Yeovil Town will be looking put their festive faux pas against Truro City behind them as the face Eastleigh under the lights on Tuesday night.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers have come unstuck in recent weeks with two losses on the trot, bringing an end to the good start under Billy Rowley. We all knew the good form would end at some point, but it seems the players have slipped into some of the same bad habits that were present in the Mark Cooper era.
Last time out, was probably one of the most disappointing performances this season losing 1-0. With respect to Truro City, Yeovil were very much the favourites going into the match, but Rowley’s men showed their frailties. The Tinners just felt more up for the match with their West Country counterparts.
The Glovers looked a lot stronger for their substitutes, especially once striker, Aaron Jarvis came on, but ultimately could not get back into the match.
Eastleigh
The Spitfires sit one spot above their opponents in the league in 14th and have shown decent form over the last five games. After losing to both Hartlepool and Rochdale 2-0 at the end of November, things have got back on track. First of all in the FA Trophy, when the beat Aldershot 2-1. That win then followed into the league as the South Coast side brushed aside Gateshead 1-3.
On Boxing Day, the Spitfires went up against Woking, as they drew 1-1 at home.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – AARON JARVIS
I have been very critical of our front line this season, with the feeling they should be providing more goals than they do. Jarvis especially has been somebody I thought was adding much when on the pitch. However, since Rowley has come in, the 27-year-old seems to have found his role in the team.
Although he has only found the net twice this season, with his second coming under the new regime, Jarvis showed his importance to the system on Boxing Day. The striker didn’t start the game and only played 25 minutes, but when he came on the Glovers looked a different side.
As one of taller, more physical forwards Jarvis adds a different dynamic for defenders to deal with. His hold up play last time out was the most notable of his attributes which helped bring over players into the game.
EASTLEIGH – NICK TOWNSEND
The Antigua and Barbuda man joined from Newport in the summer, with a good reputation having won PFA Fans Player of the Month for League Two in March. He was also awarded the clubs player of the season award as well. The shot stopper was even offered a new deal at the Welsh side but turned it down in favour of a move to the Silverlake Stadium.
The 31-year-old has shown his worth this season, keeping his side in tough fixtures, arguably making him one of, if not the best Eastleigh player this season. Although he only has three clean sheets to his name this campaign, Townsend has made 83 saves this season with a 73% save rate each game. According to Sofascore’s match rating system he has been invaluable, with an average rating of 7.21.
THE GAFFER…
Eastleigh have a man that should be recognisable to most Glover fans, with Scott Bartlett in the dugout. The 46-year-old will be most known for his time as manager of Weston-Super-Mare, where he spent the last six years as gaffer. During his time on Somerset’s north coast, Bartlett would be known for playing an attractive style of football, which got him noticed by the likes of Yeovil for managerial jobs.
The former Forest Green player, made the switch to the South Coast in September of this year and has overseen nine games to date. With two wins, two draws and five losses to his name.
Bartlett has met Yeovil twice in his career, losing both games.
LAST TIME WE MET…
When the pair met at Huish Park in the same season, it was an entertaining 2-2 draw that was played out. That day a goal from Sean McGurk looked to have sealed the Glovers a win, until the last 10 minutes, when the game burst into life. Lloyd Humphries got an equaliser for Eastleigh, before Morgan Williams looked to have again secured Yeovil the three points in the 89th minute. Richard Brinkley then got the Spitfires second equaliser in the 90th +3 minute.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
📸 Gary Brown
Ciaran McGuckin is the other of the former Glovers in the Spitfires squad. The Northern Irish man first joined on a one month loan at the start of the 2024/25 season, from Rotherham. He then returned on loan in the January of the same season. McGuckin would make 26 appearances for the Glovers scoring four goals.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Harrison Blair takes charge of the fixture, and as usual read Ben’s full article here.