Yeovil Town have a long away trip to the Northeast on Saturday as they face Gateshead in the Enterprise National League.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
What a difference a week makes. Going into last Saturday’s match against Morecambe it looked rather glum for the Glovers, no wins in three and needing to pick up points in the next three games. A good result against Morecambe and an improved performance got the team off on the right foot. Then it was onto Wednesday night against Wealdstone.
Yeovil look strong away from home a ran out 0-2 winners, even if Troy Perrett was for some harshly sent off. That red card didn’t stop the Glovers, but the stones didn’t exactly grasp the opportunity with two hands. Goals either side of the half from Terrell Works and man of the moment, James Daly secured all three points.
Now with two wins from those important fixtures, hopefully Billy Rowley‘s men can pick up nine points in a week to help stay up.
GATESHEAD
It’s fair to say the season has been turbulent for the Tynesiders. Currently sat 20th in the league, they have been hovering around there for the majority of the season. However, in the last five games they have been steadily picking up points with two wins, two draws and a loss.
It was last time out, that may put shivers down the spines of Yeovil fans as they cruised to a 3-1 win against York City. Many may right this as a one off, but even at that scoring three past a team in second is nothing to be sniffed at. and even more impressively keep York, a side with 105 goals in the league, to just the one is something that should worry any travelling supporter.
Keaton Ward gave Gateshead the lead on the stroke of halftime. Ashley Boatswain then doubled his teams advantage just after the hour mark and Louis Storey completed the rout five minutes from time. York late consolation was thanks to an Ollie Pearce goal in the third minute of added time.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JAMES DALY
James Daly. That’s it. I don’t know what else to say that I haven’t already said, he is quickly becoming, if not already the most integral player in the side. He may even give Luke McCormick and Jed Ward a run for their money when it comes to player of the season.
GATESHEAD – ADAM DESBOIS
It’s not often I give goalkeepers, beside Jed Ward, as a key player to watch. Desbois was signed at the start of March and has made an impact straight away. His been more than solid at the back for his side which has led to the rest of the team having confidence. In his seven games at the club, Gateshead have only lost once, with Desbois only conceding seven in that time. It will be a tough ask for Yeovil to break down the brick wall that is Brooks.
THE GAFFER…
Rob Elliot is back in charge for Yeovil’s visit to the north east after being reappointed as manager in January this year. Elliot will be known to most as a former Premier League keeper for nearby rivals Newcastle United. Although the 39-year-old had a long playing career spanning 20 years, he was considered a backup for most of that time.
As manager, Elliot had a great start to life when he took over at Gateshead, after retiring as player at the club. In his first season with the Tynesiders he led them to the playoffs, only to see this side barred after they could not secure a “10-year security of tenure” for their stadium. He also led Gateshead to their first ever trophy that season, when they beat Solihull Moores in the FA Trophy.
After going unbeaten to the start of the 2024/25 season, Elliot was appointed manager at Crawley Town. He was subsequently sacked as their manager in March 2025 after a run of poor results.
He has faced Yeovil twice before, winning one and losing one.
LAST TIME WE MET…
Look away Yeovil fans, or perhaps rejoice, as the last time these two sides met in August, signalled the end of Mark Cooper‘s tenure at Huish Park. What caused that end, was 3-4 defeat that the Glovers should have won. Yeovil went 3-0 up inside the first half, with goals from Josh Sims, Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade look to give the home side an unassailable lead.
Gateshead had other ideas, as Kyle Hirst got one back just after half-time. Ex-Glover, Frank Nouble, then got in on the action 10 minutes later. The Tyneside’s weren’t done yet as they then equalised through Kain Adom on 73 minutes. And the capitulation was complete eight minutes into stoppage time Adom got his brace and sealed the win.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Dean Watson will be the man with the whistle on Saturday afternoon. For more on him and his team read Ben’s article here.