Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 322)

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Chris Hargreaves has suggested there will be “a few tweaks” to his starting line-up as Yeovil Town start their FA Cup campaign this weekend.

The Glovers’ boss will get seven substitutes to select for the Somerset derby with Taunton Town at Huish Park which will give him the chance to give a few opportunities to those who have not made the squad.

The likes of striker Jake Scrimshaw and on-loan goalkeeper Will Buse, who are both yet to start a game for the club, and young defender Ollie Haste, recently returned from a successful spell at Truro City, will be hoping to get a chance to shine.

Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Asked by BBC Somerset reporter Sheridan Robins, the manager said: “It’s difficult picking the bench because you see a lot of players working their socks off in training.

“Seven substitutes gives a couple of players an opportunity to get on the pitch and show what they are all about.”

He added: “We have to show consistency. There might be a few tweaks, but consistent teams are usually successful. It’s all about players knowing their jobs and playing week in and week out.”

The manager was asked specifically about Buse, who was part of the Taunton side which won promotion to National League South last season, who is yet to feature since joining on loan from Bristol City in the summer.

He added: “It might seem like he hasn’t been close, but it’s like that as a keeper, it’s not like the outfield positions where there’s rotation.

“With a keeper you will sometimes have long periods where you are not in the squad, but he can’t do any more in training, he has a fantastic attitude and has been brilliant with the players and the staff.”

Hargreaves added he still had to speak to managers from parent clubs about whether they will allow players to feature and be Cup-tied.

As well as Buse, the Glovers’ boss has defender Owen Bevan (AFC Bournemouth), midfielders Sam Perry (Walsall) and Finley Craske (Plymouth Argyle) and forward Sam Pearson (Bristol City) on loan.

Injury victims left wing-back Jamie Reckord and playmaker Lawson D’Ath will both be “touch and go” for the weekend.

Reckord has not featured in the club’s past two matches whilst D’Ath limped off of last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors after 54 minutes.

The boss said he believed that any money raised by the club’s progress through the FA Cup would be able to be reinvested in the playing staff.

However, he pointed out the importance of the incoming citing the examples of rugby union sides Worcester Warriors and Wasps, who have been wound up and placed in to administration respectively after running in to major financial issues.

The winners of the weekend’s tie will receive £9,375 in prize money with the losers picking up £3,125, but reaching the competition’s third round will bring in more than £100,000 in prize money.

Hargreaves said: “There’s no doubt that the money will come back to the playing squad if it’s right at that point and the management of the club’s (finances) is vital.

“I know I am talking about rugby now, but you look at Worcester and Wasps, these are massive clubs which are going under.

“If that money at that time is used for the club to survive on a day to day basis, that is what it should be used for, but if there’s a surplus and that money can be spent on players that is brilliant.

“I am conscious that in football we need to make sure we are sustainable and we are trying to create that model here whilst being hugely competitive.”

Hargreaves revealed he had recently missed out on bringing in players ahead of last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors and again this week.

He said he had no ambitions of having “a huge squad” but said he was “one or two injuries” away from needing to add to his ranks.

Gime Toure. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The manager said: “We are trying to look at quality. So if you are bringing in players they have to be as good as our current players or better, otherwise you are just making up the numbers.

“The balance is fine between having strength in depth and selection headaches. At the moment we are okay, but we are probably one or two injuries away from needing back up.

“We lost out on two before last weekend and this weekend, who were needed to stay in and around their own squads either playing or being on the bench.

“They were to come and strengthen our squad and anyone who comes here has to fight for their place in training.”

Forward Gime Toure serves the final match of his three-game suspension for a red card at Southend United at the weekend whilst Matt Worthington will be missing for next weekend’s visit to Oldham Athletic after picking up five yellow cards in National League action.

With bookings being competition specific, the midfielder is available to face Taunton this weekend.

Of Worthington, Hargreaves said: “If you are an on the edge player, you are going to run the risk of getting booked, so I have some sympathy but discipline has to be a key factor.

“He will be loss because he wears his heart of his sleeve but it gives someone an opportunity for someone else to show.”

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Chiori Johnson

Fresh from being named in the Non League Paper’s team of the day, Chiori Johnson is also in Vanarama’s team of the week too.

The official league sponsor has Johnson in after his winning goal against Solihull Moors gave the Glovers their second win of the season – with a ‘cleano’ too!

Nice work, Chiori!

Full team listed below!

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Chiori Johnson speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Sheridan Robins after the 1-0 win over Solihull Moors.

A duo of Glovers have been named in the Non League Paper’s Team of the Day after the 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Goal scorer Chiori Johnson makes the cut after his first Glovers goal as does returning defender Ben Richards-Everton who, alongside his defensive comrades, picked up a “cleano”. (his words, not ours)

The full team is below.

Nice work, lads!

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Yeovil Town Under-18s moved up to third place in the South West Counties Youth League after picking up their first win of the season.

Yeovil Town Under-18s striker Charlie Bateson. Picture courtesy of Matt Partridge.

The young Glovers took the lead after 25 minutes against Wimborne Town with Charlie Bateson getting his third league goal of the season.

The striker has six in all competitions after bagging a hat-trick in the recent FA Youth Cup win at Bovey Tracey.

Alex Stevens and substitute Josh Haskett added goals in the second half to seal the win which moves the Under-18s up the division after four matches, albeit with some in the division having played just one match.

Yeovil Town Under-18s: Robert Hollard, Josh Sutton (for Harry Lock, 75), Max Dyer, Jacob Shore, Harrison Foster, Jake Graziano (for Joshua Haskett, 85), Jack Bareham, Ryan Price, Charlie Bateson (for Nathan Hart, 70), Benjani Junior (for Mikey Archibald, 65), Alex Stevens (for Harry Evans, 85).

In the Junior Premier League, the club’s age group teams playing under the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust picked up three wins and two defeats.

The Under-12s won against Paulton Rovers with the Under-15s and Under-16s defeating Saints South West Devon, whilst Under-11s and Under-13s lost their matches against Paulton Rovers and Saints South West respectively.

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Chris Hargreaves’ Glovers picked up a much-needed win against Solihull Moors yesterday at Huish Park, here are Ian’s Five Conclusions…

The win was well-deserved. We’ve seen so many draws this season where we’ve deserved more and yesterday we finally got the result our play merited. Grant Smith was called into action a couple of times in the first half but we had the better of the chances, showed more determination to get forward and kept Solihull’s key players quiet. We looked comfortable, confident and even after taking the lead we didn’t sit back or let Solihull gain a foothold.

Charlie Wakefield looked more like himself. It was the performance we’ve been yearning for from our Starman. Without having to think about his defensive duties so much, Charlie was playing instincitvly, he was confident with the ball and getting himself in the right areas too. He got through plenty of socks, with his running and was given the full 90 minutes. He’s made a case to play further forward, let’s hope he stays further forward.

Chiori Johnson put in another impressive performance. He should have opened the scoring early when he spurned a chance in the opening five minutes, but he didn’t let that miss bring him down. He was in the right place at the right time to score the opener, albeit with sloppy defending from Moors. There’s something about playing on the left side isn’t there? Against Chesterfield he was a standout at right wing back, and yesterday he was strong in left midfield. He’s pacey, versatile and a well-disciplined player and he’s setting himself up to become an important figure in the team.

I thought Solihull looked lethargic. I thought we looked comfortable after going in front. Solihull really didn’t seem to have the urgency I thought they’d show after conceding. This wasn’t the same game as the Dagenham win where it was backs to the wall. They had one chance through Josh Kelly, but other than a couple of corners, we weren’t overly stretched defensively. Andrew Dallas was kept quiet, Joe Sbarra didn’t do a lot and Neal Ardley’s changes didn’t bear fruit. In his post-match Ardley was livid with his teams performance and understandably, it felt like they settled for defeat.

This needs to be the springboard. We’ve got what could be a tricky FA Cup tie with Taunton next weekend, followed up with Oldham away and Aldershot at home. If we’re going to climb the table, we need to put our foot on the gas and follow this up with wins. The celebrations of supporters, players (particularly Alex Fisher) and the manager were one of immense relief, let’s bottle it and drink it with thy cider.

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Chiori Johnson is looking to cement his place in the Yeovil Town line-up having completed his first 90 minutes since joining the club in the summer.

The former Arsenal youngster scored the Glovers’ only goal in the 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors to earn his side their second win of the National League season.

He played in the left wing-back position in a five-man midfield having featured on the right side and in the middle in his previous appearances this season.

Asked by BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins about his battle to get a regular starting spot in the side, he said: “It has been frustrating, but sometimes you have to respect what the manager does and work hard every day in training and eventually you will get your opportunity.

“When you do, you have to take it, so I am trying to do that right now, so we’ll see how that goes.”

Asked about his versatility, he added: “I’m comfortable in a variety of positions, as long as I am on the pitch, I’m happy, I don’t mind if it’s on the left, on the right or in the middle.”

The win over a Solihull side expected to challenge for promotion again this season moved the Glovers out of the National League relegation zone which they had slipped in to having won just once in their opening 12 matches.

Johnson said he believed the team had been “really unlucky” with results not matching their performances so far this season.

He added: “We really need that win today, we have been working so hard and we have played really well in games and got unlucky and we got the result today. Now we have something to build on.”

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Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves said he hopes his side’s second win of the National League season can act as a springboard to push them up the table.

The Glovers moved out of the division’s relegation zone with an impressive 1-0 win over a Solihull Moors side who are among those challenging for the play-off positions after 13 matches of the season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, the manager thanked supporters for their patience and admitted he understood the frustration at a faltering start to the campaign.

He said: “I want to thank the supporters, I know there’s been a bit of frustration and I get that, I understand it completely, but I am pleased we have sent them away with three points. They can enjoy their weekend, as can I for the first time in a long time.”

The boss added: “I hope this is a springboard for us to kick on and it should be because there is a group of players in there who are good enough.”

A 58th minute goal from Chiori Johnson, who was employed as a left wing-back, sealed the three points, but the boss suggested the former Torquay United man had been sent out with some ‘extra motivation’ from the management after missing a good first-half chance.

Hargreaves said: “He is determined to do well and he hasn’t been happy not to be in the team which I understand and I have said that to a lot of players.

“It’s not pleasant to be a professional footballer and you’re trying all week to get in the team and you’re not even in the squad and (Chiori) has been in that situation.

“So I am really pleased for him to get that goal. I thought he played well and probably got through some uncomfortable situations, let’s say!”

Having come in for criticism – yes, including on this website and podcast – for being too defensive having taken the lead in matches this season, the Glovers’ boss was pleased to see his side continue to press for a second goal.

A couple of exceptional saves from Solihull keeper Louie Moulden, who is on loan from Premier League Wolves, denied the hosts the opportunity to add gloss to the scoreline.

He added: “The players were outstanding and they have been like that, in the main, every game. We just either haven’t held on or we haven’t killed the game.

“Today we definitely could have killed it, their keeper made two outstanding saves and if we had scored that second goal it becomes less of a tense last five minutes.

“They stuck to what the game plan was, they delivered and they were excellent from minute nought to minute 90 plus eight – again!

“We didn’t want to sit back and our front players looked dangerous and like they wanted to score and create, so I am really pleased with the confidence to keep playing and not just sit back in because it is so dangerous to do that.”

 

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday October 8th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: A clear, sunny Somerset day
Pitch: Looking good, but cut up in places

Attendance: 2,244 (60 away supporters)

Scorers: Chiori Johnson 58 (1-0)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Sam Pearson 11, Matt Worthington 73.
Solihull Moors: None.

Referee: Alan Dale


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                              Sam Pearson Matt Worthington Lawson D’Ath (for Morgan Williams, 53)  Sam Perry  Chiori Johnson

Charlie Wakefield    Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 72)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Will Dawes, Jake Scrimshaw.


Solihull Moors: Moulden, Clarke, Coker, Maycock (for Reid, 78), Gudger, Howe, Sbarra (for Parsons, 90+2), Dallas, Osborne, Barnett, Kelly. Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Vaughan, Whelan.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town picked up their second win of the season in a 1-0 win over Solihull Moors at Huish Park this afternoon.

Chiori Johnson’s second half goal was enough for Chris Hargraves side who saw the game out comfortably to pick up three points.

The result lifts the Glovers out of the National League drop zone and up to 17th place.

Here’s how Ian saw it…..

First half

Yeovil were under pressure less than a minute in. Josh Staunton conceded a free-kick which, after a corner and throw in, resulted in an a good left handed save from Grant Smith as the Glovers struggled to clear their lines.

Chiori Johnson should have put Yeovil ahead in the 4th minute. The Glovers broke with Malachi Linton who returned the ball to Charlie Wakefield after his flick on and Wakefield’s cross was on a plate for Johnson who skied it over the bar.

The Glovers had momentum and a speculative strike from Linton was deflected wide of the Solihull goal as Louis Moulden scrambled to his left.

Joe Sbarra had his first sight of goal in the 10th minute, cutting inside and firing a low effort at goal that was pushed wide by Smith.

As the match calmed in middle of the first half, both sides dwelled for possession with Yeovil’s familiar pattern of patience followed by an impatient lump forward. Solihull had a decent effort from a free-kick just effort the half hour mark, although Smith watched Ben Coker’s shot glide past his post.

Yeovil had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 38th minute as Matt Worthington broke from a corner with three teammates in support against a lone Solihull defender. He shifted the ball to Wakefield on his left and as Wakefield cut inside to shoot he seemed to get his foot stuck in the turf and fell to the floor.

As the first half entered stoppage time, Linton picked the pocket of a Moors defender and looked to curl a shot into the far corner. His effort looped into the away end as the first half came to a close.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Solihull Moors 0

Second half

Neither side came out of the traps particularly fast but Solihull nearly drew first blood in the 50th minute. A great ball in behind saw Josh Kelly go one on one with Smith. As Josh Staunton chased Kelly down, the striker put his shot over the bar.

Chris Hargreaves made his first change of the match shortly after with Morgan Williams coming on for Lawson D’Ath, moving Sam Pearson central and Williams to right midfield.

Chiori JOHNSON made up for his early miss in the 57th minute to give the Glovers a 1-0 lead. The left wing-back/midfielder was in the right place at the right time to tap home after Worthington’s shot from the edge if the box was parried into his path. 1-0.

Alex Fisher came on for Linton and almost had an immediate impact. His left footed strike was saved by Moulden but fell to the feet of Williams who had his shot charged down by two Solihull defenders.

As the clock ticked away Solihull seemingly took their foot off the gas, seemingly happy with zero points.

Fisher very nearly got the Glovers second in the 84th minute, meeting Ben Richards-Everton’s cross with a header that was well saved by Moulden.

Yeovil should have been out of sight two minutes from time, the Glovers broke at pace with Pearson who had Williams up with him. As the Bristol City loanee bore down on goal, he went for it himself rather than pass to Williams who was in the better position.

With six minutes added on, Solihull really didn’t chase the game as you’d expect and Chris Hargreaves side were in control as they picked up their second win of the season.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 1 Solihull Moors 0