Ian, Dave and Ben are back to catch up on the New Years Day defeat at Forest Green Rovers. We discuss the brilliant first half, more refereeing decisions and the need for reinforcements, plus your GCQs.
Yeovil’s 2025 was kicked off with a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers, let’s see how the rest of the division got on in chilly conditions…
We start back in 2024, where a New Years Eve derby took place – it was Solihull Moors who ended up victorious, in a 2-0 win over Tamworth to further their playoff push. Back to 2025, and we begin with Woking, who continued their 100% record under Neal Ardley, as they won 3-1 at home to Maidenhead United. Hartlepool United registered another home victory to continue their climb up the table, as they defeated a blunt Oldham Athletic 2-1, while at the other end of the table, Dagenham & Redbridge won the “Manager-less” derby in a 2-0 win away to Ebbsfleet United.
A 94th minute equaliser by Cameron Hargreaves salvaged a point for Aldershot Town away at Sutton United, and it was a point apiece for Eastleigh and Barnet. In front of a sellout crowd, York City retained their place at the top of the table with a narrow 1-0 win over Gateshead, while in the evening kickoff, Southend United won on their travels to Braintree Town in a 1-0 win.
There were postponements for Rochdale and Altrincham, and Wealdstone and Boston United due to waterlogged pitches, and the final game of the matchweek takes place on Saturday, as FC Halifax Town host AFC Fylde during the FA Trophy fixtures.
National League results – in full
Solihull Moors 2-0 Tamworth
Eastleigh 1-1 Barnet
Ebbsfleet United 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge
Forest Green Rovers 2-1 Yeovil Town
Hartlepool United 2-1 Oldham Athletic
Rochdale P-P Altrincham
Sutton United 1-1 Aldershot Town
Wealdstone P-P Boston United
Woking 3-1 Maidenhead United
York City 1-0 Gateshead
Braintree Town 0-1 Southend United
FC Halifax Town v AFC Fylde (Sat 4th Jan)
Football going on all over the shop over the festive period and plenty of the loanee Glovers were involved.
One that wasn’t involved was Harvey Greenslade, who missed Weston-super-Mare’s 3-1 defeat to Chippenham through illness.
There was a cleano for Will Buse in W*ymouth’s 0-0 draw with Salisbury.
45’| Busey comfortably stops the free-kick.https://t.co/HGSzbP1vk3
⚪ 0-0 🩷 | #TerrasTogether
— Weymouth FC (@theterras) January 1, 2025
… and as the headline suggests, Jordan Thomas got in a spot of bother with the officials in Torquay’s game with Truro.
Thankfully, his 83rd minute minute sending off didn’t prevent them from getting all three points to keep them top of the National League South.
Some chap called Jordan Young scored their winner.
⏱️83′ 🟥 Thomas receives a red card after being grounded inside the Truro box.
— Torquay United FC (@TUFC1899) January 1, 2025
Into the regional leagues and Sherborne didn’t play on New Year’s Day, but they did pick up a 1-0 win on December 29th, Josh Haskett was used from the bench in that one, but Corey Koerner didn’t play as he was involved for the U18s.
Down at Tavistock, Jacob Shore ended his time with the Lambs with a lovely ending, a goal!
A towering header at the back post against Falmouth, we thank Dave Crawford, the Tavistock Photographer for the use of these photos.
Josh Sims has said his Yeovil Town team-mates were frustrated to come away from the New Year’s Day visit to big-spending Forest Green Rovers with nothing to show for it.
The Glovers led at The New Lawn going in to the 75th minute when Bristol Rovers loanee Kofi Shaw was sent-off for a second bookable offence and the home side were awarded a penalty which swung the game back in their favour.
Former Yeovil loan defender Ryan Inniss then grabbed a winner deep in to second half injury time to deny the visitors a point which Sims felt they deserved.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, he said: “It was similar to the Eastleigh game (on Boxing Day) when we were playing well for large parts of the game, it is just a shame. The sending off does not help and them they get momentum from the penalty but when you play so well and get nothing out of it, it is really disappointing.
“At half-time we were comfortable, we had them locked up with the way we were plying. They had one chance from a counter attack which (Kyle McAllister) puts past the post, but for the most part we were brilliant. That is what makes it so frustrating that we have come away from this game with nothing to show for it. That is football though, you do not get rewarded for good performances unless you get a point or three points. We have to build on the good things which we have done in the last few games, but we really have to cut out those mistakes which are costing us.”
The game swung on the decision of referee James Oldham who adjudged a foul by Shaw to be inside the penalty area and awarded Forest Green a penalty and the teenage attacker a second yellow card. The incident saw the Bristol Rovers player raise his boot as former Glovers’ favourite Tom Knowles stooped to head it.
Sims said: “It is a 50-50 ball, the guy puts his head down and Kofi puts his head up, but you do see those get given. It is hard because (Kofi) does get the ball but the refs always seem to give those in favour of the guy putting their head down. It is a shame with the second yellow which really gives them momentum.”
Sims has been utilised as a left-sided wing-back in the past two games with Alex Whittle still absent and the former Southampton man says he has enjoyed the new defensive responsibility.
With no FA Trophy tie this weekend, the Glovers have a rare break in the fixture calendar meaning they are not in action again until Woking visit Huish Park on January 11th.
On his new position, Sims said: “I played there against Eastleigh. Whitts (Alex Whittle) has been out for a bit and we have not really got a left wing-back, so the Gaffer (manager Mark Cooper) has put me there in the last few games and I have really enjoyed it. It is obviously something different, you have more defensive responsibility but I have good people around me to talk me through the game which makes life a lot easier.”
On the nine-day break, he added: “Having a break at this time of the season is quite rare, but we have to be fresh and ready when the next game comes and build on the good things we have done. The break will be good for the boys who are coming back from injury and we will be ready for the next game.”
2025 didn’t quite kick off how Yeovil would have hoped with defeat at Forest Green Rovers. Here are my Five Conclusions from the 2-1 loss at The New Lawn.
I hate talking about the officials. At this point it feels like an inevitability that there will be contentious decisions at the heart of a Yeovil game. Interestingly, Steve Cotterill said after the match that Forest Green were due a penalty having had none all season, although I’m not sure that justifies it. Kofi Shaw’s first yellow card, a classic case of six of one, half a dozen of the other was harsh in my opinion. The penalty decision is a close call too, and it’s hard to say with the angles I’ve seen whether it’s inside the box or not. However, once again we’re left complaining about the officiating in a match and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s bored of it.
I thought we were excellent. The first half performance from the Glovers was what you’d have wanted away at one of the top sides in the division. Only once did the defence get really stretched and Yeovil stuck to their principles and moved the ball calmly and patiently. The opening goal from Kofi Shaw shows some real bravery from Ollie Wright to throw it out to Shaw over the Forest Green midfield and the 18-year-old took it from there. We had a couple of overloads where, on another day, we could have taken advantage of.
The nippy fellas are key. I thought Josh Sims had the best match of his time at Yeovil so far. There was a lot to do on our left both defensively and offensively and but for a couple of misplaced passes in the final third, he did really well. Kofi Shaw continued doing Kofi Shaw things – the kid’s a maverick and we should celebrate and encourage that in football. I was also impressed with Sean McGurk – nippy, technical and not afraid to shoot – it’s early days but he appears to be an upgrade on Dylan Morgan in that part of the pitch. We know we need to do more in the final third and with some help for Aaron Jarvis, I think we can find it.
We are so close. The first half performance showed me that this group are so close to being a team that flirting with the top end of the table. We’ve clearly got the quality in the team and when it clicks we look comfortable defensively and really assured on the ball. Forest Green were always going to be a bit more open than sides we’d play at home as they’re gunning to get out of the league straight away, but until they brought on two giants in Cardwell and Quigley we handled everything they threw at us. Once again though, it was the attacking moments that we didn’t take advantage of.
Reinforcements are much-needed. It was reassuring to hear Mark Cooper talk about freshening up the squad in the next ten days. With two youth players on the bench (and two goalkeepers) the depth is sorely lacking at the moment. I thought Aaron Jarvis had another tough task in the second half, especially after the red and substitution of McGurk. The energy that Sims and Worthington brought in the first half wasn’t there in the second, naturally. I actually thought the game could of have done with Frank Nouble from the bench, just to see if something stuck and took the pressure of the back line as Forest Green bombarded the Yeovil box.
Mark Cooper bemoaned the officiating once again, as a red card for Kofi Shaw in the 75th minute changed the course of the Yeovil’s New Years Day match against Forest Green Rovers. The hosts went on to win 2-1 with a stoppage time winner from Ryan Inniss, but up until the sending off, the Glovers were well worth their 1-0 lead.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah in the aftermath of the match Cooper praised his side’s performance: “First half, we were outstanding. [We] dominated the game with the ball. [We] played through a really good team and caused them untold problems, and we deserved to be winning. The game turns on another contentious decision. I just think when you come to the big boys – deemed big boys in the league – I don’t know what it is, I think if you give a pen for that, you give 10 a game. You could say [Kofi Shaw] doesn’t need to do it, but he clearly kicks the ball. Is it in the box? Very, very debatable. So I’m not sure you can give a penalty for that.”
Cooper also said there was a handball in the passage of play which resulted in the corner than Forest Green Rovers scored their winner from: “Well there was a handball. But, what they’ll say, is ‘it was accidental’. But listen, they’re gonna make it up as they go along, and make sure that Forest Green get a decision.”
With two goalkeepers on the bench and only Finn Cousin-Dawson and Michael Smith used from it, Cooper said he was working on ‘freshening’ up the squad in the next ten days and that the club had agreed a ‘really good one’.
“We played brilliantly well today. The first half, we were amazing, that’s how we want to play. But when we look at the bench, we didn’t have too much where we could change it and freshen it up. And that’s what we’re going to be working on in the next 10 days. We’ve agreed one – a really good one, and, [we are] still after a left-sided wing back.”
Who was your Yeovil Town man of the match for the New Year’s Day match at Forest Green Rovers?
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Dom Bernard comes in to the Yeovil Town starting XI to face his former club Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Day (3pm kick-off).
The defender replaces Finn Cousin-Dawson in the Glovers’ backline, the only change from the 2-2 draw at home to Eastleigh on Boxing Day.
Under-18s’ goalkeeper Will Howard is one of two goalkeepers named on the bench alongside goalkeeping coach Matt Gould with first-choice stopper Ollie Wright struggling with illness.
It’s New Year’s Day and we hope you enjoyed as much turkey and pigs in blankets as you could because non-League’s favourite (only?) vegans, Forest Green Rovers, are our opponents.
On the face of it, Forest Green Rovers are a formidable foe to be kicking off 2025 against. They are unbeaten at home in the league and have only lost twice all season with the most recent defeat coming on the 24th September at Oldham Athletic.
Their other defeat was at the hands of the current league leaders, Barnet, back in the third game of the season, and they sit in third in the National League Premier Division table going in to this fixture.
But, there’s always a but, they have dropped points in their last two league matches with a 1-1 draw at Tamworth on Boxing Day albeit courtesy of a 90+2 minute equaliser from the home side, and were held by the same scoreline by Aldershot Town on their last outing at the New Lawn.
They have managed six points from their last four matches whilst Yeovil Town have managed one more than that.
The Glovers make the trip to Gloucestershire having fallen foul to their own late equaliser – the 90+3 goal from Eastleigh in the 2-2 draw at Huish Park on Boxing Day. Prior to that there was a 2-1 loss at Hartlepool on December 20th which followed back-to-back league wins at home to Braintree Town and away at Woking.
Despite being unbeaten on home soil, Forest Green ‘only’ have the fourth-best home record in the league (P10 W7 D3) mainly virtue of the fact they have played fewer home games than those above them. Yeovil have the fourth-best away record in the division (P12, W6, D2, L4). Who has the best away record, you ask? Why, it’s Forest Green (P13, W6, D5, L2).
Yeovil – Sean McGurk
Can a player who has only played 70 minutes be described as a key player? Well, why not, eh? Sean McGurk, who arrived on a one-month loan deal from Swindon Town on Christmas Eve, showed plenty of promise in the 2-2 home draw with Eastleigh on Boxing Day.
He will probably not score an easier goal than the tap in which saw him open his account in front of the Thatcher’s End five days ago, but he displayed enough quality on the ball and energy to suggest that he will only get better as his match fitness and sharpness grows.
Forest Green Rovers – Kyle McAllister
There is no shortage of players to score goals in an expensively-assembled Forest Green forward line, but Kyle McAllister will be one of the biggest danger men.
The Scotsman, signed from St Mirren in 2022, is described on the club’s own website as “a Swiss Army Knife” of a player having played out wide, as a number ten and a false nine – oh, and a wing-back as well – this season.
What we can tell you is he has seven goals to his name – including one against Tamworth on Boxing Day – which makes him joint second-highest scorer this season alongside Charlie McCann and behind Christian Doidge who has nine.
There are few more experienced managers at this level than Forest Green Rovers’ boss Steve Cotterill. He was winning this division with his current club’s biggest rivals, Cheltenham Town, back in 1999, clinching it with a ‘play until Cheltenham score’ win over Yeovil at Whaddon Road.
Since then he’s been in charge with differing levels of success at Stoke City, Burnley, Bristol City, Birmingham City, and arrived at the New Lawn around this time last year but could not save the club from relegation back to the non-League. Anyway, you want to know what he said about Yeovil, don’t you?
Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, Cotterill said: “I have looked at (Yeovil) in a couple of game this week and they have mixed it up a bit, so I think that is the art of it, you have to be able to mix your game up. If you only play one way, you are easy to play against, so I am not a big fan of ‘we have to do it a certain way’, you have to do a bit of everything.
“It is about how we do and how we can impose ourselves on the game. In one of the first interviews I had when I came here, I said ‘there are many ways to win a football match’, it can be possession, it can be a counter attack, a set piece, many, many things. Your team needs to have a clear idea more than a clear identity.”
Asked what he would like from the Forest Green home support on Boxing Day, he added: “We have been to plenty of hostile grounds this season and that atmosphere can influence (refereeing) decisions. I do not think we have been on the good side of too many decisions this year and that is probably down to the surroundings. I would say to our supporters, get behind the lads, no matter what. I think the players earned it.”
Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper was not asked about New Year’s Day following the home draw with Eastleigh back on Boxing Day, but we will assume he knows plenty about his opponents, not least because he played for them for a season and managed them for five years.
He will forever have a place in the club’s history having guided them to the Football League for the first time in their history via the National League play-offs back in 2017. If he had been asked, he’d probably have mentioned that.
Many times. Our record – if you include friendlies – against Forest Green Rovers goes back to 1981, but our last two outings saw us come out on the wrong side of the result.
The last meeting was in February 2019 as we were tumbling towards the exit door out of the Football League when a Forest Green side managed by Mark Cooper beat us 3-0 in Gloucestershire. That same season they also ran out 2-1 winners at Huish Park in early December 2018 with Rhys Browne the scorer for Yeovil that day.
You have to go back to Boxing Day 2000 to find a competitive victory for the Glovers at the New Lawn when a Barrington Belgrave goal sealed a 1-0 win. There was a friendly win there back in July 2013 when even Michael Ngoo (remember him?) got on the scoresheet in a 5-3 thriller.
If you are like our Ian, please look away now. There’s a fair few familiar faces in the Forest Green Rovers line-up and one of the most painful is Mr #DFILWF himself, Tom Knowles.
The 26-year-old was a bright spark during some very dark times at Huish Park between November 2020 and August 2022 when he was flogged to League Two Walsall on the eve of the new season by <NAME REDACTED>. He was one of a number of big money signings made by Forest Green in the summer and has been a fairly regular starter for Steve Cotterill, scoring twice already this season.
In the attacking positions, striker Joe Quigley – another one flogged by <NAME REDACTED> whilst at Huish Park – has been appearing mostly from the substitutes’ bench since joining the Vegan Legion from Chesterfield in September. He is yet to score for his new club. Don’t even think it!
In defence there are more familiar faces, Ryan Inniss had a six-game loan spell at Huish Park in 2014-15 and Ben Tozer, he of the long throws, played the 2015-16 season in green-and-white.
There are no suspensions for either side.
