Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley was pleased to see his side show no ill effects from a fortnight with no match as they reached the FA Trophy quarter finals with a 2-0 win at AFC Telford United.
The Glovers went ahead when Harvey Greenslade’s ball in to the box deflected off hosts’ defender Amaar Dyer just before the half-hour mark before striker Tahvon Campbell took advantage of a defensive mistake to wrap up the win in the second half.
It puts Yeovil in to the final eight on a day where some of the competition’s big hitters, including National League Premier Division sides Forest Green Rovers and Scunthorpe United, exited at the fifth round stage on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah after the game, Rowley said: “There were loads of positives. We have had a two-week break since (the 2-1 league defeat at) Brackley, so we have had a lot of work on the training ground. These Trophy games throw us different challenges because we are coming away from home, we are playing against a team who are probably treating themselves as the underdog and that brings a different level of spirit to the game.
”I felt like we played like we were favorites for maybe 30 minutes. We scored a good goal, but when we were on top, we need to be a bit more cut-throat and that is something we keep talking to the lads about. We need to put games to bed and go two or three goals up, but we went in 1-0 up.
“They had a couple of spells in the second half and had some really tired legs out there, could not quite get to the ball, and they were putting some balls in our box. I think the defenders and Jed (Ward, the Glovers’ goalkeeper) and Jake (Wannell, club captain) was exceptional today and they were dealing with it. But there are only so many of them you can deal with before something drops for them, and who knows? For the most part, I thought we were quite dominant, I think we had decent control and we created some good chances.“
He explained the substitution of on loan Bromley midfielder Josh Tobin, who was replaced by Finn Cousin-Dawson at the start of the second half, had been to protect the on loan Bromley player who had picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge in the first half.
The Glovers also gave debuts to Under-18s’ players Jaydon Biss and Liam Nardiello, who both appeared in second half stoppage time. There were also debuts for defender Joy Mukena, who recently joined from League Two Crawley Town, and on loan Cardiff City midfielder Troy Perrett made his first start.
Rowley said: “It was brilliant for those boys (Biss and Nardiello). They have trained with us twice this week and they have stepped up really well, so I’m really pleased for them.
“Across the group: Troy (Perrett) I thought he was excellent, he picks up some really intelligent positions. I thought (Tahvon Campbell) up front held the ball up well and he came off—he finished on his back today, he was absolutely knackered. But across the team, I mentioned Jake (Wannell), I thought he was really solid and led the team well today. Dak (Mafico) was exceptional, and we were asking him to do different things in possession and out of possession, and he’s just such an intelligent player and highly skilled, so he adapts really quickly to things. I could probably go and name another five or six, but I’m really pleased for the lads. I thought they played well today.“
The Glovers will now be in the draw for the competition’s quarter-finals which will take place at 3.15pm on Monday, live on talkSPORT2, alongside National League Premier Division sides Southend United, Wealdstone and Woking and lower league Horsham, Kidderminster Harriers, Marine and Southport.
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Rowley admitted he would be listening in to the draw, but unsurprisingly was focused on a tough run of league fixtures ahead in February with a long trip to Altrincham next weekend followed by a midweek visit to Boreham Wood and then home games against leaders Rochdale on Valentine’s Day and the rearranged home fixture against Aldershot Town.
The boss said: “We have got to focus on the league; I know there’s been a few results today from teams that are in and around us that have been good. But, when we play in the league games, we are going to be able to bring a couple of lads that are cup-tied for (the Trophy tie), so it should make us stronger. We have just got to bring some good performances to our league form. Last time out at Brackley we had some decent enough bits, but not clinical enough, not fast enough, didn’t play with enough tempo. There is still stuff to iron out, but a good game for us today and something to bring into the league.“
Yeovil sit 15th in the table after Saturday’s fixtures with up to three games in hand over the teams below them, but still just four points off the relegation places. Boston United, Aldershot Town and Braintree Town, who all sit below them in the table, picking up wins.