Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 18)

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The Glovers got their first three points of the season with the 2-1 victory over Brackley Town at Huish Park last night. Ian was back at Huish Park and here are his first five conclusions of the season.

It was important to get off the mark. The pressure was really on last night following the opening two matches and ultimately, the Glovers responded. A confidence-boosting goal for Josh Sims and a memorable first for Ben Wodskou in-front of the Thatchers was exactly what the supporters, players and manager needed to ease the pressure. With a weekend trip to Braintree, who got an impressive 3-0 win over Halifax at home on the opening day, but have since lost two on the bounce with red cards in both of those defeats, Yeovil have a chance to build a bit of momentum now.

Jed Ward during his pre-match warm up.
Jed Ward. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

We have Jed Ward to thank. The goalkeeper was certainly the busier of the two over the course of the evening, making a series of saves as Brackley Town peppered the glovers goal. Three matches in and Ward is proving to be an impressive bit of recruitment. Aside from the ropey short goal kicks, he didn’t put a foot wrong in between the sticks last night and without him, it probably would have been a different story.

Credit to Brackley. Pre-match, I wondered if we’d see the visitors dig in and frustrate but the opposite was true. They got on the ball and played some nice football, carving Yeovil apart at times. In the first half in particular, we struggled to deal with their direct running. I was really impressed with Morgan Roberts (their number 10) in the attacking midfield. He only had one thing on his mind every time he picked up the ball, get forward and cause problems, and he did from the first minute. Maybe it was the pressure, but in that first half, they looked like the team playing at home.

Harvey Greenslade. Picture by Gary Brown

Rotation paid off. There were four changes from Saturday’s dismal day at Forest Green and it showed. Harvey Greenslade was given the nod up front and his relentless running meant he was constantly putting pressure on the Brackley defenders. It was a shame he put his one chance over the bar when it fell to him, but I’d love to see more of Harvey. Kyle Ferguson stepped in for Jake Wannell and put in the type of performance we saw from him last season. The return of Brett McGavin from the start also meant we had a progressive midfielder with the ability to get us forward rather than the defensively-minded pairing of Charlie Cooper and Finn Cousin-Dawson. With games on Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday, we’re sure to see most of the squad this weekend.

We have to talk about the style. As brilliant as it was to get the three points (and stop talking about those cursed potatoes), it wasn’t the most inspiring night of football. That opening thirty minutes or so was dire. That is not a criticism of the players either, and clearly when Jed Ward realised it was working, he took responsibility on the pitch and sacked off the short goal kicks to cheers from the supporters. I don’t think we’re particularly dynamic in midfield and find it so frustrating when a visiting team comes to town and plays through us easily while we knock it about and struggle to make any meaningful openings. We’ve gone through change and brought in new players so some of that lack of cohesion is understandable, but we’re not an anomaly for that in the league. After all, what is pre-season for? I struggle to see an identity or attractive style of play, but hopefully the win will give us that confidence boost to play with a bit more freedom.

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Yeovil Town will be refereed by Mr Peter Wright on Saturday (not the darts player with the crazy hair, but how cool would that be?).
Interestingly, enough, we haven’t seen Mr Wright in the middle for a Glovers game for nearly six years, last taking charge of the Green and Whites in League Two back in 2019 – a 1-1 home draw with Colchester United.

He booked Omar Sowunmi for the Glovers and sent off the U’s ‘keeper, one Dillon Barnes.

In the aftermath of Jake Gray’s goal there was some shenanigans – not caught on camera – by the time he next came into shot, he was off!

In total, we’ve had Mr Wright four times, winning one (6-0 v Newport), losing one and drawing two.

So far this season, he’s only taken charge of one National League game; Wealdstone’s 2-1 win over Halifax, a game which saw seven yellows, one red and one penalty awarded.

Peter Wright will be assisted by Ryan Head and Robert Evans, Chay Hathway is the fourth official. 

Dillon Barnes is sent off by Peter Wright

Braintree Town FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier   
Referee: Wright, Peter
Assistant Referee: Head, Ryan
Assistant Referee: Evans, Robert
Fourth Official: Hathway, Chay

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Yeovil Town match winner, Ben Wodskou has said that his first goal in the National League felt amazing, as he notched the winner over Brackley on Wednesday.

Speaking to Josh Perkins after the game, he gave Aaron Jarvis all the credit for the assist to his “Hit it and hope” winner – it was better than that, Ben!!

“It’s obviously a tough game against Brackley, they’re a big side and there was a lot of backs to the wall football, but I’m happy with the goal and we can build from there.”

“The ball’s landed with Jarvis and I’ve thought to run off him and he’s hit a nice ball and I’ve just thought ‘let me hit it and hope’ and it’s hit the back of the net and celebrated.

It was a difficult finish, but thankfully it was a good set from Jarvis, which allowed me to put my foot through it.

It felt amazing, I needed that, it was a good boost and [we’re] full of confidence now so we can build for Braintree at the weekend and obviously get another three points under our belt. 

The opposition can’t stop you from working hard, [I’ll] get on the ball, get on pockets, turn, create chances and hopefully score some goals. “

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said that the 2-1 win over Brackley Town takes the pressure off the squad as the first win of the new season is on the board.

Goals from Josh Sims and Ben Wodskou secured the three points, despite a late consolation from Brackley. 

Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Josh Perkins after the game, he said that once the Glovers hit their stride, he was happy with the showing.

“When you haven’t won for two games, it’s a bit of pressure, and you could see, we started and we felt that pressure.

“We played some good football tonight, we did some work on trying to play through, I know at times the fans want us to kick it forward but all our good stuff came when we played through the middle of pitch and we got our two number 10s on the ball.

“Our first goal comes from Tahvon [Campbell] picking that up in a pocket, running, cross and we score. We had some good moments, and the most pleasing thing is that you’re 2-0 up trying to get your first win and the boys feel the pressure and basically defend for the last 20 minutes without seeing the game out with the ball.

“But what we did do was put bodies on the line, it’s a bit of a flukey goal Byron’s kicked his left foot up in the air and it’s a ricochet. 

“But we defended really well, so all the players were fantastic, the boys that started and the boys that came on – the boys that didn’t come on, they were there jumping up and down when we scored and it was nice to get the three points, it just takes the pressure off the boys a little bit.”

It’s a busy week for the Glovers with a Wednesday game going into a Bank Holiday double header at Braintree Town on Saturday and at home to Frank Nouble’s Gateshead on Monday and the squad will need to play its part.

“The supporters really got behind them tonight which was fantastic.

“We’ve got one or two in there that were playing tonight that shouldn’t really be playing tonight, but we’re really good, some really good spells, I think you saw our intensity, we pressed, we ran and that’s what we went with tonight, some energy in the team, it was good.”

Josh Sims. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The opening goal went to Josh Sims, who claims a sack of potatoes for his efforts, who deserved his goal for a string of impressive performances.

“Josh Sims now has to make me a chip butty every day [after winning the sack of potatoes!] for the next month.

“I’m pleased for Josh, he had a slow start to his career at Yeovil, I had a chat with him in the week leading up to Hartlepool and I just said, ‘you’ve been our best player in pre-season and you deserve the pat on the back and the accolades’ and I’m glad that he’s come on and got a goal.”

Looking ahead to Braintree, the manager revealed that summer signing James Daly had a scan on Tuesday and that both captain Jake Wannell, who sat out through suspension against Brackley, and new loan signing James Plant will be involved with the squad for the trip to Essex.

“We’ll have a count up on Friday, we’ll have a bit of work and we’re expecting a really tough game at Braintree.”

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Goals from Josh Sims and Ben Wodskou goals gave Yeovil Town all three points against Brackley Town at Huish Park to kick start their 2025/26 season. 

Sims claimed a sack of potatoes for becoming the first scorer of the season in the first half striking from close range before Wodskou finished off a fine team move in the second to secure the points that would take the Glovers into the top 10, just a point off the play-offs (too early?)

Here’s Gloverscast Ben’s on the whistle report: 

First half

The first couple of moments belonged to the visitors, with some good combinations, particularly down the left hand side causing the Glovers some issues, but never really caused Jed Ward any real trouble.

The hosts were into stride on five minutes though, Brett McGavin split the midfield with a pass to find Tahvon Campbell, who combined well with Junior Morias to send a couple of defenders flying. The resulting cross came to nothing.

Ward was forced into the first real save of the match on seven minutes, the Brackley midfield cut through the Glovers and Connor Hall spun in the area to stab a shot goalward. The Bristol Rovers loan keeper did well to put the ball behind, he would also clear the resulting corner with a commanding punch.

Morgan Roberts and Ryan Haynes were certainly having the best of the attacking moves down the left hand side, they combined to force a good header from Michael Nottingham.

Moments before Josh Sims claimed the Spuds. Photo courtesy of Andy Craig

Zak Brown wanted to get involved too, on 13 minutes, he drove at the Glovers’ back line and his deflected effort from just outside the box dropped agonisingly over the goal with Ward stranded. 

Yeovil got their movement going again to force a corner on 16 minutes, Josh Sims and Campbell working well to force a cross on the left hand side, nothing came of it, but it did at least get the home faithful off their feet.

With 20 minutes gone, McGavin decided it was time to get his shooting boots on, Morias and Sims worked the ball back to the midfielder, who took a touch and let fly from 20 yards, but the ball fizzed, just over the bar.

The Thatchers’ Stand was becoming audibly frustrated with the action in front of them as Brackley maintained the impetus, Haynes and Brown in particular finding the passing and moving easy in the final third. 

Anything positive from Yeovil in the opening half an hour was coming through Sims, more trickery from him down the left, but he still managed to squeeze a cross out. The ball dribbled towards the edge of the box where Charlie Cooper stepped onto the ball in fine fashion, but a combination of three flying defenders deflected the ball wide.

The resulting corner came to nothing after some head tennis in the area ended with a Kyle Ferguson high boot and a free kick to the visitors.

DID SOMEONE SAYS POTATOES!?

On 35 minutes, Harvey Greenslade did some great work to the right of the penalty area, he found Pendleton on the right, who forced the ball to Campbell. His cross-come-shot found its way to the left hand side where former Southampton man, Josh SIMS reacted first to fire home from six yard out. SPUD-TACULAR!

This lifted things, the Thatchers Stand found it’s voice and the players had an extra yard in their step. 

With five minutes to go, Campbell found himself in space on the edge of the area, but an unfortunate stumble meant a shot was not forthcoming, 

Brackley weren’t going to lie down though, Jed Ward was called upon once more diving to his right to stop a Brown strike. 

The fourth official signaled for three additional minutes as the Glovers looked to see the half out, but the threats from corners kept coming, eight in total from the visitors. 

The half-time whistle met with sighs of relief, most of the stats favoured the visitors, but the important one favoured the hosts. 

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Brackley Town 0

 

Second half

No changes for either side at the break, but the half did start in much the same way with Brackley in the ascendency. Connor Hall in particular being a menace, he and Kyle Ferguson in quite a battle at times.

Sims was once again in the action, ten or so minutes had passed before the Glovers could get going, but the winger teamed up with first McGavin and then Campbell to force a shooting chance, but Campbell’s effort was straight at Cam Gregory in the visitors’ net.

Shortly before the hour mark, Charlie Cooper decided he fancied his chances from distance, his 30-something yarder stung the hands of Gregory, but didn’t ask him to move an awful lot.

It did signal a more positive spell for the Glovers though, some tough challenges in attacking areas from Campbell, Morias and Greenslade certainly left their mark.

The latter of that trio going into the referee’s notebook as the clock struck 60.

Morias’ race was run at this point, taken off in place of Aaron Jarvis.

It was nearly a perfect first touch for the forward too, who came within a whisker of a Sims cross, the Glovers were getting into their stride again. 

The Huish Park faithful welcomed Scott Pollock to the pitch with a lovely reception (… kind of) as the visitors looked to add something extra to their front line.

Greenslade had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 on 67 minutes, some excellent work down the right hand side, saw Campbell muscle his name off the ball and lay the ball back to Greenslade, but the front man was leaning back and the ball skied over.

Ben Wodskou replaced Campbell shortly after.

Brackley reacted better to the break in play, Jed Ward at full stretch to claw away a shot from Bailey Hobson which looked destined to nestle into the far corner, minutes after the midfielder’s introduction.

Unsurprisingly, Pollock was looking lively, he and Morgan Roberts combining well time and time again with Hobson supporting regularly too, the visitors were certainly doing everything to get back into this game.

Charlie Cooper cleaned out Pollock, the midfielder going into the book, thankfully, just a yellow card.

Greenslade came off just after, Finn Cousin-Dawson coming on, with ten minutes to go, were the Glovers shutting up shop?

The pressure was certainly mounting, Roberts again finding space on the edge of the area, another good save down to his right from Ward.

As Brackley left people forward, there was always chance for a breakaway, FC-D did excellently to break a Brackley challenge down, Cooper sprayed a lovely ball forward, Jarvis knocked it into the path of Ben WODSKOU who fired home with vigour.

Wodskou scores! Picture courtesy of Chris Fox.

To their credit, Brackley were still pushing, Ward, Pendleton and Williams all having impressive one-on-one contributions at the back as the attacks kept flowing.

As the fourth official signaled for six minutes added time, Brackley’s Morgan Roberts found his name taken.

There was time for more though, Brackley kept the pressure high and the Glovers sat too deep, the ball bounced around the box with Roberts going close before the ball trickled home off the boot of Tyler LYTTLE.

Suddenly, nerves. 

Bryon Pendleton was booked for time wasting with 90 seconds to go.

Jed Ward booted the ball out of play and the referee blew for full time. Phew!

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Brackley Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Wednesday 20th August, 19:45pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Josh Sims (36, 1-0), Ben Wodskou (85, 2-0), Tyler Lyttle (90+2, 2-1)

Pitch: Lovely
Conditions: Lovely

Attendance: 2,716 (53 Brackley Town fans)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Alex Whittle ’39, Harvey Greenslade ’60, Charlie Cooper, ’78, Aaron Jarvis, ’83, Bryon Pendleton ’92.
Brackley Town: Kyle Morrison ’75, Morgan Roberts ’89.

Sendings off:
Yeovil Town: None
Brackley Town: None

Referee: Aji Ajibola (late change for Matthew Russell)

Yeovil Town 

Substitutes:  Matt Gould, Aaron Jarvis (for Morias ’60), James Daly, Ben Wodskou (for Campbell ’67), Luke McCormick, Finn Cousin-Dawson

Brackley Town: Cameron Gregory, Kyle Morrison, Gareth Dean, Zak Brown, Morgan Roberts, Matt Lowe, Michael Nottingham, Zak Lilly, Shane Byrne, Connor Hall, Ryan Haynes. 

Substitutes (not used): John Maxted (GK), Riccardo Calder, Tyler Little(for Nottingham ’33), Scott Pollock (for Hall ’64), Jack Price, Danny Waldron (for Lowe ’77)

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Yeovil Town have made four changes for their clash against Brackley Town.

Aaron Jarvis, Luke McCormick and Finn Cousin-Dawson drop to the bench whilst Jake Wannell serves his one-match ban.

In come Kyle Ferguson, Brett McGavin, Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade.

There’s no place for James Plant who will have to wait until the weekend for his third YTFC debut.

 

 

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James Plant has rejoined Yeovil Town on loan until January.

The left winger/wingback has already had two spells at Huish Park, separated by an unfortunate injury and will be looking to add to his 13 games in green and white.

This season, he has been involved in Port Vale’s EFL Cup victory over Blackpool and was a regular with the Valiant’s during pre-season.

Welcome back to Yeovil, James!

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Yeovil Town have confirmed the launch of trial bus services, starting with the home clash against Gateshead on Monday 25th August. (3pm Kick Off)

The buses are designed to ease congestion around the ground, provide a greener way to travel, give fans the freedom to enjoy a pre-match pint, and make life simpler for families and older supporters or those who might otherwise struggle to travel to the game, particularly given it’s a Bank Holiday.

There are two planned routes; one from Chard, the other from Yeovil Junction train station.

Details are below, please note YOU must buy your ticket ahead of time, before 12:00 on Sunday 24th August, to be precise. 

Route A: Chard – Crewkerne – Merriott – South Petherton – Martock – Huish Park

Outbound

  • Chard (Guildhall) – 12:30

  • Crewkerne (The George) – 12:50

  • Merriott (Texaco Garage) – 12:55

  • South Petherton (The David Hall) – 13:10

  • Martock (The Pinnacle) – 13:15

  • Arrive Huish Park – 13:25

Return

  • Leave Huish Park – 18:10

  • Martock – 18:20

  • South Petherton – 18:25

  • Merriott – 18:35

  • Crewkerne – 18:40

  • Back to Chard – 19:00

Route B: Yeovil Junction – Town Centre – Huish Park

Outbound

  • Yeovil Junction Station – 13:50

  • The Borough (Town Centre) – 14:00

  • Arrive Huish Park – 14:15

Return

  • Leave Huish Park – 17:30

  • The Borough – 17:45

  • Yeovil Junction – 17:55

Tickets

Supporters can book their seat for £5 return, no matter which stop you use.

  • All tickets need to be purchased in advance. Click HERE

  • Sales close at 12:00 midday on Sunday ahead of the Gateshead match.

  • Available now through the club’s online ticketing system.

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Jed Ward during his pre-match warm up.

For the second game in a row, Bristol Rovers loanee Jed Ward has been named the Gloverscast Man of the Match.

He was between the sticks as the Glovers fell 2-0 to Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

Morgan Williams makes the top three for the second game in a row too, whilst Byron Pendleton make his first appearance on the table with a silver-medal spot.

DATEOPPONENTRESPONSES1ST
(Votes / Percent)		2ND
(Votes / Percent)		3RD
(Votes / Percent)
August
09.08.2025HARTLEPOOL
(Home, 0-0 draw)		172JED WARD
(52 / 32.4%)
Morgan Williams
(44 / 25.6%)		Jake Wannell
(22 / 12.8%)
16.08.2025FOREST GREEN
(Away, 2-0 loss)		87JED WARD
(39 / 44.8%)
Byron Pendleton
(16 / 18.4%)		Morgan Williams
(11 / 12.6%)
20.08.2025BRACKLEY TOWN
(Home, 2-1 win)		153JED WARD
(89 / 58.2%)
Josh Sims
(23 / 15%)		Tahvon Campbell
(14 / 9.2%)
23.08.2025BRAINTREE TOWN
(Away, 1-0 loss)		71JED WARD
(29 / 40.8%)
Josh Sims
(15 / 21.1%)		James Plant
(7 / 9.9%)
25.08.2025GATESHEAD
(Home, 4-3 loss)		174HARVEY GREENSLADE
(65 / 37.4%)
Junior Morias
(59 / 33.9%)		Josh Sims
(23 / 13.2%)
30.08.2025HALIFAX
(Away, 3-2 loss)		93JOSH 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)
02.09.2025SOLIHULL M
(Away, 1-0 win)		98 JUNIOR MORIAS
(28 / 28.3%)		Luke McCormick
(24 / 24.2%)		Jed Ward
(15 / 15.2%)
06.09.2025YORK CITY
(Home, 3-1 loss)		108JOSH SIMS
(48 / 44.4%)		Luke McCormick
(33 / 30.6%)		Jed Ward
(7 / 6.5%)
13.09.2025WOKING
(Home, 1-0 win)		127 LUKE MCCORMICK
(47 / 37%)		Kyle Ferguson
(37 / 29.1%)		Harvey Greenslade
(11 / 8.7%)
20.09.2025TAMWORTH
(Away, 1-0 loss)		62JED WARD
(17 / 27.4%)		Kyle Ferguson
(10 / 16.1%)		Josh Sims
(7 / 11.3%)
24.09.2025ALDERSHOT
(Away, 4-1 win)		94ANDREW OLUWABORI
(36 / 38.3%)
Tahvon Campbell
(25 / 26.6%)		Luke McCormick
(10 / 10.6%)
27.09.2025ALTRINCHAM
(Home, 1-0 win)		154ANDREW OLUWABORI
(51 / 33.1%)
Jed Ward
(37 / 24%)		Morgan Williams
(18 / 11.7%)
30.09.2025SUTTON UTD
(Away)		119JOSH 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)