Andy Craig is helping us do the Hokey Cokey this week, there’s been some ins, some outs and plenty of shaking it all about, and we’re here to chat about it all.
We’re heading to Brackley for the game this Saturday and we can’t wait!
Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has said he believes that an influx of new faces at Huish Park have the makings of a side moulded in his image.
The Glovers have brought five new players in recent weeks in the form of Cardiff City loanees Dakari Mafico and Troy Perrett, centre half Joy Mukena, midfielder Jonathon Page and Fulham attacker Terrell Works.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah ahead of this weekend’s trip to Brackley Town, the boss said he expected that to be the end of his recruitment for the season and called on fans to be patient with the new arrivals.
He said: “I have been really pleased with what I have seen from the current squad and it is nothing against them, I just feel we needed a bit of a freshen up and a bit more depth in certain positions. This last four or five weeks has been like a mini pre-season for me, I have figured out what I like and what I want to see less of and with these boys coming in I think we can start to look a bit more like my type of team.
“We still have 20 games this season, so there is a lot of work to do and when you have a turnover of five or six players in such a short space of time, we have to understand we have to give a bit of time for them to bed in.
“But I am aware we are in the winter months of a tough division and we haven’t really got time to do that, but we are going to have to be a bit patient with the boys whilst they understand what we want from them. I am certain that with 10-15 games left we will look smooth and good to watch.
“I can’t see any other signings this season and I am aware we have loaned a lot of players and the truth is that is where you get the best deals at this time of year. I am in contact with a lot of Premier League clubs who have boys that need to play games and you do not have to pay their full wage, but if you sign a player that is going to start for Yeovil you are going to have to pay a fee and a huge wage, so you probably get the best bang for your buck with loans.”
The boss said that he had seen an upturn in training following the influx of new recruits with the existing players upping their game in the face of a new competition and gave an assessment on some of the arrivals.
He said: “Training has been the highest level since I have been here. When you bring new players to a club, faces that have been here for a while step up a bit because they want to show they want to stay and fight for their shirt and the new boys come in and want to show what they are all about.”
Dakari Mafico: “Dak got Man of the Match on his debut (in last weekend’s FA Trophy win over Alvechurch) which is incredible for such a young lad, I felt he dealt with the occasion brilliantly, had a lot of composure, skill and intelligence and the other lads we have brought in are of a similar level.”
Joy Mukena: “He’s a similar mould to (the recently-departed Morgan Williams), very good stature and very composed on the ball. He has played at a couple of teams which are pretty possession based in leagues higher than this, so he has fitted in pretty seamlessly.”
Troy Perrett: “Another Wales Under-21 international, a goal-scoring midfielder with good timing to get in to the box, good receiver and I think he will contribute well.”
Terrell Works: “I have known Terrell for a couple of years from Fulham, I think he got 15-20 goal contributions in the Premier League Under-21s League which is a tough division with a lot of quality players in it. I think he will be a player the fans enjoy watching, he is a bit of a magician, he can take people on both ways, he can score and assist. Terrell was Braintree’s top scorer, so he knows where the net is and he always has, he can finish off both feet in tight spaces and he can work stuff out of nothing which is something we need as well.”
He concluded: “I am really excited about all these lads, a lot of them are young and they are probably going to need a couple of weeks to bed in and feel familiar with the surroundings but I think the fans can expect a lot of good things from those boys.”
Alongside the incomings, there were two departures announced last weekend with the return of loanees James Plant and Andrew Oluwabori to Port Vale and Exeter City respectively, and Rowley said he felt bringing in new faces was preferable to keeping the pair.
He said: “There potentially would have been scope (for them to stay), we looked at the squad, the balance of positions and what we need and we felt we could bring in three or four players in place of those two and it made sense to get cover in a couple of different positions.
I have nothing but good things to say (about James Plant and Andrew Oluwabori), they are great professionals and always trained well, but I felt like we needed a couple of different faces that could do different things.”
Yeovil return to National League action as they make their first-ever trip to Brackley Town to face one of the division’s few part-time outfits on Saturday. The Northamptonshire club sit in 18th place in the table going in to the match, albeit with games in hand over come of the other teams around them, and having already defeated high-flying Rochdale and Forest Green Rovers on their own patch this season.
They were put out of the FA Trophy by Rowley’s old side Walton & Hersham last weekend, but did win their last league match at Boston United with Ben Wodskou scoring the winner. The on-loan Birmingham City striker was on the books at Huish Park earlier this season, scoring the winner for Yeovil when the two sides met in Somerset in late August.
Asked about Brackley, Rowley said: “I know what they are all about, very organised team, solid and do not let a lot of goals in especially at their place. We know how we are going to look, but the pitch, the weather and the environment plays a part in how you approach the early part of the game.
“We know what we are walking into and I think we are going to have to be our best version of ourselves. We want to go there and get a good result and they are no pushovers at their place, they get some good results, so it is going to be difficult but we are going there to win, that is for sure.“
Yeovil Town will head to Brackley Town this coming Saturday and our match official for the day is Mr George Laflin.
Mr Laflin has reffed just the four National League games this season, being used primarily in the Premier League 2 divisions for the youngsters of the top sides.
That doesn’t mean he hasn’t been enjoying himself, 21 times he’s dished yellow cards out, never any fewer than four and averaging out at over 5 per game (just).
In total, 57 yellows in 13 games across all competitions feels like a lot, and it is, but, not once has he used his red card.
As far as I can tell, he’s refereed one Brackley game in his career, a 0-0 draw against Southport a couple of years ago, and one Yeovil Town game, at Huish Park in a vital 1-0 home win over Havant and Waterlooville in the National League South.
He booked four Glovers that day too, but none of Frank Nouble, Jordan Young, Joe Day or Jay Foulston are with us any more to worry about bumping into him again.
He’ll be assisted by Andrew Aylott and Matthew Joyce, with Jack Bloxham in charge of the dugouts.
Brackley Town FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier
Referee: Laflin, George
Assistant Referee: Aylott, Andrew
Assistant Referee: Joyce, Matthew
Fourth Official: Bloxham, Jack
Yeovil Town have added Fulham attacker Terrell Works to the ranks after he signed on loan from the Premier League outfit for the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old has already played in the National League Premier Division this season during a loan spell at Braintree Town in the first half of the season, scoring four goals in 15 appearances including both goals in a 3-2 defeat to York City on debut.
His arrival follows the signings of Cardiff City midfielder Trey Perrett who joined on loan on Monday and the permanent signing of Crawley Town defender Joy Mukena.
Glovers’ manager Billy Rowley, who had two years as a coach in Fulham’s academy until 2015, said: “Terrell is an exciting young attacking player with real versatility. He’s direct, creative, and has already shown he can be effective at senior level. This loan will be an important step in his development, and we’re pleased to welcome him to the club.”
In the same statement announcing the arrival on Tuesday night, Works added: “I’m really pleased to be joining Yeovil Town. It’s a great opportunity for me to play senior football regularly and continue my development. I’m looking forward to getting started and contributing to the team.”
The new arrival has been in the youth set-up at Craven Cottage since and early age and the club’s profile of his describes him as: “An attacking player who is very adaptable and can play in a number of different positions including right-wing, left-wing, centre-forward and number 10. He enjoys taking people on, creating chances and can finish with both feet.”
Having started in the Under-9s at Fulham, he has worked his way up to the club’s Under-21s where he claimed 20 goals and assists in two seasons, including two assists in the Premier League Cup Final win over Tottenham in 2024.
Defender (yes, you read that right!) Joy Mukena has become Yeovil Town’s second new signing of the day.
The 26-year-old has joined from League Two side Crawley Town on a contract until the summer of 2027.
He has made just four appearances for the Red Devils this season with all his minutes coming in cup competitions and fills a void in the Glovers’ defensive ranks left by the exit of Morgan Williams last week.
Announcing the second signing of the day following the arrival on loan of Cardiff City youngster Troy Perrett, Yeovil boss Billy Rowley said: “Joy brings good experience for his age and has been part of successful teams. He’s someone we feel will add competition and depth to the squad, and we’re pleased to bring him to Yeovil Town.”
In the same statement, the former Watford academy product said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Yeovil Town. It’s a club with a strong identity and ambition, and I’m looking forward to getting started, working hard, and contributing to what the group is trying to build.”
He was part of the Crawley side which won promotion through the League Two play-offs in the 2023-24 season, playing 18 times that season.
He made a further 25 appearances last season in League One before a “freak training ground injury” ruled him out from last January. He was awarded a new contract last summer, but has not featured for Crawley in League Two this season.
Teenage midfielder Troy Perrett has become the second Cardiff City academy prospect to join Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the season.
The Wales Under-21s international links up with fellow Bluebird Dakarai Mafico, who arrived at the end of last week and turned in a Man of the Match performance in the FA Trophy fourth round win over Alvechurch on Saturday.
Announcing the signing on Monday, Glovers’ boss Billy Rowley said: “Troy is a talented young player with a lot of potential. He’s already been involved at senior and international level, and this move gives him the chance to gain valuable experience. We’re pleased to welcome him to the club.”
Perrett has made four appearances for the Bluebirds’ first-team in the EFL Trophy this season including scoring in a 3-1 home win over Arsenal Under-21s in November. He made his Cardiff first-team debut in September when he appeared as a second half substitute in a 1-0 win at Exeter City.
In the same announcement, Perrett said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Yeovil Town. It’s a great opportunity for me to get minutes and continue my development in a competitive environment. I’m looking forward to getting started and helping the team wherever I can.”
Yeovil Town will face Hornchurch or AFC Telford in the FA Trophy 5th Round away from home.
The original tie was postponed at the weekend, with the rearranged fixture this coming Tuesday 13th of January.
Horchurch are currently fighting for a play-off spot in the National League South whilst Telford sit in mid table in the National League North.
Ties are set to be played the weekend of Saturday 31st January
Fifth round: Winners receive £6000, losers receive £1750
Shootout drama in the FA Trophy again.
Mike Hudson joins Ian and Ben to talk through the Alvechurch match and take your GCQs.
Thanks to Stoney and Andrew Foot for the voicenote.
The loan spells of wingers James Plant and Andrew Oluwabori with Yeovil Town have been completed, the club has confirmed.
The pair have returned to their parent clubs Port Vale and Exeter City respectively.
In a social media post on Sunday, the Glovers said: “Following the conclusion of their loan spells, James Plant and Andrew Oluwabori have returned to their respective parent clubs.
“We thank them both for their efforts and wish them all the best for the future.”
Neither player featured in the Yeovil squad for the shoot-out win over Alvechurch in the FA Trophy on Saturday, with manager Billy Rowley saying they had returned to their parent clubs.
Speaking after the game, the boss said: “They headed back to their parent clubs yesterday. We just looked at some depth and some positions we need and I have to say, we did this privately in front of the lads, but I can’t speak highly enough about both of those lads. Brilliantly professionals, they train really well. So obviously wish them wish them the best.”
It was yet another FA Trophy shootout win for Yeovil Town, this time against Alvechurch. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions from Huish Park.
Thank the lord for Jed Ward. Come the end of the season it will be a coin toss between Ward and Luke McCormick for player of the season. Once again he’s the penalty shootout hero for the Glovers saving three spot kicks. If anyone from Bristol Rovers is reading this, we’re more than happy to take him off your hands.
We struggled to get in a rhythm after the red card. Brett McGavin’s first half red card really seemed to throw us off. Having prepared in a particular way all week with McGavin as the lone centre midfielder (or single pivot as the tactics boffs say) to lose him so early disrupted everything. We made changes which saw Josh Tobin pair with debutant Dakarai Mafico (more on him next…) centrally and it took time for us to figure it out again.
Mafico made a great first impression. The Cardiff loanee made his first start on the left hand side but it was immediately clear that he was going to have license to roam through the midfield as we’ve seen with FCD and Max Joliffe. He had to do some different positions through the afternoon following the red card but looked sharp, direct and fit. I thought he spoke well in his post-match and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses with us. Speaking of sharp, it was great to see Jacob Maddox back on the pitch after nearly 12 months out and give us a brief preview of what he can do.
Alvechurch battled for the draw. The visitors earned the right to take the game to penalties. We struggled to break through in the second half and they defended resolutely, but we should have killed the game before half time with McCormick’s two chances as gilt-edged as they come. We huffed and puffed, Aaron Jarvis didn’t take the chance to be the flat track bully against lower league opposition, Tahvon Campbell was largely inneffective (other than from the penalty spot 💥) and the red card meant we were quite narrow so didn’t get it to the wings as much as we’d like.
We’re in for some change. It’s been pretty clear for a while that the squad needs reinforcements, probably since we kicked off the season. Danny Webb thought so. Richard Dryden thought so and now we’ve got the clearest indication from Billy Rowley that there will be changes. The manager confirmed Andrew Oluwabori and James Plant would return to Exeter and Port Vale respectively, and that there are a ‘few’ coming in. Fingers crossed see them in the next few days. Rowley talked about how it has been a long process to find who they wanted but clearly the manager know what he wants from his team and now it’s time to put his stamp on it until the end of the season.
