David Coates (Page 4)

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Goalkeeper Jed Ward was Yeovil Town’s hero again as he saved two penalties in a shoot-out against Maidstone United to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.

The Bristol Rovers loanee saved the first two spot kicks he faced from Antony Papadopoulos and David Sesay and saw his team-mates convert all their efforts to seal the victory after a thoroughly forgettable 90 minutes at Huish Park.

The game did not burst in to life until one minute from the end of normal time when substitute midfielder Josh Tobin, signed on loan during the week, headed home a James Daly cross and looked to have sealed the win, only for a defensive lapse from the Glovers to gift visiting substitute Hamzad Kargbo an equaliser to force the shoot out.

First half

With ten minutes gone, Aaron Jarvis got his first sight on goal. James Daly showed good persistence to keep a lost cause alive, but Jarvis could not get enough power on it to trouble Lenny Holden in the visitors’ goal. Daly has had a lively started and is repeatedly screaming at his team-mates for the ball.

The ‘press’ adopted by Maidstone was evident from the off as they regularly tried to press the Yeovil backline as they continued to play the ball out from the back. There is a noticeable patience for a patient start from the home side in the Huish Park stands which would certainly not have been there with a different manager in the dug-out – but the opening half-an-hour has been…..quiet! Get McCormick on the ball, Yeovil!

Aaron Jarvis doesn’t get the decision | Pic by Gary Brown

On the half-hour mark something happened. Alex Whittle, who appeared to have taken a knock in a collision earlier in the game, was replaced by Michee Efete with Daly swapping from the right to the left. 

The best move of the game (not that that is saying much) came shortly after. Efete knocked the ball inside, Luke McCormick back-heeled it to Brett McGavin who hit it left-footed towards goal, it took a deflection and went out from a corner. From the resulting corner, grappling inside the box led to a free-kick for Maidstone. 

Aaron Jarvis got a booking in the 38th minute and then seemed to want to ‘get involved’ with the Stones’ defence for the remainder of the half. Referee Lewis Sandoe did not exactly cover himself in glory either breaking up an already bitty first half and that gave the home crowd something to shout about – or shout at, really – until the half-time whistle sounded. A very 0-0 0-0.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidstone United 0

Second half

Perhaps unsurprisingly the second change of the game came at the start of the second half as Tahvon Campbell replaced Jarvis, who was one tackle, grapple or comment away from getting his second booking.

Campbell was almost gifted a goal when the Maidstone defence, which had been organised and solid throughout the first half, allowed the ball to box inside the 18-yard box and the striker almost got in. The visitors managed to scramble it away. A brighter start to the second half.

Things have definitely picked up from Yeovil this half – and the Thatcher’s End has responded – and just before the hour mark Kyle Ferguson headed wide from a McGavin free-kick. On 63 minutes, manager Billy Rowley made two changes with loanees Andrew Oluwabori and Josh Tobin, signed on loan from Bromley during the weekend, replacing Harvey Greenslade and Leo Ramirez-Espain.

On 64 minutes, James Daly had a good run and flashed a shot from the edge of the box just past the post. There’s still not been a meaningful chance from either side and, as the game rolls on, the spectre of a penalty shoot-out is looming. No extra time in this one.

Neither Oluwabori or Tobin have really made any kind of impact on this game, it all been not quite there and lacking some positivity against an opponent who appears to 

Then on 85 minutes, chances at either end. Hamblin got a good ball in towards substitute Hamzad Kargbo who could not get his header on target and the ball broke to Jephte Tanga who went down under a tackle from Ferguson. Shouts for a penalty, nothing given. At the other end, McCormick was picked out by an Efete ball but his shot went wide.

Josh Tobin opens the score | Pic by Gary Brown

Then suddenly a breakthrough and a goal with one minute of normal time remaining. A great run down the left from Daly who put a high cross in to the back post and there was Josh TOBIN whose header bundled its way past a couple of Maidstone defenders on the line.

That’s it right? Wrong. Two minutes in to five added on at the end of the game, the Yeovil defence switched off at the back post and a good ball in from Maidstone found Hamzad KARGBO who could not miss from inches out. Ugh.

After 90 minutes of basically nothing, all the action came in the final six minutes of the game. Penalties. Double ugh.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Maidstone United 1

Here’s how the penalties went…..

  • Maidstone United – Antony Papadopoulos – SAVED by Jed Ward (0-0)
  • Yeovil Town – Brett McGavin – SCORED (1-0)
  • Maidstone United – David Sesay – SAVED by Jed Ward (1-0)
  • Yeovil Town – Luke McCormick – SCORED (2-0)
  • Maidstone United – Deon Moore – SCORED (2-1)
  • Yeovil Town – Tahvon Campbell – SCORED (3-1)
  • Maidstone United – Hamzad Kargbo –  SCORED (3-2)
  • Yeovil Town – Andrew Oluwabori – SCORED (4-2)

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 13th December, 3pm kick-off

Competition: FA Trophy, Third Round Proper

Scorers: Josh Tobin 89 (1-0), Kargbo 90+2 (1-1)

Pitch: Holding up well considering the recent bad weather

Conditions: Dry but cool

Attendance: 1,691 (88 away supporters)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis 38,
Maidstone United: Dajon Golding 38, John Gilbert 57

Referee: Lewis Sandoe

Yeovil Town (3-5-2)

Substitutes: Michee Efete (for Alex Whittle, ), Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis, 46), Josh Tobin (for Leo Ramirez-Espain, 63), Andrew Oluwabori (for Harvey Greenslade, 63), Dan Ellison (for James Daly, 90), Josh Sims (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Maidstone United: Lenny Holden, David Sesay, Leo Hamblin, Lexus Beeden, George Fowler, TJ Bramble (for Hamzad Kargbo, 71), Jephte Tanga, John Gilbert (for Sam Corne, 64), Dajon Golding (for Deon Moore, 64), Riley Court, Antony Papadopoulos.

Substitutes (not used):  David Agontohoma, Taylor Foran, Nathan Harness.

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On loan midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain has been handed his Yeovil Town debut in today’s FA Trophy third round tie with Maidstone United at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).

The Watford youngster, who has not featured since joining on loan until the end of January a month ago, is one of two changes from last weekend’s 2-0 win at Hartlepool United  with Alex Whittle also coming in.

Michee Efete drops to the substitutes’ bench whilst Morgan Williams is missing having been sent off after the final whistle seven days ago.

Defender Dan Ellison, signed from Bristol Rovers at the end of October, is on the bench as his wait for a Glovers’ debut goes on.

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Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley has set his sights on a run in the FA Trophy as the Glovers prepare to kick off their campaign at home to Maidstone United this weekend.

The manager is looking to build on two wins in his first two National League Premier Division matches when the National League South play-off chasers visit Somerset this weekend.

We have gone out of the competition at the first time of asking in the last three seasons – at the hands of W*ymouth, Torquay United and Dorking Wanderers – and you have to go back to December 2021 to find our last win, a 3-1 home victory over Woking which came before an exit to Needham Market in the following round.

Asked about the significance of the competition by BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on Thursday, Rowley said: “Six games to Wembley, so that is something we can already dream about! If we can get through this weekend, you never know. I think it is a competition will be throwing a lot in to and this weekend I am definitely going to be trying to win that game.”

They face a Maidstone side which knocked Torquay out in the previous round and have won their last two league fixtures, but will travel without former Yeovil trialist Teo Kurtaran who departed the club this week. He appeared for Tamworth in a Birmingham Senior Cup tie on the same day his exit from Maidstone was announced albeit the National League Premier Division side has not announced his signing, so it is possibly a trial.

Kurtaran, who impressed suppoters but clearly not then-manager Mark Cooper during his pre-season in Somerset, is known to Rowley who signed him at his former club Walton & Hersham after the Glovers turned down the opportunity to sign him up.

Asked about this weekend’s opponents, Rowley said: “I know a fair bit about Maidstone, two lads I know very well have been playing for them, one of them actually just left this week (that’s Kurtaran by the way), so I know how they play, their style. They are a very physical team, they are great on transitions and press hard, so we worked on a few ideas today. They play real rock and roll football, so it will be a good spectacle. I want us to put on a spectacle and I want our fans to see us have a lot of the ball.”

Trialist midfielder Teo Kurtaran runs down the wing in the pre-season friendly against Bristol Rovers.
Teo Kurtaran in action for Yeovil Town in pre-season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The Glovers will go in to Saturday’s third round tie without defender Morgan Williams whose appeal against a sending off after the final whistle in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Hartlepool United has been rejected. On loan midfielder Max Jolliffe will also be missing having played in the Trophy for Billericay Town earlier this season, but Rowley is expecting to have midfielder Josh Sims available after suffering tendonitis on his Achilles as well as new signing Josh Tobin, who joined on loan from League Two Bromley on Thursday.

The boss said: “The video (of the post-match melee at Hartlepool) does not show what the referee thinks he saw and we did our best to try and appeal that one, but we were not successful. Morgs is a great character and a great player, so it is a blow, but we have some boys who can step in to that role. Finn (Cousin-Dawson) is one who I thought was excellent on Saturday in a midfield role, but he will be available for that position.

“Max (Joliffe) will be missing, cup-tied due to a game he play for Billericay earlier in the competition, but we are expecting a few boys back. Simsy (Josh Sims) has had some good treatment on his Achilles so he will be available, Planty will still be out because we do not want to risk his hamstring, but we will have good options going in to this game.”

Rowley added: “I reminded one of the lads who has not been playing much who has been training really well that every game brings different challenges, so we might play slightly differently for each game and I want to boys to think that there is a clean slate with me. There are boys who have great experience at this level and above, so that will naturally be swaying my opinion to a certain extent, but everyone has an opportunity here and they are definitely showing it in training.”

 

The FA Trophy definitely has a special place in our hearts, Billy. Picture courtesy of the Ciderspace Archive.

 

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Defensive midfielder Josh Tobin has become new Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley’s first signing having joined on loan from League Two Bromley until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old is known to the Glovers’ boss after the pair worked together during the player’s time in the academy at Premier League giants Chelsea and later during a loan spell at Walton & Hersham during the 2023-24 season.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy third round tie with Maidstone United, Rowley said: “I have worked with Josh for 18 months or so, he is a lad with a lot of skill and talent and found himself playing for (Walton & Hersham) after he was released by Chelsea and then he got a move to Bromley. Since then he has had a few injuries and not been able to get in there first team, so I thought this was a great opportunity to get him in.

“He is someone who is able to cover three or four different positions, he has a lot of skills in his toolbox, so I think he adds a lot of depth and will be really beneficial to us. He grew up playing as a centre back, so he can play anywhere across the back, he has most recently been playing as a holding midfield player and last year he played higher up the pitch as a number eight or number ten, so we will see. I see him mostly as a midfielder though.”

Tobin made his Bromley debut last month as a second half substitute in an EFL Trophy defeat to AFC Wimbledon, having returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Having left the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2022, Tobin has spells at Cray Wanderers and Margate before linking up with Rowley and his assistant Darren Simpson at Walton in January 2024. His form there earned him a move in to the Football League at Bromley and he was awarded a professional contract in May this year.

We assume the new recruit will be available for Saturday’s FA Trophy third round tie with Maidstone United at Huish Park.

Welcome to Huish Park, Josh!

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Yeovil Town have confirmed the departure of former manager and assistant manager Richard Dryden and Jerry Gill from Huish Park.

In a short statement posted on social media on Thursday the club said: “We can confirm that agreements have been reached to terminate the contracts of Richard Dryden and Jerry Gill.

“The club would like to formally thank both Richard and Jerry for their service and wish them well in the future.”

The pair’s future have been in limbo since the club appointed new boss Billy Rowley and his assistant Darren Simpson on 25th November and brings to an end an almost six-month association with the club for Dryden.

He joined the coaching staff under then-Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper in June, took over in interim charge following Cooper’s sacking at the end of August, and then did the hokey-cokey during the 11-day reign of Danny Webb as Yeovil manager, stepping in “until the end of the season” which lasted 11 matches. Having won his first three in permanent charge, he was replaced by Rowley following a run of six defeats and two draws including an early exit from the FA Cup at the hands of lower league Hemel Hempstead Town.

Gill joined as number two to Dryden on 24th September rekindling an association with the club he played for in the 1996-97 season, winning promotion back to the then Football Conference.

In a post on his X/Twitter, Gill said: “My time as Interim Assistant Manager @YTFC. A pleasure to have been back at the club so close to my heart. The stadium staff, football staff, superb group of players and wonderful supporters thanks for making work so enjoyable. I wish Billy and you ALL nothing but success.”

From us here at the Gloverscast, we wish both Richard and Jerry well for the future and thank them for stepping in during difficult times at our football club.

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The Football Association has confirmed Yeovil Town’s Morgan Williams was sent off for violent conduct at the end of last weekend’s 2-0 win at Hartlepool United.

The dismissal means the defender will now serve a three-match ban starting with Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at home to Maidstone United. He will also be missing for the National League home match with Forest Green Rovers on 20th December and the Boxing Day trip to Truro City.

Williams was red carded for his part in a melee which erupted at the end of the game at Hartlepool and involved every player and member of staff from both sides following the final whistle. The home side’s Jermaine Francis was also red carded for his role.

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Yeovil Town turned in a textbook away performance as they picked up their first win at Hartlepool United since 2011.

The Glovers took the lead after 14 minutes when a burst down the left from Luke McCormick picked out Aaron Jarvis in the middle to sweep home the opener.

They had to withstand intense pressure for much of the game, but sealed three points in style when the persistence of McCormick to attack down the left and curled a sumptuous strike in to the net with four minutes of second half injury time played.

There were chaotic scenes at the final whistle with an enormous melee in front of the dug out leading to both Glovers’ defender Morgan Williams and Pools’ substitute Jermaine Francis being sent off after the final whistle.

Disgracefully these fracas included a Hartlepool fan running on to the pitch and swinging a punch at Finn Cousin-Dawson who was forced to push away his attacker with no Victoria Park steward in sight!

First half

Billy Rowley made four changes to the starting XI which won 2-1 over Boston United in his first match in charge seven days earlier. Aaron Jarvis and Harvey Greenslade was restored to the forward line, Finn Cousin-Dawson returned to bring midfield stability and Michee Efete replaced the injured Josh Sims at right wing-back.

After an even opening ten minutes, the first meaningful opportunity of the game fell to the home side on 12 minutes as striker Adam Campbell laid ball off to Matt Daly whose low shot was turned aside by Jed Ward.

But three minutes later, Yeovil took the lead. Luke McCormick burst away down left side and squared the ball to Aaron JARVIS who stroked the Glovers in front with 14 minutes. You can’t help but think that a few weeks ago McCormick might have checked back and played a pass back to his defence. It appears Rowley’s promise of ‘front foot football’ (a line often parroted but rarely delivered by his predecessors) is starting to come true. 

Three minutes later Jarvis, who had been making a nuisance of himself from himself the start, was brought down on the edge of the box by Maxim Kougoun who earned himself the first booking of the game. From the resulting free-kick, Brett McGavin curled on just wide of the post.

The play which created the goal almost repeated itself on 28 minutes as McCormick got away down the left again and this time forced a good stop out of Hartlepool keeper George Evans.

At the other end a nice move involving Campbell and Daly found Alex Reid inside the six yard but he put his chance wide of the post with the offside flag up anyway. A minute later, McCormick came even closer to doubling the advantage as he beat Evans but not the post.

Hartlepool were starting to see more of the ball as the half wore on and with ten minutes remaining of the first half, Jay Benn was found in space on the right of the box and his driven ball was pushed away from danger by Ward inside a crowded penalty area. Daly flashed a good opportunity past the post on 37 minutes and moments later another driven ball from Benn was cut out by Michee Efete.

We are definitely standing firm, but the Hartlepool are turning the screw. Possession stats will be in favour of the hosts in the final 20 minutes of the first half, but other an Ward’s stop to deny Daly – which was ultimately offside – there have not been any meaningful stops for the keeper to make.

The half-time whistle was met by a roar from the away supporters who had been non-stop in their support from the opening whistle. Amazing what attacking football and solid and sensible defending can do for a fan base!

Half time: Hartlepool United 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half started with the home side dominating possesion again. There were chances for Hartlepool with Ward having to be alert to keep out Daly’s chance before a towering header from giant Pools’ centre half Tom Parkes flying just past the post.

The pressure was all Hartlepool’s in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, but the next chance fell to Yeovil. On 63 minutes, it was another attack down the left led by James Daly who forced a stop out of Evans. 

On 65 minutes, Billy Rowley made his first substitution with Tahvon Campbell replacing Aaron Jarvis with Alex Whittle coming on for Harvey Greenslade after 73 minutes.

Hartlepool, who were unbeaten in the previous seven matches going in to the game, enjoyed much of the play but Yeovil’s hard work held them at bay. As in the first half, the home side saw most of the ball but never really seriously troubled Ward in to one of his trademark stunning stops. The 98 travelling fans in the Victoria Park away end – bravo, we were non-stop in support of the team throughout!

It was left to Luke McCORMICK to seal the win. He showed amazing persistence to not give up on a ball in the fourth minute of injury time before curling a shot around the keeper and in to the bottom corner to send the away end in to delirium. Even with four minutes of second half injury time played, the thought was to attack and get a second goal and not hold the ball in the corner. You love to see it!

As the final whistle sounded, a huge melee involving what seemed like every player and member of staff from both sides exploded in front of the dug outs. From the distance of the away end it was difficult to tell exactly what happened, but the result was sendings off for both Yeovil’s Morgan Williams and Hartlepool’s Jermaine Francis after the final whistle.

This was a black mark on an otherwise faultless away performance for Yeovil at a ground which has not made for happy hunting for many Glovers sides in years gone by. The Rowley revolution rolls on – bring on the FA Trophy next weekend!

Full time: Hartlepool United 0 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Victoria Park
Date: Saturday 6th December, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Aaron Jarvis 14 (1-0), Luke McCormick 90+4 (2-0)

Pitch: Didn’t look too bad 

Conditions: Cold, wet. It’s December in Hartlepool.

Attendance: 3,014 (98 away supporters)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis 37, Jake Wannell 58, Kyle Ferguson 66, Luke McCormick 86.

Hartlepool United: Maxim Kougoun 17

Sendings off:

Hartlepool United: Jermaine Francis – after the final whistle

Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams – after the final whistle

Referee: Dean Watson

Yeovil Town (3-5-2)

Substitutes: Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis, 65), Alex Whittle (for Harvey Greenslade, 73), Max Jolliffe (for Brett McGavin, 82), Dan Ellison (not used), Leo Ramirez-Espain (not used), Andrew Oluwabori (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Hartlepool United: George Evans, Jay Benn, Cameron John, Tom Parkes (for Besart Topalloj, 74), Maxim Kougoun, Adam Campbell, Nathan Sheron (for Danny Johnson, 74), Jack Hunter (for Jermaine Francis, 54), Jamie Miley, Alex Reid, Matty Daly (for Pharrell Brown, 62).

Substitutes (not used): Adam Smith, Nathan Ferguson, Joseph Aungiers.

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Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has made four changes to his starting line-up for today’s visit to Hartlepool United (3pm kick-off)

Strikers Aaron Jarvis and Harvey Greenslade return alongside Michee Efete and Finn Cousin-Dawson with Tahvon Campbell and Max Jolliffe dropping to the bench and Josh Sims and James Plant missing through injury.

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Junior Morias looks up for a pass.

Striker Junior Morias has left Yeovil Town to join National League South side Hornchurch after just four months at Huish Park.

The 30-year-old arrived in Somerset following his release by Notts County at the end of last season and scored four times in his 18 appearances for the club.

In a social media post, the club said the decision had been made to allow the frontman to “move closer to home to be nearer his family” and he joins a side sitting three points clear at the top of National League South.

Morias was an unused substitute in last weekend’s 2-1 home win over Boston United and his last appearance saw him play the full 90 minutes in the goalless draw at Morecambe seven days earlier.