Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 26)

As pre-season edges ever closer, I’m back with some transfer round-ups of all 24 National League clubs, giving you a view of all the ins and outs ahead of our new season, and who we may be coming up against!

Each week, we’ll be covering who has moved where for not only ourselves, but for our upcoming National League opponents, to keep you all in the loop ahead of the coming 2025/26 National League season! (source: Transfermarkt)


Glovers’ Corner

Before we dive into the National League ins and outs, let’s look at the former Glovers that have moved about in the last couple of weeks. We may miss a few, so if any of you see any we may have missed, tag us on Facebook or Twitter (or X), or leave a comment below and we’ll add them in the next week’s round-up!

Plenty of movement across the world for former Glovers this week, a lot of them coming after the last post! A couple of our NLS champions were on the move, as Rhys Murphy joined National League South new boys Horsham, following a season with Dorking Wanderers; Sonny Blu Lo-Everton joined up with the growing ex-Yeo contingent at Torquay United, he was joined recently by former Yeovil captain Matt Worthington, with his departure from Oldham Athletic being confirmed during the week. Two faces from last season have also moved around, as Ollie Wright and Sean McGurk have moved up north, joining Accrington Stanley and South Shields respectively. Another short-term addition to Mark Cooper’s squad, Otis Khan, has moved too, heading to Malaysia to join newly formed Kelantan Red Warrior.

Steven Caulker is on the move again, the 33 year old joined Stjarnan in Iceland recently, following a stint in Turkiye with Ankara Keçiörengücü (say that five times fast!). Callum Harriott has also moved, following his departure from Ebbsfleet United, as he joins Maidenhead United in the NLS. Finally, a former academy player has left the nest, as Jacob Shore joined one of our friendly opponents from pre-season, signing on at Exmouth Town. Bevis Mugabi has also made a move back to England, signing on at Carlisle United following his time at Motherwell.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

All Transfers

Aldershot Town

Two new additions since the last update, with James Clarridge signing on loan from Watford until January and Matt Penney joining from Altrincham.

Chelmsford City have picked up Kai Corbett, following his departure from Aldershot, joining Jack Barham.

In

Kwame Thomas (Ebbsfleet United)
Kiban Rai (Newport County)
Tristan Abrahams (Maidenhead United)
Ryan Hill (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Archy Taylor (Hampton & Richmond Borough)
Jed Meerholz (Bristol City)
Josh Brooking (unattached)
Matt Penney (Altrincham)

Out

George Milner-Smith (Havant & Waterlooville)
Ollie Bray (Salisbury)
Jordi van Stappershoef (Maidenhead United)
Christian Maghoma (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Lachlan Byrd (Farnborough)
Jack Barham (Chelmsford City)
Aaron Jones (Sutton United)
Ollie Turner (unattached)
Kai Corbett (Chelmsford City)
Emmanuel Maja (unattached)

Tristan Abrahams in a Yeovil shirt during his loan spell in 2019-20. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

Altrincham

Just a single signing for Altrincham in the last fortnight, as goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson joins on loan from Bolton Wanderers, while two former players have found homes, as George Wilson joined AFC Fylde and Regan Griffiths joins Macclesfield.

In

Keaton Ward (Boston United)
Billy Sass-Davies (Hartlepool United)
Sam Reed (Sheffield Wednesday)
James Gale (Mansfield Town)
Jimmy Knowles (Accrington Stanley)
Luke Hutchinson (Bolton Wanderers)

Out

James Jones (Chester)
Justin Amaluzor (Grimsby Town)
Alex Newby (York City)
Regan Linney (Carlisle United)
Harvey Randle (unattached)
Rob Lainton (unattached)
Matt Penney (Aldershot Town)
Remi Thompson (unattached)
Regan Griffiths (Macclesfield)
Eddy Jones (unattached)
George Wilson (AFC Fylde)


Boreham Wood

One new home for a former player, as David Agbontohoma joins Maidstone United, and another new departure for the Wood, as Josef Yarney signed on at Macclesfield.

In

Joe Newton (Boreham Wood)
Junior Dixon (Birmingham City)
Aaron Henry (Charlton Athletic)
Jeff King (York City)

Out

Josh Hare (Hornchurch)
Kwesi Appiah (Ebbsfleet United)
Tyrone Marsh (Bedford Town)
Jayden Richardson (St Mirren)
Mo Sagaf (unattached)
David Agbontohoma (Maidstone United)
Josef Yarney (Macclesfield)


Boston United

Boston’s extensive summer recruitment continues, with two further signings from EFL youth academies – Arjan Raikhy and Rocco Coyle both join up with the Pilgrims.

In

Alex Lankshear (Blackpool)
Ben Grist (Leicester City)
Lenell John-Lewis (York City)
Rhys Lovett (Welling United)
Jordan Cropper (Barnet)
Liam Waldock (Alfreton Town)
Michael Kelly (Scunthorpe United)
Bobby Jones (Curzon Ashton)
Manni Norkett (Nottingham Forest)
Kieren Donnelly (Halesowen Town)
Arjan Raikhy (Leicester City)
Rocco Coyle (Hull City)
Greg Sloggett (Hartlepool United)

Out

Michael Bostwick (St Albans City)
Tom Leak (Chester)
Adam Marriott (King’s Lynn Town)
Brad Nicholson (Solihull Moors)
Mitchell Roberts (Hereford)
Keaton Ward (Altrincham)
Cameron Gregory (Brackley Town)
Jai Rowe (Raith Rovers)
Cameron Green (Solihull Moors)
Kieran Coates (unattached)


Brackley Town

No movements since the last update in Northamptonshire.

In

Cameron Gregory (Boston United)
Zak Brown (Kidderminster Harriers)
Danny Waldron (Southend United)
Kyle Morrison (Kidderminster Harriers)
Ryan Haynes (Cheltenham Town)
Jack Price (unattached)

Out

Dempsey Arlott-John (Harborough Town)
Danny Newton (Harborough Town)
George Carline (Harborough Town)
Alex Gudger (Halesowen Town)
Alfie Bates (Tamworth)
Liam Cross (St. Ives Town)


Braintree Town

Jamal Fyfield has joined St Albans City, but that’s about it at Braintree…

In

Lewis Walker (Woking)
Freddie Hockey (Chelmsford City)

Out

Louie Annesley (Dorking Wanderers)
Kyrell Lisbie (Peterborough United)
Philip Haxthausen (unattached)
Jamal Fyfield (St Albans City)


Carlisle United

Two further external recruits for Carlisle, as Josh Grant moves north from Wealdstone, while former Glover Bevis Mugabi joins on a two year deal from Motherwell.

In

David Ajiboye (Peterborough United)
Morgan Feeney (Shrewsbury Town)
Sam Murray (Manchester United)
Regan Linney (Altrincham)
Junior Luamba (Salford City)
Josh Grant (Wealdstone)
Bevis Mugabi (Motherwell)

Out

Taylor Charters (Queen of the South)
Matthew Dennis (Notts County)
Ben Barclay (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Will Patching (Coleraine)
Anton Dudik (unattached)
Aran Fitzpatrick (unattached)
Callum Guy (unattached)
Josh Vela (unattached)
Paul Dummett (unattached)
Dylan McGeouch (unattached)
Sam Lavelle (unattached)

Ben Barclay. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Eastleigh

The Spitfires have continued their summer recruitment drive, with more EFL experience joining the Hampshire side. No further confirmed departures as of yet, despite Transfermarkt implying the outgoings of Nathan Tshikuna and Ludwig Francilette; I’ll keep my eyes peeled on these two…

In

Nick Townsend (Newport County)
Temi Eweka (Maidstone United)
Aaron Blair (Maidstone United)
Kieron Evans (Cardiff City)
Jordan Cousins (Cambridge United)
Archie Harris (AFC Bournemouth)
Josh Lundstram (Oldham Athletic)
Aaron Pierre (Shrewsbury Town)

Out

Joe McDonnell (AFC Wimbledon)
Corey Panter (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Nathan Rogers (Westfield)
Lee Hodson (AFC Totton)
Deji Sotona (unattached)
Tommy Scott (unattached)
Chris Maguire (unattached)
Scott Quigley (unattached)
Solomon Nwabuokei (unattached)
Jai Semenyo (unattached)
Malachi Dotse (unattached)


FC Halifax Town

There are a few new faces at the Shay, as Will Harris steps up from FA Trophy finalists Spennymoor Town, while Josh Hmami follows new boss Adam Lakeland from King’s Lynn, and Thierry Latty-Fairweather heads across Yorkshire, leaving York.

In

David Kawa (Aveley)
Dylan Crowe (King’s Lynn Town)
Cody Johnson (Stockport County)
Will Hugill (Burnley)
AJ Warburton (Avro)
Will Harris (Spennymoor Town)
Josh Hmami (King’s Lynn Town)
Thierry Latty-Fairweather (York City)

Out

Ryan Galvin (Barnet)
Adam Senior (Barnet)
Jack Evans (Harrogate Town)
Jimiel Chikukwa (unattached)
Adan George (unattached)
Frankie Sinfield (unattached)


Forest Green Rovers

Further signings have been made during the Savage revolution, with Jayden Clarke and Kairo Mitchell boosting their ranks, alongside a loan addition in Isaac Moore.

Tyrese Omotoye has joined a Czech second division side, marking his first footballing venture outside of England.

In

Yahya Bamba (Eastbourne Borough)
Tre Pemberton (Macclesfield)
Neil Kengni (Macclesfield)
Luke McNicholas (Wrexham)
Laurent Mendy (Macclesfield)
Jayden Clarke (Gillingham)
Kairo Mitchell (Rochdale)
Isaac Moore (Coventry City)

Out

Emmanuel Osadebe (Barnet)
Jamie Searle (Eastbourne Borough)
Ben Tozer (retired)
Tyrese Omotoye (FC Vysočina Jihlava)
Jordon Garrick (unattached)
Teddy Jenks (unattached)


Gateshead

Bodies have started to come through the door, but they’ve been flying out the exit door too at Gateshead; further big names have left the club, or found new employers, with the likes of Regan Booty stepping up to the EFL, while former captain Greg Olley joined York this week.

For clarity, Peter Jameson was signed, then loaned straight back to Darlington. Callum Johnson also signs on, leaving Bradford.

In

David Ferguson (Hartlepool United)
Callum Johnson (Bradford City)
Peter Jameson (Darlington)

Out

Jean Belehouan (Scunthorpe United)
Jamie Bramwell (Stockton Town)
Tom Allan (Darlington)
Robbie Tinkler (South Shields)
Branden Horton (Scunthorpe United)
Brandon Haunstrup (AFC Totton)
Ben Worman (Solihull Moors)
Luke Hannant (Oldham Athletic)
Ryan Bartley (Maidenhead United)
Aidan Rutledge (Darlington)
Greg Olley (York City)
Will McGowan (Darlington)
Peter Jameson (Darlington)
Charlie Colkett (unattached)
Harrison Bond (unattached)
Regan Booty (Barrow)

Brandon Haunstrup, who appeared twice on trial during pre-season, turned out for Gateshead on Saturday. He had a spell on loan on Tyneside whilst with Cambridge United last season.

Hartlepool United

Further additions and departures have been going on at Victoria Park, with some big names leaving. Joe Grey, a homegrown talent, joined York City’s title charge this week, while promotion experience has been added in the shapes of Jermaine Francis and Besart Topalloj.

Alex Reid also joins, following a successful loan with Wealdstone last season, and Cameron John has been added to the side on a loan spell from York.

In

Jay Benn (Lincoln City)
Reiss McNally (Kidderminster Harriers)
Brad Walker (Tranmere Rovers)
Danny Johnson (Walsall)
Jermaine Francis (Barnet)
Alex Reid (Oldham Athletic)
Cameron John (York City)
Besart Topalloj (Bromley)

Out

Luke Waterfall (Worksop Town)
Manny Onariase (Maidenhead United)
Anthony Mancini (Rochdale)
Billy Sass-Davies (Altrincham)
Daniel Dodds (South Shields)
David Ferguson (Gateshead)
Josh Mazfari (Redcar Athletic)
Greg Sloggett (Boston United)
Joel Dixon (unattached)
Jack Robinson (unattached)
Gary Madine (unattached)
Kieran Wallace (unattached)
Max Storey (unattached)
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (Rochdale)
Joe Grey (York City)


Morecambe

No movements at Morecambe, with the off-field crisis deepening; we continue to send our support all Morecambe fans and staff during this turbulent time.

In

Jack Stretton (Burton Albion)

Out

Ryan Schofield (Coleraine)
Ross Millen (Inverness CT)
Adam Lewis (Chesterfield)
Lee Angol (Cheltenham Town)
David Tutonda (Rochdale)
George Ray (retired)
Saul Fox-Akande (unattached)
Callum Cooke (unattached)
Hallam Hope (unattached)
Jordan Slew (unattached)
Stuart Moore (unattached)
Max Taylor (unattached)


Rochdale

Rochdale have continued to strengthen their squad, with impressive additions in the shapes of Emmanuel Dieseruvwe and Joe Pritchard, alongside even further signings.

Only one new departure, as Finlay Armstrong heads to Ireland, while Kairo Mitchell has joined divisional rivals Forest Green.

In

Bryce Hosannah (AFC Fylde)
Anthony Mancini (Hartlepool United)
Dan Moss (Woking)
David Tutonda (Morecambe)
Liam Humbles (Salford City)
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (Hartlepool United)
Joe Pritchard (Oldham Athletic)
Casey Pettit (Maidenhead United)
Oliver Whatmuff (Manchester City)

Out

Kyle Ferguson (Yeovil Town)
Kairo Mitchell (Forest Green Rovers)
Bradley Kelly (unattached)
Courtney Senior (unattached)
Charlie Weston (unattached)
Finlay Armstrong (Waterford)

Kyle Ferguson gives it the big’un!
Pic Gary Brown

Scunthorpe United

Two new faces in at Scunthorpe, both from York; Billy Chadwick and Rory Watson both join the Iron.

In

Oli Ewing (Leicester City)
Jean Belehouan (Gateshead)
Declan Howe (Gainsborough Trinity)
Joey Dawson (Celtic)
Branden Horton (Gateshead)
Dubem Eze (Bolton Wanderers)
Billy Chadwick (York City)
Rory Watson (York City)

Out

Finley Shrimpton (Chester)
Ross Fitzsimons (Northampton Town)
Michael Kelly (Boston United)
Michael Clunan (King’s Lynn Town)
Sam Fishburn (unattached)
Jason Law (unattached)
Maxim Kouogun (unattached)


Solihull Moors

Two new signings for Solihull since the last update, as Darius Lipsiuc joins on loan from Stoke, while Callum McFarlane signs on a permanent deal, following his release from Fulham.

Some notable outgoings include Jack Stevens stepping up to the EFL with Oldham, and Manny Duku signing on at Tamworth, following some late season heroics for the Moors.

In

Brad Nicholson (Boston United)
Tyler French (Sutton United)
Dan Creaney (Tamworth)
Cameron Green (Boston United)
Ben Worman (Gateshead)
Oscar Rutherford (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Darius Lipsiuc (Stoke City)
Callum McFarlane (Fulham)

Out

Jordan Tunnicliffe (Kidderminster Harriers)
Joe Newton (Boreham Wood)
Joss Labadie (Hednesford Town)
Tyler Bruck (Redditch United)
Morgan Owen (Redditch United)
Aaron Flahavan (Redditch United)
Joel Shambrook (Redditch United)
Max Martin (Redditch United)
Tahvon Campbell (Yeovil Town)
Marcel Oakley (unattached)
Kade Craig (The New Saints)
Ackeme Francis-Burrell (unattached)
Elliot Thorpe (unattached)
Manny Duku (Tamworth)
Joe Dodoo (unattached)
John Bostock (unattached)
Gus Mafuta (Hereford)
Jack Stevens (Oldham Athletic)

Tahvon Campbell during his previous loan spells at Huish Park. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Southend United

One addition for Southend, as they announced the return of Ben Goodliffe from Colchester United, following a successful loan spell with the side last season.

In

Harry Boyes (Sheffield United)
Slavi Spasov (Slough Town)
Sam Austin (Notts County)
Ben Goodliffe (Colchester United)

Out

Danny Waldron (Brackley Town)
Jack Wood (Walton & Hersham)


Sutton United

Things have quietened down at Gander Green Lane, with no major additions to the side.

In

David Aziaya (Bromley)
Liam Vincent (Tonbridge Angels)
Kane Crichlow (Chelmsford City)
Mo Dabre (Tonbridge Angels)
Will Tizzard (Queen’s Park)
Aaron Jones (Aldershot Town)
Jaiden White (Hereford)
Harry Phipps (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Perry Cotton (Bolehall)
Edon Pruti (Slough Town)
David Ogbonna (Slough Town)
Ashley Nadesan (Gillingham)

Out

Josh Coley (Ebbsfleet United)
Steve Arnold (Hemel Hempstead Town)
Tyler French (Solihull Moors)
Harry Ransom (Worthing)
Will Davies (Fleetwood Town)
Jay Williams (unattached)
Matt Kerbey (unattached)
Ryan Jackson (unattached)
Jack Rose (unattached)
Nana Boateng (unattached)
Hayden Muller (unattached)


Tamworth

Two new faces for Tamworth, as Stefan Mols and Manny Duku join the Lambs.

One departure to add to the list, as Mohammed Sahil Sajad signs with Hound Dogs in Gibraltar (what a team name by the way?!)

In

Reuben Wyatt (Northampton Town)
Joe Riley (AFC Fylde)
Harvey Sayer (Lowestoft Town)
Alfie Bates (Brackley Town)
Tyler Roberts (AFC Fylde)
Stefan Mols (Curzon Ashton)
Manny Duku (Solihull Moors)

Out

Jamie Willets (Halesowen Town)
Munashe Sundire (Torquay United)
Alex Fletcher (AFC Telford United)
Kai Williams (Hereford)
Dan Creaney (Solihull Moors)
Kyle Finn (Halesowen Town)
Mohammed Sahil Sajad (Hound Dogs)


Truro City

One or two returning names to add to the list, as Luke Jephcott and Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain join following loans last season, and Max Kinsey joins on loan from Bournemouth.

In

Harry Kite (Yeovil Town)
Lirak Hasani (Torquay United)
Luke Jephcott (Newport County)
Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain (Kidderminster Harriers)
Max Kinsey (Bournemouth)

Out

Andrew Neal (Plymouth Parkway)
Jaze Kabia (Grimsby Town)
Dan Lincoln (unattached)
Farren Simons (unattached)
Jamil Roberts (unattached)
Morgan Jones (unattached)

Harry Kite celebrates with his teammates. Photo by Gary Brown.

Wealdstone

One new name for Wealdstone fans since the last post, as Dylan Kadji makes the step up from the National League South, joining from Weston-super-Mare.

Josh Grant heads north to Carlisle, as mentioned previously.

In

Junior Tiensia (Barrow)
Sak Hassan (Hashtag United)
Dylan Kadji (Weston-super-Mare)

Out

Craig Eastmond (Eastbourne Borough)
Jacob Adams (Tonbridge Angels)
Alex Dyer (St Albans City)
Kallum Cesay (Salford City)
Adrian Mariappa (unattached)
Josh Grant (Carlisle United)


Woking

Nothing new to report from Woking.

In

Chinwike Okoli (Millwall)
Craig Ross (Maidenhead United)
Caleb Richards (Kidderminster Harriers)
Jack Turner (Queen’s Park)
Jake Hyde (Chelmsford City)
Aaron Drewe (Oxford City)
Luke Hall (Worksop Town)

Out

Jacob Jones (Penybont)
Rohan Ince (Hampton & Richmond Borough)
Dion Kelly-Evans (Chester)
Jermaine Anderson (Hemel Hempstead Town)
Dennon Lewis (Dorking Wanderers)
Lewis Walker (Braintree Town)
Matt Robinson (Maidenhead United)
Dan Moss (Rochdale)
Ollie Webber (unattached)
Reece Grego-Cox (Hampton & Richmond Borough)
Charlie Sayers (unattached)
Ben Wynter (unattached)

Jake Hyde scoring in pre-season.

Yeovil Town

Two former players have new homes, as Michael Smith and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton drop down to the National League South again, joining Weston-super-Mare and Torquay United.

In

James Daly (Harrogate Town)
Kyle Ferguson (Rochdale)
Tahvon Campbell (Solihull Moors)

Out

Harry Kite (Truro City)
Jordan Thomas (Torquay United)
Marcel Lavinier (unattached)
Dom Bernard (unattached)
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (Torquay United)
Caleb Hughes (unattached)
Michael Smith (Weston-super-Mare)

Michael Smith does something wonderful, probably
(Pic C/O Gary Brown)

York City

York have been busy as of late, with plenty of additions and departures to report. Greg Olley and Joe Grey have both strengthened the Minstermen’s ranks, while they’ve started to shed some of their deadwood, such as Tyler Cordner, Rory Watson and Cameron John.

In

Hiram Boateng (Mansfield Town)
Ollie Banks (Chesterfield)
Alex Newby (Altrincham)
Ash Palmer (Chesterfield)
Mark Kitching (Oldham Athletic)
Ben Brookes (Maidstone United)
Greg Olley (Gateshead)
Joe Grey (Hartlepool United)
Tyler Cordner (AFC Totton)

Out

Lenell John-Lewis (Boston United)
Olly Dyson (Spennymoor Town)
Adam Crookes (Gainsborough Trinity)
Maziar Kouhyar (Notts County)
Jeff King (Boreham Wood)
Levi Andoh (unattached)
Thierry Latty-Fairweather (unattached)
Zanda Siziba (unattached)
Alex Hernandez (unattached)
Thierry Latty-Fairweather (FC Halifax Town)
Dipo Akinyemi (Derry City)
Billy Chadwick (Scunthorpe United)
Cameron John (Hartlepool United)
Tyler Cordner (AFC Totton)
Rory Watson (Scunthorpe United)

Yeovil Town have announced David Court as their new first team manager on a one-year deal, with an option for a further year.

Court replaces Paul Knight who left at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Court holds coaching badges up to a UEFA A License and has previously worked for Dorchester Sports, Andover Town, as well as holding Academy positions with both the Glovers and Torquay in recent years.

Yeovil recently announced that Yeovil Town Women FC will operate under the control of Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust.

Described as an “exciting and bold new chapter for women’s football in Yeovil”, the club have set out their ambitions for the next three seasons.
There is a desire to become the “premier women’s football club” in the South West and YTFC have explicitly stated their targets to be achieved by 2028 include, achieving promotion to Tier 5 by end of 2025/26 and Tier 4 (National League) by 2027/28.

Certainly a high pressure start to Court’s tenure in charge.

The Glovers recently unveiled a new plan for the future of the women’s team which including integrating more youth players and increasing sponsorship.

Yeovil will once again be in the South West Regional Football League – Division 1 South for the coming season 

Yeovil Town have been given an away tie against Odd Down FC in the first round of the Somerset Men’s Premier Cup.

The game will be played at some point in October, with an exact date to be confirmed in due course.

The Glovers faced Odd Down at the Semi Final stage of the 2021/22 competition, securing a place in the final for interim manager Charlie Lee with a 5-0 win, a brace for Josh Neufville in amongst the scorers.

Last season, Yeovil were eliminated by a strong Weston-super-Mare side in the 2nd Round after receiving a bye in the first round. 

The competition has been renamed for this coming season in memory of former County FA President Francis Hillier.

The final, is already scheduled to take place at Twerton Park on April 15th 2026.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper pictured speaking to the club's social media following the 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat to Cardiff City Under-21s.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper said he saw positive signs from his side as they went down to a 3-2 defeat against Cardiff City Under-21s in their first pre-season friendly at Huish Park.

The Glovers raced in to a 2-0 lead with goals from Josh Sims, playing at right wing-back, and striker Harvey Greenslade, but conceded immediately after going 2-0 up and then conceded two goals in the second half to go down to their first defeat of pre-season.

Speaking to the club’s social media after the game, Cooper said: “For large parts I was really impressed and happy, we went 2-0 up and were on the front foot and then we conceded at a horrible time straight after we scored the second goal. For 60 minutes, I was really pleased. We are still a bit behind, we have had three-and-a-half weeks (in to pre-season) and we have tried to make sure we try to reduce the risk to injury due to the pitches and the weather, so we need to increase the intensity now. You could see towards the end we were running on empty and we made the changes (with substitutions in the second half) and it disrupts the team and we end up on the wrong side of the result.

We really wanted to be front foot and make it difficult for them to play their football which we did, we were quite aggressive which is where our goals came from and I thought we would go on to score a few more. But the goals we conceded was down to tiredness, when you are tired you can make poor decisions, but I am really pleased with large parts of that and I am sure we will be better for it (against Bristol Rovers in the next friendly) on Saturday.

There were times tonight where we looked great, but then at 2-0 the ball comes through the middle of the pitch and they get an easy first goal. So there is loads that we can work on, but that is why we have these games, so we can have bits we can fine tune and I think when you get tired you start to make mistakes and we have to make sure that when we make mistakes it does not always lead to key chances and goals. If we make mistakes, we have to make sure we can see that pressure off, and that will come with the more work we do before the first league game.

The manager also explained the decision to reduce the length of the playing surface at Huish Park. Ahead of kick-off there was widespread discussion among supporters about a sizeable gap which had sprung up at both ends of the pitch.

Cooper said: “We had the biggest pitch in the league by a long way, it was massive, so we wanted to make it a bit smaller to give us a chance to be a bit more front foot. We wanted to get ourselves in position, get in opposition team’s faces and that is it. It is so we can get a bit closer to the opposition.

An image showing a sizeable decrease in the length of the Huish Park playing surface.
There is now a significantly bigger gap between the Thatcher’s Stand and the goal. Picture courtesy of Mike Hudson.

Defender Jake Wannell was an unused substitute against the young Bluebirds and striker Tahvon Campbell was absent from the squad, watching from the Huish Park stands. Cooper said both had been left out as a precaution, but he expected them to return for the visit of League Two side Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

He said: “We are probably two or three players short, but we are where we are. We were without (Jake) Wannell and Tav Campbell tonight which are big misses for us, so if you put them back in to (the squad) and if we can add another couple to give us some cover in key positions, I will be pretty content. Both flagged up little (injuries) from training yesterday, we probably could have played them but it is pre-season, so they have sat out tonight, they will rest tomorrow and they should be fine for training on Thursday and be available for Saturday. There is no point in them playing today, but they cannot miss too much because now our intensity really ramps up.”

One player who definitely will not feature in that match is midfielder Jacob Maddox, signed until the summer of 2026 in January, who has been missing since injuring his toe in the defeat at Rochdale shortly after his arrival.

Cooper said: “He had an operation at the end of June which was too late for me because it should have been done at the end of the season. He had an operation on his toe, but he will not be with us for a couple of months.”

A crowd of 1,226 was inside Huish Park for the match on Tuesday night and the club are hoping for a bumper attendance when Bristol Rovers visit on Saturday in the ‘Match for Marcus’, which will recognise the contribution of legendary striker Marcus Stewart, who played for both sides in an illustrious career.

The former frontman, who was on Cooper’s coaching staff until May, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2022 and the match will be used to raise awareness of the condition and raise funds for charities linked to it.

On the match, the Glovers’ boss added: “We will be playing against men on Saturday and they will be physical, so we are expecting they type of game we would encounter in the league. So that will be a really big step towards where we are trying to get to in terms of fitness and intensity for the (first league game on the) 9th August.”

Yeovil Town defend the Thatcher's Stand in the pre-season friendly against Cardiff City Under-21s.

A late winner from substitute Morgan Wigley saw Yeovil Town suffer their first friendly defeat of pre-season campaign at the hands of Cardiff City’s Under-21s in their first outing at Huish Park.

The Glovers led 2-0 by the half-hour mark with goals from Josh Sims and Harvey Greenslade before Mannie Barton pulled a goal back before the interval.

The young Bluebirds, managed by former Yeovil loanee defender Darren Purse, made wholesale changes at half-time and a goal just after the hour mark from Trey George pulled them level before Wigley won it late on.

Ian was among the 1,226 supporters, including a sizeable vocal following from South Wales, on Tuesday night and here’s how he saw it.

First half

The pre-match chat was all about the changing shape of the Huish Park pitch – a topic discussed at length on our latest podcast, click here to listen – which looked significantly shorter and narrower.

On the smaller surface, trialists Jevani Brown started and midfielder Teo Kurtaran was named among the substitutes bench. However, there was no sign of either ex-Bristol Rovers midfielder Luke McCormick, who scored in the 3-2 win at Chippenham Town three days earlier, ex-Swindon Town striker Abu Kanu or Plymouth Parkway frontman Kieran Edworthy. All three have featured in the previous three friendlies of pre-season.

An image of the pitch at Huish Park ahead of the first home pre-season friendly of the season which has been significantly shortened and narrowed.
The shorter and narrower surface at Huish Park was there for all to see.

The first opportunity of the match fell to Cardiff’s youngsters as Yeovil defender Kyle Ferguson lost the flight of the ball on the edge of the box allowing Mannie Barton room to pick out strike partner Luke Pearce whose effort was deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting corner, Charlie O’Brien’s header went over the bar.

At the other end, Harvey Greenslade  worked himself a lovely opening five minutes later before striking over the bar and the forward, who scored in the win at Chippenham Town at the weekend, fired in a stinging shot which was parried by Cardiff keeper Matt Turner after 20 minutes, but no-one could follow up in the ensuing scramble.

Two minutes later Jevani Brown, aka Trialist A, combined with the lively James Daly but the summer signing from Harrogate Town couldn’t hook his cross back into the danger area, landing the ball harmlessly on the roof of the net.

Yeovil took the lead on 26 minutes when Josh SIMS, who started the match at right wing-back, caught a Cardiff defender napping and had time and space in the box to fire into the roof of the net. 

The visitors almost levelled direct from the kick-off as Luke Pearce’s effort was saved by Aidan Stone, but it was Yeovil who added the next goal on the halfway line. Harvey GREENSLADE with a brilliant finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Well done that man. 

Yeovil Town defend the Thatcher's Stand in the pre-season friendly against Cardiff City Under-21s.
Yeovil Town defend the Thatcher’s Stand in the pre-season friendly against Cardiff City Under-21s. Picture courtesy of Chris Fox.

Cardiff made another fast restart and this time it paid dividends. Issac Jefferies played in Mannie BARTON who capitalised on  space in behind Sims and confidently putting the ball past Stone. 

There was a nice  passage of play from the Glovers saw Alex Whittle pop up in the box but his right footed effort was too tame for the keeper who got down low to tip wide.

Half time and overall some nice bits of play from the Glovers.

 

Half-time:  Yeovil Town 2 Cardiff City Under-21s 1

The visitors made seven changes at the start of the second half with only goalkeeper Matt Turner, Matthew Apter and striker Luke Pearce remaining from the first half, whilst Finn Cousin-Dawson replaced Morgan Williams for Yeovil.

Brett McGavin would have scored Yeovil’s third just after half-time had he been just a little bit taller. Sims whipped cross from the right very nearly found the midfielder but he could not stretch his neck long enough to head home.

Cardiff levelled it up on the hour mark after Trey GEORGE was given freedom of the penalty box to fire home. Cue lots of pointing from the Yeovil players as to who was marking the attacking midfielder.

Trialist midfielder Teo Kurtaran replaced Charlie Cooper after 69 minutes before Daly worked a nice opening on the left side of the box and hit a shot a comfortable height for the keeper.

Substitutes chaos from the young Bluebirds saw lots of change and it became rather bitty with the odd pot shot here and there with Lewys Twamley replacing Sims after 76 minutes.

Five minutes from the end, Kurataran shot over the bar from the edge of the box after Twamley and Aaron Jarvis combined in the box.

Cardiff took at the death with a quick breakaway and a neat finish from Morgan WIGLEY over Stone to a rapturous ovation from the noisy Cardiff following.

Next up, League Two side Bristol Rovers visit Huish Park on Saturday in the ‘Match for Marcus’ which will see both clubs honour former striker Marcus Stewart and raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease, the illness which the legendary frontman has been diagnosed with. If you can make to Huish Park, please do so.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Cardiff City Under-21s 3


Teams:

Yeovil Town: Aidan Stone, Alex Whittle (for Corey Koerner, 79), Josh Sims (for Lewys Twamley, 76), Morgan Williams (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 46), Kyle Ferguson, Charlie Cooper (for Teo Kuratarn, Trialist, 69), Brett McGavin, James Daly, Jevani Brown (Trialist), Harvey Greenslade, Aaron Jarvis.

First half – Cardiff City Under-21s: Matt Turner, Charlie O’Brien, Gabriel Keita, Trialist, Josh Beecher, Cody Twose, Matthew Apter, Issac Jefferies, Mannie Barton, Chris Willock, Luke Pearce.

Second half – Cardiff City Under-21s: Matt Turner, Will Spiers, Alyas Debono, Trialist, Jac Thomas, Matthew Apter (for Jacob Hobson, 69), Troy Perrett, Trey George, Sekou Kaba, Luke Pearce, Morgan Wigley.

Scorers: Josh Sims 26 (1-0), Harvey Greenslade 29 (2-0), Mannie Barton 30 (2-1), Trey George 61 (2-2), Morgan Wigley 90 (2-3).

Attendance: 1,226

Yeovil Town have confirmed their squad numbers ahead of the upcoming season.

The main headlines are that James Daly takes the 11, previously worn by Jacob Maddox and Harvey Greenalade switches from 27 to 21.

The 21 was vacated by Caleb Hughes at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Maddox, despite being a contracted member of the squad, has not been issued with a number this year as he continues his rehabilitation from injury.

New signings Kyle Ferguson keeps the 26 he wore on loan last season with Tahvon Campbell opting for 29 having previously worn 16 and 19 in his previous loan spells a decade ago.

There’s nobody to take the number 2, 8 or 10 shirts (yet!)

A full list can be found below.

1 – Aidan Stone
3 – Alex Whittle
4 – Morgan Williams
5 – Finn Cousin-Dawson
6 – Jake Wannell
7 – Lewys Twamley
9 – Aaron Jarvis
11 – James Daly 
14 – Brett McGavin
19 – Josh Sims
21 – Harvey Greenslade  (from 27)
22 – Matt Gould
24 – Charlie Cooper
26 – Kyle Ferguson 
29 – Tahvon Campbell 

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper  said he needed to “add a couple of players” after watching them grab a late win at Chippenham Town in their third friendly of the pre-season campaign.

The Glovers needed late goals from strikers Harvey Greenslade and Aaron Jarvis to see off National League South opposition with a 3-2 win in temperatures which topped 30 degrees Celsius in Wiltshire on Saturday afternoon.

Cooper started the game with trialists striker Jevani Brown and midfielder Luke McCormick, who have both featured in the previous two friendly wins over Sherborne Town and Exmouth Town.

It is not clear whether the boss was talking about these two players as he mentioned the need for new additions, as neither of the ex-Bristol Rovers’ duo has been formally identified by the club.

Speaking to the club’s social media after the game, Cooper said: “We are still trying to add a couple of permanent players to the squad, we are still a couple short. We are trying to work with the owner (Prabhu Srinivasan) and with Stuart (Robins, the club’s Executive Chairman) to see if we can push a bit and bring a couple of quality players in because we are short on numbers. We aimed to be a small squad with enough quality, but we need to add a couple now.

So far, Cooper has recruited striker Tahvon Campbell, winger James Daly and defender Kyle Ferguson as permanent additions, but the absence of transfer business has left supporters questioning whether the club is waiting to make the right additions and the level of budget available to support recruitment.

Both Brown and McCormick were withdrawn on the hour mark on Saturday as Cooper made ten changes with only defender Morgan Williams playing the full 90 minutes. Among the changes included trialist strikers Abu Kanu and Kieran Edworthy and midfielder Teo Kurtaran, who provided the corners which led to the goals from Greenslade and Jarvis which earned the win.

Yeovil Town trialists Teo Kurtaran, back to the camera wearing number 15, and striker Abu Kanu, no number, in action in the 3-2 win at Chippenham Town on Saturday.
Trialist Teo Kurtaran (Number 15) and striker Abu Kanu (no number) both appeared as 60th minute substitutes in Yeovil Town’s 3-2 win at Chippenham Town on Saturday. Picture courtesy of Sophie Edon.

Next up, Yeovil welcome Cardiff City Under-21s to Huish Park on Tuesday night. The young Bluebirds played their first pre-season fixture on Saturday earning a 2-1 win at Cymru Premier side Barry Town United courtesy of a penalty from striker Luke Pearce.

Cooper said the first three matches of the pre-season campaign had been about building fitness, but confessed his side needed to “go up a notch” as they face Cardiff’s youngsters followed by a visit from League Two side Bristol Rovers next weekend.

He added: “We are in a position where we are two weeks in to pre-season and it was about trying to get through those two weeks being aware of the weather and the pitches and making sure that we get to this point.

But we have to go up a level now and that is the chat I have had with the players (after the match), we have to be ready and go up a notch because we are going to be two really big clubs in Cardiff City and Bristol Rovers which will be a real acid test for us. So it is about getting a steady pre-season and making sure are ready for (the first National League match on) August 9th, but we need to go up a level now.

Two goals in the final seven minutes of the match at Chippenham earned Yeovil their third win out of three friendlies, but they needed a winner from Jarvis which came with the final touch of the match. They had gone behind twice in the match and also saw summer signing striker Tahvon Campbell have a tame penalty saved in the second half.

Cooper admitted he was not happy with his side’s defending for either goal they conceded. He said: “We try and put a lot of bodies forward and press high, but when that ball comes forward we have to win the duels and we didn’t. we let lost those duels today and we let runners go. We had numerous chances to score, they took theirs and we missed a penalty, but we found a win to win again and that is (three wins in) three games now, you can talk about the opposition but it is three games and three wins and long may that continue.

We are looking at minutes and data and which player needs want and trying to get some semblance of a shape to the team, and that will evolve over the next four weeks.

There has been no sign of midfielder Jacob Maddox in the Glovers’ pre-season campaign, either in photographs from training sessions at the SGS Wise Campus in South Gloucestershire, or any of the three season friendlies.

There has been no mention of the absence from Cooper or the club’s official channels, but responding to a question from a supporter on its social media, the club confirmed the former Forest Green Rovers man underwent surgery at the end of the season.

A social media post from the club confirming that midfielder Jacob Maddox had surgery at the end of last season.

 

Tell us what you think of the Glovers’ performances in their opening pre-season friendlies and where you think the squad needs to strength ahead of the opening game of the National League season in less than a month.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

A Yeovil Town player launched a ball forward in the pre-season friendly at Chippenham Town.

A late goal from Aaron Jarvis seconds before the final whistle saw Yeovil Town keep their 100% pre-season friendly record with a narrow victory at Chippenham Town on Saturday.

The Glovers trailed to a Tom Owen-Evans goal at half-time before trialist Luke McCormick pulled them level two minutes in to the second half. Former W*ymouth player Ezio Touray put the National League South side ahead again on 51 minutes before Tahvon Campbell spurned a great chance to make it level as he rolled a penalty kick in to the chest of Chippenham keeper Will Henry five minutes later.

The hour mark led to a flurry of changes from both sides and it was two of the Yeovil substitutes who got the goals which won it as Harvey Greenslade pulled Yeovil level in the 83rd minute heading home a corner from trialist Teo Kurtaran before Jarvis nodded in another Kurtaran corner to win it late on.

The starting line-up saw trialists former Bristol Rovers pair striker Jevani Brown (Number 20) and McCormick (Number 8) paired together with former Swindon Town striker Abu Kanu, Plymouth Parkway forward Kieran Edworthy and midfielder Kurtaran all appearing on the hour mark.

All five substitutes have featured in both the Glovers’ first two pre-season friendlies, the 1-0 win at Exmouth Town last weekend and Wednesday night’s 2-1 win at Sherborne Town. You can find about them all in our Spot the Trialist special feature – here.

First half

With no recognised right back in the Yeovil squad, the visitors started with a back three of Morgan Williams, Kyle Ferguson and Jake Wannell with James Daly – a recognised forward/winger – and Alex Whittle playing as wing-backs from the kick-off. Tahvon Campbell played as a lone striker with trialists Jevani Brown and Luke McCormick behind him and Charlie Cooper and Brett McGavin in the centre of midfield. 

The temperature was well about 30 degrees Celsius when this match got underway and only likely to get hotter, so expecting regular drinks breaks and lots of personnel changes.

The first opportunity fell to Yeovil after four minutes as Campbell intercepted the ball on the halfway line, beat the final Chippenham defender but dragged his shot wide. Three minutes later, Charlie Cooper got caught in possession from a corner to allow a breakaway led by Harry Parsons who took his run wide and was denied by Aidan Stone.

Stone was in action again on 12 minutes when Wannell failed to make a clearance giving 13 time and space to get a shot away. A comfortable save by the keeper.

The better opportunities were going the way of the home side and they took the lead a minute later. Tom OWEN-EVANS was allowed to make a run in to the area and hit a low shot in to the far corner, it looked as if Stone thought it was going wide but it kissed the post on its way in.

On 19 minutes, Brett McGavin’s ball was met by a great header from Wannell which turned on to the post by Will Henry. Great cross, great header, great saved – but the offside flag was up. Five minutes later McCormick was denied by another smart stop from Henry before having a follow-up effort blocked.

A Yeovil Town player launched a ball forward in the pre-season friendly at Chippenham Town.
Check out the dust kicking up off the pitch in the first half. Picture courtesy of Callum Hallett.

There was another great opportunity for Chippenham who found Owen-Evans and one of their own trialists two on one with a Yeovil defender just before the half-hour mark, but the trialist got it all wrong and it went high over the bar.

Stone had to make another fine stop with seven minutes of the half remaining after Parsons’ shot from point blank range. Campbell had a good opportunity minutes later after McCormick jumped on a Chippenham mistake and fed the striker whose effort was not enough to test Henry.

There was a pre-season collectors’ item on 44 minutes when McCormick was brought down who got a booking. McGavin’s effort from the resulting free-kick looked to be dipping under the bar but Henry made a great two-handed save to deny him.

Some great saves made by both goalkeepers, but Owen-Evans’ goal divides the two sides at the half-time break on a sweltering afternoon in Wiltshire.

 

Half-time: Chippenham Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

There was only one change at half-time with goalkeeping coach Matt Gould replacing Stone in goal whilst former W*ymouth and Poole Town forward Ezio Touray replaced Parsons in the only change for Chippenham.

Two minutes after the restart the trialists, Brown and McCormick, combined with Brown moving down the left and feeding Luke McCORMICK whose effort went past Henry. 

Luke McCormick celebrates with Tahvon Campbell, right, and Jevani Brown.

But the lead lasted just four minutes when Kyle Ferguson got himself in a tangle, there was a suggestion of handball from the defender but the referee waved play on. A good ball in to Ezio TOURAY who fired past Gould. 

On 56 minutes, Yeovil were awarded a penalty after Cooper went down in the box, Campbell stepped up, stuttered his run up and rolled the ball tamely in to the chest of Henry. Oh dear.

On the hour mark, both teams made a flurry of changes with only Morgan Williams surviving the cut for Yeovil. Under-18s captain Corey Koerner and Josh Sims took up the left and right back positions with Finn Cousin-Dawson and Williams making up a back four. Abu Kanu, who was wearing no number, played up front with Aaron Jarvis with Greenslade, trialists Teo Kurtaran (Number 15) and Kieran Edworthy (Number 16) in midfield, and Harvey Greenslade and Lewys Twamley in wide positions.

On 64 minutes, one of the Chippenham substitutes Olaf Koszela had an effort deflected over the bar, but the only threat on goalkeeper Josh Sawyer, who replaced Henry after 81 minutes, came from Greenslade who was denied by the keeper and the offside flag.

The forward did get himself on the scoresheet with seven minutes remaining though. A corner from trialist Kurtaran was headed home by GREENSLADE from inside a crowded penalty area.

Since arriving on the hour mark, Greenslade looked lively and almost added a second on 85 minutes, but just before the final whistle went (literally) Yeovil took the lead. Another corner from Kurtaran was headed home by Aaron JARVIS. Literally seconds after the ball crossed the line, the final whistle blew.

The stadium announcer had to confirm the final score over the public address system. Peak pre-season.

Full time: Chippenham Town 2 Yeovil Town 3


Teams:

First half – Yeovil Town: Aidan Stone (for Matt Gould, 46), Morgan Williams, Jake Wannell, Kyle Ferguson, Alex Whittle, James Daly, Charlie Cooper, Brett McGavin, Luke McCormick (Trialist), Jevani Brown (Trialist), Tahvon Campbell. 

From 60 minutes – Yeovil Town: Matt Gould, Corey Koerner, Josh Sims, Morgan Williams, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Lewys Twamley, Teo Kurtaran (Trialist), Kieran Edworthy (Trialist), Aby Kanu, Harvey Greenslade, Aaron Jarvis.

Chippenham Town: Will Henry, Lewis Colwell, Ethan Vaughan, Canice Carroll, Freddie Grant, Jake Evans, Caine Bradbury, Quevin Castro, Tom Owen-Evans, Harry Parsons (for Ezio Touray, 46), Trialist.

From 60 minutes – Chippenham Town: Will Henry (for Josh Sawyer, 71), Harry Messenger, Freddie Grant, Luke Haines, Fleet, Tom Mehew, Trialist (for Ollie Smith, 70), Trialist, Olaf Koszela, Harlee Vozza, Enzio Touray.

We are so back!!!

Fixtures have been released and diaries are getting filled up, and a huge credit to Sutton United are the first team get their away tickets up and running for the 2025/26 season. 

So, for the first time….

Tickets are now available for Yeovil Town fans planning on going to Sutton United onTuesday, 30 September, for a 7:45 kick off.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Much like many other sites this season, purchasing online does come with the need to register for an account and tickets will in the form of e-tickets, which must either be shown on a device at the ground or printed at home. 

Prices are as follows and have slightly risen from the 2024/25 season. [Note: all tickets increase £2 on Match Day]

Adults – £21
Concession 62+ Students & Blue Light– £16
Junior (14-18) – £8
Child (U14) – £2 
Carers – Free with a full paying adult.

These tickets are for the Curva Terrace, which is an uncovered terrace.

A couple of notes from Sutton from the 2024/25 season which we assume is still the case for this season – if not, we’ll let you know. 

Access to the ground will be via the COLLINGWOOD ROAD entrance.

On age specific tickets; “It is always best to bring a form of ID with you to support the ticket type you have purchased (adult, concession, junior, Young Person)”

On Wheelchair access – “We have a wheelchair bay pitch side for those in wheelchairs. This space is limited (three away spaces) so in order to ensure you get a spot, email dave.farebrother@suttonunited.net. He will make sure you have access to accessible facilities. Other than that, tickets can be purchased as normal.”

On people wishing to sit for the game – “If you need to be accommodated for seating, you can purchase a seat in the home section. If you do this, we ask that you please not wear any of your club colour and please behave appropriately” 

If you feel like either of the bottom two apply to you, you can contact Dave Farebrother on the email above or call the Main Office: 020 8644 4440 – the generic ticket office email is tickets@suttonunited.net.

An image of Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper speaking following his side's 2-1 win at Sherborne Town in their second pre-season match.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said he is confident that goals will come for his side after they continued their pre-season friendly campaign with a 2-1 win at Sherborne Town on Wednesday night.

The Glovers came from 1-0 down in the second half in front of 965 fans at a sweltering Raleigh Grove with goals from defenders Morgan Williams and Jake Wannell securing the victory following a 1-0 win in their first friendly at Exmouth Town four days earlier.

Last season, they scored 51 goals in 46 league games making them the joint second-lowest scorers in the National League Premier Division.

Speaking to the club’s own social media after the match at Sherborne, Cooper said: “All you can do is keep creating chances, but at the minute it is about fitness and getting our positioning right. That will come with the players we have got, we will start converting those chances.

It is really difficult because the pitches are really dry and sticky at the minute and it is hard to get the ball moving and it suits a team that is lower down the pyramid because they can get bodies behind the ball. When the sun went down and there was a little bit of dew on the ground, we were able to move the ball really quickly in the second half. We conceded a rubbish goal but when a team puts ten or eleven men behind the ball to break it down, but we were okay in the second half.

I was pleased-ish with the second half, but as on Saturday (in the 1-0 win at Exmouth Town) we should have scored more and we should have scored more tonight but if you give a team the chance to sit behind the ball and give them a soft goal it is difficult. I think it is important that we try and support the local community in terms of playing these games, but we need them to get some water on the pitch and get a referee that wants the game to flow. Everyone has come to see football, not the referee blow his whistle, but I suppose he needs time to get the rustiness out as well.”

Former Swindon Town academy striker Abu Kanu was among the trialists who featured in the first half. Picture courtesy of Rob Manley.

Yeovil started the match against the Wessex League Premier Division side, who play four tiers below them, with a young side including trialists ex-Swindon Town academy striker Abu Kanu, Plymouth Parkway forward Kieran Edworthy, and midfielder Teo Kurtaran, who was playing in Polish football last season. You can read more about the background of these trialists – here.

They were joined in the starting XI by Under-18s players defender Corey Koerner, midfielder Ollie Hughes as well as first-team players goalkeeper Matt Gould, defenders Kyle Ferguson and Finn Cousin-Dawson, midfielders Josh Sims and Lewys Twamley and striker Harvey Greenslade. There were nine changes at the break with trialist ex-Bristol Rovers’ midfielder Luke McCormick among those introduced.

However, it was Sherborne who took the lead in the 53rd minute before Williams and Wannell scored to prevent red faces caused by something other than the warm weather for Yeovil.

An image of Jevani Brown, the former Bristol Rovers and Exeter City striker, in pre-season training with Yeovil Town at the SGS WISE Campus in South Gloucestershire.
Jevani Brown, who is on trial at Yeovil Town, sat out the game with “a little knock.”

Cooper said that he had rested striker Tahvon Campbell, who scored the only goal at Exmouth four days earlier, due to the hard pitches along with trialist Jevani Brown, the former Bristol Rovers and Exeter City striker, who played in the first friendly.

The manager said: “The biggest bonus is we got through the game without any niggles. We rested Tav tonight with everything being so hard, his knee was a bit sore, Jev(ani Brown) had a little knock so we rested both of them, but we got through without any niggles. First half we played a younger team and some trialists and it was a bit slow and lacked some tempo and in the second half, even though we conceded a sloppy goal we played a lot better and should have scored some more.

Yeovil travel to face National League South opposition in Chippenham Town in their third friendly on Saturday with the weather predicted to hit 30 degrees in Wiltshire by kick-off at 2pm.

Cooper said: “The weather is going to be 30 degrees for the next five days, so we have to try and deal with that because we are playing at 2pm on a Saturday. Hopefully there will be some water on the pitch and it is not too hard, but we will look forward to that.