Yeovil Town are back in action at Huish Park on Saturday as the Glovers face the difficult test of welcoming York City to Somerset.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The home side come into the game off the back of a win. However, this was the Glovers’ first three points since a 2–1 victory over Brackley in the third game of the season. The result did put to bed a three-game losing streak and ended a run of back-to-back matches where they had taken the lead, only to squander it.
In that last game against Solihull Moors on a very wet Tuesday night, Richard Dryden’s side played some good football in spells, though they made a poor Moors side look better than they were. It was at the end of a tentative first half from both teams that Yeovil took the lead, with a goal from Junior Morias. The ex-Peterborough man slotted the ball into the back of the net after a deflected shot from James Plant fell to him at the back post. The Glovers then saw out a tough second half in which Solihull threatened on several occasions.
A clean sheet and a lead kept was just what Yeovil needed after some disheartening results, but the visit of York will be no easy task.
York City
The Minstermen form has been solid with no defeats across their first four fixtures, with two win and two draws making some impressive reading. That good form to start the new campaign though wasn’t enough to keep former manager Adam Hinshelwood in a job, with Matt Uggla sacking him just over a week ago.
The Yorkshire side will be well rested for their visit to Huish Park having not played a game since Bank Holiday Monday, where they drew 1-1 with Woking. York were supposed to play Rochdale on the 30th August but the match was suspended due a Women’s Rugby World Cup fixture being played at the ground.
A fresh York side with a point to prove could be a scary prospect for the Glovers.
KEY PLAYERS…
Yeovil Town – Jed Ward
We focussed on Jed ward at the start of the season as being a key player if Yeovil were going to get wins, and on Tuesday night he showed everyone why.
After a couple of games where he had shipped in a fair amount of goals that weren’t all his fault, many may have predicted that young goalies head could drop. To Ward’s credit he didn’t let the tough results get to him and put in a fine performance to not only help his side to a win against Solihull Moors but also to his first clean sheet of the season.
In a second half full of chances for the midlands side, the Bristol Rovers loanee made save after save to thwart Moors and predominantly striker Jacob Wakeling. Hopefully can produce the same kind of performance on Saturday.
York City – Hiram Boateng
Boateng is the sort of the midfielder every club dreams of, always available and instantly brings a presence to the middle of the park. The 29-year-old does the ugly things well, he regains possession, tackles well and is the starting point for many attacks.
Playing the majority of his career in a defensive midfield role, Boateng has a wealth of experience that York can count on. The British-Ghanian, has 301 appearances in League One and Two, with this being his first season in non league.
So far this season Boateng has been an ever present for The Minstermen, having not missed a minute of football. It will be an intriguing battle to see the former Mansfield man going up against Brett McGavin et al.
THE GAFFER…
Stuart Maynard has taken charge at York following the club’s decision to sack Adam Hinshelwood. A familiar name to many non-league followers, Maynard spent 10 years as a player, mostly in the lower tiers of non-league football.
He began his coaching career at Hemel Hempstead, the final club of his playing days. In 2012, the Tudors brought him in as assistant to former teammate Dean Brennan, and the pair built a strong partnership over six successful years. In 2018, they took over at Billericay Town as manager and assistant but left the club just four months later after the board terminated their contracts.
They then took charge at Kingstonian but chose to resign after five games, deciding the fit wasn’t right. Later, they joined Wealdstone during the COVID-shortened 2019–20 season and led the club to promotion as champions.
When Brennan stepped down in 2021, Maynard stepped up as manager. He impressed during his time at Wealdstone, which drew attention from Notts County in January last year. He accepted the County job and managed the side for just over a year. Despite leading the Magpies to the League Two Play-Off Semi-Finals, where they lost to AFC Wimbledon, the club chose to part ways with him shortly afterward.
Maynard has faced Yeovil five times in the past, winning one, drawing three, and losing one.
LAST TIME WE MET…
York have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, and Yeovil haven’t beaten them since 2016. In their most recent meeting, York earned a 1–0 win at Huish Park thanks to a penalty from star striker Ollie Pearce, who sealed all three points for the visitors.
When the two sides clashed at the LNER Community Stadium, York ran out 4–0 winners. Pearce caused problems for the Glovers once again, scoring a hat-trick, while Tyrese Sinclair also found the net. Yeovil finished the match with nine men after Finn Cousin-Dawson and Dom Bernard both received red cards.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
It will be Lewis Sandoe in the middle for the fixture on Saturday, with just one previous fixture at Huish Park. Read more here.
York have one win & three draws.
Jed Ward kept a clean sheet on the opening day of the season against Hartlepool United.