Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 25)

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Aaron Jarvis bagged for Yeovil Town as they picked up their first win at Hartlepool since 2011 and he praised the performance from the Glovers as ‘perfect’.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Mark Stillman he said: “I thought from start to finish, it was a perfect away performance. We felt comfortable out of possession. In possession. It was just a bit, you know, kind of sums up an away game for us. But we kept the ball at times, and we went long when we needed to. And, two good goals as well”

It’s now two wins from two for Billy Rowley and Jarvis gave an insight of what its been like under the new boss: “It’s been a breath of fresh air, really. Him and Daz have got a great, great way of coaching us during the week. You know, their philosophy and style of play, drilling it into us, and the lads are buying into it, as you can see, the last two results have been positive, and hopefully we can keep building on it and climbing up the table.”

There was a kerfuffle – to say the least – after full time and Jarvis said the togetherness in the squad showed up in the result and the post-match shenanagins.

“I just think good togetherness, [it] couldn’t have been a better away result for us. And yeah at the end, that’s all good that we’ve got each other’s backs, and I think our performance proved that as well.”

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Yeovil Town turned in a textbook away performance as they picked up their first win at Hartlepool United since 2011.

The Glovers took the lead after 14 minutes when a burst down the left from Luke McCormick picked out Aaron Jarvis in the middle to sweep home the opener.

They had to withstand intense pressure for much of the game, but sealed three points in style when the persistence of McCormick to attack down the left and curled a sumptuous strike in to the net with four minutes of second half injury time played.

There were chaotic scenes at the final whistle with an enormous melee in front of the dug out leading to both Glovers’ defender Morgan Williams and Pools’ substitute Jermaine Francis being sent off after the final whistle.

Disgracefully these fracas included a Hartlepool fan running on to the pitch and swinging a punch at Finn Cousin-Dawson who was forced to push away his attacker with no Victoria Park steward in sight!

First half

Billy Rowley made four changes to the starting XI which won 2-1 over Boston United in his first match in charge seven days earlier. Aaron Jarvis and Harvey Greenslade was restored to the forward line, Finn Cousin-Dawson returned to bring midfield stability and Michee Efete replaced the injured Josh Sims at right wing-back.

After an even opening ten minutes, the first meaningful opportunity of the game fell to the home side on 12 minutes as striker Adam Campbell laid ball off to Matt Daly whose low shot was turned aside by Jed Ward.

But three minutes later, Yeovil took the lead. Luke McCormick burst away down left side and squared the ball to Aaron JARVIS who stroked the Glovers in front with 14 minutes. You can’t help but think that a few weeks ago McCormick might have checked back and played a pass back to his defence. It appears Rowley’s promise of ‘front foot football’ (a line often parroted but rarely delivered by his predecessors) is starting to come true. 

Three minutes later Jarvis, who had been making a nuisance of himself from himself the start, was brought down on the edge of the box by Maxim Kougoun who earned himself the first booking of the game. From the resulting free-kick, Brett McGavin curled on just wide of the post.

The play which created the goal almost repeated itself on 28 minutes as McCormick got away down the left again and this time forced a good stop out of Hartlepool keeper George Evans.

At the other end a nice move involving Campbell and Daly found Alex Reid inside the six yard but he put his chance wide of the post with the offside flag up anyway. A minute later, McCormick came even closer to doubling the advantage as he beat Evans but not the post.

Hartlepool were starting to see more of the ball as the half wore on and with ten minutes remaining of the first half, Jay Benn was found in space on the right of the box and his driven ball was pushed away from danger by Ward inside a crowded penalty area. Daly flashed a good opportunity past the post on 37 minutes and moments later another driven ball from Benn was cut out by Michee Efete.

We are definitely standing firm, but the Hartlepool are turning the screw. Possession stats will be in favour of the hosts in the final 20 minutes of the first half, but other an Ward’s stop to deny Daly – which was ultimately offside – there have not been any meaningful stops for the keeper to make.

The half-time whistle was met by a roar from the away supporters who had been non-stop in their support from the opening whistle. Amazing what attacking football and solid and sensible defending can do for a fan base!

Half time: Hartlepool United 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half started with the home side dominating possesion again. There were chances for Hartlepool with Ward having to be alert to keep out Daly’s chance before a towering header from giant Pools’ centre half Tom Parkes flying just past the post.

The pressure was all Hartlepool’s in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, but the next chance fell to Yeovil. On 63 minutes, it was another attack down the left led by James Daly who forced a stop out of Evans. 

On 65 minutes, Billy Rowley made his first substitution with Tahvon Campbell replacing Aaron Jarvis with Alex Whittle coming on for Harvey Greenslade after 73 minutes.

Hartlepool, who were unbeaten in the previous seven matches going in to the game, enjoyed much of the play but Yeovil’s hard work held them at bay. As in the first half, the home side saw most of the ball but never really seriously troubled Ward in to one of his trademark stunning stops. The 98 travelling fans in the Victoria Park away end – bravo, we were non-stop in support of the team throughout!

It was left to Luke McCORMICK to seal the win. He showed amazing persistence to not give up on a ball in the fourth minute of injury time before curling a shot around the keeper and in to the bottom corner to send the away end in to delirium. Even with four minutes of second half injury time played, the thought was to attack and get a second goal and not hold the ball in the corner. You love to see it!

As the final whistle sounded, a huge melee involving what seemed like every player and member of staff from both sides exploded in front of the dug outs. From the distance of the away end it was difficult to tell exactly what happened, but the result was sendings off for both Yeovil’s Morgan Williams and Hartlepool’s Jermaine Francis after the final whistle.

This was a black mark on an otherwise faultless away performance for Yeovil at a ground which has not made for happy hunting for many Glovers sides in years gone by. The Rowley revolution rolls on – bring on the FA Trophy next weekend!

Full time: Hartlepool United 0 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Victoria Park
Date: Saturday 6th December, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Aaron Jarvis 14 (1-0), Luke McCormick 90+4 (2-0)

Pitch: Didn’t look too bad 

Conditions: Cold, wet. It’s December in Hartlepool.

Attendance: 3,014 (98 away supporters)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis 37, Jake Wannell 58, Kyle Ferguson 66, Luke McCormick 86.

Hartlepool United: Maxim Kougoun 17

Sendings off:

Hartlepool United: Jermaine Francis – after the final whistle

Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams – after the final whistle

Referee: Dean Watson

Yeovil Town (3-5-2)

Substitutes: Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis, 65), Alex Whittle (for Harvey Greenslade, 73), Max Jolliffe (for Brett McGavin, 82), Dan Ellison (not used), Leo Ramirez-Espain (not used), Andrew Oluwabori (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Hartlepool United: George Evans, Jay Benn, Cameron John, Tom Parkes (for Besart Topalloj, 74), Maxim Kougoun, Adam Campbell, Nathan Sheron (for Danny Johnson, 74), Jack Hunter (for Jermaine Francis, 54), Jamie Miley, Alex Reid, Matty Daly (for Pharrell Brown, 62).

Substitutes (not used): Adam Smith, Nathan Ferguson, Joseph Aungiers.

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Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has made four changes to his starting line-up for today’s visit to Hartlepool United (3pm kick-off)

Strikers Aaron Jarvis and Harvey Greenslade return alongside Michee Efete and Finn Cousin-Dawson with Tahvon Campbell and Max Jolliffe dropping to the bench and Josh Sims and James Plant missing through injury.

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Junior Morias looks up for a pass.

Striker Junior Morias has left Yeovil Town to join National League South side Hornchurch after just four months at Huish Park.

The 30-year-old arrived in Somerset following his release by Notts County at the end of last season and scored four times in his 18 appearances for the club.

In a social media post, the club said the decision had been made to allow the frontman to “move closer to home to be nearer his family” and he joins a side sitting three points clear at the top of National League South.

Morias was an unused substitute in last weekend’s 2-1 home win over Boston United and his last appearance saw him play the full 90 minutes in the goalless draw at Morecambe seven days earlier.

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This weekend will see Yeovil make one of their longest away trips of the season, as they take on Hartlepool United on Saturday afternoon.

FORM…

YEOVIL TOWN

It happened. We can finally add a win to the form column.  After seven games without three points manager Billy Rowley started life at Huish Park with maximum points, and two goals. The Glovers have struggled to score this campaign, so it will certainly come as a relief that Luke McCormick got a brace.

Luke McCormick fires in his second | Photo by Gary Brown

Not to be a party pooper, the form over the last five games is still not great, with three losses, a win and a draw. The team will be aware of this, but we should proceed with caution as this is still the same team just with a new man at the helm. But to end on a happier note, the last two games have been a positive with a win and a draw, which will help the confidence of the team.

Rowley has a lot to do, but after his first game, there is definitely signs to be optimistic for Glovers supporters.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED

Although sitting in eighth in the table, The Pools have been much better than that position suggests. Over the 21 games played they have only lost four. The toughness that Nicky Featherstone has instilled is clear to see over the last five games too, with three wins and two draws for his side.

Last time out, the north-east coasters beat Truro City 3-1 at Victoria Park. Goals for Adam Campbell, Jamie Miley and Alex Reid secured the three points. This is reminiscent of most of The Pools games this season, not many opportunities for their opponents. If you are going to beat Hartlepool this season you need to be able to score goals.

Home form has been good this term for Featherstone’s men with just the one loss all season at Victoria Park.

KEY PLAYERS…

YEOVIL TOWN – LUKE McCORMICK

I don’t know what there is left to be said about McCormick that we haven’t already covered. He can play a bit more conservatively and control the tempo, or as we saw last week play a more attacking role and score two crucial goals.
Luck McCormick celebrates | Photo by Gary Brown

It seems when Yeovil play well, the midfielder has had an impact on the match. Against Boston we saw how Rowley will look to deploy the 26-year-old. It was also telling of his importance to his new boss when Rowley said this after the victory: “What a player. He can play in a few different roles…and he’s taken both goals really well.”

HARTLEPOOL UNITED – ALEX REID

The striker has found a bit of form in recent weeks, with three goal contributions in the last three games, the type of output who need from your frontman. The forward is Hartlepool’s top scorer as well this term with five goals to his name. The caveat to this though is he bagged the first three of them within the first five matches of the season, so it hasn’t always been rosey for the 30-year-old.

Standing at 6ft2, Reid is a big presence, that will strike a bit of fear into opposition defenders. A bonus for the Glovers however is their centre-backs are no Lisandro Martinezes.

THE GAFFER…

It’s the battle of the young managers this weekend as Billy Rowley’s opposition is Nicky Featherstone.

On the eve of our trip to the North East, the Poolies appointed their midfielder, who was an unused substitute in the goalless draw on the opening day of the season at Huish Park, in the role permanently.

The 37-year-old was player-coach at Victoria Park but took the interim manager role when Simon Grayson was dismissed in mid-October.

Since taking over, Hartlepool have not lost a game. In fact it seems he has taken his side to another level, with a stronger defence but also getting his team scoring goals, with 13 netted in that time.

This is his first role as a manager, but as a player, Featherstone is a Hartlepool legend, with over 400 appearances for the County Durham side. This also means he has never faced the Glovers from the dugout.

LAST TIME WE MET…

The two sides last met back on the opening day of the season. The game that day was boring to say the least as a 0-0 draw was played out at Huish Park.

Josh Sims misses out on a 50-50 ball to Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright.
Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright gets to the ball just ahead of Josh Sims. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

A lot has happened since that game, Yeovil are now onto their fourth manager of the season, Hartlepool are on their second. The two sides form have also gone in opposite directions with the Hartlepool outside the playoffs and the Glovers languishing in mid table.

The last time they played at Victoria Park was in 2024 when The Pools won 2-1. Goals from Gary Madine and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe guided the home side to a win that day, with Kofi Shaw getting the Glovers a consolation goal.

DON’T I KNOW YOU…

There are a couple of old Yeovil boys in the Hartlepool team. Adam Smith is now on the books at Victoria Park. Although not first choice for Nicky Featherstone, he will be remembered for some great performances here in Somerset. Defender Tom Parkes is the other former Glover in The Pools side. If you don’t remember his name in the Green and White don’t worry he only played two games on loan in the 2010/11 season.

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Dean Watson takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here.

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Midfielder Brett McGavin has hailed the impact new manager Billy Rowley has had on the Yeovil Town squad since arriving at the club.

The 25-year-old made his comeback from almost two months out with injury to play a major role in the Glovers’ 2-1 home win over Boston United in the the boss’ first game in charge last weekend.

They travel to Hartlepool United this weekend looking to turn their first victory in eight matches in to a run.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on Thursday, McGavin said: “It has been a whirlwind, we knew very late about Billy coming in, but he has been a breath of fresh air for everyone. He did not have much time, so we just gave him that full energy and full commitment for 90 minutes. He gave us that freedom to go and play and I thought that, particularly in the second half against Boston, we were excellent.

“It is quite clear he wants a specific style and I feel as if I can fit in to that style. Lots of passes, lots of time on the ball which I enjoy. Whether I am scoring goals, creating goals or even just keeping the ball ticking over for this team, I am happy to do any of that.

“The second half against Boston should be us and I think will be us in the future. There is going to be bumps in the road because he is a new manager and we are an old manager’s team, so it is going to take time but I feel like there is a lot of positivity in the group and we feel we are going to be okay.”

Luke McCormick and Brett McGavin – McMidfield – Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

It was two goals from his midfield partner, Luke McCormick, which earned Yeovil victory last weekend and McGavin admitted the players were as relieved as supporters to pick up three points.

He confessed: “We needed three points desperately and you can see from the video which appeared on social media that we were over the moon. We felt that desperation for three points as much as the fans and we were delighted we could get them. Every footballer will tell you, training is always better after you get three points. Training has been lively and bubbly and that is credit to the staff.”

Asked about Hartlepool, he added: “They are a really tough, direct and strong team and they have been like that for a couple of seasons now, so if we want three points we are going have to be on top of our game. We will always try to impose our style and if I think we do that we can have a really good day.”

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Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has set out a vision to build a side with young players at its core as he bids to move the Glovers up the table.

The boss, who joined from Southern League South side Walton & Hersham last month, said he was aligned with the club’s owner Prabhu Srinivasan in his “blueprint” for how he wants to build the club, mirroring the success he enjoyed at his former club.

The Glovers make the long journey to the North East to face Hartlepool United this weekend having picked up their first win in eight matches with a 2-1 home victory over Boston United in Rowley’s first game in charge last Saturday.

Asked by BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah about his conversation with the owner, Rowley said: “He is a very passionate guy, very articulate and grips you when he talks and sells his vision very well. The club is steeped in history and he wants to keep it simple. He wants to build connections with the community through the players, he wants us to play with a clear style and recruit young and hungry players and that is everything I want to do as well as a football manager.

“I value young players whilst not discriminating against older lads but generally a younger lad will run a bit harder and they are hungry and enjoyable to work with. We had great success working with young players at Walton (& Hersham) where we had the youngest team in the league last season and most possession in the league. How (Prabhu and I) are aligned in our blueprint of what we are want to do is very close.”

According to Transfermarkt, Yeovil currently have the tenth youngest squad in the National League Premier Division with an average age of 25.3 years. FC Halifax Town are the youngest at 23.3 years and Brackley Town are the oldest at 28.

Their opponents at the weekend, Hartlepool United (26.4 years, if you’re wondering), are in good form having won four and drawn three of their last seven league games since they sacked Simon Grayson as manager in October, replacing him with interim boss, current squad member Nicky Featherstone. The midfielder was an unused substitute when they held the Glovers to a goalless draw on the opening day of the season at Huish Park.

Josh Sims misses out on a 50-50 ball to Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright.
Josh Sims, who is a doubt for this weekend with an tendinitis, in action against Hartlepool on the opening day of this season. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Rowley said winger Josh Sims was the only injury doubt for the match suffering with tendinitis in his Achilles Tendon, but confirmed full-back Alex Whittle, who was not in the squad for the win over Boston, would be available having overcome illness.

On Hartlepool, the Glovers’ boss said: “They are a solid team, very good at what they do. When you go up North to those types of places it is going to be a real battle, I am not sure the pitch is in the greatest condition which may affect how we approach the game. It is going  to be an incredibly tough game for us, an enjoyable experience which I am excited about. We are going to have to be at our best.”

Asked what he hoped to learn about the National League, he added: “I have learnt a lot already, even in the 90 minutes (against Boston) last Saturday, I am watching a lot of games with Darren (Simpson, assistant manager) and Sam (Curry, the club analyst) and I am learning things about the players. You can see the intensity of the way teams do things in transition, attacking and pressing the ball quicker is obvious, so we may have to adapt. One thing I back myself in is being a quick learner, I have been adaptable in my career.”

Having added defenders Dan Ellison and Michee Efete in recent months, the Glovers’ squad is looking less lightweight than when they last faced Hartlepool back in August. Rowley has said he is still assessing the quality of his squad and whilst not ruling out the possibility of bringing in new faces, he appears in no rush to recruit.

He said: “I really like all the lads, they are all good players and we are definitely under-performing and in the last four or five training sessions I have been working with them, I am really excited to be working with them. I am really confident we can go and get some wins with this group, whether that means we do add one or two players in the next few weeks, we are open to that but it is not something we are chasing necessarily. Injuries happen and certain styles might not suit certain players, but it is not something we are screaming for at the moment.“