David Coates (Page 4)

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Yeovil Town’s FA Trophy dreams ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of National League North side Southport.

The Glovers took the lead just before the half-time break when James Daly pounced on a mistake by the hosts’ defence to fire home his third goal in two matches, but after the interval the Glovers were battered by wave after wave of attacks from the Sandgrounders.

In front of vociferous home crowd of more than 3,000, it always seemed like an equaliser was coming and it arrived with just two minutes remaining when Ted Lavelle lashed home a thunderous strike.

That left the result down to the lottery of penalties and after Brett McGavin confidently thundered home the opening spot kick, Aaron Jarvis and captain Jake Wannell failed to even hit the target with their efforts.

Jed Ward’s save from Lavelle with Southport’s fourth penalty only delayed the inevitable and Danny Lloyd booked the Merseyside outfit in to the competition’s semi-finals when he fired home the winner.

First half

Following his two goals against Sutton United on Wednesday night, James Daly was in the Yeovil forward line alongside Tahvon Campbell, and it was the Glovers who had the better of the opening exchanges with a couple of dangerous attacks in the opening five minutes.

In the ninth minute, Dakari Mafico played in Alex Whittle whose looping ball in to the box found the head of Daly, hosts’ keeper George Pickford seemed to lose the ball in the bright sunshine and only got a fingertip on it, it hit Campbell but the contact was not enough to force it over the line.

Five minutes later there was an even better opportunity when Finn Cousin-Dawson swung in an inviting cross towards Daly, but his header was straight at the keeper. Great chance to turn the early pressure in to a lead.

Mafico playing further forward is looking for opportunities to get on the ball and when he does he looks capable to creating something.

The home side had their first effort on goal just before the half-hour mark when a free-kick was cleared as far as Jordan Slew whose low effort was dived on by Jed Ward this near post.

Campbell created another opening after 40 minutes after a neat interchange with Mafico and stumbled his way over a few challenges but couldn’t get his shot away.

But with three minutes of the first half remaining, Yeovil took the lead. James DALY seized on a loose back pass from Burgess rounded the keeper and fired home.

Half time: Southport 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Striker Aaron Jarvis, who travelled up separately after suffering with food poisoning, replaced Campbell at the start of the second half.

Southport suffered a blow after 52 minutes when goalkeeper Pickford, on loan from Premier League Everton, was forced to go off with injury replaced by Chris Renshaw.

The hosts created an opening on 54 minutes when a long ball forward found Sze in a tussle with Mafico, but his shot was over. Moments later he smashed on straight at Ward.

You get the feeling it is going to take more than one goal to settle this and Mafico tried to find one but fired his effort in to the side netting.

Southport had another opening when Ward raced to the edge of his box and Sze got round him but Mukena was back to clear the danger. The home side are putting some pressure on here and the big crowd inside Haig Avenue feels like it is ready to explode in to life.

On 64 minutes, Harvey Greenslade and Troy Perrett replaced Whittle and Mafico, and then the lesser spotted Dan Ellison came on in place of Mukena nine minutes later.

Soon after his arrival Greenslade was released down the right but fires high and wide. We have struggled to keep possession when we had it and are dropping deeper and deeper as Southport press forward in search of an equaliser.

The home side had a golden opportunity to level with six minutes later. Ward pushed a shot out as far as Eze who had only keeper to beat and lifted it over the bar. We are hanging on here.

Exactly what looked like it was going to happen happened two minutes from time. An 88th minute clearance landed to Ted LAVELLE who smashed a beautiful shot in to the top corner. You can’t say they don’t deserve it and Haigh Avenue is rocking.

We have looked like a different team since the substitutes. Sat too deep, let them play and invited the pressure and, to their credit, Southport have taken it with both hands and deserve their chance to progress to the semi-finals in a penalty shoot-out.

Full time: Southport 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

Southport – Chris Sze – 0-1 – SCORED

Yeovil Town – Brett McGavin – 1-1 – SCORED

Southport – Jordan Slew – 1-2 – SCORED

Yeovil Town – Aaron Jarvis – 1-2 – MISSED

Southport – Luke Griffiths – 1-3 -SCORED

Yeovil Town – Jake Wannell – 1-3 – MISSED

Southport – Ted Lavelle – 1-3 – SAVED

Yeovil Town – Harvey Greenslade – 2-3 SCORED

Southport – Danny Lloyd – 2-4 – SCORED

Match Details

Venue: Haig Avenue, Southport, Merseyside
Date: Saturday 28th February, 3pm kick-off

Competition: FA Trophy, Quarter Final

Scorers: James Daly 42 (1-0), Ted Lavelle 88 (1-1)

Pitch: A slope in front of the home even, but overall in good nick
Conditions: Dry but cold

Attendance: 3,696 (362 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 27, Dakari Mafico 38
Southport: Josh Miles 76, Sam Minihan 86

Referee: James Oldham

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for Alex Whittle, 64), Troy Perrett (for Dakari Mafico, 64), Dan Ellison (for Joy Mukena, 73), Jaydon Biss (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Southport: George Pickford (for Chris Renshaw, 50), Ted Lavelle, Tom Moore, Jordan Slew, Malaki McKenzie (for Arthur Ganahoua, 73), Jordan Keane, Sonny Hilton (for Danny Lloyd, 73), Luke Burgess, Chris Sze, Luke Griffiths, Josh Miles (for Sam Minihan, 81).

Substitutes (not used): Luke Tabone, Issac Price, Paul Murphy-Worrell.

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Captain Jake Wannell returns from suspension for Yeovil Town in today’s FA Trophy quarter-final at Southport (3pm kick-off).

He is among five changes to the starting line-up from the 3-2 home win over Sutton United on Wednesday night with striker Tahvon Campbell, midfielders Brett McGavin and Dakari Mafico and defender Alex Whittle also returning to the starting XI.

Striker Aaron Jarvis, who has been missing through suspension, is named among the substitutes.

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A dramatic late comeback saw Yeovil Town come from to grab three hugely important points with victory over fellow National League strugglers Sutton United at Huish Park.

The Glovers looked like they were heading for their fifth match without a win as they went in to second half stoppage time 2-1 behind before James Daly grabbed an equaliser with three added on minutes gone, then four minutes later Brett McGavin stepped up to smash home a penalty.

The victory was all the more spectacular as it looked to everyone inside Huish Park – or watching on the DAZN stream – that Yeovil were going out with a whimper having thrown away a 1-0 lead with two sloppy goals conceded.

Credit to the spirit of these players, when they looked dead and buried they found something to grab a vital three points to put eight points between themselves and the relegation places – not that we’re looking at the table at this stage of the season. Honest!

First half

Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley asked for a quick start in his pre-match comments and he almost got one within 20 seconds as Harvey Greenslade, who is sporting a shorter hairstyle, caused problems down the left and got a ball in which Josh Sims could not head any real connection on on the far post.

The opening ten minutes did not offer much in the way of chances for either side, but a good move on 11 minutes when a neat pass from Josh Sims saw Greenslade fire it in to the danger area and it was almost turned in by a Sutton defender. Offside flag was up anyway, but a good bit of pressure. The frontline is upping the intensity.

Ryan Jones fired shot just wide after a good forward run a couple of minutes later before Greenslade found space between the Sutton back line but his effort flashed across the face of goal and wide.

Despite not having any efforts to threaten Jed Ward in the Yeovil goal, there was plenty of pressure from Sutton who had a string of corners in the first half-an-hour. They have looked dynamic when they have had the ball and are pressing us well.

But with five minutes remaining until half-time there was a breakthrough for Yeovil. Terrell Works caused problems down the left side and he was brought down just inside the box and referee James Durkin pointed to the spot.

Luke McCormick took responsibility but his penalty was low and slow down to the keeper’s right and Jack Sims got across to it, but could not hold it. James DALY was on the spot to turn home the rebound.

There was a worrying moment just after when McCormick went down injured after what appeared to be a collision in the scramble to turn home the rebound. Dakari Mafico is ready to come on, but it looks like McCornmick is going to play on.

Just when you thought it was going to be advantage Yeovil going in at half-time, Sutton equalised. Besart Topallaj got a ball in from the left and Hayden MULLER had the freedom of the penalty area to head the visitors level. Another soft goal to concede.

That was a real sucker punch but it’s probably fair to say neither side has forced enough action out of either keeper to deserve a lead.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Sutton United 1

Second half

Luke McCormick is back out for the second half, I had not expected that when he went off at the interval with Mafico ready to roll, but our top scorer is out there.

The first real opening of the second half fell to Greenslade on 51 minutes. A long ball forward was flicked on to the striker who did well to nutmeg his defender and charge towards goal, but he was leaning back as he tried to execute his shot and it went high over the bar on his weaker foot. He had Works alongside him and, in hindsight, a pass would have been a better option.

Three minutes later there was a good opening for the visitors as Simper got involved and showed his quality to bring the ball down and then scooped it over to Kai Jennings who thumped in a shot which Ward did well to push away for a corner.

Ryan Jones tackles Kwaku Donkor. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Just before the hour mark, McCormick’s night is over. He is replaced by Troy Perrett who takes up a similar position in the middle of midfield whilst Dakari Mafico replaces Terrell Works, who has been one of the attacking bright spots for Yeovil so far. Sutton made their own double change with the taller figures of Ashley Nadesan and Osman Foyo replacing the more diminutive Jermaine Francis and Brandon Njoku.

The pressing which we saw from Yeovil at the start of the match is missing in the opening 15 minutes of the second half whilst Sutton have continued where they left off in the first half. It is advantage to the visitors so far. Billy Rowley responded by bringing Tahvon Campbell in place of Greenslade, who had just picked up a booking, and maybe that is an effort to get the ball to stick up front.

It has been one-way traffic so far and it was no surprise when Sutton took the lead with 66 minutes on the clock. A good move down the right side saw Simper get the ball in, there were opportunities to clear it but it was Kai JENNINGS who wanted it more and slammed it home. Another (yes, another) disappointing goal to concede, but it had been coming.

There was a moment of audible frustration from the Huish Park crowd when Jonathon Page fired two corners in quick succession at the near post, both were easily cleared away by the Sutton defence. It all seems a bit lethargic from Yeovil at the moment whilst the visitors are happy to bide their time. Crying out for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

With ten minutes remaining, the only roll of the dice available to Rowley saw Page and Joy Mukena replaced by Brett McGavin and Kyle Ferguson.

It looked like it was all over for Yeovil Town, honestly it did. Then with three minutes of seven minutes stoppage time added on we equalised. It was Ryan Jones’ all in from the left, it evaded Campbell on the near post but James DALY was there to turn it home at the back post.

Just when you thought it could not get better than that, it did. Tahvon Campbell was brought down on the edge of the box and Yeovil were awarded their second penalty of the night – you have to love National League refs, right? Brett McGAVIN claimed the ball and was the coolest man inside Huish Park as he smashed Yeovil ahead.

Wow. Just wow. That is a big, big win.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Sutton United 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Wednesday 25th February, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: Enterprise National League Premier Division

Scorers: James Daly 41 (1-0), Hayden Muller 45+5 (1-1), Kai Jennings 66 (1-2), James Daly 90+3 (2-2), Brett McGavin pen 90+7 (3-2)

Pitch: Wearing in front of the Thatcher’s Stand
Conditions: Cold but dr7

Attendance: 2,344 (63 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Terrell Works 45+4, Harvey Greenslade 63, Josh Sims 90+14
Sutton United: Brandon Njoku 33, Kwaku Donkor 55, Jack Sims 88, Edon Pruti 90+5, Dubem Eze 90+14

Referee: James Durkin

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Troy Perrett (for Luke McCormick, 57), Dakari Mafico (for Terrell Works, 57), Tahvon Campbell (for Harvey Greenslade, 64) Kyle Ferguson (for Joy Mukena, 80), Brett McGavin (for Jonathon Page, 80), Alex Whittle (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Sutton United: Jack Sims, Lewis Simper, Edom Pruti, Jake Taylor (for Dubem Eze, 90+11), Junior Eccleston, Kai Jennings, Brandon Njoku (for Osman Foyo, 60), Besart Topallaj, Hayden Muller, Jermaine Francis (for Ashley Nadesanm 60), Kwaku Donkor (for David Ogbonnam 90).

Substitutes (not used): Chris Haigh, David Aziaya, Davide Rodari.

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Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley is hoping a quick frontline will cause problems for tonight’s opponents Sutton United at Huish Park.

The Glovers have James Daly playing through the middle supported by Harvey Greenslade and Terrell Works, who were both on the bench for Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Carlisle United.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins ahead of the match, Rowley said: “I know Sutton are going to come and press us really aggressively like the Aldershot game, we are going to have to be good in tight spaces and we are going to have to play behind them when we can and that is the idea and hopefully get in on goal early.

“The changes are for tactical reasons, it was a long trip (to Carlisle) at the weekend and a couple of lads could probably do with a rest. We are going to throw (James Daly) up front, Sutton are going to have a really high line and using his speed to get in behind them would be good, Harvey (Greenslade) a similar idea. I feel like Terrell (Works) coming in give us some serious quality, he is top scorer at Braintree (with four goals in 15 appearances) this year and he was only there two months. We need his goals. Pagey comes in for his home debut and he is someone I trust in terms of his intelligence and positional discipline.”

Asked whether he hoped supporters would drive his side on, he added: “I do but it is important that we understand our role in that. We have to understand we are giving them something to cheer about early and that is the message for the lads, get on the front foot early, get in their half and after the ball and, if we do that, the fans will be on our side.“

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There are four changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s defeat at Carlisle as Yeovil Town prepare to take on Sutton United at Huish Park tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

Up front Harvey Greenslade replaces Tahvon Campbell with Jonathon Page and Terrell Works coming in for Brett McGavin and Cardiff City loanee Dakari Mafico whilst Joy Mukena returns to the back line in place of Kyle Ferguson.

The four players left out of the XI are all among the substitutes as the Glovers go in search of three points to lift them away from the National League Premier Division relegation zone.

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Yeovil Town were sunk by three first half goals at Carlisle United as they dropped to one place above the National League Premier Division relegation zone.

The Glovers were outclassed from the moment Morgan Feeney headed the home side in front after just five minutes before Luke Armstrong added a second from the penalty spot and then Ryan Galvin added a third in first half stoppage time.

The second half was a more even affair as Carlisle took their foot off the gas, but remained in complete control.

The gap between us and the bottom four is the same as it was before the game, but Wednesday night’s home match with Sutton United is looking enormous.

First half

It was the worst possible start for a Yeovil side already low on confidence after the midweek defeat at home to Aldershot Town after they went a goal down after just five minutes. A corner was defended but Ryan Jones played a lazy ball forward which landed straight to the feet of Ellis who swung a ball over to the back post where Morgan FEENEY rose to head in and of the post.
A good ball forward by Brett McGavin set James Daly free down the left after 11 minutes and the winger was brought down by McAdam. A free kick was on target and well punched away by Gabe Breeze in the hosts goal.
On 17 minutes what looked like it was going to be a long afternoon looked even longer. A foul by Finn Cousin-Dawson inside the box handed the home side a chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot. With Jed Ward in goal you always have a chance, but Luke ARMSTRONG made no mistake and sent the keeper the wrong way.
The dangerous Ajiboye had two efforts just off target soon after but it is clear Carlisle are a cut above us. Everything they do looks assured and deliberate, whereas we look as if we need an assist from Lady Luck to fashion a chance.
How we were not three down with 41 minutes gone is beyond me. A corner bouncing in literally on Jed Ward’s goal line had both ex-Glovers’ defender Bevis Mugabi and Armstrong in close proximity but neither could steer it home.
On the stroke of half time, it was 3-0 and and again so simple. Three minutes in to first half stoppage time, a flowing Carlisle move saw Ryan GALVIN released inside the box and he stroked home the third. It was the least they deserved.

Half time: Carlisle United 3 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There was a notable drop in the intensity of Carlisle from the start of the second half which gave Yeovil the chance to get forward a little more without ever testing keeper Gabe Breeze.

But it was Armstrong who had the first chance of the second half when his stroke from outside the box was pushed away by Ward with 51 minutes gone.

There were attacks by Yeovil with Josh Sims switching sides to try and fashion a chance, but you got the impression Carlisle were happy to let us had possession in the knowledge we had no cutting edge to cause a threat. There were three corners in quick success which could effectively be catching practice for Breeze.

Carlisle keeper Gabe Breeze catches another.

Armstrong put one wide for Carlisle after 68 minutes before a moment which summed up our ineptitude in front of goal. Campbell bundled his way forward down the right, tried to lay it off to Luke McCormick only for the ball to run behind him as far as James Daly who smashed it high over the bar.

On 75 minutes, Carlisle introduced two attacking players valued in six-figure fees in Chris Conn-Clarke and Reagan Linney, we brought on Terrell Works and Harvey Greenslade. There are levels to this game.

As the game pushes in to the final ten minutes, Carlisle pushed to extend their lead and Conn-Clarke had a goal disallowed for offside before Hugh Parker was denied by Ward from a one on one chance on the edge of the area.

There was a welcome return to action for Alex Whittle who was introduced with four minutes remaining, but overall it was a miserable afternoon for those supporters who face not seeing home until the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Full time: Carlisle United 3 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Brunton Park
Date: Saturday 21st February, 3pm kick-off

Competition: Enterprise National League

Scorers: Morgan Feeney 5, Luke Armstrong pen 17, Ryan Galvin 45+3

Pitch: Excellent, you can tell Carlisle invest a lot in it.
Conditions: Cold but mercifully not as wet as the forecast predicted.

Attendance: 6,655 (145 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: None
Carlisle United: Harvey Macadam 7

Referee: Michael Barlow

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Terrell Works (for Ryan Jones, 74), Harvey Greenslade (for James Daly, 74), Troy Perrett (for Dakari Mafico, 80), Jonathon Page (for Brett McGavin, 86), Alex Whittle (for Luke McCormick, 86), Joy Mukena (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Carlisle United: Gabe Breeze, Morgan Feeney, David Ajiboye (for Hugh Parker, 78), Ryan Galvin, Elliot Embleton (for Regan Linney, 74), Stephen Wearne (for Chris Conn-Clarke, 74), Jack Ellis, Alex Gilliead, Bevis Mugabi, Luke Armstrong (for Charlie Wyke, 78), Harry McAdam (for Terrell Thomas, 74).

Substitutes (not used): Archie Mair, Cameron Harper.

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Yeovil Town have made four changes for today’s game a third-placed Carlisle United (3pm kick-off).

Tahvon Campbell, Josh Sims, Ryan Jones and Kyle Ferguson all return following the 3-1 home defeat to Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.

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Full-back Alex Whittle and midfielder Jonathon Page will both be available for Yeovil Town at high-flying Carlisle United this weekend.

The pair have both been involved in training this week having been missing through injury in recent weeks and are now in the frame to be involved in a tough test in Cumbria. Page has been an unused substitute in the last two games and not featured picking up an injury on his debut in the defeat at Brackley Town last month, whilst Whittle has played just once under Rowley having been dogged by injury.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins on Thursday ahead of the 700-mile round trip, manager Billy Rowley said his side were hoping to put in a performance to cancel out a below par performance in the 2-1 home defeat to Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.

He said: “Whitts has been in full training today, I have just given him Man of the Match in training today, he was good out there. Jon Page has also been in full training today and he will be back available for Saturday, he has been really unfortunate since he has come in. So those two lads will come back in the squad and fully available for selection.”

The boss said he showed his side a video nasty as they replayed the opening half-an-hour of their miserable midweek display. The Glovers were 1-0 down inside seven minutes against a visiting side which bossed the game and only drew level courtesy of a spectacular strike from loan forward Terrell Works.

Rowley said: “We have watched some clips of the first 20 to 30 minutes of the game and I think it was important for us all to realign ourselves to what are the minimum expectations of playing for Yeovil. Gouldy (goalkeeping coach, Matt Gould), who is a beam of positive energy in the office, reminded me that in the two-and-a-half months that we have been here, that is definitely the worst we have played and the bottom line is we got outran and outfought on Tuesday night. It was the first time that has happened in the time I have been here, so it was important we pressed the reset button on that and made sure our values of leaving everything on the pitch is still massively important to how we want to play.

“When you are looking around the room, seeing people nodding and looking you in the eye, it is pretty clear that everybody knows we had a bad day at the office on Tuesday. It is something we desperately want to make sure does not happen again and we are looking forward to the game on Saturday to try and change that. It is important to enjoy your wins because it is a short career for a lot of players and managers, but when you do lose a game it is important to remember it is not the end of the world. You have to reflect on it, try and improve on it and try and iron out the things you do not want to see again and that is what we have done. It is not to say we will not lose another game, but we will win plenty as well and we will keep trying to improve.”

Alex Whittle grapples with a Hartlepool United player.
Alex Whittle has not featured for Yeovil since coming on as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Hartlepool United at the start of December. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Glovers make the long trip to face third-placed Carlisle United who have won six of their last ten matches in the National League Premier Division and are looking to make up ground on the division’s top two, Rochdale and York City. Last time out they put in an impressive display to win 3-1 at fellow promotion hopefuls, Forest Green Rovers, last weekend but were without a match in midweek.

The Cumbrians’ manager, former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes, confirmed they will be without full-back Josh Williams who picked up a hamstring injury against Forest Green, but Rowley is expecting a tough match.

He said: “They have got a lot of match-winners in their team and Mark Hughes is an idol of mine as a young Man United fan, he was the best volley-er of all time, so it will be great to chat to him about his career, but we are going to go there and try to take three points off them first. They have some top players and it is a great place to go and play football, so I think it will add motivation to our lads. We will go there with a clear mindset and a clear game plan and we have just got to turn up and execute it. We will try to right the wrongs from (the defeat to Aldershot) on Tuesday, run hard and get the win.

“In a weird way I think sometimes the shackles are off (us away from home). I understand modern football can be a little strange for the average punter and something that I keep reassuring our supporters is that we are always looking to score, always looking to get behind teams. Sometimes the execution of that has been off lately, but it is just reinforcing those messages and when we go to an away ground you are naturally the underdog and do not get as many moans and groans and you play without any fear or restrictions. I like this opportunity to go there and upset them, they are a top team with a great manager and we are looking forward to getting out there and doing what we do.“

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Yeovil Town loanee Dakari Mafico has said his preferred position is in the centre of midfield, but is happy to be learning a new side to his game at left wing-back.

The Cardiff City youngster has been a sensation since joining on loan until the end of the season at the start of January and impressed in  a central role during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with league leaders Rochdale at Huish Park.

However, he was switched back to the left wing-back position which he has filled on many occasions since his arrival in Somerset for the 2-1 defeat at home to Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins on Thursday ahead of the trip to third-placed Carlisle United this weekend, the 19-year-old said: “I try and help where I can. I know my preferred position is to play in the middle, but I have been on the left in most games and that has been a different side to my game that I need to develop. I have enjoyed it so far, when I get to be in the middle, that is where I enjoy it the most and obviously I show my best qualities. But it is about where I can help the team, bring my quality on the ball and drive us forward up the pitch and work on my defensive skills as well.

“I am mostly a number six, that is my main position, but being able to do a bit of both, sometimes I roll in as an eight. But when I am out wide as a left wing-back, I get to work on the one-on-one aspect of my game which I might not get as much in midfielder. It is all positive. This season at Cardiff I played at left-back for the first game of the season and I think I may have played it for one season when I was about nine. I am having to learn quickly and coming (to Yeovil) and having to do the same thing has only helped me with versatility. That obviously gives me more opportunities in the team, but if my name is on the team-sheet, I am happy.”

Dakarai Mafico has been an instant hit since joining on loan from Cardiff City last month. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Mafico was selected as your Player of the Month for January in our regular post-match polls after picking up topping the Man of the Match charts in three matches having arrived at the club. His performance against Rochdale also saw him pick up 45.6% of the vote.

The Cardiff academy product is expected to be in the Yeovil squad which makes the almost 700-mile round journey to Carlisle United this weekend, but knows the Glovers face a tough test against a side which has won seven of their last ten matches on home soil.

Mafico said: “We were not good enough *against Aldershot Town) on Tuesday in all aspects of the performance, but if we can replicate Saturday’s performance (against Rochdale) against Carlisle we could have a good day. It will be tough physically especially going away to them, it will be a tough game but we are confident if we apply ourselves in the right way as we did on Saturday we will be able to get a good result.”