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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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Mark Cooper praised AFC Stoneham following the Glovers 7-1 win in the FA Cup this afternoon. Goals from Jordan Young, Jake Wannell, Frank Nouble, Rhys Murphy (x3) and Jordan Maguire-Drew saw Yeovil run out comfortable winners and the boss was pleased that his side scored seven but lamented the Duarte Martin’s consolation goal.

Speaking to BBC Somerset following the victory, Cooper said: “It’s about Stoneham today. It’s their day, it’s about them and how well they’ve done to get the results they’ve had to get to get to this stage.”

Despite the comfortable score line and the dominant performance Cooper was disappointed with the “schoolboy defending” for Stoneham’s goal and felt his side should have scored more.

“We had a job to do, we did it. Like I said, it was a no-win situation for us. But we were professional enough. I’m devastated about the goal we conceded, that should never happen. But, to score seven in any game is obviously pleasing.

“I’m pretty selfish, I thought we could have won by more”

“We started off really well, the keeper made some unbelievable saves in the first few minutes. I’m pretty selfish, I thought we could have won by more. but I’m really angry about the goal we conceded and if that’s a league game we probably concede two or three late on.”

Rhys Murphy earned himself the match ball with a second half hattrick of archetypal Murphy finishes and Cooper was pleased with the contribution of his substitutes.

“The boys that are not playing, when they come on the pitch [they]need to contribute and that’s been the case so far for us this season. Our subs have contributed and they did again today.”

It’s three wins in a row for Yeovil now, and the Glovers face a visit to 21st place Hampton & Richmond Borough next weekend hoping to find the a fourth.

“Whatever level you play at, to win three games on the bounce is hard. It’s hard to win a game of football because there are so many variables. The opposition have 11 players that are trying to stop you so to win three games at any level is good. We’ve got to try and make that four next week.”

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Jordan Young is relishing Saturday’s FA Cup tie with ninth-tier AFC Stoneham.

The forward had a successful run in the competition with Chippenham last year, beating Lincoln to reach the Second Round.

“It’s an exciting week, FA Cup week,” Young said. “I think it’s a massive competition and I’m looking forward to it.

“I had a good run last year and it’s so exciting. If you can go on a good run and get a good team, it’s exciting.

“We’re obviously focused on the league but that was last week and this week we’re really looking forward to having an exciting cup game.

“I know a little bit about them. Every game’s going to be tough because they’re going to be bang up for it so we’ve just got to concentrate on ourselves and go from there.”

The 22-year-old is enjoying a run in Mark Cooper’s team, contributing a goal and two assists in his last two games.

“I’m quite a confident player even when I’m not playing. I’m confident in myself and I just need that run of games getting in the team and thankfully I’ve done well.

“It’s tough because sometimes you want a run of games to get going, but we’ve got a really good squad with good players and rotation can help as well.”

Young has particularly impressed with his set pieces, including a sublime free-kick against Weston-super-Mare.

“I think at the start of the season we struggled with set pieces a little bit, but we really worked on it and you can tell now it’s paying off.

“We’ve got some big boys and all we need to do is go and attack it and we’ll score goals.”

“The good thing is we’re winning and we’re not playing as well as we can do. So once we get to that level, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

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Mark Cooper described Yeovil’s upcoming FA Cup tie with AFC Stoneham as a “no-win” situation.

The Wessex League Premier Division side, who ply their trade three divisions below the Glovers, will travel to Huish Park looking to cause an upset.

Cooper said: “It’s a ‘no-win’ for us and it’s a ‘win-win’ for Stoneham because everyone expects us to win. For us, it’s about paying total respect to Stoneham.

“It’s about them, it’s their day but we have a job to do and our only job is to make sure we try and get in the next round.

“They’ve not played lots of league games yet but I think they’re at the top of their league. We had them watched at Cowes on Saturday, so we’re paying as much respect as we would to a Torquay United or whoever we were playing.”

When asked if he’d consider rotating his team for the visit of the Purples, Cooper had a simple answer.

“No. We’re trying to win the game so I’m going to play the strongest team I can. I’ve never had an easy game and I don’t expect one.”

Experienced defender Michael Smith could be in line to make his debut after signing for the Glovers following his release from Hearts.

“He’s been on our radar for a while and obviously Michael with his stock and having played 30-odd games in the Scottish Premier and Europe last year, he was a little bit out of our price range.

Michael Smith signed on Tuesday

“He was exploring the possibilities of League One and he’s had some big offers to go back to Scotland but he wanted to settle in Bristol because of his family and that’s the only reason we’ve managed to get him. He could have gone back to Scotland for treble the amount that he’s getting paid with us and it just fell lucky for us at the right time.”

The Northern Ireland international will be hoping his first Huish Park appearance is as successful as the drum that made its debut on the terrace last week!

“I think the Chairman’s just got that to drown out the moaners! I asked him for that to shut them blokes up behind me!

“I thought it was great, the players loved it. When there’s those dull lulls in the game, it keeps going. I think it adds to the experience, definitely.”

 

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper is looking for all three points ahead of this weekend’s visit of Scunthorpe United and said his side will have to get on the right side of ‘moments‘ against the National League’s bottom club.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins on Thursday, the manager said: “We just have to perform on the day. Physically, mentally, tactically, we have to be right on the day. We can talk about how poor a run Scunthorpe are on, but they have players that can hurt you. If you take the top two or three out of the league, there’s not a lot between any of the teams and its about moments in matches that decide which way the afternoon or evening’s gonna go and we’ve got to make sure were on the right side of those moments.

“We need to win, simple. We need to win the game. However we do it, we need to win because we a tough game on Tuesday away at Barnet and more tough games after that so we need to win the game to put ourselves in a strong position.”

With two sides who were relegated from the EFL last season taking up the bottom two places in the League, Cooper expressed his sympathy for the situation the Iron find themselves in and said how no team has a divine right to walk the league.

“It’s a graveyard for big former football league clubs. You look at the teams that are around the bottom, Scunthorpe, Oldham, Yeovil (ouch!) those kinds of teams. There’s no divine right to be at the top of this league, you have to earn it. Scunthorpe is a great football club and you just feel sorry for their fans as to where they are now and what they’re having to put up with. I’m sure they’ll sort it out in the long run but we’ve got to make sure that’s not on Saturday.”

When asked by Adi Hopper of Three Valleys Radio about his time at the club so far, the manager said: “I’m happy, you always want more. I’ve said before, I was left a good base by the previous manager. The players were in good nick a good defensive unit, and we’ve just added a little bit of something to the group. We’ve brought a couple of players in which has given us a spark. But as a coach, as a manager you always want a bit more.”

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Darren Sarll is beginning to see a trend from his ‘settled’ team. Following the win at Dagenham, he told the BBC that the first half performance was one of the best in his time at the club.

“I thought first half in particular, we were really, really good. It’s right up there, that first half performance, in my time here. That’s how good I thought we were. I thought it was a really good performance (in the) first half, we looked controlled, we look settled at the moment which is nice,” he said.

He praised the incredible spirit of last year’s squad after the ordeal they went through, but added that the current group of Glovers are building a close bond.

“They’ve got a real togetherness, and a tightness in their relationships. It does help that they’re all pretty much 21 – 24, minus a couple. And, those seniors players are really really leading them well at the minute.”

“The best thing about the group, their kind of USP, is that they have a unique work ethic and it endears them to people and that’s lovely to see again, a nice moment again with the supporters (at the end).” 

Yeovil are now six unbeaten (don’t let anyone tell you the SPC doesn’t count) and Sarll sees that consistency coming from being able to name unchanged personnel. He said: “We’re starting to see a little bit of a trend and a pattern. It’s nice to see that consistency, but it does get easier when you can consistently roll out the same side.”

Yeovil have another tough test on Tuesday night as they head to 4th-place Bromley.