Match Previews (Page 6)

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Following two away wins on the bounce, the Glovers are back under the lights at Huish Park.

Yeovil Town welcome Solihull Moors to Somerset.

Form Guide…

Yeovil Town are looking for a third win on the spin after fruitful trips up north.

Wins over Boston United and AFC Fylde have been eventful games to say the least, but six points are six points.

Seven goals scored, four conceded and we go into Tuesday night’s games occupying the final play-off spot in the National League Premier Division table – that we’re definitely not looking at yet.

Our visitors Solihull Moors on the other hand are coming off the back of a 1-0 loss at home to big-spending Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

A second half Teddy Jenks goal saw the Vegans taking the three points from Saturday’s game.

Prior to that a 1-1 draw vs Wealdstone and a single goal win over Halifax have shown that Solihull have been consistently inconsistent.

Moors have eight points from seven games and are 15th.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Sam Pearson

Two impressive performances from the bench in the last two games have Glovers fans clamouring for the former Bristol City man to be given a go from the start.

His first goal of the season against Fylde on Saturday was complimented an assist for both Aaron Jarvis’ equaliser and a more acrobatic assist for the Dom Bernard winner late on.

His pace, trickery and flash of quality might be the key to unlocking a stingy Moors’ defence.

Solihull Moors – Jamey Osborne

The 32-year-old has been a mainstay of the Solihull side since the summer of 2016 – albeit with stray away to Grimsby Town at the end of the 2016-17 season when he followed his then-boss Marcus Bignot north. He was back at Damson Park on loan by December 2017 and signed permanently the following month.

Fans with slightly longer memories may remember Osborne being a thorn in the side of Darren Way’s Yeovil in two notorious FA Cup matches back in 2016 – the latter ending in a penalty shoot-out defeat. If you’ve blocked it from your memory, we don’t blame you.

He’s known for a combative style (three yellow cards already this season) but with the class to unlock defences with a single pass and keeps his team ticking over.

He provided an assist for Moors’ only goal in their 1-1 draw against Wealdstone and will be a significant challenge for the midfield combo of the Glovers.

Sam Pearson on the attack – Pic – Gary Brown

That’s What He Said…

In his post-match presser following the win at AFC Fylde on Saturday, Mark Cooper didn’t really do much talking about Solihull Moors – but there was a lot to talk about.

Andy Whing, the Moors’ boss, on the other hand was asked about the game against the Glovers after their 1-0 home defeat to Forest Green at the weekend.

He said: “Every game is a tough game, Yeovil, I played against them in the Championship, they’re a big football club, so we know it’s going to be a tough game, but if we keep playing like that [vs FGR] and getting performances like that, when our players come back – no team in our league can deal with the injuries we’ve got – we’ll got onto Tuesday full of confidence in terms of performance and desperate for three points”

 

We’ve met before…

Back in 2022/23 season, Yeovil took four points from the two games against Solihull coming from two goals down away from home, goals from Zanda Siziba (remember him?) and Owen Bevan plucking a point from the grasps of defeat.

Meanwhile, at Huish Park, Chiori Johnson scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win, the Glovers squad on that day had just three members of the current group (Worthington, Williams and Pearson).

Other highlight clashes include back in 2021, where a Joe Quigley hat trick landed a 3-0 win for the Glovers, Solihull won the reverse fixture 5-1 that season, Justin “the lad Donawa” Donawa picking up a match ball of his own.

Way back in 2016, we also crossed paths in the FA Cup, a 2-2 draw at Huish Park, a 1-1 draw in the replay before Ryan Dickson and Tom Eaves missed their spot kicks and Solihull progressed.

 

Don’t I know you?

Tahvon Campbell was a Glover for a short while in 2017, on loan from West Brom, he’s now at Solihull, but hasn’t been involved in a match day squad for a little while.

Matt “Rolls Royce” Warburton was a Yeovil player on loan from Northampton, predominantly in the behind-closed-doors season, scoring once in 17 National League appearances.

Josh Staunton and Matt Warburton in action during ‘The Roller’s time at FC Halifax Town. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Who’s been a naughty boy, then?

Jake Wannell is available for the Glovers after a one-match ban against Fylde, but Solihull are still without defender James Clarke.

The 24-year old was given a straight red card in the 94th minute in the 1-0 win over Halifax.

It was made all the more impressive is that he was only brought on as a sub on 83 minutes.

He sits out the third of a three-match-ban.

Our referee is Reubyn Ricardo

How can you keep across the game?

In Person

Get to Huish Park! Tickets are available for the game here.

On the Radio

Ian is back on the mic with BBC Somerset and Yeovil Town Radio will have full match coverage too.

On the TV/ stream

National League TV has this game listed as available to watch. Match Passes are £9.99

On the Gloverscast.co.uk

We’ll have team news, match report, Five Conclusions and our usual reaction podcast to follow on Friday.

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It’s another away day for Yeovil Town as they travel to the Lancashire coast to face AFC Fylde on Saturday afternoon.

Form Guide…

AFC Fylde are not entering this weekend in great form with just one win so far this season, coming with a 3-2 victory at home to Solihull Moors on the opening day of the season. Their last outing was a 1-0 defeat at Wealdstone on August Bank Holiday Monday, meaning they have gone five games without a win. It hasn’t all been bad however with draws away at Oldham Athletic and at home to Maidenhead United in the same five-game run.

The Coasters made the headlines for the wrong reasons last weekend when their home match with Southend United was postponed due to the visitors’ train from the South East to the North West on Saturday morning being cancelled.

Yeovil have had a very up and down start to the season, with three wins and three defeats so far. The three wins have been against teams they would be expecting to get wins against – albeit victories over Braintree Town and Boston United have come away from home – whilst their defeats to Hartlepool United, Gateshead and Rochdale have come at the hands of sides expected to be closer to the promotion race than the relegation battle.  

The Glovers’ last game saw them win away 3-1 at Boston United, which will give the travelling faithful hope of another three points away from home this weekend.

Key Players…

Nick Haughton

Haughton plays in an attacking midfield role for Fylde and although the team’s results has not been great so far this season, it’s been a brilliant start for the former Salford City player. With five goals from five games, 29-year-old is joint top of the National League Premier scoring charts alongside Forest Green’s Christian Doidge and Aldershot Town’s James Henry. Haughton also has one assist to his name. 

Since joining Fylde in 2018, Haughton has scored 85 goals and get 36 assists. He has previously played for other Lancashire clubs including Fleetwood Town in the Football League and Chorley.

Brett McGavin

We have already looked at McGavin as important player, but in recent games he has proven why he might be our most important this season. With our strikers struggling to find scoring form so far, the midfielder has stepped with some important goals.

Last weekend against Boston United the 24-year-old picked up two goals, one of which was a brilliant free kick nestling in the top right corner. The competition between him and Haughton for being a dead ball specialist is one to keep an eye on at Mill Farm this weekend.

Outside of goals-coring McGavin has a more progressive roll than our other midfielders, which offers a different dynamic for Yeovil manager Mark Cooper as he doesn’t have to rely on his strikers as much with McGavin seeming to make late runs onto the edge of the box.

He is one to watch that is for sure.

Video courtesy of Dannholla_ on X.

That’s what he said…

AFC Fylde boss, Chris Beech, gave his thoughts to club media ahead of the game. He said: “They’re a very good team which have got great football league experiences in their playing ranks. Mark Cooper – I played with him at Hartlepool in midfield so I know Mark very well, and he’s done brilliant in regards to his longevity in football, his management career and he’s got his mojo back. He did a brilliant job at Yeovil last season, so I have no doubt he’ll be trying to emulate previous successes of that football club and other clubs he’s worked for and I’m really looking forward to seeing him.”

Glovers manager Mark Cooper was very complimentary about Saturday’s opponents. He said: ““They will be really organised, they will be ultra fit, a real process to what they do and they will have something up their sleeve. They have some good players, (midfielder Nick) Haughton is an exceptional player for the level who should be playing League football and they have one or two others.”

We’ve met before…

These two last met five years ago when they drew one and Yeovil won the other. In the first game the Glovers ran out 3-2 victors in a tight game at Huish Park in September 2019. The scorers that game were Rhys Murphy, Myles Hippolyte and Jimmy Smith for Yeovil with Kurt Willoughby getting a brace for Fylde.

The most recent of our meeting was a 2-2 draw in the same season, with a Gabriel Osho own goal and Dan Bradley finding the net for Fylde to put them 2-0 up at Mill Farm. Striker Courtney Duffus grabbed two late goals to see Darren Sarll’s Glovers head home with a point.

Don’t I know you…

AFC Fylde do posses an ex-Glover in their side (I know I’m in shock too) in the form of centre back Corey Whelan. The Chester native played for Yeovil on loan way back in the 2017/18 season, at which point he was captain of Liverpool at Under-23s’level. Making just 11 appearances for the Glovers, Whelan is not an instantly recognisable name.

Since his loan spell in Somerset, the centre-back has played in Major League Soccer in the United States for Phoenix Rising, before returning to the UK to have spells at Wigan Athletic and Carlisle United before making the move to Fylde in the summer.

Who’s been naughty then…

Jake Wannell has been a naughty boy. The centre-back was sent off in the final minutes against Boston last weekend, so will sit out this weekend’s trip to Fylde. With Wannell suspended and central defensive partner Morgan Williams expected to be missing with concussion, Finn Cousin-Dawson will surely make a start for Cooper.

Speaking about his defensive headache on Thursday, the manager said: ““If you had told me ten days ago we’d lose Morgan Williams, Jake Wannell, Alex Whittle, Raph Araoye, and Harvey Greenslade, I would have said ‘wow, we are in a bit of a pickle there.’ But I have faith in the boys we have got, and if we have to shuffle things about, we can, we have Michael Smith and Charlie Cooper who can play centre-half, Matt Worthington can play right-back, so there is plenty of flexibility in the squad.”

Jake Wannell sees red at Boston

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Yeovil are back in action on Saturday as they head north to Boston United in a clash that sees two of the newly promoted teams face off.

Form Guide…

The Pilgrims have not started the season well with just one win and draw from five games. The four points that they have picked up however have been in their last two games, with their most recent result being a 2-0 win over York City.

Yeovil haven’t exactly been in a purple patch either having lost their two previous fixtures. Bank holiday Monday saw the Glovers come up against Rochdale who they kept quiet until 90+1 minute, ultimately losing 0-1.

Key Players…

Boston United – Michael Bostwick

The centre back was dropped after the first two games in which Boston got beat 3-0 and 4-0. However, he has been solid over since coming back into the team over the last two games for the Pilgrims, only conceding one goal in that time.

if Yeovil are to get back in the goals they will need to negate Bostwick’s experience and calmness at the back. Now aged 36 he has little in his legs but still provides the back bone to this Pilgrims team.

Yeovil Town – Frank Nouble

Frank Nouble cuts a frustrated figure
📸 Gary Brown

It’s tough when the team hasn’t started great for players to find form and a rhythm to the season.

Nouble hasn’t got off the mark this season but he is still vital for the Glovers on field success this season. Having bagged 11 goals last season, the big man has shown he has the quality to contribute at this level, and if the Huish Parks side want their form to pick up Nouble will be crucial to that.

Thats what he said…

Pilgrims first-team coach, Joe Simpson, is expecting a tough game on Saturday. He said: “Every game is difficult, Yeovil are another full time team that were in the [Football] League  not to long ago, but they’re games we’re going to embrace and enjoy. We know that if we are at it, we give ourselves a good chance to get a result.”

Yeovil boss Mark Cooper gave his thoughts on the Boston game as he spoke to the media on Thursday. He said: “They had a great result at York, but we have to concentrate on the things that make us good. We are not going to throw everything out of the window because Boston beat York and we lost to Rochdale.”

We’ve met before…

We have to go all the way back to 2005 for the last time these two teams met in a League Two fixture. Yeovil won that game 2-1 with both goals scored by captain fantastic, Terry Skiverton. 

The current head to head record has the Glovers with four wins to Bostons two.

Don’t I know you…

We love an ex Yeovil player here at Gloverscast and Boston boast one in their ranks.

Cast your minds back to 2008, Russell Slade in the dugout and a young loanee by the name of Martin Woods was on the team sheet. If you do remember him, you are probably in the minority as he played three games for the us that season on loan from Doncaster Rovers. 

Woods has gone on to have somewhat of a journeyman career however, playing in England and Scotland for the likes of Ross County, Dundee and Halifax Town.

Martin Woods signing for Boston United
Martin Woods signing for Boston United (X:@bostonunited)

Who’s been naughty then…

Neither side has any worries in terms of suspensions or players one yellow card away from suspension.

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48 hours after they departed Gateshead, Yeovil Town prepare to face a Rochdale side who have faced a long journey from Greater Manchester to Huish for the Bank Holiday Monday fixture.

Form Guide…

Having had a convincing 3-0 win at newly-promoted Boston United on the opening day of the new season, Rochdale have had to settle for two draws and a defeat from their other three fixtures of the season.

The goalless draw at home to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday saw them respond to a 1-0 defeat at York City in midweek, give them five points from their opening four matches.

The big news at Spotland this summer has been the takeover of the club by a trust set up by tech billionaire Sir Peter Ogden, who was born in the town.  Towards the end of last season there had been fears the club was on the brink of liquidation.

Yeovil, under the ownership of their own local businessman, Martin Hellier, have six points from their opening four games having picked up two wins and two defeats.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Gateshead followed back-to-back victories at Braintree Town and then Ebbsfleet United at Huish Park on Tuesday night, and the Glovers will be hoping a return to home comforts can see them get back to winning ways.

Harvey Greenslade was the match-winner as Yeovil ran out 3-2 winners over Ebbsfleet;. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

 

Key Players…

Josh Sims

Since signing for his hometown team just ten days ago, winger Josh Sims has been feeling his way back to fitness having not played since turning out for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership relegation play-off in May.

But the 27-year-old has shown plenty in his minutes on the pitch in the last three matches to suggest he can be a vital asset for Mark Cooper’s men. Having featured for 20 minutes at the end of the win at Braintree, Sims played the first half of last Tuesday’s 3-2 home win over Ebbsfleet United and then an hour up at Gateshead on Saturday.

Josh Sims in action. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Devante Rodney

Former Manchester City academy player Devante Rodney will be a threat for Rochdale at Huish Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

He has started all four of their matches this season playing alongside Cairo Mitchell and bagged twice in the opening day win at Boston United.

 That’s what he said…

Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper wasted no time in his preparation for the visit of Rochdale watching their goalless draw with Forest Green Rovers on National League TV on the journey back from Gateshead

Speaking after the defeat on Saturday, he said: “We will try and watch it on our way home, we have watched some of their games already, so we will look at how they set up. We have limited time to prepare, so we can’t waste any time.”

Rochdale head coach Jim McNulty, who much like his opposite number Mark Cooper signed a new long-term deal in the summer, said he thought his side dominated Forest Green on Saturday, but could not find the breakthrough.

He said they were “searching for answers to show a bit of quality and find the back of the net” against Forest Green and hoped that Yeovil would attack his side more on Monday 

McNulty said: “You would think they will not just sit in and maybe that could lead for a different game. It will be a long trip down there (to Yeovil), so it will be able recovery, being positive and bouncing in to the next game knowing we can win a game.”

Dale suffered a blow with midfielder Harvey Gilmour limped off with a hamstring injury after 55 minutes on Saturday, and questioned the “crazy scheduling” which sees his side make the four-hour journey to Somerset just 48 hours after playing.

Asked what preparation he could do following the Saturday fixture, he said: “We can’t do anything on Sunday, we just have to travel to Yeovil. All we can do is plan for how that game might go, some very, very light stuff, but it’s uncharted territory to have a game so soon.”

We’ve met before…

It has been almost a decade since these two sides met with Rochdale coming out the winners with a 2-1 victory in Greater Manchester back in March 2015. James Hayter was the scorer for Yeovil on that day.

The last time they met at Huish Park, Ian Henderson, the veteran Dale striker who is still a key part of the squad, scored twice in a 3-0 win. In fact, you have to go back to April 2012 to find a Yeovil win, a 3-1 victory at Huish Park.

But, Rochdale holds a special place in Yeovil Town history with Spotland being the location of our first Football League fixture – and win – back on a blisteringly hot day in August 2003. Let’s enjoy that one, eh?!

Don’t I know you?

Courtney Senior is a player whose Yeovil Town ‘career’ you could easily have missed, but the winger made four appearances during a one-month loan at Huish Park in National League South last season.

He was released by Barnet at the end of last season and moved to Greater Manchester on a one-month contract earlier this month. He has appeared off the bench as a 87th-minute substitute in the goalless draw against Forest Green on Saturday and the defeat at York City last Tuesday.

Who’s been naughty then?

There are no suspensions for either side. Bit early for that.

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Saturday sees Yeovil Town play their second of three games in six days as they make the long trip north to Gateshead in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday.

Form Guide…

Both sides have found their feet early on in the season, with Gateshead in second place in the National League Premier table and the Glovers in eighth.

The Tynesiders haven’t lost yet winning twice and drawing once with their most recent result being a 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night.

The big news of the Heed’s season has been the loss of two key players to injury with captain Greg Olley suffering a horrific leg break in their second match at Woking a week ago, and defender Joe Grayson, who injured his knee in their opening game of the season, a 5-1 home win over Ebbsfleet United.

The Glovers have been in good form as well after a spirited loss on the opening day they bagged six points from the last two games. The Somerset side dug in on Tuesday night to win 3-2 against Ebbsfleet United.

Charlie Cooper assesses his options – Pic – Gary Brown

Key Players…

Brett McGavin

Captain Matt Worthington was our pick for key player for Tuesday night’s fixture at home to Ebbsfleet and for this game I want to look his midfield partner in Brett McGavin.

Brett McGavin salutes the Thatchers Stand after scoring v Ebbsfleet

McGavin joined in the summer after leaving Torquay United. He has since proven a valuable asset, playing 70 minutes or more in all three games so far this season. He also contributed in Tuesday nights game with a goal that saw the Glovers go 1-0 up.

Regan Booty

Booty has so far been the stand out player for Gateshead. The central midfielder has got four assists in three games so will be crucial to the home side in the final third.

His battle with Worthington/McGavin will be interesting as whoever has the task of marking him will have there work cut out. Whoever wins this battle I feel will win the game.

 That’s what he said…

Glovers manager Mark Cooper had only positives to say about Saturday’s opponents when speaking to the media ahead of the Bank Holiday Weekend. He said: “They’re the most pure football team in the league, in terms of the way they play. They’re really easy on the eye…they really test you and ask you questions.”


Cooper has mixed feelings to playing Gateshead away with a game on Monday as well.

“We’re going when the weather’s decent and it’s not freezing cold, it is a write off of two days however due to the travel.”

The love-in between these two sides was reciprocated by Gateshead manager Rob Elliot who said he expects Yeovil to be the strongest of any of the teams promoted last season.,

He said: “They have a very experienced manager, experienced players, they have a good system and a really good shape, they are really solid and can dominate the ball, but they are also very compact in the way they hold the mid-block.

“They have a lot of threats, big Nouble up front, a big personality and a big player, so we expect this to be our toughest test of the season. We have to make sure we are ready for it and make sure we attack the game and do not fall in to being passive because if we just pass it around without intent, you can find it really hard to gain momentum.”

We’ve met before…

There has been three meetings between these two sides, with Yeovil leading the head-to-head with two wins to Gateshead’s one.

The last time they met was in the F.A Cup last year when the Glovers ran out 3-1 winners, with goals coming from Rhys Murphy, Jake Stevens and an own goal from Joe Grayson.

Don’t I know you…

Mark Beck. Remember that name, if you don’t I can’t blame you, his time at Yeovil wasn’t memorable (sorry Mark).

Joining in 2015, the Scottish striker made nine appearances for a Paul Sturrock side scoring no goals and getting just the one assist. He was soon loaned out to a then non-Hollywood Wrexham team.

There’s also Brandon Haunstrup who possibly makes this list having had a complete of substitute appearances at left-back for Mark Cooper’s side in pre-season this summer. He did not make the grade at Huish Park, but has got a deal on Tyneside, where he had a brief spell on loan last season whilst a Cambridge United player.

Who’s been naughty then…

Neither Yeovil or Gateshead have anyone suspended for the game.

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Yeovil Town Badge on huish park

It’s time for our first evening game of the season. Yeovil will face Ebbsfleet at 7.45pm Tuesday night in what will be hopefully a noisy Huish Park.

Here’s what you need to know…..

Form Guide…

After two games the Glovers have won one and lost one which has them sitting mid-table. Their win on Saturday was solid and should provide some building blocks for the Somerset side. 

Morgan Williams wheels away as the ball nestles in to the Braintree net.

Ebbsfleet have lost both games to start the season but they have had to face two of the favourites for promotion in Barney and Gateshead. In their last game against Barnet they only lost 2-1, so will provide a stern contest for the home side.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Matty Worthington

So we have looked at forwards and defenders in the last two weeks, so let’s now look at a midfielder. Matty Worthington is a stalwart, he does the things many don’t want to do, he is the definition of box-to-box and above all else he is a bloody good captain. 

The “Ginger Pirlo” has been a mainstay in the midfield since he joined the Glovers permanently in 2019. Last season he started to add goals to his game which has been what’s missing for him. If he can carry that on this season he’ll be even more of an asset to Mark Cooper. 

Matt Worthington.
Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

As captain he doesn’t need to do much else, Worthy is a modern Yeovil great, who has green and white running through his blood.

Ebbsfleet United – Dominic Poleon

The striker has been at The Fleet since 2021 after leaving Newport County. Poleon has bagged one goal in his only game so far this season. 

The big man has been what you’d call prolific for the Kent side, scoring 71 goals across 131 games. Originally a Leeds United academy product the St Lucian has bounced around the leagues and will be a handful for the Glovers defense on Tuesday.

Thats what he said…

Ahead of Tuesday night’s game Yeovil boss Mark Cooper spoke to the clubs social media.

“I haven’t thought about it yet…but we’ll have some tired bodies.  I’ll have to pick the freshest best team we can to try and get the three points in tough game on Tuesday.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent Danny Searle was looking at the good his side has done so far this season. He said: “Let’s get ourselves back on the training pitch, let’s go to Yeovil and take the positives from today, and we’ll look at the negatives and address them.”

We’ve met before…

Yeovil have the head to head record in this match having only played one game against each other in the covid hit 2019/20 season.

That year Darren Sarll’s side romped to a 3-1 win. With goals coming from Rhys Murphy, Remeao Hutton and Tom Whelan. Aswad Thomas was scored Ebsfleet’s only goal.

Don’t I know you…

For the second week in a row there is no former Glovers who now ply their trade in Kent. 

However last season, they did have Billy Clifford. Technically he never actually played a game for us but he did have a loan to Somerset in 2013, that’s the best link we can get.

Who’s been naughty then…

Although neither team has players  missing through suspension, both sides had yellow cards in their last games.

What makes this noteworthy is Ebbsfleet received five bookings throughout the game so there maybe some hotheadedness within their ranks if Yeovil can find the right buttons to push.

The Fleet will be without first-team coach Grant Basey who was sent off against Barnet.

HOW CAN YOU KEEP ACROSS THE GAME?

IN PERSON

Get to Huish Park! Tickets are available for the game here.

ON THE RADIO

Ian is back on the mic with Jack Killah for BBC Somerset and Three Valleys Radio will have full match coverage too.

ON THE TV/ STREAM

National League TV has this game listed as available to watch. Match Passes are £9.99

ON THE GLOVERSCAST.CO.UK

We’ll have team news, match report, Five Conclusions and our usual reaction podcast to follow on Monday.

 

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Yeovil travel east this weekend, as they play their first away game of the season against Braintree Town. Here’s what you need to know.

Form Guide…

With just the one game having been played so far this season form can be taken with a pinch of salt. However, both sides find themselves toward the bottom end of the table after suffering defeats on the opening day. 

Alex Whittle rises highest. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil fell victims to the far travelling Hartlepool team. After staying solid for the first half, it wasn’t until the 65th minute where the Glovers conceded the only goal of the game, consigning them to a 0-1 loss.

Braintree didn’t fair much better either, with the Essex side losing away to newly relegated Oldham Athletic, 3-0. Oldham will prove difficult for most teams this season, so it’s hard to say whether Braintree themselves will be difficult for Yeovil on Saturday.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Jake Wannell

Last week we looked at the attacking talents of Jordan Young. Defending is just as an important asset for a team though and with Jake Wannell we have a very good centre back. Last season he proved to be instrumental alongside defensive partner Morgan Williams.

In what that will be a cagey affair, with both teams looking to get all three points, a solid defensive base will be key against The Iron. Wannell will need to be on top form to keep John Akinde and Inih Effiong at bay.

Jake Wannell gets the better of Hartlepool striker, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
Jake Wannell gets the better of Hartlepool striker, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Braintree – John Akinde

John Akinde will be a threat. At 35-years-old, Akinde is not what he once was, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be a handful. Dropping down from the football league to join Braintree is definitely a coup for The Iron, who will be hoping he can find his old form.

Last season wasn’t the best for the centre-forward only bagging two goals, albeit for a struggling Colchester United side. At his peak however the ex-Bristol City man was a 26 goal a season striker.

That’s what he said…

Angelo Harrop spoke to the Braintree social media team on Thursday, following their opening day loss to Oldham, he said he was hoping for a bounce back to form.

“We’re disappointed with the result against Oldham, but we are a different animal at home and I’m hoping to see a big, big reaction from our players on Saturday.”

He then spoke about the need to have the ‘Iron Army’ behind him and his team as they, like us, try and get our first National League points on the board.

Whilst Mark Cooper was wary of the challenge that a physical Braintree side will pose. 

“I think Saturday will be even harder (than last Saturday), as they’ve recruited really well, they’ve signed Inih Effiong, they’ve signed John Akinde, which are immense forwards for this level, they did a remarkable job getting promoted last year, they were one of the best teams we played…

We know it’s going to be a tough job, but I’m sure Angelo will be expecting a tough game from us.”

 

We’ve met before…

The two teams know each other well having faced off twice last season. With two wins from two for the Glovers, you wouldn’t blame the travelling fans for thinking all three points may be a certainty here.

The first game was at Huish Park last October where the Glovers ran out 2-0 winners, with goals coming from Jake Hyde and Matty Worthington. The second of our two previous fixtures is where fans can be cautiously optimistic as Yeovil won 0-1 in Essex. This time Frank Nouble bagging the only goal of the game.

Don’t I Know You?

For what might be the first time ever there is no opposition players or staff who have had a spell at Huish Park. Last season Charlie Wakefield was part of the group that was promoted alongside the Glovers, but the silky winger has since departed.

Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Who’s been naughty then!?

Neither Yeovil or Braintree picked up any red cards in the opener, so both sides will be with their full options of players.

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The Glovers are back in the (Non League) big time and welcome Hartlepool United to Huish Park from just up the road. Here’s all the info you need ahead of the 2024/25 season opener.

Form Guide…

Let’s start with the obvious, there is no league form for either side to call upon.

The Glovers ended their pre-season campaign with a trio of wins over Weston-super-Mare, Buckland Athletic and Farnborough Town whilst the Pools, lost to a youthful second-string Nottingham Forest side 3-1 at Victoria Park last Saturday. They have seen off Scunthorpe, South Shields and Sunderland U21s this summer, though.

Hartlepool finished the 2023/24 campaign with a win, coming out on top of a seven-goal thriller against already relegated Dorking, clearly the defenders on both sides were already on their summer holidays.

Jordan Young fires home. Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Jordan Young

The former Chippenham Town man ended the 2023/24 season with a total of 14 league goals as the Glovers cruised to the National League South title and he’ll be vital once more back in the top flight of non-League football, set pieces will be key for the hosts throughout the season and Young has shown he’s more than capable of scoring and providing from a dead ball – any chance of one on Jake Wannell’s noggin please, Jordan?

Hartlepool United – Adam Campbell

Signed from Crawley Town in the summer, Campbell was promoted out of League Two, scoring seven goals in 48 appearances, it’s perfectly feasibly that Campbell should be playing in League One this season, instead he’s been brought closer to home and a couple of levels down the pyramid.

Ref keeps an eye on Jordan Young! Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

That’s What He Said…

In his pre-match presser Mark Cooper said that he knew all about Hartlepool’s strengths, and knows exactly what kind of side former Glovers’ Manager Darren Sarll will bring.

“They have some really good, experienced players and Darren’s way of playing is full on pressing, getting after teams and looking to make it really uncomfortable. But we have our own style of play and being at home, we have to try and impose our style on them.”

You can read the headlines from the boss’s first pre-match presser of the season HERE

As for Sarll, you can hear an exclusive chat with the Hartlepool gaffer on match-day morning with Gloverscast Ben in the return of the ‘Foot in the Opposition Camp’.

Sarll told the HUFC official site on Thursday: “Like I’ve said all week with other press duties [he means us, here I think],  I have a connection there (to Yeovil). I had three years there, it was a big part of my managerial career… they’ve had an excellent year last year and to turn a relegation into a winning season is very hard and the coaching staff and the players deserve a lot of credit. They’ll have good momentum and positivity around them, so, we’ve got to lift our performances to match.”

We’ve met before…

Sorry stattos, but Yeovil Town have a quite frankly terrible recent record against the side from the uppest of the North.

Not since 2012 when in League One have Yeovil beaten Hartlepool. A single Joe Edwards goal was enough to earn the three points on that day. 

Last time we crossed paths in the North, the Pools won 2-1. Tom Knowles opened the scoring, but it meant little by the end. The last meeting at Huish Park – a behind closed doors game in November 2020 – was even worse. Three first half goals from Molyneux, Holohan and Magloire put the game and points well out of reach, even if Joe Quigley did get one back.

Want to watch that one again? No? Tough.

 

Don’t I know you?

Quite a lot of the travelling Hartlepool contingent are known to Glovers fans.

Darren Sarll is the gaffer, assisted by Carl Dickinson, and they will bring former Glovers’ loanee Adam Smith and central defenders Billy Sass-Davies and Tom Parkes back to Huish Park. They’re all expected to be in the match day squad.

Darren Sarll
Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Who’s been naughty then?

David Rock is our referee for this fixture, and as you’d expect for the first game of the season, there are no notable suspensions for either side, at least not in the playing squad. Yeovil Chairman and Owner, Martin Hellier, serves the first of his two-match stadium ban.

How can you keep across the game?

In Person

Get to Huish Park! Tickets are available for the game here.

On the Radio

Ian is back on the mic with Jack Killah for BBC Somerset and Three Valleys Radio will have full match coverage too.

On the TV/ stream

National League TV has this game listed as available to watch. Match Passes are £9.99

On the Gloverscast.co.uk

We’ll have team news, match report, Five Conclusions and our usual reaction podcast to follow on Monday.

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Yeovil Town will travel to Gloucester (I’ll get to that part) to face Truro City on Thursday night, in their rearranged league fixture.

The Glovers will be finally looking to get over the line and win the league after they failed to beat Worthing in their last match. With only one point now needed to win the National League South a draw will do for the Somerset side.

The Cornwall outfit have now been advised by the league to play their remaining games at Gloucester after their back up home ground (Wordsworth Drive) is unplayable due to damage from water logging. Thursday nights game will see the White Tigers play for the second time in 24hrs, after playing Eastbourne on Wednesday.

Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper seemed irked by having to play at changed venue. He said: “At the start of the season, you are told who you have to play against and where you have to play, then when it comes to that game, they are playing at a different place at a stadium which is in a different regional league, on a different surface. I am not sure it is right, but that is the way it is and we have to obey by the National League rules.”

Cooper briefly spoke about how “we can enjoy everything that comes with (winning the league) when it is done.”

Mark Cooper before Truro

The ex-Swindon man wants to make sure his team get the performance right. He said: “That is our work for this week, keeping everyone level-headed and looking forward to Thursday. We have to be really cold and calculated, forget the noise and make sure we get a performance on the pitch.”

Striker Rhys Murphy spoke openly about the teams current mindset. He said: “You just have to keep going, nothing is given to you in life, you have to take it.

“We are still in a fantastic position. We have to dust ourselves down and to have that resilience is crucial, so we go again.”

Rhys Murphy.

Injury wise for the Glovers, Jordan Stevens is back in contention after short spell on the sidelines. Full-Back Michael Smith is back in training. However, Jahmari Clarke and Will Dawes are both out for the season. Jake Hyde is ruled out due to 3G pitch.

TruroCity FC Team News

Truro boss Paul Wotton was keen to keep his side encouraged in the lead up to a busy week. He said: “I’ve told the boys don’t worry about it, keep believing, there is six games to go. Every points a prisoner.”

Truro City manager Paul Wotton.

Players To Watch

Centre Forward Andrew Neal is the White Tigers biggest threat having scored 12 goals this season. “Rocky” as he is known has been prolific in goal scoring for the majority of his career. Before his first spell at Truro, Neal scored 60 goals for Bodmin Town. Having spent two season in Cornwalls only city, the forward left for Taunton where he scored 42 goals across two campaigns. Then in 2020 he rejoined the White Tigers.

Tyler Harvey is another name to look out for with the forward/attacking midfielder contributing 10 goals in 30 games. Harvey started his career the other side of the Cornish border at Plymouth Argyle where he made 5o appearances. The front man is well thought of at Truro having been the clubs top scorer in both the 21/22 and 22/23 seasons.

Crossing Paths

Matt Buse will be a familiar name to fans with the Truro midfielder the older brother of current Glovers keeper Will Buse. Buse had stint as trials in the summer with the Yeovil but was not successful in getting a contract, like his brother he was also born and raised in the Town.

Matt Buse.
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

The White Tigers boss Paul Wotton played 45 games across a loan spell then permanent transfer between 2010-2012 for the Glovers. Playing as a Centre-Back/Defensive midfielder Wotton was very much a leader on the pitch having joined form Championship side Southampton.

Ryan Law is another name in the Truro ranks who once plied his trade in South Somerset. The fullback spent the back end of last season on loan from Plymouth at Hush Park.

 

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Yeovil Town will face off against Worthing FC on Saturday at Huish Park as they look to clinch the league title.

The Glovers will win the league if they match or better Chelmsford’s result against Slough Town. With the potential of securing a first league title since the 04-05 season, Mark Coopers men will be looking to out on a show for a packed Huish Park.

Worthing will also be looking to secure all three points as they continue their push for the playoffs. The Rebels are currently sitting fifth in the league and haven’t lost in three games, so will prove tough opponents for the home side.

Yeovil Town Team News

Boss Cooper reiterated his season long stance of this game being the same as any other. He said: “It’s very rare you get an opportunity to win a league with five games to go, it shows how well the players have done…It’s important we see it as another game, it has to be like that.”

The 54-year-old spoke highly of Saturdays opposition claiming them to be “the best footballing side in the league”. Cooper also batted away any suggestion he may be approached by other clubs by stating he is “Happy here”.

Mark Cooper after the Weymouth game. Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

The former Swindon manager also talked about the dangers the Rebels may pose. He said: “They are the top scorers in the league and you can see why, they got some great players that have no fear, who just want to pass the ball and run forward and they’ve got the top marksman in the league [Ollie Pearce] who has done brilliantly well.”

Matthew Worthington shared his thoughts on being named captain after Josh Stanton‘s departure. He said:“I’m massively proud to be captain of this club and this team.

It’s new to me and I’m enjoying it, I’m grateful to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity.”

Matt Worthington.
Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

There are no fresh injury concerns for the Glovers.

Worthing FC Team News

First team coach Darren Budd spoke after the Rebels’ win over Hampton & Richmond. He said: “It was a great set of results this weekend which we now have to take into the Yeovil game. That’s going to be a tough test, they’ve shown their quality with where they are in the league but the boys will be relishing it.”

Budd also talked about Hush Park being a “great place to play” and how the “size of the pitch and grass” will suit the Worthing side.

The Worthing boss Aarran Racine knows Mark Cooper well, being managed by the Yeovil boss whilst at Forest Green Rovers. Racine should still be in the dugout for the match even after receiving a red card in Monday’s fixture . Kodi Lyons-Forster could be a doubt for the game after going off with a knock on Monday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

One player for home fans to keep an eye on is Ollie Pearce. The emphatic talisman has scored 36 goals in the league this season for the East Sussex side. Having started his career at Bognor Regis Town, Pearce made the step up to Worthing in 2018. It wasn’t until last season that the striker made a name for himself scoring 25 goals, assisting 14.

https://twitter.com/Vanarama/status/1773753349264822611

Another player to keep a look out for is youngster Brad Dologhan who bagged a brace against Hampton & Richmond.