Ian Perkins (Page 85)

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Words courtesy of Mike West from the Yeovil Town FC Heritage Society on Facebook.
 
I am sure many have walked or driven past these old wrought iron gates adjacent to the Pen Mill Hotel without really giving them a second thought.
However, their historical interest to Yeovil Town Football Club and the town in general is enormous.
 
Back in 1895, the gates were put in place by the committee of Yeovil Casuals Football Club as the entrance to what was then the club’s home ground the Pen Mill stadium. For nearly 130 years they’ve stayed there, as an unofficial monument to what was the dawn of the town’s football club.
 
Today, I contacted someone with an interest of getting them protected and maybe a plaque installed to highlight their significance to Yeovil Town FC and the area in general.
 
I have been informed that the land is looking to be purchased by the Town Council. They in turn are looking to develop the land into a small park, which of course will be nice, however it seems the gates will be removed and scrapped!
 
Now, for me personally and anyone with a love for the heritage of our great club this would be a travesty.
 
I am told the person to contact at the council to demonstrate the importance of the gates and why they should be saved is Amanda Card, the Town Clerk.
 
I urge everybody to email Ms.Card, as I have today, with your concerns regarding the gates and why they need to be preserved. Ms.Card’s email is
 
If you would like you copy and paste the following to email to Ms. Card:
 
 
Dear Ms.Card,
 
Please forgive me in writing to you, however I have been informed that you are the person that I needed to contact.
 
Apparently, the local council is planning to build a small park adjacent to the Pen Mill Hotel in Yeovil. Which, of course will be a lovely addition to the area.
 
However, I would like to bring to your attention to the wrought iron gates that are situated on that site (See attached photo).
You may not be aware, however the gates have a major local significance. They were originally put in place in 1895 by the committee of Yeovil Casuals Football Club, today’s Yeovil Town football club. Put in place as the entrance to the Pen Mill stadium, the original home of Yeovil Town FC. Standing for 130 years, they are the last remnants of the stadium and have major interest for the fans of our town football club, and football fans in general.
So, with this in mind, myself and many Yeovil football fans would not want to see them scrapped in anyway. They really do hold a very important part of the history of the club and town in general.
 
Please could you inform me of your plan for the gates?
Yours faithfully
 

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What do you do when none of the Gloverscast trio are at a game? You put out a call to arms.

Thankfully, Elliot from our friends at WeLoveYouYTFC was there at the Avenue Stadium and he had five thoughts he’d like to share with you on the 0-0 draw.

Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Signings are needed. It’s no secret we have a small squad, however we need more bodies, otherwise we may have a real issue with squad depth this season. Last night, for instance, we had a couple of injuries and all of a sudden players were having to play out of position, Charlie Wakefield a prime example of this. Which brings me to my next point..

Charlie Wakefield is wasted at right wing back. Charlie was at his best last season when given license to run at defenders, and in a way, neglecting any sort of defensive role. Which makes you question where he fits into a formation with 5 at the back? You’d imagine Hargreaves and co. have a plan for him, and hopefully that isn’t back up right wing back.

Josh Staunton modelling the 2022-23 kit. Picture courtesy of YTFC.net.

We look solid defensively. We may have a new manager this season, but the personnel defensively remains largely the same as last season, and it shows. We look very good defensively, it is clear to see the centre back trio of Morgan Williams, Josh Staunton & Max Hunt have played with each other for a while now.

Sam Perry is a very good signing. In previous friendlies against Exeter and Plymouth respectively, Sam Perry, alongside the majority of our team, hasn’t seen as much as the ball as he’d perhaps like, but tonight he excelled with the ball at his feet. Walsall fans evidently see something in him, and rightly so.

Sign up number 24 + 25 (Trialist b + c). Out of all the trialists we have seen in action over pre-season, these two, for me, have shown the most talent, and are the most deserving of a contract. Trailist b played at left wing back on Tuesday night, and showed pace and skill, as did trailist C. As previously referenced, we need more bodies, and I’d like to see these two signed up.

We’re you at the game? What did you think?

Thanks to Elliot for helping us out on these five conclusions.

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With one pre-season fixture left to play before we travel to Scunthorpe next Saturday, Chris Hargreaves’ Yeovil side have had goalless draws with Taunton and Dorchester, a 1-1 draw with Exeter and lost 2-0 to Plymouth.

After last night’s draw, there was concern from some on social media about the lack of goals, confidence that we’re strong at the back and general dismissal that nothing matters until the real season kicks off next weekend.

But, what do you think? As the new season draws closer, are you optimistic about the Glovers’ chances? Let us know if you agree with the statement on the poll below and leave your comments below.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday July 23rd, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Cloudy but warm.
Pitch: Pristine.

Attendance: 1,565 including a significant number of visiting fans

Scorers: Ryan Hardie 47 (0-1), Finn Azaz 60 (0-2)

Sendings off: Yeovil Town – Matt Worthington 69; Plymouth Argyle – Bali Mumba 69.

Referee: Daniel Lamport


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Chiori Johnson (for Charlie Wakefield, 61), Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Morgan Williams, Jamie Reckord (for Trialist C, 72)

Sam Perry (for Matt Buse, 72), Matt Worthington

Tom Knowles (for Toby Stephens, 82)

Malachi Linton (for Stanley Anaebonum, 61),  Alex Fisher (for Ollie Hulbert, 61)

Substitutes (not used): Max Evans, Ollie Haste, Toby Stephens, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F, Trialist G, Trialist H.

Plymouth Argyle: Callum Burton, Macaulay Gillesphey (for Endacott, 82), James Wilson, Dan Scarr, Matt Butcher (for Lewis, 74), Joe Edwards (for Craske, 82), Ryan Hardie (for Ennis, 60), Danny Mayor (for Jephcott, 60), Bali Mumba, Finn Azaz (for Whittaker, 60), Adam Randell (for Houghton, 74).

Substitutes: Zak Baker, Jordan Houghton, Niall Ennis, Morgan Whittaker, Brendon Galloway, Luke Jephcott, Finley Craske, Brandon Pursall, Jack Endacott, Alfie Lewis.

 

Match Report

The final pre-season friendly at Huish Park ended in defeat for Yeovil Town as they went down 2-0 at the hands of League One opposition in Plymouth Argyle.

Second half goals from Ryan Hardie and Finn Azaz put the visitors ahead by the hour mark before the game’s other flash point saw Glovers’ midfielder Matt Worthington red carded after a clash with Argyle wing back Bali Mumba. Both players got their marching orders.

Here’s how Marcus Duncomb saw proceedings…..

First half

Cries of ‘green army’ were ringing around Huish Park ahead of the match, but they came from the Devon visitors who had traveled in decent numbers for this pre-season friendly.

Tom Knowles.

After Plymouth completely dominated possession for the first ten minutes, Yeovil then played the ball out from the back perfectly. Starting with Grant Smith, the ball was played around and beat the Plymouth press to find Tom Knowles who drove forward and hit a strike from 25 yards out just wide of the right hand.

The Pilgrims had pretty much all the ball but were struggling to break down the Yeovil defence. Their countless crosses led to nothing but tame Ryan Hardie and, former Glovers’ loanee Matt Butcher efforts in the opening 20 minutes.

Plymouth should have taken the lead in the 26th minute when the ball was played back to Hardie who beat Smith, but Max Hunt used all of his 198 centimetres to block it on the line. Seconds later, Finn Azaz had the ball from six yards out and fired on target, but Smith was back on his feet to smother.

Smith had to deal with a lot of shots from outside the box from Butcher, who was channeling his inner Dale Gorman, but all of them were claimed comfortably.

The final chance of the half came from a corner which Hardie flicked on with the back of his head but it whistled just over the bar.

 Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 0

Second half

Three minutes after the restart Plymouth finally created the clear-cut chance that their possession deserved. Talisman Danny Mayor ran down the left and played a very simple ball into the area for HARDIE to tap in and take the lead.

In the 55th minute, Malachi Linton won the ball high up in the opposition’s half (not for the first time) and drove forward with the ball. He opted to shoot early but he blazed it over.

Plymouth’s lead doubled on the hour mark when left back Macaulay Gillesphey fired from range and Smith parried right into the path of AZAZ who couldn’t miss.

Matt Worthington.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

That triggered three changes from either side with Charlie Wakefield coming on for Chiori Johnson, replacing him at right wing back, with Ollie Hulbert and trialist Stanley Anaebonam replacing Linton and Fisher. For Plymouth, Niall Ennis, Luke Jephcott and Morgan Whittaker replaced Hardie, Mayor and Azaz.

Yeovil had their best chance of the game in the 66th minute when a well-aimed kick from Smith was flicked on well by Knowles to Ollie Hulbert who was one-on-one but missed the target.

Moments later, and it looked very unlike a pre-season friendly. Yeovil midfielder Matt Worthington and visiting wing back Bali Mumba clashed and within seconds all 22 players on the pitch as well as both dugouts and coaching staff were engaged in a mass brawl. The referee sent off both Mumba and Worthington.

Looking at the rule book it would appear that, if this friendly is considered to be a “non-first team fixture” it would mean Worthington is suspended for the next three non-first team fixtures. However, with only two more friendlies – at Dorchester Town on Tuesday night and then Weston-super-Mare next Saturday – it would appear the midfielder is unlikely to fulfil his suspension.

The combination of the red cards and the endless substitutes completely killed any momentum this game had and Yeovil couldn’t find a way back into it.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 2

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Yeovil earned a 1-1 draw against Exeter yesterday on a hot summers day, Ian was there and here’s five things he thought of the game.

We’re definitely improving. Maybe it was the pitch, maybe it was my better vantage point at Huish Park compared to Taunton but we are progressing. A draw against League One opposition who are a week ahead of us training-wise is good in the grand scheme of things.

We’re organised defensively. But for a couple of moments against Taunton we never felt stretched it was the same yesterday. We reduced Exeter to shots from distance and our back five of Johnson (who looked much better yesterday), Williams, Staunton, Hunt and Reckord look like a strong defensive unit. 

We look fit. Chris Hargreaves told us on the Gloverscast that he’d have the players working hard and that was evident yesterday. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but it’s pretty hot at the moment and both sets of players didn’t stop for 90 minutes (but for a couple of drinks breaks). 

Tom Knowles scores goals ? Mike Kunz.

Tom Knowles is being given creative freedom. Playing behind the front two of Malachi Linton and Alex Fisher yesterday, Knowles was his trademark self, buzzing around defenders, winning fouls and causing problems with his direct running. His goal was a typical Knowles goal – picking it up out side the box, putting the afterburners on through the Exeter defence and slotting a left footed finish into the bottom right corner. It looks like we might see a bit more of him centrally this season and I’m all for it.

With all that in mind, there’s still more to do obviously. These games are all about fitness and building relationships on the pitch and we’re seeing that develop. Despite retaining players we still a new team with a new manager and we need to be patient. The manager still wants to add and there’s plenty of time to do that. Some of the trialists from Tuesday remained and there were a couple of extras included yesterday. Those that are still around must have something as we seem to have moved others on quickly

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It’s difficult to conclude anything from the first preseason friendly with so many changes through the game, but it’s been a while so why not try eh?

Matt Buse looked the best of the trialists. It’s not particularly a secret that one of our anonymous trialists is former Torquay midfielder (and local lad) Matt Buse. In the brief time he was on the pitch last night he looked calm in possession and probably the one trialist who looked ready to step up and be a part of the squad.

It was good that the owner was in attendance. We’ve had plenty of pops at Scott Priestnall for not going to games, but you can’t complain if he arrives in Taunton for a pre-season . There were plenty of conversations with Chris Hargreaves and both Stuart Robins and Martyn Starnes were in attendance too, so there was executive representation at the match which is a positive. Let’s just hope they saw enough to know…

…we need a lot more! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the squad isn’t where it needs to be yet. Equally, I’m of the mind that it’s still early days. We’re a bit of an unknown quantity, we don’t know what system the manager will prefer (although it was a back five with wing backs) and as he said when he spoke to the Gloverscast, managers will want to get a couple of weeks of preseason in before deciding on the futures, or lack thereof, of their contracted squads.

It will be interesting to see which trialists remain. Some of these may be back for Exeter and get another chance of for a run out but, as with last year, many will move on. (Come back Harlain!) The manager spoke intently to a couple of them after the match so he and his coaching staff must have seen something. Other than Buse and Chiori Johnson nobody stuck out.

I won’t read too much into this game. It’s fitness, it’s minutes under the belt and it’s avoiding injuries. We went into this match without two key players in Lawson D’Ath and Charlie Wakefield and I imagine Ollie Hulbert will be a starter too. Hopefully we see some additions in the coming days and we’ll get more of an idea about the style of play Chris Hargreaves wants to implement as we progress towards the big BT kick off at Scunthorpe.

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Yeovil Town have announced the signing of Sam Perry from Walsall until the end of the upcoming season.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who came through Aston Villa’s academy, has joined from the League Two side and becomes the first loan signing of the season.

He will go straight in to tonight’s opening pre-season friendly at Taunton Town.

Glovers’ boss Chris Hargreaves told YTFC.net: “Sam is a determined young player who arrives hungry to succeed at Yeovil Town.

“He made 25 appearances at a League Two club last year and will add to the quality already in the building.”

Walsall manager Michael Flynn name-checked both Hargreaves and his assistant Chris Todd when speaking about the move.

He said: “It is a good move for Sam. It is a chance for him to play regular football and to continue his development at a club where I know it will be done right with the manager and assistant manger at Yeovil and I wish him all the best for the season.”

Both Todd and Flynn played for Newport County, albeit Todd left the South Wales club a couple of months before Flynn arrived, so there’s possible connection there.

The Walsall-born player joined the Villa academy as a youngster before returning to his hometown club in 2019 when Darrell Clarke was in charge, assisted by Marcus Stewart, now Head of Player Development at Huish Park – which is another possible connection.

He made his debut in an EFL Trophy tie in January 2020 before being offered professional terms by the Saddlers at the end of the 2019-20 season.

The following campaign he made 16 appearances in League Two, scoring once in a defeat at Bolton Wanderers, and he followed that up with a further 25 matches in all competitions last season.

He joins striker Malachi Linton and Ollie Hulbert and experienced full-back Jamie Reckord among the new arrivals to the club this summer.

Welcome to Huish Park, Sam!