Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 48)

Striker Frank Nouble is a notable absentee in the Yeovil Town starting squad for tonight’s home match with relegation battlers Boston United at Huish Park (7.45pm kick-off).

The frontman, who started the Glovers’ previous five matches, is replaced in the XI by Rotherham United loanee Ciaran McGuckin, whilst recent signing goalkeeper Aidan Stone has been handed the captain’s armband.

That is the only change from the side which started last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at FC Halifax Town with new signing striker Jahmari Clarke named among the substitutes.

Former loanee striker Jahmari Clarke has returned to Yeovil Town as they prepare to take on relegation battlers Boston United at Huish Park.

The 21-year-old spent three matches on loan from Reading last season, memorably scoring twice in a 3-0 home win over Torquay United towards the end of the National League South title-winning season.

He has joined on “a non-contract basis” according to the club announcement, presumably in case the Baller League – click here if you have no idea what that is – comes calling for him.

Having returned to Reading following those goals against Torquay, Clarke was released from his contract at the Madejeski Stadium and joined Wealdstone where he played 31 minutes in two substitute appearances before being released and joining Southern League Premier Division South side Basingstoke Town.

He appears to have had a spell at AFC Croydon Athletic in the eighth tier of the English game in December, the club’s announcement says he has been playing in “mainland Europe” since then.

It’s the last game under the lights for Yeovil Town on Tuesday night as they face Boston United at Huish Park.


Form Guide…

It’s been very up and down over the last five games for Yeovil. After winning the first two games of this period it has stagnated a bit with a draw and two losses. It should be noted that the last two loss have been against tough opposition, in Barnet and FC Halifax respectively.

In fact last time out against The Shaymen, Yeovil were unlucky to not come away with at least a point. Unfortunately for Mark Cooper and his men, the Yorkshire side were just that bit better.

FC Halifax vs Yeovil

Boston’s league position may be a red herring for home fans. Although sitting second bottom of the league over their last five fixtures, they have two wins, two draws and one loss.

Their two wins came against Dagenham & Redbridge as well as AFC Fylde in impressive style. But it’s the draws that will grab the attention with scoreless draws against Oldham and a (Desmond) 2-2 draw when facing Woking last time out. They are definitely not a team to take lightly.


Key Players…

Yeovil – Frank Nouble

Well since I stopped choosing Nouble as the key player, he stopped scoring, so I’m picking him again for good luck.

Ignoring the mystic wisdom that the Gloverscast brought, the forward showed why he is crucial to Yeovil winning. Not only did he score vital goal that helped his team to a win, his experience and knowledge of the league showed.

It’s no slight on the other players but they are younger and on loan, performing well for this club may not be as important to them than it is to Nouble. However, he understands what the fans been through in the last couple of years at that will rub off.

Frank Nouble. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Boston United – Jacob Hazel

Jacob Hazel has been something Yeovil has been a missing, a goal scoring centre forward. The St Kitts & Nevis native has bagged 10 goals this season for his side. He has also contributed with three assists as well.

The 30-year old has also been a consistent player in the side, which by this point of this season is quite remarkable. Hazel has played a total of 33 games and over 2,000 minutes so far. The expected Michael Bostwick is another name to look out for.


That’s what he said…

Yeovil boss Mark Cooper had no comments ahead of the game.

Boston manager Graham Coughlan, gave his thoughts to club media before the fixture. He said: “We go away Tuesday , it’s a long journey, but it’s about looking after the players between now and then and get as much rest and recovery into them as possible.”


We’ve met before…

The two sides haven met a total of 41 times, the majority of which came before the turn of the millennium. Out of those 41 Yeovil have only won 11 compared to Bostons 20 wins, meaning the remaining 10 games have been draws.

The last time they played against each other, in August of last year, the Somerset side were 1-3 victors. The three goals being scored by Brett McGavin (x2) and Jordan Young. Both teams also had players sent off, Yeovil’s being Jake Wannell.


Don’t I know you…

For the second game in a row there is no Yeovil links to the Boston squad.

However, our number one Aidan Stone was on loan at Boston this season.

Aidan Stone had a decent debut between the posts yesterday.

Who’s been naughty then…

No one is suspended for the game.


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There’s something always something special about a Tuesday night under the lights and we really hope Wayne Cartmel takes time to enjoy it in between whistle blows.

Mr Cartmel has been in charge of nine National League games so far this season, throwing no fewer than 27 yellow cards out. He’s yet to send anyone off though, and after 11 cards in his first two games this season, he’s reigned it in a bit.

He’s refereed two Yeovil games in the past, a 4-1 Bromley win which saw Andrew The-right-winger score and Max Hunt and Alex Fisher booked, but he also took charge of the Glovers 1-0 win over Dagneham & Redbridge in August 2022.

Jamie Reckord scored the only goal and Matt Worthington got the only booking.

There’s an image below of Mr Cartmel watching on as Gime Toure shoots at goal.

Jack Clench and David Pilling are listed as the assistants for the game and Samuel Fudge is fourth official.

 

Gime Toure. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town FC (First Team) v Boston United FC (First Team)
National League – Premier    
Referee: Cartmel, Wayne
Assistant Referee: Clench, Jack
Assistant Referee: Pilling, David
Fourth Official: Fudge, Samuel

It was so close yet so far for Yeovil, as they were defeated 1-0 by FC Halifax Town at The Shay. Let’s take a look at what else happened in a big day across the division!

We begin in Greater Manchester, where Rochdale easily defeated Wealdstone in a 4-1 win to continue their playoff charge, the hosts now sit 8th with a couple of games in hand on those ahead of them. Aldershot Town secured a massive three points in their struggle near the bottom, as they held their nerve following an extended break in play due to a medical incident in the crowd to defeat Gateshead 3-1. Jai Rowe was the hero for Tuesday’s visitors Boston United, as they twice came from behind to take a point in their battle against the drop against Woking.

Southend United continued their playoff hunt with a big 2-1 win over Altrincham, while Solihull Moors finally registered their first win under Matt Taylor, albeit in dramatic circumstances, as a Manny Duku double downed a drowning Ebbsfleet United. Braintree Town continued their good run under Steve Pitt with a 2-0 win at AFC Fylde, the hosts’ relegation concerns growing. It was a huge day for title implications, as York City and Forest Green Rovers faced off in the evening kickoff, and following the full-time whistle, it was a point apiece as the two sides drew 1-1, perhaps a sign that the title race could be reaching a conclusion…

There were two further 1-1 draws on Saturday, as Oldham Athletic’s stuttering form continued at Tamworth, while Eastleigh and Hartlepool United shared the points in Hampshire. The final side in the title race, and the side that benefitted from York and Forest Green’s tie was Barnet – a 93rd minute winner from Lee Ndlovu gave the Bees a 1-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at lunchtime, leaving them 11 points clear at the top, and further sinking their opposition into a relegation battle. Finally, Sutton United picked up a 1-0 win at Maidenhead United.

 

National League results – in full

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

National League table

A defeat on the road for the Glovers’ first team on Saturday afternoon, but the lads out and about on loan had a slightly better time of things, for the most part anyway.

Torquay now have an eight-point buffer on 8th placed side Weston-super-Mare after a tough 1-0 win over Tonbridge Angels.

They did so thanks to Jordan Young’s 10th goal of the season, with Jordan Thomas playing the full 90 for the gulls. 

At the other end of the table, Not-quite-as-bad-as-Aveley… or to give them their full title, W*ymouth – needed a 95th minute equaliser against St Albans. Will Buse was once again between the sticks.

The Terras remain a full 10-points behind 20th placed Enfield Town.

Into the regional leagues and Jacob Shore was back in action for Wellington, they got beaten 4-0 by the league leaders Portishead in midweek and fell 2-1 to Brislington on Saturday, Shore played in both games, clocking up over 150 minutes across the two fixtures.

Jacob Shore

Sherborne lost 3-1 to Baffins Milton Rovers, Joe Crisp was on the bench for the Zebras, who were without Corey Koerner this week as he was away on international duty with England Colleges.

Sherborne Reserves drew 3-3 with Blanford Utd, whilst team news is hard to come by, the Zebras normally include a couple of young Glovers.

There were late goals for Bridport as they beat Stoke Gabriel and Torbay Police (catchy name!) 3-1. George Geraghty was used from the bench.

 

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper pointed to a lack of quality in front of goal as his side came out on the wrong side of a 1-0 defeat at play-off chasing FC Halifax Town.

The Glovers went down to a 13th minute strike from winger Angelo Capello and despite midfielder Brett McGavin striking the crossbar early in the second half, they could not find a way through a resolute defence.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins after the match in West Yorkshire, Cooper said: “It was a tight game, the goal is the game. It is a rubbish goal to concede from us. The shot goes straight through the keeper’s (Aidan Stone) legs and that was it. Against Halifax, who do not give much away, you have to gamble and then they can counter attack which is what happened. We have had chances, but it is a tight game and the boys have tried really hard. We lacked a little bit of quality in the final third and that was the game.

They got a breakaway, we lose two headers, the ball goes wide and it is a shot from an angle that goes straight through the goalie’s legs and we cannot legislate for that. After that we have a go, we have bits and pieces but somebody has to find a bit of quality.

Following the goal, winger Ryan McLean, who started his first game since joining on loan from AFC Wimbledon in the week, spurned an opportunity after 26 minutes, McGavin rattled the woodwork four minutes after the restart, but The Shaymen had numerous opportunities in the second half with the best chance seeing substitute Owen Bray put his effort over the bar.

Cooper added: “At the minute we have four or five players doing the heavy lifting every week  and the other ones have to step up. If you come on as a substitute, you have to influence the game and we did not do that today. We will try and put some freshness in to the team and go again on Tuesday.

New signings defenders Frankie Terry, signed on loan from Colchester United on Friday, and right back Marcel Lavinier both started the match. Terry played the full 90 minutes whilst Lavinier was replaced by Dom Bernard after 71 minutes.

The manager said: “You can tell Marcel has not played for a while, but he will be better for playing an hour today. That was the plan but he is quick and he gets us up the pitch. Frankie competed really well.”

Sean McGurk. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

He also revealed Swindon Town loanee Sean McGurk would return to his parent club having re-injured the thigh which has kept him out of action in recent weeks, and suggested another new face could arrive for Tuesday night’s home match with Boston United.

McGurk came on after 68 minutes before being forced off just 13 minutes later. The manager said:  “It is the same thigh strain he injured previously. He will have to go back to Swindon for his rehab which gives us a chance to get another quality attacking player. He has had an injury, but I put him on and he has got injured again. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

Yeovil now have two home games coming up with relegation threatened Boston United, who scored a late equaliser to take a point at home to Woking on Saturday, visiting Huish Park on Tuesday, before big-spending York City visit next weekend looking to continue their push for promotion.

Cooper said there would be no imminent return for key injury victims defenders Morgan WilliamsJake Wannell and Michael Smith or striker Aaron Jarvis.

He said: “None of them will be coming back within a month. It is difficult when you have Jarvis, who is one of the top three number nines in the league, two centre backs, Morgan Williams and Jake Wannell, are top centre backs for us, and Michael Smith has experience. It is a big gap to fill, so we have to be competitive.

We have to look at the next game. We will get the boys home, dusted down and have a session on Monday and try and get them fired up. The effort is not a problem and we probably deserved a point today. Halifax have a good spirit, they run, they are aggressive and physical but I thought we competed well with them. The goal is the difference today, if we do not concede that, it is a different afternoon and we have to be more professional in that.

Marcel Lavinier made his debut for Yeovil today in the 1-0 defeat at Halifax. The fullback signed until the end of the season from Forest Green Rovers told BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins that he was happy join the club.

Asked how the move came about, Lavinier said: “I was away with Forest Green in York, because they’re playing York later today, and I was just in the hotel, and the gaffer [Steve Cotterill] said, we’ve had a chat with Yeovil about you. And I was happy and willing to come. It’s a big club, and, it’s good for me for the end of the season. So I’m happy to be here.”

Marcel Lavinier

Lavinier has barely kicked a ball in recent months and said his goals for the rest of the season were to ‘remain fit’. He added: “Keep performing and doing the best I can and trying to help the team. I strive high, and I want to push for playoffs if we can do it. So that’s how I will try and help the team.”

On the Yeovil performance in Yorkshire the right back said: “I thought the team done well in the first half – all game really. We dug, was on the front foot, w had chances in the first half, and the game’s different if you put those chances away. It was unlucky and unfortunate to concede an early goal and they just sat back for the rest of the first half and made it difficult for us. But, we still played around the box, still got a few chances, but on a different day we put them away and the game looks different.”