Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley has said a trip to Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy final is the motivation his side will be taking in to a tough fifth round tie away at in-form AFC Telford United this weekend.
The Glovers have not played since the 2-1 defeat away at Brackley Town a fortnight ago due to the horrendous weather hitting the South West which saw their home game with Aldershot Town and last Saturday’s trip to Woking postponed.
The boss said he was still expecting to be without striker Aaron Jarvis, who is suffering with concussion for the trip to Shropshire, and would also be missing recent arrivals Ryan Jones and on loan Fulham youngster Terrell Works, who have both played in the competition already this season and are therefore cup-tied.
Asked about the prospect of trip to Wembley in May by BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah on Thursday, Rowley said: “I just mentioned to the lads. They are all aware of it and it’s always afine balance of trying to motivate the lads without putting them under pressure and tightening up on the day. We are all aware that Wembley is the end goal here and it is for every team in this competition, but we can only look as far as Telford. So, boring answer, but we are going to have to go and perform over 90 minutes and make sure we get through.”
The Glovers have been taken to penalties at home to lower league Maidstone United and Alvechurch in penalty shoot-outs in their previous two games in the Trophy this season and the manager admitted that, whilst he would prefer a good performance from his side this weekend, he realises progression is what cup football is all about.
Telford are in impressive form going in to the tie having won 3-0 away at third-placed Merthyr Town in National League North in midweek which meant they have won eight of their last nine fixtures in all competitions. The Bucks, who sit just outside the play-off places in the league, have also dispensed of higher division opposition already this season, beating Altrincham in the competition’s third round.
Rowley said: “We obviously want to go there and win the game and, from a coaching perspective and a long-term perspective I would like us to perform and start to look more like a team that’s in tune with what we’re trying to do. But if you ask me now would you rather play badly and win I’d probably take that. I think it’s the league games where you start have to build some performances and some consistency and that’s what we’re going to be trying to do in the league.“
He added: “Never played against Telford before. I actually called a lad that played against them last week and got a little bit of a breakdown of what he thought about the game and what it’s like to play at Telford. He was complimentary of them as a team and of the pitch and the stadium, so, it’s a game we’re looking forward to go and play. Sam (Curry, analyst) and Darren (Simpson, assistant manager) have been diving into them all week, watching how they play and what to expect from them, but I think it’s going to be a classic case of we can prepare as much as we want, we can dive into them as much as we need to, but we’re going to have to turn up, we’re going to have to be up for it, we’re going to have to deliver on the day and I’m expecting we will.“
With Jarvis, Jones and Works all missing for the weekend, Rowley said he hoped there would be opportunities for players who have not had much game time to have an opportunity to impress this weekend.
The boss added: “There’s a couple of boys that didn’t train today that we’re going to have to look at today and we’ll maybe try and get them out here in a patched-up fashion tomorrow and see how they look for Saturday but can’t really give you a definite answer on that right now. We’re going to have to wait right till the last minute.
“Obviously we’ve got a few lads that are cup tied sadly in this competition, Terrell (Works), Ryan Jones and Jarv (Aaron Jarvis) is out with his concussion still. So, couple of boys missing, but naturally with these absentees it gives a chance for lads that haven’t played or are chomping at the bit to go and perform and keep their shirt.“
Champing at the bit, not chomping . . . Just saying