Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 19)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

It’s back to Huish Park for Yeovil Town on Wednesday evening, as they take on Brackley Town in the league.

Form Guide…

Yeovil Town

It hasn’t been a great start to the season for the Glovers with no wins from their opening two games. Although only being two games in, which wouldn’t normally be a cause for concern, it has been the manner of performances that has worried some fans. A goalless draw against Hartlepool and a disappointing 2-0 loss to Forest Green isn’t the start many would have predicted.

Substitute Junior Morias collects the ball inside the Forest Green half. Picture courtesy of Andy Craig.

The performances have been a continuation from last seasons poor ending, with many now asking about whether Mark Cooper‘s position has become untenable.A game against a newly promoted Brackley Town could just be what the Somerset side need to kick-start the season.

                                                                                                                                          Brackley Town

The Saints have played only one league game this season, as their fixture against Morecambe was postponed. That match came on the opening weekend against Eastleigh which they won 1-0. Their National League Cup campaign got underway with a 2-0 win over Blackburn’s Under 21s. Outside of the league the Northampton side lost their last two friendlies to Stratford and Stourbridge.

Key Players…

Yeovil Town – Morgan Williams

The centre back is a crucial cog in the team. Williams will likely lead the side out as captain in the absence of Jake Wannell, who misses the game through suspension.
A new central defensive partner in either Finn Cousin Dawson or Kyle Ferguson is likely, with the latter poised for his second Yeovil Town debut.

Williams will need to be the organiser of the defence and be a danger in the opposition box too.

Morgan Williams with a cast on his right hand.
Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Brackley Town – Shane Byrne

The Irish man rejoined the Saints last summer after he left the club in 2021 for Boston United. During his first stint at Brackley, Byrne made over 150 appearances for the club.

It was the centre midfielder who got Brackley the win on the opening day, with goal in the 40th minute. Byrne has made over 330 games in the National League North, and has also represented Ireland at youth level.

The Gaffer….

Gavin Cowan is the man who will go up against Mark Cooper on the touchline on Wednesday evening. Born in Hanover, Germany, the 44 year old has been at Brackley since 2023.

Cowan had a long playing career in the lower divisions of the English pyramid starting at Braintree Town 2001 and hung up his boots at AFC Telford in 2018, whilst player coach. The Bucks was were Cowan played most of his career with two spells at The New Bucks Head.

After retiring fully from playing, the ex-Shrewsbury man became manager of Telford where he spent four years in the technical area. It was in 2023 when he caught the attention of Brackley and was appointed manager. Outside of football Cowan has a podcast called ‘In The Stiffs’ alongside former teammates Dave Edwards and Sam Aiston.

Last Time We Met…

The two sides have never met before, which astounding with both clubs being over 130 years old.

Don’t I Know You?

It’s a pair of centre midfielders that have plied their trade in down at Huish Park in the form of Scott Pollock and Jack Price.

Scott Pollock – The more recent member of Yeovil town, Pollock played for the Glovers under Cooper between 2023/2024. A bit of a mystery man to many of the fans as it seemed he quickly fell out of favour with the manager (who hasn’t). It was after his release from Yeovil that he joined Brackley where he has enjoyed a more fruitful spell.

The 24-year-old is most known for his time at internet football side Hashtag United.

Scott Pollock in action for Yeovil Town last season.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Jack Price – Price started his career at Wolves, which where he got the chance to come to Huish Park on loan. A season after we had been relegated from the Championship, the 32-year-old seven appearances.

The midfielder would go on to play 115 time for Wolves before going to the MLS. This is where he spent most of career to date, with the Colorado Rapids playing 130 times in a five year period.

Man In The Middle…

The man in black will be Matthew Russell, who’s last game was in the League Cup as he officiated Bromley vs Ipswich. Read more here: Match Officials: Brackley Town (Home)

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, YeoGov

On today’s episode of the Gloverscast we talked at length about the future of Mark Cooper following the defeat at Forest Green Rovers. It’s only two games into the season, but the mood is so sour Rowntrees wish they could bag it up and sell it. It’s unusual to have this level of feeling this early and we know that it’s not just Garybunchofnumbers on X.

We were inundated with questions about the future of the manager and whether it was time for a change. One of the GCQs that came through was to put a poll out. So, here we are. Fence-dwellers, you have a not sure option if you need it. 

Do you think Mark Cooper should remain Yeovil manager?

  • No (65%, 700 Votes)
  • Yes (22%, 240 Votes)
  • I'm not sure (13%, 135 Votes)

Total Voters: 1,075

Loading ... Loading ...

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

It was a difficult afternoon for the Glovers, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat in Gloucestershire to Forest Green Rovers. Let’s see what else went on across the grounds on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

We start in Cumbria, where Boreham Wood came from behind to register their first point of the season at Carlisle United. Luke Norris ensured the visitors led going into half-time, before a Georgie Kelly and Regan Linney double handed the hosts the lead with 20 minutes to go. Norris grabbed his second with 10 minutes left on the clock, before Charlie O’Connell equalised for the Wood in a thriller.

Boston United got their season underway with a cracker, taking all three points home in a 3-2 win at Aldershot Town. Lenell John-Lewis got the scoring underway just ten minutes in, before Theo Widdrington was sent off for the hosts for a dangerous tackle. John-Lewis extended the lead for the Pilgrims shortly into the second half, but Hady Ghandour pulled one back just three minutes later. Summer signing Greg Sloggett made it 3-1 with 77 minutes on the clock, as the Shots fell to a second successive defeat, despite a late goal from former Glover Tristan Abrahams.

It’s been an impressive return to the National League for Scunthorpe United, as they made it two wins from two at home to Woking. Declan Howe scored twice within the first 25 minutes to send the Iron into half-time with a deserved lead, and Danny Whitehall added a third into the second half. Jack Turner bagged a consolation for the visitors, but it’s now two defeats in two for Neal Ardley’s men.

In the lunchtime kickoff, Rochdale came from behind to win at home to Altrincham, as an impressive Tarryn Allarakhia strike and a Tylor Golden own goal cancelled out Keaton Ward’s opener; by the same scoreline, Wealdstone continued their impressive start to the season against a 10-man FC Halifax Town. Will Harris was sent off just 15 minutes into the game, before Sean Adarkwa gave the Stones the lead just three minutes later. David Kawa scored ten minutes before half-time, but his efforts were futile, as Jack Cook bagged a delightful winner to leave the hosts in the playoff places just two games in.

There were plenty of 2-0 victories yesterday, as York City beat Truro City in the evening kickoff thanks to late goals from Mark Kitching and Josh Stones, Southend United continued their 100% start to the season against Tamworth, goals from Charley Kendall and Gus Scott-Morriss adding misery to the Lambs’ visit following an early missed penalty from Tom Tonks; Hartlepool United defeated 10-man Braintree Town, goals either side of the half-time whistle from Alex Reid and Braintree defender Aidan Francis-Clarke getting the Stags off the mark, and finally, a quick fire double from Dom Telford and Kain Adom handed Gateshead the three points on their travels to Eastleigh.

Sutton United and Solihull Moors played out a 0-0 draw, with Wednesday’s visitors Brackley Town having the weekend off owing to Morecambe’s off-field circumstances.

National League results – in full

Rochdale 2-1 Altrincham
Aldershot Town 2-3 Boston United
Carlisle United 3-3 Boreham Wood
Eastleigh 0-2 Gateshead
Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Yeovil Town
Hartlepool United 2-0 Braintree Town
Morecambe P-P Brackley Town
Scunthorpe United 3-1 Woking
Southend United 2-0 Tamworth
Sutton United 0-0 Solihull Moors
Wealdstone 2-1 FC Halifax Town
Truro City 0-2 York City

National League table

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Officials
Ref, Referee, Match Official

Yeovil Town welcome a familiar face back to Huish Park for officiating duties on Wednesday night.

The home game against Brackley Town will be managed by Matthew Russell, who, has taken charge of the Glovers no fewer than nine times.

It was meant to be ten times, he was listed as the man in the middle for the FA Trophy clash with W*ymouth last season, but was replaced before match day came round.

He’s refereed the Glovers nine times, including twice in 1-1 home draws with Altrincham, a 5-0 FA Cup win over Yate Town and a 6-1 defeat to Torquay… although, we can’t really put that one on him.

He’s booked 19 Yeovil players, awarded us two penalties and was even kind enough to send off Alty’s James Jones a couple of years ago (below)

This season, he’s already had a couple of EFL appointments, a 0-0 draw between MK Dons and Oldham and a 2-0 Wimbledon win over Lincoln. He sent off the Imps Adam Jackson in the first half.

David Nicholson and Mark Senior hold the flags and David Middleton is the fourth official.

Matthew Russell

Yeovil Town FC (First Team) v Brackley Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier    
Referee: Russell, Matthew
Assistant Referee: Nicholson, David
Assistant Referee: Senior, Mark
Fourth Official: Middleton, David

By:
On:
In: Five Conclusions, Latest Yeovil Town News

The second game of the National League Premier Division season ended in a 2-0 defeat for Yeovil Town at the hands of Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn. The scoreline belied the dominance of the home side who spurned numerous chances to make it a more emphatic defeat for the Glovers. Ed Turnbull was among the 486 fans who made the trip to Gloucestershire and here are his conclusions.

The better team won. Probably stating the obvious when you look at the statistics, but it felt like only a matter of time before Forest Green were going to score. Five shots (2 on target, 3 off target) to our zero at half time and more than double that come full time highlights how dominant they were. We just got deeper and deeper and it felt like we were playing with ten men at times, when they scored their first it was game over. 
 
Super Jed Ward in goal. We said before the game that with the all out attack which Robbie Savage has spoken about bringing, Jed Ward was going to need to have a solid return to the club he started last season at. Thankfully he did. It could have been far more without him, some good last ditch blocks from his defence and wayward shooting from Forest Green. It was a decent rearguard action for 75 minutes and against lesser opposition (and there will be plenty lesser than Forest Green this season) hopefully that will stand us in good stead.
 
Jed Ward during his pre-match warm up.
Jed Ward. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.
 

Two up top, but I’m not sure it worked. I was excited to see Aaron Jarvis get some company in the forward line in Tahvon Campbell, but surprised we tried it away to one of the strongest sides in the division. Forest Green found it too easy to get the ball forwards around us, with a lot of space behind the front two. For two big strikers, neither particularly held the ball up well which meant we struggled to keep the ball. I was not too surprised to see Campbell substituted at half-time. Mind you, it certainly was not any better when we switched to playing one up top in the second half. We talk a lot about shape, but for me it’s 11 players on the pitch either way, and it’s about how good they are more than the formation they play in.

Who wants that sack of spuds? If anyone wants the sack of potatoes being offered to our first goalscorer of the season, a good first step would be to find a way of getting possession in the attacking half. We managed it in second half against Hartlepool on the opening day, but in the other three 45 minutes of competitive football so far this season we’ve failed. I’d hoped Luke McCormick would be that player to put his foot on the ball higher up the pitch and provide that vital connection between defence and attack, but he hasn’t managed that so far. I would like to see if Brett McGavin can do any better from the start of a match. For me, as solid as they can be defensively, a midfield pair of Charlie Cooper and Finn Cousin-Dawson lacks that attacking quality and leaves our strikers looking so disjointed from the rest of the team.

There’s no need to panic. I hope this one goes without saying, but we are only two games in to the season. So far we’ve played two teams we’d expect to be up and around the promotion places come the end of the season. Yes, we’ve only got one point but that’s one more point than we got from these same two fixtures last season. The upcoming run of fixtures looks much kinder starting at home to Brackley Town at Huish Park on Wednesday night. It is a great opportunity to kick-start our season. Keep the faith!

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Loan Watch

Both Sherborne Town and Bridport Town have had double game weeks this week and there’s been plenty of young Glovers getting minutes.

We’ll start with the Zebras.

On Tuesday, they lost 2-0 to Portland United, with Jaydon Biss, Blake Watts, George Geraghty and Ollie Hughes all in the starting line up, fast forward to Saturday and Biss, Geraghty and Hughes (from the bench) were all involved again. This time in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Hamble Club FC in the Wessex League – all the more impressive when you consider the Yeovil U19s had a friendly on Thursday too! 

Right, to Bridport.

Alec Thomas was on the scoresheet for the second time this season in midweek, he picked up a Man of the Match award in Bridport’s 5-1 win over Axminster with Matt Reed involved from the bench too,

 

On Saturday, a slightly less goal-heavy game, a 1-1 draw with Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police. Thomas once again in the starting XI, Reed once again used from the bench.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper admitted he got the game plan wrong after seeing his side taken apart by Forest Green Rovers this afternoon.

The Glovers went down 2-0 at the New Lawn, but in reality the scoreline should have been much higher with the home side hitting the woodwork twice, having four other shots on target and ten off target with the visitors having just one shot off target late in the game.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Cooper said: “It is not tough to take, it is just disappointment. I got the game plan wrong today, we decided to sit in a little bit and try to draw them on to us and hit them on the counter attack but we cannot do that. I will take the blame today, we played against a good team and tried to counter attack because they put a lot of bodies forward and, if you try and play too much at the back, they try to press you in so it was a poor day. Forest Green deserved to win the game and apologies to a brilliant band of supporters, we have to take our medicine.”

The Glovers started the game with strikers Aaron Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell playing as a front two for the first time in a long time and the manager pointed to this as part of the reason for the one-sided affair.

He said: “We played with two up front today and it did not work. We lost the ball a lot up front, we turned it over and we could not get out of our half. I blame myself for that and we have to get back to doing what we do best, getting hold of the ball and moving it around the pitch and creating overloads.”

Yeovil Town supporters look on at Forest Green Rovers.
Almost 500 travelling supporters made the trip to The New Lawn. Picture courtesy of Mark Kelly.

Having dominated the first half, Forest Green boss Robbie Savage brought on a number of heavyweight players from a star-studded bench including experienced striker Christian Doidge, summer signing playmaker Nick Haughton and former Yeovil favourite Tom Knowles.

Cooper said: “They have 26 players that could all play in the league above and we are playing against a team with four times what we have got, we have to build to get to that and they can change the whole XI, that is not making excuses, that is just the way it is.”

To add further insult, the Glovers were reduced to ten men with four minutes remaining when captain Jake Wannell was sent off for a second yellow card. He will now serve a one-match ban as Yeovil look to bounce back against National League Premier Division newcomers Brackley Town, who were without a game due to their opponents Morecambe being suspended from playing, at Huish Park on Wednesday night.

Cooper added: “We have to (get back to playing our way) against Brackley on Wednesday night, we are at home against a team which has had a day off today, I wanted to try and conserve a bit of energy today with our game plan of being a little more conservative because we only have 16 outfield players. We wanted to keep the game tight and stay in it, but it did not work.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Defender Finn Cousin-Dawson apologised to the Yeovil Town supporters after a 2-0 defeat at Forest Green Rovers and promised “a reaction” from the players.

The Glovers went down 2-0 to late goals from Jili Buyabu and Kairo Mitchell but were on the back foot for the entire 90 minutes against a side managed by former Wales international midfielder Robbie Savage.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game in Gloucestershire, FC-D said: “It was not good enough today and we are all really disappointed as a group. We had a game plan which has not come off, we did not keep the ball well enough when we won it back, the quality from back to front was not good enough and overall we were beaten by the better team. We apologise to the fans, they turned up in great numbers and we obviously were not good enough and there will be a reaction.”

Yeovil have an opportunity to deliver a reaction when they face newly-promoted Brackley Town at Huish Park on Wednesday night. Last season’s National League North champions were without a game today with their scheduled opponents, crisis club Morecambe, still suspended from playing due to their off-the-field difficulties.

Asked what the players could do to respond, the defender-turned-defensive midfielder added: “We have to recover as a group, stay together, keep positive and hopefully get right at them on Wednesday night. We have to be better right through the team to get goals and that comes from the lads at the back as well, today our set pieces were not good enough as well, we just have to keep going as a group every day in training.”