Rowley apologises after Brackley defeat
2026-01-17
Billy Rowley apologised following Yeovil Town’s 2-1 defeat at Brackley. The Glovers conceded two poor goals in the National League Premier clash and the manager disappointed with the performance.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s, Ian Randall, Rowley said: “I know I’m supposed to say this to the fans, but I genuinely mean it: I am very thankful for them coming to support us today. And I’m going to apologise for that performance. I know all the lads will be in there agreeing. Everything we planned for against Brackley kind of was true: the game plan, their threats, how we were going to potentially deal with them. And at no point in this interview am I ever going to pretend like it’s the players – it’s all of us, it’s me. I’ll own that defeat on the chin.”
Rowley referred to his first interview where he said he was going to be ‘learning every game’ and said he was going to ‘figure out’ those of his squad who want to be on the journey.
“I tell you what it does for me is it motivates me a lot. In the first interview I said at this club, I’m going to be learning every game. I’m a very observant person, and I will figure out the players that want to come on this journey and don’t. I’m really disappointed by that performance today in a number of ways.”
The manager did give credit to the hosts, who he knew would provide a tough challenge.
“Brackley are good at home at what they do. They sit in a block, they frustrate you, and they’re very good at that. They deserved the win today. Obviously, scoring early helped them a lot,it means they can drop their line and sit on the edge of their box. Then it’s tricky to play over them because there’s no space in behind; they have tight lines and it’s hard to then feed the players in the front areas of the pitch.”
“Obviously, the two goals, if you watch them back, they’re errors from us, really. It’s a set-piece chance that we’ve not really defended in the correct zones, and it’s a bit of a mix-up with the first goal. It was very much a creation of our own downfall there. But I felt even from when they scored the first goal, probably 15 to 20 minutes after that, I felt really comfortable with how the game was looking.
“We were arriving in their final third so often, and it was just the final choice. We were just a bit loose. We didn’t cross it when we should have crossed it with any quality, we didn’t slip people in when we should have. And then the more you make bad decisions in games, the more psychologically it becomes a really tricky game because you start doubting yourself, you start doubting the plan, and then you tend to make even more bad decisions. And that’s kind of what we did today. I think we started to doubt ourselves and probably overthink a little bit.
“I think there’s two ways to approach that when you’re playing against a block: you can either slow the game out to draw people out and then inject the speed, or you can just move the ball side-to-side really quickly and hopefully they jump out. We kind of did neither of those, which is again—this is a bit of a process we’re going through. We just weren’t very good today. Some of our attacking play, some of our choices weren’t great, so it’s definitely something we’re going to review and improve on.”
Rowley added that getting performances right at home is going to crucial for the remaining matches this season.
“I think one thing that we’re going to try to do in these 19 games remaining in the league is to make sure we’re very good at home. If you get draws away from home, it’s not the end of the world. I think probably a draw today would have been fair, but we’ll wear that loss on the chin.”
Match Report: Brackley Town 2 Yeovil Town 1
2026-01-17
Yeovil Town were unable to break down a resolute Brackley Side during a one-sided second half performance, with all three points going to the hosts.
Ben Wodskou scored the winner in this fixture for the second time this season, this time for Brackley – his first half tap in the difference.
The stats will show the Glovers had far more of the possession, but the hosts did more with less to take the win. Here’s Dave’s on the whistle report.
First half
Almost with their first attack after just three minutes saw Brackley took the lead with almost their first attempt. A poor back pass let former Glover Scott Pollock through on goal only for Jed Ward to come out to meet him but his effort broke to Shane BYRNE who was completely unchallenged to tap in to an empty net.
The equaliser came soon after when a corner swung and it was Kyle FERGUSON who rose highest to head home with 11 minutes gone.
A quick break away by Brackley after 17 minutes saw Ben Wodskou clean through with a one-on-one chance against his old team-mate Jed Ward. The keeper was able to spread himself and deny the on loan Birmingham City loanee, who really should have taken the opportunity
There was another opportunity for Danny Newton just before the half-hour mark when poor marking gifted the experienced striker a free header. On too many occasions we have looked loose at the back and Brackley seem to be sending blood.
They managed to draw blood with two minutes of normal time remaining. The old boys combined with Pollock’s corner in to the danger area stabbed home by Ben WODSKOU, who had scored for Yeovil in the reverse fixture back in August.
In general play, we have dominated the game but the clear cut chances have fallen to the home side who, despite their poor record in front of goal so far this season, have taken them.
Half time: Brackley Town 2 Yeovil Town 1
Second half
James Daly curled one well wide with three minutes of the second half gone, but speculative at best and manager Billy Rowley needed less than ten minutes to make further changes with Terrell Works and Josh Tobin replacing Harvey Greenslade and Jonathan Page with 53 minutes on the clock.
Ten minutes later new boy Ryan Jones replaced Sims and it is fair to say the square root of nothing happened between the two sets of substitutions. Brackley are quite happy to sit back and watch us pass it around in front of them without ever quite finding the breakthrough. The final throw of the dice came 20 minutes from time when Cardiff loanee Troy Perrett replaced Finn Cousin-Dawson, with Tobin dropping back in to defence.
Up until this point, the second half has consisted of us having possession and almost inevitably giving it away to allow Brackley the opportunity to clear the danger or create an opening of their own. Following the changes, you could make an argument that we have a lot of players which have not played together before – but we have looked like that for much of the game.
There were a couple of opportunities where Perrett worked himself some space and had shots blocked by the Brackley defence and he was involved in the best (only?) meaningful opportunity with five minutes remaining. Dakari Mafico found his Cardiff team-mate just inside the box, he touched it on to Luke McCormick whose effort was turned aside by hosts’ keeper Cameron Gregory.
With four minutes of second half stoppage time, a late corner and even goalkeeper Jed Ward came up for it. But, on this day it was no surprise to see it turn in to a farce with an appalling corner leading to a Brackley break whilst Ward were are back towards his goal. In the end there was a covering defender, but that was the end of any kind of attacking threat – if there was any in the first place.
Full time: Brackley Town 2 Yeovil Town 1
Match Details
Venue: St James’ Park
Date: Saturday 17th January, 3pm Kick Off
Competition: Enterprise National League
Scorers: S Byrne (1-0 ‘4), Kyle Ferguson (1-1 ’12), B Wodskou (2-1 ’44)
Pitch: Sloped in about six different directions
Conditions: Dry but cool
Attendance: 1125 (319 Yeovil Fans)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: J Wannell ’45, K Ferguson ’72, J Tobin ’80,
Alvechurch: T Lyttle ’16, S Byrne ’24, Z Brown, ’75
Referee: George Laflin.
Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)
Substitutes: T Campbell (for Jarvis ’45) T Works (for Greenslade ’52) J Tobin (for Page ’52), R Jones (for Sims ’64), T Perrett (for Cousin-Dawson ’71) M Etefe, J Mukena.
Brackley Town: Cameron Gregory, Tyler Lyttle, Kyle Morrison, Scott Pollock, Zak Brown (for Jack Price ’90), Danny Newton, Matt Lowe, Michael Nottingham (for Lilly ’70), Ben Wodskou (For Roberts ’59), Byron Pendleton, Shane Byrne.
Substitutes (not used): Worby, Hall, Bamba, Calder
Rowley: We might wait for some debuts
2026-01-17
Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has said that he has had ‘quarter of an eye’ on Tuesday’s game with Aldershot with regards to his team line up for Saturday’s clash with Brackley.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol’s Ian Randall he said;
“I think, with one eye or quarter of an eye on Aldershot on Tuesday, that plays a part into selection. Also coming to Brackley who are fighting, you know, relegation arguably. They don’t concede many goals here, they make life very difficult for people that come and try and play football here. So, yeah, the selection was difficult today, but like I said, I think the fact that we’ve got a game on Tuesday plays a part in sort of sharing minutes.
Only Jonathon Page gets the nod with a potential four more debutants on the bench and Rowley felt like throwing players in all at once might not be what this game requires.
“There was method to that madness, like I said, you know, I don’t feel like today’s game’s going be a roll your sleeves up, and let’s see what we’ve got character-wise, and I’ve got full faith in our lads to do that. They’ve obviously dealt with those sort of occasions before. This game reminds me a little bit of Hartlepool away a few weeks ago. So the boys are well-versed in what’s needed to get a result here today. And I felt, like I said, with a Tuesday game coming up quick and fast after this, it might be a good chance to introduce some of the lads into a home game.
Pic C/O Gary Brown
Ryan [Jones] trained with us on Thursday and Friday, and obviously Friday’s only really 45 minutes to an hour match prep, so not loads. So that’s another reason why I didn’t want to like throw him in. I think Aldershot defends slightly differently to we do naturally, they’re a bit more man-for-man and we’re gonna be a bit more of a block today and press in certain moments, so didn’t want to spring that on him. [Jonathon] Page I’ve obviously worked with for six months so he sort of understands what’s needed. And I thought Dak [Mafico] who got man of the match last Saturday was a no-brainer to start.
And I feel really, you know, sorry for Harvey Greenslade who had to be substituted off after 20 minutes because of the red card, cause we probably needed to get an extra midfielder on. And I felt up until the red card last Saturday, I felt we were looking good, albeit against, you know, a team two leagues below, but I felt like if that red card didn’t happen, you know, on another day we probably score three or four goals in that game. So I want to sort of like give a chance for those lads to recreate that first 20 into today’s game.”
Team News – Brackley Town (A)
2026-01-17
Billy Rowley could give as many as FIVE debuts today, but only one gets the nod from the start.
Jonathon Page comes in to replace the suspended Brett McGavin, in the only charge to starting line up from the one that started against Alevchurch.
Max Jolliffe is the unlucky sixth loanee who misses out with the other five all involved in the match day squad, of the contracted members of the group, Jacob Maddox is not involved.
There is no Matt Gould on the bench either, so Jed Ward is the only recognised goalkeeper on the team sheet.
We’ll take the formation graphic with an almighty pinch of salt as we know it is very, very flexible!
Match Preview: Brackley Town vs Yeovil Town
2026-01-17
It’s back to league action this weekend as Yeovil Town travel Brackley Town on Saturday afternoon.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
Pic C/O Gary Brown
Since last Saturday however, manager Billy Rowley has made three strong signings. Midfielder, Troy Perrett caused a stir on social after people realised he sounded like Ireland hero Troy Parrott, when he was announced. Joy Mukena was then announced as a permanent transfer, with Terrell Works joining Perrett as another loanee, this time from Fulham. Those signings should make the Glovers stronger for the back end of the season.
BRACKLEY TOWN
Brackley Town haven’t played a league game since December 30th after two their two games against Rochdale and Eastleigh got postponed. The Saints have played one game in that period in the FA Trophy however, which they lost 1-0 to Yeovil manager’s old side, Walton & Hersham.
Over their last five games, the Northamptonshire side have won three and lost two. Altough sitting 18th in the league, the Saints did beat Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day. That win shows they are better than their position in the table, and will be a tough game for Yeovil on Saturday.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JED WARD
It’s back to one of the old faithful this week as Jed Ward showed his class once again last time out. We all know the qualities that the young shot stopper possesses, but we as fans may have started to take them for granted.
The 22-year-olds shootout heroics in the FA Trophy once again reaffirmed his importance to the side. Three saves from a possible four in the shootout isn’t just a fluke but shows a quality keeper. Not only does her have to confidence in knowing where the opposition takers are going but to also follow that conviction and time his dive.
I think we will only realise how great Ward has been this season when he isn’t here next season.
Pic C/O Gary Brown
BRACKLEY TOWN – SHANE BYRNE
Byrne is a bit of a club legend at the Saints. The 32-year-old played for Brackley from 2016-2021, amassing over 220 appearances. The Irishman left Northamptonshire for three years before rejoining Brackley.
The midfielders has vast experience, not only in the league for Brackley, but also at international youth level. It doesn’t matter what level of international football you play, you have to be a high class player to get to there. This season Byrne has bagged three goals for the struggling Saints side making him their second top scorer.
He is also a machine defensively, making 13 recoveries a game and 7 successful dribbles.
THE GAFFER…
Gavin Cowan is the man in the home dugout. The 44-year-old started his managerial career at AFC Telford in 2018, he would stay the midlands gaffer for just over three years before leaving. The German born man, then had two years out of the game before being appointed as manager at St James’ Park in 2023.
Cowan was a player in his younger days, spending his time in the lower reaches of the English football pyramid. As a defender he played for 11 clubs during his career making over 350 league appearances. Cowan has played one game against Yeovil, losing that fixture.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The two sides have only met once in their history, which was earlier this season. That game was played back in August when the Glovers ran out 2-1 winners at Huish Park.
The goals that day were scored by Josh Sims and Tyler Wodskou before the Saints got a consolation through Tyler Little.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
The other former loanee is Byron Pendleton, who seems to follow Wodskou (or vice versa). The defender also was at Huish Park this term playing 14 games.
Pic Gary Brown
The final former Glovers is Scott Pollock, remember him. Pollock came to Somerset after a good season at Boston, but was followed by his widely known agent Seb Carmichael-Brown. The midfielders time at Huish Park was fraught by injury only making seven appearances.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
Another ex-Glover for the slightly older supporter, midfielder Jack Price – remember him? No, you can be forgiven it was a one month loan spell whilst he was a Wolves player in a forgettable 2014-15 season as we were relegated out of League One. Magnificent beard though.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
George Laflin is the man in charge for this fixture. For more information on him and his team for Saturday check out Ben’s article – here.
Foot In The Opposition Camp – Brackley (A)
2026-01-17
We’re off to St James’ Park this Saturday – no, not that one, or that one – but in order to learn a little bit more, we’re very grateful for Volunteer Head of Commercial at Brackley, Will Grashoff for chatting to Dave ahead of this Afternoon’s clash.
Glovers take a Shot on Jones
2026-01-16
Yeovil Town have announced the signing of Aldershot’s Ryan Jones on a deal until the summer of 2028.
Yeovil Town have reportedly paid a “five figure sum” for the former Bristol Rovers youngster.
The officials Aldershot statement said;
“…the club has secured a five-figure sum rather than losing Ryan for nothing at the end of the season as a free agent.
In addition, the agreement includes a sell-on clause, ensuring the club will benefit from any future transfer of the player and enabling any such receipt to be reinvested into the club’s playing staff.”
Jones has been a regular in the Aldershot side this season, playing 18 times in the league, scoring against York City in November.
He limped off in the first half of the Glovers’ 4-1 win over Aldershot earlier in the season.
A former Weston-super-Mare, Hungerford and Bromley player, he is predominantly used down the left hand side, equally happy as a wing back in a five as well as in midfield or attack behind the front man.
He, like Dan Ellison, won the 2024/25 FA Trophy at Wembley with the Shots and returns to his home county to join the Glovers.
Welcome to Yeovil, Ryan!
MOTM Result – Alvechurch (H)
2026-01-16
Dakarai Mafico was proudly posting his Man of the Match award off on social media following his eye catching performance against Alvechurch in the FA Trophy, but this is the one that really counts, right, Dak?
The Cardiff loanee didn’t just beat penalty hero Jed Ward to the top of the votes, he did so by over 30 votes!
Ward did come second, maintaining his record of making a podium in six of the last seven votes, with Josh Sims picking up a small selection of votes to take third.
Another thank you to all those that voted, another high turnout which really does add to the numbers significantly, we’ll be doing it for every game this season, so if you want a quick and easy way to have your view of the game you’d just watched, look out for our Man of the Match polls.
Congratulations, Dakarai… here’s to a few more!
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESPONSES | 1ST (Votes / Percent) | 2ND (Votes / Percent) | 3RD (Votes / Percent) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | |||||
| 09.08.2025 | HARTLEPOOL (Home, 0-0 draw) | 172 | JED WARD (52 / 32.4%) | Morgan Williams (44 / 25.6%) | Jake Wannell (22 / 12.8%) |
| 16.08.2025 | FOREST GREEN (Away, 2-0 loss) | 87 | JED WARD (39 / 44.8%) | Byron Pendleton (16 / 18.4%) | Morgan Williams (11 / 12.6%) |
| 20.08.2025 | BRACKLEY TOWN (Home, 2-1 win) | 153 | JED WARD (89 / 58.2%) | Josh Sims (23 / 15%) | Tahvon Campbell (14 / 9.2%) |
| 23.08.2025 | BRAINTREE TOWN (Away, 1-0 loss) | 71 | JED WARD (29 / 40.8%) | Josh Sims (15 / 21.1%) | James Plant (7 / 9.9%) |
| 25.08.2025 | GATESHEAD (Home, 4-3 loss) | 174 | HARVEY GREENSLADE (65 / 37.4%) | Junior Morias (59 / 33.9%) | Josh Sims (23 / 13.2%) |
| 30.08.2025 | HALIFAX (Away, 3-2 loss) | 93 | JOSH SIMS (36 / 38.7%) | Harvey Greenslade (29 / 31.2%) | Junior Morias (13 / 14%) |
| AUGUST PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 JED WARD (12 PTS, 3 MOTM) | 🥈 JOSH SIMS (8 PTS, 1 MOTM) | 🥉 HARVEY GREENSLADE (5 PTS, 1 MOTM) |
||
| 02.09.2025 | SOLIHULL M (Away, 1-0 win) | 98 | JUNIOR MORIAS (28 / 28.3%) | Luke McCormick (24 / 24.2%) | Jed Ward (15 / 15.2%) |
| 06.09.2025 | YORK CITY (Home, 3-1 loss) | 108 | JOSH SIMS (48 / 44.4%) | Luke McCormick (33 / 30.6%) | Jed Ward (7 / 6.5%) |
| 13.09.2025 | WOKING (Home, 1-0 win) | 127 | LUKE MCCORMICK (47 / 37%) | Kyle Ferguson (37 / 29.1%) | Harvey Greenslade (11 / 8.7%) |
| 20.09.2025 | TAMWORTH (Away, 1-0 loss) | 62 | JED WARD (17 / 27.4%) | Kyle Ferguson (10 / 16.1%) | Josh Sims (7 / 11.3%) |
| 24.09.2025 | ALDERSHOT (Away, 4-1 win) | 94 | ANDREW OLUWABORI (36 / 38.3%) | Tahvon Campbell (25 / 26.6%) | Luke McCormick (10 / 10.6%) |
| 27.09.2025 | ALTRINCHAM (Home, 1-0 win) | 154 | ANDREW OLUWABORI (51 / 33.1%) | Jed Ward (37 / 24%) | Morgan Williams (18 / 11.7%) |
| 30.09.2025 | SUTTON UTD (Away 2-1 win) | 119 | JOSH SIMS (88 / 73.9%) | Andrew Oluwabori (20 / 16.8%) | Jed Ward (6 / 5%) |
| SEPTEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 ANDREW OLUWABORI (8 PTS / 2 MOTM) | 🥈 JED WARD (8 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥉 JOSH SIMS (7 PTS / 2 MOTM) |
||
| 04.10.2025 | BOREHAM WOOD (Home - 0-3 loss) | 87 | JED WARD (61 / 70.1%) | Harvey Greenslade (10 / 11.5%) | Kyle Ferguson (5 / 5.7%) |
| 11.10.2025 | HEMEL HEMPSTEAD (Away 2-1 loss) | 44 | HARVEY GREENSLADE (18 / 40.9%) | Jed Ward (10 / 22%) | Byron Pendleton (6 / 13.6%) |
| 18.10.2025 | ROCHDALE (Away 3-0 loss) | 49 | JED WARD (17 / 34.7%) | Harvey Greenslade (10 / 20.4%) | Kyle Ferguson (5 / 10.2%) |
| 25.10.2025 | CARLISLE (Home 1-1 draw) | 140 | Max Jolliffe (60 / 42.9% | Harvey Greenslade (16 / 11.4%) | George Nurse (13 / 9.3%) |
| OCTOBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 HARVEY GREENSLADE (9 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥈 JED WARD (8 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥉 MAX JOLLIFFE (3 PTS / 1 MOTM) |
||
| 04.11.2025 | WEALDSTONE (Home 0-2 loss) | 67 | LUKE MCCORMICK (13 / 19.4%) | Jed Ward (12 / 17.9%) | Aaron Jarvis (9 / 13.4%) |
| 08.11.2025 | SCUNTHORPE (Away 1-0 loss) | 46 | JAMES PLANT (15 / 32.6%) | Jed Ward (12 / 26.1%) | Harvey Greenslade (10 / 21.7%) |
| 15.11.2025 | SOUTHEND (Home 0-1 loss) | 89 | JED WARD (74 / 83.1%) | Max Jolliffe (5 / 5.6%) | Junior Morias (3 / 3.4%) |
| 22.11.2025 | MORECAMBE (Away 0-0 draw) | 49 | JED WARD (22 / 44.9%) | Harvey Greenslade (12 / 24.5%) | Finn Cousin-Dawson 4 (8.2%) |
| 29.11.2025 | BOSTON UNITED (Home 2-1 win) | 108 | LUKE MCCORMICK (68 / 63%) | Brett McGavin (10 / 9.3%) | James Plant (6 / 5.6%) |
| NOVEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 JED WARD (10 PTS, 2 MOTM) | 🥈 LUKE MCCORMICK (6 PTS / 2 MOTM) | 🥉 JAMES PLANT (4 PTS / 1 MOTM) |
||
| 06.12.2025 | HARTLEPOOL UTD (Away, 2-0 win) | 106 | LUKE MCCORMICK (78 / 73.6%) | Jed Ward (11 / 10.4%) | Harvey Greenslade (7 / 6.6%) |
| 13.12.2025 | MAIDSTONE UTD (Home, 1-1 [4-2 on pens]) | 125 | JED WARD (83 / 66.4%) | Brett McGavin (10 / 8%) | Harvey Greenslade (9 / 7.2%) |
| 20.12.2025 | FOREST GEEEN (Home, 0-2 loss) | 94 | LUKE MCCORMICK (22 / 23.4%) | Harvey Greenslade (20 / 21.3%) | Jed Ward (17 / 18.1%) |
| 26.12.2025 | TRURO CITY (Away 0-1 loss) | 67 | JED WARD (55 / 82.1%) | Jake Wannell (3 / 4.5%) | Josh Tobin / Aaron Jarvis (2 / 3%) |
| 30.12.2025 | EASTLEIGH (Home 1-1 draw) | 113 | LUKE MCCORMICK (46 / 40.7%) | Jed Ward (29 / 25.7%) | Jake Wannell (10 / 8.8%) |
| DECEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 JED WARD (10 PTS, 2 MOTM) | 🥈 LUKE MCCORMICK (9 PTS / 3 MOTM) | 🥉 HARVEY GREENSLADE (4 PTS / 0 MOTM) |
||
| 03.01.2026 | BRAINTREE (Home 3-1 win) | 164 | LUKE MCCORMICK (44 / 26.8%) | Aaron Jarvis (27 / 16.5%) | James Daly/Brett McGavin (20 / 12.2%) |
| 10.01.2026 | ALVECHURCH (Home 0-0 [3-1 on pens]) | 172 | DAKARAI MAFICO (86 / 50%) | Jed Ward (55 / 32%) | Josh Sims (9 / 5.2%) |