Yeovil are back on the road this weekend as they travel to the midlands to take on the highflying Kidderminster Harriers at 3pm on Saturday.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers had a couple of weeks where things weren’t going their way: a tough loss to Southend, a hammering at Fylde, and a gutsy draw against Aldershot.
However, last time out for Yeovil, it felt like a performance we’d become accustomed to during our early-season purple patch. A 4-1 win at Huish Park under the Friday night lights gave home fans a reason to cheer, even if a ‘tactical’ change had us all worried.
Photography by Andy Preston AP Photography
Maybe we should actually be more worried about playing on a Saturday afternoon, with no win during the Saturday 3pm kickoff window. That being said we have only lost one, as we have drawn the other two. Fourth time lucky is a saying…right?
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS
Most of the time, newly promoted teams like to bed into the league, consolidate and just try to survive their first season up. Kidderminster are bucking the trend, however, and fair play to them.
Since losing their opening game of the season, the Harriers have been on a roll, with five wins and three draws from their following eight fixtures. That run of results puts them third in the league, with just Boreham Wood and Southend above them.
Last weekend, their three-game winning streak ended as Kiddie travelled to Surrey and played out a 0-0 draw with Woking. The Harriers have a habit of winning after a draw though, so the Glovers need to be watch out for a home side looking to keep their unbeaten record going.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – JOS BARKER
Time for the goalkeeper to get his flowers this season. Barker had the unfortunate job of coming into the squad this summer after all Glovers were treated to the brilliance of Jed Ward last term. Some very tough boots to fill. Has the 22-year-old filled them yet? Probably not. Will he? It’s too early to say, but what isn’t too early to say is that we have another superb keeper on our hands.
The first thing you’ll notice about the goalie is his size. He is built like he should be playing in the front row for Bath, which undoubtedly gives him a presence in his box. He also stops the ball from going in the back of the net, which is the most important thing. With a 71% save rate this season, he has definitely earned us a couple of extra points.
If there is one criticism you could have, it’s that we have only kept one clean sheet this campaign, and ultimately, that is on the whole defence and not just Barker. At such a young age, let’s hope we have found our new number one for the next couple of years.
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS – LEWIS WALKER
For the Harriers, it’s at the other end of the pitch where their real difference-maker plays. Lewis Walker joined in the summer after leaving Braintree. After being dropped following a poor showing in his first game against Hornchurch, the 27-year-old made amends when boss Paul Wotton started him in the next fixture against Aldershot, where he bagged his first goal. Since then, it has been non-stop scoring for the forward, with four goals in his next six games and an assist to boot.
The previous two games have been a bit quieter for Walker, but it isn’t for a lack of trying, with two very good match ratings in both games. He is also your classic frontman, getting into the penalty area and finishing his chances, with all five of his goals coming from no further than 12 yards out. Statistically, Walker is Kidderminster’s most prolific player this season as well, bagging a goal every 115 minutes. The Yeovil defenders will have to be wary of Walker in and around the box.
THE GAFFER…
The gaffer for Kidderminster is none other than former Glover Paul Wotton. The former midfielder made six appearances for Yeovil in 2011 during a loan spell from Southampton, before joining the club permanently at the end of that season. He would go on to play 39 games during the 2011/12 season.
The 49-year-old is best known for his time at Plymouth Argyle, where he would start and end his playing career. During his first spell at Home Park, Wotton played over 400 games across 14 years before leaving to join Southampton. Wotton would rejoin the Pilgrims in 2012, making 52 appearances before retiring in 2015.
As a manager, the ex-Glover joined Truro in 2019, where he stayed for five years before joining Torquay United. Wotton would be in the job for two years but was sacked after a 5-0 defeat to Chelmsford, before joining the Harriers in May this year. In the two games he has faced Yeovil, he has lost both.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The two sides last met over 25 years ago on the 16th April 2005. It was an away day for Yeovil that day as well, and the points were split in front of the 4,000 in attendance. Arron Davies was on the score sheet for the Glovers that day.
DON’T I KNOW YOU?
There are no players in the current Harriers squad who have played for the Glovers.
However, as mentioned above, Paul Wotton is in the dugout for Kiddie. The former Glover first made an appearance for Yeovil in the 2010/11 season after joining on loan from Southampton. Wotton rejoined the Glovers at the end of that term and would go on to play 39 times in his only season at Huish Park.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Oliver Mackey is our match official for this one and you can find out more about him Ben’s article – here.
Maybe I’m misremembering but my first ever Yeovil game I watched was against Kidderminster. I think it was scheduled for December 10 1994 but got postponed. Unless this Kidderminster Harriers is a phoenix club without its history
Hi Iain, don’t worry you’re not misremembering anything! The multiple websites I use couldn’t find any stats. But I have now found the most recent results and have updated. Thank you for your comment.
I have watched Yeovil at few times at Aggborough, including a League Cup final win (2nd leg)
Hi Dave, was my mistake, you are very much correct. The multiple websites I use for h2h stats couldn’t find any. But updated now!