Match Previews (Page 10)

Yeovil Town are back in action at Huish Park this weekend as they host a struggling Havant & Waterloville.

The Glovers will be thankful for some home comforts after two weekends in row in the county of Kent (try saying that drunk). The Somerset side come into the game after beating a hardy Tonbridge Angel side 2-4. The boys in green will also be looking to avenge a shock defeat by Havant in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.

The Hawks make the trip to south Somerset after having last weekend off due to a game postponement. Havant did win their previous game however 2-1 against Chelmsford City. That win gave the Hampshire outfit their first three points in three games which will have come as some relief for Caretaker manager Cliff de Gordon.

Yeovil Town Team News

Boss Mark Cooper was happy with his sides showing last time out. He said: “We spoke about the need to react. if we lose a game it’s important that we fight back and we did that…there was never any doubt in my mind we wouldn’t fight back.”

The ex-Swindon man had some kind words about Saturdays opponents. He said: “They have their strengths…they’ve got some good players, with the players they’ve gone through this season they shouldn’t be where they are in the league.”

Cooper confirmed that Jordan Stevens “is available for Saturday” after getting a slight knock against Tonbridge. The 54 year-old was disappointed that forward Olly Thomas is out for “three weeks” after getting injured whilst playing for parent club Bristol City. However, he did state “he’s there player at the end of the day” to not upset the apple cart.

Jordan Young is a man on a personal mission this season, having set himself a goal target. He said: “At the start of the season I wasn’t looking at goal targets due to my game time. But  now I’m getting the playing time, I want 20 [goals] I think I’m on 14 now.” 

Young is still one Yellow card away from suspension.

Havant & Waterlooville Team News

The Hawks have to ex-glovers in their squad that many Yeovil fans will recognise. Midfielder Oscar Gobern, who spent a season at Huish Park now finds himself on the south-coast where he’s been for the last two seasons. A name more familiar for fans will be that of ex-striker Ryan Seager. Seager, who was born and raised in the town, is also now plying his trade in Hampshire after a move from national league side Dorking Wanderers mid-season.

The last time these two teams played, Yeovil were beaten 4-3 in what was a fairly entertaining game, the match also saw Charlie Cooper sent off in added time. Glovers fans will be glad to hear Muhammadu Faal has since left the Hampshire side who netted twice in the reverse fixture. Callum Kealy, who scored the winner that game, however has returned to the club after a brief spell away at Eastbourne Borough.

A player to keep an eye on for home fans is James Roberts, with the forward proving to be one of the Hawks most prolific attackers scoring six goals so far this season.

Yeovil Town are on their travels again this weekend as they go up against Tonbridge Angels in the league.

The Glovers will be fired up to win this match after coming off a 2-1 loss to Maidstone a week ago. That game was the Somerset’s side fourth defeat of the season and will be dismissed in what has so far been a glittering season for them.

The Angels form is similar to that of a lot of Yeovil’s opponents this season, very patchy, but they are coming off of a 2-0 win vs Chippenham. The Kent side currently sit 11th in the table 22 points behind the Glovers.

Yeovil Town Team News

Manager Mark Cooper was in a complimentary mood when speaking about Tonbridge ahead of the game. He said: “[They’re] Very energetic, they press very full on and aggressive, which I like. I would think they have limited resources but what they do, they do very well.”

Cooper was very cautious on who was available and who wasn’t, only saying ‘we may have a couple back for Saturday”.

The former Swindon boss seem too worried about the loss to Maidstone. He said: “It happens, we’re allowed to lose a game, we are human. We just didn’t turn up for 15 or 20 minutes and never recovered from it, but we move on.”

Dylan Morgan shared how the squad reacted to Saturdays loss. He said: “We have looked at it both ways, obviously you never want to lose a game of football especially when you’re doing well. 

“But taking the positive’s out of it, we lose now it gives everyone a kick to get on another run, so that’s what will try and do.”

Michael Smith and Charlie Cooper are the concerns for the Glovers ahead of Saturday. Whilst Jordan Young and Frank Nouble are still at risk of suspension with both a yellow card away from suspension.

Tonbridge Angels Team News

Angels boss Jay Saunders hopes his side can build on their previous fixture on Saturday. He said: “They’re coming of a defeat last week and we come into after winning, so hopefully we can build on that performance and it’ll be good test for us.”

Saunders isn’t worried by it being a big fixture as he feels “every game is big at this stage of the season” and also hopes the fans “can get behind us”.

The Angels will be boosted by the loan signing of Ethan Sutcliffe from AFC Wimbledon for the rest of the season. Injury wise Goalkeeper Nat Gibbs is touch and go after getting a head injury against Gillingham B, Tariq Hinds misses out due to suspension.