Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 361)

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday August 13th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Hot…..very hot!
Pitch: Impressive, as you’d imagine.

Attendance: 2,880 (645 away supporters)

Scorers: Paul Mullin 7 (0-1), Malachi Linton 49 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Linton, Worthington, Wakefield, Williams
Wrexham: J.Jones

Referee: Lewis Smith


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Charlie Wakefield, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord

Sam Perry, Matt Worthington, Sam Pearson (for Lawson D’Ath, 70)

Alex Fisher (for Gime Toure, 72), Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 88)

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Alfie Pond.

Wrexham: Howard, Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth, Mendy (for Hosannah, 64) , J.Davies, Young, Lee (for J.Jones, 70), Mullin, Palmer. Substitutes: Watson, Tunnicliffe, J.Jones, Dalby.

 

Match Report

A goal of the season contender from Malachi Linton earned Yeovil Town a point against title favourites Wrexham in the opening game of the season at Huish Park.

The 21-year-old striker, who joined in the summer following his release by Wycombe Wanderers, lashed home an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box on 49 minutes to cancel out an early opener from visitors’ star striker Paul Mullin.

On a scorching hot day there were plenty of drinks breaks and substitutions with new boy Gime Toure impressing with a lively display after coming on with 72 minutes gone.

Here’s how it played out in Somerset……

 

First half

The only change from the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United saw winger Sam Pearson replace Ben Richards-Everton, who was in the stands with an injury, as Yeovil lined up with Josh Staunton, Max Hunt and Morgan Williams as three central defenders.

New arrivals forward Gime Toure and defender Alfie Pond, who both joined on Friday, were both named on the substitutes’ bench.

Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The system was an unmitigated disaster in the first half seven days about, but the hosts actually made a decent start seeing plenty of the ball and controlled it without really threatening their visitors but, with just six minutes on the clock, a defensive clanger gifted Wrexham an opener.

A long ball forward from the visitors saw Paul MULLIN sneak in behind Williams and fired through the legs of goalkeeper Grant Smith. It was the striker’s first goal of the campaign, but there’s every chance he won’t score an easier one.

Having gone behind, the home side went back to having more possession and, five minutes after the opener, a whipped corner by Matt Worthington found Josh Staunton who could not direct his effort goalwards.

Williams almost got caught out again when he tried to clear his lines only be caught out by Ollie Palmer, but the defender put in a fine block to deny the visitors’ other star striker……oh, Elliot Lee as well.

However, there were things to be positive about from the hosts – despite the goal, of course – with a far more composed performance in the formation which showed no sign of paying off seven days earlier.

The mercury rising to 33 degrees may have meant there was not a huge amount else to write home about for the rest of the half.

It took until two minutes before the break for either side to create anything approaching an opportunity and it fell to Yeovil with Worthington’s corner forcing a scramble with Hunt and Alex Fisher both in there, but neither being able to test Mark Howard in the visitors’ goal.

 Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Wrexham 1

Second half

The first chance of the second half came out of nowhere when a long ball forward from Hunt forced an error by former Glover Ben Tozer and Linton was free. He burst clear on goal, but was denied by the fingertips of Howard.

Malachi Linton chases down Dan Moss whilst playing for King’s Lynn on the opening day of last season at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But, just when you thought the young striker had missed his chance to impress his new supporters, LINTON picked the ball up on the edge of the 18 yard box and he smashed it right footed in to the top corner. If Jordan Barnett’s wonder strike against Torquay last season was the goal of the season, it will take something special to top that.

With only five minutes of the second half gone, the fear was a rapid Wrexham reaction (trying saying that after a few drinks!) but there was not a huge amount to trouble either Smith or Grant in the 20 minutes that followed.

Sam Pearson, who impressed coming off the bench at Scunthorpe, looked lively again down the wing and caused some problems up until he was replaced in the 70th minute by Lawson D’Ath.

Toure replaced Alex Fisher shortly after as both sides began to make changes with the heat taking its toll.

It took Toure only a few moments to make an impact. He picked the ball up on the left, drove at the Wrexham defence and flashed a ball across the face of goal, but there was no-one there to finish the opportunity.

There was a heart in mouth moment soon after when Smith tried some fancy footwork to get around Palmer and was very lucky not to gift the striker a goal. If looks could kill, Chris Hargreaves would have been on a murder charge with his goalkeeper!

The heat even had an effect on the officials with referee Lewis Smith going off and the result was seven minutes of stoppage time being added on at the end.

As the game ticked in to the additional time, Toure flashed a ball across the face of goal in what could have been a win.

However, there was plenty to be optimistic with an impressive performance to banish the disappointment of the opening day – bring on Barnet.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Wrexham 1

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Yeovil Town director Stuart Robins has said “several discussions” are continuing with potential investors and directors to the club.

In a ‘Board Update’ article in the matchday programme for today’s opening league fixture at Huish Park against Wrexham, he said there was “nothing concrete” to report on the discussions.

The retired businessman and lifelong supporter joined the club’s board at the end of May becoming both a director and a shareholder.

Robins said: “We are sure most of you know, we have been looking for investors in to the club and consequently new board members.

“We have several discussions ongoing, but there is nothing concrete to report to you all yet. We are continuing our discussions as well as seeking out new potential investors, and we will be happy to update you as soon as there is anything material to report.”

Speaking in April, chairman and owner Scott Priestnall said he was having “positive conversations” with “people to join the board, from an investment point of view, to invest in the football club going forward.”

In an address to supporters in the Alec Stock Lounge, he declared: “I am pleased to say there has been some positive conversations on that part and I’m hoping to have a concrete framework around the board by the end of the season, so we are not in limbo during the summer.”

If we assume the conversations being had four month later are with the same individuals, there’s no chance of anyone accusing us of rushing in to bringing new blood in to the boardroom.

In his programme article, Robins also confirmed that funds generated from the sale of Tom Knowles to League Two side Walsall on the eve of the new campaign would be available to manager Chris Hargreaves.

He said: “As disappointing as it is to lose Tom, there is now an increase in funds available to Chris to improve the squad.

“Of course, this will not be easy, but if hard work is a pointer to success, then Chris and his team will succeed and have a highly successful campaign and, of course, that is what we are all hoping for.”

Speaking after the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United, Hargreaves said that Priestnall had told him the funds would be available.

On Friday, he brought in forward Gime Toure, a free agent following his release by Carlisle United at the end of last season, and a sixth loanee, teenage Exeter City defender Alfie Pond.

 

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Winger Sam Pearson is handed his first start since joining Yeovil Town on loan as they face title favourites Wrexham in the opening league fixture at Huish Park (3pm kick-off).

In what could be either a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation, the Bristol City youngster replaces centre half Ben Richards-Everton who is not in the squad and understood to be injured.

Recent arrivals Gime (pronounced ‘Jimmy’ we’re told) Toure and defender Alfie Pond are both named on the bench alongside Lawson D’Ath, Chiori Johnson and goalkeeper Will Buse.

For the visitors, summer signings Elliot Lee and Jacob Mendy both come in come off the bench in the opening day win over Eastleigh last weekend.

Lee, who scored twice seven days ago to earn his new side a win, is paired alongside Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer in what can only be described as a ridiculously talented front three at this year.

Yeovil Town: Grant Smith, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord, Charlie Wakefield, Sam Perry, Matt Worthington, Sam Pearson, Alex Fisher, Malachi Linton. Substitutes: Buse, Johnson, Pond, Toure, D’Ath.

Wrexham: Howard, Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth, Mendy, J.Davies, Young, Lee, Mullin, Palmer. Substitutes: Watson, Hosannah, Tunnicliffe, J.Jones, Dalby.

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Chris Hargreaves believes the pressure will be on big-spending Wrexham as they arrive for the opening fixture of the National League campaign at Huish Park.

The Welsh outfit are the overwhelming title favourites to win the division having invested wisely with further big name signings on top of an already star-studded squad which missed out in the play-offs last season.

Chris Hargreaves talks to the club’s YouTube channel.

Hargreaves’ side are looking to get their campaign underway after losing their opening fixture at Scunthorpe United last weekend, whilst Wrexham were coming from behind to win 2-1 at home to Eastleigh, thanks to a brace from Elliot Lee, a summer signing from Championship Luton Town.

Speaking on Thursday ahead of the game, the Glovers’ boss said: “There’s pressure for them because they are heavily backed, but they have to carry that weight of responsibility.

“I have been at a club like that (as a player) at Oxford where everyone was expecting us to go up and we did it in the second season, not the first.

“The pressure is on them every week because of the publicity, but it is also on us because we are at home and we want to put a good display on.

“We know we are the underdogs and that is fine, but we have to focus on ourselves and go and put a display on and show how much they want to play for the club.”

His opposite number Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is looking to end a run which has seen the Red Dragons fail to win their opening two matches of the season since relegation to non-League in 2008.

The boss said: “That is a nice little challenge for us at the weekend. I think that is a good little benchmark for us to try and change that around.

“Every single game we go into with the same mindset, to perform at our best and try and get the three points. That will be the plan at Yeovil.”

Lee, who played 48 times on loan at Charlton Athletic in League One last season, started on the bench last weekend and Parkinson was not letting on whether he would start the former West Ham United youngster from the start at Huish Park.

Asked whether he would, Parkinson said: “We’ll assess the players ahead of the game and make the decision we believe to be the right one.”

You can hear our chat with Wrexham fan Nathan from the RobRyanRed podcast on the latest edition of the Gloverscast – here.

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Maybe it’s the heat, but I cannot for the life of me put a Fisher and Pond joke together, anyway…

Alfie Pond

Yeovil Town have announced the loan signing of Exeter City’s Alfie Pond.

The central defender had been on loan with Tiverton Town during the 2021-22 season with Grecians’ gaffer Matty Taylor describing him as someone who “is going to be a serious player” following his first team debut in a JPT game.

6ft 3, Pond becomes the 6th Glovers loanee meaning one of Sam Pearson, Sam Perry, Will Buse, Finley Craske, Matty Grivosti and Pond will have to sit out of each match day squad as per FA rules only permitting five in a match day squad.

He has been linked with Celtic and Rangers in the past with Exeter’s academy regularly on the big clubs’ scouting lists after numerous successes.

Commenting on the loan move, Hargreaves said; “Alfie is certainly an exciting prospect, but he’s someone who we believe can make an impact now.

“He’s proven he can make the step up to men’s football whilst at Tiverton, and will become another valuable member of our squad.”

There were no details of the length of the teenager’s loan agreement in Somerset, however, at tweet from Exeter suggests he is with us until January.

 

Here’s hoping for a successful stint in green and white.

Welcome Alfie!

 

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A matchday programme is making a return to Huish Park for the upcoming season, the club has confirmed.

Supporters will be able to buy the programme for £3 at the opening National League home fixture of the season against Wrexham tomorrow.

It follows the decision to replace the physical product with an online version at the end of last season with the club launching a supporters’ questionnaire at the same time.

Announcing the return, the club said: “Responding to your feedback from our earlier questionnaire, we have added new content based upon your recommendations and returned to a physical programme for the new season.

“Each programme comes with a collectors card, with the card featuring the player who is our main interview in the programme.

“The card has space to get the players signature and is another great item for collectors amongst our fans.“

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Forward Gime Toure has joined Yeovil Town to provide an attacking boost ahead of tomorrow’s visit by big-spending Wrexham.

The 28-year-old was released by League Two side Carlisle United at the end of last season and has been at Huish Park this week and goes straight in to Chris Hargreaves’ squad.

He has previously featured as a winger for former clubs including Hartlepool United where he had a prolific season in the 2019/20 season, scoring 13 times, earning him a move to Carlisle.

The manager said: “Gime has been training with us all week and has already shown why he can be such a threat at this level.

“He possesses both technical ability and natural athleticism which make him an extremely exciting attacking player.

“He is another strong addition to our squad and will be amongst the group for tomorrow’s match against Wrexham.”

Following the departure on star forward Tom Knowles a week ago, Hargreaves will be hoping Toure can provide further attacking threats alongside the likes of strikers Malachi Linton and Alex Fisher and forward Charlie Wakefield.

Although linked with a move to a number of other clubs in the Football League and National League, it does not appear that Toure has had any kind of a pre-season campaign, so his role in the game against Wrexham remains to be seen.

The Frenchman had a three-game loan spell at Aldershot Town in the National League last October and made seven appearances for Carlisle.

In the 2020/21 campaign, he made nearly 40 appearances scoring, four times.

He will be a familiar name to Glovers’ fans having scored against us in a 2-1 defeat at Hartlepool in October 2019 and then getting a late penalty for Pools in a 4-1 defeat in the FA Cup the following month.

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Yeovil Town 2 Colchester 0 – Saturday 18th August 1990

The last of our throwback series on the move to the new stadium 32 years ago brings us to the first competitive match, at the start of the 1990/91 season. We have already covered the last match at Huish and the opening of Huish Park which was celebrated with a friendly against Newcastle United. On Saturday 18th August 1990 came the opening Conference fixture with the visit of Colchester United. Under manager Brian Hall, the Glovers included many well known faces such as Mickey Spencer, Paul Wilson and Mark Shail. The Glovers won 2-0 with a goal in each half from Spencer and Conning. It was a classic kit as well, with the white shirt, green shorts and ‘Bass’ sponsorship. That’s one shirt I wouldn’t mind us bringing back, we used a very similar style as the away kit in 2002/03, although I don’t think it got many outings – Northwich (also in green) and Dagenham (Bank Holiday Monday, home kit still in the wash) are the only ones that spring to mind.

Mickey Spencer joined Yeovil from Wokingham in 1989 after buying himself out of the army. He went on to be one of only six players to have scored over 100 goals for the Glovers in the post-war era. He was virtually ever-present, making over 50 appearances in four of his six years with the club between 1989 and 1995. Mickey saw a lot in his time with us – the move to Huish Park, league clubs knocked out of the FA Cup in 1991, 92 and 93, culminating in that famous match against Arsenal during which he certainly left his mark on England’s right back with what is generously known as a ‘forward’s challenge’. Sadly his time ended with relegation to the Isthmian League in 1995, but he will always be remembered as a legend. We’ll even forgive him for signing for Bath. Only one player has scored over 100 goals in green and white since Mickey departed and that was one Warren Patmore who had an equally illustrious career with us, with just as many ups, downs and FA Cup exploits.

Colchester had recently been relegated from what was then called the Fourth Division. In those days there tended to be a considerable gap between the relegated clubs and Conference teams –the Conference (or Alliance Premier League as it was originally called) was created to put forward one team for promotion each season rather than have multiple clubs competing against each other for ‘election’ which would inevitably result in them taking votes off each other. Cases of successful election were rare, and were often a result of needing to replace league clubs who had gone out of business. There was a bottleneck at the top of the non-league pyramid which was a barrier to entry as the same clubs were re-elected year after year.

This did not immediately fix the problem as in the early years of the Alliance Premier League there was no automatic promotion and the winners still had to be elected. In reality, not a single club was elected from the Alliance Premier, as every year the winners were denied until the introduction of automatic promotion in 1986/87, the same year as it was renamed the ‘Vauxhall Conference’; even though GM haven’t sponsored the division since 1998, it is often still referred to as that. The winners that year, Scarborough, became the first club to be promoted from the Conference, under the leadership of one Neil Warnock. The following two years saw relegated teams bounce back up at the first attempt, as Lincoln in 1988 and Darlington in 1989 were able to remain full time which gave them a significant advantage over the rest of the division who were mostly, if not all, still full time. Colchester were relegated in 1990 and took two attempts, finishing 2nd in 1991 and first on goal difference in 1992, narrowly beating out Martin O’Neill’s Wycombe. Colchester also managed the rare feat of winning the Conference and FA Trophy double in 1991. An achievement that, as good as we were in 2003, Yeovil were unable to replicate.

 

 

 

 

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Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves has had “a little bit of success” in his search to bring new players to the club ahead of Saturday’s visit from title favourites Wrexham.

Chris Hargreaves.

The Glovers’ boss said he was keen to add to his squad after the opening game defeat at Scunthorpe United last weekend and said he was “still hopeful” of being able to add to the squad.

Asked whether he thought he could bolster his options by the weekend, Hargreaves said: “Maybe. We are still in discussions, we have a couple of players in the building at the moment that we are having a look at.

“We are still hopeful of (bringing new players in) but regardless of that situation we have got enough to focus on the game.”

He added it was a “a challenge  logistically and financially” to bring players to the club, suggesting that budget constraints and the club’s geography was working against his attempts to bring in fresh blood.

He said: “We have had a little bit of success this week with some players we have spoken to and I have a couple of players in the building that have done well, so the situation could change.

“But if it doesn’t, the players we have are more than capable of getting a result and creating chances, which is what they showed most of the second half on Saturday.”

The description of “having a look” at a few players would suggest that those he was talking about are either free agents or players looking for a loan move.

Yeovil presently have four of the five loan spots they can field in a matchday squad in the form of goalkeeper Will Buse, midfielders Sam Perry and Sam Pearson and striker Matt Grivosti.

 

Tom Knowles in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The manager admitted that the exit of star player Tom Knowles just 48 hours before the trip to recently-relegated Scunthorpe did lead to him having to redraw his tactics.

The forward left for League Two Walsall in a move announced on the Thursday evening ahead of the trip to North Lincolnshire.

The boss said: “It is disappointing on a Thursday when you have to change a game plan and personnel in a limited about of time and it was a challenge for me, I don’t deny it.

“The player showed his intentions to go, we offered him as much as we could at this time and the club accepted the money we were offered.

“He goes with our best wishes, but I can’t think about that any more. We quickly have to find another Tom Knowles – either create one, loan one or sign one from somewhere.

“It’s a big challenge because he was a good player and those players are hard to replace.”

It seems likely the Glovers will be without a fully fit squad for the visit of Wrexham with “a couple” of players still being monitored.

Hargreaves said: “There’s still a couple that we are monitoring. We had a good number training this morning (Thursday) but we are still looking at a couple of players.

“There’s probably a decision to make today on whether one or two players train today with a view to (playing) at the weekend, but there’s still enough chomping at the bit to be in the team.”

Playmaker Lawson D’Ath did not make the squad last weekend whilst defender Chiori Johnson remained on the bench