Cooper: Starters will hopefully give us some freshness
2025-04-21
Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper is hoping the four players he has brought in to the starting XI for the Easter Monday trip to Eastleigh will freshen up the side.
Defenders Michael Smith and Marcel Lavinier replace Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard with loanees Otis Khan and Kyrell Wilson replacing Josh Sims and Ciaran McGuckin in the forward line from the Good Friday draw with Forest Green Rovers.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins ahead of kick-off, Cooper said: “We can’t go up and we can’t go down and it’s about playing for the shirt and finishing the season properly. Morgan Williams will start, Jake Wannell is apparently not fit again, so Morgan will start. We have some players that did not start on Friday that will start today and hopefully give us some freshness.
“They spent heavily in the summer and have some big names in there and I am expecting a tough game. They had a good result (a 1-1 draw) at Barnet on Friday, so we will see if that has taken anything out of them but we will have a right go at it and try and win the game.“
Team News – Eastleigh (away)
2025-04-21
Yeovil Town have made four changes from Good Friday’s 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers as they take on Eastleigh on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off).
Kyrell Wilson and Otis Khan are both in the front three alongside Harvey Greenslade with Marcel Lavinier and Michael Smith replacing Alex Whittle and Dom Bernard in the full-back positions.
All those dropping out of the starting XI are named on the bench at the Silverlake Stadium.
Match Preview: Eastleigh vs Yeovil Town
2025-04-20
After a last minute heartache saw them settle for a draw on Good Friday, Yeovil Town will be looking to rise again as they travel to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.
FORM GUIDE…
It’s been a tough run of form for Eastleigh without a win in their last eight matches and than coming against relegation-haunted (and now relegated) Ebbsfleet United on home soil back at the start of March.
However, The Spitfires did have a good result on Good Friday with a 1-1 draw away at champions elect Barnet where Paul McCallum, a name synonymous with the top of the National League’s scoring charts, took advantage of a defensive mix-up to put them ahead.
This should serve as a notice to Yeovil that there is still plenty of quality in their hosts’ squad on Easter Monday. Their last three fixtures at the Silverlake Stadium have seen them beaten by Southend United and held to a draw by FC Halifax Town and Hartlepool United.
In comparison, Yeovil are in good form with three wins, Good Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to play-off candidates Forest Green Rovers, and a defeat in their last five matches.
The performance against Forest Green built on a good showing in the previous match at home to Oldham Athletic and manager Mark Cooper will be looking for his side to carry on that form on Easter Monday.
KEY PLAYERS
Yeovil Town – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Who would have bet on Sonny being a key player a couple of months ago? Having been a regular until the end of November, the 4-0 defeat at York City seemed to be the death knell for his career at Huish Park. The former Watford youngster disappeared with a mystery injury and was reportedly placed on the transfer list and had a trial in the Middle East.
Then, come the home match against Tamworth in mid-February, he was back and straight in the starting XI. Since then he has been a revelation, leaving fans wondering where was he during those dark months.
Those last few games I talk about have been the last two in particular, at home to Oldham and then Forest Green on Good Friday. Lo-Everton has scored three in two for the Glovers, showing that he can be a crucial cog in the midfield for Mark Cooper. With three games to go, will the midfielder add more.
Eastleigh – Tyrese Shade
The winger has been the main man for Eastleigh this season with 12 goals to his name and eight assists.
It’s not only been his goal contributions but the fact he has stayed fit almost all season. Shade has got over 3,200 minutes in 40 appearances for the Spitfires. The last four games have been slow for the St Kitts & Nevis international, with just the one assist.
THAT’S WHAT HE SAID
Eastleigh manager and former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis spoke about the match following the 1-1 draw at Barnet in Good Friday’s televised match. He said: “The challenge is whether we can recreate that level of focus and determination? It will be a different game, for sure, and Yeovil are going well and have picked up some strong results in recent times, so it will be a tough game. But, we are at home and we do want to finish strong and show every individual that puts on the shirt wants to give their best.”
In his post-match comments following the draw with Forest Green, Yeovil boss Mark Cooper said he expected to make changes for the match with several of the team which started on Friday having just come back from injury. He said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“
WE’VE MET BEFORE
There has only ever been nine games between the Glovers and the Spitfires, with Yeovil having the better head to head record. Yeovil have four wins, Eastleigh have two wins with there being three draws.
The teams last met on Boxing Day, where a 2-2 draw was played out. With Yeovil’s goals coming from Sean McGurk and Morgan Williams.
DON’T WE KNOW YOU?
After the Forest Green match where every other player had some kind of a connection with both clubs, Eastleigh second choice goalkeeper Tommy Scott is the only one for this match.
He started out in the Under-18s set-up at Huish Park before making the move to Southampton’s B team where he made a few appearances before dropping in to non-League where he did a tour of the South Coast with spells at Hamworthy United, Poole Town, Wimborne Town and W*ymouth before signing for Eastleigh in the summer of 2023.
WHO’S BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY THEN?
No one on Yeovil’s side is suspended.
Match Officials – Eastleigh (Away)
2025-04-20
No sooner has the Easter Bunny come and gone, does the football get going on and the Glovers make the relatively short trip to Eastleigh for a Monday Afternoon clash.
I’d be willing to… Wager… that we’ll have a referee for that game, step forward Harry Wager.
Mr Wager will be officiating just his third National League Premier game of the season, having been used predominantly across the North/South divisions.
He’s only been in the middle 13 times this season across the three leagues, 65 yellow cards, four reds and six penalties have followed him.
Most recently he took charge of Dagenham’s 3-1 defeat to Tamworth where he sent off Daggers’ Chris Francis, for what can only be described as an absolute shocker of a challenge, so fully justified.
Yeovil have seen him twice, both last season, the 3-1 win over Dartford which saw us lift the trophy (Frank Nouble missed the penalty that Mr Wager awarded us!)
He was also in charge for the 1-1 draw away at St Albans.
Nick Blogg and Stuart Kane are flagging up and down the line, Steven Hughes will be signalling the subs.
Eastleigh FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier
Referee: Wager, Harry
Assistant Referee: Blogg, Nick
Assistant Referee: Kane, Stuart
Fourth Official: Hughes, Steven
National League Wrap Up – Matchday 43
2025-04-19
It was late heartbreak for the Glovers on Good Friday, as a 91st minute Ryan Inniss goal spared Forest Green’s blushes at Huish Park in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Let’s see how the rest of the league got on…
We begin in the lunchtime televised kickoff, as York City defeated playoff contenders Gateshead to keep themselves well and truly in the title hunt. The hosts opened the scoring, but three goals without reply from the Minstermen secured a 3-1 win on their travels. Maidenhead United continued their brave battle against relegation, as they were pegged back by Woking to tie 2-2, the result leaves the Magpies four points off safety with nine to play for.
There were three 2-1 results, all with varying levels of drama; in a massive game for the playoff picture, Rochdale won away at Altrincham, with an 89th minute Devante Rodney goal securing the points for the visitors. Solihull Moors won a second consecutive game, as they came from behind at Tamworth, an 87th minute winner from Alex Whitmore giving the Moors a much needed confidence boost, while Oldham Athletic came from behind at home to beat Hartlepool United.
Boston United continued their impressive resurgence in front of a stadium record attendance, a Frankie Maguire double ensured the three points stayed in Lincolnshire, as they defeated Wealdstone. In the evening televised kickoff, Barnet‘s title celebrations continue to be put on hold as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Monday’s hosts Eastleigh, while Aldershot Town and Sutton United shared the points at the Recreation Ground.
Following their ownership/funding debacle, Dagenham & Redbridge secured possibly the biggest win of their season, as an 87th minute Josh Umerah penalty defeated relegated Ebbsfleet United. The first team to join Ebbsfleet was confirmed, as AFC Fylde lost 1-0 at home to playoff hunters FC Halifax Town, ending their two year stay in the fifth division and condemning them to the National League North. Finally, Southend United and Braintree Town played out a 0-0 draw.
National League results – in full
Gateshead 1-3 York City
AFC Fylde 0-1 FC Halifax Town (Fylde are relegated)
Aldershot Town 1-1 Sutton United
Altrincham 1-2 Rochdale
Boston United 2-0 Wealdstone
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Ebbsfleet United
Maidenhead United 2-2 Woking
Oldham Athletic 2-1 Hartlepool United
Southend United 0-0 Braintree Town
Tamworth 1-2 Solihull Moors
Yeovil Town 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Barnet 1-1 Eastleigh
Cooper: Penalty call cost us today
2025-04-18
Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper said his side were denied “a cast iron penalty” which could have put them 2-0 up against Forest Green Rovers at Huish Park today.
On loan striker Ciaran McGuckin had his heels clipped by Forest Green Rovers’ Ben Tozer when the Rotherham United man looked certain to turn home Josh Sims’ ball in to the penalty area but referee Declan Brown waved away appeals.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the match, the manager was full of praise for his players, but could not hide his frustration with the match officials.
He said: “I thought it was a brilliant performance from the boys. We were front foot again, really organised, energetic, but the reason we do not win is that we have to change some players on the pitch. Morgan Williams can’t play more than an hour yet, Harry Kite has been out for ten months and he has to come off, and when you make so many changes you can disrupt the rhythm and marking at set pieces. The (equaliser) comes from a set piece that we would have defended no problem with Morgan Williams on the pitch.
“But there is a cast iron penalty and red card in the second half where Ciaran McGuckin is about to tap the ball in and that is game over for me. I’m not blaming the referee, but they should not have a chance to get back at us in the last minute, it should have been game over. Between the four officials they have to see that, I think it was Ryan Inniss (the offender appears to be Tozer) who swipes McGuckin’s legs away when he is about to tap the ball in the goal. How four of them missed that I find incredible, but I do not want to take anything away from the players performance today.
“The last five weeks has been amazing for (the players). Through adversity they have stuck together and got closer as a group and they keep digging out results.”
Yeovil took the lead when midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton lifted the ball over visiting keeper Ted Cann after 24 minutes and there were great opportunities to extend the lead with that man Inniss there again on 30 minutes to clear a Harvey Greenslade effort off the line.
The goal was Lo-Everton’s fourth of the season and came hot on the heels of a double in the win over Oldham Athletic last weekend.
Cooper said: “Someone of Sonny’s ability should be scoring eight or ten goals a season, there is no reason why he can’t. It was another good finish from him today. We should go 2-0 up, Harvey (Greenslade) has an unbelievable chance and he hits the legs of (Inniss) on the line. So as good players as Forest Green have, I think we deserved to win the game today and if the officials do their jobs properly, we should win the game.”
Asked whether he hoped that the performances which have seen them pick up ten points from their last five games would help him to start planning his squad for next season, the manager said off-the-field issues at Huish Park continued to hamper any such planning.
The club’s ownership situation remains in limbo following the resignation of owner Martin Hellier as chairman at the end of last month.
Cooper said: “There is loads going on at the club and we can’t decide anything and go out and offer players contracts or re-engage players who are out of contract, we have to wait until that is resolved. But if we get the go ahead to do that and I can get six real quality players, I think we can have another really good season.”
Next up, Yeovil travel to Eastleigh, who face top of the table Barnet in Good Friday’s late fixture, on Easter Monday and the manager expects there to be changes in personnel.
Captain Jake Wannell was not fit to feature in the squad against Forest Green and Harry Kite, Morgan Williams and Josh Sims all had to come off with 20 minutes remaining.
The manager said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“
Man Of The Match Voting: Forest Green Rovers (H)
2025-04-18
Who was your Man of the Match in the home game against Forest Green Rovers?
Cooper: Wannell is not fit
2025-04-18
Captain Jake Wannell has been “not deemed fit enough to play” in Yeovil Town’s Good Friday home match against promotion-chasing Forest Green Rovers according to manager Mark Cooper.
The central defender has been replaced by Morgan Williams today, one of two changes to the starting XI from the side which began the 2-1 home win over Oldham Athletic last weekend.
Michael Smith drops to the substitutes’ bench with former Forest Green player Dom Bernard moving from the midfield role he played against Oldham to right back with striker Harvey Greenslade coming in as part of a front three.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah ahead of kick-off, the manager said: “Jake Wannell is not fit, he felt something earlier in the week and is not deemed fit enough to play. So we switch to a back four, 4-3-3 with Harvey Greenslade coming in to play as one of three forwards.
“It was a good performance from all of them (against Oldham), it was a tremendous team performance, very committed, very front foot and we certainly need to be at that level again to get anything today.”
📸 Gary Brown
The match with third-placed Forest Green is the first of two games in the Easter period with the Glovers travelling to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.
Cooper said: “We need to make sure we have another spirited, front foot performance and make it really difficult for Forest Green, that is what the aim is today.
“Bearing in mind we have two games in four days. My biggest job today will be managing minutes with Monday in mind. We have to think about Morgan Williams and people like him who have just come back in to the team, we have got to make sure we have got enough bodies available for today and for Monday as well.”
Today’s game pits Cooper against one of his former clubs, one he led to promotion to the Football League in 2017, but the manager was not fazed about facing one of his old employers.
The visitors are certain of a place in the National League Premier Division’s play-offs this season and are seeking finishing in the top three which will give them an easier route to the final at Wembley. However, their recent form has been shaky with three defeats in their last five matches.
Cooper said: “Today is just business for me, it is just three points. We can do what we do after the game but for me it is purely about three points.
“Sometimes when you know you are not going to win the league and you are in the play-offs, there is a period where you are just getting through until the end of the season and getting ready for the play-offs.
“I am sure they will be looking at the last four games to get a bit of momentum that will be the best way for them to win the play-offs.“
Team News – Forest Green Rovers (home)
2025-04-18
Yeovil Town have made two changes from last weekend’s 2-1 home win over Oldham Athletic for the visit of Forest Green Rovers to Huish Park on Good Friday.
Captain Jake Wannell is not in the squad with Morgan Williams, who appeared as a substitute six days ago having returned from two months out through injury, replacing him in a back four alongside Finn Cousin-Dawson. Dom Bernard moves to right back with Michael Smith dropping to the substitutes’ bench with Alex Whittle at left back.
Harvey Greenslade is handed a start as part of a front three alongside Ciaran McGuckin and Josh Sims. Charlie Cooper and Otis Khan, who both missed the win over Oldham through injury and unavailability, are both on the bench.
