It’s back to National League South action for Yeovil as they travel to face an improving Hampton & Richmond side.
The Glovers go into the match in fine fettle after beating lower league AFC Stoneham 7-1 last week in the F.A. Cup.
The Beavers have also come into some form recently after a slow start to the season, picking up just one win in their opening seven fixtures. Now unbeaten in three in all competitions, the London side will want to build on their improving form.
Their last outing saw ex-Glovers’ striker Ben Seymour on target in a 2-1 win at Southall in the FA Cup. Check out a stunning 90th-minute winner from midfielder Sam Deadfield later in this preview.
Yeovil Team News:
Manager Mark Cooper believes his team aren’t yet playing at their full potential. He said: “ I think we’ve settled but there’s still improvements… I still think there’s loads, I still think we’ve got 30%-40% left to develop and we’re not as fluent as I would like.”
Cooper does feel that “freak results” have lead to an “open league” but believes that it will “settle down once the yellow balls come out.”
The former Swindon Town manager reiterated his stance on every game being tough and feels Hampton & Richmond will have some tricky players. He said: “Obviously there’s a wealth of experience in there this year and it makes life easier in terms of delegation around the dressing room and around the club things kind of look after themselves a bit more.”
Glovers’ captain Josh Staunton spoke highly of the dressing atmosphere at the club. He said: “
The ex-Halifax Town man believes his team will “get the job done” if they “focus on themselves.”
The only missing player for Yeovil is defender Jamie Sendles-White, who has been missing since the 3-2 away win at Weston-super-Mare where he picked up an Achilles injury.
Hampton & Richmond News
Hampton & Richmond manager (and former Yeovil Town loanee) Mel Gwinnett spoke briefly about the Yeovil game, saying how “massive” the game is for his team.
Gwinnett does believe his team have the necessary quality to put and end to shaky start to the season. Speaking following a 2-1 FA Cup win at Southall and the weekend, he said: “Technically they are all good footballers but they just make poor decisions, all their best attacks came off us on the ball. That has been a bit of a story of our season so far.
“We lost three on the spin and now we are three unbeaten on the spin…The one thing I have got is a team that can change shape.”
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
The London team have two ex-Glovers amongst their squad in captain midfielder Jake Gray and striker Ben Seymour. Those two are also the two main threats for The Beavers.
And, yes, Gwinnett himself had a spell on loan at Huish Park in the late 1980s. [Thanks to reader Phil Sparks for the tip – Editor]. Having requested a transfer from Exeter City in 1988, Gwinnett was sent out on loan to Huish before signing permanently for a lesser club on the south Dorset coast in March 1989. Initially on loan before Gerry Gow brought him to W*ymouth in a £10,000 deal which saw Richard Cooper also cross the border…..and the Terras were eventually relegated. Good work Agents Cooper, Gow and Gwinnett.
There are no players missing for Hampton & Richmond.
Mel Gwinnett. Presumably the ex Exeter and Yeovil goalie. Very good with his feet before goalies had to be.