Yeovil Town are back in action on Saturday, as they face Hemel Hempstead at Huish Park, after an impromptu winter break.
With Aveley competing in the FA Trophy last weekend, the Glovers squad had a well earned break, giving them time to recharge the batteries for the run in.
Hemel haven’t had the luxury of 11 days off, with them playing against Tonridge Angels last weekend. The game saw the Tudors run out 2-0 winners, with debutant Michael Folivi scoring.
Yeovil Town Team News
New signing Sam Pearson is expected to go straight into the match day squad for this game with Mark Cooper saying pre-match that the Glovers have just 16 players at their disposal for the game.
Once you’ve finished with your fingers and toes, you might expect that only Jordan Stevens is a certain absentee for the game – the pacey winger expected back in the fold from the end of the month.
But there might be one or two other knocks and niggles which wont need to be rushed back into action ahead of plan.
Following the Glovers’ last outing against Taunton, both Jay Foulston and Dylan Morgan are back in contention after sitting out as part of the deals that took them from Wordsworth Drive to Huish Park.
Barnet loanee Courtney Senior has returned to the Bees following the conclusion of his one month stay at Huish Park.
As a point of note, Jordan Young is listed as having nine yellow cards, one more and he’ll sit two games out.
The Glovers have an unbeaten record at Huish Park to defend.
Hemel Hempstead Team News
Hemel boss Brad Quinton gave his thoughts ahead of the game. He said: “Yeovil are where they are and they deserve to be, with their money and being huge club.
“We’re looking forward to it, the boys want to play and after performances like that (vs Tonbridge) it’s making my job harder, because who wouldn’t want to be playing against Yeovil Town.”
The former Welling man claimed his squad “Will be gagging at the bit” to “put in a performance like the last time”.
New signing Michael Folivi will be a name for Glovers to watch out for, the frontman has scored seven goals in seventeen appearances in the league this season.
Defender Montel McKenzie is suspended for the game which will be a miss for Hemel after his performance against the Glovers earlier in the season.
? David Coates
Last time the sides met…
The previous fixture this season between these two was the first game of the season, which saw Yeovil lose 1-0.
In a game of two-halves, the first 45 minutes saw Yeovil dominate but they were unable to break the dead-lock. Both Rhys Murphy and Jordan Marguire-Drew had goals ruled out for offside.
The second-half was very much dominated by the Tudors, who had a chance to score through Joe Iaciofano but was denied by Will Buse. Monetel McKenzie had two efforts go over the bar, but a goal from hosts’ striker Iaciofano ten minutes from time was the difference. He capitalised on an error by Glovers’ keeper Will Buse who was involved in a calamitous mix-up with wing-back Zac Bell.
A lot has happened since the 5th August however, the Glovers have gone on a record winning streak taking them 13 points clear at the top of the league. Hemel have been relatively stable sitting mid table, but have picked up form in recent weeks winning four form five.
Other fixtures in the NLS…
Here’s who else is in action – teams in bold are those that will start Saturday in the Play-Offs who we would quite like to lose… please.
Aveley v Chippenham
Bath v Dartford
Braintree v Taunton
Farnborough v Chelmsford
Hampton & Richmond v Eastbourne Boro
Havant & W v Weston-super-Mare
Slough v Maidstone
Tonbridge v Worthing
Torquay v Dover
Welling v Truro
Weymouth v St. Albans