David Coates (Page 7)

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Yeovil Town were on the wrong end of a 92nd minute sucker punch as Southend United scored in the dying minutes of the game to stretch Yeovil’s winless run to seven.

The Glovers failed to register a single shot on target and Jed Ward pulled off multiple saves to keep the visitors at bay.

An improved performance from the home side, but another defeat and another blank in front of goal. 

First half

There were three changes from the 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United last weekend with Finn Cousin-Dawson, James Daly and Junior Morias returning to the starting XI. There was no place in the squad for defender Kyle Ferguson, who started in Lincolnshire, but on loan Exeter City winger Andrew Oluwabori returned on the bench alongside midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain, who signed on loan from Watford during the week.

Daly lined up in the middle of a front three alongside Morias and Josh Sims, not exactly your archetypal number nine. The opening exchanges at Huish Park were dominated by Southend and when Yeovil got hold of the ball they looked to try and hold on to possession. There was also an early booking for Southend captain Nathan Ralph, who had a spell at Huish Park around a decade ago, for a foul on Sims after just ten minutes.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to open the scoring on 14 minutes when Jake Wannell totally misjudged a header back to goalkeeper Jed Ward and presented Southend top scorer Andrew Dallas with a glorious chance which he inexplicably put wide. The Glovers had another let off seconds later when a loose pass out by Ward almost let Southend in, but fortunately Cousin-Dawson was there to clear it up. Almost a fatal mistake of our own making – twice!

There’s lots of energy and running from Yeovil’s front three, but there’s definitely not a focal point. There’s definitely a desire to try and keep the ball as much as we can, but James Daly is struggling to get much change out of the visitors’ giant defence.

Morgan Williams vs Nathan Ralph | Photo by Gary Brown

With 35 minutes, great pressure from Max Jolliffe won possession and a good turn by Morias in the middle of the pitch saw him feed Josh Sims who burst forward down the right side but lifted his shot over the bar. Better intent from Yeovil.

Moments later, Dallas had another good opportunity after jumping on a sloppy attempted pass from Luke McCormick gifted the on loan Barnsley striker a chance, which he put straight in to the hands of Ward. Then it was Morias’ turn to have a shot at goal, he thundered a dipping shot in from 25 yards just over the bar with 36 minutes played,

Two minutes later there was another good chance for Yeovil. Morias broke away down the left and fed it in for McCormick whose shot was blocked by Ralph and broke to James Plant who had an open goal to shoot in to but Ralph got a fantastic block in to deny him.

Yeovil’s tails were up and again it was the tenacity of Jolliffe which won possession, Morias was involved feeding Sims and he managed to get it out to McCormick on the right of the box but his angled effort was blocked by Ralph again.

With four minutes of the half remaining, Yeovil almost became masters of their own downfall – again – when Cousin-Dawson’s poor pass saw Dallas set away, his effort was well saved by Ward who got up in time to push Oli Coker’s follow-up shot out. Four great opportunities for Southend in this match and they have all come from our mistakes.

A big improvement from the disappointing displays in the last outing at Huish Park against Wealdstone and the last match at Scunthorpe United. Our biggest threat seems to be ourselves with sloppy passes gifting Southend all their opportunities, but there’s some energy going forward and it is creating chances.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Southend United 0

Second half

It took just two minutes for the first chance of the second half and it came from another (yes, another) loose pass this time from Cousin-Dawson which gave Southend the chance to float a ball in to Dallas who rose highest to head it down in to the six yard box who was joined by Cousin-Dawson who managed to get it away. Big appeals for hand ball from the away end, but the referee uninterested.

McCormick had his own penalty appeal after 52 minutes following a run the full length of the pitch which ended with him tumbling under pressure inside the box. Three minutes later, we were grateful to Ward again when Guss Scott-Morriss’ superb cross found James Walker inside the area, but his header was superbly kept out by the on loan Bristol Rovers man. 

With an hour played, Andrew Oluwabori came on replacing Alex Whittle with Plant going to the left wing-back with Sims going right wing-back and the substitute moving in to the forward line. On 72 minutes, Aaron Jarvis replaced Sims.

There’s not been much for either side since the opportunity for Walker earlier in the half, but Southend are certainly dominating possession. On 76 minutes, Southend substitute Keenan Appiah-Forson had a shot saved by Ward, before Jarvis spun his man from a long ball forward, got past keeper Nick Hayes, and had a huge shout of a handball as he tried to shoot towards goal.

Luke McCormick tries to get the Glovers ahead | Photo by Gary Brown

Some great defending from Harry Taylor denied Jarvis with nine minutes of the match remaining. A great run and cross from Oluwabori down the right saw him play it in to the middle, but Taylor won out over the Yeovil substitute.

With time ticking, Southend continued to be comfortable on the ball, but for all their possession, numerous blocks and tackles kept the Shrimpers at arm’s length.

Junior Morias was replaced by Harvey Greenslade for the final couple of minutes, the front man feeling the effects of a busy afternoon and a couple of robust challenges.

Jarvis entered the book for a ‘strikers challenge’ before the sucker punch landed.

Jed Ward made his umpteenth save of the game but instead of keeping the ball safe in hands, the effort from Leon Parillon squirted out to Slavi SPASOV who made the telling touch to break Yeovil hearts.

A final minute corner for the Glovers was calmly claimed by Nicholas Hayes in the Southend goal. 

With players stretched, Chambers-Parillon skied a breakaway chance. 

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Southend United 1

Match Details

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

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Slavi Spasov 90+2 (0-1)

Pitch: Held up well

Conditions: A chilly early winters day

Attendance: 3,060 (530 away supporters)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Max Jolliffe 45+5, Luke McCormick 51, Junior Morias 62, Jarvis 90+1, Jake Wannell 90+6

Scunthorpe United: Nathan Ralph 10, Guss Scott-Morriss 44

Referee: Scott Jackson

Yeovil Town (3-4-3)

Substitutes: Andrew Oluwabori (for Alex Whittle, 60), Aaron Jarvis (for Josh Sims, 72), Harvey Greenslade (for Junior Morias, 90), Dan Ellison (not used), Ramirez-Espain (not used), Tahvon Campbell (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Southend United: Nick Hayes, Guss Scott-Morriss, Nathan Ralph, Ben Goodliffe, Andrew Dallas (for Tom Hopper, 90+3), Josh Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 64) , Harry Taylor, Cav Miley, Sam Austin (for Leon Parillon, 78), Oli Coker (for Keenan Appiah-Forson, 64) , Harry Boyes.

Substitutes (not used): Collin Anden-Ndi, Jack Bridge, Joe Gubbins.

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Yeovil Town owner Prabhu Srinivasan interviewed during a visit to Huish Park.

Yeovil Town owner Prabhu Srinivasan has said his family has invested “a lot of money” in to the club since he took over at the end of May.

The Dubai-based businessman said the investment had delivered “a lot of financial stability” and insisted that manager Richard Dryden was “following a blueprint” which he hopes will have the Glovers challenging for EFL status next season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah at Huish Park ahead of Saturday’s game with Southend United, the owner also revealed he hoped that the club would be reunited with land around the stadium by the end of this season.

Speaking about investment, he said: “We as a family have invested quite a bit of money in the last five months, more than most clubs have, to do what is right for the club going forward. There is a lot of financial stability is the club, more than there was before.

“We have invested a lot already, a lot more than other clubs have done. I do not think there is any paucity of investment for this club.”

On plans to purchase the land from Somerset Council, he added: “It is our top priority, we are working with the council to get that organised. Hopefully if all goes well we will have it by the end of the season. That is the hope. It means a lot of us, the fans and I keep saying this to the fans ‘please be with us because we are in it for the long term and your support on the pitch is very important for us.’

“The stadium is one of the top stadiums in the National League and better than some of the League Two stadiums as well. From an infrastructure perspective, I do not think things will change too much.”

Yeovil Town manager Richard Dryden
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Yeovil go in to the match with Southend United in 18th place in the National League Premier Division table without a win in their last six games, including an exit from the FA Cup at the hands of lower league Hemel Hempstead Town.

Asked about his thoughts on the performance so far this season, Prabhu added: “It is on the plan. We have given Richard what he wants, he needs to deal with that on the pitch, that is what he is trying to do. Looking at the numbers we have seven new players in contract since the start of the season, we have let go of two players, one is on loan and we have five new loan players, so that is 12 new signings this year. We have to do this slowly, it is not something that is going to change instantly. Richard and the team is doing what they need to do. Do we want more from them? The obvious answer is ‘yes’, but we are all following a blueprint and it will take time to put that together. If we get the blueprint right, by the end of next season we will hopefully be in League Two, that is what we are aiming for.“

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Summer signing James Daly is back in the Yeovil Town starting line-up for the first time in almost three months as manager Richard Dryden makes three changes for the visit of Southend United to Huish Park today (3pm kick-off).

The winger, who has come off the bench in the previous three games as he returns from an injury picked up in late August, is joined by defender Finn Cousin-Dawson and striker Junior Morias, who started on the bench in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United.

New loan signing Leo Ramirez-Espain is named among the substitutes alongside Exeter City’s on loan winger Andrew Oluwabori, who was not in the squad seven days ago. Defender Kyle Ferguson, who started in Lincolnshire, is not in the squad along with full-back George Nurse.

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Yeovil Town went down to a 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United yesterday, a result which stretches their run without a win to six matches and pushes them in to 18th place in the National League Premier Division table. Dave was among the Glovers’ fans who made the trip to Lincolnshire and here are his conclusions on the match.

It was an improvement on four days earlier…..: Admittedly it is a very low bar after the team were booed off the pitch following the 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone, but there was some improvement. Four days earlier, there was very little effort and even less quality from Yeovil and in this match you could not fault the effort the players put in. It was a stupid mistake which led to goal and we simply did not have the quality to get the breakthrough at the other end. In the second half, I was torn between thinking we were taking the game to Scunthorpe and that the hosts were just keeping us at arms length. We have seen a lot of the top sides in this division by this stage of the season and there was not much difference between us and Scunthorpe – but they are fourth in the table and we are 18th.

We huffed and we puffed, but (again) we could not blow the house down.

….but we still came away with nothing: I realise I just said it, but saying we put in the effort does not change the fact that we still came away with nothing. In his post-match interview, Harvey Greenslade said that the players and the management would “not paper over the cracks” with this thought and we absolutely cannot. The truth is that our league position is unacceptable for a club which should be pushing towards the top end of the table. That is not ex-EFL arrogance, when you look at the size of our crowds, the stature of the club and the quality we undoubtedly have in the squad, we should be doing much better than we are. Stating the obvious I know, but focusing too much on being a bit better than absolutely useless is not the way to change things.

Can’t fault the desire to change it: Having left it too late to make changes to tackle the poor conditions against Wealdstone, you cannot fault Richard Dryden’s desire to change personnel at Scunthorpe. Kyle Ferguson, who I had spoken about deserving an opportunity on the podcast the previous day, and Josh Sims, presumably still working his way back from injury, got hooked for Alex Whittle and Aaron Jarvis at half-time and then Junior Morias, Tahvon Campbell, James Daly and Dan Ellison all appeared in the second half. But, see next conclusion….

There were a few words exchanged between manager Richard Dryden and a couple of supporters after the match at Scunthorpe.

We have to admit that there’s some players who are just not good enough: The simple truth is that there are some players in our squad who are simply not good enough. Not every player, but when you come away from as many matches as we have over the past season-and-a-half empty handed, the facts do not lie. We have a squad which can probably muddle through until the end of the season and retain our league status, but is that really the ambition of the now not-so-new ownership? We were promised competitiveness – not a revolution, but a competitive squad – and yet today we lie exactly in the position where we finished last season. And we can all agree that was not good enough.

The supporters deserve better: Again, Harvey Greenslade said it in his post-match interview, the 93 supporters who travelled all the way to Lincolnshire deserve better. Actually, make it 92, I only travelled two-and-a-half hours across the country to get there and when I arrived home, the supporters’ coach was only halfway home. There were a few who voiced their opinions towards Richard Dryden at the end of the game and got a few verbals back from him. I understand that it comes at a very raw moment literally minutes after a defeat and I am sure the way their arguments were constructed were not the most nuanced, but that is not a good look. These people deserve better, listen to them, nod and say ‘I know, thankyou for coming’. The credit is not in the bank to be getting in to arguments.

93 Yeovil Town fans made the trip to Scunthorpe – they are not all in this picture!

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Striker Harvey Greenslade said that Yeovil Town’s 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United on Saturday was not down to a lack of effort from the players.

The frontman was brought back in to the starting XI for the match having not featured in the 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone on Tuesday night, but we was unable to get a goal to deny the Glovers a loss which increases their run without a win to six games in all competitions.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Greenslade said: “It was a tough one to take. Everyone wanted to try their hardest today and I think we did, but goals change games. Before the goal I thought we might be on it, we had a couple of shots and then the goal went it and from there the crowd was up. I think even after that we held our own and, if that goal does not go in, we come away with a good point against a side fourth in the league, but goals change games.

“We can’t be happy after a defeat, it might have been easier to take if they had played us off the pitch, but there was more in that for us. I am finding it hard to find the right words to describe it, it is a bit of a rubbish game with nothing really in it. We both fought well, both had spells, it is just the final product from the boys up front and mistakes at the back.”

The loss means Yeovil slip to 18th in the National League Premier Division table, seven points above the relegation zone, with seventh-placed Southend United coming to Huish Park next weekend.

Greenslade admitted that the run without a win was in the players’ minds, but said they would be committed to improving in the next match.

He said: “It is in the back of our minds, but all we can do is focus on the next game because that has always got to be different. Scunthorpe are a good side, but why can’t we be up there as well? We are Yeovil Town, we have got to be up there. We can’t paper over the cracks, we have to go through it and see what we could do better, but the next game is a different one. We have to work harder, run faster, and be better, but I don’t think it is down to a lack of trying.

“Come Monday and we are back in training, it is a good chance to show the fans who came to support us today and the ones who watch us at home that we want to put a show on for them. They deserve better than what we are giving them at the moment, they are the core of the club. We are in a rut but it is time to show them that we want to fight back for them.”

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Yeovil Town manager Richard Dryden said his side deserved something from today’s 1-0 defeat at fourth-placed Scunthorpe United.

The Glovers went down to a goal from the hosts’ on loan winger Tyrell Sellars-Fleming after 22 minutes following a mix up between defender Kyle Ferguson and goalkeeper Jed Ward.

The loss extends the run without a victory to six matches in all competitions and means Yeovil slipped to 18th place in the National League Premier Division table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Dryden said: “There was nothing in the game. We have given them a goal and goals change games, but if you look at it there was nothing in the game at all. It became a bit of a long ball game, sometimes that was down to the pitch and sometimes it was down to how they pressed and how we pressed.

“We probably deserved something but sometimes in football you don’t get everything you deserve. It was the kind of game that was going to end 1-1 or 0-0, we fought and scrapped but (Scunthorpe) are up (in fourth place) for a reason but we should have come out with something.”

Having been booed off by their own fans after the 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone four days earlier, Dryden insisted his players’ attitude was much improved in Lincolnshire.

He said: “We are in a rut where we are not winning games and we have to get back in to a (habit) of winning games and sometimes it is just one little chance. The attitude, determination and work-rate of the players was a lot better than it was on Tuesday (in the 2-0 home defeat against Wealdstone), you can’t really knock the players except for the soft goal we conceded, you can’t knock their attitude but again we are going back with no points.”

Dryden made changes throughout the second half as Yeovil went in search of an equaliser. Striker Aaron Jarvis, Tahvon Campbell and Junior Morias were all introduced along with a debut for recent addition Dan Ellison.

The manager was asked about the reaction from Greenslade when he came off the pitch, and replied: “He is fine, we shook hands and everything, but we had Junior on the bench who can come on and change the game up. Junior brought a little bit more calmness when we got the ball in to his feet, but it was going to be a scrappy, long game and they came out on top. We just have to keep working hard, it is not for the want of trying, maybe we need a bit more quality in the final ball. I can’t knock the players for their work rate.”

The Glovers host Southend United at Huish Park next weekend before the long trip to Morecambe, a side currently below them in the table, on November 22nd and then a home match with Boston United seven days earlier. Dryden admits the losing run does mean there is pressure on both him and his players.

He said: “There is pressure every game, even if you win three on the trot there is pressure to win the next game. We have got to handle that and get on, give the players the backing they need and get on with it.“

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Yeovil Town extended their run without a win in all competitions to six matches as they lost to a first half goal at Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

The only goal of the game came from a mistake from defender Kyle Ferguson after 22 minutes. His loose back pass put goalkeeper Jed Ward in trouble and allowed Tyrell Sellars-Fleming to tap home.

It performance was an improvement on the dismal display in a 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone four days earlier, but the Glovers leave Lincolnshire with the same amount of points.

First half

Manager Richard Dryden made four changes from the 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone on Tuesday night with Kyle Ferguson and Alex Whittle coming in at the back with Harvey Greenslade and Josh Sims returning up front. Strikers Aaron Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell dropped to the bench whilst loanees Andrew Oluwabori and George Nurse were out of the squad completely.

 
It took three minutes for Ferguson to get involved with a booking in his first altercation with Scunthorpe striker Danny Whitehall, a player who the Iron’s fans warned is about before kick-off. A minute later a nice move down the right saw the ball break to captain Jake Wannell on the edge of the box and his effort flew just wide of the post.

At the other end, it took a further minute for Declan Howe to have an opportunity when he was slotted through with just Jed Ward to beat, but he lost his footing and could not get the connection to trouble the keeper.

It was a goal entirely of Yeovil’s own making which saw them gift Scunthorpe the lead. Ferguson confidently let the ball run through his legs unaware Tyrell SELLARS-FLEMING was breathing down his neck. The on loan Hull City player forced Ferguson to play a ball back to Ward who could not get to it before Howe who squared to Sellars-Fleming who tapped home with 22 minutes gone.

Scunthorpe celebrate Tyrell Sellars-Fleming’s opening goal.

It was a mistake which was harsh on Yeovil who had at least put in the type of effort we as supporters had been calling for after the lacklustre display at home to Wealdstone four days earlier.

The next 15 minutes saw Scunthorpe dominate the possession, probing at the Yeovil defence with the left side where Sellars-Fleming was a constant threat. For the most we did well to prevent anything turning in to a meaningful opportunity, but whilst we were defending there was little threat going forwards.

It was not until the 43rd minute that hosts’ keeper Rory Mahady was called in to action when James Plant’s effort from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar.

Speaks volumes for our confidence – both players and supporters – that I am thinking that 1-0 down at half-time is not a bad performance.

Half time: Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Yeovil made a double substitution at the start of the second half with Aaron Jarvis and Dan Ellison replacing Josh Sims and Kyle Ferguson.

Ellison playing his first action since joining on a permanent deal from Bristol Rovers last month took less than two minutes to get his first booking in green-and-white. He fouled Alfie Beaton in the middle of the pitch.

On 50 minutes, Plant made a good move down the left and swung a ball in with Jarvis met but  could not direct his header towards goal and it sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Around the hour mark, a chance out of nothing saw Jed Ward make one (possibly two) saves to keep out a scramble on the edge of his area before the ball dropped to Zain Seabrooke lifted his shot over the bar with the keeper racing back to his line.

On 66 minutes, Junior Morias replaced Harvey Greenslade and a minute later a great one two between Kian Scales and Whitehall led to Scales flashing a shot just past the far post.

Plant looks like the only real attacking outlet at the other end and he linked up well with Max Joliffe on the left side but the on loan Colchester man’s cross was well held by the Scunthorpe keeper.

With 15 minutes remaining, a spell of Yeovil pressure saw Jarvis take the ball off the toe of Luke McCormick as he was about to swing a boot at the ball on the edge of the box, before taking a shot himself which went wide.

Yeovil’s final change came on 78 minutes and it was an attacking one with Tahvon Campbell and James Daly replacing Alex Whittle and Joliffe. No idea what the formation is now, but manager Richard Dryden responding to criticism he didn’t make enough changes four days earlier!

Two minutes from the end Westbrook’s linked up with substitute Carlton Ubaezuonu who dragged his shot wide. One parting me feels we have had a go in the second half, but another part feels like Scunthorpe have just kept us where they wanted us.

If the bar set by the performance four days prior against Wealdstone was low, this display offered something extra in terms of commitment, but there was still a lack of confidence and quality compared with Scunthorpe. You only need to look at their league position and form to realise why that is, but you just feel the rut is getting deeper.

Full time: Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Glanford Park
Date: Saturday 7th November, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Tyrell Sellars-Fleming 22 (0-1), 

Pitch: Cut up as the game went on

Conditions: Cold but dry 

Attendance: 4496 (93 away supporters)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Kyle Ferguson 3, Dan Ellison 47

Scunthorpe United: Kian Scales 90+2

Referee: Richard Aspinall

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Finn Cousin-Dawson, Dan Ellison, Junior Morias, James Daly, Tahvon Campbell, Aaron Jarvis, Matt Gould.

 

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Yeovil Town have made four changes to their starting XI for today’s visit to Scunthorpe United (3pm kick-off).

Defenders Alex Whittle and Kyle Ferguson return alongside Josh Sims and Harvey Greenslade in the forward line. 

Aaron Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell are named on the bench but there is no place for loanees George Nurse or Andrew Oluwabori.

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On loan winger James Plant was not blaming the horrendous weather conditions for Yeovil Town’s below par performance in a 2-0 home defeat to Wealdstone on Tuesday night.

The Port Vale player, who returned to the starting XI for the first time after a month out with injury, said there was “a lot of frustration and disappointment” in the Huish Park dressing room after the game.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah after the game, he said: “I was buzzing to be back out there, but I feel deflated now. No-one can be happy after that. There is a lot of frustration, a lot of disappointment but we will work it out as a team, let the dust settle a bit and go again for the rest of the week and hopefully put it right on Saturday.

“You can’t predict the weather and predict it will be blowing a storm. We had a game plan to nullify them and it worked to an extent, but maybe we did not make the most of the weather. I thought we came out pretty decent in the second half, then the goal deflates us and there is a bit of panic. We are trying to get back in the game and then they get another goal which obviously killed us.

“We will watch it back and that is where we will make decisions on what we should have done, but right now there is just a lot of disappointment.”

The Glovers’ had a strong wind at their backs for the opening 45 minutes but did not threaten the visitors’ goal and allowed Wealdstone to boss possession. Then, after a bright opening ten minutes from Yeovil, the Stones broke the deadlock through Dominic Hutchinson before Max Kretzschmar added a second.

Plant added: “You can’t blame the weather for this result, but it does change the way you do things. These things play on your mind, but as a team we could have made better decisions, we definitely could have been better on the ball even though the pitch was lively. They were better on the ball than us and that is what cost us.”