Rowley: We needed to be more clinical
2026-09-29
Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has said that being more clinical in front of goal was the only real improvement his side needed to make after their 1-1 draw at home to Worthing on Tuesday night.
The Glovers fell behind just before the half-hour mark when a tame effort from the visitors’ Razzaq Coleman De Graft from the edge of the box was spilled in to his own net by keeper Jos Barker, before a Brett McGavin free-kick which deflected off a Worthing player levelled the game early in the second half.
There were opportunities for both sides to have grabbed all three points after the equaliser with Johl Powell coming close to adding to his recent scoring streak at one end while defenders Ben Radcliffe and Jack Kingdon had to make heroic blocks at the other end to deny the visitors.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Josh Perkins after the game, Rowley said: “I was just talking to Adam (Hinshelwood, the Worthing manager) and we both said the same thing, we both thought our side could have won it based on the chances we created. But, I think when I wake up tomorrow, I’ll probably think it is a good point, so there are mixed emotions.
“You sit on the bench so often and you say to the staff ‘We’re in a good spell here, we need to score’ and then one mistake and you’re 1-0 down and thinking ‘how’s that happened?’ It was almost like two middleweight boxers just swinging at each other for 90 minutes, you’re open for the knockout blow, but equally they are, and we’ve finished the game on points.
“I thought it was a great advert for the league. Both teams actually finished completely on empty. It was a good night of football.”
Having fallen behind, Yeovil made the perfect start to the second half when McGavin fizzed a free-kick in to the box which deflected off Worthing defender Joe Cook on its way in to the net. The effort was on target, but widely credited as an own goal.
The manager said: “Brett’s probably one of the best ball strikers and set-piece takers I’ve ever seen in real life, some of the things he can do with both feet in training are an actual joke. I think he’ll probably feel that he should be getting more goals and assists from set-pieces. I know he gets a lot, but I think he would also feel he can do more because of how good his right foot is. I’m really pleased with him, though. It’s a great delivery and a nice start to the second half, it’s just a shame we couldn’t keep that going a little bit longer.”
Despite failing to pick up all three points, the Glovers retained their position in the National League play-offs as September draws to a close. Next up at Huish Park on Saturday are Boston United who were held to a 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town on Tuesday.
Asked what he would like to improve, Rowley said: “I’m not sure there’s loads to improve, be a bit more clinical and we can finish this game with three or four goals but equally they could have scored a few as well. I think it’s more of the same, if we turn up and we’ve got a little bit more cutting edge to our attacking play and a little bit more conviction in our finishing, I expect us to score goals at home.
“I think our fans can see now that we’re trying to get the ball in the box more, we’re trying to run at people and we’re trying to play forward when we can. The idea is to come here and try to score a few goals on Saturday.”
Luke McCormick Update
Once again there was no place in the squad for club captain Luke McCormick who has not been involved in the Glovers’ last three matchday squads with Rowley repeatedly saying he is “unavailable for selection” due to an “internal matter.”
Before the interview with the boss closed on Tuesday night, there was a question about the midfielder’s situation:
Josh Perkins: Lastly from me, still no McCormick in the squad today. Is there any update on him at all?
Billy Rowley: No. Potentially, we’ll have an update for everyone on Saturday, but nothing else on that right now.
Jones: I am feeling good
2026-09-29
Wing wizard Ryan Jones has said he is enjoying the freedom which he is getting in the Yeovil Town set-up at the start of the National League season.
The Welshman had been terrorising defences in the opening 11 matches of the season and had a number of moments where he showed trademark skill in the 1-1 home draw with Worthing on Tuesday night.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the match, Jones said: “The freedom I am playing with comes from the Gaffer (manager Billy Rowley) and the lads as well. The players know what I can do and what I bring, so they give me free rein to go and do whatever when I get the ball. My confidence is very high at the moment, when I’m running at people, things are coming off and stuff like that. I’m feeling good.
“This season I’ve played a new role in the system, swapping sides of the pitch and allowing me to come in on my left foot. It took me a couple of games to get used to that role, but I know what’s needed from me now, in and out of possession. So I’ll just stick to it and hopefully more things will come.
“Off the right I probably feel more comfortable. I mean, I can do both. I think the way that I play allows me to, even if I’m on the left, go outside or come inside, so it doesn’t really matter. But I definitely prefer being off the right.“
Match Report: Yeovil Town 1 Worthing 1
2026-09-29
Yeovil Town had to settle for point as they came from behind against newly-promoted Worthing at Huish Park on Tuesday night.
The Glovers created a number of inviting openings before going behind when goalkeeper Jos Barker allowed a tame shot from the edge of the box from the visitors’ Razzaq Coleman De Graft trickle past him just before the half-hour mark.
The home side pulled level just two minutes in to the second half when a free-kick from Brett McGavin fizzed through a crowded penalty area and came off Worthing defender Joe Cook on its way in to the net. After that both sides had opportunities to take the three points, but neither could find the killer final touch.
First half
Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley said he had given his side instructions to go out and make a fast start, but it was Worthing who did that. With just over 30 seconds on the clock, a ball in from the right found Ricky Aguiar free inside the box with a glorious chance which was superbly stopped by Jos Barker in the Yeovil goal.
With eight minutes on the clock, Johl Powell had a great chance to add to his fine scoring form after Ryan Jones picked him out inside the box but his effort was blocked. The Welsh winger was at it again after 20 minutes, making a burst down the right side and fired a ball in to a crowded penalty but it found the head of a visiting defender before it could make it way to anyone in green-and-white.
Powell had another opportunity two minutes later and (again!) it was Jones who made progress through the middle of the park and picked out Powell whose effort was well stopped by Taylor Seymour in the Worthing goal. Another great run and pass from Jones and Powell picking out another great position.
Next up it was Worthing’s chance to come close to breaking the deadlock. A swift move found striker Charley Kendall on the right side of the box, his effort deflected off Jack Kingdon, clipped the crossbar and bounced away to safety. Then, straight down the other end, a ball dropped to Jordan Norville-Williams inside the box and he struck it first time and watched his effort rattle back off the post.
After several good moves from both sides, it was a pretty scruffy one which broke the deadlock. Razzaq COLEMAN DE GRAFT fired in a speculative shot from just outside the box which slipped through the hands of Barker who appeared to have it covered and in to the corner of the net. It was great to hear Yeovil fans in the Thatcher’s Stand singing the young keeper’s name straight afterwards, there’s plenty of credit in the bank for him.
Despite taking the lead, Worthing had no intent of slacking off and carved out another good chance when Jordan Young – who was weirdly booed by some Glovers’ fans during the first half – looped a ball in to the box which defender Charlie Waller could not direct goalwards.
There were applause from the home support as the players went in at half-time and that is an indication that this was far from a poor performance from Yeovil in this first half. One goalkeeping error is all there is in this one.
Half-time: Yeovil Town 0 Worthing 1
Second half
The first chance of the second half led to Yeovil’s equaliser. Clever play from Powell saw him with a free-kick just 30 seconds after the restart way out on the left side and Brett McGavin’s free-kick fizzed in to the area and in to the net. It was definitely on target but it came off Worthing defender Joe Cook on its way in to the net. OWN GOAL.
Almost immediately after the restart, Powell was picked out by another Jones pass, bore down on the Worthing but and was only denied by a sensational last ditch tackle from Cook. If the defender did score an own goal to level this match, he’s made up for it with that tackle.
There were chances at both ends with Barker doing well to block an effort with his feet which landed to Cook whose goal-bound effort was kept out by a superb block from Radcliffe. Just before the hour mark Young lifted a free-kick in prime Jordan Young territory over the bar, and at the other end Powell got away and hammered a ball across the face of an open goal but Slavi Spasov was unable to turn it home.
On 64 minutes, Mason Obeng and Zain Westbrooke replaced Hayden Muller and James Daly and then ten minutes later Ste Walker came on in place of Spasov. But with 76 minutes, Yeovil were indebted to defender Jack Kingdon who did superbly to throw himself at an effort from the visitors Cory Adjetey-Brew which seemed destined to be hammered home.
Charlie Lennon replaced Johl Powell with seven minutes of normal time remaining, but Yeovil found it difficult to make the ball stick in forward positions whilst Worthing seem happy to let this one drift to a draw. And that is exactly what happened as players from both sides collapsed to the turf at the final whistle.
There were definitely chances for both sides to win this one and Yeovil will be disappointed not to have scored more than one from all the chances they created.
Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Worthing 1
Match Details
Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 29th September, 2026, 7.45pm
Competition: National League Premier Division
Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De Graft 28 (0-1), Joe Cook o.g. 47 (1-1)
Pitch: Looking spot on as ever
Conditions: Mild for September
Attendance: 2,784 (113 away supporters)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jordan Norville-Williams 44,
Worthing: None
Referee: Sunny Gill Singh
Yeovil Town
Substitutes: Mason Obeng (for James Daly, 64), Zain Westbrooke (for Hayden Muller, 64), Ste Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 74), Charlie Lennon (for Johl Powell, 83), Joe Gubbins (not used), Matt Gould (not used).
Worthing: Taylor Seymour, Joel Colbran, Jayden Moore, Joe Cook, Charlie Walker, Razzaq Coleman De Graft, Jack Wadham, Ricky Aguiar, Cory Adjetey-Brew, Charley Kendall, Jordan Young (for Emmerson Suttoon, 77).
Substitutes (not used): Guillermo De La Cruz, Harry Ransom, Sam Packham, Owen Spicer, Harvey Boddy, Bailey Smith.
Team News – Worthing (home)
2026-09-29
In-form Johl Powell is given a start for Yeovil Town as they take on newly-promoted Worthing at Huish Park this evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
The midfielder, who has scored three goals in his last two substitute appearances, replaces Zain Westbrooke in the starting XI with vice-captain Joe Gubbins replaced by Ben Radcliffe in defence. Brett McGavin will lead the side out tonight.
Once again there are only six substitutes named by the Glovers with no place in the squad for club captain Luke McCormick.
Barker: We don’t fear anyone
2026-09-27
Yeovil Town goalkeeper Jos Barker has said the Glovers do not fear any side in the National League after they picked up a 1-0 win at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.
The stopper also collected his second clean sheet of the campaign after pulling off great saves to deny hosts’ midfielder Callum Dolan in the first half and then keep out a header from striker Lewis Walker after the break.
His performance was as crucial as the match-winner for substitute midfielder Johl Powell and both players celebrated in front of almost 500 travelling supporters at Aggborough.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall after the game, Barker said: “That was a big three points today. Our supporters were unbelievable today, I could hear them down the other end of the pitch. To have that moment at the end was good and the three points were obviously even bigger. We were just delighted to get that one over the line.”
Asked about his saves, he added: “I liked the first one more, to be honest, just because it came at me so quickly. I just had to react on instinct. I was happy to help the team get that clean sheet and the three points.”
“I knew I’d have to make saves, which obviously is your job as a goalie, so I’m glad I made them. But I think, on the whole we dealt with it very well. I was ready to be called into action if needed.
“We have so much quality up top with Jonesy, Slavi — all of them. I could name all of them, to be honest. You rely on those little bits of quality in games like this and, luckily today, Johl Powell provided that for us.”
The win means the Glovers sit fifth in the National League Premier Division table with ten games played and they will have the comforts of home next week as they host newly-promoted Worthing at Huish Park on Tuesday night followed by a visit from Boston United next weekend. But Barker insists this side feel they can compete with any side in the division.
He said: “I wouldn’t say we fear anyone. We go into every game wanting to get three points, that is always the aim. Obviously, it doesn’t always work out like that, but there’s definitely not a team that we necessarily fear.“
Barker makes NLP Team of the Day
2026-09-27
Normal service is resumed as Yeovil Town goalkeeper Jos Barker has returned to the Non-League Paper’s Team of the Day for his performance in yesterday’s 1-0 win at Kidderminster Harriers.
The stopper pulled off two stunning saves first to deny the hosts’ Callum Dolan with his feet in the first half before pulling off another to keep out a header from in-form striker Lewis Walker after the break.
Interesting to see former Glovers’ favourite Jordan Young in the XI for his performance for Worthing in their 2-1 home win over FC Halifax Town on Saturday. He returns to Huish Park with his new side on Tuesday night.
Match Report: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Yeovil Town 1
2026-09-26
Substitute Johl Powell grabbed a late winner to earn Yeovil Town three points from a hard fought win at Kidderminster Harriers.
The midfielder, who had replaced Zain Westbrooke in the 67th minute, ran on to a through ball from striker Slavi Spasov four minutes after coming on and coolly slotted home the winner.
The victory inflicted a first defeat of the season on the home side, managed by former Glovers’ midfielder Paul Wotton, and moved Yeovil up to sixth in the National League Premier Division table with ten games on the board.
First half
The opening exchanges fell in to a familiar pattern of both sides exchanging attacks without making any real impact, but early opportunities fell the way of Yeovil. First James Daly showed great pace down the left side and got a shot away which was blocked before Ryan Jones pass pick out Zain Westbrooke who tried to lob the keeper but his effort went wide.
But Kidderminster can claim the best chance of the opening 15 minutes after Callum Stewart’s ball from the left side picked out Callum Dolan on the far post and the former Torquay United man was only denied by a sensational block from the feet of Yeovil keeper Jos Barker.
The magic feet of Glovers’ winger Ryan Jones almost unlocked the Kidderminster defence on 21 minutes having picked the ball up in the middle of the park, he dribbled his way past three of tackles and got in a shot with clipped the post on its way wide.
As the half wore on, Jones got more and more creative and had the home side’s defenders on toast on numerous occasions. Indeed, some of tue inter play between Westbrooke, Jones and Brett McGavin was a joy to behold. We really can move it.
Half-time: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Yeovil Town 0
Second half
Kidderminster definitely came out for the second half determined to impose themselves more on the game and they were definitely the side in the ascendancy for the opening 20 minutes. However, despite their pressure and possession, there was nothing to call Barker in to action.
Yeovil captain defender Joe Gubbins, who picked up a booking a minute after the restart, was replaced by Ben Radcliffe. But the first real opening came from another mouth-watering move which began with a great forward run from wing-back Jordan Norville-Williams and ended with Westbrooke picking out McGavin inside the box after 65 minutes but the midfielder’s effort was well blocked by Kiddy defender David Davis.
Barker was called in to action again on 71 minutes when Dolan played a deep cross in to striker Lewis Walker whose header was superbly palmed away by the young keeper. A save that Jed Ward would have been proud of.
But three minutes later, Yeovil took the lead. Spasov did well in a physical altercation, turned his man and fed a ball through to the on-running Johl POWELL. The midfielder, on as a substitute for Westbrooke just seven minutes earlier, had time to think about it but showed no fear to coolly slot past the keeper in front of the travelling support.
Kidderminster were not going to give up easy and Barker did well to get down low to a strike from Stewart who ran at the Glovers’ goal and fired in a shot from the edge of the box with ten minutes remaining.
With seven minutes remaining, Yeovil made a treble substitution with Mason Obeng, Ste Walker and Charlie Lennon, replacing Daly, Spasov and Jones.
As the game pushed in to five minutes of injury time, there was the almost inevitable fears of a conceding a late goal with Kiddy pressing for a leveller. But, as the home supporters streamed out of Aggborough, a Ben Crompton effort dragged past the post was as near as they came.
The final whistle was met by a huge roar from what had been a vocal away end all afternoon and there was a real passion in the celebrations of the Yeovil players – this had not been the most attractive performance of the season, but they knew they had dug one out to pick up three more points.
Full time: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Yeovil Town 1
Match Details
Venue: Aggborough
Date: Saturday 26th September, 2026, 3pm
Competition: National League Premier Division
Scorers: Johl Powell 74 (1-0)
Pitch: They all look decent at this stage of the season, don’t they?
Conditions: Warm, dry and sunny
Attendance: 3,550 (481 away supporters)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Joe Gubbins 46
Kidderminster Harriers: David Davis 43, Lewis Walker 81
Referee: Oliver Mackey
Yeovil Town
Substitutes: Ben Radcliffe (for Joe Gubbins, 53), Johl Powell (for Zain Westbrooke, 67), Mason Obeng (for James Daly, 84), Charlie Lennon (for Ryan Jones, 85), Ste Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 85), Matt Gould (not used).
Kidderminster Harriers: Jack Wint, Ben Crompton, Angus MacDonald, Cian Harries, Richard Faakye, Callum Dolan, David Davis, Max Brogan (for Zak Brown, 56), Reece Devine, Callum Stewart, Lewis Walker.
Substitutes (not used): Josh Bishop, Reece Hall, Luey Giles, Cameron Hargreaves, Ethan Moore, Levi Amantchi.
Team News – Kidderminster Harriers (away)
2026-09-26
Yeovil Town have named an unchanged starting XI for today’s visit to in-form Kidderminster Harriers (3pm kick-off).
Boss Billy Rowley brings striker Ste Walker, who returned in the midweek Somerset Men’s Premier Cup win over Radstock Town, back on the substitutes’ bench.
The Glovers only name six on the bench with no place for captain Luke McCormick in the squad again.
Powell ready to take his chance when it comes
2026-09-24
Midfielder Johl Powell has said he is ready to take his chance for Yeovil Town when the opportunities arrive.
The 25-year-old, who was one of three players to follow manager Billy Rowley from his former club Walton & Hersham in the summer, scored twice in a six-minute substitute appearance at the end of last Friday’s 4-1 home win over Solihull Moors.
He has started just once with his other seven appearances in green-and-white coming off the substitutes’ bench.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Ed Hadwin on Thursday ahead of the weekend’s trip to Kidderminster Harriers, Powell said he believes manager Rowley knows what he can offer.
He said: “I have known (the manager) for a while now and he knows what I can do and when I get the opportunities I have to keep showing what I can do, score goals and hopefully that will get me more game time.
“It was a good win (against Solihull), we obviously had not won for a few games, so it was important we got that win and now we are looking ahead of to (Kidderminster) on Saturday. The boys are in good spirits and we are looking forward to it.
“When you look at our squad we obviously want to be in and around those play-off places come the end of the season, if we can stay there for as long as we can we give ourselves the best chance possible. Whether I am starting or coming off the bench, I am going to make sure I am ready for whatever minutes I get.“