Survival in the National League Premier Division is now a mathematical certainty for Yeovil Town, but it was Groundhog Day again as the injury-ravaged Glovers went down to defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday. Dave was watching in on the stream and here are his conclusions – expect Jed Ward to be brilliant, us to have lots of injuries and there to be a need for investment this summer.
582 heroes: The first conclusion of this match has to be that away end. 582 Yeovil Town supporters made the 150-mile round trip on a bank holiday for a fixture which meant very little to us at the end of a season to forget – on top of the season to forget before that. And they did not stop singing and supporting their team for the entire 90 minutes. Yes, we supporters have our moans and groans, but if anyone ever thought to question the commitment we have to this club, the response is right there. The Man/Woman/Child of the Match without question.
What I wouldn’t give for Aaron Blair up front: Before the match, Yeovil boss Billy Rowley was singing the praises of Aaron Blair and the Eastleigh striker showed exactly why with his performance. Even if you put aside two very different goals – the first a poacher’s finish and the second a lovely chip over Jed Ward – Blair and his strike partner Harvey Saunders did not give the Glovers’ defence a moment’s peace all match. Full of energy, a complete pest to play against, makes lovely runs in behind and he knows where the goal is.
The Jed Ward Show – again!: How many times have we written this?! I’d say give Steve Evans at Bristol Rovers a blank cheque, but given his previous with financial misdeeds, that may not be wise. In all seriousness though, has one player ever stood so far head and shoulders above everyone else in the Player of the Season vote? In the first 30 seconds he air kicked at a ball and almost let Blair in, but he more than made up for it with another string of outstanding saves. Some goalkeeper.
Dead on our feet or simply not interested: It’s been said in conclusions for weeks, but we have players who are literally running on empty. James Daly and Brett McGavin both played through injury and illness, Joy Mukena was so injured he came on and then came off again and these are the players that started against Eastleigh. The “small squad of quality” which was the brainchild of former boss Mark Cooper is really coming back to bite now. There were players out there putting their bodies on the line on Monday, but there were some who simply looked disinterested. With safety now mathematically assured, I think I would rather give the Under-19s who at least looked like they care a taste of first-team action than some of these others.
Let’s do our part as supporters: Saturday’s visitors to Huish Park, FC Halifax Town, still have a (very) outside chance of the play-offs and then it’s the small matter of a trip to title-chasing York City the following weekend. It is going to be a tough ride for the next couple of weeks and whoever turns out in green-and-white between now and the end of the season is going to need every boost they can get. The unbelievable support which was at Eastleigh and that which has been at Huish Park in recent week is the perfect example of what we can do to help. We’re across the mathematical safety line now, we just need to close this season out. The Community can remain Calm and supportive and then it’s over to the owners to show their commitment to Competitiveness in the summer.