Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 5)

The Football Association have confirmed a three match ban for Aaron Jarvis.

The striker had only been on the pitch for a short time before a coming together between Jarvis’ forearm Rochdale defender Kyren Gorden’ neck resulted in a straight red card from Niall Smith.

Ollie Whatmuff tells Aaron Jarvis exactly what he did wrong

After the game, manager Billy Rowley said 

“I have to be honest, I’ve not seen it back, so I’m going to have to go and watch that back before I can comment. In terms of how we’ve deal with that internally, I’ll always deal with that with the lads in the dressing room and the club.

But naturally, as well as everybody that cares about this football club, I’m, I’m frustrated by it, I’m annoyed by it, but I can’t really, I can’t really say much more until I see it.”

The charge goes down as Violent Conduct which carries a standard three-match ban.

Jarvis will he unavailable for the games against Aldershot (Tues 17th), Carlisle (Sat 21st) and Sutton (Weds 25th) becoming available again for the trip to Southport in the FA Trophy on Saturday 28th February.

As an aside, the FA also confirmed to the Gloverscast that captain Jake Wannell is on nine yellow cards, one more and he’ll serve a two match suspension.

It was a return to Huish Park after 35 days of postponements and away days and the Glovers showed they’re no slouches against promotion-chasers Rochdale. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions…


We held our own against promotion hopefuls. Even the most optimistic of supporters must have gone into yesterday with massive apprehension going up against the – at the time – league leaders. Rochdale were in unbelievable form and had not dropped a single point from a winning position all season…until they came to Huish Park. We showed all the buzzwords yesterday: character, determination, spirit, camaraderie and played some good football before we were frustratingly reduced to 10 men.

Yeovil Town huddle | Pic c/o Gary Brown

Aaron Jarvis owes his teammates a Thatchers. When Jarvis replaced Campbell (who had one of his better games) the match was nicely poised, we’d enjoyed some decent chances and were holding our own but the first time we tossed the ball up for Jarvis to compete the worst happened. I thought it was sheer idiocy. We know how Jarvis competes and looks for contact but the way he led with his forearm, arm not looking at the ball gave the referee very little choice. I know he plays looking for contact and roughing up his opposing defenders, but I thought it was really poor and he let everyone down.

Referee Niall Smith gives Aaron Jarvis his marching orders

Finn Cousin Dawson stepped up. It’s often been a case of always the bridesmaid never the bride for FCD. He’s not one of the first choice centre backs and he’s been shoe-horned into the floating wingback role, so it was nice to see him get his flowers yesterday. His header to bring us back level was pinpoint perfection and he had a solid game in at right centre back. For me, he’s more dependable than Ferguson.

Finn Cousin-Dawson wheels away | Pic by Gary Brown

Mafico made another mark. What a find Dakarai Mafico is. (Hat tip to Declan Skura too) The Cardiff youngster was in centre midfield yesterday – or number 6 as the cool kids say – and he was fantastic. Brave on the ball, forward-thinking, confident to play through the lines. He did his defensive work and got us attacking too. We may only get to enjoy him this season, (although with Cardiff chasing promotion to the Championship they might let us have him back next season, right?) but the way he knits everything together between defence and attack is well beyond his years.

Dakarai Mafico | Pic c/o Gary Brown

It was a great game of football. Billy Rowley described it as ‘cat and mouse’ whilst admitting modern football can be a bit boring (hear, hear) but I thought it was an entertaining game. We played some nice football and after 35 days since we were last at Huish Park, I could see an improvement and the style beginning to come through. In the moments when we played out from the back it looked more instinctive than it has done. We did the dogged stuff for the last 20 minutes and the players deserved their standing ovation from the supporters at full time.

 

Greg Rollason will take charge of Yeovil’s midweek clash with Aldershot this coming Tuesday.

We’ve seen Mr Rollason a few times in recent season’s, but not for a while.

Most recently, he took charge of the 3-2 home win over Ebbsfleet in the National League South, he booked Aaron Jarvis that night… which won’t be an issue this coming Tuesday.

He also over saw a 2-0 win over Torquay on New Years’ Day 2023.

In total, he’s refereed Yeovil five times, the Glovers winning three, drawing one and losing just once.

He’s taken charge of just eight games at National League level, this season – including a 4-1 win for Aldershot over Eastleigh – but has been used more regularly in the EFL Competitions.

In 18 games, he’s dished out 77 yellow cards (4.2 per game), just one red card and pointed to the spot seven times.

Samuel Fudge and Mark Senior will join him as assistants with David Middleton on fourth official duties.

Referee, Greg Rollason, Ref
Matt Worthington Leads the side out v Ebbsfleet

Yeovil Town FC (First Team) v Aldershot Town (First Team)
National League – Premier
Referee: Rollason, Greg
Assistant Referee: Fudge, Samuel
Assistant Referee: Senior, Mark
Fourth Official: Middleton, David

James Daly has won the Man of the Match vote from the 3-2 defeat to Boreham Wood last Wednesday.

The winger came on as a substitute and made an almighty impact scoring what the Glovers had hoped would be a dramatic equaliser and nearly going on to create a winner.

Jed Ward takes his customary spot on the podium, with skipper Jake Wannell take the bronze medal spot after his first goal of the campaign.


DATEOPPONENTRESPONSES1ST
(Votes / Percent)
2ND
(Votes / Percent)
3RD
(Votes / Percent)
August
09.08.2025HARTLEPOOL
(Home, 0-0 draw)
172JED WARD
(52 / 32.4%)

Morgan Williams
(44 / 25.6%)
Jake Wannell
(22 / 12.8%)
16.08.2025FOREST GREEN
(Away, 2-0 loss)
87JED WARD
(39 / 44.8%)

Byron Pendleton
(16 / 18.4%)
Morgan Williams
(11 / 12.6%)
20.08.2025BRACKLEY TOWN
(Home, 2-1 win)
153JED WARD
(89 / 58.2%)

Josh Sims
(23 / 15%)
Tahvon Campbell
(14 / 9.2%)
23.08.2025BRAINTREE TOWN
(Away, 1-0 loss)
71JED WARD
(29 / 40.8%)

Josh Sims
(15 / 21.1%)
James Plant
(7 / 9.9%)
25.08.2025GATESHEAD
(Home, 4-3 loss)
174HARVEY GREENSLADE
(65 / 37.4%)

Junior Morias
(59 / 33.9%)
Josh Sims
(23 / 13.2%)
30.08.2025HALIFAX
(Away, 3-2 loss)
93JOSH SIMS
(36 / 38.7%)
Harvey Greenslade
(29 / 31.2%)
Junior Morias
(13 / 14%)
AUGUST PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🥇 JED WARD
(12 PTS, 3 MOTM)

🥈 JOSH SIMS
(8 PTS, 1 MOTM)
🥉 HARVEY GREENSLADE
(5 PTS, 1 MOTM)
02.09.2025SOLIHULL M
(Away, 1-0 win)
98 JUNIOR MORIAS
(28 / 28.3%)
Luke McCormick
(24 / 24.2%)
Jed Ward
(15 / 15.2%)
06.09.2025YORK CITY
(Home, 3-1 loss)
108JOSH SIMS
(48 / 44.4%)
Luke McCormick
(33 / 30.6%)
Jed Ward
(7 / 6.5%)
13.09.2025WOKING
(Home, 1-0 win)
127 LUKE MCCORMICK
(47 / 37%)
Kyle Ferguson
(37 / 29.1%)
Harvey Greenslade
(11 / 8.7%)
20.09.2025TAMWORTH
(Away, 1-0 loss)
62JED WARD
(17 / 27.4%)
Kyle Ferguson
(10 / 16.1%)
Josh Sims
(7 / 11.3%)
24.09.2025ALDERSHOT
(Away, 4-1 win)
94ANDREW OLUWABORI
(36 / 38.3%)

Tahvon Campbell
(25 / 26.6%)
Luke McCormick
(10 / 10.6%)
27.09.2025ALTRINCHAM
(Home, 1-0 win)
154ANDREW OLUWABORI
(51 / 33.1%)

Jed Ward
(37 / 24%)
Morgan Williams
(18 / 11.7%)
30.09.2025SUTTON UTD
(Away 2-1 win)
119JOSH SIMS
(88 / 73.9%)
Andrew Oluwabori
(20 / 16.8%)
Jed Ward
(6 / 5%)
SEPTEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🥇 ANDREW OLUWABORI
(8 PTS / 2 MOTM)


🥈 JED WARD
(8 PTS / 1 MOTM)
🥉 JOSH SIMS
(7 PTS / 2 MOTM)
04.10.2025BOREHAM WOOD
(Home - 0-3 loss)
87JED WARD
(61 / 70.1%)
Harvey Greenslade
(10 / 11.5%)
Kyle Ferguson
(5 / 5.7%)
11.10.2025HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
(Away 2-1 loss)
44HARVEY GREENSLADE
(18 / 40.9%)
Jed Ward
(10 / 22%)
Byron Pendleton
(6 / 13.6%)
18.10.2025ROCHDALE
(Away 3-0 loss)
49JED WARD
(17 / 34.7%)
Harvey Greenslade
(10 / 20.4%)
Kyle Ferguson
(5 / 10.2%)
25.10.2025CARLISLE
(Home 1-1 draw)
140Max Jolliffe
(60 / 42.9%
Harvey Greenslade
(16 / 11.4%)
George Nurse
(13 / 9.3%)
OCTOBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🥇 HARVEY GREENSLADE
(9 PTS / 1 MOTM)


🥈 JED WARD
(8 PTS / 1 MOTM)
🥉 MAX JOLLIFFE
(3 PTS / 1 MOTM)
04.11.2025WEALDSTONE
(Home 0-2 loss)
67 LUKE MCCORMICK
(13 / 19.4%)
Jed Ward
(12 / 17.9%)
Aaron Jarvis
(9 / 13.4%)
08.11.2025SCUNTHORPE
(Away 1-0 loss)
46JAMES PLANT
(15 / 32.6%)
Jed Ward
(12 / 26.1%)
Harvey Greenslade
(10 / 21.7%)
15.11.2025SOUTHEND
(Home 0-1 loss)
89JED WARD
(74 / 83.1%)
Max Jolliffe
(5 / 5.6%)
Junior Morias
(3 / 3.4%)
22.11.2025MORECAMBE
(Away 0-0 draw)
49JED WARD
(22 / 44.9%)
Harvey Greenslade
(12 / 24.5%)
Finn Cousin-Dawson
4 (8.2%)
29.11.2025BOSTON UNITED
(Home 2-1 win)
108 LUKE MCCORMICK
(68 / 63%)
Brett McGavin
(10 / 9.3%)
James Plant
(6 / 5.6%)
NOVEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🥇 JED WARD
(10 PTS, 2 MOTM)

🥈 LUKE MCCORMICK
(6 PTS / 2 MOTM)
🥉 JAMES PLANT
(4 PTS / 1 MOTM)
06.12.2025HARTLEPOOL UTD
(Away, 2-0 win)
106 LUKE MCCORMICK
(78 / 73.6%)
Jed Ward
(11 / 10.4%)
Harvey Greenslade
(7 / 6.6%)
13.12.2025MAIDSTONE UTD
(Home, 1-1 [4-2 on pens])
125JED WARD
(83 / 66.4%)
Brett McGavin
(10 / 8%)
Harvey Greenslade
(9 / 7.2%)
20.12.2025FOREST GEEEN
(Home, 0-2 loss)
94 LUKE MCCORMICK
(22 / 23.4%)
Harvey Greenslade
(20 / 21.3%)
Jed Ward
(17 / 18.1%)
26.12.2025TRURO CITY
(Away 0-1 loss)
67JED WARD
(55 / 82.1%)
Jake Wannell
(3 / 4.5%)
Josh Tobin / Aaron Jarvis
(2 / 3%)
30.12.2025EASTLEIGH
(Home 1-1 draw)
113 LUKE MCCORMICK
(46 / 40.7%)
Jed Ward
(29 / 25.7%)
Jake Wannell
(10 / 8.8%)
DECEMBER PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🥇 JED WARD
(10 PTS, 2 MOTM)

🥈 LUKE MCCORMICK
(9 PTS / 3 MOTM)
🥉 HARVEY GREENSLADE
(4 PTS / 0 MOTM)
03.01.2026BRAINTREE
(Home 3-1 win)
164 LUKE MCCORMICK
(44 / 26.8%)
Aaron Jarvis
(27 / 16.5%)
James Daly/Brett McGavin
(20 / 12.2%)
10.01.2026ALVECHURCH
(Home 0-0 [3-1 on pens])
172DAKARAI MAFICO
(86 / 50%)

Jed Ward
(55 / 32%)
Josh Sims
(9 / 5.2%)
17.01.2026BRACKLEY TOWN
(Away, 2-1 loss)
81DAKARAI MAFICO
(19 / 23.5%)

Harvey Greenslade
(15 / 18.5%)
Kyle Ferguson
(12 / 14.8%)
31.01.2026AFC TELFORD
(Away, 2-0 win)
191HARVEY GREENSLADE
(79 / 41.4%)

Dakarai Mafico
(60 / 31.4%)
Joy Mukena
(11 / 5.8%)
JANUARY PLAYER OF THE MONTH 🥇 DAKARAI MAFICO
(8 PTS, 2 MOTM)

🥈HARVEY GREENSLADE
(4 PTS / 1 MOTM)
🥉 LUKE MCCORMICK
(3 PTS / 1 MOTM)
06.02.2026ALTRINCHAM
(Away, 1-0 win)
92JED WARD
(57 / 61.3%)
Troy Perrett
(12 / 12.9%)
Kyle Ferguson
(7 / 7.5%)
11.02.2026BOREHAM WOOD
(Away 3-2 loss)
46JAMES DALY
(13 / 28.3%)
Jed Ward
(12 / 23.1%)
Jake Wannell
(8 / 17.4%)
14.02.2026ROCHDALE
(Home 1-1 draw)
155DAKARAI MAFICO
(73 / 45.6%)

Finn Cousin-Dawson
(34 / 21.3%)
Jed Ward
(13 / 8.1%)
17.02.2026ALDERSHOT
(Home 2-1 loss)
86JED WARD
(50 / 58.1%)
Jake Wannell
(10 / 11.6%)
Terrell Works
(9 / 9.3%)
21.02.2026CARLISLE
(Away 3-0 loss)
47JED WARD
(21 / 42%)
Finn Cousin-Dawson
(10 / 20%)
Harvey Greenslade
(6 / 12%)
25.02.2026SUTTON UTD
(Home 3-2 win)

Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has said that if his team continue to put in performances like Saturday’s then Glovers fans will soon see good times at Huish Park.

For the first time this season, Yeovil secured a point from a losing position, whilst at the same time, ensuring that Rochdale dropped point from a winning position, also for the first time.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game he said that he was proud of his side.

“We went down to ten men for the second game in a row, which has obviously infuriated me and some of the boys, but look, that’s part of football.

So, we had to deal with it, we had to adapt, and I’m really proud of the boys that were on the pitch. You saw boys pulling up with cramp, they were trying to galvanise each other, they were sticking together, and it’s just everything you want to see in the team. So I’m really proud of the lads to hang on against a team that I’ve just been told haven’t given up a leading position all season.

It’s a great header from Finn, and then we actually played some decent enough football, I thought Dak [Mafico] and Brett [McGavin] really controlled the game in some of our build-up, I thought they were really brave and took the ball well. I thought Macca was very clever, and Troy was very clever with how they were trying to like create attacks for us.

But look, putting the whiteboard away, it was just about heart and endeavor when we went down to ten, sadly for the second game in a row, and we’ve hung on.”

The game took a dramatic turn when Aaron Jarvis was shown a straight red card barely ten minutes after coming on to the pitch, leaving the Glovers with just ten men for the final 20 minutes. The gaffer said that he is frustrated to have lost a player for the second game running.

“I have to be honest, I’ve not seen it back, so I’m going to have to go and watch that back before I can comment. In terms of how we’ve deal with that internally, I’ll always deal with that with the lads in the dressing room and the club.

But naturally, as well as everybody that cares about this football club, I’m, I’m frustrated by it, I’m annoyed by it, but I can’t really, I can’t really say much more until I see it.”

Referee Niall Smith gives Aaron Jarvis his marching orders

Yeovil’s goal came from Finn Cousin-Dawson, who’s looping header drew the Glovers back level minutes after going behind.

[it’s a] great header, great loopy header. It was almost perfect, really. I think if you power that header, the goalie’s going to save it.

It’s a great header, but it was probably a bit lucky. But it’s a great goal, and yeah, it gave us, it gave us a bit of confidence and it’s something that I obviously mentioned in my post-match after Boreham Wood. I want the lads, I really want the lads to play with more bravery and courage, and I felt like we did that today. I felt like we were happy to, to take the ball, felt like some of Jed’s bravery and his starting position was really good, and I appreciate that modern football is a little bit, it’s cat and mouse at times and it can be quite boring, but I can promise our fans that we’re always looking to score goals.

Like, we’re always looking to score goals, and that’s sometimes dependent on how much the opposition press or give us space in certain areas. But you know, we’re, we’re definitely a work in progress still. I saw loads of positives today, and and I think that, you know, the supporters, if they stay behind us and they support us like they did today, they’re going to see some good times here.

Finn Cousin-Dawson wheels away
Pic c/o Gary Brown

On Declan Skura’s second half debut, he said;

“He had to defend his box and and, you know, I know of Dec, I actually coached some players, I think I might have coached Dec when he was about 12 years old, when I used to work at an academy, and we bumped into each other one or two times, and then I’ve obviously followed his career, and the guys that I know at Wycombe are convinced that he’s a, he’s a football league player. I think you can see that, I like everything about him, his composure, his stature, the way he stays on the ball and defends, and he hasn’t really played much football because of injuries this season, but you know, we have 17 left, he’s obviously eligible for the Trophy as well, which is going to be massive for us, and I think, I think after three, four, five games, we’re going to see, you know, an incredible defender in this shirt.

Joy [Mukena] came in from Crawley a few weeks ago, he’d had a couple of hamstring injuries himself, he was, he probably shouldn’t have been playing as much as I’ve needed to use him, but due to injuries and because Joy’s played so well, I’ve probably picked him more times than I should have.

So he was really fatigued after Boreham Wood, he probably shouldn’t have started that game, but he dug in deep and the plan was today always to play 45 each.”

Josh Tobin laps up the adulation | Pic by Gary Brown

Injuries are starting to play a part for the side with Josh Tobin expected to have an elongated spell out of the side, but Billy Rowley said that there will be players back in contention soon.

“I’ve got to give a massive shout actually to Josh Tobin, who came in on loan, and I think Josh is, is one of the most unlucky players with his injuries ever. He got a knock on his ankle at Altrincham, and I think he’s basically out for the season now.

So, it was great timing that we got Dec, we worked really hard to get that sorted. We didn’t know Josh was going to be out for as long as he was, so that leaves us a body short. John Page managed to sit on the bench today, probably shouldn’t have, but he will be back for Tuesday if not definitely Saturday. Whitts is very close to full training, Jarvs was obviously back until today, so we’re going to be okay.”

Yeovil Town secured a hard-earned point against top-of-the-table Rochdale, thanks to a first half equaliser from Finn Cousin-Dawson. The defender’s excellent header cancelled out an Aidan Barlow strike in a frantic first 15 minutes.

The Glovers came out firing in the second half, before Aaron Jarvis was dismissed for a heavy challenge on Kyron Gordon; however the Green and Whites held on for a valuable point against tough opposition.

First half

The Glovers had to rotate thanks to injuries, suspensions and midweek action, as Billy Rowley made three changes ahead of Saturday’s game – Ryan Jones, the suspended Kyle Ferguson and Terrell Works all dropped out of the starting XI in favour of James Daly, Troy Perrett and Tahvon Campbell.
The first action of note came just four minutes in, as a very soft free kick was given against Finn Cousin-Dawson, however it was headed away well by captain Jake Wannell.
Twelve minutes in though, Rochdale took the lead, as an incisive through ball from Mani Dieseruvwe found Aidan BARLOW; the Yeovil defence all called for offside, but the flag stayed down as the Rochdale forward slotted home.
Just three minutes later, Yeovil found themselves level though – a free kick swung in from thirty yards out found the head of Finn COUSIN-DAWSON on the edge of the box – his header looped over the top of young Oliver Whatmuff, and nestled in the back of the net – 1-1 before quarter of an hour, game on!
The Glovers celebrate with Finn Cousin-Dawson.
This spurred the hosts on, with a flurry of activity inside the Rochdale half following, shots from Luke McCormick and Troy Perrett well blocked by the boys in blue. A lull in any meaningful action came, before incisive linkup play between the Cardiff contingency Dakarai Mafico and Troy Perrett almost led to another goal for the Green and Whites.
The rest of the half belonged to Rochdale, as they went from side to side, trying to find a way through the stubborn setup of Yeovil, the only real breakthrough they had was a curled shot whizzing past Jed Ward’s left post from Tarryn Allarakhia.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Rochdale 1


Second half

Before the action got underway, there were substitutions for both sides; Rochdale swapped Liam Hogan and Jake Burger for Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Devante Rodney, while Joy Mukena made way for Wycombe loanee Declan Skura to make his YTFC debut.

Right from the whistle, Yeovil were on the front foot – shots from Luke McCormick and Tahvon Campbell looked to threaten the Rochdale goal, but both were stopped well. James Daly quite literally put his foot through the ball moments later, with the referee halting play for a replacement.

Cries of MA-FI-CO-CO rang out from the Thatchers terrace just after the fifty minute mark, as he intercepted a Rochdale attack on the edge of his own box, then ran almost the length of the pitch, before being halted by Ebanks-Landell. While this didn’t result in a chance for Yeovil, I was so amazed that I had to include it!

A few heart-in-mouth moments followed around the Yeovil goal, with Mafico having a clearance blocked, and a few corners for Rochdale ultimately leading to nothing.

The next flashpoint came just ten minutes after Aaron Jarvis was introduced, and it involved… Aaron Jarvis. The former Torquay forward shoulder barged Kyron Gordon, and received a straight red card for it… down to 10 men, with twenty minutes to go, the Glovers had it all to do.

75 minutes in, and Rochdale had another chance, this time from a corner – the ball swung towards the back of the six yard box, Ethan Ebanks-Landell chested it down but couldn’t keep it under control, another sigh of relief swept across Huish Park.

A shot from distance from Casey Pettit stung the fingers of Jed Ward as he turned the ball past the post for another ‘Dale corner, before another shot a few minutes later cannoned into the visiting crowd. Pettit had another go soon after, but it was sliced wide for another goal kick.

If fingernails hadn’t been shredded enough already, the fourth official raised for six minutes of injury time; Devante Rodney had a free header from about eight yards out but it floated over the bar.

Another Casey Pettit shot was hit from the edge of the box, but Jed Ward dived to his right and caught it expertly as the minutes ticked down into seconds… and FINALLY, the full time whistle blew! Top of the league… you know the rest.

It’s Luke McCormick’s world, we’re just living in it.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Rochdale 1


Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 14th February, 3pm kick-off

Competition: Enterprise National League

Scorers: Aidan Barlow, 12 (0-1); Finn Cousin-Dawson, 15 (1-1)

Pitch: Looking very green considering the rain we’ve had over the last few weeks!

Conditions:
Dry and fresh

Attendance: 3,161 (272 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis (69 – OFF)
Rochdale: 

Referee: Niall Smith

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Declan Skura (for Joy Mukena, 45), Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 59), Harvey Greenslade (for Troy Perrett, 67)

Rochdale: Oliver Whatmuff, Kyron Gordon, Ryan East, Liam Hogan (for Ethan Ebanks-Landell, 45), Tarryn Allarakhia (for Dan Moss, 65), Mani Dieseruvwe (for Ian Henderson, 65), Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Casey Pettit, Aidan Barlow (for Joe Pritchard, 80), Jake Burger (for Devante Rodney, 45), Callum Perry

Substitutes (not used): Bryce Hosannah, Ed Francis