Yeovil Town are back in league action this weekend with a trip to Greater Manchester, as they face Altrincham on Saturday afternoon.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers will be hoping for a win off the back of their FA Trophy progression last weekend when they faced AFC Telford United. The match against The Robins will be Billy Rowley’s men first of nine over the next month. With the amount of games to play in a short period of time a good performance and three points would see Yeovil off to a good start.
As mentioned, in the Glovers last game they faced AFC Telford United in the FA Trophy, which they won 0-2. The game was notable for two of Yeovil’s out form strikers bagging the goals. The first goal will be debated as to whether it was an own goal by Ammar Dyer or not. If you ask Harvey Greenslade though, he will claim it as to give the Glovers a 0-1 lead. The winner came in the 63rd minute when Tahvon Campbell picked up the ball and confidently paced his finish past Telford’s Josh Gracey.
ALTRINCHAM FC
The Robins have played twice in the league since the Glovers last had a league fixture. The first was a 3-1 defeat away to Carlisle. Altrincham capitulated within an eight minute period when they conceded all three goals between the 25th and 34th minute. Jimmy Knowles then got one back but proved a little to late with 20 minutes to go.
The Greater Manchester side then met a struggling Morecambe on Tuesday night at the J.Davidson Stadium. The Robins didn’t look great in the 1-1 as they again conceded first. It was then an Ollie Crankshaw goal that rescued a point.
Altincham currently sit one place below the Glovers in 16th with one win, two draws and two losses over their last five games.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JED WARD
The keeper has been the Glovers standout performer this season, keeping his side in games and making a silly amount of saves (103 to be precise). The Somerset side haven’t really had a this good a player in goal since maybe Arturo Krysiak and if not him your looking at Wayne Hennessy or Marek Stech.
Any pundit or manager will say a good side begins with its spine and a goalkeeper is the base that keeps it together, and although Yeovil may be missing the other three players in that spine, Ward is definitely a good start. And with his Bristol Rovers boss, Steve Evans, not paying attention to his scintillating form, he may be looking to catch the eye of his parent club’s gaffer.
ALTINCHAM – JIMMY KNOWLES
The forward has been The Robins’ biggest attacking threat this season, with six goals and five assists to his name. His form, if anything does not mirror that of his clubs. Whilst The Robins’ form over the last four games has seen only one win, Knowles’ performance have been his best over the season. During that time, he has a goal and two assists, and has been his sides best player in those games as well.
Although throughout his career he has probably been considered a striker, this season he has been deployed on the left wing. This change in position has led to a good season for the forward, which he will hope to take into the games against the Glovers.
THE GAFFER…
Neil Gibson is the man in the home dugout this weekend. The 46-year-old took over in November after a brief spell as caretaker manager. Gibson, has previously managed Prestatyn Town on three operate occasions, between 2007 and 2020. He then had two year spells at Flint Town United and Connah’s Quay Nomads before a very short spell at Wealdstone United.
In Gibson’s one game against the Glovers during his managerial career, he won.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The two sides last met in September last year when Yeovil took all three points in 1-0 victory at Huish Park. The Glovers goal that day came through now former player, Morgan Williams (it still hurts we know).
However, when the two sides last met in Greater Manchester, The Robins’ ran out 2-1 winners. That fixture was played April last year, with the home side taking the lead in the 30th minute through Tyler Golden. The Glovers then equalised two minutes later through centre back Frankie Terry. However, Altrincham took all there points late on, as Lewis Baines bagged the winner in the 88th minute.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
Three names that will be recognisable to Glovers fans to look out for. The first is defender Billy Sass-Davies, who made 22 appearances whilst on loan from Crewe Alexandra back in 2022. The former Welsh youth player scored one goal in that time.
The second player to look out for is Otis Khan. The winger has had two spells at Huish Park, first of all between 2016-2018. The 30-year-old then rejoined Yeovil on loan at the back end of last season. Across his spells Khan has made 92 appearances.
The last of the trio is Josh Grant, who played for the Glovers at the. back end of the 18/19 season from Chelsea, he would play eight games.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Gareth Thomas is the man in charge for this fixture. For more information on him and his team for Saturday night check out Ben’s article – here.