Yeovil Town travel to the South-coast as they take on Eastleigh down in Hampshire on Easter Monday afternoon.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The back end of this season has been more up and down than a heartbeat monitor. We win two games, lose two game and then win another game. The inconsistency would be worrying if we were’t all but safe and it wasn’t the end of the campaign, the only thing I hope with this spell is that it doesn’t carry into next season.
In the last game it was another case of fatigue being the name of the game for Yeovil, although they ended up winning 1-0. It say a lot I think for how tired the squad is when the goal comes from the newest player in the team, Will Merry, in the 95th minute. Even the newer loan recruits have looked jagged, but we were all merry at the end of that Truro game.
EASTLEIGH
It’s been tough for the Spitfires over recent game, with just four points since the 25th February. That run of poor form has left Eastleigh in 20th position, hovering around the relegation zone. With other teams around them now picking up points, they will be up for this match.
One of those four points was in the Spitfires most recent game against Woking on Good Friday. That match was one of either poor defending or great goalscoring, depending on which side of the fence you sit. The fixture finished 3-3 with Eastleigh 3-1 up with 15 minutes to go.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JED WARD
It was the Jed Ward show again, and I’m thankful for him being in this side, this season. As I’ve said many a time this season, Ward is one of, if not the main reason we have stayed in games and even won games. The last games was no different. The 22-year-old showed once again why I wont be surprised if he is his parent clubs, Bristol Rovers, first choice next season.
It was multiple great saves from the young the shot stopper that kept the Glovers going during a tired looking first half. I think we can safely put our player of the month in the conversation for one of great loan players here at Huish Park.
Pic c/o Gary Brown
EASTLEIGH – AARON BLAIR
Blair has been in the same rut as his team in the last month and a half, and his dip in form may have contributed to some of the poor form. However, he has arguably been the best player for the Hampshire side this season. With four games left of the campaign, the 25-year-old has been the go to man when his side have needed a goal.
The forward has scored 15 times so far this term and although he hasn’t found the net since his double against Brackley Town a month ago. He did however chip in with two assist last time out. But one thing that is for sure he will be wanting to put the currnt drought to bed.
THE GAFFER…
Eastleigh will be welcoming Yeovil to the Silverlake with an interim boss at the helm. The man in charge is Richard Hill, a man that may be not known to many. The 62-year-old had a playing career that spanned 10-years from 1982-1992, featuring for the likes of Northampton, Watford and Oxford United during that time.
Since retiring from playing, Hill has had a very nomadic career, from being advisor to the Ethiopian national team to managing FC Kairat in the Kazakhstan Premier league. When closer to home, the Hinkley man has been in charge at Stevenage, Whitehawk and Eastleigh on three previous occasions.
Surprisingly, Hill has never managed a game against the Glovers.
LAST TIME WE MET…
Eastleigh has been a bit of a bogey team for Yeovil in recent seasons with no wins since 2023. The previous fixture between the sides was at the end of December, when they drew 1-1. Yeovil took the lead in 28th minute through Luke McCormick, before Aaron Blair netted a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
The last game in Hampshire was a win for the home side thanks to a Chris Maguire goal in the first half.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Ross Martin will be the man with the whistle on Tuesday evening For more on him and his team read Ben’s article here.