David Coates (Page 31)

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Manager Mark Cooper  was full of praise for his Yeovil Town side who played the entire second half with ten men in the 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

On loan winger Otis Khan was shown a straight red card after he threw an elbow at the home side’s Chris Maguire on 36 minutes with his side already trailing 1-0 following Maguire’s goal after half-an-hour.

Following results across the National League Premier Division, Yeovil can now mathematically not make the play-off places or get relegated out this season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Cooper said: “I thought the players were fantastic. We dominated the first 30 minutes, we should have been 2-0 up through two really good chances and then we had a five minute spell where they scored.

“We didn’t deal with a bit of pressure down the left-hand side, we didn’t get across as a defence and block the goal but apart from that we I think we dominated the game with ten men in the second half and we should have got something.

“You have to say the red card changed the game. We are a man fewer and so we cannot get as many bodies forward, but you would not have known we had ten men in the second half. It looked to me like the referee did not like us very much, so that was a bit frustrating.

“But I thought the players were tremendous. They ran, they were brave with the ball and we created chances and the only criticism I have today is that we were not ruthless in front of goal. We had two great chances in the first half and could have been out of sight, then in the second half we had bits and pieces around the edge of the box where we have to hit the target. I think Josh Sims hits a great shot, the keeper saves it and the referee remarkably gives a goal kick.”

Some of the 642 Yeovil fans that travelled to Eastleigh

You can probably tell from some of Cooper’s carefully judged words that he was not impressed with the standard of the officials. Asked what he felt needed to be done to improve the standard of refereeing, he said: “If you watch every manager’s post-match interview today up and down the country, I would say four in five managers will mention a referee. The only way you make it better is if you make them full-time because then there is no excuse for them. They get fitter and when they are fitter they make better decisions.”

There was praise as well for a strong travelling support from Somerset with 642 fans filling the away section at the Silverlake Stadium for what could easily have been viewed as an end-of-season ‘dead rubber’, with neither side challenging/threatening at either end of the table.

Cooper said: “I am delighted with the players and the fans, what a turn out. They got behind the team, cheered us on and kept the boys going and they got a performance where we never stopped, even with ten men we never stopped running and kept pushing ahead the whole game. We have got an amazing fan base and we are a big club and we want to start thinking about next year, start planning and have a right good go at the league next year.”

In his final question, Cooper was asked whether he sees defender Jake Wannell or striker Aaron Jarvis being available for the remaining two games of the season, he replied: “No.” 

In his pre-match interview, the manager had put a strong emphasis on the word apparently when discussing Wannell’s absence from the matchday squad, saying: “Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan (Williams) will start.”

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper is hoping the four players he has brought in to the starting XI for the Easter Monday trip to Eastleigh will freshen up the side.

Defenders Michael Smith and Marcel Lavinier replace Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard with loanees Otis Khan and Kyrell Wilson replacing Josh Sims and Ciaran McGuckin in the forward line from the Good Friday draw with Forest Green Rovers.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins ahead of kick-off, Cooper said: “We can’t go up and we can’t go down and it’s about playing for the shirt and finishing the season properly. Morgan Williams will start, Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan will start. We have some players that did not start on Friday that will start today and hopefully give us some freshness.

“They spent heavily in the summer and have some big names in there and I am expecting a tough game. They had a good result (a 1-1 draw) at Barnet on Friday, so we will see if that has taken anything out of them but we will have a right go at it and try and win the game.“

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After a last minute heartache saw them settle for a draw on Good Friday, Yeovil Town will be looking to rise again as they travel to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

FORM GUIDE…

It’s been a tough run of form for Eastleigh without a win in their last eight matches and than coming against relegation-haunted (and now relegated) Ebbsfleet United on home soil back at the start of March.

However, The Spitfires did have a good result on Good Friday with a 1-1 draw away at champions elect Barnet where Paul McCallum, a name synonymous with the top of the National League’s scoring charts, took advantage of a defensive mix-up to put them ahead. 

This should serve as a notice to Yeovil that there is still plenty of quality in their hosts’ squad on Easter Monday. Their last three fixtures at the Silverlake Stadium have seen them beaten by Southend United and held to a draw by FC Halifax Town and Hartlepool United.

In comparison, Yeovil are in good form with three wins, Good Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to play-off candidates Forest Green Rovers, and a defeat in their last five matches.

The performance against Forest Green built on a good showing in the previous match at home to Oldham Athletic and manager Mark Cooper will be looking for his side to carry on that form on Easter Monday.

KEY PLAYERS

Yeovil Town – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton

Who would have bet on Sonny being a key player a couple of months ago? Having been a regular until the end of November, the 4-0 defeat at York City seemed to be the death knell for his career at Huish Park. The former Watford youngster disappeared with a mystery injury and was reportedly placed on the transfer list and had a trial in the Middle East.

Then, come the home match against Tamworth in mid-February, he was back and straight in the starting XI. Since then he has been a revelation, leaving fans wondering where was he during those dark months.

Those last few games I talk about have been the last two in particular, at home to Oldham and then Forest Green on Good Friday. Lo-Everton has scored three in two for the Glovers, showing that he can be a crucial cog in the midfield for Mark Cooper. With three games to go, will the midfielder add more.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Eastleigh – Tyrese Shade

The winger has been the main man for Eastleigh this season with 12 goals to his name and eight assists.

It’s not only been his goal contributions but the fact he has stayed fit almost all season. Shade has got over 3,200 minutes in 40 appearances for the Spitfires. The last four games have been slow for the St Kitts & Nevis international, with just the one assist.


THAT’S WHAT HE SAID

Eastleigh manager and former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis spoke about the match following the 1-1 draw at Barnet in Good Friday’s televised match. He said: “The challenge is whether we can recreate that level of focus and determination? It will be a different game, for sure, and Yeovil are going well and have picked up some strong results in recent times, so it will be a tough game. But, we are at home and we do want to finish strong and show every individual that puts on the shirt wants to give their best.”

Eastleigh manager Kelvin Davis speaks after the 1-1 draw at Barnet.

In his post-match comments following the draw with Forest Green, Yeovil boss Mark Cooper said he expected to make changes for the match with several of the team which started on Friday having just come back from injury. He said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“

 

WE’VE MET BEFORE

There has only ever been nine games between the Glovers and the Spitfires, with Yeovil having the better head to head record. Yeovil have four wins, Eastleigh have two wins with there being three draws.

The teams last met on Boxing Day, where a 2-2 draw was played out. With Yeovil’s goals coming from Sean McGurk and Morgan Williams.

DON’T WE KNOW YOU?

After the Forest Green match where every other player had some kind of a connection with both clubs, Eastleigh second choice goalkeeper Tommy Scott is the only one for this match.

He started out in the Under-18s set-up at Huish Park before making the move to Southampton’s B team where he made a few appearances before dropping in to non-League where he did a tour of the South Coast with spells at Hamworthy United, Poole Town, Wimborne Town and W*ymouth before signing for Eastleigh in the summer of 2023.

WHO’S BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY THEN?

No one on Yeovil’s side is suspended.

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Fresh from his debut on the Gloverscast podcast, Mike Hudson was back in the stands at Huish Park for the Good Friday visit from Forest Green Rovers. Here are his conclusions.

It was the late, late show again for Forest Green Rovers. It was late drama yet again at Huish Park, and I was gutted for the lads that we were on the wrong end of it. This isn’t the first time we’ve let a lead slip at home this season, but this one stung that little bit more because it felt like we had the game under control. The boys in green gave everything. They were full of fight, energy and desire. Keeping a promotion chasing Forest Green side at bay and looking the better team for the majority of the game. However, in added time it was that man Ryan Innis (again, he did it to us on New Year’s Day as well) that shattered Yeovil hearts with the late equaliser. The goal came from a set piece – perhaps not a total shock given the sheer physical presence of some of their players – but until that point, we’d handled their aerial threat brilliantly. Unfortunately there was a momentary lapse of concentration/organisation and it cost us dearly. Looking back at both games against Forest Green Rovers this season, we can feel very hard done by to have come away with only a point.

Yeovil Town celebrate Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s opener.

We came out swinging. Similarly to the Oldham game, we exploded into the fixture with energy, commitment, intensity and purpose. With Forest Green’s recent dip in form, and their players potentially keeping one eye on the playoffs, a fast start was exactly what we needed. In tough conditions we took the game to them, and asked the question; ‘are you up for this?’ Our great start meant that our goal was fully deserved when it came. Ciaran McGuckin was superb once more, as was Sonny Blu who celebrated hitting the back of the net again with a composed finish. I’d also like to give a shout out to Harry Kite who is continuing to show us just what a player he is. Unfortunately, the story of the day would turn out to be just as much about the chances we didn’t take. Harvey Greenslade, who got a much deserved start, narrowly missed the target, and also saw a goal-bound effort cleared off the line (he probably should have done better). Add to that being denied a stonewall penalty (from my perspective), as McGuckin was denied a certain tap home goal, and the game could and should have been put to bed. Unfortunately it wasn’t, and we were very much made to pay.

You can still vote for your Man of the Match from the Good Friday game against Forest Green Rovers – HERE.

The subs changed the game. You always want your substitutes to have an impact on a game, and ours did. Sadly, it wasn’t the kind of impact Mark Cooper would’ve hoped for. To be fair, the changes had to happen. Our starting eleven included players still returning to fitness, and after 70 minutes of relentless graft, it was clear legs were beginning to tire. But there’s no denying it — after the substitutions, the momentum swung, and the goal we conceded came from a rare moment of defensive disorganisation. On the flip side of this, as we were making our changes, Forest Green showed off the depth of their squad with the likes of Joe Quigley and Tom Knowles (DFILWF) coming onto the pitch. There’s levels to this game!

Don’t fall in love with footballers (DFILWF). Tom Knowles in green-and-white. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Control conundrum. Mark Cooper has been forced to change his starting line up of late, which has also led to a change in set up and tactics. The manager mentioned again that with the change in personnel, we’ve had to sacrifice some of the controlled, possession based football we have become accustomed to. The problem? These players and this new approach has arguably been far easier on the eye, and more effective, particularly at home. There have been times at Hush Park this season where it’s been hard to figure out what our game plan has been. It’s felt like we’ve been afraid to lose the ball, and haven’t been able to strike the right balance between control and speed. This new direct approach, and aggressive pressing off the ball, caused both Oldham and Forest Green Rovers all kinds of problems. With players returning from injury, and a tight turn around in games, changes will need to be made, but I’m sure these last few positive home outings will have raised some questions for Mark Cooper.

It was a good day out. While it was frustrating not to come away with all three points, it was another entertaining afternoon at Huish Park, and another performance that the fans could really get behind. Of course, results are all that matters when it comes to the league table, but entertainment value will have an impact on attendances. I am sure there will have been some casual fans that will have been inspired to buy another ticket for our final home game of the season against Sutton United. And with season ticket decisions looming, performances like this one, can absolutely help sway those who are still on the fence. Of course, alongside that, many fans will need more clarity about the future of the club, following Martin Hellier’s decision to resign as chairman and sell up. It’s been a couple of weeks since Stuart Robins initial interview with BBC Somerset, and Mark Cooper again mentioned the off field situation in his post-match interview. It would be nice to think an update might be on the way soon.

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper said his side were denied “a cast iron penalty” which could have put them 2-0 up against Forest Green Rovers at Huish Park today.

On loan striker Ciaran McGuckin had his heels clipped by Forest Green Rovers’ Ben Tozer when the Rotherham United man looked certain to turn home Josh Sims’ ball in to the penalty area but referee Declan Brown waved away appeals.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the match, the manager was full of praise for his players, but could not hide his frustration with the match officials.

He said: “I thought it was a brilliant performance from the boys. We were front foot again, really organised, energetic, but the reason we do not win is that we have to change some players on the pitch. Morgan Williams can’t play more than an hour yet, Harry Kite has been out for ten months and he has to come off, and when you make so many changes you can disrupt the rhythm and marking at set pieces. The (equaliser) comes from a set piece that we would have defended no problem with Morgan Williams on the pitch.

“But there is a cast iron penalty and red card in the second half where Ciaran McGuckin is about to tap the ball in and that is game over for me. I’m not blaming the referee, but they should not have a chance to get back at us in the last minute, it should have been game over. Between the four officials they have to see that, I think it was Ryan Inniss (the offender appears to be Tozer) who swipes McGuckin’s legs away when he is about to tap the ball in the goal. How four of them missed that I find incredible, but I do not want to take anything away from the players performance today.

“The last five weeks has been amazing for (the players). Through adversity they have stuck together and got closer as a group and they keep digging out results.”

Yeovil Town appeal for a penalty.

Yeovil took the lead when midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton lifted the ball over visiting keeper Ted Cann after 24 minutes and there were great opportunities to extend the lead with that man Inniss there again on 30 minutes to clear a Harvey Greenslade effort off the line.

The goal was Lo-Everton’s fourth of the season and came hot on the heels of a double in the win over Oldham Athletic last weekend.

Cooper said: “Someone of Sonny’s ability should be scoring eight or ten goals a season, there is no reason why he can’t. It was another good finish from him today. We should go 2-0 up, Harvey (Greenslade) has an unbelievable chance and he hits the legs of (Inniss) on the line. So as good players as Forest Green have, I think we deserved to win the game today and if the officials do their jobs properly, we should win the game.”

Asked whether he hoped that the performances which have seen them pick up ten points from their last five games would help him to start planning his squad for next season, the manager said off-the-field issues at Huish Park continued to hamper any such planning.

The club’s ownership situation remains in limbo following the resignation of owner Martin Hellier as chairman at the end of last month.

Cooper said: “There is loads going on at the club and we can’t decide anything and go out and offer players contracts or re-engage players who are out of contract, we have to wait until that is resolved. But if we get the go ahead to do that and I can get six real quality players, I think we can have another really good season.”

Next up, Yeovil travel to Eastleigh, who face top of the table Barnet in Good Friday’s late fixture, on Easter Monday and the manager expects there to be changes in personnel.

Captain Jake Wannell was not fit to feature in the squad against Forest Green and Harry Kite, Morgan Williams and Josh Sims all had to come off with 20 minutes remaining.

The manager said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“

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Captain Jake Wannell has been “not deemed fit enough to play” in Yeovil Town’s Good Friday home match against promotion-chasing Forest Green Rovers according to manager Mark Cooper.

The central defender has been replaced by Morgan Williams today, one of two changes to the starting XI from the side which began the 2-1 home win over Oldham Athletic last weekend.

Michael Smith drops to the substitutes’ bench with former Forest Green player Dom Bernard moving from the midfield role he played against Oldham to right back with striker Harvey Greenslade coming in as part of a front three.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah ahead of kick-off, the manager said: “Jake Wannell is not fit, he felt something earlier in the week and is not deemed fit enough to play. So we switch to a back four, 4-3-3 with Harvey Greenslade coming in to play as one of three forwards.

“It was a good performance from all of them (against Oldham), it was a tremendous team performance, very committed, very front foot and we certainly need to be at that level again to get anything today.”

Jake Wannell
📸 Gary Brown

The match with third-placed Forest Green is the first of two games in the Easter period with the Glovers travelling to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

Cooper said: “We need to make sure we have another spirited, front foot performance and make it really difficult for Forest Green, that is what the aim is today.

“Bearing in mind we have two games in four days. My biggest job today will be managing minutes with Monday in mind. We have to think about Morgan Williams and people like him who have just come back in to the team, we have got to make sure we have got enough bodies available for today and for Monday as well.”

Today’s game pits Cooper against one of his former clubs, one he led to promotion to the Football League in 2017, but the manager was not fazed about facing one of his old employers.

The visitors are certain of a place in the National League Premier Division’s play-offs this season and are seeking finishing in the top three which will give them an easier route to the final at Wembley. However, their recent form has been shaky with three defeats in their last five matches.

Cooper said: “Today is just business for me, it is just three points. We can do what we do after the game but for me it is purely about three points.

“Sometimes when you know you are not going to win the league and you are in the play-offs, there is a period where you are just getting through until the end of the season and getting ready for the play-offs.

“I am sure they will be looking at the last four games to get a bit of momentum that will be the best way for them to win the play-offs.“

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In-form Yeovil Town will be hoping for a good result on Good Friday as they take on a distinctly out-of-form (but still third in the league) Forest Green Rovers at Huish Park.

FORM GUIDE…

The Glovers form over the last four games puts them fifth in the National League Premier Division form table over that run with three wins and one defeat. If there was any wobbles about a fall in to the relegation places, it was well and truly dispelled with last weekend’s 2-1 home win over Oldham Athletic on home soil.

That saw Mark Cooper’s men turn in an impressive performance and end the hoodoo over them not having beaten a side in the play-offs this season – just in time for another home match against another side who will be in the top seven mix come the end of the season.

But while Yeovil’s form has been consistent then Forest Green’s has been as steady as an earthquake. They have picked up just three points in their last four matches, that coming from a 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors three games ago.

In their last outing, they went down 3-2 at home to Gateshead in the televised match last weekend. They went 1-0 down inside 45 seconds at the New Lawn before going 3-0 down inside 62 minutes, before a freak own goal and a late Christian Doidge strike made the game look closer than it probably was.

KEY PLAYERS

Yeovil Town – Ciaran McGuckin

It’s been a weird couple of months for the Rotherham United loanee since he returned on loan in January. The striker’s first spell was short but heralded three goals in six appearances, his second spell wasn’t looking as spectacular until a few games ago.

The 21-year-old was on target in the 3-0 win at Solihull Moors at the start of this month and has played a hand in three goals in the last three matches and played a major part in the form which has steered us in to a comfortable mid-table position.

Ciaran McGuckin breaks away. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Forest Green Rovers – Christian Doidge

Of course it’s Doidge. The striker has been banging them in once again this season with 11 goals to his name, and five assists as well.

The Welshman returned to Gloucestershire last year after leaving a turbulent time at Hibernian behind him. Since his return he has been in fine form and someone Yeovil needs to keep an eye on.

Another name to look out for is Kyle McAllister, whose penalty pulled Forest Green back in to the game in Gloucestershire on New Year’s Day. He has had 19 goal involvements this season.

THAT’S WHAT HE SAID

Mark Cooper believes the club he guided to the Football League for the first time in their history in 2017 will fancy their chances in this season’s play-offs – if they can banish the demons of consecutive relegations.

Speaking on Thursday, he said: “What they have is a squad of really good players and they will be a real threat in the play-offs. If you look at the table I think it is likely they will finish third and I would think they will fancy their chances because of the players they have got and the manager with all his experience. They will be trying to find a way to gather momentum.”

Forest Green manager Steve Cotterill gave his thoughts ahead of the Good Friday game. He said: “ It’s a big club Yeovil, they’re similar to ourselves, they’ve been higher up the [football] pyramid. I think Mark’s [Cooper] done a good job down there… we’re looking forward to the game.”

WE’VE MET BEFORE

In competitive matches (there have been a few friendlies down the years), Yeovil and Forest Green have met a total of 15 times with seven wins for the Glovers and three draws.

The last time we faced off it was Forest Green who ran out winners courtesy of a late, late goal from former Huish Park loanee Ryan Inniss after a 75th minute sending off for Bristol Rovers loanee Kofi Shaw gave them an advantage.

DON’T WE KNOW YOU?

There’s no shortage of ex-Glovers in the squad – and probably starting line-up – which will run out for Forest Green on Good Friday.

West Bromwich Albion loanee goalkeeper Ted Cann has played the last three matches between the posts for the visitors. The 6’2″ keeper had two loan spells with Yeovil, playing twice in the 2019/20 season and then making a further five appearances when he returned in 2021/22. He is the third keeper between the posts this season after Bristol Rovers loanee Jed Ward was recalled at the end of January to be replaced by Liverpool youngster Fabian Mrozek, who then got injured in February, leading to Cann’s arrival.

Long throw expert Ben Tozer was one of the big money signings brought in the summer following his departure from the Hollywood hills of Wrexham. Long before any American audiences had any idea who he was, Tozer was towelling down balls (stop sniggering at the back!) at Huish Park in 2015 when he played 30 times for the Glovers.

Already mentioned is giant centre half Ryan Inniss, the scorer of that late, late winner for Forest Green on New Year’s Day, He played six times during a loan spell from Crystal Palace in the 2014/15 season.

Tom Knowles, never the same since he left us. Picture Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Then up front – probably on the substitutes’ bench – are fans’ favourite (especially our Ian) Tom Knowles and big frontman Joe Quigley, who we expect Jake Wannell to be looking out for after he tried to ruin the Somerset Canavarro’s chances of fatherhood in the reverse fixture.

Both players were sold by former owner <NAME REDACTED> because it made some money, although Quigley was the supporters’ fault, if you recall. Knowles joined Walsall on the eve of the 2022/23 season having scored 18 times in 82 appearances.

Quigley was transformed from ‘a head on a stick’ to quote the supporters of his previous club, Dagenham & Redbridge, when he arrived in October 2020, to a player sold for a sizeable fee to Chesterfield in January 2022 – with the never mentioned owner blaming falling gates for the departure.

WHO’S BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY THEN?

No one on Yeovil’s side is suspended.

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said it is no coincidence that the return of key first-team players from injury has led to a return to form.

The Glovers take on high-flying Forest Green Rovers at Huish Park on Good Friday having seen off fourth-placed Oldham Athletic in their last match and having won three of their last four games in the National League Premier.

Last weekend, the manager saw captain Jake Wannell complete a full 90 minutes whilst defensive team-mate Morgan Williams came off the substitutes’ bench in the 56th minute, he replaced full-back Michael Smith, who was also returning from injury.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on Thursday, Cooper said: “I always say it is about players, in any league in the world, you are only as good as the players. We had Jake Wannell and Morgan Williams back involved (against Oldham) and that gives us a bit more presence, solidity and experience and it is no coincidence that we start to look a handful again once we have got those players back.

“Jake had been out a couple of months, Morgs the same and we still have (striker Aaron) Jarvis, (midfielders Brett) McGavin and (Jacob) Maddox out, Ryan McLean out and Otis Khan couldn’t play last week. When you add those players to the team and the group, it makes us so much stronger.

“The physio only wanted me to give Morgs 20 minutes, but needs must and we had to put him on a bit earlier because (Oldham) put another big player on in (top scorer Mike) Fondop and we had to match that. Jake Wannell played the full game, probably more than he should have done, but we managed to get the three points.

“It is a shame we have not got them back three or four weeks earlier when you look at the league table, but obviously that is the way it is meant to be. We just have to keep pushing and get as many points as we can.”

Captain Jake Wannell and friends. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

He confirmed that winger Otis Khan, who was unavailable to play against his parent club Oldham last weekend, will return to the squad against Forest Green alongside midfielder Charlie Cooper, who missed the match with tendonitis in his Achilles tendon.

Asked about the progress of striker Aaron Jarvis, the boss added: “It is about risk and whether we need to take that risk of him re-doing his hamstring or whether we give him the summer to be really strong again. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”

On New Year’s Day, Yeovil went down 2-1 at Forest Green Rovers with a late goal consigning them to defeat following the sending off of Bristol Rovers loanee Kofi Shaw for a second bookable offence in the 74th minute. That foul also gave the home side a penalty which Kyle McAllister scored to draw Forest Green level and eventually former Yeovil loanee defender Ryan Inniss snatched a late win.

Cooper said: “It was not bad luck it was the sending off (of Kofi Shaw), we had a young player who made a rash decision and that is what young players can do sometimes. But you look at that young player and he has been the best player for his club in League One and there is talk of him getting a move to the Premier League. It was a really good performance, but you can’t play against a team like Forest Green for a long time.”

The Gloucestershire side arrive at Huish Park on Good Friday off the back of two defeats, the most recent coming with a 3-2 loss at home to Gateshead last weekend, but still sitting in third place, nine points off Oldham in fourth.

Cooper, who led the club in to the Football League via the play-offs in 2017, believes his former club will be a threat in the end-of-season play-offs.

He said: “You have to understand they have had two consecutive relegations and there has to be a hangover from that. They have got a brilliant manager in Steve Cotterill who knows what it takes to get promoted. He has to be given time to build the club. I think the last time they were in the National League they were the longest-serving club in the division before they got promoted, and they have found themselves back at the start again. They have to build and get rid of the demons of that double relegation.

“What they have is a squad of really good players and they will be a real threat in the play-offs. If you look at the table I think it is likely they will finish third and I would think they will fancy their chances because of the players they have got and the manager with all his experience. They will be trying to find a way to gather momentum.”

On what he hoped to learn about his own players in the remaining four fixtures of the season, Cooper added: “We are still learning about the players. We still have loan players here, players that are out of contract, so we are learning about them still and their mentality, can they keep going? There are some that have come to the fore and were not there at the start of the season, and there are some that have dropped back a bit, so we are constantly learning. There are contracts up for grabs, but we want to get as many points as we can and that over the last two seasons, we have an incredible points tally.“

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In: Five Conclusions

A double from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton saw off fourth-placed Oldham Athletic to earn Yeovil Town a win over one of the division’s top seven in their penultimate match at Huish Park. Glovers’ fan Mike Hudson was in the stands for see it and here are his conclusions.

We had to change things up. I must admit, I was gutted when I heard the news that Kyle Ferguson had been recalled by Rochdale. The central defender has been a rock for us since coming in, and has quickly built up a rapport with both the back four and the fans. His good form, mixed with a injury crisis, means you can’t blame Rochdale for taking their man back, however I can still be annoyed about it! Add that to Otis Khan being unavailable to play against his parent club, and Charlie Cooper being added to the injury list, and it was a much changed side facing the promotion chasing Latics. But credit to the team, and to Mark Cooper who got the tactics spot on. We nullified most of Oldham’s threat, while looking lively and dangerous going forward.

It felt like home. With the home form this season, and some of the off-the-field going ons, Huish Park has felt subdued at times since the turn of the year. But similarly to the AFC Fylde game I thought the home fans were fantastic. The team had plenty of energy on the pitch and the fans matched it in the stands. With the sun shining down on our council-owned home, there was a really positive feel in the air long before a ball had been kicked. With all the initiatives going on, Huish Park felt like a good and welcoming place to be. Long may that continue.

Two goal hero Sonny Blu Lo-Everton celebrates in front of the Thatchers Stand at the end. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Sonny, Sonny Blu. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton has been great since returning to the team, and once again he impressed on Saturday afternoon. Everything in the first half was going through him. He was causing Oldham all kinds of problems, finding lots of space, and linking up well with Ciaran McGuckin. He was energetic, positive, and clinical. Some deft passing, and great desire to be in the right place at the right time, made him my man of the match. He deserved his goals, and he took them well. I was amazed when Mark Cooper revealed he was unwell in the post match interview. It didn’t show, and I think it’s fair to say it was the Oldham defence that were sick of him by the time he was taken off part way through the second half. He’s earned a new contract for me … however, see my fifth conclusion as to why it’s my not be quite so straight forward…

You can still vote for your Man of the Match against Oldham Athletic in our poll – click here to vote.

There was commitment in spades. ‘Committed’ was the manager’s buzzword in the post-match interview, and rightly so. With the team well and truly safe, some may have worried that players might already be dreaming of summer holidays to come. With everything else going on off the pitch, who could blame them either. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. It was a full blooded and fully committed display. The minimum we want as fans is commitment and effort from those wearing the famous green shirt, and we weren’t disappointed. There was Alex Whittle donning the Terry Butcher-esque head gear to be involved, multiple players putting their bodies on the line to keep the ball out at times, and some players probably having to play more minutes than they’re ready for as they return from injury. The team ran, and they didn’t stop running. It’s sometimes said you don’t get the same commitment from loanees (and we have a few of them!), yet even those who have little reason to risk too much for us at this stage of the season were outstanding. Perhaps this was typified by Ciaran McGuckin who looked for all the world to have taken a much too heavy touch in the build up to the second goal, only to quite literally throw himself into a brick wall to set Sonny Blu up for his second.

A Terry Butcher-esque Alex Whittle celebrates with Dom Bernard. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The park was packed… kinda. Okay, so perhaps we were never going to get a huge gate regardless of the ticket prices, and to be fair our attendance was boosted in part by a great away following – 3373 in total with 372 away supporters. But at least the club are doing something, and trying to entice people to Huish Park. My wife and daughter were able to take advantage of both the Blue Light Card discount and the Kids for a Quid, to join my son and I. Both kids enjoyed sitting on the blood bike, and practicing CPR (badly) outside Huish Park. Little things like that go along way for kids and families, so thanks to all involved. However, with a season ticket price freeze announced, if we want to ‘pack the park’ long term fans will need clarity over the future of the club. Clarity that those sponsors considering filling some of the many empty advertising hoardings around the pitch will soon need as well. Being comfortably mid-table, you’d hope thoughts were turning to plans for next season, but as Mark Cooper said pre-match, it’s hard to plan until the ownership situation is sorted. Likewise many fans and sponsors will want to see what the future holds, and what the vision will be, before committing their hard earned cash. Any takeover which drags too long into the summer is bound to start us off on the back foot next season. Hopefully there will be updates to come and a swift (but positive) resolution found.