Ian Perkins (Page 96)

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, October 9 2021, 3pm kick-off.

Conditions: An August day in October.
Ground: A great surface which was almost unused.

Scorers: Reuben Rodrigues 16 (0-2), Reuben Rodrigues 81 (0-2)

Attendance: 2,438 (291 away)

Referee: Gary Parsons

Bookings:
Yeovil: Robinson 55,
Notts County: Nemane 11, Palmer 14, Chicksen 45, O’Brien 57

Yeovil Town : (4-4-2)
Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jack Robinson
Dion Pereira, Dale Gorman, Matt Worthington, Tom Knowles
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Joe Quigley

Subs:  Charlie Wakefield (for Knowles, 46), Ben Seymour (for Lo-Everton, 56), Mitchell Rose (for Gorman, 66)  Jordan Barnett, Adi Yussuf.

Notts County: Patterson, Brindley, Brennan, Cameron, Chicksen (for Kelly-Evans, 70), O’Brien, Palmer, Rodrigues, Nemane (for MItchell ,80), Roberts Wootton Subs: Mitchell, Francis, Vincent, Sam.

Summary

Yeovil Town fell to their third home defeat of the season at the hands of a far superior Notts County side this afternoon. Ruben Rodrigues put the Glovers to the sword with a goal in each half.

There were three changes for Yeovil after Tuesday’s

New signing Dion Pereira in action against Notts County.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

dismal draw against Maidenhead United Matt Worthington came in for Mitch Rose to partner Dale Gorman in central midfield. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton took Ben Seymour’s place behind Joe Quigley and there was a debut for Luton loannee Dion Pereira with Charlie Wakefield dropping to the bench.

The opening ten minutes of the match saw little in the way of any action with both sides trying to get a foothold. There was an early yellow card for County’s Aaron Nemane after he cynically brought down Pereira in the Yeovil half. Matt Palmer joined his teammate in the book shortly after for a late challenge on Gorman.

Notts County took the lead after quarter of an hour through RODRIGUES who picked up the ball outside the box and sauntered past Max Hunt before firing a left footed effort at goal which took a small deflection leaving Grant Smith on his knees.

County dominated the ball following their opener and Smith was called into action again diving to his right to palm away Cal Roberts’ deflected shot from just outside the edge of the area in the 24th minute. Smith’s save fell to the feet of Nemane but the Glovers cleared their lines after a scramble inside the 18 yard box.

Yeovil did get County’s defenders hearts racing moment later with some neat interplay between Pereira and Quigley almost forcing an effort at Patterson’s goal.

Joe Quigley battles for the ball.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Glovers were starved of any meaningful possession as County imposed their technical superiority, finding space across the pitch. Murmurs of discontent grew with supporters struggling to keep their patience at wayward passes and aimless hoofs forward.

The closest Yeovil came to a shot in the first half was in the 44th minute when Dan Moss aimed a cross into the box towards Quigley. His effort was charged down on the penalty spot by a County defender.

County should have doubled their lead before the break as they outnumbered Yeovil defenders on a counter. Some fancy footwork in the box slowed the attack down and Moss got a block in on Kyle Wooton‘s shot.

As the half time whistle went there were boos from the Thatcher’s terrace, unsatisfied with a submissive first half display.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Notts County 1

The Glovers made a change at half time with Tom Knowles, who had been largely anonymous, making way for Charlie Wakefield. Wakefield moved to the right with Pereira taking up Knowles position on left midfield.

County had an early effort on goal through Rodrigues who was allowed to take the ball from the half way line to the edge of the box by a back-pedalling defence. His effort was high and wide, though.

Roberts thought he had a shout for penalty in the 53rd minute as he went down under a challenge in the box. The referee waved away the appeal, and there were few shouts from Roberts teammates.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was replaced by Ben Seymour just before the hour mark with the Glovers chasing the game. The diminutive midfielder struggled to make an impact throughout the game.

County had a big chance to grab a second in the 60th minute as Roberts put a sliding effort wide of the left hand post. The winger had plenty of time on space after being found by Rodrigues.

Sarll made is final substitution in the 66th minute taking off Gorman for defensive midfielder Mitchell Rose, to a smattering of boos from the terrace.

Wakefield managed to get hold of the ball on the right and get round two Notts players before slipping Seymour through on the right of the 18 yard box. The Exeter loanee struck a stinging cross across the box which was palmed out by Patterson. The incoming Periera and Wakefield got in each others way with the former handling the ball and conceding a free kick.

Worthington had a half chance moments later after a Seymour flick on but he couldn’t get the ball under control and a Notts County defender pinched the ball off his toe on the edge of the box.

RODRIGUES doubled his tally in the 80th minute with the County man rising alone in the box to head home from a corner emphatically.

Seymour had Yeovil’s first effort at goal in the 85th minute after being put through on the left hand side. He was closed down quickly by Patterson who saved his tame effort comfortably.

Yeovil forced another half chance in the 90th minute as a cross from left found Wakefield in space but his volley was saved well at the near post.

Five minutes were added on at the end of what has been a disappointing week for Sarll’s men in front of the Huish Park faithful. Altrincham on Tuesday before Weymouth in the FA Cup next Saturday look to be two increasingly important fixtures for Sarll.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Notts County 2

Read our Five Conclusions Here

 

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All pictures courtesy of Mike Kunz – thanks Mike!

 

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Last night, the Glovers drew 0-0 with Maidenhead United at Huish Park, here are our five conclusions.

We’re not creating enough going forward is the blindingly obvious one. Darren Sarll reiterated a need for patience from the fans for the likes of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, and the young players in the squad but for the final 20 minutes, Yeovil were up against ten-men. (Not that that changes games of course…) Against a semi-professional side who had not won since the 28th of August, we should have created more. Our system is robust and we didn’t give away a lot of chances, but I think it’s fair to expect more from a team who haven’t had a competitive fixture in 10 days.

Ben ‘don’t call me Tom’ Seymour showed signs of a spark. He’s got the pressing and chasing mentality that Gary Johnson’s strikers tended to have. He looked pacy and sharp and I think we can expect some good things from him if he’s served right. His low-effort at the end of the first half was his effort on goal but he worked hard and that’s a good sign.

Jordan Barnett who came on as a second half substitute in the goalless draw with Maidenhead United.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

What has Jordan Barnett done? I think Barnett has started well for us. Dedicated, decent defensively and happy to push forward too. I thought it was an odd circumstance to bring in Jack Robinson for his first game and leave out Barnett who had started every game. Robinson didn’t set the world alight and I think Barnett can feel hard done by to lose his place.

Last night Darren Sarll was asked about the signing of Mitch Rose for the first time since the midfielder signed for the Glovers. Rose, as has been widely reported, is serving a suspended sentence. When asked about the circumstances surrounding the midfielder, Darren Sarll said: “People should understand and know the full extent of any situation before we start beating people down. Mitch is an ex-youth team player of mine, I have known him years and if something untoward has happened in his life I have certainly not got any details about it.” It feels disingenuous to say you’ve signed a player without this information, especially when the player himself indicated the opposite. I would imagine the only reason we’ve signed this player is because of the ‘untoward’ circumstances. The manager had plenty of time to think about how this signing could be communicated in a positive and almost redemptive way, and he chose to plead ignorance. 

Another match where our absentee owner was nowhere to be seen. We’ve not heard any communication from Scott Priestnall since the Glovers Trust informed members that they were aware of two bidders for club. No denial, no acknowledgement. Nothing. In July 2019, when Priestnall met with supporters and the media ahead of his own takeover completion, he said: “I’m not going to put the club in danger, so I want to bring a fresh viewpoint on how the club moves forward.” At the end of the match last night, there were a few boos. I think they were aimed at the performance and the tactics and it seems there is a bubbling frustration amongst supporters, albeit a minority, which stems from the over-promising of the summer. If as an owner of a football club, when you insist that you’re building a squad for promotion and you fail to beat a ten-man semi-professional outfit, fans are well within their rights to vocalise their feelings on the state of affairs.

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday, October 5 2021, 7.45pm kick-off.

Conditions: Cold…..very cold.
Ground: Slick. Held up well despite the rain.

Scorers: None – to put it mildly!

Attendance: 2,031

Referee: Adrian Quelch

Bookings:
Yeovil: Staunton 24, Knowles 37
Maidenhead United: Mingi 28, 71, Massey 45, Kelly 81

Sendings off:
Yeovil Town: None
Maidenhead United: Mingi (second bookable offence), 71

Yeovil Town : (4-4-2)
Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jack Robinson
Charlie Wakefield, Dale Gorman, Mitch Rose, Tom Knowles
Joe Quigley, Ben Seymour

Subs:  Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Seymour, 69),  Jordan Barnett (for Tom Knowles, 80), Alex Bradley (for Moss, 90), Max Evans (not used), Matt Worthington (not used).

Maidenhead United: Lovett, Massey, Wells, Parry, Clerima, Minigi, Ferdinand, Upward, Barratt (for Kelly, 69), Smith (for Beckwith,88), Blissett (for Acquah, 79). Subs: Adams (not used), Asonganyi (not used).

Summary

Yeovil Town were held to a dull and disappointing 0-0 draw by Maidenhead United at Huish Park this evening. A game of low quality with a lack of clear cut opportunities made for minimal entertainment in the cold for the 2031 spectators who fancied a Tuesday out.

Darren Sarll changed up his side for the clash with out of form Maidenhead United, who were without a win in six games going into the match. Loanees Jack Robinson and Ben Seymour came in for their full debuts alongside controversial new signing Mitchell Rose. The reception for Rose was considerably muted during the pre match team announcement. Jordan Barnett was sacrificed at left back for Robinson despite his decent start for the Glovers. Seymour came in for the suspended Adi Yussuf and Rose replaced Matty Worthington the central midfield to partner Dale Gorman.

Joe Quigley battles for the ball.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

A cautious opening five minutes saw both sides trying to gain a hold of possession with neither in the ascendancy. Ben Seymour forced Maidenhead’s keeper Rhys Lovett to deal with a fizzed left footed cross that was searching out top scorer Joe Quigley.

George Wells had the audacity to attempt lobbing Grant Smith after his clearance found the Maidenhead full back. His effort was speculative at best with Smith in a decent position and the execution poor.

Kane Ferdinand gave the Glovers defence a minor scare a few minutes later when he found himself with acres in the middle of the eighteen yard box. His weak headed effort was over the bar and he as adjudged to be in an offside position.

Tom Knowles had a shout for a ‘seen ’em given’ penalty in the 21st minute. A cross from the left hand side was sent in towards the penalty area and the winger hit the deck under a challenge from Wells but the referee wasn’t inclined to award anything.

Moments later there was a heart in mouth moment for Josh Staunton as he brought down Maidenhead’s centre forward Nathan Blissett on the edge of the penalty box, earning himself a fourth yellow card of the season. The referee, Adrian Quelch, deemed the challenge took place outside the box so awarded a freekick inches outside the box. Maidenhead attempted to work a fancy opening and Charlee Adams effort was laughably average.

Knowles gave Maidenhead a scare shortly after, cutting inside from the right a firing a rasping left footed effort into the side netting from outside the box.

Knowles was victim of a pretty reckless tackle just before the half hour mark. Jay Mingi, on loan from Portsmouth, went in forcefully on Knowles prompting calls for a red card from the supporters at Huish Park. Quelch gave Mingi a yellow but it probably fell into the ‘seen ’em given’ category.

Mitchell Rose in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Quigley came close to grabbing the first goal of the game in the 34th minute after a cross from the left wing by Mitch Rose. The strikers diving header flew wide of the post but certainly warmed the vocal chords on this chilly evening.

Blissett hit the side netting himself shortly after. Dale Gorman headed the ball over the backline towards Smith who decided not to come and claim the ball allowing Blissett a decent effort at goal. Any striker worth his salt would have forced a save but on this occasion he put wide.

Quigley had another header flash wide after Gorman’s delivery in the 44th and the first effort on target came moments after through Ben Seymour. The loanee from Exeter’s low strike was saved comfortably by Lovett.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidenhead United 0

A tepid opening to the second half saw neither side show much impetus from the break.

Lovett was forced into a goal-denying save just before the hour mark after his own defender flicked a Gorman freekick goalwards. Corner chaos ensued after but Maidenhead weathered the minor storm.

Some neat interplay on the edge of the Maidenhead box gave Quigley an opportunity to shoot but his effort dribbled into the palms of Lovett.

In attempt to bring some life to the attacking end of the pitch Sarll, Sarll made the first change of the game in the 68th minute. Sonny Blu-Lo Everton for Ben Seymour, slotted into the central attacking midfielder position behind Quigley.

Maidenhead found themselves down to ten men with 20 minutes left on the clock when Mingi was given a second yellow card.

Attacking vs defence ensued with the 11 players in green and white looking to force an opening, although Maidenhead weren’t dominated and employed a degree of time-wasting the opportunity allowed.

Charlie Wakefield in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

A promising run from Charlie Wakefield, where he coasted past three men before releasing Knowles on the right of the penalty area. Knowles first touch was lacking and he couldn’t get a credible effort on goal.

Knowles was replaced by Jordan Barnett shortly after with Wakefield moving to the right and the recent signing slotting in higher up the pitch than we’ve seen him so far in left midfield.

With four minutes added on, the late addition of Alex Bradley for Dan Moss made little difference in the attacking end as Yeovil struggled to break down the resilient Magpies, who even caused problems despite the man disadvantage.

Josh Staunton, skipper on the night, was awarded man of the match by the match sponsors which was a telling statement about the performance of the Glovers.

There were boos on the full-time whistle with some fans less than happy with their evening out.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidenhead United 0

 

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It was a crazy day in the National League today with plenty of goals and even an abandoned match.

Hollywood’s Wrexham were 2-0 up at Aldershot through goals from Jake Hyde and Paul Mullin before the referee called a halt in the 51st minute. Wrexham players were even attempting to clear the pitch of water in order to get the game done.

There is goals galore in this paragraph. Altrincham scored two late goals to nick a 3-2 win on the road to Dagenham & Redbridge. Grimsby smashed Dover 6-0. Torquay beat Wealdstone 5-0, no he didn’t score. Ex-Glover Tahvon Campbell scored two as Woking upset Notts County 4-1 at the County Ground. Tuesday’s opponents Maidenhead lost 3-2 at home against King’s Lynn Town.

The tanned supremo, Phil Brown is teetering on the brink at Southend after their 2-0 loss at Solihull Moors. They find themselves in 21st position above Aldershot and Dover.

Stockport scored an 88th minute winner in a 2-1 at W*ymouth this afternoon. Madden scored their first.

Barnet and FC Halifax played out a 0-0 draw and the evening game between Eastleigh and Boreham Wood finished 1-1.

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When we speak to Albi Skendi, on a late summer’s evening in August, Yeovil Town are a day or two away from kicking off their National League campaign against Kings Lynn Town.

Sat in his car, in sunny Los Angeles with palm trees in the background, Albi tells the Gloverscast why he’s not about to line up at Huish Park, and why that’s been the plan for a while.

“I lived in America prior to coming out to England to play and by then I got my citizenship and that goes on for four or five years until you are granted permanent citizenship.

“Having done my two years at Yeovil, I had to make a decision whether to be out in America and finalise my Green Card which was coming up to its expiry date and I had to be there to file the process for renewing my citizenship.”

“I had to make a decision to stay out here or go back to England to play, that is the be all and end all.

“Everyone at the club knew my decision. Everyone knew I wanted to go back to America at a certain point and I only wanted to be in England for a certain amount of time to play.

“I thought my contract was a two-year contract, so at the end of two years my plan was to go back to America and then I found out there was an option,” Albi explains.

When he was not spotted at pre-season training at Huish Park, speculation began that he would not return which manager Darren Sarll and chairman Scott Priestnall confirmed.

Priestnall said: “To avoid conjecture and rumour, we can confirm that Albi Skendi is currently absent from Yeovil Town training.

“However, Skendi does remain under contract with the football club.”

Skendi explained that he believed the option was mutual and that it needed to be agreed by both him and the club.

He said: “They said ‘we understand, we know you have been doing this process for years now’.

“Then as the weeks went by I was not hearing anything and then as the season came to an end my contract got extended with no discussion.

“In my view it was an option, it had to be agreed mutually by us both. That is what I thought was going to happen, but it didn’t. 

“I was even up for paying out my own contract so I could leave because I just wanted to be out here (in America).

The perception could be that Skendi is on the lookout for a move, but the humble utility-man has clearly got his roots in America that he wants to commit to.

“In life you have to make decisions and this is my decision, I have family and ties out here and I cannot just leave. 

“I had to pick one or the other and I feel like America is the one, I have invested so much after being out here for years and years, so I can’t just let it go to waste.”

Earlier in the Summer, Skendi was spotted having a kick-about with global megastar, Justin Bieber. He explained to us that he and Bieber go back a little bit.

“He is alright. I have known him for a while, I became friends with his friends and we just started playing football and he loves football.

“It is just a little five or six-a-side, just messing about, nothing serious.

“It is always crazy when he is out there, there are so many people out there, I do not even know how they know he is there to be honest. There is like 20 (paparazzi) out there hiding in bushes.”

Albi clearly has a soft spot for Yeovil Town. After spending two seasons at the Glovers and playing 75 times there is a clear fondness for the supporters.

“I loved everyone there, everything at the club, they showed me so much love, it was overwhelming.

“Sometimes the game they would be shouting my name and chanting my name, that was emotional, I loved it,” he said.

Speaking about a certain chant, he added: “so many people know that song, I don’t know who made that song up but it is crazy.”

Albi Skendi celebrates with Charlie Lee.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

As for the future Stateside, it’s a blank slate.

“I am going back to the drawing board to see what I can figure out, I would love to carry on playing football, but if it’s not meant to be I will just go to a 9-5 like everyone else.”

The Gloverscast approached the club for an update on the situation and we were informed that the comments from the chairman and manager were the only update.

However, manager Darren Sarll did comment on his AWOL midfielder in his press conference ahead of the trip to Boreham Wood.

He said: “Like I have always said, I have nothing against Albi, it’s his life and he’s got to live it like he sees it, but he’s not here.

“If he wants to stay in America, he stays in America, Yeovil is not a slave trade.

“He still has a contract with us, there are certain elements of contracts that mean you have to be here, like in any employment contract.

“I have nothing against Albi, it’s his life and life’s too short for Albi to not make the decision he’s making but also for me not to worry about someone who is not here.

“He will always have a friend in me, I have no gripe with him but if he wants to stay out there, he can stay out there.

“But I am only concentrating on things that affect us and there are so many of these players who need our time and attention that are here, I think they deserve that attention than those whose aren’t here.”