David Coates (Page 7)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Defender Kyle Ferguson said Yeovil Town’s players are fully focused on bouncing back from the 3-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood.

The central defender, who has been an ever present in the starting XI since the departure of Mark Cooper in September, admitted the Glovers were outplayed by an impressive Wood side at Huish Park.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman after the game, he said: “I felt like everybody was just a couple of yards off it today which is rare to see so many of us off it at one time, but we will take our medicine and make sure we come back stronger. They are up there (in the table) for a reason, they are a good team and there is no hiding from that, but we are also a good team. If we have aspirations of getting in the play-offs we have to be beating teams like that.

“The boys have put in a great shift over the past few games. With the manager (presumably Danny Webb) leaving, I think if you had said to any of the fans we would get nine points from the four games they would have snapped your hand off. We are happy with nine points, but we were aiming for 12 because we want to be up there.”

The Glovers fell behind to a goal from the impressive Abdul Abdulkarim after just 20 minutes before Matt Rush added a second on the stroke of half-time. Manager Richard Dryden made a triple substitution at the start of the second half but the visitors added a third just after the hour mark to end Yeovil’s three-match winning run.

Ferguson added: “We made a decision at half-time to just get after them in the second half and you could see in the second half that we just went man for man in the second half and tried to get ourselves back in the game. It is tough when they score on the stroke of half-time and you go in (2-0 down) but I think the reaction in the second half was a bit better.”

Kyle Ferguson. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

He thanked the club’s supporters for their support during a few weeks which have seen two managers, first Cooper and then the short-lived Danny Webb, depart. The 26-year-old said: “The fans have been brilliant with all we have been through, they have stuck with us. I am saying this from all the boys, the fans have been unbelievable. It has been a tough couple of weeks for the club and the boys have been really pushed on by the fans. Even after a not very good first half they are still cheering us on and it means the world to us and gives us a boost as well.”

Ferguson has started the past eight games having only started two matches under Cooper and believes he still has more to give. He added: “I came in wanting to play and the previous manager (Mark Cooper) just did not want to play me, but now I have had my chance to play I want to show everybody what I was like last season and keep performing to the level I know I can. I do not think I am anywhere near my best yet, I still think I have levels to go up. This is the first run of games I have had in a long time and I feel I am better every game.”

The Glovers will now have a seven-day break before they take on Hemel Hempstead Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round next weekend. It is a much needed break having played four matches in just ten days in the league.

Ferguson said: “That week really good because the games have been crazy, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, three games in six days is a lot especially when it is the same eleven. But you cannot really change a winning eleven, so I understand why it has been the same eleven. But four games in under two weeks is a lot and we need to bounce back in the Cup and then the weekend after in the league.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Richard Dryden gave credit to today’s opponents Boreham Wood after seeing his side outplayed in a 3-0 defeat at Huish Park on Saturday.

The visitors, who moved up to third place in the National League Premier Division table with the win, dominated from start to finish and Dryden was quick to praise their performance.

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman after the match, he said: “We were up against it from the first minute and I have to give credit to Boreham Wood, they outpressed us, outpassed us and I thought they were a really good working unit. We never really got in to the game. We were on the back foot after the first goal, it was a horrible time to concede a second in the last minute of first half injury time, we tried to change the shape in the second half which I am not a big fan of, to try and get a foothold in to the game.

“We were thinking about it ten minutes before (the second goal) to change it up a bit and give some people a rest, but the second goal so late in the first half is a tough one to take. They had a lot more chances to make it threes and fours, and we have got to get over it quickly and start again. We did not pass it like we did, we still have to be brave on the ball even when we are being pressed, but we ended up going long and did not create a lot on set pieces. All in all we have to say we were well beaten.”

Richard Dryden.

The defeat brings a three-match winning run to an end for Yeovil, but Dryden was keen to bring a sense to perspective despite the disappointing performance. He said: “It is one game and I said before the game that (Boreham Wood) are up there for a reason. From what we have seen on the analysis there is every chance they can stay there.”

The Glovers suffered a double blow with the loss of Josh Sims after just 21 minutes before on loan Port Vale player James Plant was forced off with a shoulder injury just ten minutes to the second half.

Dryden made a triple substitution at half-time with captain Jake Wannell, who has been struggling with injury, striker Junior Morias and defender-turned-midfielder Finn Cousin-Dawson all replaced at the break.

The boss said: “Hopefully Simsy is not too bad, he took a hell of a crack. He was getting treatment at half-time, but he is a warrior and hopefully it was just a big impact and nothing more than that. Planty’s shoulder popped out a little bit when he came off, but hopefully that is not as bad as it sounds. Wans has been struggling with one of his glutes, so we decided to go four at the back and take him off and rest him.”

Goalkeeper Jed Ward was awarded the sponsors’ Man of the Match – you can cast your vote in our poll here – and Dryden admitted that summed up his side’s performance. He said: “He has been brilliant and a big asset. It probably sums it all up when you get beaten 3-0 and your goalkeeper gets Man of the Match. That was how far behind Boreham Wood we were.”

Jed Ward. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Yeovil Town’s recent good form came to a juddering halt at the hands of an impressive Boreham Wood side who ran out comfortable winners at a blustery Huish Park on Saturday.

The visitors started the match in fifth place in the National League Premier Division and quickly showed why as they took the lead through the impressive Abdul Abdulmalik and striker Matt Rush added a second deep in to first half stoppage time.

With the wind at their backs after the break, Yeovil failed to take advantage of the conditions and Boreham Wood continued to toy with their hosts and full-back Femi Ilesanmi was there to turn it home. Game, set, match.

First half

Manager Richard Dryden named an unchanged starting XI for the fourth consecutive match as they went in search of their fourth consecutive win. The visitors attacked the Thatcher’s End with Storm Amy giving them a major advantage with the wind literally in their sales from the start.

It was visiting midfielder Zak Brunt who was the first to try his luck with a wind-assisted shot from distance in the eighth minute with an effort which whistled over the bar.

There was an early blow for Yeovil after Josh Sims suffered an injury after an awkward landing having jumped for a header and the former Southampton man was off the pitch when Boreham Wood took the lead after 20 minutes. Abdul ABDULMALIK cut inside and stroked the ball in to the far corner leaving goalkeeper Jed Ward with no chance. Byron Pendleton replaced Sims before the game restarted. A double blow for the Glovers.

Jed Ward can’t keep out Abdulkarim’s strike. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

For the second week in a row, Yeovil faced a side which played the ball around nicely with the ball spending plenty of time on the deck, similar to the second half against Altrincham seven days earlier. Yeovil changed their formation with Pendleton going across to the left and trying to match their visitors’ 4-2-3-1 formation.

After 34 minutes, experienced full-back Jeff King fired in a free-kick which was tipped around the post by Jed Ward who was at full stretch to deny the visitors a second. The windy conditions definitely helped that one on its way.

Abdulmalik had another effort four minutes before half-time which deflected off team-mate Charles Clayden and went behind for a Yeovil goal kick, and Brunt put an effort in to the side netting in the second minute of seven minutes of first half injury time.

Just as it looked like we would go in at the break just one goal down, Boreham Wood grabbed a second with just seconds remaining. Abdulmalik skipped away from Morgan Williams with ease down the left side, fed Clayden and he played a cross in to Matt RUSH was there to double the visitors’ advantage.

Boreham Wood thoroughly deserve their half-time advantage, they have taken full advantage of the windy conditions and Yeovil will have to do the same in the second half if they are to get anything out of this one.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boreham Wood 2

Second half

Richard Dryden made three changes at half-time with Brett McGavin, Aaron Jarvis and Alex Whittle replacing and Finn Cousin-Dawson, Junior Morias and captain Jake Wannell. McGavin in particular was needed to bring some control in the middle and hopefully get Yeovil’s attacking players who have proved some potent in the previous three matches involved in the second half.

It looks like we are starting with a 4-4-2 (cue Mike Bassett quote) formation with Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell paired together up from. Within eight seconds of the restart, Aaron Jarvis was penalised by referee Niall Smith. What does that man have to do to get a decision from a match official?!

Andrew Oluwbori. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

It was Boreham Wood who had the first chance of the second half after seven minutes of the restart, Clayden exploited the space left by Yeovil’s change in formation and curled a wonderful shot in. Luckily, Jed Ward was able to pull off an equally impressive save to deny him. The on loan Bristol Rovers’ man could have a busy half if we are going to push to get back in to his game.

James Plant became the second enforced change of the match of the match on 55 minutes. The on loan Port Vale player appeared to injure his shoulder and was replaced by Harvey Greenslade. That is all our substitutes made with only ten minutes of the second half played.

Campbell had an opportunity to set Andrew Oluwabori away but the striker could not get the ball under control and Wood defender Chris Bush stole the ball off him to start an attack which led to Zak Brunt dragging a chance wide. That could easily have been 3-0.

On 64 minutes, it was 3-0 to Boreham Wood after 63 minutes. It all started with Abdulmalik again, he skipped past a couple of players and the Yeovil defence were statuesque as Femi ILESANMI turned it home. You cannot say the visitors do not deserve this scoreline.

It took until the 72nd minute for Yeovil to have a meaningful effort on goal. McGavin’s ball forward was cleverly stepped over by Campbell and Greenslade coming in from the left side tried to caress it in to the corner but Finn Herrick in the visitors’ goal did well to turn it around the post. 

Ward had to pull off another great save to deny Jeff King after 75 minutes. We have struggled to cope with the pace of this Boreham Wood side all afternoon and that was the case again there. The visitors had the ball in the net three minutes later when substitute Lewis Richardson had a shot saved by Ward and Rush was there to put the ball in the net, but the offside flag was up.

McCormick had a shot well saved by Herrick with ten minutes remaining. The wind which was gusting towards the Thatcher’s in the first half appears to have dropped, but we have simply not been allowed to play in anything like the attacking style we have seen in the last three matches. Credit has to go to Boreham Wood for standing up to us better than we have had a go at them.

Richard Dryden. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

There was still time for the visitors to cut through Yeovil like a hot knife through butter and Brunt fired in another dipping shot which Ward tipped over the bar. The keeper picked up another sponsors’ Man of the Match award and it’s hard to argue with it.

It was one way traffic all afternoon and it looks as if it was a game too far for our small squad.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Boreham Wood 3

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 4th October, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Abdul Abdulmalik 20 (0-1), Matt Rush 45+7 (0-2), Femi Ilesanmi 64 (0-3),

Pitch: Still looking good
Conditions: Blowing a gale towards the Thatcher’s End in the first half, dropped a little after the break

Attendance: 2,660 (48 away supporters)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Luke McCormick 90+2
Boreham Wood: Tom White 90

Referee: Niall Smith

Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)

Substitutes: Byron Pendleton (for Josh Sims, 21), Alex Whittle (for Jake Wannell, 46), Brett McGavin (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 46), Aaron Jarvis (for Junior Morias, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for James Plant, 55), Ben Wodskou (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Boreham Wood: Finlay Herrick, Femi Ilesanmi, Chris Bush, Charlie O’Connell, Zak Brunt, Abdul Abdulmalik (for Jon Benton, 87), Jeff King (for Cameron Coxe, 79), Callum Reynolds, Charles Clayden (for Lewis Richardson, 64), Tom White, Matt Rush.

Substitutes (not used): Erico Sousa, Junior Dixon, Joe Newton, Aaron Henry.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Richard Dryden has no concerns about naming an unchanged starting XI for the fourth consecutive game.

The Glovers take on in-form Boreham Wood, who have not lost since the opening day of the season, at Huish Park looking to extend their own winning run to four matches.

The boss is hoping to have winger James Daly and midfielder Jacob Maddox back to fitness in the coming weeks. He has confirmed the pair have both returned to light training.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Mark Stillman ahead of kick-off, Dryden said: “We are waiting for one or two to come in, but we are planning to keep the same side. There is a lot of talk everywhere about why we are not bringing players in but at the moment the players that are in or are filling the bench are doing a job.

“It is not just the goalkeeper and the back three (which have contributed to our defence) it is the people in midfield and in the wide areas and the forwards pressing. The goalkeeper and defenders get the plaudits when you keep a clean sheet, but it is a whole team effort when we score and when we keep clean sheets.”

The game will be played in blustery conditions with Storm Amy battering the country with winds of up to 100mph this weekend.

Dryden said: “”I have driven down from Wiltshire today and I have gone through all kinds of weather on the way here, I am glad I got here safe and sound with the wind. It is brightening up with the weather, it is going to be windy, but we have to adapt to that.”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Team News

Yeovil Town have named an unchanged starting XI for the fourth consecutive match as they take on fifth-placed Boreham Wood at Huish Park this afternoon (3pm kick-off).

The Glovers have won their last three matches since manager Richard Dryden has placed in charge until the end of the season whilst today’s visitors have not lost since the opening day of the National League Premier Division season.

Finn Cousin-Dawson, who lines up in midfield yet again, is making his 50th appearance for the club.

 

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News
Yeovil vs Hemel Hempstead - Image Courtesy of Dan Finill

It’s almost time for the road to Wembley to begin and ironically we will not be passing far from the Arch to get to Vauxhall Road, the home of Hemel Hempstead Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

We have obviously been there before on the opening day of the 2023-24 National League South season, an match we would all rather forget, so hopefully this visit will prove more enjoyable.

Pricing for tickets is simple, no differentiation between seating and standing. They are available to buy now – here.

Adults: £17.00
Concessions (65+, Students, Military Emergency Services): £12.00
Under 18s: £7.00

Identification is required for any concessionary rates. For Under 18s, the following forms of identifications are acceptable: Current Passport, EU National ID Card, Current Full UK Driving Licence, Student Identification Card (or ISIC), UK Armed Forces ID Card, OAP Travel Pass.

Former chairman Martin Hellier arrives in the away end at Hemel Hempstead on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.

Hemel also point out that “racial, homophobic, sexist or discriminatory abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest and/or ejection from the ground” – and no starting fights with your own supporters either, okay?

There is presently no information available as to whether Vauxhall Road will be segregated, but we are likely to be given the Adeyfield School End of the stadium as we were in 2023. It is a fair sized terrace which is raised above (plastic) pitch level to give you a good view – which will hopefully be a good thing this time. There are no details as to what provision and where has been made for any away fans who might have difficulty standing for a whole match but it is implied where will be some.

Turnstiles for this terrace are to the left as approach via the entrance to the ground with the main (now home) turnstiles in front of you, across the small carpark towards an astro training pitch.

Disabled

There’s nothing I can find on the website about disabled provision. From memory, only having been to this ground three times across about 30 years, a couple of areas will be accessible to wheelchair users and think recall a ramp that allows entry to the club house. The contact point with particular queries or assistance requests is via email: secretary@hemelfc.com

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Third time lucky? Here’s your monthly chance to show just how much you know about the boys in green-and-white in our Fans’ Quiz.

0 votes, 0 avg

Gloverscast Fans' Quiz #3

Welcome back to the third instalment of the monthly Gloverscast fans' quiz. If you have survived the first two rounds and you're back again to show you know more about Yeovil Town that is medically advisable, congratulations. Will you soar higher than Darren Way leaping for a header or fall harder than W*ymouth's tumble down the divisions? There's only one way to be sure and that is to take on four rounds of green-and-white themed trivia questions.

1 / 12

Category: Golden Oldies

In 1945/46, Yeovil Town faced Bristol City in the first round proper of the FA Cup. What was noteworthy about the tie?

2 / 12

Category: Golden Oldies

Yeovil Town played their first FA Trophy game in January 1970. Which club was their opponent?

3 / 12

Category: Golden Oldies

Which former England cricket captain played for England?

4 / 12

Category: The Day Today

Who scored the final goal of Yeovil Town's 2023-24 season when they won the National League South title?

5 / 12

Category: The Day Today

In January 2022, Yeovil Town went out of the FA Trophy at the hands of minnows Needham Market after a penalty shoot-out. How many penalties did Yeovil Town score in the shoot-out?

6 / 12

Category: The Day Today

In September 1994, Yeovil Town played Gateshead. In March 2018, Yeovil Town played Exeter City. And, on January 2026, Yeovil Town will play Brackley Town. What connects all three games?

7 / 12

Category: Facts and stats

How many Football League hat-tricks have Yeovil Town scored?

8 / 12

Category: Facts and stats

How many times did Yeovil Town win the Southern League?

9 / 12

Category: Facts and stats

How many Football League goals have Yeovil Town scored?

10 / 12

Category: Fans' favourite

Where was Paddy Madden born?

11 / 12

Category: Fans' favourite

Paddy Madden initially arrived at Yeovil Town on loan before signing permanently. From which club did he join us?

12 / 12

Category: Fans' favourite

In which minute did Paddy Madden score the opening goal in Yeovil Town's 2-1 League One play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley?

Your score is

The average score is 51%

0%

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

With back-to-back wins their last two games, Yeovil Town travel to Sutton United on Tuesday night with their hosts desperate for points to pull out of the National League Premier Division’s relegation places.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Richard Dryden’s start to life as Yeovil’s permanent interim manager (can you have one of those?) until the end of the season has been pretty much perfect.

Saturday’s 1-0 win in their last game at home to Altrincham follows a 4-1 win at Aldershot Town the previous Wednesday night means the Glovers have maximum points since the shock exit of former boss Danny Webb from the Huish Park hot seat.

But, with two all-action performances in the last two outings has put a strain on the small squad with Dryden seemingly ruling out the chance of bringing in new faces before the midweek fixture.

 

Sutton United

There is no point trying to sugar coat it, it has been a terrible start to the new National League season for Sutton United.

The Us have just seven points to show from their opening 12 matches, making them the joint lowest points scorers in the division with bottom club Morecambe, who have played three games fewer, and newly-promoted Truro City.

A run of seven defeats in eight games, punctuated by a ridiculously good 2-1 home win over Carlisle United, cost Steve Morison his job on September 18th with first team coach Jon Meeney taking charge whilst the club look to appoint a permanent manager.

Sutton have picked up a point in their last two matches with a 1-1 draw at home to Boston United on Saturday their latest one on the board. That came courtesy of an equaliser from substitute David Ogbonna in the third minute of second half stoppage time.

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Andrew Oluwabori

It is the second game in a row we have picked the on loan Exeter City player as the key man for Yeovil, but it is hard to look past Oluwabori after his past two matches.

He was a constant menace going forward for the defences of Aldershot Town and then Altrincham in his last two outings with only tiredness for a player who had very few first-team minutes for his parent club before arriving at Huish Park causing his substitution in both games.

If he has enough in the tank to go again for the third game in under a week, Oluwabori will be one to watch.

Andrew Oluwabori. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Sutton United – Lewis Simper

The former Glovers’ loanee has been a rare bright spark in what has been a dark cloud of a start to the season for Sutton.

The midfielder made just one substitute appearance during an injury-plagued spell at Huish Park in 2021, but has shown his class since arriving at Gander Green Lane in the summer of 2024.

He has been an ever-present presence in the Sutton midfielder, scoring three times in his 12 appearances this season, and will be vital with the hosts are to get anything from this game.

 

THE GAFFER…

First-team coach Jon Meeney will take charge of Sutton for the fifth time if no permanent appointment is made to replace the departed Steve Morison before kick-off on Tuesday night.

Meeney only arrived at Gander Green Lane at the start of last season having previously been number two at Horsham, he has previous coaching experience in Brighton & Hove Albion’s academy and in the non-League game with Worthing and Eastbourne Borough.

Having quickly become an integral part of Morison’s coaching set up, he was handed a new contract in the summer and chosen to take the helm when the manager departed.

Sutton United interim manager Jon Meeney.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Although we never knew it at the time, the 2-1 home defeat to Sutton United back in April turned out to be a turning point for Yeovil Town.

It was the game that now-owner Prabhu Srinivasan was in the Thatcher’s End and apparently fell in love with the Glovers enough to eventually take over.

On the pitch it was forgettable day for the Glovers who took the lead through loanee Ciaran McGuckin before goals from Siju Odelusi and former player Lewis Simper in the second half gave the visitors three points.

The last time the two sides met in Surrey it was an equally forgettable goalless draw.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton goes down under pressure in Sutton’s 2-1 win at Huish Park last season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Lewis Simper, remember him? He did not have much of a career as a Yeovil Town player, making just one substitute appearance during a loan spell from Cambridge United back in 2021.

His lack of game time led to him being recalled by his parent club having first suffering COVID 19 and then suffering an injury.

Former Glover Lewis Simper chases down Charlie Cooper during the match at the end of last season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

David Rock is the man in the middle on Tuesday night and it’s fair to say he loves a booking – read more here.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Striker Tahvon Campbell has said the adversity which has swept through Yeovil Town this week has pulled the players closer together.

The Glovers picked up their second win in as many games in a week which saw manager Danny Webb walk out after just 11 days on Monday followed the day after by assistant manager Chris Todd, who left to join National League rivals Eastleigh.

Campbell was part of a front three alongside Junior Morias and Andrew Oluwabori which shone in the first half of today’s 1-0 home win over Altrincham.

Speaking about the week to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, the striker said: “No-one has said anything, but naturally with everything that has gone on we have pulled closer. That is the only thing we could do and it is working well, so let us hope it continues you. If we can stick with the mentality we have got, sometimes we will win convincingly, sometimes it will be a close game, but if we stay how we are and work together we will be fine.

“We are buzzing in the changing rooms and it is great to get back-to-back win. The fans were excellent today and while we were defending in the second half, the fans helped us to get through to the end with a clean sheet.

“We have loads of games coming up, but we have a good squad and have people on the bench that can start games as well. I think everyone is just pulling through and there is another game on Tuesday, so we are looking forward to that.”

It has been an rewarding week for the Yeovil attack with Campbell on target twice at Aldershot on Wednesday night when Morias was also on target. Today’s goal-scoring hero was defender Morgan Williams who got the feintest of headers on an Oluwabori ball in to the box after 32 minutes.

Campbell admitted he is enjoying playing alongside his new attacking team-mates, he said: “It is exciting because you just do not know what is going to happen but it is normally something good. Whoever plays alongside me, we have a good squad and everything is good at the moment.”