Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 73)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Loan Watch

The Yeovil Town first team were picking up a point away in London, but what of the cohort of players out and about?

We start in the National League South, where defender Jordan Thomas helped his Torquay United side to a huge three points in the hunt for a play-off spot.

The Yellows left it late, but two goals after the 85 minute mark gave them all three points against fellow promotion contenders Eastbourne Borough.

There was also a big clash at the other end of the table where W*ymouth, Will Buse between the sticks, were on the wrong end a 3-1 score line against Chesham. Ex-Glover Brooklyn Genesini with the only goal for the Terras, his third goal in just two games.

 

Into the  lower leagues, and Sherborne Town had their game called off because of a waterlogged pitch, as did Wellington AFC, which meant empty weekends for Corey Koerner and Jacob Shore.

Down at Bridport, Sol Padmore and George Geraghty were both involved in their 4-2 win over Torridgeside AFC.

Earlier in the week, there was unfortunate news about Yeovil youngster Nansimir Nanev, who suffered a bad injury of Boxing Day, his loan club Sturminster Newton confirmed he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for a while.

We join Sturminster in wishing Nanev a swift recovery.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town Manager Mark Cooper has challenged his players to turn Saturday’s draw against Dagenham into a ‘good point’ by beating Wealdstone on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset’s Josh Perkins, the gaffer admitted there was a bit of low confidence within the group, but that the draw could be a base to build on for the coming weeks.

“I think when you have a little bit of low confidence it affects the group and you make decisions that you wouldn’t usually make, and we give fouls away, or we should play the ball forward and we don’t, or we don’t pick up the right men that throw-in for the goal.

So when you’re in that moment, it’s about small little building blocks and getting a point on the road. And then, that’s only a good point if we go and win our home game next Saturday. But players tried their socks off. Of course, we can play better but I’m pleased with the point to come out in the end for sure. Brilliant following again from the Yeovil [fans], from the Green Army again and they helped us hang on for that point at the end.”

Brett McGavin tapped in from close ranger after Nathan Harvey had saved the original spot kick to draw the Glovers level following Josh Rees’ opener.

“It was a clear penalty, wasn’t it? And Brett obviously took the responsibility, and it was heart in the mouth, wasn’t it? But luckily the ball bounced back for him and he put it away.”

Brett McGavin cannot believe it (Pic C/O Gary Brown)

The Glovers grew into the game after an opening few moments which left a bit to be desired.

“We spoke about the 1st 20 minutes playing everything forward. Because they’re not in good form at home and we wanted to make them defend early and face their own goal.
So, all we’d worked on in training, was to play everything forward and get them running towards their own goal and then one of our best performers of the season tries three drag backs, passes it backwards, we end up kicking out for a throw-in and we concede.”

“So, as much as you talk about it, it’s pressure, it makes you make poor decisions.
But, the players, again, have given everything and it was a rocky first few minutes, but I always felt we’d get back into it.”

The result means the Glovers are now eight without a win, but Cooper thinks that the result might be something to build on after a frustrating run.

“We haven’t lost that many. We should have beat Ebbsfleet, we should have beat Woking, we should have beat Gateshead, we should have beat Eastleigh so coulda, woulda, shoulda. But, as long as the players keep trying hard and we’ll be fine.

There was a final word for the supporters in the away end, 311 made the journey today – one of the best away followings in the league – who are we to argue?

“Fantastic, as always. We have one of the best away followings in the league, it was really good, in that least ten minutes, we’re trying to make subs, they cheered us on, we had to take [James] Planty off, he’s coming back from a hamstring [injury], we didn’t want that to go, Sean McGurk has been really ill, so we managed to get him on and get him a few minutes, so in the last 10 minutes we managed to see a bit of pressure off and come back with a point.”

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town defender Morgan Williams has said that the 1-1 draw with Dagenham will look like a good point, if it’s backed with victory against Wealdstone at Huish Park next week.

Brett McGavin’s equaliser cancelled out an early opening goal from the hosts, but Williams said that the second half was better than the first when speaking to BBC Radio Somerset’s Josh Perkins.

“I think it was a game of two halves. We were saying in there, first half we didn’t start bright, second-half was felt completely different. Really we were on top and we just couldn’t get that goal though.

“We were just saying in there, this point was good today if we go and get the three points next week. So we have to win our home games and take what we can from away. So positive today and we go in for it next week.”

The game represented Williams’ return to the starting eleven after missing out against Gateshead and only getting the final half an hour against Rochdale, but it was also his 150th appearance in a Yeovil Town shirt.

“Obviously, I’m absolutely delighted. The fans have been with me and the club has supported me throughout the 3-4 years I’ve been here, so I’m absolutely delighted.

“For myself, it’s been up and down [this season], really. [I’ve] not been able to get consistent for the season like I did last season, but I’m hoping that from now I can just kick on and finish the season strong.”

The Glovers were backed by 311 fans in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and were rightly praised by Williams.

“Oh, it’s unbelievable, every week, it’s incredible really. You just hear them throughout the whole game and at the end we come and clap, show our support. But yeah, they’re brilliant.”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

A Brett McGavin goal saw Yeovil Town get away from Dagenham & Redbridge with a point from a thoroughly forgettable encounter.

The Glovers had fallen behind to a fifth minute goal from the hosts’ Josh Rees before they were awarded a penalty – their first of the season when Kyrell Wilson was fouled inside the box after 39 minutes. McGavin’s initial effort was as saved by Nathan Harvey before the midfielder turned home the rebound.

Dave was one of the 311 in the away end at Victoria Road and here is how he saw it.

First half

Manager Mark Cooper gave a debut to recently arrived goalkeeper Aidan Stone following the departure of loanee Ollie Wright and brought James Plant straight in to the starting line-up after his return on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Stone’s first real action was to pick the ball out of his own net after five minutes. A long throw from the left was flicked on and dropped to Josh REES placed a superb finish past the keeper.
 
From there it was the home side which had the advantage with Hill heading a cross with wide before Dagenham had the ball in the net from Loupalo-Bi with the Yeovil defensive ineptitude only saved by the offside flag.
 
 
We look every inch a side that has not played for two weeks and were fielding another unfamiliar starting XI, meanwhile Dagenham seemed to sense blood and pushed forward at every opportunity. 
 
Yeovil’s first opportunity fell to Kyrell Wilson who shot was blocked by the legs of Dagenham keeper Nathan Harvey after 15 minutes, before Brett McGavin’s low free-kick ten minutes later forced the keeper in to action again.
But every time Dagenham pressed forward they found Yeovil in generous mood with Loupalo-Bi forcing Stone to tip one over the bar on 34 minutes and testing the keeper again four minutes later.
 
Then on 39 minutes the unthinkable happened when we were awarded a penalty after Nouble found Wilson inside the area and the Swansea loanee was felled. Our first spot kick of the season and Brett McGavin stepped up. Dead ball specialist, what could go wrong? Harvey saved the spot kick, but McGAVIN was there to turn home the rebound.
 
 
Even with the defence which won last season’s title we look all over the place whenever Dagenham attack, whereas the frontline looks at best disjointed. But, we’re level at the break and let’s been grateful for that.
 

Half time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half almost repeated the first when a free-kick in to the box from Dagenham was met by Tom Eastman whose header seemed to go in slow motion but Stone was level to it.
 
There was a distinct lack of Charlie Cooper in the Yeovil midfield which Mark Cooper tried to rectify with the arrival of Finn Cousin-Dawson in a central defensive midfield position, replacing Jacob Maddox after 55 minutes.
 
Wilson was probably the brightest part of the Yeovil attack and when he jinked in to the box after a hour but his shot was blocked.
 
On the 73 minutes, Dagenham came within inches of restoring their advantage when Shiloh Remy dribbled at the Yeovil defence and slammed a shot against the post and then on 77 minutes it was only a brilliant block on the line by Morgan Williams that denied substitute Khaleel.
 
 
Ciaran McGuckin and Sean McGurk were both introduced towards the end, but this was a match which seemed destined to finish even. Both sides coming in to it in such poor form, it was like neither side wanted to lose it or had enough to win it.
 
When Dagenham got a free-kick in dangerous position with two minutes of the four added on in the second half played, there was a sense of trepidation in the away end. There need not have been, it went high, wide and not very handsome. The universe wanted it to end level and so it did.

Full time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Victoria Road 
Date: Saturday 8th February, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Josh Rees 5 (0-1), Brett McGavin 39 (1-1)

Pitch: Not bad for this stage of the season.
Conditions: Cold and a bit damp.

Attendance: 1,703 (311 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Brett McGavin 14, Morgan Williams 54, Finn Cousin-Dawson 64, Jake Wannell 90+4.
Dagenham & Redbridge: Trent Rendall 25, Josh Umerah 54.

Referee: James Bancroft

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Jacob Maddox, 54), Ciaran McGuckin (for James Plant, 75), Sean McGurk (for Kofi Shaw, 83), Dom Bernard (not used), Josh Sims (not used), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Dagenham & Redbridge: Nathan Harvey, Trent Rendall, Tom Eastman, Paul Kalambiya, Reagan Clayton (for Rafiq Khaleel, 75), Shiloh Remy, Jake Hessenthaler, Josh Rees, Ryan Hills, Josh  Umerah (for Reece Grego-Cox, 83), Aaron Loupalo-Bi (for Oscar Rutherford, 75).

Substitutes (not used):  Louis Jones, Chris Jones, Kayden Harrack, Christian N’Guessan.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Mark Cooper has told BBC Radio Somerset’s Josh Perkins that his team for the game against Dagenham has been picked on the merit of training since the Glovers’ enforced break.

Frank Nouble, Michael Smith, Morgan Williams and Kofi Shaw all come back into the starting line up with Aiden Stone making his debut in goal.

Frank Nouble heads at goal
Pic GARY BROWN

Speaking on how the team have managed the gap between races, the gaffer said;

“It’s was basically a mixture of some rest, but some really intense work, it’s about trying to get that reset where, we gave the players a few days off, but came back knowing that there was no messing about, it was all front foot intensity, and we’ve picked the team on what we’ve seen in training.”

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Pic: Gary Brown

He said that Goalkeeper, Aidan Stone has settled into the group well and confirmed that there are still some injury concerns within the group.

“Sonny [Blu Lo Everton] is fit, but not quite ready for the match, Caleb Hughes is injured, he’s a long term, he had a really bad rupture of his hamstring

“Aaron [Jarvis] has a long term injury and it’s boring for the players, it’s the same old thing every day, it’s rehab, the aim is to try and get him back two weeks ahead of schedule so he can take part in some of the games”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

James Plant and Aidan Stone go straight into the Yeovil Town starting XI for today’s trip to Dagenham & Redbridge (3pm kick-off).

Stone, who joined on a permanent deal following his arrived following his release from Notts County, takes over in goal following the departure of Ollie Wright to Solihull Moors via his parent club Southampton.

Plant, who has re-signed on loan until the end of the season, starts at left wing-back – we are guessing.

On the bench are loanees midfielder  Sean McGurk and striker Ciaran McGuckin.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Previews

Yeovil Town travel to the Capital to face Dagenham & Redbridge after having two weeks off.

Form Guide…

The Daggers have not been in great from over recent weeks, losing four out of their last five. However, these losses have come against Forest Green Rovers, York City, Southend United in the league and Championship side Millwall in the FA Cup. The one draw during that period came against Forest Green five games ago.

The Glovers have been in as equally poor form across their last five games, with three draws and two losses. Last time out was a particularly tough loss for Mark Cooper’s men, being beaten 4-0 at Rochdale. Not only was the scoreline embarrassing, the performance was also not up to standard, according to Cooper, midfielder Brett McGavin and every one of the travelling supporters.

Brett McGavin faces the media after the 4-0 defeat at Rochdale.

Key Players…

Yeovil – Aidan Stone

Yes, he has just signed, but the goalkeeper will be crucial for the Glovers for the rest of the season. The new shot-stopper has to fill the Ollie Wright shaped hole that was left after his parent club Southampton recalled him (the loaned him out straight away, make of that what you will.) 

Having helped Port Vale to a promotion out of League 2 in 2021-22, he joined Mansfield Town and then Notts County but never really got the game time, and spent time on loan at Boston United in the National League this season. The 25-year-old will hopefully slot into the spine of the team seamlessly.

Aidan Stone

Dagenham & Redbridge – Josh Rees

The Daggers’ second top-scorer – behind ex-Glover Dion Pereria, who is expected to miss this one through injury – is a fine example of a number ten. The former Boreham Wood and Bromley man has been a thorn in Yeovil’s side with some of his former clubs and proved a good foil for strike partner Josh Umerah when the Daggers have looked good this season.

Thats what he said…

Daggers’ gaffer and former Glover Lewis Young spoke to club’s media ahead of Saturday’s fixture. He said: “We have lost three in a row, and no one wants that tag. Yeovil are coming to town having not won in seven, so we are both not in great spaces in terms of results. But in terms of performances we are very similar as well.”

Lewis Young in action for Yeovil in 2012-13. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town boss, Mark Cooper, gave his thoughts ahead of the game. He said: “They’ve showed some good bits. Lewis [Young], the manager, is trying to make his way in the game. He’s brought in a really knowledgeable assistant, Terry Connor, who I know, [is] a brilliant sounding board for Lewis. They’ve had some difficult results, Forest Green twice, York, and been narrowly on the wrong side.

 We’ve met before…

It’s been a pretty evenly matched when the two sides have met (all iterations of Dagenham & Redbridge) with 22 losses, 18 wins and 16 draws.  

When the clubs last met earlier this season, the Glovers ran out 1-0 winners in front of a home crowd. The only goal coming from on loan striker Ciaran McGuckin.

Don’t I know you…

Dion Pereira. The Daggers’ top-scorer – albeit (hopefully) not one featuring in this match – had the briefs of appearances at Huish Park. The tricky winger signed on loan from Luton Town under Darren Sarll in 2021-22, played once and then left.

Dagenham & Redbridge’s boss, Lewis Young is another ex Glover. The recently appointed manager played 17 games for Yeovil in the 12/13 season. Young, will be remembered by many for being a part of the side that got promoted to the Championship in 2013.

Terry Connor, who played for Yeovil in the 1993/94 season, is on the coaching staff at Victoria Road. Picture courtesy of Michael West, YTFC Heritage Society.

On the coaching staff at Victoria Road is Terry Connor, a striker who played for the Glovers in 1993-94 before going to on have a successful coaching career notably as Mick McCarthy’s assistant at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

Who’s been naughty then?…

Glovers’ midfielder Charlie Cooper will miss this match having picked up his tenth yellow card in the 4-0 defeat at Rochdale last time out.

SUPPORT THE GLOVERSCAST

The Gloverscast is a volunteer run website which costs money to maintain. If ever you feel like supporting with our running costs, which include our website hosting, Zoom subscription, The Daily Glove, we’d be extremely grateful for your donations.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player, Press Conferences

Port Vale loanee James Plant has told BBC Radio Somerset’s Jack Killah he’s delighted to be fit again and back at Huish Park for the rest of the season, after securing a loan move from the League Two side until the end of the campaign.

Speaking ahead of the weekend’s game with Dagenham & Redbridge he said that he was just itching to get going…in the kitchen as much as on the pitch.

“I’m really happy to be back. Obviously, [I] got back in there with the lads and [I’m] just looking forward to a game now. Can’t come fast enough, really.

Speaking about the injury which cut his previous spell on loan in Somerset, Plant said: “It was just a hamstring injury. Obviously [they’re] quite common in football, but I was gutted. I ended up doing my rehab at Vale, just a five-week period of rehab, and then did a couple of weeks training with them. Then I just asked a question: ‘Can I go back to Yeovil’? And the answer was yes. So here I am!”

Plant returned to Huish Park on the EFL’s deadline day and is looking forward to getting more game time and being on the pitch more often than not.

“I just want to play, games. Here is the place that I’m doing that. It seemed like the best thing to do. [Port Vale] were really happy about it. I think that’s what they wanted as well.

“They just wanted me playing as many games as many games as possible. So it was a bit of a setback with the injury, but hopefully we can go again now to the end of the season.

“I just want to play every game from now to the end of the season. That’s my main target. I’ll look at individual games and how I want to perform in them games, but as a whole, I just want to play every game to the end of the season.”

James Plant puts a cross in. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Plant was adamant that despite a few changes to the squad there’s still a belief the club can be successful this campaign: “We’re all aiming for the same things. [There’s] a few new faces in there that I’m getting to know, which is always good, but, yeah, similar goals.

“I just think with football, anything can happen. We’ll take it one game at a time, but there’s a lot of games coming up, and we could be in a really good position after the next two or three weeks. So we’ll just work from game to game, try and be as solid as we can, and also try and get forward, get goals, and then you never know.”

Plant’s second Glovers debut will likely come at Dagenham on Saturday – a side he’s already faced this season with the club.

“They’re a decent side. I remember we played them here. It was one of my first games, and we played really well, but they still tested us. We came away 1-0, so we were buzzing. Hopefully we can go to that place and do the same.”

James Plant. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Finally, a new loan deal brings with it, challenges for any young player, it turns out that James Plant can still turn to his Mum to help with getting creative in the kitchen… there’s a joke here about Plant-based meals… or something, you can see where we’re going with this.

“It’s first time I’ve really had to move away for football. It’s part of the part of the job. So I think it’s good for me to experience it so young, and obviously it’ll help me in the future as well. My mum’s sending me like recipes down, because I’m quite boring with my food. I’ll just cook the same thing every night, just the standard stuff, but she says she said I should try and change it!”

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Manager, Press Conferences

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said that he hopes the side’s enforced rest from competitive action will only be seen as a positive, if the group return with a ‘new energy’ heading into the final months of the season.

The Glovers haven’t played since January 25th when a second half collapse, the likes of which the England cricket team would be proud of, saw Rochdale run out 4-0 winners. 

There’s been change a plenty at Huish Park in the last few days BBC Radio Somerset’s Jack Killah started by asking about the change in goalkeeper, after Ollie Wright returned to Southampton and Aidan Stone join the club.

Ollie Wright saves low. Pic Gary Brown

Cooper said: “We got the opportunity to sign a permanent goalkeeper through circumstance really, that somebody that’s moved into the area. It’s something that we felt, for the long term future, we had to do. Obviously Southampton recalled Ollie, and he’s gone straight back out to Solihull. So, I think we can look at it from Ollie’s point of view, as a really positive loan. He played every minute of every game, and he’s gone away from here having a really positive experience.

“[Aidan’s] got a little bit more experience. He’s played League football. He’s played in a promotion final in League Two and won it with Port Vale, so he understands. He can kick the ball a long way, which will help us. Just [adds] a bit of experience. It’s no slight on Ollie, the only thing was it was a chance for us to get a permanent player.”

Aidan Stone will be joined at Huish Park another player with Port Vale connections. Vale’s James Plant returned to the club on loan for the remainder of the season, something which seems to have gone down well with, well, everyone!

“Of course, you always want as many good players as you can, and we’ve missed James and and he did great for us. And like I said, we’re always trying to improve the squad, and he would definitely do that.”

James Plant. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

Following the departure of Matt Worthington the question of who takes the title of ‘club captain’ and who leads the side out was raised with plenty of the senior Yeovil players having worn the armband this season, but Cooper sees the armband as something fairly symbolic and wants multiple players to show leadership on and off the field.

“Jake Wannell was captain for the last game. The captaincy for me is just an armband. I think you need 11 captains, and there’s different kind of captains. You lead by example on the pitch, you rant, rave, scream, shout. But, you need lots of different captains in different areas of the pitch. So for me, it’s an armband, unless you’ve got one real standout candidate. I think those days are gone now. Where you get your Vinnie Jones, Terry Butcher [ed. or Skiverton, maybe?], Tony Adams. I think those, those kind of captains are not about as much now. So Jake Wannell will continue to to be the captain at the moment, and he’s got all the credentials and attributes.”

Jake Wannell. Pic Gary Brown

Speaking of the break, Cooper was keen to emphasise that hitting the ground running heading into four games against sides who currently sit below the Glovers in the table, was key.

“I think it was good for us to reset and digest and have a look where we were. The reset only works if you come in with a new energy. It doesn’t work if it’s just back to the same old. So, we’ve tried to change a few things and give it a real new energy and a new feel about it, and be a bit more front foot. It’s been a really good week.”

Speaking of the first of those opponents, Dagenham, who have played and lost twice since the Glovers last played, the manager said: “They’ve showed some good bits. Lewis [Young], the manager, is trying to make his way in the game. He’s brought in a really knowledgeable assistant, Terry Connor, who I know, [is] a brilliant sounding board for Lewis. They’ve had some difficult results, Forest Green twice, York, and been narrowly on the wrong side. That can happen and I’m sure they’ll be looking to bounce back on Saturday. 

With an eye on the game, the Glovers will have a new look midfield as Charlie Cooper starts the first of a two-game ban for the accumulation of  10-yellow cards, but says that everyone else is fit… we’re not sure if that means Aaron Jarvis’ hamstrings have healed VERY quickly or if his absence was kind of assumed.

Finally, as an aside, the manager was asked about the National League’s ‘3 Up’ campaign, an effort to try and secure a third promotion spot from the National League to the Football League. The gaffer is on board.

“I think it should happen because, I think if you look at the league above, four promotion places, so four up, two down didn’t really make sense. It should be a meritocracy, really. It should be the same in our level where there’s more teams going up. I think back in the day, people would say, ‘I’m not sure the Non-League teams could cope with going full time’. Everybody’s ready now, at our level – everybody’s ready and could handle it. I think it is 15 ex-League teams in the National League Premier. I think it would make it even more interesting. It’s definitely something that I think should be pushed through. But it’s turkeys voting for Christmas. And, if you’re in a bottom seven, eight of League Two, you’re not going to vote for another place going down. I think they have to get 70/75% of the vote as well. So I can’t see EFL, League Two Chairman, Chief Execs voting for it, but I think that should be something that should be forced through. Fingers crossed.”