Match Previews (Page 8)

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Yeovil Town are back at Huish Park looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to Welling United, their first of the season on home soil.

They take on a Chippenham Town side which suffered heartbreak in their match at the weekend going down to an injury time winner at Hampton & Richmond at the weekend.

The Bluebirds had taken an early lead through midfielder Tom Owens-Evans before being pegged back in the second half and then Alex Gibson-Hammond snatched the three points in the sixth minute of injury time.

Yeovil Town Team News

The big injury news for Yeovil Town is the anticipated absence of influential full-back Michael Smith, who was forced off after just 16 minutes at the weekend.

Manager Mark Cooper admitted the Northern Irishman would be “a doubt” for the midweek match and the question is who will replace him if he is, as expected, unavailable.

Jay Foulston, who spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Chippenham from Newport, came on to fill in on the right side of defence in what proved a difficult afternoon for him.

Michael Smith is not expected to be fit to face Chippenham Town.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Will Dawes, who was not named on the bench against Welling having picked up a knock in the goalless draw at Aveley last Monday, is an option if he is available, as is captain Matt Worthington, who has filled in that position already this season.

Up front, on loan Bristol City youngster Olly Thomas came off the bench with some effect in the closing stages of Saturday’s loss and will be a consideration for a starting place. However, having only recently come back from injury himself, Cooper may decide it is too soon for him to be thrust in to the frontline.

Both Worthington and midfield colleague Charlie Cooper have now passed the cut-off point for a suspension for ten bookings, meaning their slates have now been wiped clean.

Chippenham Town Team News

Manager Gary Horgan said he believed his side more than matched fourth-placed Hampton & Richmond at the weekend, but admitted defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.

The boss is hoping that his side can pick themselves up as they go up against the National League South leaders.

Speaking after the game he said: “We always go in to games looking to win them. We have had a tough game here and put an awful lot in to it against a side with huge ambitions and we have more than matched them.

“We will try and do that again on Tuesday and see where we are in terms of bodies and everything else and then we will go there with no fear, as we always do.”

Midfielder Alex Bray has returned on the bench in recent weeks having had a spell on the sidelines with injury and could be in contention for a start, but defender Eddie Jones is still expected to be missing through injury.

Defender Nathaniel Williams is available to Horgan having sat out the last two games through suspension.

The Bluebirds sit in 16th place in the table and their form away from home is equally mid-table having won one, drawn one and lost two of their last four games on the road. The losses came on Saturday at Hampton and at Tonbridge Angels with a draw at in-form Slough Town on February 17th and at win at Dartford four days earlier.

 

We’ve met before

Back in November, a Jake Hyde goal gave Yeovil the lead in Wiltshire before an error from Jordan Maguire-Drew saw him gift Chippenham possession in the middle of the park.

The Bluebirds flew forwards and a header from on loan defender Duncan Idehen deflected off his defensive team-mate Morgan Williams to hand the home side a point.

 

 

Around the Grounds

In Tuesday night’s other matches, second-placed Chelmsford City face a tricky trip to a Maidstone United side with strong ambitions of securing a place in the play-offs.

Worthing will be looking to bounce back from a shock 3-1 defeat to Taunton Town at the weekend as they take on Farnborough.

Hampton host Welling United, still high from their successes at Huish Park, St Albans City travel to Weston-super-Mare, Braintree host Dartford and Bath City face off against Hemel Hempstead Town at Twerton Park.

Aveley snuck back in to the division’s final play-off spot at the expense of Bath with a 2-1 win at home to Tonbridge on Monday night.

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Yeovil Town Team News

The Glovers are back at Huish Park for a double header of home games following two tough, but profitable away games.

Yeovil remain unbeaten on home soil this season and strugglers Welling will put that record to the test with just one defeat in their last nine games.

Yeovil are looking to extend a six match winning streak at Huish Park with the 2-1 win over Weston-super-Mare back on Tuesday 20th February the last win, on the green, green grass of home.

There isn’t much in the way of new team news from HP, other than Olly Thomas is back with the club to continue his second loan spell, he was injured playing for Bristol City’s Under 23s and has been sidelined for a few weeks whilst recovering back at Ashton Gate.

The other 16 or so players are all deemed to be ‘fresh’ after their quick fire double over the course of last weekend. 

A point of note, this match is the final game where a 10th yellow card would equal a two-match ban, both Charlie Cooper and Matt Worthington are treading the tightrope and “have been told’ by Mark Cooper to keep themselves out of trouble with the officials. 

Jordan Young celebrates his opener after 16 minutes at Welling United.

Welling Team News

Welling sit just outside the relegation spots at the bottom of the NLS, three points ahead of Taunton, although the peacocks do have five(!) games in hand on the wings.

Don’t let their league position fool you though, prior to losing against Farnborough in midweek, they hadn’t been beaten in eight league games and dragged them out of the dreaded bottom four.

Welling have just two wins away from home this season and the second worst defensive record on the road, conceding 37 goals in 17 games.

Welling boss described their midweek match against Farnborough as a ‘more winnable game’ than the Saturday trip to Huish Park (they lost), he also confirmed that the visiting squad will be staying over in Somerset on Friday night.

“We’ll come up against something slightly different [than Farnborough] on Saturday… the boys will work hard and get themselves ready, we’ll train on Friday morning and get on the coach and go down, the club has been good enough to put us up and give us every chance to get something out of Saturday…”

Tristan Abrahams has seven goals for the Wings so far this season, but the former Yeovil man hasn’t been involved for the side since early February and has since moved on to pastures new, they do though still have another former YTFC employee in their ranks, Chiori Johnson who made a long awaited return to the match day squad in midweek.

Chiori Johnson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

We’ve met before

Sorry to remind you, but yes, we did get an absolute tanking at the hands of Welling back in November.

Former Glover, Tristan Abrahams scored three times in 13 crazy second half minutes as the Wings won 4-1, Jordan Young with the opener on the day.

 

Back in 2019, the two sides met in the FA Trophy at Huish Park, with goals from Courtney Duffus and Chris Dagnall seeing the Glovers progress to the final 16.

 

Around the Grounds

Here’s where the other games are taking place around the NLS for the promotion contender.

Second pace Chelmsford, head to Gloucester (rather than Taunton or Plymouth) to take on Truro in the 7:30pm kick off, Worthing host Taunton, fourth placed Braintree host Slough Town, Hampton and Richmond take on the Glovers’ next opponents Chippenham, Maidstone v St Albans is a potential cracker in the race for a play off spot and Bath City are at home to Farnborough.

It’s also Aveley vs W*ymouth, where I think we’d like them both to lose… 

 

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Yeovil Town are back in action on Monday night with an away trip to Aveley FC in store for Mark Cooper‘s men.

Just two days after their 3-1 win over mid-table Farnborough FC, the Glovers are off to Essex as they face the Millers in what could be a difficult way day for the Somerset team.

Yeovil warm up before the game against Farnborough
Pic: Debs Curtis

Aveley currently sit 10th in the league, after a brilliant start to the season, which saw them occupy second place for a while. Recent form suggests they are finding their feet again after three wins from five, however in their last outing against Chelmsford they lost 2-0.

Yeovil Town Team News

Manager Cooper talked briefly about how “tough” it will be facing the Essex side. He said: “They’ve won their last few putting themselves into the playoff picture.

“Which makes it a tough game, it’s a tough pitch [being 3G] it will be difficult.”

Aveley FC’s Parkside ground.

The 54-year-old spoke after Saturdays win about “refuelling” for Avely. He said: “It’s about recovery for us now, making sure we get the recovery back in their legs and the bodies the best we can.”

The former Swindon boss also pushed there “there will be no excuses” around playing Saturday-Monday due to Yeovil having “better facilities to prepare in” compared to the teams his squad will face.

Aveley Team News

Aveley analyst Scott Wagstaff (no not that one) spoke to the club media after their eventful loss. He said: “It’s a free hit for us, they’re a massive full time outfit and are expected to win the league, we’re massively over achieving so why not, we can have a go.”

https://twitter.com/Lambpix1/status/1764253954957820278

He continued: “We’ve done excellent against the full time teams this year so why not have a go, it’s something we can look forward to as a club and embrace these nights.”

Siju Odelusi is Aveleys key man with, with the midfielder top scorer for the Millers with 14 goals in the league, he has also made the most appearances with 36 games (35 starts) across all competitions.

Charlie Hughes is another name for Glovers fans to look out for, the forward has nine goals so far this season playing over 2,000 minutes this season.

The Millers will still be able to play Garret Kelly and Ryan Carr even though they were both sent off during Saturdays loss to Chelmsford. Manager Danny Scopes also saw red in that game but will also be allowed on the touchline alongside his physio who was given his marching orders in the same game.

For fans who can’t make the game it is available to stream on National League TV.

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Yeovil Town face the tough prospect of traveling up the M3 to Farnborough this weekend as they look to stabilise their recent form with a win.

The Glovers have been hit and miss lately with three wins and two losses from their last five games. The trip to Hampshire will not be easy, with Boro putting together some good results over the last couple of weeks.

Farnborough have not lost in their last five, winning two and drawing their last three fixtures. The Yellows currently sit 14th in the league.

Yeovil Town Team News

Manager Mark Cooper was in a buoyant mood after the his sides fifth loss of the season. He said: “We move onto next weekend, we’re looking forward to a really big game, with a big following and we’re ready to go.”

Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

Cooper, 54, was complimentary about the Saturdays opposition, saying: “They played really well here, they have a good set up and weather permitting it will be cracking game.”

The former Darlington boss “appreciates the teams away following” and feels it will “only get bigger over the remaining games”.

Captain Matt Worthington discussed what went wrong in Saturdays loss. He said: “Our attacking play didn’t really click as it has done, so that what we’ve been focusing on this week. We know where we wrong and we’re losing to put it right.”

Matt Worthington.
Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

Cooper confirmed that Jordan Young, Rhys Murphy, Jake Hyde and Olly Thomas miss out.

Farnborough FC Team News

Boro boss Spencer Day was also in a complimentary mood when talking about going up against the Glovers on Saturday. He said: “There’s nothing tougher than playing a fabulous football club, a great side and they’ve almost won the league.

They’re the best team in the league by some distance but in a one off game it allows us to take our shackles off a bit.”

Day also made a rallying cry for “fans to turn up” as the game is being promoted as a family fun day by The Yellows.

Midfielder Millar Matthews-Lewis is player for travelling fans to look out for, having joined the Hampshire side in January from Premier League team Luton Town on loan. In terms of a goal threat, Boro have forward Hady Ghandour, on loan from Aldershot, who has bagged six goals in nine games.
https://twitter.com/FarnboroughFC/status/1762809877184065734

No suspension or new injuries for Farnborough to worry about after Joe Haigh returned in midweek from his suspension.

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Yeovil Town put their unbeaten home record on the line once more when 16th place Weston Super-Mare pay a visit to Huish Park on Tuesday night..

This may, or may not, be considered a Somerset Derby, both sides to lie within the county boundaries, but ‘Derby’ might be pushing it a bit.

Yeovil Team News

Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

The Glovers are hoping to build on their 1-0 win over Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday.

In terms of team news; Jordan Young is available before sitting out the next two away games after this midweek match up, the forward picked up his 10th yellow card at the weekend.

It’s expected that Alex Whittle will be missing though, he’s been forced off early on each of the last two outing for the Glovers, Jay Foulston a likely replacement in the starting line up. Whilst it’s expected that Charlie Cooper could be involved in a match day squad for the first time in a while.

The Glovers are still missing a trio of significant forward options with Rhys Murphy, Jake Hyde and Olly Thomas all out through injury.

Weston Team News 

Reuben Reid. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Super-Mare’s (I couldn’t think of their actual nickname when writing this) will bring a certain Reuben Reid with them to Huish Park.

Reid had two spells as a Glover and has nine goals in 26 appearances for Weston this season, however, hasn’t been named in a match day squad during February.

Other than Reid, Dayle Grubb leads their goal scoring charts with seven for the season in the league. 

Speaking after his side’s 2-1 win over Hemel on Saturday, Weston boss Scott Bartlett said;

“These are the games that you look forward to, these are the games that you want. Yeovil are doing really well, I’ve worked with Mark for a long time and they’re having a fantastic season… I think sometimes at home it might more difficult for Yeovil, than it will be away.

Teams are coming there to shut up shop, but we won’t do that, we can come and have a right good go, we know how strong they are, powerful they are, how good their squad is, Mark is an excellent coach, they’ll be really well drilled, they’ll know everything about us, we can go there as a club and give it our best shot.

It’s certainly a game we are looking forward to, after we’ve played that one, I hope they can go on and get the job done and go up, because they’ve had a difficult time as a club over the last period.”

 

 

When We Last Met.

Yeovil went to Weston Super Mare and picked up a 3-2 win earlier in the season, goals from Jordan Young, Jamie Sendels White and Frank Nouble giving the Glovers all three points away from home.

 

Elsewhere in the NLS

Aveley and Maidstone met on Monday night, but on Tuesday, the other promotion contenders are in action too;

Bath host Truro, Worthing head to Welling, Chelmsford travel to Hemel Hempstead, St Albans are away at Dover, Braintree host Tonbridge whilst Torquay are playing…. sorry, we said promotion contenders, didn’t we?

How To Watch/Listen

The best place it at Huish Park itself, tickets are available right up until kick off.

BBC Somerset and Three Valleys Radio will have live commentary, whilst the game is also available on National League TV for £9.50

 

 

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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.”

Mark Cooper interviewed after Yeovil Town's 4-2 win at Tonbridge Angels
Mark Cooper interviewed after Yeovil Town’s 4-2 win at Tonbridge Angels

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.

Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

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.

Oscar Gobern
Oscar Gobern playing for Yeovil. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

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.

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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.

Yeovil Town after Maidstone United defeat

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. 

Picture Courtesy of Gary Brown

“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.