Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves is hoping to have more players in before the first home pre-season friendly against Exeter City at the weekend.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw at National League South newcomers Taunton Town on Tuesday night, the boss said he hoped to have “a couple of bodies” in by the time the League One new boys arrive at Huish Park.

Chris Hargreaves talks to the club’s YouTube channel.

He also revealed that some of the trialists who featured in the game in the county town last night could return for that fixture, and that he is looking to get midfielder Lawson D’Ath and forwards Charlie Wakefield and Ollie Hulbert back after they missed the first friendly through injury.

The manager said: “I have so much admiration for the way Exeter do their business, the way they recruit and coached, so it will be another really good test.

I am hoping to have another couple of bodies in the building before that game and hopefully some injuries back.”

Full-back Chiori Johnson, released by Torquay United at the end of last season, played most of the game at Wordsworth Drive with a midfielder, believed to be former AFC Telford man Dominic McHale, playing the first half before being replaced by Bristol-born striker Scott Wilson, who had a brief spell at Aldershot Town last season.

There were a large number of other trialists who took to the pitch in the second half as Hargreaves rang the changes – but we’re not certain on their identities.

Dominic McHale…..probably. Picture courtesy of Will Jones.

On the trialists, the manager added: “It’s so difficult for these lads, they are giving everything for a short amount of time and we’ve got to make quick decisions.

I think a couple showed glimpses of what they can do and one or two will be invited back because we have got to build this squad and we need to unearth some gems and this is the way to do it in pre-season.”

Hargreaves described the injuries to D’Ath, Wakefield and Hulbert was “not long-term worries” but said he left them out of the fixture as a precaution.

The game ended goalless with Tom Knowles seeing a second half penalty saved by Taunton keeper Will Buse, who is born and lives in Yeovil.

On the match, the manager said: “It was a good test. They are in the league below us now, they have a lot of ex-pros, a lot of lads released from pro clubs.

“First half I think we probably rushed things and then in the second half we had a lot more chances, especially when they tired.

“We had the penalty, but we’ve also hit the post, the keeper has made a really good save and on another day we might have got a couple of goals. I was just pleased with the resilience and organisation when needed.

“The injuries to Lawson D’Ath, Charlie Wakefield and Ollie Hulbert at the moment, so we had to change things a bit and that meant (new signing striker) Malachi (Linton) was a bit isolated at times.

“But pre-season is the time to try things and see what these boys are good at and what they need help with and I also have to manage minutes.

“I don’t want to kill them early on, so I made a lot of changes in the second half and we had a team of trialists and young players, but they still understand their roles and responsibilities.

Another new signing, midfielder Sam Perry, was put straight in the side following his arrival on a season-long loan from League Two Walsall on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old played played the first hour on a hot night in Somerset and Hargreaves said he saw enough to make him believe he will be a good addition.

He said: “He’s got the right mentality, he’s played League Two football and has the bit between his teeth.

We saw glimpses of it, he understands the game and he knows when to play and when to dictate the tempo and when to go a bit longer.

He’s a young lad with a lot to learn, but he’s a really good character and one the lads I am sure will enjoy being around.”


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