Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 387)

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Sam Pearson tussles with former Glover Dale Gorman. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town goal-scorer Sam Pearson was pleased to get on the score sheet on Tuesday against Eastleigh, but could not hide his frustrations when talking post-match to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins.

“I’m happy to get my first goal, but I’m gutted it wasn’t the winning goal, I think the boys showed that we are fit enough to play this game, we did well to go in front, but second half we weren’t on it.”

The Glovers took an early lead, but it was ‘keeper Grant Smith who was singled out for praise after a string of top saves as Yeovil were penned in against their hosts.

“He (Grant Smith) is a top goalkeeper, we all know that, he shows that in training all the time, he makes ‘worldie’ saves, we have to take that to our advantage, when he’s making them saves you’ve got to go and do something at the other end of the pitch. 

In the second half, we just needed to keep the ball a bit better, we needed to get three or four passes together, we just defended for the whole half, it’s a difficult one to take.

First half, we came out positive and we knew we had to bounce back from the other week (vs York) which we did, an early goal and we just didn’t capitalise on that and I think it’s a disappointing result.”

Played as an attacker in a 4-3-3 formation for the first time, the Bristol City loanee was frustrated his side couldn’t transfer their training pitch form onto the league setting.

“It’s a bit frustrating when we are just kicking it long and we’re not stringing the passes together in the middle, but even when we go long we need to try and make something happen, it’s very frustrating.

I think second half we all could have done a bit better on the ball, we do it in training, we just need to have the heart and courage in the second half there and show it on the pitch.

It’s a hard one to take, because we went 1-0 up, we just need to build on that 1-0, six minutes in, we need to keep going and get another and then maybe defend – even then, don’t just defend for the rest of the game.

We go again Saturday and put in a big shift against on form Chesterfield, it’ll be a hard task, but we like being the underdogs and it makes us hungry to go and win Saturday.”

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Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves was full of praise for Eastleigh after Yeovil let a 1-0 lead slip on the south coast on Tuesday.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins, he admitted that the players and he were disappointed with the draw, but were looking forward.

“They’re (Eastleigh) are a good side, first and foremost. First half we looked dangerous, second half they improved, they changed the shape, they changed the bodies and were a different proposition entirely.

“We didn’t get our foot on the ball and play when we could, we went too long and were erratic at times. I had a chat with the players and I will do again tomorrow (Wednesday), I think on the road it’s a good point against a very good side.

“They (Eastleigh) have a squad of good players, there’s no doubt about it – you’re not going to roll teams like this over.

“You take the lead, you look on the front foot and then it’s a step back with a mentality where – especially second half – we just didn’t play enough.”

Hargreaves said that the side would be working towards the weekend’s fixture against table-toppers Chesterfield and trying to make better decisions and create better chances.

“It’s playing in the right areas, it’s having the courage to play – that’s what we encouraged at half time and it didn’t materialise. So, it’s looking at the game again, trying to understand what we can do better and working out how to beat Chesterfield.

“(If) you take the lead in any game, you’ve got to see it out, to be honest, did we create enough second half? No we didn’t.

“There’s still some boys learning the game out there, but there’s enough experience to solidify it and get a foothold in it and relax on the ball when we have time.

“You’re going to get periods of pressure, I know that, but when you have got the ball – just make the right decision… and that’s what I was disappointed with.”

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

There was plenty of praise for the Glovers’ goal scorer Sam Pearson and Grant Smith who make numerous saves to keep his side in the game.

“I think there were some tired legs out there, but as I say, players like Sam Pearson, this is a big introduction to a very aggressive, competitive league and we’re asking him to do a lot.

“It’s a great finish (by Pearson) I think that the reason he played in the pocket there is that he can pick the ball up and hurt the opposition, I’m really pleased for him a good moment for him.”

Interestingly, the gaffer also referenced the supporters’ frustrations, just one win in eight now since the start of the season, but promised the work was being done behind the scenes.

“So, there were some elements I was pleased with, I have to say the support was incredible and I get the frustrations, 100%, because they want to see us win, but, a point away at a very good Eastleigh side is OK. It’s just what the fans saw in the first 25 minutes, and some dangerous spells in the first half, didn’t happen second half.

“We know what we want to do in the changing room, there’s no two ways about it, we’ve got to take this model of a point away and three points at home and see that out. I know that a lot of the boys in there are annoyed and they don’t want to be where we are – and neither do I. But, as I say, it’s a point on the road, we dust ourselves off and look forward to the next game because it’s a brilliant challenge for us.”

 

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Yeovil Town’s on loan winger Oliver (Olivier to his friends) Hulbert made a goal scoring return to Gloucester City on Tuesday night.

After joining on a one-month loan, the winger was put straight into the starting line up for their game against Telford United.

In total, the former Bristol Rovers man played 67 minutes before being taken off in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Gloucester also started new signing Matt Buse of Glovers Trialist fame and Daniel Leadbitter who also has a season at Huish Park under his belt.

Excellent work, Olivier!

Truro City – with Ollie Haste and Toby Stephens – aren’t in action until Wednesday evening, we will update you as to their progress when we can.

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Venue: Silverlake Stadium
Tuesday September 13th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry after a couple of days of rain
Pitch: Slippy

Attendance: 1,977 (291 away supporters)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 7 (1-0), JJ McKiernan 72 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Jamie Reckord 15, Ben Richards-Everton 22
Eastleigh: Vincent Harper 25, Ousseynou Cisse 60

Sendings off

Eastleigh: Brennan Camp 90

Referee: Paul Johnson


Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams Owen Bevan Ben Richards-Everton Jamie Reckord

Lawson D’Ath (for Jake Scrimshaw, 90) Josh Staunton Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield (for Alex Fisher, 76)  Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 89) Sam Pearson

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Gime Toure.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Oyenuga (for Hesketh, 72), Camp, Cisse (for Carter, 62), Panter (for Langston, 62), Martin, Harper, McKiernan, Hill, Whitehall, Abrahams. Substitutes: Rutherford, Ebanks.

Match Report

An early goal from Sam Pearson earned Yeovil Town a point after a backs-to-the-wall performance against an Eastleigh side who did more than enough to win the game.

The on loan Bristol City winger took advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Joe McDonnell to open the scoring after just seven minutes, but it was the home side who were completely dominant with goalkeeper Grant Smith pulling off three exceptional saves.

But, in the 77th minute on loan Watford midfielder JJ McKiernan fired home a deserved equaliser and set up a kitchen sink affair.

W*ymouth-born Brennan Camp saw red for a crunching tackle on Lawson D’Ath in added time and the visitors held on for a point.

 

First half

Chris Hargreaves made three changes from the 1-0 home defeat to York City ten days earlier and reverted to the 4-3-3 formation which saw Sam Pearson returning to the starting XI as part of a three-man forward line alongside Malachi Linton and Charlie Wakefield.

Other changes saw AFC Bournemouth loanee defender Owen Bevan replacing Max Hunt in the centre of defence while Matt Worthington who replaced Sam Perry, who was left out of the squad with the manager revealing he suffered a concussion in the York match.

After a fairly uneventful opening seven minutes, it was a howler from Eastleigh keeper Joe McDonnell which gifted the visitors a lead. Malachi Linton was alive to the error from the gloveman and teed up Sam PEARSON who did superbly to fire home an early opener.

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Six minutes later, a mistake by Josh Staunton in midfield gifted the ball to striker Tristan Abrahams, who has two goals to his name since joining from Carlisle United in the summer, but the former Glovers’ loanee fired his effort wide.

Then, three minutes later, a carbon copy error from Staunton gave Abrahams another opportunity to shoot and this time forced Grant Smith in to action.

The keeper was in action again after 20 minutes to deny Spitfires’ striker Danny Whitehall. The reaction from the home side to going behind was strong with the visitors pinned inside their own half.

Another mistake from a slip by an Eastleigh defender gave Yeovil another opportunity which saw Charlie Wakefield, back in his favoured position on the right side of attack, break through and have a shot which was blocked with Linton in a decent position.

Defender Corey Panter’s free-kick forced another fantastic stop out of Smith soon after and the ball dropped to defender Aaron Martin, who has seen service with Yeovil, but his effort was superbly blocked by visiting debutant defender Owen Bevan.

Despite the advantage, it was Eastleigh in the ascendancy with some attractive football with the pace of Abrahams a real thorn in the side of his former club.

As the game pressed towards half-time, a good spell of pressure saw an opportunity break to Malachi Linton whose effort went wide on 40 minutes.

Half time: Eastleigh 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Smith was in action again on 52 minutes when Abrahams’ effort was turned over the bar by the keeper to add another outstanding save to a string of them.

The linesman had his flag up for a handball against the home side, but referee Paul Johnson overruled his assistant. To say that the visitors’ bench let the fourth official know their views would be a mild way of saying it.

Shortly after the hour mark, Eastleigh had two good opportunities through first substitute Charlie Carter, whose effort was blocked by Worthington, and then full-back John Oyenuga went over the bar.

Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The pressure that had been mounting since Yeovil took the lead continued to mount and on 70 minutes the home side’s forwards seemed to be queuing up to turn a ball across the face of goal with Ryan Hill perhaps best placed. None of them did and the ball broke to Smith.

But, the goal that had been coming finally came with 72 minutes gone. Staunton was outmuscled by on loan Watford midfielder JJ McKIERNAN who hammered an effort across the slippery surface past Smith. It was nothing more than Eastleigh deserved.

There was no drop off in intensity from the home side after their equaliser whilst Yeovil still could not get a foothold in the game. Defender Brennan Camp – who was born on a rock south of a Dorset coastal town – was the latest to have a chance as headed just over on 76 minutes.

Attacks at the other end were a case of having to take what you could find and a half chance from Pearson as the game ticked over 90 minutes – with six added on. With the home side still (yes, still) piling on the pressure, that was all Yeovil needed to hear.

With a couple of minutes of the added on time gone, Camp saw red after a crunching tackle on Lawson D’Ath which left the play-maker in a pile on the floor. Referee Paul Johnson had no hesitation in showing the card. Dirty W*ymouth…..etc.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Jamie Reckord was well positioned to deflect a goalbound effort wide and that was (mercifully) the final opportunity for the home side.

Full time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 1

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On loan AFC Bournemouth defender Owen Bevan is handed his Yeovil Town debut for tonight’s trip to Eastleigh (7.45pm kick-off).

The teenager replaces Max Hunt as one of three changes as the Glovers look to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to York City ten days ago.

Matt Worthington returns from injury in place of Sam Perry, who is not in the squad, with on loan Bristol City player Sam Pearson replacing Alex Fisher, who is on the bench.

We’re calling this as a 4-3-3 line-up from the Glovers – we’ll see how it plays out though.

 

Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams Owen Bevan  Ben Richards-Everton Jamie Reckord

Lawson D’Ath Josh Staunton Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield  Malachi Linton Sam Pearson

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Chiori Johnson, Gime Toure, Jake Scrimshaw, Alex Fisher

 

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The dust has settled on a the August and one September fixtures and the results of the Man of the Match voting are as follows. 

Dagenham and Redbridge (H):

  1. Josh Staunton – 67% (59 votes)
  2. Alfie Pond – 44% (39 votes)
  3. Jamie Reckord 30% (26 votes)

Overall Team Performance: 5 (out of 7)
Entertainment Value: 4.4

Wealdstone (A):

  1. Alfie Pond 52% (11 votes)
  2. Alfie Pond 24% (5 votes)
  3. Jamie Reckord 29% 6 votes)

Overall Team Performance: 4.14
Entertainment Value: 3.38

 

York City (H):

  1. Grant Smith 74% (29 votes)
  2. Grant Smith 18% (7 votes)
  3. Grant Smith 21% (8 votes)

Overall Team Performance: 1.84
Entertainment Value: 2.05

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Yeovil Town striker Ollie Hulbert has joined Gloucester City on a one-month loan deal, according to the National League North side.

Ollie Hulbert, centre, has appeared in pre-match warm-ups in recent weeks but is yet to make a matchday squad in the National League.

The 19-year-old is yet to appear in a matchday squad since being named as Chris Hargreaves’ first signing at Huish Park in the summer following his released by Bristol Rovers at the end of last season.

He is a familiar face in Gloucester where he made 32 appearances last season whilst on loan from Rovers, scoring nine goals.

In a statement posted at 2pm on Monday, Tigers’ manager Lee Mansell said: “Ollie we all know about from last season has undoubted qualities, he’s had a tough period of not getting much game time at Yeovil.

“So he’s here to get himself and us back firing again, thanks to Chris Hargreaves at Yeovil for allowing us to have him.”

The signing of Hulbert and Swindon Town defender Harrison Minturn has been announced by Gloucester.

Later in the day, the move was confirmed by a statement from Yeovil Town which added: “The forward has struggled with injuries since has arrival which have kept him out the Glovers’ team.

“Looking to build up his fitness, Hulbert will join the National League North outfit, who he played for last season for a short period.”

Speaking a couple of weeks ago, Hargreaves revealed that Hulbert’s absence was down to an injury after he was spotted working with Scott Wickens, the club’s strength and conditioning coach, before the 2-1 defeat to Barnet at Huish Park

Hargreaves said: “We have to work out why it is happening and it may be a decision we have to make on that.

“He trains well but has a slight problem in games. He is chomping at the bit, but in certain circumstances his body is letting him down.“

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The National League has confirmed that midweek fixtures – including Yeovil Town’s trip to Eastleigh – are to go ahead following the postponement of its weekend schedule.

The league followed the Premier League and EFL in calling off fixtures as a mark of respect to The Queen, who died on Thursday.

In a statement on Sunday, it updated: “The League can confirm that further to the announcement that the funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held on Monday 19 September, National League fixtures for week commencing Monday 12 September will go ahead as scheduled.

“Clubs, for all fixtures up until the funeral, will observe a one-minute silence prior to the game and will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Her Majesty.”

Following the trip to Eastleigh, the Glovers face a visit from Chesterfield  next weekend and one assumes there is no reason why that shouldn’t go ahead.

After that, Boreham Wood are the next opponents for Chris Hargreaves’ side at Huish Park on September 24th

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New boy Will Dawes‘ journey to Yeovil Town bears similarities to Tom Knowles when he first arrived at Huish Park, manager Chris Hargreaves has said.

The winger joined for an undisclosed five-figure fee from Stratford Town at the start of the month having been training at Huish Park for a period before his arrival was announced.

Speaking to our man Ben Barrett on Thursday, Hargreaves said: “Will is training hard, but there is a jump (from playing at Stratford) and we are aware of that.

“There will be a bedding in process of two or three weeks to bed him in to that intensity of training every day with this group.

“But he has huge potential, very similar to Tom Knowles when he came to the club, with that untapped potential that we need to focus on when we bring players to the club.”

The 22-year-old featured in every match for Stratford, who play in the Southern League Premier Division Central, two tiers below the National League, this season.

Knowles had made four first-team appearances for Cambridge United in League Two alongside a number of loan spells at non-League clubs before arriving at Yeovil in November 2020. He made his debut the day after arriving in a 3-1 home defeat to Eastleigh, but spent much of the next month as a substitute before cementing his place in the team later in the campaign.

Hargreaves suggested he sees Dawes as a player who can be developed in to a saleable asset in a similar fashion to Knowles, who was sold to League Two Walsall on the eve of the new season.

He said: “We are having to balance that desire to do something with some sustainability.

“Will will not be the last player through the door who needs bedding in and developing, but we also need experience lads who will produce week in and out.“