Match Previews

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This weekend will see Yeovil make one of their longest away trips of the season, as they take on Hartlepool United on Saturday afternoon.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

It happened. We can finally add a win to the form column.  After seven games without three points manager Billy Rowley started life at Huish Park with maximum points, and two goals. The Glovers have struggled to score this campaign, so it will certainly come as a relief that Luke McCormick got a brace.

Luke McCormick fires in his second | Photo by Gary Brown

Not to be a party pooper, the form over the last five games is still not great, with three losses, a win and a draw. The team will be aware of this, but we should proceed with caution as this is still the same team just with a new man at the helm. But to end on a happier note, the last two games have been a positive with a win and a draw, which will help the confidence of the team.

Rowley has a lot to do, but after his first game, there is definitely signs to be optimistic for Glovers supporters.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Although sitting in eighth in the table, The Pools have been much better than that position suggests. Over the 21 games played they have only lost four. The toughness that Nicky Featherstone has instilled is clear to see over the last five games too, with three wins and two draws for his side.

Last time out, the north-east coasters beat Truro City 3-1 at Victoria Park. Goals for Adam Campbell, Jamie Miley and Alex Reid secured the three points. This is reminiscent of most of The Pools games this season, not many opportunities for their opponents. If you are going to beat Hartlepool this season you need to be able to score goals.

Home form has been good this term for Featherstone’s men with just the one loss all season at Victoria Park.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK

I don’t know what there is left to be said about McCormick that we haven’t already covered. He can play a bit more conservatively and control the tempo, or as we saw last week play a more attacking role and score two crucial goals.
Luck McCormick celebrates | Photo by Gary Brown

It seems when Yeovil play well, the midfielder has had an impact on the match. Against Boston we saw how Rowley will look to deploy the 26-year-old. It was also telling of his importance to his new boss when Rowley said this after the victory: “What a player. He can play in a few different roles…and he’s taken both goals really well.”

HARTLEPOOL UNITED – ALEX REID

The striker has found a bit of form in recent weeks, with three goal contributions in the last three games, the type of output who need from your frontman. The forward is Hartlepool’s top scorer as well this term with five goals to his name. The caveat to this though is he bagged the first three of them within the first five matches of the season, so it hasn’t always been rosey for the 30-year-old.

Standing at 6ft2, Reid is a big presence, that will strike a bit of fear into opposition defenders. A bonus for the Glovers however is their centre-backs are no Lisandro Martinezes.

THE GAFFER…

It’s the battle of the young managers this weekend as Billy Rowley’s opposition is Nicky Featherstone.

On the eve of our trip to the North East, the Poolies appointed their midfielder, who was an unused substitute in the goalless draw on the opening day of the season at Huish Park, in the role permanently.

The 37-year-old was player-coach at Victoria Park but took the interim manager role when Simon Grayson was dismissed in mid-October.

Since taking over, Hartlepool have not lost a game. In fact it seems he has taken his side to another level, with a stronger defence but also getting his team scoring goals, with 13 netted in that time.

This is his first role as a manager, but as a player, Featherstone is a Hartlepool legend, with over 400 appearances for the County Durham side. This also means he has never faced the Glovers from the dugout.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met back on the opening day of the season. The game that day was boring to say the least as a 0-0 draw was played out at Huish Park.

Josh Sims misses out on a 50-50 ball to Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright.
Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright gets to the ball just ahead of Josh Sims. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

A lot has happened since that game, Yeovil are now onto their fourth manager of the season, Hartlepool are on their second. The two sides form have also gone in opposite directions with the Hartlepool outside the playoffs and the Glovers languishing in mid table.

The last time they played at Victoria Park was in 2024 when The Pools won 2-1. Goals from Gary Madine and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe guided the home side to a win that day, with Kofi Shaw getting the Glovers a consolation goal.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There are a couple of old Yeovil boys in the Hartlepool team. Adam Smith is now on the books at Victoria Park. Although not first choice for Nicky Featherstone, he will be remembered for some great performances here in Somerset. Defender Tom Parkes is the other former Glover in The Pools side. If you don’t remember his name in the Green and White don’t worry he only played two games on loan in the 2010/11 season.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Dean Watson takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here.

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Yeovil Town are back at Huish Park this Saturday, as they take on a strong Southend United side in the league.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers have had a tough run of fixtures over the last five games having played four of the top six teams in the league. It’s perhaps surprising that across these fixtures, arguably the worst performance that fans have seen was the loss to Wealdstone, a team (at the time we played them, at least) who were on parity with us. The fixture list doesn’t get any kinder to manager Richard Dryden and his side however, with seventh placed Southend United coming to town.

Last time out Yeovil faced a well drilled Scunthorpe United team, losing 1-0 in Lincolnshire. After conceding in the 22nd minute through a gift to Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, Town steadied the ship in what could have been a tough afternoon. Although the Glovers never really looked like scoring, they did come away with four shots on target, the most we have had since the Sutton win at the end of September.

Scunthorpe celebrate Tyrell Sellars-Fleming’s opening goal.

SOUTHEND UNITED

After a strong start to the season for the Shrimpers only losing three of their first 15 games, things have slowed down in recent times. It’s the last three games that will be a worry for the Essex side, with no wins and an FA Cup loss to Wealdstone, respectively, being a cause for concern.

In their last game, against table-toppers Carlisle United, Southend were beaten 2-1 at home. The visitors went 2-0 up in the space of 10 minutes after Chris Conn-Clarke opened the scoring in the 19th minute, before Regan Linney doubled their advantage. Sam Austin then pulled one back two minutes for the Shrimpers.

The scoreline doesn’t tell the full story however, with Southend having 10 shots on target, 57% possession and only committing nine fouls against the top side.

A story that could come to haunt an out-of-sorts Glovers side.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JAMES PLANT

The on-loan Port Vale winger looked his ever lively self last week against Scunthorpe in a game where not many Yeovil players looked like doing much. The 21-year-old created multiple chances his best being a curling effort from outside the box after a one-two with Alex Whittle.

Plant is very much the type of player that can create something out of nothing and that is what the Glovers need at the moment. With strikers, who let’s be honest here, don’t look like scoring at the moment, it may rest on the youngsters shoulders to be the spark to get things going.

So far this season the winger has shown why he is integral to Yeovil’s play and the stats back it up. On average Plant has three successful dribbles per game which is what you want from your winger. He also does the defensive work well, with 4.7 balls recovered per game.

If the Glovers are to win, it may be down to James Plant.

James Plant
Pic Gary Brown

SOUTHEND UNITED – ANDY DALLAS

As much as it pains me to write how good a former W*ymouth player is, Dallas’s quality can’t be overlooked. The Scotsman has contributed to the Shrimpers success this season, with seven goals to his name.

Goals is Dallas’ game, with 70 goals in 246 appearances, with his best returns coming in the 2022/23 season with Solihull Moors and Chesterfield where he bagged 20 goals that campaign. His move to Barnsley in 2023/24 stunted his progression somewhat with only seven goals in the two years that followed. However, now back at National League level, Dallas looks to have found his shooting boots once again.

THE GAFFER…

Kevin Maher is the visiting manager this weekend and he very much sits in the echelons of Southend United legends. Maher association with the Shrimpers started when he left Tottenham’s academy for the Essex coast line in 1998. Over the next 10 years the former midfielder would go on to make 384 appearances for the Roots Hall side. The 49-year-old then had spells at Gillingham, Oldham, Dagenham & Redbridge, Bray Wanderers and Whitehawk across the following seven years before retiring in 2015.

Maher, then went into an academy role with Southend from 2015-2019 before becoming assistant manager at Bristol Rovers. The Ilford man spent two years with the Gas before being offered the manager’s role at Roots Hall in 2021. In the his time in charge of the Shrimpers, Maher as overseen 195 games, playing Yeovil six times, with his record against the Glovers being won three, lost two and drawn one.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met at Huish Park back last season, when the game finished 2-2. In what was an entertaining affair, Southend opened the scoring in the first minute through Charley Kendall. The Glovers struck back quickly though when Kyrell Wilson scored 12 minutes later. Yeovil then took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to goal from Frank Nouble, which looked to have given the Somerset side the three points, before James Golding equalised in the 94th minute.
The last time the two sides met on March 1st 2025

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Just one player for the Glovers fans to dig into their memory bank for this weekend.

Nathan Ralph – Now at the tail end of his career, Ralph spent two years of it at Huish Park. Joining Yeovil on a free from Peterborough United way back in 2012, the left back would stay in Somerset for three years and writing his name into Glovers folklore for being a part of the team that got us to the Championship. During his time with Yeovil, he would make 41 appearances in all competitions.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Scott Jackson takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here

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It’s off to Scunthorpe this weekend, as Yeovil Town take on the Iron at the Attis Arena in the Enterprise National league.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

October was a tough month for the Glovers, after a couple of winds to round out September. The four games that the Glovers played over the course of the last month they have only picked up one point, a solitary draw against a good Carlisle United side. Performance wise it has been pretty poor as well, although the fixtures stacked up to be against a lot of very in-form teams, the Glovers never really looked like producing a match winning performance.

Richard Dryden needs to install some belief into his players again, as when it was going well the strikers were bagging goals, the midfield players looked to control the game and we were keeping clean sheets. But like a house of cards everything has collapsed at once with all players seeming out of form at the same time.

Last time out the Glovers were beaten at home 0-2 by Wealdstone, with a pretty poor showing in front of the home support.

And the fixture list isn’t getting any easier.

Half time in the match between Yeovil and Wealdstone.

Scunthorpe United

The Iron have been in good shape across their previous five games, winning two, drawing two and losing one (albeit in the FA Cup to League One Blackpool). That league form has seen the Lincolnshire side rise to fourth in the table, just three points off the top.

Defensively is where Scunthorpe excel, with them only conceding more than one goal once this season, which was in a 2-3 win over Sutton United. This prowess at the back gives them a platform to build from and take advantage when they do go forward.

It will be tough for Yeovil’s out of sorts front line to get anything from this match.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – JED WARD

As mentioned above, when the Glovers hit that small purple patch at the end of September, Ward was key to that. The young shot-stopper was pulling off great saves, kept a clean sheet and helped keep clear cut chances to a minimum.

Since the start of October, along with the rest of the team, his form has dropped off a cliff, conceding nine goals. I’m not just blaming Ward here, the whole defensive unit has been woeful and as Scunthorpe shows, good defence can be a catalyst for strong performances.

If Dryden is to turn this ship around then instilling some confidence into the young keeper and giving him all the help so he can keep clean sheets will be a good starting point.

Jed Ward
Pic Gary Brown

SCUNTHORPE UNITED – CALLUM ROBERTS

The right winger has been in fine form recently, scoring three in the last five, adding to his two from earlier in the season. Alongside his good form in front of goal, Roberts has also found himself as provider as well, with four assists. Which has meant he has been involved in 30% of the Iron’s goals this term.

The winger has also been regularly available for the Lincolnshire outfit, starting every game so far, and only missing 96 minutes of game time.

THE GAFFER…

The man taking on Richard Dryden will be former defender, Andy Butler. The 42-year-old has been in charge at the Attis Arena since May 2024, when he took over from Jimmy Dean.

Butler’s only other experience at management level was when he was boss at the Doncaster Belles, in woman’s football. Since then he took over as caretaker boss at Doncaster Rovers, who he played 245 times for.

As a player Butler started his career at Scunthorpe and went on to play for a whole host of other teams before retiring from professional football back at the Iron. During his playing career, the former Walsall man played 675 times.

This will Butler’s first time managing against the Glovers.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met in 2022, when they played out a 0-0 draw at Huish Park. The previous picture at Glandford Park however, saw the Iron win 2-1.

The two goals for Scunthorpe that day were scored by Andrew Boyce and Jacob Butterfield, with Jamie Record scoring Yeovil’s only goal.

Yeovil fans at Glandford Park, in 2022.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Just the one player in the Scunthorpe side to have graced the Green and White, and that’s forward Mark Beck.

The Scotsman joined the Glovers in 205 from Carlisle United, before being loaned out later that season to Wrexham (how times have changed). After a season at Huish Park, Beck moved back north permanently to play for Darlington 1883. During his short spell, the striker played nine times, scoring none.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Richard Aspinall takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article – here.

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Another home game for the Glovers as they welcome Wealdstone to Huish Park on Tuesday night under the lights.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Over the last five games Yeovil have been very inconsistent, with two wins, two losses and a draw. The two losses have been against tough opposition in the way of Boreham Wood and Rochdale.

Last time out, the Glovers got a well deserved point against third place Carlisle. Yeovil took control of that game early on after Morgan Feeney scored an own goal in the 15th minute, a lead that the Somerset side relinquished in the 68th minute. It was a performance far removed from the 0-3 hammering by Rochdale. However, that fixture was over a week ago now, after Yeovil’s game on Saturday was postponed due to the F.A. Cup first round being played.

Jarvis rises highest
Pic C/O Gary Brown

Wealdstone

The last five fixture for The Stones have been a lot better than their counterparts. Three wins, a draw and a loss show good form, especially when the one loss was to York City. Those results have put the London club in 11th in the league.

In their last fixture Wealdstone proved too strong for Southend United as they beat them 1-0 in the F.A. Cup. The goal was scored by former Yeovil man, Olufela Olomola. Their last league fixture, went the same way with a 4-2 victory over Sutton United, with another ex-Glover Anthony Georgiou bagging a goal for the Stones.

KEY PLAYERS…

                                                                  YEOVIL TOWN – TAHVON CAMPBELL

Campbell has been a spark in the Glovers side this season. With a side that has struggled for goal from their frontmen, it’s been the 28-year-old who had the shot that led to the own goal last week against Carlisle. The striker played the full 90 and seems to be Richard Dryden’s preferred forward, picking him over the likes other Aaron Jarvis and Junior Morias to lead the line.

It has however been a tough start to his career back at Yeovil after signing permanently at Huish Park in the summer. The striker will be hoping he can turn these starts into scoring goals.

Tahvon Campbell celebrates his goal
Pic C/O Gary Brown

WEALDSTONE – MICAH OBIERO

The talismanic front man has played every game bar one this season, which has led to him scoring four and assisting one, the most goal involvements of any Stones player this season. Obiero has played the full 90 on the last six occasions, helping his side to to five results from those six fixtures. 

THE GAFFER…

The man in charge at Grosvenor Vale is Sam Cox, who was appointed the summer. The 34-year-old had a spell as interim manager during the final five games of the 2023/24 season, his first time in charge at any level.

Cox, then took charge at Oxford City, for the start of 2024/25 season, but left the role after nine games. The former midfielder was then out of a job for the next year until the Stones asked him back to the club. 

It was as a player that Cox made a name for himself at Grosvenor Vale after two stints at the club. The former midfielder first spell at the club was in 2016 where he stayed until 2019. Although he did have a loan spell at Hampton & Richmond during the period.

Cox has never managed against Yeovil.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met in in February, a game which saw Yeovil beat 1-2 at Huish Park. Finn Cousin-Dawson scored the Glovers only goal of the game, with Joshua Grant and Enzio Boldewijn bagging for the Stones’ to take all three points.

The first game between the two last season saw Yeovil take all three points 0-3. The game was a complete game for the Somerset side, with goals coming from Ciaran McGuckin, Aaron Jarvis and Brett McGavin.

Photo: Gary Brown

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Two ex players are in the Wealdstone squad in the form of:

Olufela Olomola – The striker has had three loan spells at Yeovil, back in 2017/18, 18/19 and a short spell in 2022. Across the three stints he played 57 games, scoring 11 goals and assisting seven times.

Olufela Olomola. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Anthony Georgiou – The midfielder was on loan at Yeovil for a month back in 2022 from Leyton Orient, making just the two appearances.

Anthony Georgiou. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Kirsty Dowle takes charge of the game against Wealdstone. Read Ben’s article – here.

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Yeovil Town will welcome the long-travelling Carlisle United to Huish Park on Saturday in the National League.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

t has certainly been an up-and-down month for the Glovers, who, over their last five league games, have won three and lost two. Those two defeats, however, have come in their most recent fixtures, albeit against two of the best teams in the league. Including cup competitions, it’s just one win in five, following a Tuesday night defeat to Odd Down, although it was mainly a young side that featured.

Yeovil vs Rochdale

Last time out in the Enterprise National League, however, it was a humbling 3–0 loss at the hands of Rochdale that compounded the pressure on interim manager Richard Dryden. In a game dominated by the Mancunians, Yeovil didn’t have a sniff, failing to register a single shot on target across the 90 minutes.

If anyone thought things were about to get easier, they’d be mistaken, with third-placed Carlisle coming to town.

Carlisle United

The Cumbrians have identical league form to their counterparts, with three wins and two losses apiece. However, where they differ is that the Blues have won three on the bounce in the league. They also came out on top in their FA Cup tie against Boston, further improving their recent form.

Last time out in the league, Carlisle were excellent as they swept aside Robbie Savage’s Forest Green 4–2.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – GEORGE NURSE

The one-month loan of George Nurse could prove to be a shrewd bit of business for the Glovers, with Football League clubs rarely allowing a player of Nurse’s calibre to leave. The left-back arrives as cover for James Plant on the left-hand side as he continues his return from injury.

The 25-year-old has made 177 senior appearances to date, the majority of which have come in League One, showcasing his natural ability. Opportunities to sign a player like Nurse don’t come around very often. With his blend of athleticism and experience, he should bring some much-needed calmness to Yeovil’s leaky defence. In the attacking third, he can also thrive, helping to create opportunities for what has been a somewhat lacklustre strike force.

Left back George Nurse who has been signed on a one-month loan from Shrewsbury Town.

Carlisle United – REGAN LINNEY

There was only one man who could be chosen for the Cumbrians, and that’s centre-forward Regan Linney. With 11 goals and three assists to his name, he’s been the driving force behind Carlisle’s rise to third place.

In his first season at Brunton Park, the 28-year-old has quickly become a fan favourite. Linney has worked his way up through the leagues, proving there’s real quality to be found outside the Football League if you look hard enough. Having started his career at Bamber Bridge, he went on to play for FC United of Manchester and then Altrincham before joining the Cumbrians in the summer.

As well as his goalscoring ability, the forward’s durability has also been impressive, he’s featured in 94% of the available minutes this season, starting all 15 games.

THE GAFFER…

It’s none other than Mr Wales himself, Mark Hughes, in the opposition dugout this weekend. A superstar in his playing days, Hughes turned out for Manchester United, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich  and famously played for both Wales and Bayern on the same day in 1987.

Now 61, Hughes has managed at the highest level with Wales, Manchester City, and Stoke. After a tough spell at Southampton in 2018, he returned to management with Bradford City in 2022, earning Manager of the Month before being dismissed a year later.

Following another short break, he took charge at Brunton Park, staying on despite Carlisle’s relegation to the National League. This weekend marks his first visit to Huish Park.

LAST TIME WE MET…

he clubs last met six years ago at Huish Park, playing out a goalless draw. The return fixture that season saw Yeovil win 1–0, thanks to a 96th-minute strike from Tom James.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Bevis Mugabi – The centre-back will be well known to Glovers fans, having made 102 appearances for Yeovil during his two-year spell at the club.

Josh Grant – The defensive midfielder spent four months on loan at Huish Park in 2018/19 from Chelsea. The 27-year-old made eight appearances during his time in Somerset.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

William Davis is the referee taking charge. Read Ben’s preview of the man in black – here.

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After a disappointing result in the FA Cup, it’s back to league action for Yeovil as they travel to league leaders Rochdale on Saturday.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Consistency remains a major issue for the Glovers this season, both on and off the pitch. Since Richard Dryden was reappointed as manager, the team has shown a real Jekyll and Hyde form. The first three games under Dryden’s leadership featured strong performances and promising results that fans could support, however, in the two matches since the team has looked lacklustre, and the results have reflected that.

The 3-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood was understandable given their opponents strong start to life back in the National League Premier Division status as one of the league’s top sides. But the recent defeat to lower-league Hemel Hempstead was far more concerning. The Glovers looked devoid of confidence. While the Tudors played well, Yeovil were equally poor, leaving travelling fans frustrated after the 2–1 loss and another early exit from the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage.

The only positive was Harvey Greenslade getting back on the scoresheet with a 71st-minute equaliser. Hemel had opened the scoring through Kyle Ajayi and sealed the win three minutes from time when Finley Wilkinson found the net.

Like this Tahvon Campbell shot, Yeovil were off target at Hemel Hempstead last weekend.

Rochdale A.F.C

Dale were also knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend, but their defeat came against much tougher opposition in York City (with no disrespect to Hemel Hempstead). Like Yeovil’s match, York took the lead before Dale equalised in the 72nd minute through top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. However, York struck again in the final minute to end Rochdale’s hopes of progressing.

Outside the Cup, things have gone well for the Greater Manchester side. They’ve lost just one of their last five league matches—a defeat to FC Halifax Town, and only their second of the season, the other coming at Brackley Town at the end of August.

Rochdale currently sit top of the league and remain the only side without a draw this season. That means if the Glovers can come away with even a point, it would be seen as a good result.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK

We’ll be honest it was tough pick this week, with no players really showing any form as of late. But looking back to when we three on the bounce McCormick was one of the real stars of the show.

The midfielder controlled the games, sat back when needed to but also helped out in the attacking third as well. It was the Aldershot game that really caught my attention though, as he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, along with others and brought some joy at a time of need for fans.

Luke McCormick in action for Yeovil Town.
Luke McCormick. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Since then he has seemed quiet, and we need his tenacity back if were going to get results. Maybe it’s all the football he is playing catching up with, as he hasn’t missed a minute of football since the Braintree game. Which is indicative of the whole squad, some more players to help rotation in the middle of park could be beneficial to making McCormick tick again.

ROCHDALE – ETHAN EBANKS-LANDELL

This was also a hard choice but for different reasons, do we go for experience and leadership or goalscoring prowess, an we’ve gone for the former.  Ebanks-Landell has been a stalwart football league defender for the majority of his career, amassing 286 appearances in the EFL.

Now in the latter years of his career, the centre-back has found a home in the North West. Having joined Rochdale from Shrewbury in the summer of 2022, he has been a leader for Dale. As well as controlling the defensive line, he has become captain which has no doubt contributed to Dale’s success this season.

In fact the two games where he hasn’t played a big part in Rochdale lost both. First against Brackley, where he didn’t feature at all, his side lost 2-1. The second loss was to Halifax, where the 32-year-old played a total of 20 minutes. Maybe the Glovers will have to get him off the pitch if they stand a chance of winning.

THE GAFFER…

Jim McNulty will be in the home dug-out at Spotland on Saturday. A true Rochdale stalwart, McNulty has spent most of his recent footballing life at Spotland. After a solid playing career in the lower leagues with clubs like Brighton, Tranmere, and Barnsley, the Scouser joined Dale in 2015.

He spent eight years as a player at the club before retiring and moving into coaching. As part of the backroom staff, McNulty was involved during a difficult period that saw Rochdale relegated from the Football League in 2023—for the first time in 102 years.

After two short stints as caretaker, Rochdale’s ownership took a chance on their former defender and appointed him as permanent manager. Since then, the 40-year-old has built a strong side aiming for a return to the EFL this season. His record against Yeovil so far? Two wins from two.

Rochdale boss Jim McNulty.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Rochdale took all three points the last time the sides met in January, handing Yeovil a heavy 4–0 defeat. Goals from Devante Rodney, Kairo Mitchell, Leon Ayinde, and Jake Burger punished the Glovers in a game most fans will want to forget.

Their last meeting in Somerset also ended in a Dale win, though by a much narrower margin. It was a fairly even contest until Conor McBride struck in the 90th minute to snatch a 1–0 victory and take the points back to Greater Manchester.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Dan Moss will be a familiar name to Glovers fans. The right-back spent the first half of the 2021/22 season at Huish Park, making 23 appearances during his five-month loan spell. Now 24, he will face his old side.

Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Glovers’ defender Kyle Ferguson is a name the home fans will recognise. The defender made 25 appearances for Rochdale before making the switch to Yeovil.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Jamie O’Connor is the referee taking charge of today’s game in Greater Manchester. Read Ben’s preview of the man in black – here.

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It’s the return of the FA Cup this weekend, as Yeovil make their way to Hemel Hempstead to face of in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

As we all know, form goes out the window when it come to cup competitions, especially in the FA Cup. The competition can make or break so many smaller clubs seasons, and even if the top 6 find it a burden, the magic is still there for the likes Glovers.

Yeovil are famed for their giant killings in this competition, but the club hasn’t reached the first round proper since 2023, when they were knocked out in the second round, to the glitz and glamour of Wrexham.

Over the last five games it has been solid for the Glovers with three wins and two losses. One of those losses cam last time out to Boreham Wood as Richard Dryden’s men were soundly beaten 0-3 at home.

Kyle Ferguson has plenty of attention – Pic Gary Brown

Hemel Hempstead

The Tudors began their FA Cup exploits in the second of qualifying, where they faced Bishop Stortford, 4-1. They then drew Hereford in the next round, which went to a replay, after drawing  2-2 at Vauxhall Road. It was then off to Hereford for the replay, where Hemel came out on top with a convincing 0-3 victory.

The Hertfordshire side are unbeaten over their last five games, which includes their three cup games. Last time out The Tudors faced struggling Chippenham Town side which they one 0-1, thanks to a goal from forward Millar Matthews-Lewis.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – Junior Morias

Although quiet in recent games, the FA Cup could be the perfect opportunity to reignite the Jamaicans spark. Morias has scored goals wherever he has gone, but he needs to be playing in a position that suits him.

In the recent games where he has been less involved Dryden has deployed him as a left-winger. However, when Morias was playing arguably his best football so far this season, Mark Cooper had him playing centrally in-behind the striker/s. It is understandable that he needs to play where the team needs him, but also to get the best of him and to make him the key player that he was for those three fixtures, Morias needs to be through the middle.

We here that Cup games can take pressure of teams and players, something different to focus on, and utilised properly Morias could cause havoc against lower-league opposition.

Junior Morias shhots
Pic – Gary Brown

Hemel Hempstead – Millar Matthews-Lewis

Matthews-Lewis has been a handful for opposition teams this season. Since joining from Farnborough FC in the summer, the forward has bagged five goals in the league so far this season. In the games against Hereford the striker was a  dangerous presence for Hemel contributing twice across both pictures. The first of his goals came in the original tie, where he equalised late on to send the fixture to a replay. Matthews-Lewis then opened the scoring in said replay, converting an indirect free-kick from edge of the six yard box.

The youngster is one of many talented striker to have played for Farnborough which includes the likes of Jamie Cureton and Michael Folivi. He will definitely be making sure the Yeovil centre backs will have their work cut out.

THE GAFFER…

Lee Allinson is the man who has the pleasure of leading out The Tudors every week. The former midfielder has a very short managerial career having only retired six years ago.The 41-year-olds first steps into management came at Biggleswade Town where he stayed for six months before joining Hendon.

Hendon is where Allinson then stayed for five years, before signing as manager for Hemel in 2024. In his first full season in charge he has the Tudors playing good football with his side currently sat 6th in the National League South.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The Glovers last met The Tudors back at the start of 2024 in Yeovil’s National league South title winning season.  The game ended in a 2-0 win for The Glovers at Huish Park, with both goals coming from Sam Pearson.

Yeovil vs Hemel Hempstead - Image Courtesy of Dan Finill
Yeovil vs Hemel Hempstead – Image Courtesy of Dan Finill

The only other time the two teams have met was at Vauxhall Park, in the same season, this time however Hemel won 1-0, with Joe Iaciofano getting the only goal.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Jake Gray – The midfielder had an up and down time in Somerset. Gray joined the club in 2017 from Luton with high expectations, but never really delivered on the talent that he shown on occasions, leaving for Woking in 2019.

Gray will forever be remembered for his announcement video, where the clubs media guru at the time, Alex O’Loughlin, used Snapchat maps to introduce him to Glovers fans.

Jevani Brown also spent the entirety of pre-season with the Glovers as a trialist, but never went on to sign on at Huish Park.

Hampton captain Jake Gray.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Richie Watkins is the man in the middle, he’s taken charge of seven Hemel games in his career – no side has seen him more! He’s also been looking after games involving Yeovil twice in the past. Read more here.

 

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Yeovil Town return to Huish Park this Saturday to face fifth placed Boreham Wood in the National League.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

The Glovers can confidently stake their claim as one of the in-form sides in the league. Over their last five games, Richard Dryden’s men have won four (whisper it quietly) and lost just once, the single game reign of former boss, Danny Webb.

It’s the last three matches, however, that have truly impressed. After the hiring and swift departure of a manager in just 10 days, no one would blame the players for being unsettled. Yet the performances and results have been anything but with three straight wins, Yeovil sit in tenth just two points off the play-off places,

In their most recent outing, the Somerset side delivered another solid display, overcoming a struggling Sutton United team under the lights. The Glovers came out on top with a 2-1 victory. The ever-impressive loanee, Andrew Oluwabori, opened the scoring, before Sutton pulled one back. But in the 81st minute, Aaron Jarvis calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after Josh Sims was brought down in the box.

The midwek win at Sutton United made it three in a row for Yeovil. Picture courtesy of Ollie Marsh.

 

BOREHAM WOOD

It has been an amazing return to life in the National League Premier Division for Boreham Wood. Last season’s National League South play-off winners are undefeated since losing to fellow high-fliers Rochdale on the opening day of the season.

With Luke Garrard in charge once again – the club legend quit after relegation in 2023-2024 but returned in September – they have put together a steady mix of wins and draws including three wins and two draws in their last five games.

The summer saw the long-serving Tyrone Marsh depart the club, but Garrard strengthened his squad with the arrivals of the likes of experienced wing-back Jeff King and midfielder Zak Brunt on loan from York City and Barnet respectively. Former Swindon Town striker Luke Norris was also recruited and started with four goals in his first three games before suffering an ankle injury which has seen him sidelined since early September. Both Norris and fellow long-term injury victim Jack Payne, the club’s player-assistant manager, are both expected to miss the trip to Somerset.

In midweek, they faced a strong Southend United side in a tightly contested affair that finished 1-1. Top scorer Matt Rush was on target with his sixth goal of the season.

Yeovil should also be wary of Boreham Wood’s ability to disrupt their opponents, as the Hertfordshire outfit have seen their opposition reduced to 10 men on four separate occasions this season.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – Morgan Williams

The centre-back has been in top form over the past few weeks, delivering key defensive performances  and even chipping in with a goal. Amid the recent upheaval off the pitch, Williams has remained a constant, earning the trust of fans with his consistency.

Morgan Williams was the match winner against Altrincham last weekend. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

As a defender, he offers the full package for a National League centre-back. Comfortable on the ball and solid across any position in the back line, his defensive reliability has played a major role in Yeovil keeping three clean sheets in their last five games.

But it’s not just his work at the back that stands out. Williams is a regular threat from set pieces, having recently found the net against Altrincham last time out at Huish Park.

BOREHAM WOOD – Matt Rush

The forward has already netted six times in 12 appearances this season, including three goals in his last four outings. With 22 goals in 38 games for The Wood, Rush has proven himself to be a clinical and consistent finisher.

In recent matches, he’s led the line as a lone striker, with summer signing Luke Norris absent from the squad for the last four fixtures through injury. That shift in responsibility has sparked an upturn in form, as Rush continues to thrive as Boreham Wood’s primary attacking threat.

THE GAFFER…

Luke Garrard is nothing short of a Boreham Wood legend. After a playing career that saw him move between lower-league clubs, Garrard first joined The Wood in 2005 for a season before departing for Northwood FC. Following spells at Northwood and AFC Wimbledon, he returned to Meadow Park in 2010, where he spent six years before retiring as a player/manager.

Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard.

Initially combining both roles, Garrard eventually took on the managerial position full-time. A true one-club manager, he has spent his entire coaching career at Boreham Wood. His first spell in charge lasted nine years and included 411 games. Though he stepped away in April 2024, he made a swift return just five months later in September and has overseen 53 games since.

LAST TIME WE MET…

Yeovil have not faced Boreham Wood since the final day of the 2022-2023 campaign when a Tyrone Marsh goal saw the Glovers’ time in the National League Premier finish with a defeat as we were relegated to the South.

Boreham Wood in action at Huish Park. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The last meeting at Huish Park came in September 2022 and finished in a 1-1 draw. Alex Fisher found the net for the Glovers, while Jack Payne, now assistant manager to Garrard, scored for Boreham Wood.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There are no players in the Boreham Wood squad who have previously featured in the home dressing room at Huish Park. The Glovers’ Junior Morias and Charlie Cooper both had spells at Meadow Park though, so they will be familiar to the away fans at least.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

The referee for Saturday’s match is Niall Smith. Read more here.

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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.

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After the week that was at Huish Park, Yeovil Town return to home soil with semi-permanent interim manager Richard Dryden in charge to face Altrincham this weekend.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

Well, it’s been a week, hasn’t it folks? The shock exit of manager Danny Webb on Monday morning followed by the shock of assistant manager Chris Todd‘s departure to take up a role at Eastleigh on Tuesday – and then a more pleasant surprise in the form of a 4-1 away win at Aldershot Town on Wednesday night.

A brace from Tahvon Campbell, his first goals since returning to Somerset in the summer, and strikes from Junior Morias and Luke McCormick earned the victory in Hampshire and the Glovers will be looking to carry on their attacking intent in front of the home crowd.

Prior to that the Glovers went down 1-0 at Tamworth in Webb’s only game in charge seven days ago, but they were winners last time out at Huish Park with a late McCormick goal snatching a victory over Woking.

Altrincham

It’s been a difficult few weeks at Altrincham as well. The Robins have lost their last three matches with a defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night, giving them them a 24 hour head start on recovery over Yeovil.

The game saw Alty’s Tyler Golden red carded for two yellow cards in quick succession meaning he will sit out the match in Somerset as will winger Kahrel Reddin, who equalised against Forest Green, having collected a red for a fracas after the final whistle.

Prior to that there was a 2-1 home loss to Carlisle United, with former Moss Lane favourite Regan Linney on the scoresheet, and a 3-1 loss at in-form Boreham Wood the weekend before that. 

The dismissals in midweek mean that Altrincham have had four players sent off in their last three matches. Midfielder Tom Crawford was dismissed against Carlisle and winger Lucas Weaver saw red at Boreham Wood.

To say that manager Phil Parkinson was unhappy with the referees’ performance against Forest Green would be an understatement but he was happy that his team has been taking the game to their opponents.

 

KEY PLAYERS…

Yeovil Town – Andrew Oluwabori

It is early in the second chapter of on loan winger Oluwabori’s story at Yeovil, but against Aldershot in midweek he showed exactly what he was all about.

The light-weight youngster we had from Peterborough United a few seasons ago has been upgraded with a more robust version on loan from Exeter City and on Wednesday night he showed his ability to change the game with driving runs, tackles and great link-up play.

Andrew Oluwabori during his first loan spell at Yeovil in 2022-23. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Altrincham – Jimmy Knowles

Summer signing Knowles has made an impressive start to life at Altrincham with five goals in his first 11 appearances and will be the main goal threat for the visitors.

Prior to the midweek defeat to Forest Green Rovers, the former Accrington Stanley player had three goals in his previous three matches. 

The loss of Golden and Reddin through suspension will be a blow for the visitors and they will need their new talisman to do something special to get a result they feel their recent performances deserve.

THE GAFFER…

Since arriving at Alty at the end of the 2016-17 campaign as a relative unknown, Phil Parkinson (no, not the one from the Wrexham fairytale) has become one of the most impressive managers in then non-League game.

He took over after the Alty had been relegated to the Northern Premier League and got them promote back to the National League North as champions at the first attempt before reaching the play-offs in his second season and then winning promotion via the play-offs in 2020.

Altrincham manager Phil Parkinson was distinctly unimpressed with the refereeing performance against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met in April when Alty ran out 2-1 winners at Moss Lane thanks to a late Lewis Baines strike. Full-back Tyler Golden, who will be missing through suspension this time around, opened the scoring on the half-hour mark before Yeovil loanee defender Frankie Terry equalised quickly.

The time the two sides met at Huish Park they played out a fairly forgettable goalless draw last September.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

Altrincham defender Billy Sass-Davies made the move to Cheshire in the summer having left Hartlepool United. The Welshman impressed during a spell with Yeovil on loan from Crewe Alexandra in the COVID-hit 2020-21 campaign, playing 22 times and scoring once.

He is unlikely to feature against his former club having not yet made an appearance since his return to Alty due to injury.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Wayne Cartmel will be the man in the middle for today’s game. You can read more about him – HERE.