After a last minute heartache saw them settle for a draw on Good Friday, Yeovil Town will be looking to rise again as they travel to Eastleigh on Easter Monday.
FORM GUIDE…
It’s been a tough run of form for Eastleigh without a win in their last eight matches and than coming against relegation-haunted (and now relegated) Ebbsfleet United on home soil back at the start of March.
However, The Spitfires did have a good result on Good Friday with a 1-1 draw away at champions elect Barnet where Paul McCallum, a name synonymous with the top of the National League’s scoring charts, took advantage of a defensive mix-up to put them ahead.
This should serve as a notice to Yeovil that there is still plenty of quality in their hosts’ squad on Easter Monday. Their last three fixtures at the Silverlake Stadium have seen them beaten by Southend United and held to a draw by FC Halifax Town and Hartlepool United.
In comparison, Yeovil are in good form with three wins, Good Friday’s 1-1 draw at home to play-off candidates Forest Green Rovers, and a defeat in their last five matches.
The performance against Forest Green built on a good showing in the previous match at home to Oldham Athletic and manager Mark Cooper will be looking for his side to carry on that form on Easter Monday.
KEY PLAYERS
Yeovil Town – Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Who would have bet on Sonny being a key player a couple of months ago? Having been a regular until the end of November, the 4-0 defeat at York City seemed to be the death knell for his career at Huish Park. The former Watford youngster disappeared with a mystery injury and was reportedly placed on the transfer list and had a trial in the Middle East.
Then, come the home match against Tamworth in mid-February, he was back and straight in the starting XI. Since then he has been a revelation, leaving fans wondering where was he during those dark months.
Those last few games I talk about have been the last two in particular, at home to Oldham and then Forest Green on Good Friday. Lo-Everton has scored three in two for the Glovers, showing that he can be a crucial cog in the midfield for Mark Cooper. With three games to go, will the midfielder add more.
Eastleigh – Tyrese Shade
The winger has been the main man for Eastleigh this season with 12 goals to his name and eight assists.
It’s not only been his goal contributions but the fact he has stayed fit almost all season. Shade has got over 3,200 minutes in 40 appearances for the Spitfires. The last four games have been slow for the St Kitts & Nevis international, with just the one assist.
THAT’S WHAT HE SAID
Eastleigh manager and former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis spoke about the match following the 1-1 draw at Barnet in Good Friday’s televised match. He said: “The challenge is whether we can recreate that level of focus and determination? It will be a different game, for sure, and Yeovil are going well and have picked up some strong results in recent times, so it will be a tough game. But, we are at home and we do want to finish strong and show every individual that puts on the shirt wants to give their best.”
In his post-match comments following the draw with Forest Green, Yeovil boss Mark Cooper said he expected to make changes for the match with several of the team which started on Friday having just come back from injury. He said: “The boys that were bit part today and (Jake) Wannell will have to be fit for Monday to give us a chance to put some bodies out there. The main thing for us is to get as many points as we can and carry that in to the summer, but I was really pleased today. I thought the fans were incredible, that was a real backing for the team and the boys need that every week. If you give that, I guarantee the players will run like they did again today.“
WE’VE MET BEFORE
There has only ever been nine games between the Glovers and the Spitfires, with Yeovil having the better head to head record. Yeovil have four wins, Eastleigh have two wins with there being three draws.
The teams last met on Boxing Day, where a 2-2 draw was played out. With Yeovil’s goals coming from Sean McGurk and Morgan Williams.
DON’T WE KNOW YOU?
After the Forest Green match where every other player had some kind of a connection with both clubs, Eastleigh second choice goalkeeper Tommy Scott is the only one for this match.
He started out in the Under-18s set-up at Huish Park before making the move to Southampton’s B team where he made a few appearances before dropping in to non-League where he did a tour of the South Coast with spells at Hamworthy United, Poole Town, Wimborne Town and W*ymouth before signing for Eastleigh in the summer of 2023.
WHO’S BEEN A NAUGHTY BOY THEN?
No one on Yeovil’s side is suspended.