Yeovil Town play host to Southend United in what is arguably the tie of the FA Cup Fourth qualifying round this weekend.
The game see’s the top team in the National League South take on a Shrimpers team that will be looking to show their potential new owners what they can do.
The Glovers who are on a six game winning streak will be hoping the home crowd advatage will play in their favour once more.
The Essex side come into their first cup game of the season off the back of two straight wins, with their previous a 2-0 victory over ex-Glover boss Darren Sarll.
Yeovil Town News
Manager Mark Cooper is hoping to “ride the momentum” created at Huish park this season. He said: “There’s a good feel about the place and a really good atmosphere when we play (at Huish Park) and we have to keep that going and ride the momentum and see how far it will take us. I am sure they have looked at us and are thinking ‘they’re not bad’.”
Cooper is under no illusion how difficult a game this will be for his team. He was keen to point out that the National League side will be boosted by fans who have “got their club back.”
The 54-year-old also made it clear that The Shrimpers wont be bothered by coming to Huish Park. He said: “Their fans have been magnificent throughout all the recent troubles, similar to Yeovil. But they can get 7,000 without trying and I would suggest they are on the way back now.
“They won’t be fussed about coming to Huish Park, we have to make it a really uncomfortable afternoon for them on the pitch.”
The Somerset sides longest serving player, Matty Worthing also gave his thoughts on the upcoming fixture. He said: “We are more than capable [of beating Southend]. A lot of the squad have played in that league [National League] and higher, so there is no fear from our perspective.
“We are looking forward to it and if we play the way we have been, it will be a great game.”
The game also see’s Rhys Murphy and Jake Hyde go up against their former team.
The only player to miss out for Yeovil is Jamie Sendles-White with an achilles injury. Jordan Stevens and Charlie Cooper return.
Southend Team News
Boss Kevin Maher was complimentary of the Glovers when speaking to the clubs YouTube channel. He said: “Yeovil are doing ever so well and we know we’ve got to perform. They’re in a different place to when we went there last year and they’ve got some continuity with the manager.”
The Shrimpers legend has experience with teams in the South West as he was coach and caretaker manager at rivals Bristol Rovers for a couple of seasons.
The ex-Ireland youth team player was also happy to see two of his former players doing well. He said: “They’re both great lads. I’m glad to see Murph’s scoring goals and Hydey’s off the mark as well so I’m really pleased for them and it’ll be good to see them.”
Southends very own stalwart Jason Demetriou also spoke to club media ahead of the game. He said: “It would’ve been nice to get a nearer draw. We know some of the boys.
“We haven’t been as confident going into the FA Cup becasue of league form. But where we have good form now, everyones looking forward to the weekend, so it’s a positive and if we beat them will see what happens after that.”
The key man for the Essex club will be striker Harry Cardwell who has bagged 10 goals in 15 games this season, which see’s him tied for second in the goalscorer standings.
5️⃣ goals in 4️⃣ games for Harry Cardwell! pic.twitter.com/bhXGjLbSZT
— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) October 4, 2023
Southend will be without Mauro Vilhete and Brooklyn Kabongolo who are both cup tied. Luis Lomas, Collin Adeng-Ndi, Dan Mooney and ex-Town full-back Nathan Ralph are all out with injury. Midfielder Noor Husin is unavailble after being called up for internationl duty and Defender Wesley Fonguck is touch and go.
Good piece but theres’s no apostrophe in ‘sees’ ?