Match Gallery: Yeovil Town 1 Maidstone United 1 (4-2 on pens)
2025-12-13
Photos courtesy of Gary Brown
Rowley: It won’t be pretty every game
2025-12-13
Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley was relieved to be in the next round of the FA Trophy after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Maidstone United at Huish Park.
The Glovers looked to have snatched the win in normal time when substitute Josh Tobin bundled home an 89th minute goal, only for a defensive lapse to gift visiting substitute Hamzad Kargbo an equaliser two minutes in to injury time at the end of the game to take it to spot kicks.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Mark Stillman after the game, Rowley admitted the 90 minutes had turned out to be exactly as he had expected it to be.
He said: “It was definitely how I expected it to be and credit to George (Elokobi, the Maidstone manager) and his side for making it difficult, they were a really tough, organised side to play against. I felt like some of our build up play was decent and we were getting in to their final third quite often, but the last pass or the last choice was slightly off today. But it is our third game (as manager) and we have three wins, it is not going to be pretty every game but we are going to work hard to make sure it is next week.
“Penalties are a lottery but when you have good technicians in the team and a great goalkeeper, that adds to your chances of success a little bit. It is about the boys trusting their technique, picking their spot and not letting the whistle bring anxiety before they strike the ball and they did that, so full credit to them.”
The boss was full of praise the contribution of Tobin, signed on loan from League Two Bromley during the weekend, after he came on in the 63rd minute for fellow loanee Leo Ramirez-Espain. Rowley said: “I thought he had a good debut, he has been out for a while so he is not fully match fit either. He is brave, he will take the ball in tight spots and look to play it forward and often he will pick out the final pass, today it happened to be the goal that he has contributed. It is a shame we could not hang on to the result to highlight his goal even more, but it is a team game and we have come up trumps in the end and credit to Jed (Ward) in goal, he was massive for us.”
Goalkeeper Jed Ward saved Maidstone’s first two penalties in the shoot-out whilst Brett McGavin, Luke McCormick and Tahvon Campbell all converted from the spot before substitute Andrew Oluwabori sealed the win in front of the Thatcher’s End.
Rowley added: “We spoke to the referee before the game and he told us if it was going to go to penalties, the shoot-out would be at (the Thatcher’s) end which we were delighted about. I thought the fans were excellent today, we had two sides of the stadium empty today for security reasons, but I thought the fans were top class. I said it last week and the week before, we are going to work really hard to put on some excellent performances for them to give them something to shout about.
“We knew it was going to be tough today, we knew we would have to win duels, fight for second balls and probably go more direct at times than we wanted to but that was the game today and we were just thankful that we came out on top of it. I think it shows we can win in a couple of different ways.“
Match Report: Yeovil Town 1 Maidstone United 1 (Yeovil Town win 4-2 on penalties)
2025-12-13
Goalkeeper Jed Ward was Yeovil Town’s hero again as he saved two penalties in a shoot-out against Maidstone United to book a place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.
The Bristol Rovers loanee saved the first two spot kicks he faced from Antony Papadopoulos and David Sesay and saw his team-mates convert all their efforts to seal the victory after a thoroughly forgettable 90 minutes at Huish Park.
The game did not burst in to life until one minute from the end of normal time when substitute midfielder Josh Tobin, signed on loan during the week, headed home a James Daly cross and looked to have sealed the win, only for a defensive lapse from the Glovers to gift visiting substitute Hamzad Kargbo an equaliser to force the shoot out.
First half
With ten minutes gone, Aaron Jarvis got his first sight on goal. James Daly showed good persistence to keep a lost cause alive, but Jarvis could not get enough power on it to trouble Lenny Holden in the visitors’ goal. Daly has had a lively started and is repeatedly screaming at his team-mates for the ball.
The ‘press’ adopted by Maidstone was evident from the off as they regularly tried to press the Yeovil backline as they continued to play the ball out from the back. There is a noticeable patience for a patient start from the home side in the Huish Park stands which would certainly not have been there with a different manager in the dug-out – but the opening half-an-hour has been…..quiet! Get McCormick on the ball, Yeovil!
On the half-hour mark something happened. Alex Whittle, who appeared to have taken a knock in a collision earlier in the game, was replaced by Michee Efete with Daly swapping from the right to the left.
The best move of the game (not that that is saying much) came shortly after. Efete knocked the ball inside, Luke McCormick back-heeled it to Brett McGavin who hit it left-footed towards goal, it took a deflection and went out from a corner. From the resulting corner, grappling inside the box led to a free-kick for Maidstone.
Aaron Jarvis got a booking in the 38th minute and then seemed to want to ‘get involved’ with the Stones’ defence for the remainder of the half. Referee Lewis Sandoe did not exactly cover himself in glory either breaking up an already bitty first half and that gave the home crowd something to shout about – or shout at, really – until the half-time whistle sounded. A very 0-0 0-0.
Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidstone United 0
Second half
Perhaps unsurprisingly the second change of the game came at the start of the second half as Tahvon Campbell replaced Jarvis, who was one tackle, grapple or comment away from getting his second booking.
Campbell was almost gifted a goal when the Maidstone defence, which had been organised and solid throughout the first half, allowed the ball to box inside the 18-yard box and the striker almost got in. The visitors managed to scramble it away. A brighter start to the second half.
Things have definitely picked up from Yeovil this half – and the Thatcher’s End has responded – and just before the hour mark Kyle Ferguson headed wide from a McGavin free-kick. On 63 minutes, manager Billy Rowley made two changes with loanees Andrew Oluwabori and Josh Tobin, signed on loan from Bromley during the weekend, replacing Harvey Greenslade and Leo Ramirez-Espain.
On 64 minutes, James Daly had a good run and flashed a shot from the edge of the box just past the post. There’s still not been a meaningful chance from either side and, as the game rolls on, the spectre of a penalty shoot-out is looming. No extra time in this one.
Neither Oluwabori or Tobin have really made any kind of impact on this game, it all been not quite there and lacking some positivity against an opponent who appears to
Then on 85 minutes, chances at either end. Hamblin got a good ball in towards substitute Hamzad Kargbo who could not get his header on target and the ball broke to Jephte Tanga who went down under a tackle from Ferguson. Shouts for a penalty, nothing given. At the other end, McCormick was picked out by an Efete ball but his shot went wide.
Then suddenly a breakthrough and a goal with one minute of normal time remaining. A great run down the left from Daly who put a high cross in to the back post and there was Josh TOBIN whose header bundled its way past a couple of Maidstone defenders on the line.
That’s it right? Wrong. Two minutes in to five added on at the end of the game, the Yeovil defence switched off at the back post and a good ball in from Maidstone found Hamzad KARGBO who could not miss from inches out. Ugh.
After 90 minutes of basically nothing, all the action came in the final six minutes of the game. Penalties. Double ugh.
Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Maidstone United 1
Here’s how the penalties went…..
- Maidstone United – Antony Papadopoulos – SAVED by Jed Ward (0-0)
- Yeovil Town – Brett McGavin – SCORED (1-0)
- Maidstone United – David Sesay – SAVED by Jed Ward (1-0)
- Yeovil Town – Luke McCormick – SCORED (2-0)
- Maidstone United – Deon Moore – SCORED (2-1)
- Yeovil Town – Tahvon Campbell – SCORED (3-1)
- Maidstone United – Hamzad Kargbo – SCORED (3-2)
- Yeovil Town – Andrew Oluwabori – SCORED (4-2)
Match Details
Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 13th December, 3pm kick-off
Competition: FA Trophy, Third Round Proper
Scorers: Josh Tobin 89 (1-0), Kargbo 90+2 (1-1)
Pitch: Holding up well considering the recent bad weather
Conditions: Dry but cool
Attendance: 1,691 (88 away supporters)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis 38,
Maidstone United: Dajon Golding 38, John Gilbert 57
Referee: Lewis Sandoe
Yeovil Town (3-5-2)
Substitutes: Michee Efete (for Alex Whittle, ), Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis, 46), Josh Tobin (for Leo Ramirez-Espain, 63), Andrew Oluwabori (for Harvey Greenslade, 63), Dan Ellison (for James Daly, 90), Josh Sims (not used), Matt Gould (not used).
Maidstone United: Lenny Holden, David Sesay, Leo Hamblin, Lexus Beeden, George Fowler, TJ Bramble (for Hamzad Kargbo, 71), Jephte Tanga, John Gilbert (for Sam Corne, 64), Dajon Golding (for Deon Moore, 64), Riley Court, Antony Papadopoulos.
Substitutes (not used): David Agontohoma, Taylor Foran, Nathan Harness.
Team News: Maidstone United (home)
2025-12-13
On loan midfielder Leo Ramirez-Espain has been handed his Yeovil Town debut in today’s FA Trophy third round tie with Maidstone United at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).
The Watford youngster, who has not featured since joining on loan until the end of January a month ago, is one of two changes from last weekend’s 2-0 win at Hartlepool United with Alex Whittle also coming in.
Michee Efete drops to the substitutes’ bench whilst Morgan Williams is missing having been sent off after the final whistle seven days ago.
Defender Dan Ellison, signed from Bristol Rovers at the end of October, is on the bench as his wait for a Glovers’ debut goes on.
Foot In The Opposition Camp – Maidstone (H)
2025-12-13
Maidstone come to Huish Park today for the third round of the FA Trophy. On this episode of Foot In The Opposition Camp we’re delighted to welcome Nigel Seager to the pod to tell us all about our National League South visitors.
Match Preview: Yeovil Town vs Maidstone United
2025-12-12
The FA Trophy returns this weekend, as Yeovil Town play host to National League South side Maidstone United in the third round.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers have turned around their form to go unbeaten in three. Out of those three matches, the last two have been convincing wins under new manager Billy Rowley. Another aspect of those wins has been the fact Yeovil have two goals in either game, a feat they had only done on five other occasions this season.
Last weekend, the Glovers won 0-2 away from home at Hartlepool United. After the long trip it could’ve been expected that the team may not have turned up, especially on form ahead of the managerial change. However, striker Aaron Jarvis netted his second goal of the season, to open the scoring. Star man Luke McCormick also popped up to get his third goal in two games.
It’s fair to say Rowley has turned a squad low on confidence around, and now with FA Trophy here, a cup run is on the list of things he wants.
MAIDSTONE UNITED
The Kent side have been in ok form over their last five fixtures, with three wins and two losses. Similar to their opponents on Saturday, they’ve won their last two games, a 2-0 win against Darren Way’s Bath City and a 1-0 victory over Salisbury. George Elokobi‘s side currently sit in eighth in the National League South.
The Stones played in the previous round of the competition against Torquay United. That day they ran out 2-0 winners at Plainmoor thanks to goals from Dijon Golding and John Gilbert.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – BRETT McGAVIN
It’s no coincidence that since McGavin has returned to the squad from injury that there has been an up tick in form. In fact, the Glovers have only won one game this season that the midfielder hasn’t appeared in. The 25-year-old was on the bench for the 0-0 against Morecambe and has started both wins since.
McGavin quality is there to see as well. He brings a presence to the middle of the park with his build and has the passing ability to open up a game. The former Ipswich man has also formed a strong partnership with Luke McCormick which has been the foundation of Yeovil’s good performance’s this term. It’s clear to see with McGavin In the side, the Glovers look a lot stronger than without.
Pic Gary Brown
MAIDSTONE UNITED – JOHN GILBERT
Gilbert joined the Stones at the start of the season and has had an instant impact. The midfielder has featured in every game bar one this season, when he was not in the squad against Salisbury. A key feature for a central midfielder is his ability to be reliable, whether that be with his performances or through the ability to play most games, and Gilbert is that.
Not only is he reliable, the 25-year-old is Maidstone’s top score this season with six goals and also has two assists to his name. This dovetails nicely with his midfield partner, Anthony Papadopoulos who has six assists and two goals.
The game will defiantly see a midfield battle.
THE GAFFER…
George Elokobi is the visiting manager this weekend, with the former Premier League player taking charge of his 132nd game at Maidstone.
The Cameroonian has only managed Maidstone United having taken the job in 2023 initially on an interim basis. The 39-year-olds biggest achievement to date in management will be taking The Stones to the Fifth Round of FA Cup in 2024. This was the first time Maidstone had made the Fifth Round and also the first time since 1977 a team outside the top five leagues had gotten that far.
As player, Elokobi played as a centre-back for Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City to name a few, accumulating 361 appearances. He also one of only a few players to score in the Premier League, Championship, League’s One and Two as well as the National League.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The two teams last met in 2024 in the National League South. That game was at the Gallagher Stadium, with the Stones winning 2-1. That day Muhammad Faal opening the scoring, before Matt Rush doubled the lead. A late Dylan Morgan goal was a mere consolation for the Somerset side.
When they last played at Huish Park, the pair drew 1-1. Levi Amantchi opened the scoring that day for Maidstone, before Rhys Murphy equalised late on.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
There are no ex-Glovers in the squad after Teo Kurtaran was released in the week. Midfielder Kurtaran may not be a well-known name with fans as he was a trialist in pre-season.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Lewis Sandoe takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here.
MOTM Result – Hartlepool Utd (A)
2025-12-12
He’s done it again!
It’ll be of no great surprise to anyone that Luke McCormick has been named your Man of the Match for the 2-0 away win at Hartlepool United.
A litte over 100 votes were cast, 78 of them went to the future Real Madrid midfielder.
Jed Ward was second, Harvey Greenslade in third.
| 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%) |
| 17.01.2026 | BRACKLEY TOWN (Away, 2-1 loss) | 81 | DAKARAI MAFICO (19 / 23.5%) | Harvey Greenslade (15 / 18.5%) | Kyle Ferguson (12 / 14.8%) |
| 31.01.2026 | AFC TELFORD (Away, 2-0 win) | 191 | HARVEY GREENSLADE (79 / 41.4%) | Dakarai Mafico (60 / 31.4%) | Joy Mukena (11 / 5.8%) |
| JANUARY PLAYER OF THE MONTH | 🥇 DAKARAI MAFICO (8 PTS, 2 MOTM) | 🥈HARVEY GREENSLADE (4 PTS / 1 MOTM) | 🥉 LUKE MCCORMICK (3 PTS / 1 MOTM) |
||
| 06.02.2026 | ALTRINCHAM (Away, 1-0 win) | 92 | JED WARD (57 / 61.3%) | Troy Perrett (12 / 12.9%) | Kyle Ferguson (7 / 7.5%) |
| 11.02.2026 | BOREHAM WOOD (Away 3-2 loss) | 46 | JAMES DALY (13 / 28.3%) | Jed Ward (12 / 23.1%) | Jake Wannell (8 / 17.4%) |
| 14.02.2026 | ROCHDALE (Home 1-1 draw) | 155 | DAKARAI MAFICO (73 / 45.6%) | Finn Cousin-Dawson (34 / 21.3%) | Jed Ward (13 / 8.1%) |
| 17.02.2026 | ALDERSHOT (Home 2-1 loss) | 86 | JED WARD (50 / 58.1%) | Jake Wannell (10 / 11.6%) | Terrell Works (9 / 9.3%) |
| 21.02.2026 | CARLISLE (Away 3-0 loss) | 47 | JED WARD (21 / 42%) | Finn Cousin-Dawson (10 / 20%) | Harvey Greenslade (6 / 12%) |
| 25.02.2026 | SUTTON UTD (Home 3-2 win) |
Gloverscast #466 – “It’s just like Neymar’s sister’s birthday”
2025-12-12
FA Trophy weekend is upon us! Maidstone are the visitors to Huish Park tomorrow and there’s some bits to get through. The club confirmed the departures of Jerry Gill and Richard Dryden and announced the signing of Josh Tobin on loan from Bromley. We chat about it all, some other stuff and take your GCQs.
Rowley: The Trophy is important
2025-12-11
Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley has set his sights on a run in the FA Trophy as the Glovers prepare to kick off their campaign at home to Maidstone United this weekend.
The manager is looking to build on two wins in his first two National League Premier Division matches when the National League South play-off chasers visit Somerset this weekend.
We have gone out of the competition at the first time of asking in the last three seasons – at the hands of W*ymouth, Torquay United and Dorking Wanderers – and you have to go back to December 2021 to find our last win, a 3-1 home victory over Woking which came before an exit to Needham Market in the following round.
Asked about the significance of the competition by BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on Thursday, Rowley said: “Six games to Wembley, so that is something we can already dream about! If we can get through this weekend, you never know. I think it is a competition will be throwing a lot in to and this weekend I am definitely going to be trying to win that game.”
They face a Maidstone side which knocked Torquay out in the previous round and have won their last two league fixtures, but will travel without former Yeovil trialist Teo Kurtaran who departed the club this week. He appeared for Tamworth in a Birmingham Senior Cup tie on the same day his exit from Maidstone was announced albeit the National League Premier Division side has not announced his signing, so it is possibly a trial.
Kurtaran, who impressed suppoters but clearly not then-manager Mark Cooper during his pre-season in Somerset, is known to Rowley who signed him at his former club Walton & Hersham after the Glovers turned down the opportunity to sign him up.
Asked about this weekend’s opponents, Rowley said: “I know a fair bit about Maidstone, two lads I know very well have been playing for them, one of them actually just left this week (that’s Kurtaran by the way), so I know how they play, their style. They are a very physical team, they are great on transitions and press hard, so we worked on a few ideas today. They play real rock and roll football, so it will be a good spectacle. I want us to put on a spectacle and I want our fans to see us have a lot of the ball.”
The Glovers will go in to Saturday’s third round tie without defender Morgan Williams whose appeal against a sending off after the final whistle in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Hartlepool United has been rejected. On loan midfielder Max Jolliffe will also be missing having played in the Trophy for Billericay Town earlier this season, but Rowley is expecting to have midfielder Josh Sims available after suffering tendonitis on his Achilles as well as new signing Josh Tobin, who joined on loan from League Two Bromley on Thursday.
The boss said: “The video (of the post-match melee at Hartlepool) does not show what the referee thinks he saw and we did our best to try and appeal that one, but we were not successful. Morgs is a great character and a great player, so it is a blow, but we have some boys who can step in to that role. Finn (Cousin-Dawson) is one who I thought was excellent on Saturday in a midfield role, but he will be available for that position.
“Max (Joliffe) will be missing, cup-tied due to a game he play for Billericay earlier in the competition, but we are expecting a few boys back. Simsy (Josh Sims) has had some good treatment on his Achilles so he will be available, Planty will still be out because we do not want to risk his hamstring, but we will have good options going in to this game.”
Rowley added: “I reminded one of the lads who has not been playing much who has been training really well that every game brings different challenges, so we might play slightly differently for each game and I want to boys to think that there is a clean slate with me. There are boys who have great experience at this level and above, so that will naturally be swaying my opinion to a certain extent, but everyone has an opportunity here and they are definitely showing it in training.”
