Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 36)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

The Easter double header came to a close in similar fashion to the Christmas double header, as a narrow defeat at Eastleigh left Yeovil frustrated. Let’s see what else went on across the division…

There were goals galore across the league on Monday, and we’ll begin with two 3-2 thrillers – Solihull Moors came from behind to defeat Boston United, with a 97th minute winner from James Clarke sealing three important points for the Moors – former Glover Tahvon Campbell came off the bench to equalise for the hosts during the comeback. In the other result, Hartlepool United put a massive dent in Gateshead’s playoff hopes, despite the best efforts of the visitors, to climb into the top half of the table.

Next, we head to Kent, where last placed Ebbsfleet United were swept aside by a purring Southend United in a 4-0 game, three goals in the last half hour burying the game well and truly. Top of the table Barnet took a giant leap towards the National League title in a 3-1 win away at Saturday’s visitors Sutton United; the Bees need just a single point from their remaining two games to secure the silverware.

The goals kept coming too, as there were three 3-0 results; Altrincham kept their playoff ambitions alive with a huge win away to a depleted FC Halifax Town, a double from Regan Linney contributing to the Shay’s third loss in five, while a 13 minute blitz at The New Lawn for Forest Green Rovers all but ended Tamworth’s late playoff charge. In the lunchtime kickoff, it was a FA Trophy semi-final replay, and this time Woking ensured they were victorious, leading 3-0 within 20 minutes against a shell-shocked Aldershot Town.

York City were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Oldham Athletic, all but ending their title hopes as even their chairman admitted on the platform formerly known as Twitter… the draw did confirm the Latics’ place in the playoffs at the very least. At the other end of the table, Wealdstone and Maidenhead United played out a nervy 1-1 draw, a result that changed nothing in the grand scheme of things, as Dagenham & Redbridge contested a 0-0 draw at Braintree Town. Finally, Rochdale followed their touching tributes to former player Joe Thompson with a 0-0 draw at home to relegated AFC Fylde.

National League results – in full

Woking 3-0 Aldershot Town
Braintree Town 0-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Eastleigh 1-0 Yeovil Town
Ebbsfleet United 0-4 Southend United
FC Halifax Town 0-3 Altrincham
Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Tamworth
Hartlepool United 3-2 Gateshead
Rochdale 0-0 AFC Fylde
Solihull Moors 3-2 Boston United
Sutton United 1-3 Barnet
Wealdstone 1-1 Maidenhead United
York City 1-1 Oldham Athletic

National League table

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Loan Watch

It’s time for a bumper Easter edition of the Loan Watch, strap in, there’s lots to get through.

Let’s start in the National League South, where Torquay are one of SIX, yes, SIX teams who can still win the league with a single game to go, bonkers.,

Jordan Thomas started both of their Easter weekend games against high flying Truro and low lying W*ymouth, the Gulls won them both.

On the other hand, Will Buse had a less enjoyable time for The Terras.

Firstly, on Friday, our claret and blue friends gave up a 2-0 lead against Salisbury, before getting a pasting from Torquay on Monday. That said, Buse didn’t do much wrong.

Into the regional league now and as the headline suggests, Sherborne and Yeovil have continued their relationship with plenty of minutes for plenty of young Glovers across  plenty of games.

The Zebras played on, Sat 12th, Mon 14th, Weds 16th and Saturday 19th since the last update, a bonkers final week.

All of Joe Crisp, Ollie Hughes, Corey Koerner, Jaydon Biss & Blake Watts got time both from the start and the bench, plenty of moments to highlight, but I’ll pick out Blake Watts getting MOTM in one of the game, here’s a picture of the 17-year old being presented with a bottle of (Non alcoholic – honest, guv’) bubbly.,

After the final game of the season at the weekend, Sherborne Town 1st Team Manager Neil Waddleton told the Gloverscast:

“I truly value my relationship with Matt Percival at YTFC. Together we have created a pathway at Sherborne Town for young lads at YTFC to develop and gain valuable experiences within the game. The lads we have had this year have been fantastic. They have shown great aptitude and attitude. Their development is visible and they have been a great for us at Sherborne Town. We are looking forward to many of them returning to preseason and going again”.
Isn’t that nice!? There’s been a steady stream of young Glovers dipping in and out of the sides at Sherborne, including plenty getting time in their reserves, I’ve tried to cover as many as I can, and apologies if I’ve missed any but it’s been great to see the young YTFC players getting competitive game time.
 
We keep going, To Wellington, where Jacob Shore played twice over the Easter weekend, including in a 2-0 win on Monday to wrap up their season.
The defender has chipped in with a couple of goals this season.
 

Over at Bridport, Sol Padmore and George Geraghty were both in their first team squad for a 4-2 win over Axminster on Good Friday to wrap up their league campaign.

Padmore has been involved pretty much the entire season, whilst Geraghty’s goals for the U18s has seen his progression into the first team come as the campaign grew on.

Moss Jackson-Collis, just a 17-year old, was used from the bench as Shaftesbury and Larkhall played out a draw, which was enough to secure them both safety in that division.

And that’s just about it, there have been so many cool moments of young players getting out on deals and playing locally, many of the regional divisions are now finished with the National League South duo still with work to do.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading these updates, they’re not always easy to put together, so I’d like to say thanks to the people that have helped along the way, including Daniel Shore, John Hallett and Sam Bowers who have sent information, and line ups and to those who have allowed us to use images of the lads in action.

 
 
 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Midfielder Harry Kite says he is enjoying his start to life at Yeovil Town as he works his way back of a lengthy period out of football with injury.

The former Exeter City youngster arrived at Huish Park at the end of March having not played all season due to injuries he suffered after leaving his native Devon at the end of last season.

He completed 76 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday to take him over the 300-minute mark from his five appearances and feels be is finding his fitness.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the match, he said: “I feel good. I had obviously been out for a long period of time but I am very thankful for the manager and to the club for allowing me to come here and get some minutes before the end of the season.

“That will benefit me in terms of my fitness and to help the team. I got 15-20 minutes in the first game to build my minutes up from there and then played two games in four days over Easter, but I am feeling good.

“It is a shame we only have a couple of games left because I feel like I am getting in to my stride a little bit now. It is a difficult one because I have missed so much football this season, but I am hoping my performances and how well the team is doing will put me in good stead for the summer.”

Harry Kite is a product of Exeter City’s youth academy.

Results on Easter Monday mean the Glovers are mathematically safe from relegation in their first season back in the National League Premier Division. They went down 1-0 at Eastleigh having played from the 36th minute with ten men after on loan winger Otis Khan was sent off for elbowing the hosts’ goal-scorer Chris Maguire.

Kite said he believed there were plenty of positives to draw from the performance for Yeovil as they prepare for their final two matches of the season at home to Sutton United next weekend and then a trip to Aldershot Town on the final day of the season.

He said: “We had a couple of chances we probably should have scored and we know the red card changes the game, but if we take those chances early on it is a different game. But we went up against a decent team with a man less in the second half and we gave it a really good go, so it would have been a good point but that is football sadly.

“We just had to keep our heads high (in the second half), we had nothing to lose and we were not going to sit back in the second half, so it was important that we went for it. We were so close to getting something out of it.

“It is important we put that result aside because the performance was where it needed to be. Sometimes you have games where you do not perform and end up winning and it is a different feeling to the one we have today. I think it is important we take the positives from today and take that in to Saturday (against Sutton). If we can finish with six points from these last two games, that would be amazing.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper  was full of praise for his Yeovil Town side who played the entire second half with ten men in the 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

On loan winger Otis Khan was shown a straight red card after he threw an elbow at the home side’s Chris Maguire on 36 minutes with his side already trailing 1-0 following Maguire’s goal after half-an-hour.

Following results across the National League Premier Division, Yeovil can now mathematically not make the play-off places or get relegated out this season.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the game, Cooper said: “I thought the players were fantastic. We dominated the first 30 minutes, we should have been 2-0 up through two really good chances and then we had a five minute spell where they scored.

“We didn’t deal with a bit of pressure down the left-hand side, we didn’t get across as a defence and block the goal but apart from that we I think we dominated the game with ten men in the second half and we should have got something.

“You have to say the red card changed the game. We are a man fewer and so we cannot get as many bodies forward, but you would not have known we had ten men in the second half. It looked to me like the referee did not like us very much, so that was a bit frustrating.

“But I thought the players were tremendous. They ran, they were brave with the ball and we created chances and the only criticism I have today is that we were not ruthless in front of goal. We had two great chances in the first half and could have been out of sight, then in the second half we had bits and pieces around the edge of the box where we have to hit the target. I think Josh Sims hits a great shot, the keeper saves it and the referee remarkably gives a goal kick.”

Some of the 642 Yeovil fans that travelled to Eastleigh

You can probably tell from some of Cooper’s carefully judged words that he was not impressed with the standard of the officials. Asked what he felt needed to be done to improve the standard of refereeing, he said: “If you watch every manager’s post-match interview today up and down the country, I would say four in five managers will mention a referee. The only way you make it better is if you make them full-time because then there is no excuse for them. They get fitter and when they are fitter they make better decisions.”

There was praise as well for a strong travelling support from Somerset with 642 fans filling the away section at the Silverlake Stadium for what could easily have been viewed as an end-of-season ‘dead rubber’, with neither side challenging/threatening at either end of the table.

Cooper said: “I am delighted with the players and the fans, what a turn out. They got behind the team, cheered us on and kept the boys going and they got a performance where we never stopped, even with ten men we never stopped running and kept pushing ahead the whole game. We have got an amazing fan base and we are a big club and we want to start thinking about next year, start planning and have a right good go at the league next year.”

In his final question, Cooper was asked whether he sees defender Jake Wannell or striker Aaron Jarvis being available for the remaining two games of the season, he replied: “No.” 

In his pre-match interview, the manager had put a strong emphasis on the word apparently when discussing Wannell’s absence from the matchday squad, saying: “Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan (Williams) will start.”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper is hoping the four players he has brought in to the starting XI for the Easter Monday trip to Eastleigh will freshen up the side.

Defenders Michael Smith and Marcel Lavinier replace Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard with loanees Otis Khan and Kyrell Wilson replacing Josh Sims and Ciaran McGuckin in the forward line from the Good Friday draw with Forest Green Rovers.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins ahead of kick-off, Cooper said: “We can’t go up and we can’t go down and it’s about playing for the shirt and finishing the season properly. Morgan Williams will start, Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan will start. We have some players that did not start on Friday that will start today and hopefully give us some freshness.

“They spent heavily in the summer and have some big names in there and I am expecting a tough game. They had a good result (a 1-1 draw) at Barnet on Friday, so we will see if that has taken anything out of them but we will have a right go at it and try and win the game.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Team News

Yeovil Town have made four changes from Good Friday’s 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers as they take on Eastleigh on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off).

Kyrell Wilson and Otis Khan are both in the front three alongside Harvey Greenslade with Marcel Lavinier and Michael Smith replacing Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard in the full-back positions.

All those dropping out of the starting XI are named on the bench at the Silverlake Stadium.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

After a last minute heartache saw them settle for a draw on Good Friday, Yeovil Town will be looking to rise again as they travel to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

FORM GUIDE…

It’s been a tough run of form for Eastleigh without a win in their last eight matches and than coming against relegation-haunted (and now relegated) Ebbsfleet United on home soil back at the start of March.

However, The Spitfires did have a good result on Good Friday with a 1-1 draw away at champions elect Barnet where Paul McCallum, a name synonymous with the top of the National League’s scoring charts, took advantage of a defensive mix-up to put them ahead. 

This should serve as a notice to Yeovil that there is still plenty of quality in their hosts’ squad on Easter Monday. Their last three fixtures at the Silverlake Stadium have seen them beaten by Southend United and held to a draw by FC Halifax Town and Hartlepool United.

In comparison, Yeovil are in good form with three wins, Good Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to play-off candidates Forest Green Rovers, and a defeat in their last five matches.

The performance against Forest Green built on a good showing in the previous match at home to Oldham Athletic and manager Mark Cooper will be looking for his side to carry on that form on Easter Monday.

KEY PLAYERS

Yeovil Town – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton

Who would have bet on Sonny being a key player a couple of months ago? Having been a regular until the end of November, the 4-0 defeat at York City seemed to be the death knell for his career at Huish Park. The former Watford youngster disappeared with a mystery injury and was reportedly placed on the transfer list and had a trial in the Middle East.

Then, come the home match against Tamworth in mid-February, he was back and straight in the starting XI. Since then he has been a revelation, leaving fans wondering where was he during those dark months.

Those last few games I talk about have been the last two in particular, at home to Oldham and then Forest Green on Good Friday. Lo-Everton has scored three in two for the Glovers, showing that he can be a crucial cog in the midfield for Mark Cooper. With three games to go, will the midfielder add more.

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

Eastleigh – Tyrese Shade

The winger has been the main man for Eastleigh this season with 12 goals to his name and eight assists.

It’s not only been his goal contributions but the fact he has stayed fit almost all season. Shade has got over 3,200 minutes in 40 appearances for the Spitfires. The last four games have been slow for the St Kitts & Nevis international, with just the one assist.


THAT’S WHAT HE SAID

Eastleigh manager and former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis spoke about the match following the 1-1 draw at Barnet in Good Friday’s televised match. He said: “The challenge is whether we can recreate that level of focus and determination? It will be a different game, for sure, and Yeovil are going well and have picked up some strong results in recent times, so it will be a tough game. But, we are at home and we do want to finish strong and show every individual that puts on the shirt wants to give their best.”

Eastleigh manager Kelvin Davis speaks after the 1-1 draw at Barnet.

In his post-match comments following the draw with Forest Green, Yeovil boss Mark Cooper said he expected to make changes for the match with several of the team which started on Friday having just come back from injury. He said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“

 

WE’VE MET BEFORE

There has only ever been nine games between the Glovers and the Spitfires, with Yeovil having the better head to head record. Yeovil have four wins, Eastleigh have two wins with there being three draws.

The teams last met on Boxing Day, where a 2-2 draw was played out. With Yeovil’s goals coming from Sean McGurk and Morgan Williams.

DON’T WE KNOW YOU?

After the Forest Green match where every other player had some kind of a connection with both clubs, Eastleigh second choice goalkeeper Tommy Scott is the only one for this match.

He started out in the Under-18s set-up at Huish Park before making the move to Southampton’s B team where he made a few appearances before dropping in to non-League where he did a tour of the South Coast with spells at Hamworthy United, Poole Town, Wimborne Town and W*ymouth before signing for Eastleigh in the summer of 2023.

WHO’S BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY THEN?

No one on Yeovil’s side is suspended.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Officials
Ref, Referee, Match Official

No sooner has the Easter Bunny come and gone, does the football get going on and the Glovers make the relatively short trip to Eastleigh for a Monday Afternoon clash.

I’d be willing to… Wager… that we’ll have a referee for that game, step forward Harry Wager. 

Mr Wager will be officiating just his third National League Premier game of the season, having been used predominantly across the North/South divisions.

He’s only been in the middle 13 times this season across the three leagues, 65 yellow cards, four reds and six penalties have followed him.

Most recently he took charge of Dagenham’s 3-1 defeat to Tamworth where he sent off Daggers’ Chris Francis, for what can only be described as an absolute shocker of a challenge, so fully justified.

Yeovil have seen him twice, both last season, the 3-1 win over Dartford which saw us lift the trophy (Frank Nouble missed the penalty that Mr Wager awarded us!)

He was also in charge for the 1-1 draw away at St Albans.

Nick Blogg and Stuart Kane are flagging up and down the line, Steven Hughes will be signalling the subs. 

Eastleigh FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier    
Referee: Wager, Harry
Assistant Referee: Blogg, Nick
Assistant Referee: Kane, Stuart
Fourth Official: Hughes, Steven

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

It was late heartbreak for the Glovers on Good Friday, as a 91st minute Ryan Inniss goal spared Forest Green’s blushes at Huish Park in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on…

We begin in the lunchtime televised kickoff, as York City defeated playoff contenders Gateshead to keep themselves well and truly in the title hunt. The hosts opened the scoring, but three goals without reply from the Minstermen secured a 3-1 win on their travels. Maidenhead United continued their brave battle against relegation, as they were pegged back by Woking to tie 2-2, the result leaves the Magpies four points off safety with nine to play for.

There were three 2-1 results, all with varying levels of drama; in a massive game for the playoff picture, Rochdale won away at Altrincham, with an 89th minute Devante Rodney goal securing the points for the visitors. Solihull Moors won a second consecutive game, as they came from behind at Tamworth, an 87th minute winner from Alex Whitmore giving the Moors a much needed confidence boost, while Oldham Athletic came from behind at home to beat Hartlepool United.

Boston United continued their impressive resurgence in front of a stadium record attendance, a Frankie Maguire double ensured the three points stayed in Lincolnshire, as they defeated Wealdstone. In the evening televised kickoff, Barnet‘s title celebrations continue to be put on hold as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Monday’s hosts Eastleigh, while Aldershot Town and Sutton United shared the points at the Recreation Ground.

Following their ownership/funding debacle, Dagenham & Redbridge secured possibly the biggest win of their season, as an 87th minute Josh Umerah penalty defeated relegated Ebbsfleet United. The first team to join Ebbsfleet was confirmed, as AFC Fylde lost 1-0 at home to playoff hunters FC Halifax Town, ending their two year stay in the fifth division and condemning them to the National League North. Finally, Southend United and Braintree Town played out a 0-0 draw.

National League results – in full

Gateshead 1-3 York City
AFC Fylde 0-1 FC Halifax Town (Fylde are relegated)
Aldershot Town 1-1 Sutton United
Altrincham 1-2 Rochdale
Boston United 2-0 Wealdstone
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead United 2-2 Woking
Oldham Athletic 2-1 Hartlepool United
Southend United 0-0 Braintree Town
Tamworth 1-2 Solihull Moors
Yeovil Town 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Barnet 1-1 Eastleigh

National League table