came in the opening exchanges.

The first substitution of the match saw goal scorer Walker replaced by Slavi Spasov with 56 minutes played. In terms of efforts on either goal, Radcliffe pulled one past the post and at the other defender Tom Mullarkey headed on to the roof of the net.

Joe Gubbins disappears down the tunnel. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But, with 65 minutes on the clock, Joe Gubbins hauled back Georgie Kelly on the ease of the area. Second yellow card and the defender was off and Carlisle had a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box. Jos Barker did well to push out the resulting free-kick out and then pulled off a brave second stop to keep out the rebound.

The red card brought about a reshuffle with Joy Mukena and Johl Powell replacing Jones and McCormick. It feels like we are going to need to find a way to try and keep possession for the remaining 20 minutes with Carlisle continuing to probe for an opening.

Further changes from Billy Rowley saw defender Loick Ayina and James Daly replace Archie Davies and Mason Obeng.

The defending from the ten men in green-and-white was heroic but the with the final kick of the game, Carlisle found an equaliser. Brad Nicholson’s crows in the sixth and final minute of added time was met by a flicked header from Harvey BUNKER which found the net.

Utterly heartbreaking for Yeovil who conceded an 89th minute equaliser at Scunthorpe seven days earlier. Just two points from a possible six, but not losing to two teams who will undoubtedly be in the promotion mix come the end of the season.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Carlisle United 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 15th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Stephen Walker 19 (1-0), Harvey Bunker 90+6 (1-1)

Pitch: Looking perfect
Conditions: Hot and sunny

Attendance: 3486 (345 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Joe Gubbins 45+1, Ben Radcliffe 49
Carlisle United: Regan Linney 49

Sendings off

Yeovil Town: Joe Gubbins

Referee: Lewis Sandoe

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Slavi Spasov (for Stephen Walker, 56), Joy Mukena (for Luke McCormick, 68), Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 68), Loick Ayina (for Mason Obeng, 79), James Daly (for Archie Davies, 79), Hayden Muller (not used), Charlie Lennon (not used).

Carlisle United: Adam Desbois, Ryan Galvin, Toby Mullarkey, Harvey Bunker, Miguel Azeez, Cameron Harper, Leo Duru, Regan Linney, Brad Nicholson, David Ajiboye, Georgie Kelly.

Substitutes: Hayden Atkinson, Jack Ellis, Jonah Lowe, Archie Mair, Kenton Richardson, Luke Skinner, Josh Williams.

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Striker Stephen Walker has been handed his Yeovil Town league debut as he starts against Carlisle United in the first competitive fixture of the new season at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).

The frontman, signed from National League North side Scarborough Athletic in the summer, lines up in a forward line-up alongside Mason Obeng and Ryan Jones.

Brett McGavin is also given a start with Hayden Muller dropping to the bench.

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Yeovil Town has confirmed it has established the Yeovil Town Community Foundation it says will “create opportunities for people of all ages across South Somerset.”

The creation of the Foundation, announced in a statement on Friday evening, follows a split between the club and the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust last month in a move the relationship with the charity after 18 years.

In a statement, the club said it was working to “reactivate” the Junior Glovers section for younger supporters and bring walking football to Huish Park for those fans who may be slightly older.

The statement adds: “These are just the first of a number of initiatives being developed through the Foundation, with plenty more to come.

“The ambition is simple: to make Huish Park and Yeovil Town a bigger part of our community, not just on matchdays, but throughout the week.

“We want to work with local schools, charities, organisations, businesses and community groups to create opportunities around education, health, participation and football.

“This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to share more of what the Yeovil Town Community Foundation will bring to our community.”

The statement clearly suggests the Foundation is the start of a journey rather than the end of it, but another sign of progress is the start of pre-season fixtures for the Performance Centres, which run from under-9s to under-16s age groups, announced by the club’s academy this week. Each age group will be playing a side from FC Wiltshire in home or away fixtures.

In addition to this, the club is hosting sessions for Under-7s and Under-8s players every Friday evening which it describes as “providing the perfect first step on the pathway towards Junior Premier League football.”

This all suggests the academy – or perhaps the Foundation – intends to field teams in the Junior Premier League (JPL), as the Community Sports Trust has done in seasons gone by.

As far as the creation of the Foundation is concerned, it seems a positive step towards recognising the ‘Community’ element of owners Prabhu and Bhavna Srinivasan’s ‘Three Cs’ promises, but still appears a project in its infancy. Its predecessor, the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust, was operated as a separate charity and this statement suggests the Foundation will be part of the club itself.

We will keep an eye on how this develops as it…..well, develops.

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Former Hartlepool United director Ian Scobbie has been appointed to the Yeovil Town board with Executive Chairman Stuart Robins stepping down to become a non-executive director.

The Glovers announced on Thursday evening that Scobbie, an insolvency solicitor who left Hartlepool in 2020, will become a director alongside Sahil Prabhu, the son of owners Prabhu and Bhavna Srinivasan, subject to approval from the Independent Football Regulator.

Scobbie was part of the deal which saw the Srinivasan family complete the purchase of the club from former owner Martin Hellier in May 2025 with the club’s statement at the time name-checking him and his employer, Black’s Solicitors, as having “assisted in the transaction.” He has been a regular face in the director’s box at games and was spotted at the opening fixture of the season at Scunthorpe United last weekend.

Robins, who has been on the board since 2022, will now become a non-executive director with his recent appointment to the National League Board suggested as the reason behind his departure.

In a statement, the club said the changes made been made to “strengthen its governance and football expertise to support its long-term ambitions.”

It added: “Ian brings significant experience from across the football industry, having previously held senior football and governance roles at clubs including Hartlepool United and Scarborough Athletic. He was part of the Hartlepool United leadership team that secured promotion back to the English Football League in 2021 and will provide valuable strategic and football expertise to the Board.

“The Club is also pleased to announce the appointment of Sahil Prabhu to the Board of Directors. The son of Yeovil Town Football Club owners Prabhu Srinivasan and Bhavna Vohra, Sahil, has been involved with the Club since the initial due diligence phase ahead of the takeover. He has just completed a Sports Management degree at New York University (NYU). Alongside his studies, Sahil has gained experience in academy football across India, the Middle East and Europe. Across the close season he has been working closely with Billy Rowley on the First Team rebuild and sport operations. He now joins the Board as he takes on a more active role in supporting the Club’s continued growth and development.”

Ian Scobbie, right, was spotted at the weekend’s opening fixture at Scunthorpe United and has attended a number of fixtures in the North.

Scobbie’s involvement in football dates back to the mid-2000s when he was chairman of Scarborough when the former Football League club when it collapsed in 2007. It appears his insolvency experience was being his position on the board and, after the Seadogs’ collapse, he was among those looking to reform it working alongside the supporters’ trust.

He reappeared at Hartlepool in 2018 when they were bought out of a financial hole by businessman Raj Singh. He stuck around in a non-executive director capacity in the North East until November 2020. He resigned his position, but not in particularly acrimonious circumstances with “work commitments” given as the reason for his exit. He is known to be a friend of former Hartlepool president and broadcaster Jeff Stelling.

In both instances, Scobbie’s professional background as an insolvency specialist seems to be the reason for being involved in financially distressed football clubs. As far as our amateur financial expert eyes can see, there is nothing to suggest Yeovil Town are in any kind of distressed position, but with the ownership making development of land at Huish Park a clear ambition, his arrival is interesting.

Scobbie has a background of being involved in the governance of football clubs, restructuring businesses, insolvency and, during his attempts to salvage Scarborough in 2007 he made a deal with a local developer to sell its McCain Stadium. Speaking at the time, Scobbie made clear this deal was a last ditch effort to clear the club’s debts and have enough cash leftover to find it a new home. His attempts to launch a phoenix club failed with Scarborough being reformed as Scarborough Athletic with by its Supporters’ Trust which gave its thanks to Scobbie for trying to save the old club.

Returning to Huish Park, the Srinivasan’s confirmed that they had extended their exclusivity on the buy-back of the stadium and surrounding land with owners Somerset Council until 17 May 2028. In April, owner Prabhu Srinivasan insisted reuniting the football club with ownership of the stadium remained a priority.

There is no suggestion that either Scobbie or Sahil will take on the Executive Chairman role occupied by Robins, who it seems retains a role at Huish Park.

Stuart Robins, who will now become a Non-Executive Director at Huish Park. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

The statement adds: “The Club would also like to congratulate Stuart Robins on his appointment to the National League Board of Directors. Stuart’s experience, knowledge and passion for the game will be a tremendous asset to the National League, and everyone at Yeovil Town wishes him every success in his new role. Following his appointment, Stuart will step down as Executive Chairman of Yeovil Town Football Club and assume the role of Non-Executive Director.”

The club added that the appointments may take “several weeks” to clear the Independent Football Regulator, adding: “Once approval has been received, the relevant statutory filings will be made and the appointments formally recorded at Companies House.“

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With more than 130 years of history, there is plenty of amazing stories to tell about our club. That is why we have teamed up with the Yeovil Town FC Heritage Society to bring you one monthly memory from our past.

If one is not enough, you can join the Society’s Facebook page, run by Glovers’ fan Michael West, which is a treasure trove for green-and-white history. If you are on Facebook, follow them by – clicking here.

We kick off this new feature with the story of how our club began 131 years to the very day…..

Today, August 12th, holds significant importance for Yeovil Town Football Club. On this day in 1895, precisely 131 years ago, Yeovil Casuals were established, laying the foundation for the club that has evolved into what we know and support today.

Naturally, association football had been a part of the club’s activities prior to that time. Historical records indicate the earliest documented match of a Yeovil FC, took place in November 1880, resulting in a decisive 9-0 loss to Dorset County School in Dorchester. Following a hiatus, by 1888, the association club was established and operating on a weekly schedule. Initially engaging in friendly matches, it eventually joined the Somerset senior league in 1891, alongside prominent teams such as Wells City and Street FC. Throughout this period, the football club served as the junior counterpart to the Rugby club, which held the primary spotlight in the town’s sporting scene.

Moving forward to August 5th 1895, at the AGM of Yeovil Football Club where a dispute emerged over a £25 debt the club had incurred. The rugby and association branches, coexisting within the club, clashed over the responsibility for this debt. The rugby faction pointed fingers at the association side, accusing them of not generating equivalent funds. At this juncture, farmers son Fred Bond, just twenty-one-year-old and captain of the Yeovil association , stepped up. He quickly calculated and voiced that there were a much higher number of rugby matches played compared to association matches, leading him to conclude that rugby had generated more revenue naturally. Moreover, Bond’s calculations revealed that on a per-match basis, the association side had contributed more significantly to the club’s finances. Following a lengthy and occasionally heated debate, the two branches of the club ultimately decided to part ways. Both sides agreed to share accountability for half of the debt, marking the conclusion of the dispute.

Fred Bond wasted no time, quickly taking action by securing a pitch at Pen Mill within days. Organised a sub committee. He also travelled to Shepton Mallet and engaged with the Somerset FA, gaining their approval to join the senior league. Equally impressive, he managed to convince two influential local clubs to align themselves with the new team: Yeovil Rovers, originating from the Pall Mall Tavern, and Congregational Swifts FC, affiliated with the Congregational church in Princess Street. Although the ‘Rovers’ request to name the new club Yeovil Rovers was declined, the new club’s reserves would graciously adopted the Rovers’ locally iconic blue and white colors.

On August 12th, 1895, a mere week after parting ways with the rugby club, a meeting took place at the Victoria Hall on Union Street, Yeovil. The purpose of this assembly was to ratify the proposed initiatives that Fred Bond had worked tirelessly putting together and officially adopt the cherished club we hold dear today. The attendees reached a consensus to shoulder fifty percent of the rugby debt and designated captains and sub-captains for the two initial teams, with the potential addition of a third team in the future. This pivotal moment also marked the establishment of the club’s committee. The name was also adopted ‘The Casuals association football club’. And lastly as the Western Chronicle reported it:

‘…. the question of the teams colours were discussed it was decided that the first teams colours would be green & white‘

After 131 years, the enduring presence of those green and white colors remains, and may their legacy carry on. If your sipping on a Thatchers today take a moment to raise your glass to Fred Bond and the Yeovilians of 1895. Without them, we wouldn’t have had one of the most important parts of our lives.

God bless ’em all!

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Defender Joe Gubbins speaks at pitchside after the 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United.

Yeovil Town vice-captain Joe Gubbins said his side’s 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe United was a fair reflection of the Glovers’ efforts on the opening day of the new season.

The centre half, one of nine new summer signings who made the starting XI in Lincolnshire, was part of the visiting backline which controlled the attack of a side which reached the play-offs last season.

Having taken the lead through a cool Mason Obeng goal three minutes in to the second half, Yeovil had to put in a dogged defensive performance as Scunthorpe pushed for an equaliser which eventually came through Luke Brennan with a minute of normal time remaining.

Talking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman after the game, Gubbins said: “I think we really dug in and deservedly got a point and it probably could have been more. We’re all we’re really happy with the start, but we need to keep going and take it to next Saturday (at home to Carlisle United).

“At half-time we knew they would come at us, this is a hard place to come and I thought we stood up to them well and deserved our point.”

Gubbins played the full 90 minutes in defence alongside loanee Ben Radcliffe with Jordan Norville-Williams and Archie Davies alongside them, with Hayden Muller and Zain Westbrooke providing calmness when it was needed from midfield in front of them. There was also a National League debut for goalkeeper Jos Barker, who made one impressive stop to deny Scunthorpe winger Pat Jones in the first half, and Gubbins was full of praise for his keeper.

He said: “(Scunthorpe) is not an easy place to make your debut, so he was brilliant and it was a really commanding performance from him. It was good to have him behind us and he really helped us out. All the boys are getting on really well and I think you could see that out there.

“We are a new group and communication is massive especially with crowds like we had today. We are a new group and we need to talk to each other and I felt like we did that today.

“I felt we held them at bay really well and had the better chances and I am not sure about some of the offside calls (against McCormick), I felt we looked threatening on the counter attack and I thought it was a really good performance.”

Vote for your Man of the Match from the opening day draw at Scunthorpe in our poll – click here.

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A late equaliser saw Yeovil Town have to settle for a point from a trip to Scunthorpe United on the opening game of the season.

After an even first half, the Glovers took the lead when winger Mason Obeng stroked the ball home three minutes in to the second half.

Scunthorpe, who finished in the National League play-offs last season, pressed hard for an equaliser and eventually found one when substitute Luke Brennan lifted the ball in to the net with a minute of normal time playing.

Despite the tinge of disappointment at not being able to hold out for three points, there was plenty to feel positive from Yeovil about in their first competitive outing of the season.

First half

Manager Billy Rowley gave a league debut to nine players with captain Luke McCormick and Ryan Jones the only members of the starting XI who were at the club last season. One of the recent arrivals Slavi Spasov was preferred to Stephen Walker up front whilst Hayden Muller started in midfield in place of Brett McGavin. Both Walker and McGavin were named among the substitutes.

The opening 15 minutes did not create a chance worthy of a mention but a definite desire from both sides to play the way a beautiful surface at the Attis Arena deserved. The joy Yeovil found came mostly down the right side with Archie Davies delivering a couple of crosses from the box and a jinking run from Ryan Jones leading to an effort which Scunthorpe keeper Louis Jones needed to be sharp to get down low to deny.

On 33 minutes, McCormick ran on to a ball forward and looked to be through on the Iron goal, but lifted his effort over the bar. The linesman flagged him as offside although the Yeovil bench’s protests would suggest the call was closer than it looked from the away end.

First half action at Scunthorpe.

The first meaningful chance of the game fell to the home side a minute later. Winger Pat Jones skipped past Archie Davies and found himself one-on-one with Yeovil keeper Jos Barker who stuck a strong left hand to make an impressive stop to deny him. That save will give the young keeper huge confidence.

Then with five minutes of the first half remaining, another good chance for Scunthorpe. Declan Howe got a ball in from the left, it clipped off the heel of Joe Gubbins and landed invitingly to Jordan Richards but his effort over the bar.

The half-time whistle sounded with the home side having had the better of the opportunities to go ahead, but Yeovil acquitting themselves well. There’s definitely a fans’ favourite being made in Jordan Norville-Williams who has not given an inch against Howe whilst Gubbins and Ben Radcliffe in the middle have managed to keep Scunthorpe danger man striker Danny Whitehall nullified.

Half-time: Scunthorpe United 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The half-time break saw Brett McGavin replace Hayden Muller in the heart of midfield.

A Ryan Jones free-kick from out in the right found its way to Mason OBENG on the far post and he was the coolest man inside the penalty area to confidently stroke Yeovil ahead. The away end of 260 travelling supporters erupted as the players celebrated in front of them.

Mason Obeng puts Yeovil into the lead with just three minutes of the second half played

Just five minutes after going ahead, McCormick found himself through on goal again but (again) was denied by the offside flag. The skipper, much like the visiting bench in the first half, had serious questions about the call. VAR might have had a different opinion – but we don’t want that at this level of the game…….right? Soon after that Ryan Jones forced his namesake Louis Jones in the Scunthorpe goal in to a fine stop.

As we reach the middle of the second half, the home side are turning up the pressure as they search for an equaliser. Archie Davies does well to block an effort from Pat Jones and Ryan Jones took a heavy blow scrambling a Tyler Denton effort off the line from a corner. Jones needed to come off and was replaced by Johl Powell whilst James Daly replaced Slavi Spasov in the forward line with 64 minutes played.

Scunthorpe made changes on their own bringing on winger Luke Brennan, experienced midfielder Jacob Butterfield and striker James Gale as they looked for an equaliser. On 70 minutes, Whitehall had his first opportunity but his header from a Butterfield free-kick was blocked by a Yeovil shirt. The Glovers are standing up well to intense pressure and defensively looking impressive.

With 20 minutes left to play, Billy Rowley made his final two substitutions of the permitted five changes and it is a defensive change. McCormick is removed in place of Joy Mukena whilst Jack Kingdon replaces Archie Davies in the right wing-back position.

In the 73rd minute, a long ball forward from Barker is helped on by Obeng in to the path of James Daly. The substitutes powered in to the box and was only denied by a superb tackle from Tyler Denton. The Iron defender picks up an injury for his troubles.

Scunthorpe were dominating possession and continuing to press and we found ourselves dropping deep to try and repel the danger. Then with a minute of normal time, Joe Gubbins tries to clear a ball in from the left but can only as get it as far as Luke BRENNAN on the left left of the box and he lifts the ball over the head of Jos Barker to snatch a draw.

Full time: Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Attis Arena
Date: Saturday 8th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Mason Obeng 48 (1-0), Luke Brennan 89 (1-1)

Pitch: Like a snooker table
Conditions: Sunny in Scunny

Attendance: 5,111 (260 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ben Radcliffe 72
Scunthorpe United: Pat Jones 31, Callum Howe 54,

Referee: Michael Barlow

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Brett McGavin (for Hayden Muller, 46), Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 64), James Daly (for Slavi Spasov, 64), Joy Mukena (for Luke McCormick, 70), Jack Kingdon (for Archie Davies, 70), Jack Lennon (not used), Stephen Walker (nor used).

Scunthorpe United: Louis Jones, Ross Barrows, Alfie Beestin (for James Gale, 64), Tyler Denton (for Branden Horton, 76), Will Evans, Callum Howe, Declan Howe (for Luke Brennan, 64), Pat Jones (for Kyle Hurst, 83), Jordan Richards, Joe Rowley (for Jacob Butterfield, 64), Danny Whitehall.

Substitutes (not used): Maison Campbell, Jean Belehouan.