Match Previews (Page 4)

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After a W on home soil in midweek, Yeovil Town are back on the road this weekend visiting Maidenhead United.

Form Guide…

Whilst Yeovil were picking up a 2-1 home win over Tamworth on Tuesday night, Maidenhead came away from Oldham Athletic with three points of their own. 

The Berkshire club are in a decent run of form with the 1-0 win in the North West being their third in their last five matches with a creditable goalless draw at Hartlepool United in there for good measure.

It appears The Magpies are making their annual push away from the National League Premier Division drop zone and find themselves in the top ten in the division’s form guide over the past six games. They have also won their last three home matches – against Southend United, AFC Fylde and Wealdstone.

For Yeovil, a hard fought win over Tamworth lifted some of the grey clouds which hung over Huish Park after more than two months without a victory.

Manager Mark Cooper and goalkeeper Aidan Stone have both said that the result needs to be the foundation upon which they can pick up their form between now and the end of the season.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Frank Nouble

We haven’t mentioned Frank Nouble’s name much this season, mostly because his winning goal in midweek was his first in almost a year.

The forward returned to the starting XI against Tamworth and showed just how crucial he can be to the team. It’s under appreciated how valuable Nouble’s experience can be in tough times, and with young squad around him, hopefully he can show his worth over the next couple of games.

If the 33-year-old can find his goal-scoring form, in the closing straight of this season, it will be a welcome boost.

Maidenhead United – Tristan Abrahams

If you don’t remember Tristan Abrahams’ time as a Yeovil Town player, you’re probably not alone. He had a fairly forgettable spell on loan from Norwich City in the ill-fated 2019-20 season which saw us drop out of the Football League – albeit one memorable two goal appearance in a home win over Morecambe.

But, the forward has made a name for himself in the lower leagues and he is a player in form going in to this match. Over the last ten games, the 26-year-old has scored three times and got five assists. In total, he has eight goals and six assists, and his strike-partner Shawn McClousky is a goal ahead of him.

Expect those two to be a test for the Glovers’ defence in Berkshire.

A collector’s item. Tristan Abrahams scoring one of his two goals in a home win over Morecambe during his loan spell in 2019-20. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

 

That’s what he said…

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper spoke to BBC Somerset on Thursday and said he was expecting a tough game at York Road. 

The Glovers’ boss said: “It is a tough game because they have some physically big players, they play five at the back who are tough and have two lads up front who are a threat in (Shawn) McClousky and Tristan Abrahams. The other night (against Tamworth) we had to deal with untold numbers of balls in our box which we had to head, cleared and blocked and we will have to do that against (at Maidenhead) on Saturday. The work-rate and the endeavour has to be the same, that has to be the starting point. You have to match whatever they bring and we have to do that on Saturday. They are a team which fight and stay in the league every year, so it will be a tough game.”

Speaking after Maidenhead’s win at Oldham on Tuesday night, Maidenhead assistant manager Ryan Peters said: “It’s really important because we are looking at that dreaded line (just above the relegation zone) but this is a chance for us to push up. We have got a couple of wins together now and we can start to look at 14th place.”

We’ve met before…

Yeovil do not have fond memories of their visits to York Road and have only taken one point in their three visits there in recent years with the last coming with a 2-1 defeat in February 2023.

In all their four previous visits, the Glovers have picked up one point – a 1-1 draw in February 2022.

However, they did pick up their first win against Maidenhead back in October when an Aaron Jarvis double secured a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture. Miss you, Jarv.

 

Don’t I know you…

As previously mentioned, Tristan Abrahams had a spell on loan at Huish Park in the second half of the 2019-20 season which proved to be Yeovil’s last in the Football League – for now, at least!

Then in the Norwich City youth set-up he was brought to the club by then-Glovers’ boss Darren Way on loan on transfer deadline day in January 2019. He scored twice in a 3-2 home win over Morecambe that season – a game capped by a memorable late Ryan Seager winner – but otherwise did not do too much to make his spell in Somerset a memorable one with three goals in 15 appearances.

However, since leaving Norwich he had spells at Newport County and Carlisle United before dropping in to non-League with Eastleigh, Welling United before joining Maidenhead in February 2024. 

Tristan Abrahams in a Yeovil shirt during his loan spell in 2019-20. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

Who’s been naughty then…

No-one.

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Yeovil play at Huish Park for the first time in a month on Saturday as they host relegation threatened Wealdstone.

Form Guide…

The home side comes into the game off the back of some poor performances, having not won in eight games.

Last time out the Glovers faced an out of form Dagenham & Redbridge but went 1-0 down early on. However, Brett McGavin saved the day when equalising just before halftime. If things don’t improve Mark Cooper will have some difficult questions to answer.

Yeovil taking on Dagenham & Redbridge

For Wealdstone it has been a season of difficulty. Currently sat in 22nd the London club are on a similar run of form to that of Yeovil. With no wins in their last seven, they have won a game more recently than their counterparts on Saturday.

In their last game, The Stones were comfortably beaten by a very good Gateshead side 0-4.

With the form of both teams this will either be a brilliant game of football or very dull.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Brett McGavin

Another week, another McGavin write up on being our key player. At this point we are am running out of things to say about him.

McGavin has been superb in midfield this season. With 15 G/A, he leads the club in goal contributions, ahead of the likes of Aaron Jarvis, Ciaran McGuckin and James Plant.

McGavin not only is an asset going forward but he also is a rock solid midfielder who can do the dirty stuff when needed. He also gets bonus points for a brilliant head of hair.

Brett McGavin. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Wealdstone – Adrian Mariappa

The Jamaican defender joined The Stones in the summer and has been key part of their defence. At 38 years old the centre back has a lot of experience across the football pyramid, including 168 appearances in the Premier league.

Mariappa has led by example using his experience to help guide the team through a difficult season. This experience has also led to him being named Wealdstone captain. The defender has played 26 games so far this season in the league so has shown age is just a number.

He will provide tough opposition for Yeovil’s attacking players.

That’s what he said…

Yeovil boss, Cooper, gave his thoughts to the BBC ahead of the game. He said: “It is about 90 minutes and performing and doing the best that we can. You cannot always control the result, but what we do try and do is control our performance.”

Wealdstone manager, Neil Gibson spoke ahead of his sides visit to Huish Park. He said: “The preparation has been really positive.

“Yeovil is a club with Football League history and they will have set their sights on promotion at the start of the season. They’ll be looking to reignite their campaign, but we’ve done our due diligence. We’ve analysed their games and I’ve watched them live a couple of times. We have a game plan and now it’s about execution.”

We’ve met before…

Yeovil and Wealdstone have been very evenly matched since their first meeting in 1974. Since that game Yeovil have gone into win nine games with Wealdstone also winning nine games, the two sides have drawn ten time however.

Last time the two teams met was in October last year when Yeovil won 0-3. That game saw McGavin open the scoring in the 26th minute, with Jarvis bagging the second and McGuckin finishing the off with the third goal.

Don’t I know you…

Craig Eastmond is a player that will a familiar name to the Huish Parl crowd, even if did only make one appearance for the Glovers. This season hasn’t been great for Eastmond having joined from Sutton on a free he has only played in seven games so far this campaign with his last coming against Yeovil in October.

Anthony Georgiou will be another known name. The Cypriot came to Somerset on loan in 2022 for a month, making two appearances. Georgiou has faired better at Wealdstone this year playing 26 times assisting twice.

Anthony Georgiou. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Who’s been naughty then…

Charlie Cooper is still suspended.

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Yeovil Town travel to the Capital to face Dagenham & Redbridge after having two weeks off.

Form Guide…

The Daggers have not been in great from over recent weeks, losing four out of their last five. However, these losses have come against Forest Green Rovers, York City, Southend United in the league and Championship side Millwall in the FA Cup. The one draw during that period came against Forest Green five games ago.

The Glovers have been in as equally poor form across their last five games, with three draws and two losses. Last time out was a particularly tough loss for Mark Cooper’s men, being beaten 4-0 at Rochdale. Not only was the scoreline embarrassing, the performance was also not up to standard, according to Cooper, midfielder Brett McGavin and every one of the travelling supporters.

Brett McGavin faces the media after the 4-0 defeat at Rochdale.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Aidan Stone

Yes, he has just signed, but the goalkeeper will be crucial for the Glovers for the rest of the season. The new shot-stopper has to fill the Ollie Wright shaped hole that was left after his parent club Southampton recalled him (the loaned him out straight away, make of that what you will.) 

Having helped Port Vale to a promotion out of League 2 in 2021-22, he joined Mansfield Town and then Notts County but never really got the game time, and spent time on loan at Boston United in the National League this season. The 25-year-old will hopefully slot into the spine of the team seamlessly.

Aidan Stone

Dagenham & Redbridge – Josh Rees

The Daggers’ second top-scorer – behind ex-Glover Dion Pereria, who is expected to miss this one through injury – is a fine example of a number ten. The former Boreham Wood and Bromley man has been a thorn in Yeovil’s side with some of his former clubs and proved a good foil for strike partner Josh Umerah when the Daggers have looked good this season.

Thats what he said…

Daggers’ gaffer and former Glover Lewis Young spoke to club’s media ahead of Saturday’s fixture. He said: “We have lost three in a row, and no one wants that tag. Yeovil are coming to town having not won in seven, so we are both not in great spaces in terms of results. But in terms of performances we are very similar as well.”

Lewis Young in action for Yeovil in 2012-13. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town boss, Mark Cooper, gave his thoughts ahead of the game. He said: “They’ve showed some good bits. Lewis [Young], the manager, is trying to make his way in the game. He’s brought in a really knowledgeable assistant, Terry Connor, who I know, [is] a brilliant sounding board for Lewis. They’ve had some difficult results, Forest Green twice, York, and been narrowly on the wrong side.

 We’ve met before…

It’s been a pretty evenly matched when the two sides have met (all iterations of Dagenham & Redbridge) with 22 losses, 18 wins and 16 draws.  

When the clubs last met earlier this season, the Glovers ran out 1-0 winners in front of a home crowd. The only goal coming from on loan striker Ciaran McGuckin.

Don’t I know you…

Dion Pereira. The Daggers’ top-scorer – albeit (hopefully) not one featuring in this match – had the briefs of appearances at Huish Park. The tricky winger signed on loan from Luton Town under Darren Sarll in 2021-22, played once and then left.

Dagenham & Redbridge’s boss, Lewis Young is another ex Glover. The recently appointed manager played 17 games for Yeovil in the 12/13 season. Young, will be remembered by many for being a part of the side that got promoted to the Championship in 2013.

Terry Connor, who played for Yeovil in the 1993/94 season, is on the coaching staff at Victoria Road. Picture courtesy of Michael West, YTFC Heritage Society.

On the coaching staff at Victoria Road is Terry Connor, a striker who played for the Glovers in 1993-94 before going to on have a successful coaching career notably as Mick McCarthy’s assistant at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

Who’s been naughty then?…

Glovers’ midfielder Charlie Cooper will miss this match having picked up his tenth yellow card in the 4-0 defeat at Rochdale last time out.

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It’s trip to Greater Manchester for Yeovil this weekend, as they face Rochdale AFC in the league. 

Form Guide…

The Dale have been in ok form in the cup and league over their last five fixtures, with three wins and two loss in that period. 

The Spotland side three wins have come against lesser teams respectively in Stockton, Fylde and Tamworth. It’s against the historically “better” teams that Rochdale have for form against in recent time with losses at Forest Green and Dagenham & Redbridge, which is where the Glovers could capitalise.

No wins in the last six games has seen the Glovers slowly fall down the league table. Over the last five of those games Mark Cooper’s men have drawn four and lost one which isn’t ideal but shows his side are hard to beat at least. 

The worry however comes from draws against bottom side, Ebbsfleet and a last 10 minute capitulation at Forest Green on New Year’s Day.Last time out the Glovers drew to high flying Gateshead 0-0. So, if Yeovil want to turn their form around Rochdale will be a tough place to do it.

Ciaran McGuckin becomes a ladder
Pic Gary Brown

Key Players…

Yeovil – Jake Wannell

The imposing centre-back had a tough start to the season, but since the new year it’s seems as though Wannell has stepped up a gear. 

Jake Wannell
Pic Gary Brown

Having played over 2,000 minutes for the Glovers, he has been a mainstay of Coopers side (when not suspended). That consistency gives confidence to a young goalkeeper in Ollie Wright and breeds strong partnerships with Morgan Williams and Finn Cousin-Dawson and the midfielders in front. He is at the core as to why Yeovil have been hard to beat recently.

Rochdale – Kairo Mitchell

The centre forward has been unstoppable for the Dales this season, bagging 11 goals in 21 games. 

As mentioned in other previous key player sections, having a goal scorer is key to be a successful team, which is why the Greater Manchester side currently lie in 8th. Mitchell also has two assists to his name.

Another notable name in the side is former Wolves centre-back Ethan Ebanks-Landell. Now captain of Rochdale, quality like that in the National league is hard to come by.

Thats what he said…

Forward Connor McBride spoke to club media ahead of the game. He said: “They’re a good side…we’re expecting a difficult game on Saturday but we know if we bring our game we will win.”

Yeovil boss Mark Cooper spoke to the BBC ahead of the match. He said: “They are really well coached and you can’t go there and play your own game, you have to pay respect to how they play.”

 We’ve met before…

In the 11 times the two teams have met, Yeovil have won four, Rochdale have taken the spoils five time and there has been two draws.

The last time they met, the game finished 0-1 to the Dale with tricky winger, Connor McBride scoring.

Don’t I know you…

Unfortunately we don’t. There are no ex Yeovil players in the Rochdale squad.

Who’s been naughty then…

There are no red cards to not this week for Yeovil.

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After a disappointing performance at bottom club Ebbsfleet United in midweek, Yeovil Town are back in action on Friday evening when Gateshead are the visitors to Huish Park.

Form Guide…

It’s not been the best start to 2025 for the Somerset side, with two draws and a loss in the first three games in 2025. 

Last time out was disappointing with Mark Cooper’s side succumbing to a 1-1 draw with bottom of the league Ebbsfleet United. The result has seen the club set up a fans’ forum after backlash from a section of supporters. 

The Tyneside team have been in a purple patch recently, losing two of their last five, which was to York City. Last time out saw, the North East side lose 1-3 to FC Halifax. 

After the departure of manager Rob Elliott who joined Crawley Town in October many would have worried for Gateshead, but the return of former goalkeeper and coach Carl Magnay has kept the team in the play-off places. 

Magnay was named the National League Premier Division Manager of the Month for December after The Heed won four out of four, but their form has dropped off in recent weeks and they arrive at Huish Park on the back of three defeats.

After a 1-0 loss away at York City, they were dumped out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Boston United before going down 3-1 at home to FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Sean McGurk

The on loan Swindon Town man has shown what a forward can and should do during his time on loan. It’s not only his two goals in four games that has been impressive. 

Sean McGurk. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The Scouser has worked hard and shown quality when in possession. His goal against Ebbsfleet in midweek proved his talent (check it out here).

Gateshead – Regan Booty

Gateshead haven’t had the best January with players leaving. Booty has however stayed so far. The central midfielder has been crucial in the creative areas for the Tynesiders this season, with nine assists to his name.

With striker Owen Oseni and midfielder Callum Whelan having departed this month , Booty will be hoping to link up with frontman Jovan Malcolm, like he did with Oseni.

Thats what he said…

Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper gave his thoughts to the Press ahead of Friday night’s game. He said: “They play a brilliant brand of football, total domination of the ball, they take some risks but they have lost players.

But the way the play is really difficult to play against, you’ve got to get your press right, you have to make sure you’re spot on out of possession, while implementing our game on them.”

Gateshead manager, Carl Magnay also gave his thoughts before making the long trip south. He said: “It’s a tough game. Yeovil are a massive club in comparison to us, let’s not forget that. This a proper football club, a proper football league club, so they’ll be disappointed to what’s happened to them over the last few seasons.

“They’ve got some tidy footballers in midfield…it’s a tough game and a tough journey.”

We’ve met before…

The two teams have been evenly matched over the years with Yeovil taking seven wins, Gateshead have eight and there being four draws. 

The clubs last met in August last year, when the Tyneside’s ran out 3-1 victors, Yeovil’s goal coming from striker, Aaron Jarvis.

Yeovil vs Gateshead in the FA Cup. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.
Yeovil Town celebrate their third goal against Gateshead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Don’t I know you…

Just two ex-Glovers players thus weekend Brandon Haunstrup and Tyneside’s assistant Liam Bridcutt.

Haunstrup technically never signed for the Glovers but was a trialist during pre season ahead of the start of the current campaign. He has not featured for Gateshead since mid-November.

Brandon Haunstrup.

Yeovil were the first senior team of Bridcutt’s career back in 2007/08. Coming on loan from Chelsea making nine appearances in total.

Who’s been naughty then…

No Yeovil players missing through suspension to talk about this week.

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Having been pegged back to settle for a draw at home to Woking last weekend, Yeovil Town travel to bottom club Ebbsfleet United looking to get back to winning form on Tuesday night.

Form Guide…

The story of Yeovil’s form going in to this match is very similar to their league position – somewhere near the middle. The Glovers’ 1-1 draw at home to Woking last Saturday means they have not won in their last four matches, but they did pick up wins in the two matches prior to that run.

If you’re a Yeovil fan, you’ll not be surprised to hear our away form looks a lot better than at Huish Park, but if you are an Ebbsfleet fan then form is the same whether at home or away.

The Kent outfit’s only win this season has come on home soil exactly four months to the day – a 1-0 victory over Hartlepool United. But the division’s bottom club has lost four and drawn two of their last six matches at Stonebridge Road.

They have conceded 62 goals in their 26 matches to date, scoring just 19 times.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Kofi Shaw

The Bristol Rovers’ loanee had to sit out the Woking match through suspension following his red card at Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Day.

But, news that he has extended his stay in Somerset until the end of the season was greeted with unanimous joy by Glovers’ fans who will be hoping he is straining at the leash to take on the division’s leakiest defence.

Kofi Shaw returns for the trip to Ebbsfleet United. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Ebbsfleet United – George Moncur

The on loan Leyton Orient midfielder made an immediate impression having arrived in Kent last week following his recall from a similar loan at Southend United.

He played the full 90 minutes, put in a Team of the Week-worthy performance and scored an 84th minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at fellow strugglers Boston United on Saturday.

At 31 years old, Moncur brings a lot of Football League experience at clubs including Luton Town, Colchester United and Barnsley and, if they can keep him fit and firing, could be crucial as Ebbsfleet look to do the impossible and beat the drop.

That’s what he said…

Player-caretaker manager Josh Wright is hoping another fixture straight off the back of a 2-2 draw at Boston United last weekend will be just what his players need.

The long-serving midfielder, who has been with Ebbsfleet since the summer of 2022, has been in charge since the sacking of Danny Searle in September, but has not made an on-the-pitch appearance since the middle of December.

Speaking at the weekend, he said: “I am a massive believer that games are what you want. They are where you build confidence, you can train all week but it is not the same as games.

“Having a positive result like this and now going back to our patch with our fans, who were are going to need with us, and the beauty of football is that there is always another game coming around quickly and that is even quicker with a midweek game.

“We have to dust ourselves down, recover right (on Sunday) and come in Monday and see what we have got and pick a squad to get another big result against Yeovil.”

There were no words from Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper about the quick turnaround in fixture. What with all the chat about the referee’s performance against Woking there…..errr……wasn’t time!

 We’ve met before…

Back in August it was a late Harvey Greenslade goal which earned Yeovil Town their first win on home soil having survived a scare against Ebbsfleet United.

The Glovers went 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Brett McGavin and Michael Smith before they were pegged back by two quick goals from the visitors, only for substitute Greenslade to secure the three points nine minutes from time.

Prior to that we faced each other back in the August 2019 at Stonebridge Road when goals from Rhys Murphy, Remeao Hutton and Tom Whelan saw Darren Sarll’s men run out 3-1 winners in our first season back in the non-League. The reverse fixture at Huish Park did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before that you have to go back to when Ebbsfleet were known as Gravesend & Northfleet in January 2003 when an Andy Lindegaard hat-trick and one from Kirk Jackson saw Gary Johnson’s side to a 4-2 win in Kent.

 

Michael Smith celebrates his goal in front of the Thatcher’s. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Don’t I know you…

It’s fair to say that Callum Harriott probably does not have the happiest memories of his time as a Yeovil Town player. You might remember him as the one sat a good metre away from any team-mate in the Huish Park documentary as we bombed in to National League South.

That’s him hidden behind the flip chart on the left of the picture.

 

Having been one of a number of players signed during the soap opera that was the ‘stewardship’ of Matt Uggla’s SU Glovers in March 2023, Harriott never really showed much other than an equalising goal in a 1-1 draw at Aldershot Town.

Unsurprisingly, he departed quickly after the end of the season and followed Uggla up to York City making just seven appearances last season and six more this season before being released and arriving at Ebbsfleet in at the start of December.

He has started five games for the division’s bottom club scoring on his debut in a 3-3 draw at Sutton United in the FA Trophy, before missing a penalty in a shoot-out which Ebbsfleet lost 4-2.

Who’s been naughty then…

There are no suspensions for either side for tonight’s game.

 

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Yeovil Town will be back at home for the first time since a Boxing Day draw, as they take on Woking at Huish Park.

Form Guide…

The Glovers form was shaky to say the best over the festive period, two losses and the previously mentioned draw. However, after a week and a half off, boss Mark Cooper will be hoping the rest will put his side in good stead against an inform Cards side. 

Last time out, Yeovil let slip a 0-1 lead to Forest Green in the closing minutes to end up losing 2-1. After a frustrating result the players will be hoping to put things right in front of a home crowd.

The Cards have been in decent form since last playing the Glovers in late November. With only one loss in the five matches since.

That loss was against the ever impressive Gateshead. With victories against Altrincham and Maidenhead and a 2-2 draw vs Aldershot, new manager Neal Ardley will be pleased.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Matt Worthington

It could only be Worthy for this weekend. With the game marking his 250th game for the Glovers it’s hard not to love the ‘Ginger Pirlo’. The 27-year old may not got the praise of his midfield counterparts but he does the not so glamorous side of the game for the team.

Matt Worthington fires a shot off
Pic Gary Brown

 Worthington deserves credit not only for this season but for sticking out was has been a tough six years at the club. No matter what has happened on or off the pitch he has been with the club through thick and thin and is a modern day great for the club. Well done on 250 Worthy.

Woking – Innih Effiong

Effiong is now 33-years old but that hasn’t stopped him finding the net for his new club.

The striker joined Woking in December from fellow National League team Braintree Town. Since then the big man has bagged three goals in four games with two coming in their last game against Maidenhead. 

In truth, since Ardley was appointed not long after we played them in the reverse fixture Woking have been one of the inform sides, so a host of players could turn up at Huish Park at the weekend and make the difference.

Thats what he said…

Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper gave his thoughts on what he expects from Woking on Saturday. He said: “He’s gone into Woking, he’s changed a little bit about the way that they play, he’s tried some rotations and from what I’ve seen, they’re trying to play a lot more football and they’ve had some good results, so it’s going to be a tough game.

But we’re playing really well at the minute and our last few games we’ve performed really well and we’ve not got the points total that we’ve deserved.”

Woking gaffer Neal Ardley shared his thoughts with Woking club media earlier in the week. He said: “Coops has done a great job at Yeovil and it’s always a tough place to go and get a result. We’re enjoying the fact we have won games and we’re scoring goals which hopefully gives us confidence…but we expect tough games every week.”

 We’ve met before…

The two sides have played 34 times with Yeovil running out winners 17 times previously, with Woking taking 12 wins and there being five draws.

When the teams last met in November, the Glovers won 0-2 with a spectacular goal from Brett McGavin and a back post tap in for Finn Cousin-Dawson.

Finn Cousin-Dawson. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Don’t I know you…

There are more than a few players who have been inside the Huish Park home dressing room now lacing up for Woking. Dale Gorman,Jamie Andrews, Dan Moss and Rohan Ince have all had spells in Somerset. 

Dan Moss. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Gorman made 42 appearances during his year long spell in Somerset, contributing with five goals before leaving for Barnet.

22-year-old, Andrews, was on loan at Yeovil from West Bromwich Albion for a short period between November 2022 and January 2nd 2023. During that time he played a total of eight games.

Full back, Moss made a name for himself at Yeovil  whilst on loan from Millwall. During that loan spell the English man played 23 time for Darren Sarll’s side.

Lastly is Ince, who will be name less familiar with newer Glovers fans. As a Chelsea academy prospect the midfielder can to Somerset on loan back in 2012, going o to make two appearances for Yeovil.

Who’s been naughty then…

It is just Kofi Shaw suspended for Yeovil.

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It’s New Year’s Day and we hope you enjoyed as much turkey and pigs in blankets as you could because non-League’s favourite (only?) vegans, Forest Green Rovers, are our opponents.

Form Guide…

On the face of it, Forest Green Rovers are a formidable foe to be kicking off 2025 against. They are unbeaten at home in the league and have only lost twice all season with the most recent defeat coming on the 24th September at Oldham Athletic.

Their other defeat was at the hands of the current league leaders, Barnet, back in the third game of the season, and they sit in third in the National League Premier Division table going in to this fixture.

But, there’s always a but, they have dropped points in their last two league matches with a 1-1 draw at Tamworth on Boxing Day albeit courtesy of a 90+2 minute equaliser from the home side, and were held by the same scoreline by Aldershot Town on their last outing at the New Lawn. 

Tamworth celebrate their Boxing Day equaliser against Forest Green – somewhere.

They have managed six points from their last four matches whilst Yeovil Town have managed one more than that. 

The Glovers make the trip to Gloucestershire having fallen foul to their own late equaliser – the 90+3 goal from Eastleigh in the 2-2 draw at Huish Park on Boxing Day. Prior to that there was a 2-1 loss at Hartlepool on December 20th which followed back-to-back league wins at home to Braintree Town and away at Woking.

Despite being unbeaten on home soil, Forest Green ‘only’ have the fourth-best home record in the league (P10 W7 D3) mainly virtue of the fact they have played fewer home games than those above them. Yeovil have the fourth-best away record in the division (P12, W6, D2, L4). Who has the best away record, you ask? Why, it’s Forest Green (P13, W6, D5, L2).

 

Key Players…

Yeovil – Sean McGurk

Can a player who has only played 70 minutes be described as a key player? Well, why not, eh? Sean McGurk, who arrived on a one-month loan deal from Swindon Town on Christmas Eve, showed plenty of promise in the 2-2 home draw with Eastleigh on Boxing Day.

He will probably not score an easier goal than the tap in which saw him open his account in front of the Thatcher’s End five days ago, but he displayed enough quality on the ball and energy to suggest that he will only get better as his match fitness and sharpness grows.

Sean McGurk

 

Forest Green Rovers – Kyle McAllister

There is no shortage of players to score goals in an expensively-assembled Forest Green forward line, but Kyle McAllister will be one of the biggest danger men.

The Scotsman, signed from St Mirren in 2022, is described on the club’s own website as “a Swiss Army Knife” of a player having played out wide, as a number ten and a false nine – oh, and a wing-back as well – this season.

What we can tell you is he has seven goals to his name – including one against Tamworth on Boxing Day – which makes him joint second-highest scorer this season alongside Charlie McCann and behind Christian Doidge who has nine. 

That’s what he said…

There are few more experienced managers at this level than Forest Green Rovers’ boss Steve Cotterill. He was winning this division with his current club’s biggest rivals, Cheltenham Town, back in 1999, clinching it with a ‘play until Cheltenham score’ win over Yeovil at Whaddon Road.

Since then he’s been in charge with differing levels of success at Stoke City, Burnley, Bristol City, Birmingham City, and arrived at the New Lawn around this time last year but could not save the club from relegation back to the non-League. Anyway, you want to know what he said about Yeovil, don’t you?

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, Cotterill said: “I have looked at (Yeovil) in a couple of game this week and they have mixed it up a bit, so I think that is the art of it, you have to be able to mix your game up. If you only play one way, you are easy to play against, so I am not a big fan of ‘we have to do it a certain way’, you have to do a bit of everything.

“It is about how we do and how we can impose ourselves on the game. In one of the first interviews I had when I came here, I said ‘there are many ways to win a football match’, it can be possession, it can be a counter attack, a set piece, many, many things. Your team needs to have a clear idea more than a clear identity.”

Forest Green Rovers’ manager Steve Cotterill.

Asked what he would like from the Forest Green home support on Boxing Day, he added: “We have been to plenty of hostile grounds this season and that atmosphere can influence (refereeing) decisions. I do not think we have been on the good side of too many decisions this year and that is probably down to the surroundings. I would say to our supporters, get behind the lads, no matter what. I think the players earned it.”

Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper was not asked about New Year’s Day following the home draw with Eastleigh back on Boxing Day, but we will assume he knows plenty about his opponents, not least because he played for them for a season and managed them for five years. 

He will forever have a place in the club’s history having guided them to the Football League for the first time in their history via the National League play-offs back in 2017. If he had been asked, he’d probably have mentioned that.

 

We’ve met before…

Many times. Our record – if you include friendlies – against Forest Green Rovers goes back to 1981, but our last two outings saw us come out on the wrong side of the result.

The last meeting was in February 2019 as we were tumbling towards the exit door out of the Football League when a Forest Green side managed by Mark Cooper beat us 3-0 in Gloucestershire. That same season they also ran out 2-1 winners at Huish Park in early December 2018 with Rhys Browne the scorer for Yeovil that day.

You have to go back to Boxing Day 2000 to find a competitive victory for the Glovers at the New Lawn when a Barrington Belgrave goal sealed a 1-0 win. There was a friendly win there back in July 2013 when even Michael Ngoo (remember him?) got on the scoresheet in a 5-3 thriller.

Don’t I know you?…

If you are like our Ian, please look away now. There’s a fair few familiar faces in the Forest Green Rovers line-up and one of the most painful is Mr #DFILWF himself, Tom Knowles. 

The 26-year-old was a bright spark during some very dark times at Huish Park between November 2020 and August 2022 when he was flogged to League Two Walsall on the eve of the new season by <NAME REDACTED>. He was one of a number of big money signings made by Forest Green in the summer and has been a fairly regular starter for Steve Cotterill, scoring twice already this season.

We’re not crying, you’re crying! *sobs* Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In the attacking positions, striker Joe Quigley – another one flogged by <NAME REDACTED> whilst at Huish Park – has been appearing mostly from the substitutes’ bench since joining the Vegan Legion from Chesterfield in September. He is yet to score for his new club. Don’t even think it!

In defence there are more familiar faces, Ryan Inniss had a six-game loan spell at Huish Park in 2014-15 and Ben Tozer, he of the long throws, played the 2015-16 season in green-and-white.

Who’s been naughty then?…

There are no suspensions for either side.

 

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Put that dry turkey down and get down to Huish Park, Eastleigh are coming to town.

Form Guide…

Eastleigh are coming into this game off the back of a six-match unbeaten streak. They beat Maidenhead United 1-0 on Saturday with a single goal from Guadeloupean Ludwig Francillette earning the points.

Their last defeat came at the hands of Braintree Town back on November 9th with the Iron coming from behind to pick up all three points.

The Glovers have been on a win-one-lose-one pattern of games stretching back to the defeat to Barnet in late November.

Should that plan keep going, Yeovil Town should be down to win this after falling at the feet of Hartlepool United on Saturday.

When last seen at Huish Park, Yeovil ran out 3-1 winners against Braintree.

Yeo-Ho-Ho!!! (Picture courtesy of Gary Brown)

Key Players…

Yeovil – Kofi Shaw

Is it too much to be calling a barely 18-year-old a key player? But after scoring his first goal in green and white at Hartlepool, Kofi Shaw has put together a couple of eye catching performances in a row now for the Glovers.

The Bristol Rovers loanee is edging towards the end of his (initial) loan spell and will hoping for a couple more influential games before returning to the Gas (or staying for longer?).

His direct style might give the Eastleigh defence some hassle and his ability to find the space between midfield and frontline might give Aaron Jarvis more support as he leads the line.

Kofi Shaw. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Eastleigh – Paul McCallum

Paul McCallum has a record of four goals in 11 games against the Glovers including one for Chesterfield when he last came up against the green-and-whites, and vital one for Barnet in Yeovil’s only play-off campaign in the National League Premier in 2019/20.

He has already found the net eight times in 19 league games this season… albeit not since the 22nd of October.

He returned to the Spitfires’ squad after serving a one-match ban on Saturday and will be desperate to get his goal tally up and running again soon.

Paul McCallum scores from the spot

Thats what he said…

Eastleigh gaffer Kelvin Davies had few words to say about the game after their fixture on Saturday telling club media: “I think Boxing Day games are one of the best games of the season, you always look out for that, we’re happy to go down there and if we perform to levels we’ve been performing of late it’ll be a tough challenge for Yeovil.”

Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper agreed telling BBC Somerset reporter Chris Sykes after the defeat at Hartlepool: “They’re all tough, mate.”

Gunna be a toughie, then.

We’ve met before…

The last meeting between these sides went the way of Yeovil, a single Matt Worthington goal was all that was needed to separate the two teams in a game which saw Ousseynou Cisse shown two yellows and a subsequent red late on. We’ve watched it back and it still is absolutely not a foul… at all, not a chance.

Yeovil have won four of the last eight head to heads with two draws and two wins for the boys in blue. Three of those wins have come at Huish Park.

A great leap (definitely not a push, ref!) by Matt Worthington for the opener.

Don’t I know you?…

You’d think given the relative locality of the two sides there might be some more cross over, but as far as I can tell, only Wes McDonald currently lines up as a former Glover.

McDonald signed a short-term deal in the summer of 2018 and despite attempts to elongate his stay he departed in January… clearly saw the ship was sinking ahead of time and wanted to get off, sharpish. 

He played 12 times, scoring a grand total of zero goals, (I’ll be honest, I had to check he actually did play for us!)

Sub goalkeeper Tommy Scott did have a spell in the Glovers Under 18s, but that was also a fair while ago.

Who’s been naughty then?…

There is no players suspended for the Glovers, but we are yet to hear the outcome of Mark Cooper’s sending off against Braintree.

 

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It’s a long trip up north this weekend, as Yeovil Town travel up to Hartlepool United in the league.

Form Guide…

Hartlepool have been in impressive form over their last five as they have gone unbeaten in the league, with the only blemish being a penalty shoot-out loss to Tamworth in the FA Trophy. Last time out saw Pools draw 0-0 at Southend United and prior to that they were held by leaders Barnet.

The Glovers continued their good uptick in form last time out with a resounding 3-1 win over Braintree Town. Goals from Aaron Jarvis, Ed James and Brett McGavin sealed all three points for Yeovil. Over the last five games Mark Cooper’s men have been inconsistent with three losses and two wins, albeit the victories have been in their last two league outings.

Kofi Shaw goes close against Braintree Town, last time out.. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown. 

Key Players…

Yeovil – Brett McGavin 

It seems like we say his name every other week in this segment but that shows how integral he has been for Yeovil this season.

Without the midfielder the Glovers would be much worse off. The stats back this up with McGavin contributing to 22% of Yeovil’s goals. Only Aaron Jarvis has contributed more.

McGavin and Ed James for the Glovers (Pic C/O Gary Brown)

Hartlepool – Emmanuel Dieseruvwe

Another centre forward for Yeovil defenders to be wary of. Dieseruvwe, has bagged nine goals for The Pools this campaign, putting him top of their goalscoring charts. Which is impressive especially when considering they have former Championship front man, Gary Madine in their ranks.

The forwards form has earned him an England C team call up. If Yeovil are to get anything out this long away trip they’ll have to keep him quiet.

Morgan Williams grapples with Hartlepool United striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Thats what he said…

Hartlepool head coach, Anthony Limbrick, gave his thoughts on Yeovil before Saturday. He said: “ I’ve been really impressed with Yeovil this season. 

As a newly promoted team they have threats in their side…they play in a fluid formation. I think they come to try and play, which will open it up to be a good game.”

Yeovil manager, Mark Cooper spoke to press about Hartlepool manager Lennie Lawrence ahead of this weekend’s game. The 77-year-old, who includes Cardiff City, Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic, took the job until the end of the season after taking temporary charge following Sarll’s dismissal. Cooper said: 

“Lennie Lawrence, what a career as a manager. He’s a lovely guy, he’s managed massive clubs and been a mentor for some really good managers.

“He is experienced and he will have people running about for him doing coaching bits. They have some real warriors and they have every right to get results at this level, but we have won our last two league games and we want to make it three.”

We’ve met before…

The two clubs have met 25 times before this weekend, with only six wins going the way of Yeovil. Hartlepool however have fourteen wins with there being five draws between them. 

What will be worrying for Glovers fans is that they haven’t beaten United since in their last 11 games, last winning in 2012. The scorer in that game was Joe Edwards. The last time they met the three points went Hartlepool’s way, winning 0-1.

Don’t I know you?…

Goalkeeper Adam Smith now plays for the North East team. Smith had two spells on loan at Huish Park in 19/20 and 20/21 seasons under Darren Sarll, who took him to Hartlepool when he arrived (and subsequently departed) in the summer.

Another former player of ours who now plays for The Pools is defender Billy Sass-Davies. The 24-year old joined the Glovers 20/21 on loan, playing 22 times.

The club also share an ex-manager in Darren Sarll, who was in charge of our hosts this weekend on our opening day defeat at Huish Park, but was sacked after just six months.

Darren Sarll, who took lost his job in October. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Who’s been naughty then?…

There is no players suspended for the Glovers.

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