Back-to-back games at Huish Park for Yeovil Town this week as they host Boston United this Saturday afternoon.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The good start to the season continues for the Glovers after they split the points on Tuesday night with Worthing 1-1.
It was billed as a tough game for Yeovil, and it proved just that, as the home side conceded just before the half-hour mark, with Razzaq Coleman De Graft breaking the deadlock.
A Brett McGavin free-kick then caused confusion and eventually found its way into the net straight after the half-time break, with the goal being awarded as an own goal to Worthing defender Joe Cook.
The result sees the Glovers stay in sixth place but improves their unbeaten record to four games.
BOSTON UNITED
Boston United have been very up and down start to the new season, which is probably why they currently lie 19th in the table. Their position in the league is perhaps a little unfair, with strong wins against Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham showing the quality The Pilgrims have in their side.
It’s been inconsistency that has cost them, though, with no solid run of form to push them up the table. However, last time out, a 1-1 draw away to FC Halifax on Tuesday night could give the today’s visitors to Huish Park side a bit of a boost as they head from Lincolnshire to Somerset.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – RYAN JONES
The chatter amongst the Glovers faithful has, rightfully so, been about the future of captain Luke McCormick. But when a story like that rears its head, it’s easy to forget about the great players we still have at our disposal. One such player is Ryan Jones.
The right-sided midfielder has been integral to the creative plan that Billy Rowley wants to implement. He hugs the touchline, gets into the attacking areas well and has the final product, whether it be assists or a goal or two.
What I find interesting about the 24-year-old, though, is that he kind of goes under the radar. Maybe that’s because he is Mr Consistent – you know what you’re going to get, and people just expect him to play well. For me, that should be rewarded. Look at the likes of James Milner, a model of consistency who never gets the credit he deserves.
A quick stat on Jones, however, is that whenever he has got an assist in a game this season, Yeovil have not won, with two losses and two draws to date.
BOSTON UNITED – JAMIE GRIMES
The left-back is certainly a stalwart of this Pilgrims defence. Through 11 league games this season, the defender has not missed a minute. The more impressive stat is that he is doing this at the ripe old age of 35. Now, in real terms, that is young, but for footballers, the legs should have gone by now, but they haven’t.
The veteran has impressed in the attacking areas as well, with two goals and an assist. For a more defensive full-back, that is a good return on investment, I’d say. Outside of his performances, Grimes adds experience, and in a side that needs calmer heads to prevail amid their patchy form, he can add that in bucketloads.
Back on the pitch, he wins the majority of his aerial duels, so don’t expect there to be many long balls targeting Yeovil’s right side. He is rarely beaten by a dribble, but can be susceptible to making errors that lead to a shot.
THE GAFFER…
A big name in Football League management has found his way back to Boston, with Paul Hurst now in the dugout for the Pilgrims. As a player, the 52-year-old played over 500 games for Rotherham between 1993 and 2008 before hanging up his boots following a loan spell at Burton.
It was quickly on to management for the former left-back, as he became joint manager of Ilkeston alongside former teammate Rob Scott in 2009. The two were swiftly on the move, joining Boston for two years before resigning. They then joined Grimsby a day later, where the pair jointly managed the Mariners until 2013, when Scott was dismissed for gross misconduct. This led to Hurst beginning his solo managerial career, staying at Grimsby for another three years.
Spells at Shrewsbury, Ipswich and Scunthorpe followed for Hurst before he returned to the Mariners in 2020, spending another three years there. Another spell at Shrewsbury followed before he left the club in 2024.
Hurst returned to the Boston Community Stadium in January last year. The 52-year-old is unbeaten against Yeovil in four games, with four wins to his name.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The last couple of meetings between the sides have been split, with Boston winning the most recent match-up.
Cast your mind back to a 2-1 defeat March this year, when the Glovers travelled to the Boston Community Stadium looking to claim a win. Aaron Jarvis looked to get Yeovil off to a good start, opening the scoring after just 16 minutes.
However, it was downhill from there, with the away side conceding just six minutes later when Jake Rooney equalised. It was then a ghost of Glovers past who secured the win, as Jody Hiwula netted in the 73rd minute to secure the points for the Pilgrims.
The last time the two met at Huish Park however, the score was 2-1 to Yeovil, as Luke McCormick double secured all three points for the Glovers.
DON’T I KNOW YOU?
No ex-Glovers in the Boston squad to look out for on Saturday for the home crowd.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Rob Massey-Ellis is our match official for this one and you can find out more about him Ben’s article – here.