It’s the return of the FA Cup this weekend, as Yeovil make their way to Hemel Hempstead to face of in the fourth qualifying round on Saturday.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
As we all know, form goes out the window when it come to cup competitions, especially in the FA Cup. The competition can make or break so many smaller clubs seasons, and even if the top 6 find it a burden, the magic is still there for the likes Glovers.
Yeovil are famed for their giant killings in this competition, but the club hasn’t reached the first round proper since 2023, when they were knocked out in the second round, to the glitz and glamour of Wrexham.
Over the last five games it has been solid for the Glovers with three wins and two losses. One of those losses cam last time out to Boreham Wood as Richard Dryden’s men were soundly beaten 0-3 at home.
Hemel Hempstead
The Tudors began their FA Cup exploits in the second of qualifying, where they faced Bishop Stortford, 4-1. They then drew Hereford in the next round, which went to a replay, after drawing 2-2 at Vauxhall Road. It was then off to Hereford for the replay, where Hemel came out on top with a convincing 0-3 victory.
The Hertfordshire side are unbeaten over their last five games, which includes their three cup games. Last time out The Tudors faced struggling Chippenham Town side which they one 0-1, thanks to a goal from forward Millar Matthews-Lewis.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – Junior Morias
Although quiet in recent games, the FA Cup could be the perfect opportunity to reignite the Jamaicans spark. Morias has scored goals wherever he has gone, but he needs to be playing in a position that suits him.
In the recent games where he has been less involved Dryden has deployed him as a left-winger. However, when Morias was playing arguably his best football so far this season, Mark Cooper had him playing centrally in-behind the striker/s. It is understandable that he needs to play where the team needs him, but also to get the best of him and to make him the key player that he was for those three fixtures, Morias needs to be through the middle.
We here that Cup games can take pressure of teams and players, something different to focus on, and utilised properly Morias could cause havoc against lower-league opposition.
Pic – Gary Brown
Hemel Hempstead – Millar Matthews-Lewis
Matthews-Lewis has been a handful for opposition teams this season. Since joining from Farnborough FC in the summer, the forward has bagged five goals in the league so far this season. In the games against Hereford the striker was a dangerous presence for Hemel contributing twice across both pictures. The first of his goals came in the original tie, where he equalised late on to send the fixture to a replay. Matthews-Lewis then opened the scoring in said replay, converting an indirect free-kick from edge of the six yard box.
The youngster is one of many talented striker to have played for Farnborough which includes the likes of Jamie Cureton and Michael Folivi. He will definitely be making sure the Yeovil centre backs will have their work cut out.
THE GAFFER…
Lee Allinson is the man who has the pleasure of leading out The Tudors every week. The former midfielder has a very short managerial career having only retired six years ago.The 41-year-olds first steps into management came at Biggleswade Town where he stayed for six months before joining Hendon.
Hendon is where Allinson then stayed for five years, before signing as manager for Hemel in 2024. In his first full season in charge he has the Tudors playing good football with his side currently sat 6th in the National League South.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The Glovers last met The Tudors back at the start of 2024 in Yeovil’s National league South title winning season. The game ended in a 2-0 win for The Glovers at Huish Park, with both goals coming from Sam Pearson.
The only other time the two teams have met was at Vauxhall Park, in the same season, this time however Hemel won 1-0, with Joe Iaciofano getting the only goal.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
Jake Gray – The midfielder had an up and down time in Somerset. Gray joined the club in 2017 from Luton with high expectations, but never really delivered on the talent that he shown on occasions, leaving for Woking in 2019.
Gray will forever be remembered for his announcement video, where the clubs media guru at the time, Alex O’Loughlin, used Snapchat maps to introduce him to Glovers fans.
Jevani Brown also spent the entirety of pre-season with the Glovers as a trialist, but never went on to sign on at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Richie Watkins is the man in the middle, he’s taken charge of seven Hemel games in his career – no side has seen him more! He’s also been looking after games involving Yeovil twice in the past. Read more here.