Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 439)

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Luton Town winger Josh Neufville has returned on loan at Yeovil Town until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season at Huish Park and was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing campaign, but suffered a broken ankle in the penultimate match of the season at Altrincham last May.

Josh Neufville’s Instagram post after suffering a broken ankle playing for Yeovil last May.

He goes in the squad for the visit to bottom of the table Dover Athletic with the Glovers looking to up their goal-scoring tally, having scored just eight goals since the turn of the year.

Neufville has been working his way back to fitness since suffering his horrific injury with a number of appearances in the Luton development squad and turning out in a county cup match last month.

He was named on the substitutes’ bench for the Hatters’ FA Cup tie with Cambridge United, but did not appear.

The winger’s arrival is Yeovil manager Darren Sarll’s second loan signing of the day having signed goalkeeper Ted Cann on a short-term loan from West Bromwich Albion to cover for an injury to first-choice Grant Smith – read more here.

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Mark Little has given “a few home truths” to some of his Yeovil Town team-mates after two disappointing defeats which have seen them concede five goals without reply.

The experienced full-back played the full 90 minutes of last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Grimsby Town, having missed the 3-0 reverse against Dagenham & Redbridge four days earlier.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s visit to bottom club Dover Athletic, he said his frustration with the performance last weekend led to him voicing his frustrations.

Mark Little battles for the ball against Grimsby. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

He said: “I said a few of my frustrations in an aggressive manner over the weekend to a couple of the younger lads and they took it on the chin.

“We had a day off after and we were back to work on the Monday. They are taking it well, they are not stropping because they are not the types of players that would last in this dressing room.

“But they’ve got to translate that in to performing on the pitch and that’s the bit we are trying to crack, there’s a balance of good cop, bad cop.

“When I was coming back from injury I was being encouraging but after the last couple of performances, my frustrations have come out and I did give a few home truths.

“Hopefully that reaction will show tomorrow at Dover.”

The former Bristol City man described the squad as “the smallest I have ever operated with” in his career, meaning there is less competition for places.

He said: “I am used to having four or five people competing for the right back slot and I know I have to perform to get my name on the team sheet.

“But here you can have two or three bad games and you are still having to battle yourself out of that form, there’s no breathers and hiding.
“I have played with injuries all seasons, there’s lads need operations getting injections to hide them.”

“We have had Ted in today which gives Grant a breather which we has not been able to all season. Ted has looked very good in training and hopefully he comes in and has a big effect.

“But we have needed that (cover in all positions) all season.”

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Goalkeeper Grant Smith seems likely to be out of tomorrow’s visit to bottom club Dover Athletic with loan signing Ted Cann expected to fill his gloves.

Manager Darren Sarll said the first-choice keeper had been playing with a groin injury which has kept him out of training ahead of recent matches and the arrival of West Brom youngster Cann provided the opportunity to rest him.

Grant Smith, who is expected to miss out against Dover this weekend. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The boss also revealed that captain Luke Wilkinson, who came off in the second half of last weekend’s defeat against Grimsby Town, midfielder Dale Gorman and on loan defender Jack Robinson are all “touch and go” for the weekend.

Speaking about Smith’s injury ahead of the long trip to Kent, Sarll said: “Grant has been carrying a groin injury over the past two or three weeks and it was getting to the point where I thought it was starting to effect his distribution.

“We know Ted from my first season at the club (2019-2020) was available and I thought it was good timing and a chance to make sure Grant could properly recover and rehabilitate his groin.”

He added: “I thought we needed to address the injury Grant has. He’s been spending quite a few games not training and coming in to the games without a full week behind him.

“At this point of the season, Ted was available and he performed really well for us when he was here with us last time when he was only 19 and he played behind an experienced back four – Lee Collins, Luke Wilkinson, Carl Dickinson.

“I thought he handled himself well. He’s a good cross taker, he has good distribution and he’s a good goalkeeper.

“West Brom see this as a real benefit for Ted’s development.”

Cann’s return on a short-term loan was announced on Friday morning and follows a previous spell the 21-year-old has had at National League North strugglers AFC Telford United.

Wilkinson’s calf injury is one of a string of niggles that the defender has been suffering with this season, albeit he has already played six more matches than he managed last season.

When he departed against Grimsby last weekend, Morgan Williams moved in to a back three formation alongside Ben Barclay and Mark Little. Sarll spoke about “experimenting” with formations in what remains of the season, and if Wilkinson misses out at Crabble that could be something we see him try.

Gorman’s injury seems to have been picked up in training during the week whilst Robinson’s is a reoccurrence of the injury which has plagued him this season.

A win at the weekend would confirm the long-awaited relegation of Dover to National League South, but Sarll says his side will not be thinking about anything except their own form.

The Glovers have managed just one National League win since December 18 – the 1-0 success at Woking at the end of January – and have managed just ten goals in that time.

Sarll said: “We have enough to worry about in our own camp, we need to make sure we need to improve our individual and collective performances to get back to what we know we can be.

“It’s been a longer process than when you have the experienced players because (the younger players) have not had the life experience of seeing their way out of these dips in form.

“All these trial and error times are testing for them, but they have to go through this. They will come out of stronger for the experience.”

The manager said the training ground had been “nice and calm” this week with he and his assistant Charlie Lee working with individuals who are out of form.

He added: “We have spent quite a lot of time this week working with individuals and pick aspects of their game and lift them to bring out things we have not seen lately and Charlie’s been excellent with that.

“We want to finish the season strongly, everyone knows how excited I am about this group and how exciting they can be in the long term, but to take care of that long term we have to do something sooner rather than later.

“Tomorrow is another opportunity to do that.“

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Goalkeeper Ted Cann has returned to Yeovil Town on a short-term loan deal from Championship side West Bromwich Albion.

The 21-year-old played three times in January 2020 when he was brought in to cover for an injury to Stuart Nelson.

Having made his debut in a 4-0 FA Trophy win over Hampton & Richmond, Cann played in a 2-2 home draw with Hartlepool United and a 1-0 defeat at Woking – beaten by a worldie from Shaun Donnellan in the latter game!

Ted Cann in action during his last spell at Huish Park.

There is no indication in the club’s statement as to whether the arrival of the young stopper means there is an injury to first-choice Grant Smith, although manager Darren Sarll did say Smith had not trained ahead of the draw at Notts County a fortnight ago.

We will have to wait until the Friday morning press conference and then hope a member of the assembled media thinks to ask the manager.

Since returning to The Hawthorns, Cann has been a regular in West Brom’s under-23s side and has been on loan at National League North strugglers AFC Telford United since the end of November.

It’s not been an easy time for the second-from-bottom side who have conceded 33 times in the 19 matches since his arrival.

He goes in to the matchday squad for tomorrow’s visit to bottom-of-the-table Dover Athletic with Yeovil looking for their first win since the end of January.

Welcome back to Huish Park, Ted!

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Ben and Dave are joined by Steve Sowden on this episode. Dave also chats to a Dover fan, Pete, about the trials and tribulations of the 2021/22 season.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news from Huish Park.

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Defeat at home to Yeovil Town this weekend will spell relegation out of the National League for Dover Athletic with more the a quarter of the season to go.

They can actually still win the match if Aldershot Town beat fellow relegation strugglers King’s Lynn Town on Saturday..

Should results go against the Kent side – and given our current form, that is far from a given – then it brings about what has been fairly inevitable since the opening day of the season.

Having failed to fulfil their fixtures last season, the Whites started on minus 12 points and, heading in to the weekend, they still sit on minus four having picked up five draws – including one at Huish Park back at the end of November.

Their only win of the season in any competition came at home to Eastleigh at the end of January.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler admits they have been fighting a losing battle, he told Kent Online: “It’s been coming and it’s a shame but before we even kicked a ball it was always going to be tough because we’ve got the smallest budget in this league.

“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the sides down the bottom of the table, not just Dover, are the ones with the smaller budgets.

“It was always going to be a mountain to climb and deep down maybe we knew that this day would come (when we started).

“Of course, we want to be in the top flight of non-league but next season Dover will be in a league that we can compete in financially.”

Top scorer Alfie Pavey is on loan from Kent rivals Maidstone United and has five goals to his name which is only one fewer than Yeovil Town’s top scorers (no, not Joe Quigley) Charlie Wakefield and Adi Yussuf with six each (or four if you’re Adi).

FROM THE MANAGER

Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler has blooded some products from the Crabble academy this season and says this is something he will continue to do for the rest of the season.

He told Kent Online: “The kids are showing how good they are and we’ve got to try and promote them.

“Hopefully the fans recognise that and come to support them, watch them play and see how good they are.

“We’re focusing on that to the end of the season. Will Moses had his first start in over a year, played out of position in midfield and did very well. George Wilkinson also started and Luke Baptiste and Harrison Byford came on.

“We’ve still got to have the experienced players in the team, even though they are quite young themselves in most cases with the average age of 21!

“We can’t throw too many of them in (at once) but it’s nice that they are handling themselves well at this level of football.

TEAM NEWS

Striker TJ Bramble, who scored the second minute goal for Dover at Huish Park back in November, missed the trip to FC Halifax Town last weekend with a back injury.

He was joined on the injury lies by wingers Marshall Wratten (hamstring) and James Caton (both hamstring), and teenage striker Noah Carney (foot), who was called up by England Schoolboys’ earlier this year.

All four are facing a battle to be fit for the visit of the Glovers, but certain to be missing are Yeovil old boy Seth Twumasi (knee), captain Ryan Hanson (ankle), defender Alex Green (ankle), and winger Travis Gregory (knee).

Player-coach Reda Johnson, who has played more than 150 Football League games for clubs including Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City, is available having been unavailable since November.

 

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi seems certain to be out of the match to face his old employers, see ‘Team News’ above, and the only member of either playing squad with a foot in both camps.

Seth Twumasi in action for Yeovil Town in 2014. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The 31-year-old arrived at Huish Park at the start of our season in the Championship making just three appearances towards the back end of the season.

But, despite a red card in a League Cup defeat at home to Gillingham at the start of the following season, he went on to make 30 appearances before being released and turning up at Newport County.

The Ghanaian arrived at Crabble in July following his release by Maidenhead United and has made 11 appearances this season.

Other players with connections in Somerset and Kent include Mitch Brundle (is there anyone he’s not played for?!) who began his career at Huish Park and had a two-year spell at Dover between 2017-19, and Ryan Bird, the striker who scored eight times in 36 appearances for Yeovil in 2015-16 and was more prolific at Dover with 20 in 48 appearances between 2017-18.

Colin Miles/Pluck was one of Gary Johnson’s first signings at Huish Park following his departure from Crabble in the summer of 2001 and went on to play more than 150 times in green-and-white as a legendary whole-hearted centre half.

Steve Browne was part of Graham Roberts’ side which earned promotion back to the Conference in 19797 and went on to manage Dover in the 2004-05 season. Steve, who sadly died after a battle with bowel cancer in 2017 aged just 52, is the father of another former Glover, Rhys, now a player at Wealdstone.

Midfielder Gareth Risbridger was a graduate of the Yeovil Town youth set up in 1998 before he followed manager David Webb to Southend United, where he was sent on a three-game loan spell at Dover in 2001.

Jeez, there’s more of these than you think, here’s a few more:

  • Carl Alford (Dover Athletic – loan – 1998, Yeovil Town 2001-2002)
  • Oscar Gobern (Yeovil Town – 2017-18, Dover Athletic – 2019-2021)
  • Terrell Forbes (Yeovil Town – 2006-2010, Dover Athletic – 2013-14)
  • Keanu Marsh-Brown (Yeovil Town – 2012-13, Dover Athletic – loan – 2018)
  • Michael Woods (Yeovil Town – 2012, Dover Athletic – 2019-2020)

Finally, Jerahl Hughes – anyone? I’m going to file him under ‘really don’t remember him’, but apparently he made two substitute appearances for us in the 2007-08 campaign before going on to play 52 times for Dover in the next season.

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Northwich Victoria 0 Yeovil Town 2 – Saturday 16th March 2002

The FA Trophy Quarter Final in 2002 was a hugely significant match for Yeovil Town. Despite our pedigree as a non-league team and the record-breaking number of wins against Football League teams in the FA Cup, Yeovil had not reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy since back to back appearances in 1971 and 72. They had only reached the Quarter Final once since, losing at home to Macclesfield in 1992.

My first experience watching Yeovil in the FA Trophy was a dismal 89th minute 1-0 defeat at Isthmian League Yeading in 1998. The 286 people present on that West London trading estate is almost certainly the lowest crowd to ever watch Yeovil in a Trophy match. Following that was another last minute defeat at eventual winners Kingstonian in 1999, and a pretty spineless home defeat to the same team a year later – 1-0 again, but not in the last minute this time. Kingstonian would go on to win the final at Wembley for the second year in a row, beating Yeovil on the way both times. In 1998/99, we had set a Conference record of only two away defeats in a season, matched by Gary Johnson’s team in 2001/02. The Glovers had actually not lost away all season until losing their unbeaten record at Barrow the week before the Trophy tie.

In 2000/01, the FA Trophy games came after Christmas when the Glovers were really struggling for form after a 100% home run had seen us clear at the top of the Conference. A very narrow 2-1 win after going a goal down saw us squeak past minnows Bath, followed by a 4-2 win at Emley despite having Tony Pennock sent off. The 5th round tie was away at Northern Premier League Burton, putting in what was one of the worst performances I saw that season, deservedly going 2-0 down before a 90th minute Andy Lindegaard goal which was not much of a consolation. The Burton match came in the middle of a six match winless run which saw Rushden go top of the Conference and title hopes begin to fade away, it was a very dark time.

Cut to a year later, and despite all the upheaval in between, things were looking much brighter – after a mixed start, Gary Johnson’s team were coming together and were up to 2nd in the Conference after an unbeaten run of 18 league and cup matches. Star of the show was obviously Adam Stansfield, whose scoring prowess gave the team a huge confidence boost having scored 11 goals in 11 games and five goals already in the Trophy, scoring in every round.

After casting aside local side Tiverton, strong Conference opponents in Doncaster and previous holders Canvey Island, the Glovers were drawn away at Northwich Victoria. Always a difficult place to go, Northwich were a founder member of the Conference in 1979, then known as the Alliance Premier League, and were one of only three teams who had been ever present, the other two being Telford and Kettering. Northwich’s home, Drill Field, is thought to have been the oldest ground in the world to be in continuous use, having hosted football since 1875. 2001/02 would actually be the last year that Northwich played at Drill Field – at the end of the 2002 season, they ground-shared with rivals Witton Albion, while their new stadium was being built. They moved to the new Victoria Stadium in 2005, which was also home for a time to Manchester United’s reserves. The new stadium was only a few hundred metres from Witton’s ground. In 2012, the club were evicted from the stadium after it was sold to a neighbouring chemical company, and were forced to share at Stafford Rangers some 40 miles away. This was also during a time of financial problems and several relegations which saw a breakaway club, 1874 Northwich, formed by supporters. Northwich Victoria still exist, and are back to sharing with Witton Albion, but currently lie below 1974 Northwich in the non-league pyramid.

Drill Field had a traditional non-league style grandstand on one side and the relatively new covered Dane Bank terrace opposite, with both ends open. The Dane Bank offered a superb view, and housed around 800 or so travelling Yeovil fans on the day. The Dane Bank would follow the Vics to their new Victoria Stadium in 2005, and when that was demolished in 2012, was re-purposed and transported to Broadhusrt Park, the home of FC United of Manchester.

Yeovil went into the game with a back three of White, Skiverton and Pluck, with Anthony Tonkin at left wing back in place of the suspended Michael McIndoe who had been sent off against Hereford. Replacing the injured Darren Way was a rare outing in midfield for Roy O’Brien, who was also joined by Frenchman Olivier Brassart alongside the usual Lee Johnson. Carl Alford started up front with the on-fire Adam Stansfield. The Vics boasted a similar striker in Gregg Blundell, who had scored a spectacular goal in the opening-day 3-2 win at Huish Park in Gary Johnson’s first game, and got himself sent off for over-celebrating into the bargain. The reverse fixture had gone Yeovil’s way, with the Glovers winning 3-1 at Drill Field in November, with Adam Stansfield getting his first goal for the club.

At this point in the season, Yeovil were scoring a lot of goals, but conceding a lot as well. They had not kept a single clean sheet at home in the league so far. However they had won nine and drawn three of their 12 games since Christmas, and were unbeaten in 18 games, scoring 34 and conceding 16. However this game was surprisingly comfortable as the Glovers absolutely dominated the first half, going close several times and hitting the woodwork before Adam Stansfield converted a Tonkin cross to make it 1-0 on 35 minutes. Right on half time, a Lee Johnson free kick beat everyone and was bundled home by Carl Alford from close range. 2-0 at half time, and Yeovil were in command.

At half time, Stansfield was replaced by Chris Giles as he had taken a knock. The second half was much more controlled, as the Glovers dictated the pace and Roy O’Brien in particular was absolutely superb, breaking up opposition play. Vics manager Jimmy Quinn brought himself on with about 20 minutes to go, but his plans for a comeback were scuppered just minutes later. Vics midfielder Val Owen clattered Carl Alford on the touchline, right in front of the dugouts. Alford appeared to retaliate and both players were sent off as there is reportedly fighting in the tunnel as the players depart. This took any remaining sting out of the game, as Yeovil were able to play out time. Giles struggled to lead the line on his own, but Gary Johnson brought on Lockwood to play five at the back and there was nowhere for Northwich to go. It was a very significant game that Yeovil were completely up for, and although it didn’t take the shine off the day, Northwich barely turned up – much like we had against Kingstonian in 2000 and Burton in 2001! The Glovers were in top form, had a settled side, and steamed in to the FA Trophy Semi-Final to face Nigel Clough’s Burton Albion.

Team that day: Chris Weale, Tom White, Terry Skiverton, Colin Pluck, Anthony Tonkin, Nick Crittenden, Roy O’Brien (sub. Adam Lockwood, 75), Lee Johnson, Olivier Brassart (sub Andy Lindegaard, 77), Carl Alford (sent off, 79), Adam Stansfield (sub. Chris Giles, 46). Subs not used: Jon Sheffield, Darren Way

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W*ymouth have put tickets for away supporters on sale for the National League derby fixture down by the seaside on Easter Monday.

It also appears our seagull bothering ‘friends’ are planning on a 1pm kick-off although their website does state that this “may alter on police advice.”

The game is all ticket with no tickets available to purchase after midnight on April 17.

For full details and to buy tickets, visit the W*ymouth website – here.

Our last visit to the seaside ended in an FA Cup fourth qualifying round victory – just.

As it the trip for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, 200 seats have been designated for away fans with the rest of the allocation being standing on the Windowman Stand terrace.

However, a similarly small allocation of seated tickets was initially offered for the Cup tie and then increased when we sold all our tickets, so there’s every chance more will be made available – but don’t bank on it.

The website states that “Concession Rate is for : Over 65, Registered Disabled or a member of the Armed Forces ONLY” – but does offer the option for other age discounts, i.e. students, under-16s, etc, and lists prices as follows:

Adults – £16
Concessions (Over-65s, Armed Forces, Dorset Carers Card) – £11.
Students (Under-19s) in full-time education with photo ID – £7.
Under-16s – £4
Under-7s – 50p

There is also car parking available to away supporters, priced at £5 per vehicle, to book this visit – here.

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Dave and Ben are joined by Chris Fox to talk about the 2-0 loss against Grimsby.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news from Huish Park.

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It was another tough afternoon for the Glovers on home soil, with Yeovil falling to a 2-0 defeat against play-off pushing Grimsby Town. Here are BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins‘ conclusions from the match.
It has been glaringly obvious the issues for the Glovers but the pressure on not being able to score means defensive errors are creeping in. When you know your strength isn’t up top, there is only so long you can be so impressive defensively. The defenders this season have certainly earnt their money and have done more defending than most teams – and eventually something has to give with the reliance on a strong back four becoming too much. Both goals were avoidable, with the second the most disappointing from a corner. There is no doubt if the team were able to find the back of the net, the defensive line would be a lot more comfortable – it is a team game after all.
The players are putting their bodies on the line. Reminiscent of last season when Lawson D’Ath played a full 90 when he really shouldn’t have, players are entering the business end of the season with a whole heap of minutes behind them and bodies which could do with a rest. Charlie Wakefield – for example – has racked up considerably more minutes than his last few seasons combined but must play every week. It cannot be an excuse, of course, but Grimsby were able to make five changes and keep their usual system – this is not possible for Yeovil and the manager knows they are putting everything in when their bodies are screaming at them. That commitment doesn’t equal points, but it explains why fans are still so fond of this team, despite the form.
Lawson D’Ath. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

I think it is fair to say there are few midfielders better with the ball to feet in the National League than Lawson D’Ath and it was a masterstroke to keep him around the club and support his recovery. His delivery from corners was just what Yeovil had been missing and his ball retention is unbelievable. Another 60 minutes in the tank yesterday and I hope we continue to see him shine in the next few weeks. There may be little to play for now, but for the purists watching him play is a joy – his anger at referees et al.

Yeovil are now solidly midtable and so Darren Sarll can and will mix it up. I liked the impact of the diamond early on and the back three was something we haven’t seen since the opening day. It might be something that can impact us and as the manager said after the match, if you keep things the same, the same things could keep happening. I will – of course – be at the games for the rest of the season and I would like to see us go for it, take games to teams and impact other team’s seasons. We had more possession than so many games this season against Grimsby and I enjoyed seeing Yeovil with the ball – but the key is punishing teams when we do. I expect a raft of changes over the next few weeks (within the constraints of the small squad of course).
Lastly, Huish Park has such potential but needs more. The Her Game Too dedicated fixture meant a lot to me personally and the players embraced what it meant, while young girls’ teams took to the pitch before kick-off and at half time. This is something the club need to do more of as it is so important – but the place needs some love. The staff are working as hard as they can, but they can’t do it all. As Geoff Twentyman said yesterday, BBC Bristol/Somerset are trying to talk to the hierarchy but to no avail. Certainty is needed for future fans, current fans and the players, manager, and staff. But, I am so proud the club has embraced the Her Game Too campaign so brilliantly – there are so many amazing women at the club working so hard and they deserve to be celebrated. I am sure I echo everyone’s views when I say seeing Pat Custard being on the front of the programme was a joy.