David Coates (Page 9)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper admitted he got the game plan wrong after seeing his side taken apart by Forest Green Rovers this afternoon.

The Glovers went down 2-0 at the New Lawn, but in reality the scoreline should have been much higher with the home side hitting the woodwork twice, having four other shots on target and ten off target with the visitors having just one shot off target late in the game.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Cooper said: “It is not tough to take, it is just disappointment. I got the game plan wrong today, we decided to sit in a little bit and try to draw them on to us and hit them on the counter attack but we cannot do that. I will take the blame today, we played against a good team and tried to counter attack because they put a lot of bodies forward and, if you try and play too much at the back, they try to press you in so it was a poor day. Forest Green deserved to win the game and apologies to a brilliant band of supporters, we have to take our medicine.”

The Glovers started the game with strikers Aaron Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell playing as a front two for the first time in a long time and the manager pointed to this as part of the reason for the one-sided affair.

He said: “We played with two up front today and it did not work. We lost the ball a lot up front, we turned it over and we could not get out of our half. I blame myself for that and we have to get back to doing what we do best, getting hold of the ball and moving it around the pitch and creating overloads.”

Yeovil Town supporters look on at Forest Green Rovers.
Almost 500 travelling supporters made the trip to The New Lawn. Picture courtesy of Mark Kelly.

Having dominated the first half, Forest Green boss Robbie Savage brought on a number of heavyweight players from a star-studded bench including experienced striker Christian Doidge, summer signing playmaker Nick Haughton and former Yeovil favourite Tom Knowles.

Cooper said: “They have 26 players that could all play in the league above and we are playing against a team with four times what we have got, we have to build to get to that and they can change the whole XI, that is not making excuses, that is just the way it is.”

To add further insult, the Glovers were reduced to ten men with four minutes remaining when captain Jake Wannell was sent off for a second yellow card. He will now serve a one-match ban as Yeovil look to bounce back against National League Premier Division newcomers Brackley Town, who were without a game due to their opponents Morecambe being suspended from playing, at Huish Park on Wednesday night.

Cooper added: “We have to (get back to playing our way) against Brackley on Wednesday night, we are at home against a team which has had a day off today, I wanted to try and conserve a bit of energy today with our game plan of being a little more conservative because we only have 16 outfield players. We wanted to keep the game tight and stay in it, but it did not work.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Defender Finn Cousin-Dawson apologised to the Yeovil Town supporters after a 2-0 defeat at Forest Green Rovers and promised “a reaction” from the players.

The Glovers went down 2-0 to late goals from Jili Buyabu and Kairo Mitchell but were on the back foot for the entire 90 minutes against a side managed by former Wales international midfielder Robbie Savage.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game in Gloucestershire, FC-D said: “It was not good enough today and we are all really disappointed as a group. We had a game plan which has not come off, we did not keep the ball well enough when we won it back, the quality from back to front was not good enough and overall we were beaten by the better team. We apologise to the fans, they turned up in great numbers and we obviously were not good enough and there will be a reaction.”

Yeovil have an opportunity to deliver a reaction when they face newly-promoted Brackley Town at Huish Park on Wednesday night. Last season’s National League North champions were without a game today with their scheduled opponents, crisis club Morecambe, still suspended from playing due to their off-the-field difficulties.

Asked what the players could do to respond, the defender-turned-defensive midfielder added: “We have to recover as a group, stay together, keep positive and hopefully get right at them on Wednesday night. We have to be better right through the team to get goals and that comes from the lads at the back as well, today our set pieces were not good enough as well, we just have to keep going as a group every day in training.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports
One of the many Forest Green attacks on the Yeovil Town defence gets underway.

It tells you everything you need to know about this game when I say that Yeovil Town were very lucky to be walking away from Forest Green Rovers with a 2-0 defeat.

Here’s some full time statistics:

Shots on target: Forest Green Rovers 6 Yeovil Town 0
Shots off target: Forest Green Rovers 10 Yeovil Town 1

It took until the 75th minute for substitute Jili Buyabu to put the home side ahead before striker Kairo Mitchell doubled the advantage in the second minute of injury time, but in reality Forest Green could have won by a much, much higher number. To add insult to further insult, captain Jake Wannell was sent off with four minutes remaining.

First half

Within a minute of the kick-off, Forest Green had won two corners one of which led the hosts’ striker Yahaya Bamber curling one past the post. The pre-match predictions of Robbie Savage’s side going all out attack seem to be coming true.

Having weathered the early storm, Yeovil managed to take a bit of a sting out of their hosts’ attack and, in even more surprising news, it appeared that Tahvon Campbell, handed his first competitive start following an injury to James Daly, was partnering Aaron Jarvis.

On 17 minutes, the first warning sign came as Isaac Moore fizzed a shot past the post and then three minutes later Glovers’ keeper Jed Ward, who started last season on loan at The New Lawn, was called in to action to deny Kyle McAllister. Both McAllister and Laurent Mendy have got a lot of space in the last five minutes and it is no surprise that Forest Green are looking threatening.

Tahvon Campbell grapples with a Hartlepool United player.
Tahvon Campbell was handed his first competitive start at The New Lawn. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Jordan Taylor-Moore was the next to go close after a flurry of corners fell first to Kairo Mitchell who could not get an effort on target before Taylor-Moore’s effort was deflected wide for another corner. It has been a bit like the Alamo – and Yeovil Town are Davy Crockett and his mates fighting off an onslaught. Mendy fired over just after the half-hour mark and the signing who joined Savage from Macclesfield in the summer is running the show.

At half time, the only meaningful statistic which Yeovil Town lead on is yellow cards with Jake Wannell and Charlie Cooper both picking up one to Forest Green’s zero.

Possession: Forest Green Rovers 61% Yeovil Town 39%
Shots on target: Forest Green Rovers 2 Yeovil Town 0
Shots off target: Forest Green Rovers 3 Yeovil Town 0
Corners: Forest Green Rovers 6 Yeovil Town 1

The statistical definition of one-way traffic, but still goalless.

Half time: Forest Green Rovers 0 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

The start of the second half saw Yeovil undo the only change to their starting XI with James Daly, who started the opening day draw with Hartlepool United, replacing Campbell with Daly filling in alongside Sims behind Jarvis. Quite different to the wing back position 

It took Forest Green 30 seconds to get their first shot in on goal with Jayden Clarke fizzing one past the post, whilst at the other end Sims looked to have got away for Yeovil a few moments later – but he was denied by the offside flag.

On 53 minutes, great play from McAllister fed one through to Mitchell whose effort was well blocked by Morgan Williams. A minute later Brett McGavin replaced Luke McCormick, but more worryingly for the home side some heavy hitters came off the bench for Forest Green with striker Christian Doidge, playmaker Nick Haughton and wing-back Jili Buyabu. Doidge almost made an instant impact a minute after arriving as he was gifted a free header at the near post from a Forest Green corner, luckily for Yeovil he did not get it on target.

Just after the hour mark Trey Pemberton’s low cross from the right side just missed Mitchell before Haughton had two glorious opportunities to open the scoring with the second rattling Jed Ward’s woodwork after 65 minutes and then five minutes later Doidge put a header wide. How Forest Green are not ahead in this game is a complete mystery.

Buyabu is having a field day down the wing and, to add even more creativity, Savage introduced former Yeovil favourite Tom Knowles (#DFILWF) after 71 minutes. Another corner for the home side, their tenth of the game, came to Taylor-Moore whose effort was pushed away by Ward.

Eventually the pressure paid, you knew it was going to happen. Jili BUYABU got the better of Byron Pendleton and whipped a ball in to the near post, it might have come off a Yeovil player, but it doesn’t matter the dam has been breached. A minute later it could have been a second after another fantastic moving involving Pemberton who cut the ball back to McAllister, who lifted his shot over the bar.

Substitute Junior Morias collects the ball inside the Forest Green half. Picture courtesy of Andy Craig.

Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade replaced Charlie Cooper and Josh Sims and then on 83 minutes Knowles spotted Ward off his line and tried a chip from the halfway line – only the post denied him. Incredible.

As if it was not bad enough, Yeovil Town were reduced to ten men after 86 minutes. Wannell handled the ball and picked up his second yellow card. The inevitable second goal – it could have been far more – came as the game crept in to second half injury time after a short corner routine dropped to Kairo MITCHELL who fired home.

Third minute of second half injury time, Morias and McGavin combined and the latter shot wide. 93 minutes of football and that is our first shot and it is off target.

Full time: Forest Green Rovers 2 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The New Lawn
Date: Saturday 16th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Jili Buyabu 75 (0-1), Kairo Mitchell 90+2 (0-2)

Pitch: Stunning.
Conditions: Sweltering.

Attendance: 2,118 (486 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 22, Charlie Cooper 35, Byron Pendleton 81, Finn Cousin-Dawson 90+5
Forest Green Rovers: Jili Buyabu 75

Sendings off:
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 86
Forest Green Rovers: None

Referee: Andrew Humphries

Yeovil Town (5-2-2-1)

Substitutes:  James Daly (for Tahvon Campbell, 46), Brett McGavin (for Luke McCormick, 54), Junior Morias (for Charlie Cooper, 81), Harvey Greenslade (for Josh Sims, 81), Kyle Ferguson (not used),  Ben Wodskou (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Forest Green Rovers: Luke McNicholas, Neil Kengni (for Jili Buyabu, 55), Laurent Mendy, Kyle McAllister (for Ryan Inniss, 87), Jayden Clarke (for Tom Knowles, 71), Jordan Moore-Taylor, Isaac Moore (for Nick Haughton, 55), Yahaya Bamba (for Christian Doidge, 55), Tre Pemberton, Kairo Mitchell, Abraham Kanu.

Substitutes (not used): Fiachra Pagel, Harry Whitwell.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Midfielder James Daly has been dropped to the substitutes’ bench for today’s trip to Forest Green Rovers after sustaining an injury, according to Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper.

The Glovers’ boss said the summer signing “took a really bad tackle” in the first half of the opening day draw with Hartlepool United which the boss did not want to aggravate.

Following today’s match, Yeovil host National League Premier Division new boys Brackley Town on Tuesday night followed by a visit to Braintree Town next weekend before facing Gateshead on August Bank Holiday Monday in Somerset.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins ahead of kick-off today, Cooper said: “James Daly took a really bad tackle in the first half last Saturday and is probably not quite 100%, so with the amount of games we have coming up in the next week to ten days we wanted to make sure we did not aggravate it too much today so we put him on the bench.”

The Glovers are expected to line-up with four defenders, Byron Pendleton, captain Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams and Alex Whittle, behind two holding midfielders in Finn Cousin-Dawson and Charlie Cooper. In front of them is Tahvon Campbell, who replaces Daly in the only change from the opening day, Luke McCormick and Josh Sims behind frontman Aaron Jarvis.

Asked whether there was a possibility of defender Kyle Ferguson, who is named among the substitutes starting today, Cooper added: “I feel the other three defenders have been pretty solid in pre-season and it is important that the back three and the two midfield players are really solid. They have not really done anything wrong, but we have four games in the next nine days so I am sure they are going to feature.

“We were always going to have a small squad because of what we are financially, if we have to we might have to get a couple of loans to bulk the squad out because that is where we are at the minute.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News
Jed Ward holds a shot during pre-match warm up.

New Yeovil Town goalkeeper Jed Ward has told the club’s supporters he is confident he will improve as he plays more matches having joined on a season-long loan.

The Bristol Rovers’ stopper only featured twice for his parent club in pre-season, playing the full 90 minutes against Chippenham Town before coming on as a second half substitute against Yeovil at Huish Park in a 2-1 win for the League Two outfit.

He looked assured keeping a clean sheet in the opening day 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United last weekend, earning the Gloverscast Man of the Match award with 31.4% of your votes.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins on Thursday, he said: “I feel like I know a lot of people here already, I have met a lot of the lads in my journey so far, I have felt really welcomed and got on board with all the things the manager is trying to give us. I am really excited for the rest of the season.

“Coming out at Huish Park in front of plenty of fans was a great feeling and, even though we did not win, it was a good performance to start the season.

“I did not really have the pre-season that I would have wanted, but as I play more games I will get better and improve week on week. I feel like I am in a good place to crack on with the season.”

The 22-year-old’s second competitive game for his new club will be in familiar surroundings of Forest Green Rovers. He played 28 times for the Gloucestershire outfit last season, keeping ten clean sheets, before being recalled by Bristol Rovers in January and playing a further 18 times.

He added: “It was a great experience last season, but I am a Yeovil player now and I want to give everything for the club. I know a few of the players there, but it is no different to any other team in this league, it is all about how do we execute our plan and win on the day. I am sure they will be aggressive and want to play football at the same time, so we just have to match that on the day.”

Jed Ward holds a shot during pre-match warm up.
Jed Ward in the pre-match warm-up ahead of last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Hartlepool United. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News
Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper speaking to the media.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said there should not be too many conclusions drawn after their opening day stalemate with Hartlepool United last weekend.

The Glovers travel to big-spending Forest Green Rovers, now managed by former Premier League midfielder and radio shock jock, Robbie Savage, for their first away match of the season this weekend.

Speaking on Thursday from the club’s training ground just 23 miles from The New Lawn, Cooper was asked by BBC Radio Somerset reporter Josh Perkins how he would respond to claims that his side’s failure to hit the net last weekend could be considered “same old Yeovil.” The Glovers were the division’s third lowest scorers in the 2024-25 season with 51 goals in 46 games.

Cooper said: “I think we would have taken a few goalless draws last year, but no. If you look at the first game of the season, there would have been a couple of teams in the National League that would have killed for a 0-0 draw against a team that I think will be competing for a top seven place.

“We missed some chances, we could have done better with the final pass, but if after ten games we are still getting 0-0 draws, maybe – but this was the first game. It is one game at a time, but I was pleased with the second half on Saturday.”

Charlie Cooper heads away as Hartlepool United are on the attack.
Charlie Cooper heads away against Hartlepool United last weekend. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The boss said his side had “a couple of bumps and bruises” following the game at Huish Park, but said he was expecting to have the same squad to select from that he did seven days ago.

Forest Green completed their 12th new signing of the summer with the arrival of wing-back Jili Buyabu on a season-long loan from Sheffield United on Thursday. The 21-year-old came off the bench for Rochdale in a 4-0 win over Yeovil in January and played 24 times at National League level last season.

He joins the likes of attacking midfielder Nick Haughton, who has starred for AFC Fylde at National League level in recent years, striker Kairo Mitchell, signed from Rochdale, and defender Laurent Mendy and midfielder Tre Pemberton, signed from Savage’s former club, Macclesfield.

In the former Wales international’s first competitive game in charge, the Gloucestershire side were held to a 2-2 draw at Solihull Moors on the opening day despite their hosts being reduced to ten men after six minutes.

Asked how he thought the latest wave of new recruits would work for this weekend’s opponents, Cooper said: “It can work both ways, they can come in and hit the ground running. There are some boys that are from a couple of leagues below, which can be a good thing, and some coming in on loan from higher up, so it is about putting it all in the mix. When you bring that many players in, you need time for it to gel, it will not happen overnight.”

Cooper led Forest Green to promotion to the Football League in the 2016-17 season and guided them to the League Two play-offs in the 2018-19 season, but was sacked in April 2021 with the side still sixth in the League Two table. They finished the campaign in the same position and lost to Newport County in the play-off semi-finals.

Asked about his time at the club, the Yeovil boss said: “I had a good time there, we got promoted in to the Football League in our first season, held our own in the second year and stayed in the league, then we got to the play-offs, COVID, and in my last year we were close to automatic promotion and still in the play-offs. It is a shame to see them have two relegations and get back to square one. They had a good season with Steve Cotterill in charge and narrowly missed out on getting to the play-off final on penalties and they have brought another new manager in, I think they have got through a fair few now and brought Robbie in, who did really well at Macclesfield, and I am sure Robbie and Mark Bowen have got their eyes on trying to get them promoted.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

You have all had two weeks to have a go at our first Gloverscast Fans’ Quiz so here are the results – so far!

Congratulations to Martin McConachie, the only contestant to score 100%. We were going to make it a top ten, but too many of you tied on scores and, where scores were tied, players have been ranked by how quickly you finished the quiz.

If you still haven’t had a go – and 207 of you have so far – you can still see if you can ace it – HERE. We will have another one for you every month on the 1st of each month and keep a track of the scores.

Thanks to all who took the quiz!

GLOVERSCAST FANS’ QUIZ LEAGUE TABLE

1. Martin McConachie – 100% answers correct
=2. Perky – 91%
=2. Spud Whale – 91%
=2. Andrew – 91%
=3. Frank – 83%
=3. Jake – 83%
=3. Chris Fox – 83%
=3. Ash Drew – 83%
=3. Gav Cheetham – 83%
=3. Dan Howell – 83%
=3. George Tomlin – 83%
=3. Paul Swaine – 83%
=3. Georgiana Catley-Dyson – 83%

By:
On:
In: Five Conclusions, Latest Yeovil Town News
Josh Sims holds off a defender.

The first point is on the board, but finding the back of the net looks like it may still be an issue for Yeovil Town after the goalless opening day draw with Hartlepool United at Huish Park yesterday. Mike Hudson was among more than 3,000 Glovers’ fans who turn up for the stalemate and here are his conclusions on what he saw.

It was good to be back. After all the noise of pre-season, it was good to be back at Huish Park for a competitive fixture. The pitch looked stunning, if not a little small, as the sun shone down on the 3,239 Glovers fans (and the 199 away ones too). New owner Prabhu Srinivasan and Chief Strategy Advisor Nicholas Brayne could be seen walking around the stands and talking to fans before kick off, and the supporters were in good voice throughout the afternoon. As the ref got the opening day underway there was a sense of optimism in the Somerset air.

Josh Sims goes down under pressure from the goalkeeper.
Josh Sims takes a tumble during a difficult first half against Hartlepool. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The first half was a bit iffy. Throughout the game Yeovil looked defensively solid, but it was pretty hard to put to figure out what our game plan was going forward, particularly in the first forty five. In the first five minutes there were a few moments when James Daly and Luke McCormick linked up nicely, but then the game really passed them by. There was no fluidity in attack, and with all the talent and pace on the pitch, our tactics seemed to nullify the strengths I was looking forward to seeing. There was a lot of direct play to Aaron Jarvis who had his back to goal most of the game. While his hold up play was great as usual, no-one in green and white was ever near enough to our number nine to capitalise. We didn’t work their keeper at all in the first half, and in truth Hartlepool, who kept a lot of possession, had a few chances as the break approached and could really have been ahead.

The second half was better. We seemed to start the second half with more intent and looked dangerous. The changes were interesting. Removing McCormick and Daly for Tahvon Campbell and Junior Morias made it look like we would need to play even more directly. However, I thought both players made an impact and looked lively when they came on. You feel if the late chance that fell at the feet of Ben Wodsku had come to either Morias or Campbell we may have stolen all three points. Unfortunately the youngster rather panicked and snatched at his shot. It was far from a fluid second half, but it was an improvement on the first.

Jed Ward holds a shot during pre-match warm up.
Jed Ward looks a good addition. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Keep those potatoes on hold. After feeling before the game that he may have solved our goal-scoring issues, Mark Cooper may be reassessing. The sack of potatoes on offer to the first goal scorer of the season will remain the property of the greengrocer for now, as we try to figure out how to best utilise the players at our disposal. On a plus side, we did secure a clean sheet, and our back three looked mostly solid, with Jed Ward adding some calmness in goal. Our new keeper had one shaky moment in the first half, but was otherwise faultless and also showed his distribution quality when he launched a ‘fizzing’ kick for the pacy Byron Pendleton to run onto creating a dangerous moment for the home side. On balance, I’m not a fan of the training ground move, but it may just have secured us a real top quality keeper.

We’re off the mark. Yeovil are not known for their strong opening days, and coming up against a Hartlepool side managed by Simon Grayson, who we never seem to get the better off, was never going to be easy. We didn’t set the world ablaze, we didn’t quite put on a show at home, and on balance a point was probably a fair result. It did feel like a game that we would have lost last season, and there were moments on Saturday when we rode our luck against a team who may have similar ambitions to us this season. But overall, it’s not a bad start to proceedings. There are some reasons for positivity while also a number of things we will need to work on quickly. We have a point on the board, and a tricky first away trip to Forest Green to come. Onwards and upwards you Glovers.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town’s new Mr Versatile Josh Sims has said the Glovers were happy with their outing in the goalless opening day draw with Hartlepool United at Huish Park.

The former Southampton player started the match playing off lone frontman Aaron Jarvis but ended it playing left wing-back following the substitution of James Daly.

It was his ball into the box which picked out substitute striker Ben Wodskou with seven minutes to go, but the on loan Birmingham City youngster’s chance was denied by visiting keeper Harvey Cartwright.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, Sims said: “First games are always going to be frantic, but we got through it with a clean sheet. We had a couple of chances (to win it) towards the end and I thought we ended the game stronger, in the first half we were a bit sluggish and on the back foot, but from the first whistle in the second half, I thought we played well.

“There are always things to improve on, but I imagine they will be up there come the end of the season. A point is good, there are plenty of things to work on but we got a clean sheet, a point and we were solid, and last season we probably would have lost a silly goal today. That is a massive improvement and shows how much more solid and how much better our communication is as a team and that will stand us in good stead. We are a good team both on and off the pitch and everyone has come in and brought something different.”

Josh Sims breaks away.
Josh Sims breaks away. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Asked about his many different positions during the 90 minutes, he added: “Whatever the Gaffer wants me to do, I will do it to the best of my ability. He obviously thinks I can play in a few different positions whether it is further forward or further back, I have got to do my job for the team. Different roles require different skills and towards the end I was playing deeper and had to stay concentrated, but if the Gaffer wants me to play there. It was a tough one because it was a lot of running and it was quite hot out there, but everyone got through it unscathed and that is a positive.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper was satisfied with a point from the opening day stalemate against Hartlepool United at Huish Park.

The Glovers put in an improved performance in the second half after a drab opening 45 minutes and had a great chance to win it through substitute striker Ben Wodskou with seven minutes remaining.

Cooper said the arrival of Wodskou and fellow forwards Junior Morias and Tahvon Campbell brought added life to his side, but was pleased with the solidity his side showed to keep a clean sheet.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the match, he said: “Last year we would have lost that game. I think you saw the impetus the forwards (Junior Morias, Tahvon Campbell and Ben Wodskou) brought when they came on and we kept it solid behind the ball and had some good chances. You saw Junior and Tav’s quality when he came on and Ben had a great chance, they gave us a lift when they came on. 

“When you look at our bench, we have people who are going to improve us or not make us worse and that has not always been the case. It was a cagey first game of the season, players getting their breath but it was important we did not lose. The fans kept going, they got behind the boys brilliantly and we need to keep that spirit among the club.”

Junior Morias looks up for a pass.
Junior Morias in action against Hartlepool United. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The opening 45 minutes belonged to the visitors, who ran out 1-0 winners at Huish Park on the opening day of last season, with Yeovil indebted to new goalkeeper Jed Ward, who has joined on a season-long loan from Bristol Rovers, to keep them in it.

Cooper gave four debuts in his starting line-up with Birmingham City youngster wing back Byron Pendleton and midfielders Luke McCormick and  James Daly named alongside Ward.

The manager said: “You could tell we have some new players and the first half was very scrappy and we never really got going, but our back three and our two midfield players looked really solid which they have to do. We waited for the forwards to spark which they did in the second half when we looked more of a threat and we had some really good chances and looked like we would go on and win it. But if you are not going to win the first game, you do not want to be beaten and we will take a point and move on.”

The next test sees Yeovil travel to big-spending Forest Green Rovers who picked up a point of their own on the road at Solihull Moors on the opening day. The Gloucestershire outfit, now managed by footballing gobshite Robbie Savage, played against ten men after Solihull’s Darius Lipsiuc was sent off after just six minutes.