Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 312)

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Two-goal hero Alex Fisher has said he is enjoying working under new Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper after a man of the match performance in the 3-1 home win over bottom club Gateshead.

The striker’s brace moved him ahead of wing-back Jamie Reckord to be the club’s top scorer – albeit with only four goals in the first 18 matches – and he is hoping the team can start to find some form under the new manager.

Alex Fisher celebrates a goal in the 3-1 home win over Gateshead. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, he said: “It’s been a good transition (with the new manager taking over), he has a lot of ideas and I know a lot of his teams play a lot of good football.

“It’s not the sort of thing you can just implement overnight, it’s more incremental changes week by week and I hope to think this will be the start of some really positive displays.”

He added: “He’s come in, he’s tried to simplify my game to make things easier for me and with a few of the other guys and it’s worked really well. I’m just really happy I have been able to notch a couple today and I just hope this form can continue.”

Fisher played alongside wingers Andrew Oluwaborie and Anthony Georgiou in a three-man attack which switched to a front two alongside the on loan Peterborough United man after a tactical tweak by the manager.

Of the impact of the new players, Fisher added: “They are great guys with a great attitude and you can see they have added a lot to us. They are very comfortable on the ball and get it in dangerous areas and I hope it’s as exciting to watch as it is to play in.

“It was a great team performance, I think any of us could be standing here with (the man of the match award). It was nice to get a couple of goals and good to score three at home for the first time this season, we’re delighted with the three points.

“You have to give (the fans) something to get behind and I think we are starting to do that. I don’t think you could ever have questioned anyone’s commitment in any of the games up to this point, but you want to be scoring goals at home and three today feels right.“

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Mark Cooper was pleased to feel the tension which has hung around Huish Park all season lift after his Yeovil Town side picked up their first win under his stewardship.

A brace from striker Alex Fisher – who turned in a man of the match performance despite missing a second half penalty – and an injury time goal from substitute Malachi Linton saw the Glovers pick up a 3-1 win over bottom club Gateshead.

It was the third win of the campaign and the first time the team have scored more than two goals all season and the performance was just what Cooper has been working towards since he replaced Chris Hargreaves.


Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the match, he said: “You can sense tension around the stadium when we play here and the players feel that as well, so it was just a case of getting three points no matter how we did it.

“When you are near the bottom and you have been beaten down a bit, everyone tells you you’re not very good, you lose a bit of enthusiasm and my job in the last few weeks has been to rebuild that enthusiasm just for the game itself.

“Getting them to play on the front foot and attacking the goal because we know we are sound defensively, it is just unlocking that little bit of belief that they are decent players and they can go and score goals.”

The boss was full of praise for goal-scorers Fisher and Linton – who took their respective totals for the season to four and three – after there performances.

Of Fisher, the manager said: “He’s a good centre forward, he always has been and every time I have seen him play he has done well, so it’s no surprise.

“At this level, all the players, coaches and managers will have a deficiency but we’ve just got to get the best out of him.

“When he’s got his back to goal, in the middle of the pitch, controlling it and getting it wide and getting it in the box, that’s all I have asked him to do.”

Linton came off the bench after 74 minutes to replace Andrew Oluwaborie and the boss was pleased to see him take his opportunity having dropped out of the starting XI since his arrival.

Cooper said: “They get frustrated when they don’t play, so when they do come on the pitch they have to make a difference and Mal has come on the pitch and scored a goal.

“He can be disappointed he’s not playing, but he has to react in the right way like he did when he came on.”

Next up in the National League is a trip to leaders Notts County – a team Cooper managed for a couple of months in 2016 – albeit there’s the small matter of a Somerset Men’s Premier Cup tie against Taunton Town in midweek, let’s not forget.

Of the league fixture, Cooper said: “Nobody will expect Yeovil to go there and get anything, they are flying and have a very good manager in Luke Williams, and we know it’s going to be a difficult ask but we’re looking forward to it.

“They will have a record crowd there, so why wouldn’t we want to play in that atmosphere? That’s what I have told the players (in the dressing room), we just need to look forward to it – I know I am.”

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Malachi Linton. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 12th November, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Warm, sunny day
Pitch: Looking good

Attendance: 2,405 (65 away supporters)

Scorers: Will Harris 25 (0-1), Alex Fisher 31 (1-1), Alex Fisher 51 (2-1), Malachi Linton 90+3 (3-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington 87
Gateshead: 

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Substitues: Louis Britton (for Alex Fisher, 70), Malachi Linton (for Andrew Oluwaborie, 74), Ewan Clark (for Anthony Georgiou, 85), Gime Toure (not used), Ollie Hulbert (not used).

Gateshead: Montgomery, Richardson, Pye, Gallagher (for Daley, 20), Conteh (for Yussuf, 86), Bailey, Ward, Hasani (for Martin, 51), Campbell, Harris. Substitutes: Langley, Magnay.

 

Match Report.

A double from man of the match Alex Fisher and a late finish from substitute Malachi Linton saw Yeovil Town pick up their first win under new manager Mark Cooper and their third of the season.

It was also the first time this season the Glovers had scored more than two goals and pulled themselves a whole two points adrift of the National League relegation zone with a win over bottom of the table Gateshead.

The result was nothing less than Mark Cooper’s men deserved and they could even afford a missed second penalty from Fisher who deserved his hat-trick for an outstanding display – but we’ll take three points, oh yes we will!

 

First half

Manager Mark Cooper made two changes from the midweek stalemate against Maidenhead United with Ben Richards-Everton and Ewan Clark, replaced by Chiori Johnson and Andrew Oluwabori.

There was no starting position for new signing striker Louis Britton, who joined four fellow forwards on the substitutes’ bench alongside Malachi Linton, Gime Toure, Ollie Hulbert and Clark.

For the visitors, ex-Glovers’ striker Adi Yussuf was named among the substitutes’ bench manager Mike Williamson, a former Newcastle United player, made just his second appearance of the season.

The line-up saw Matt Worthington playing forward, almost as a number ten, with captain Josh Staunton and on-loan Jamie Andrews playing in the centre of midfield, and it was the home side who started the brighter but without forcing visiting keeper James Montgomery in to action.

But, it was the visitors who took the lead with the game’s first opportunity on 25 minutes. A looped ball forward saw Staunton miss an interception and Will HARRIS picked it up and a clinical finish left Grant Smith clutching at thin air. More than a hint of offside but the only person who matters (the assistant referee) did not agree.

The lead lasted just six minutes as a wonderful free kick whipped in low and around the wall by Anthony Georgiou and Alex FISHER stooped low to head home. A goal and from a set piece – that’s the stuff!

At that point Cooper shifted the formation with Oluwaborie moving up in to a front two with Fisher with Chiori Johnson pushing further forward. If there was a lack of a tactical Plan B from Chris Hargreaves, his successor was showing he is capable of changing it up.

 

Smith was called in to action on 35 minutes when sloppy defending saw a free-kick find its way to Williamson and his first time effort was denied by the keeper’s feet.

Andrew Oluwaborie. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

As the board went up for first half-time injury time, a great ball from Jamie Reckord was chested down by Johnson to Oluwaborie but the winger could not get enough on it to trouble the goal.

But the Peterborough United man did force Montgomery in to action when the winger cut back inside with the keeper off his line and had an effort stopped by his feet.

Then with the final action of the first half, a low ball across the six yard area saw Fisher go agonisingly close to adding his second. There’s no doubt the home side will have been the more disappointed to hear the half-time whistle.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Gateshead 1

Second half

It was a fast start from Yeovil with Chiori Johnson, who was definitely given more licence to go forward since the change, pressing forward in, but he effort went wide.

And the former Torquay United man was at the heart of the move which put the hosts ahead on 51 minutes. His sumptuous delivery found FISHER inside the box and the striker slammed his second of the afternoon in to an unguarded net.

It was nothing more than the Glovers deserved for their positive play, in particular Oluwaborie and Johnson’s link up down the right hand side which was causing Gateshead all kinds of problems.

There was a heart in mouth moment on the hour mark when Smith went down heavily after a coming together with a Gateshead player and needed some lengthy treatment. Heart in mouth because there were five strikers on the bench – but on loan keeper Will Buse was watching on from the stands.

Fisher had a golden opportunity to complete his hat-trick on 67 minutes when he won a penalty and, as you’d imagine, grabbed the ball. But the striker went for the perfect penalty and his effort went over rather than ‘top bins’.

Alex Fisher wins a second half penalty. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

That proved the frontman’s last opportunity who was replaced three minutes later by new signing Louis Britton. Fisher even apologised to the Huish Park for only scoring two goals rather than three. It’s okay, Fish, you’ve done your bit!

Smith was furious by a piece of sloppy defending with 15 minutes remaining, another long ball over the top to Harris (if it sounds familiar, check how the Gateshead goal came about!) put the striker one-on-one, but luckily his effort was not as clinical as when he found the next.

The visitors were hard working and playing good football, and the nervousness from Yeovil was there for all to see. On the touchline, Cooper and Chris Todd were making their feelings known.

Whatever they said, it clearly didn’t get through to the defence as on 84 minutes another (yes another!) dinked ball over the top from the visitors found Kenton Richardson who put the ball in the back of the net……but the flag was up.

If you felt nervous before, how did you feel when Adi Yussuf replaced holding midfielder Kamil Conteh. An attacking move from the visitors. Curse of the old boy, anyone? Oh and five minutes of injury time…..how’s your nerves, Huish Park?

But it was left to substitute Malachi LINTON to settle the nerves three minutes in to stoppage time with a third – yes, a third goal. The young striker was sent through on goal, held his nerve and slotted home his third of the season, taking him level with Reckord as this season’s top scorer.

 

If you wondered what response Huish Park would give to a team which was truly “playing on the front foot”, you only had to listen to the crowd. Off the field, there may be dissent, but these fans will back any Yeovil Town side who put that kind of effort in.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Gateshead 1

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Andrew Oluwabori is given a debut as part of a front three as Yeovil Town go in search of a much-needed victory against bottom club Gateshead at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).

The on-loan Peterborough United winger impressed coming on as a second half substitute in the goalless draw with Maidenhead United in midweek and lines up alongside Anthony Georgiou and Alex Fisher.

New signing striker Louis Britton is named among five forwards on the bench alongside Ollie Hulbert, Gime Toure, Malachi Linton and Ewan Clark.

There is no Ben Richards-Everton in the squad. The centre half is reportedly injured.

For the visitors, former Glovers’ striker Adi Yussuf is named on the substitutes’ bench.

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Substitues: Louis Britton, Gime Toure, Ollie Hulbert, Malachi Linton, Ewan Clark.

Gateshead: Montgomery, Richardson, Pye, Gallagher, Conteh, Bailey, Ward, Hasani, Campbell, Harris. Substitutes: Langley, Magnay, Daley, Martin, Yussuf.

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Striker Louis Britton will be available for Yeovil Town’s bottom-of-the-table clash with Gateshead this weekend after his international clearance came through.

The 21-year-old has signed a contract until the end of the season following his release by League of Ireland side Cork City, where he played nine times without scoring as they finished Division One champions in the 2022 season which ended in October.

Louis Britton celebrates with Cork City
? @LouisBritton14

The Bristol-born frontman has been training with his new team-mates and was in attendance at the midweek goalless draw with Maidenhead United.

Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “I’m delighted to finally have got it done so hopefully I can be involved Saturday and I can’t wait to get going now.

“I was disappointed not to be involved on Tuesday, but hopefully I can be on Saturday and play in front of all the fans and hopefully we can get a result. 

“I’ve had a good conversation with the manager and he just wants me to come in and just score goals.

“I would describe myself as an old fashioned centre forward, I hold the ball up well and work hard for the team, but most of all I would say I am a goalscorer.

“If I get the chances, I would back myself to score here.”

At 6’4″ tall, we can assume he will provide a physical presence alongside the club’s other forwards Alex Fisher, Malachi Linton and Gime Toure, who have all scored just twice each in the club’s first 18 league matches, and Jake Scrimshaw, who is yet to start a match since joining at the end of August.

Speaking about the incoming forward on Thursday, Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper said: “Louis Britton has a record of scoring goals, he’s scored in the Championship, whether it’s in training or on the pitch, he will score goals.”

That goal for City came in the 87th minute of a 3-1 home defeat to Brentford in May 2021, a season when Britton also had loans at Torquay United and Stockport County at National League level.

He was snapped up by City in 2019 having been prolific in local football at Brislington, scoring 12 times in 25 games, and Mangotsfield United, scoring 15 in 23.

But, his goal-scoring appearance was his only one for the Robins and spent much of his time out on loan with spells at Yate Town, Bath City and Woking.

He had a prolific season on loan at Cork’s League of Ireland rivals Waterford, scoring ten times in 18 appearances, before moving to the eventual 2022 champions.

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Yeovil Town Under-18s are in cup action this weekend as they take on BRS Coaching Youth Under-18s at Alvington on Saturday (10.30am kick-off).

The young Glovers will be in action in the Gary Else Cup, the cup competition of the South West Counties Youth League, looking to secure another win over the Ringwood-based opponents they beat 6-0 in the league last month.

The club’s younger age group teams, playing under the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust, are also in action this weekend.

The Under-11s take on FC Wiltshire with the Under-12s facing Cheltenham Town in the Junior Premier League.

The Under-13s, Under-14s and Under-15s teams are all in action against Taunton Town, whilst the Under-16s are without a fixture this weekend.

Good luck to all the teams playing in green and white this weekend.

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Striker Louis Britton does not yet have the international clearance required to make his Yeovil Town debut against bottom club Gateshead this weekend.

But, boss Mark Cooper has said he is hopeful the permission will come through in time for the crunch fixture.

Louis Britton celebrates with Cork City
? @LouisBritton14

The 21-year-old former Bristol City player was at Huish Park to see his soon-to-be new team-mates labour in front of goal during a 0-0 draw with Maidenhead United on Tuesday night.

Britton spent three months on loan from City at League of Ireland side Waterford at the end of last season, scoring ten goals in 17 matches. But after his contract at Ashton Gate expired in the summer, he joined Cork City, but is yet to find the net for the Rebel Army having had limited game time.

Asked about whether his clearance was close by BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, the boss said: “We still have not got it which is disappointing, but we are hopeful (of getting it) before Saturday. It will be a week (by Saturday), so there’s no excuse for it taking any longer, so we are trying to push and get that through for the weekend.”

Strikers Alex Fisher, Malachi Linton and Gime Toure all have two goals each from the opening 18 National League games, and Cooper praised Fisher’s performances in his three matches in charge but said his side need to create more chances.

He brought in wingers Anthony Georgiou and Andrew Oluwaborie on loan from Leyton Orient and Peterborough United respectively ahead of the midweek match and he believes the pair and Britton can make a difference.

He said: “When you are midway through a season and in the position, people are not going to let you have Ronaldo and Messi! So we have to be particular, we have to find the best players we can for the positions we need.

“The players you bring in have to improve what you’ve got and push the players we have in.

“Louis Britton has a record of scoring goals, he’s scored in the Championship, whether it’s in training or on the pitch, he will score goals.

“Anthony Georgiou has a pedigree as an international and once he settles he will be good a good addition for us.

“Andrew (Oluwaborie), the right winger, is pacey and has no fear and he helps get us up the pitch and Jamie Andrews got man of the match the other night. He looks a good stylish midfield player who is 6’0″, 6’1″.”

 

 

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It was another frustrating night in front of goal for Yeovil Town as they lived up to their billing as the division’s lowest goalscorers with an eighth blank of the season in the 0-0 draw with Maidenhead United at Huish Park last night.

But, as Ian concludes, there were some reasons to be cheerful about at least some parts of the performance, here’s how he saw it……

Confidence is key. The first half performance showed a real lack of confidence and belief. Mark Cooper’s team played safe, we’re reluctant to take risks and barely threatened the Maidenhead United goal. Midway through the second half things started to click though. There was energy, attacking intent and the Glovers looked more likely to get something from a game that often ends goalless. After the match Mark Cooper said it was all about rebuilding the Confidence in his players and I think the last 20 minutes was a good platform to build off.

Cooper’s signings look the part. We expected changes in the squad and Mark Cooper has wasted little time. Jamie Andrews has come straight into the midfield and put in a man of the match performance last night. Anthony Georgiou was forward thinking and once settled looks like he can make a good contribution and the lift that Andrew Oluwabori gave the team and crowd was the highlight. His dribbling and speed got supporters on their feet and Yeovil improved with him on the pitch.

Goals are still a problem. Despite a couple of positives (and boy do we need some of those) the lack of goals is a huge problem. There was no shots in target on the first half and just two all game. That comes from a lack of confidence but we’re crying out for a striker to put anything in the goal. After the match the manager revealed Louis Britton, a former Bristol City striker, hadn’t got international clearance yet but is incoming. He was optimistic he would add the goals we so desperately need, hopefully in time for Gateshead. We’re the lowest scorers in the league and if we don’t rectify that we’re in for a long hard slog.

It’s going to take time for things to click. Given our position in the league, it’s difficult to remain patient but we need to be patient again. There was criticism on social media of the performance but two weeks ago most of this team were at their lowest with anger directed at them and Chris Hargreaves. As confidence builds, hopefully the adjustments will click, the patterns of play will develop and results will turn. We kept a clean sheet, looked comfortable defensively for the majority of the game and the attacking intent got the supporters behind the team and we need to harness that.

It’s groundhog day off the pitch. As performances dwindled, the crowds have too. It was a grim night in Yeovil last night and you can forgive those for not deciding to venture out in those conditions, but the reality is 21st vs 16th in a match notorious for a lack of goals isn’t going to draw the punters in. Yet again we find ourselves in the midst of takeover saga that needs a speedy conclusion so that we don’t go through months of uncertainty for the second season in a row.

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A survivor of the Hillsborough disaster will speak about his battle with mental health at a webinar organised by the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust (YTCST) next week.

Martin Roberts was a teenager in April 1989 when the disaster happened at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest leading to the death of 97 supporters.

He now delivers a talk, A Walk in My Shoes, which focuses on the importance of prioritising mental health and how leaders, players, staff, coaches, and parents/carers within the football community can take key steps to support themselves and those in their care.

The free webinar takes place next Monday 14th November between 6.30pm – 7.30pm. To register visit www.thefmha.com/events.

Martin said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been invited by Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust and The Football Mental Health Alliance to share my personal story. As many will know it was a football match on the 15th of April 1989 that nearly cost me my life and did so tragically for 97 other fellow football supporters.

“Some 30 years later it totally defined my personal and professional life. A purpose in life is a life with purpose and I certainly have found mine. I commend both organisations for taking the lead on mental health in football and can’t wait to share how all those interested in football can take key steps to support themselves and those around them.”

YTCST Manager Sara Bradley said: “Here at Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust, the mental wellbeing of all those in our community is a huge priority for us. We are only too aware of the significant impact the events of the last couple of years and beyond have had and continue to have on the mental health of society.

“This webinar will allow people across the whole of our community to learn and implement key tips around mental health from a recognised expert.”

Danny Matharu, founder of The Football Mental Health Alliance and a grassroots football coach, said: “We are delighted to be working with Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust – an organisation that is truly committed not only to providing excellent educational opportunities but also to supporting the welfare of all those in their community holistically. It is widely recognised that early intervention is key when it comes to maintaining good mental health, so we hope this webinar can help in educating and supporting the mental health of all those who register.

“The plan is for this webinar to be the first in a series across a whole year, offered alongside a full suite of mental health support products for all those who interact with and are interested in football.”