You’re probably thinking to yourself, “I’m sure i’ve read this preview before”…. and you’d be right, you have, I’ve just switched a few names around and left it as it was for the first tie… I’m a busy guy, dont judge, alright.
Anyway…
First thing is first – Tickets for Glovers fans appear to be SOLD OUT, because you’re a crazy/brilliant (delete as appropriate) bunch, for the lucky 800 or so who are heading to the sea side, the Ciderspace Away Guide has been put together, by Hugh – legend.
W*ymouth Yeovil make the short journey up down the A37 in worse form than the W*ymouth Yeovil Town side they will face in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round (replay) tie at Huish Park on Saturday The Bob Lucas Stadium on Tuesday, following their 1-1 draw at the weekend.
Having avoided the drop straight back to National League South after relegation was cancelled last season, the Terras picked up a couple of impressive wins including a 4-3 victory at Solihull Moors where they were 4-1 up.
But that victory on September 4 was there last with five defeats and two draws, leaking 15 goals in the process.
To trot out the cliches, this is a local derby and an FA Cup tie to boot though, and therefore we can assume the form book is headed somewhere out the window – that’s the theory at least.
Another record which is not lost on manager Brian Stock is that it’s been 14 seasons since the seagull botherers made the competitions first round.
Talking to the Dorset Echo, the boss said: “That’s something we discussed at the start of the season.
“What a great achievement it would be if we were to do that this year and knock out our local rivals. I don’t think it would be much better than that.
“It’s going to be a tough game, they’re a good team. If it was me as player, I’d be looking forward to it.
“It’s a special cup and one we’re looking to try and progress as far as we can in.
“The prize money means a lot to the club but this tie goes beyond prize money. There’s a little more at stake for everyone connected to the club.”
FROM THE MANAGER (before the first tie)
Having woken up to the fact this match is actually a derby having seemingly missed the fact after his side were turned over 3-0 on home soil in last season’s National League fixture in January, boss Brian Stock reckons his side owe the Glovers one.
He said: “We’ve put in two disappointing performances in the league and we’re looking to rectify that.
“What an atmosphere that’s going to be. There’s no easy game but given the local derby at Yeovil it’s one I’m definitely looking forward to.
“Usually revenge isn’t necessarily spoken about when teams beat you in the past but I suppose it’s something slightly different here because it’s Yeovil.
“It’s one that means a lot to the supporters. I’m sure it will be the talk of the town at the moment. It’s an exciting time.”
TEAM NEWS (before the first game)
Central defender Ben Morgan is W*ymouth manager Brian Stock’s only injury concern heading in to the weekend.
The summer signing from Gloucester City has not featured since the televised draw at home to Dover Athletic almost a month ago having suffered an Achilles injury.
Update ahead of the replay
It is thought that Brandon Goodship, ex Glover and Southend striker, may be struggling for fitness with a back problem and could be ruled out.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
As you’d imagine, there could be an awful lot of these, so we’ll keep the run-down to players likely to be involved at the weekend.
Brandon Goodship is (no longer) likely (see above) to be in the starting XI for W*ymouth and played eight times for Darren Way’s Yeovil in 2017, scoring a crucial goal in a 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge which helped keep us in the League.
He was released at the end of that campaign and dropped down to the Wessex Stadium where he scored 38 goals in his first season and 39 in his second campaign in the Southern League Premier earning him a move in to the Football League at Southend United.
Despite making more than 50 appearances for the Shrimpers, he was released following their relegation to non-League and returned to Weymouth in the summer.
Right-back Calvin Brooks spent four years in the Huish Park youth set-up but was unable to make a first-team appearance before joining Dorchester Town.
He is now a regular fixture in the Terras back line and committed his future to the club in the summer.