Distant Glover: Just can’t help believin’…
2026-02-01
Our resident cartoonist, Alex ‘Distant Glover’ Russell, has caught a dose of FA Trophy fever after yesterday’s win at AFC Telford United booked Yeovil Town a place in the quarter-finals.
Five Conclusions: AFC Telford United 0 Yeovil Town 2
2026-02-01
It’s the last eight of the FA Trophy for Yeovil Town for the first time in 23 years – albeit 16 of those years we didn’t compete in it – after an impressive performance and 2-0 win at AFC Telford United. Dave was in the away end at New Buck’s Head to watch the Glovers side-step a banana skin and here are his thoughts.
A banana skin avoided: We had all the excuses you could hope for to slip up at Telford. Having not played for two weeks, missing a number of key players through being cup tied or injury, facing a team in great form going in to this game and on a pitch which was not exactly a snooker table. But, the game plan could not have been better executed. We threatened from the first minute and looked comfortably the better side in the first half, nullified everything Telford threw at us including making their prolific strike Matt Stenson look average, and we took our chances – well, enough of them to matter, anyway. A thoroughly professional performance.
It could/should have been more comfortable: Going forward, we looked a threat and we should have won this game more comfortably than we did. Tahvon Campbell, Harvey Greenslade and Dakari Mafico all had great opportunities to make the scoreline far more convincing. Campbell took his chance coolly, but he’s still not the one for me. In his post-match interview, Billy Rowley said the striker was “on his back” when he came off in second half stoppage time, but I am not sure where he expended his energy. Then again, he scored a goal and if he does nothing but score all season, he’ll be right by me. Not that he cares much about pleasing me, I’m sure!
Defensively solid: I don’t mind admitting that seeing the number of goals Telford have scored in the past couple of months, I feared for our back line. I thought we looked more solid when Finn Cousin-Dawson came on in the second half, but I was really impressed with what I saw from Joy Mukena and, if he’s not match fit, he can only improve. Jake Wannell has had his critics this season – including me – but I thought he looked composed. A clean sheet will do them the world of good with some tough league fixtures coming up.
Vote for your top performer at Telford in our Man of the Match poll – click here.
The last eight looks good: Having scraped through the last two round of the Trophy on penalties, it was good to get a convincing win in the fifth round – and have you seen who’s left in the quarter-finals? We are one of four National League Premier Division sides with the others being Southend United, Wealdstone and Woking, and then four teams from lower divisions – Horsham, Kidderminster Harriers, Marine and Southport. In a season where not getting pulled in to a relegation scrap in the league feels like a success, the Trophy feels like a great opportunity for us to enjoy yourselves. The last time we made the quarter finals was 2002-2003 when we lost at home to Burscough in the last eight – but we did also win promotion to the Football League that season. I’m sure we’d all take that, but you can almost see the Wembley arch, can’t you?
Now for some league points: Asked about whether he was looking forward to the quarter-final draw on Saturday, Billy Rowley was very quick to point out we need to start picking up league points. A trip to Altrincham is next up next weekend and, as one of the teams below us in the table, that has to be seen as an opportunity to take the momentum of a positive Trophy performance in to the league. We have games in hand over all of the teams below us in the table – with the exception of bottom club Gateshead who have played the same number of games – but getting points on the board has to happen quickly.
Biss: It is a dream come true
2026-01-31
Yeovil Town Under-19s’ defender Jaydon Biss has described making his first-team debut as “a dream come true.”
The 17-year-old, who (if the online database is correct) turns 18 on Sunday, appeared as a second half substitute for Tahvon Campbell in second half injury time at the end of the 2-0 win at AFC Telford United in the FA Trophy fifth round.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah after the game, he said: “I’ve always dreamed for situations like this to happen and it’s a dream come true. When I stepped on to the field I couldn’t believe it because ever since a young boy I’ve always dreamt of it happening and it was a dream come true really to get this opportunity today.
“I trained with the boys on Thursday and I have just tried to give my all whatever the circumstances whether it is on the pitch, off the pitch, at the gym, I am just trying to better myself, trying to get to this point. It was great time to share it with the boys who have helped me and supported, as well especially with the Gaffer (manager, Billy Rowley). Everyone has just always supported me, trying to get to me to that level so I can get on the field and do well and put an impact for the team.”
Biss, who has turned out for what is technically a first-team fixture in the Somerset Premier Cup before, was joined on the pitch by his Under-19s team-mate, striker Liam Nardiello, shortly after and admitted he felt fortunate to be given the opportunity.
He said: “Not many people get the opportunity and all the Under-19s team support one another to get the opportunity to play for the first team. We are all a unit and we all want one of us to go on and make it to the first team. I appreciate everyone who has supported me.
“I’m so happy to get over line and especially in a game like this, FA Trophy, not far off playing at Wembley, so it’s one of them things I couldn’t have had a better day.”
Who was your star in green-and-white at Telford? Vote in our Man of the Match poll – click here.
Rowley: There were loads of positives
2026-01-31
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.
Vote for your Man of the Match in our regular poll – click here.
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.
Match Report: AFC Telford United 0 Yeovil Town 2
2026-01-31
Yeovil Town stepped over a potential banana skin to make it through to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy with victory at AFC Telford United.
The Glovers took the lead when Harvey Greenslade’s ball was deflected in to the net by Telford defender Amaar Dyer after 27 minutes before striker Tahvon Campbell seized on a defensive lapse to double the advantage just after the hour mark.
Telford, who were unbeaten at home since November, applied some pressure in the closing stages but Yeovil stood firm to make it in to Monday’s draw for the competition’s last eight.
First half
With three first-team squad members, Jonathon Page, Ryan Jones and Terrell Works, all cup-tied and striker Aaron Jarvis and midfielder Luke McCormick unable to start through injury, Billy Rowley had to shuffle his pack. Striker Tahvon Campbell was paired alongside Harvey Greenslade up front with Joy Mukena coming in for a debut as part of a defensive three, and there was a place among the substitutes for Under-19s defender Jaydon Biss and striker Liam Nardiello.
It did not take long for the first chance to fall the way of Yeovil who made a positive start against an in-form Telford side which had not lost at New Buck’s Head since November. Josh Sims combined with on loan Cardiff City midfielder Troy Perrett to pick out Campbell who had a shot blocked before falling to Greenslade whose effort was blocked by Amaar Dyer. It was good, positive play to create the opening, but Greenslade really should have opened the scoring.
The positive start continued with plenty of balls in to the box from the visitors with Sims in particular looking a threat down the right, but Mukena’s header in to the arms of Telford keeper Josh Gracey after 14 minutes was the nearest we came to another opening
Telford look like they are happy to sit behind the ball and hit their visitors on the break, whilst we played the ball around and looked for an opening. One almost came on 25 minutes when Sims got away down the right before finding Dakari Mafico just inside the area, but he lifted his effort over the bar. Telford’s first opening a minute later when Dylan Allen-Hadley found himself through on goal, only to scuff his effort allowing Jake Wannell to recover and clear the danger.
The breakthrough came on 27 minutes with another break from a wide position. This time it was Harvey Greenslade was released down the left and his ball in to the box found its way in to the goal via a deflection off Amaar Dyer. I’d love to give it to Harvey, but that has to go down as an OWN GOAL.
A couple of yellow cards for Josh Tobin and then Kyle Ferguson were about the only talking points for the final 15 minutes of the first half.
Half time: AFC Telford United 0 Yeovil Town 1
Second half
Tobin’s first half booking for an unnecessary challenge saw him withdrawn at the start of the second half with Finn Cousin-Dawson replacing him in a defensive midfield role.
Three minutes after the break, Mafico and Campbell linked up well but the Cardiff youngster’s effort was easily gathered by Gracey in the Telford goal.
With 55 minutes played, Telford striker Matt Stenson tumbled inside the box before getting straight up and pushing Ferguson to the ground. Stenson’s short temper and Ferguson’s reputation for sh*thousery combined for the inevitable yellow card for the striker.
Just before the hour mark, a moment of Yeovil dawdling in an attacking position was broken up by a solid Telford tackle on Cousin-Dawson to allow Allen-Hadley to break forward. He had Stenson available but his effort was deflected wide for a corner. Telford are making more of a game of this in the second half.
But, it was Yeovil who found the game’s next goal just after the hour mark. A moment of indecision by the Telford defence was pounced upon by Tahvon CAMPBELL who found himself one-on-one with Gracey inside the area and coolly finished. To be fair to the striker, he’s done little all game, but he’s turned up when it counts there.
Stenson had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears soon after good play by the dangerous Hadley found the in-form striker who lashed his effort over from an angle after 68 minutes. Telford were not giving up and with 77 minutes on the clock, a ball in to the box just evaded Hadley who would have had an easy opportunity.
Jacob Maddox replaced Joy Mukena with Cousin-Dawson dropping back in to the back line. Yeovil have looked controlled and handled the pressure which the home side have applied.
The final ten minutes saw Telford turn up the pressure with a number of balls in to the box, but the back line stood firm to book a place in the quarter finals.
There was a nice moment in second half stoppage time played as Under-18s’ players Jaydon Biss and Liam Nardiello replaced Campbell and Greenslade to make their Yeovil debuts.
Full time: AFC Telford United 0 Yeovil Town 2
Match Details
Venue: New Bucks’ Head
Date: Saturday 31st January, 3pm kick-off
Competition: FA Trophy, 5th Round
Scorers: Ammar Dyer o.g. 27, Tahvon Campbell 63
Pitch: A bit bare in places, but playable which is enough after the past couple of games.
Conditions: Dry but dull
Attendance: 2,162 (507 away supporters)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Josh Tobin 32, Kyle Ferguson 37, Tahvon Campbell 78
AFC Telford United: Matt Stenson 55, Oliver Cawthorne 78.
Referee: Aaron Farmer
Vote for your top performer in our Man of the Match poll – click here.
Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)
Substitutes: Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Josh Tobin, 46), Jacob Maddox (for Joy Mukena, 72), Jaydon Biss (for Tahvon Campbell, 90), Liam Nardiello (for Harvey Greenslade 90+2, Matt Gould (not used).
AFC Telford United: Josh Gracey, Amaar Dyer, Jordan Cranston (for Rhys Hilton, 81), Jordan Piggott, Oliver Cawthorne, Alex Fletcher, Khanaya Leshabela, Remi Walker (for Jimmy Armson, 71), Jamie Meddows, Matt Stenson (for Ricardo Dinanga, 71), Dylan Allen-Hadley.
Substitutes (not used): Jahdahn Fridye-Harper, Ola Lawal, Edward Ikpakwu, Charlie Williams.
Team News: AFC Telford United (away)
2026-01-31
Aaron Jarvis misses out on the FA Trophy squad having not recovered sufficiently from a concussion.
He misses out from the squad altogether, whilst Luke McCormick is only fit enough for the bench, having fought with an ankle problem recently.
Troy Perrett comes into the starting line up, with Jonathon Page, Terrell Works and Ryan Jones all missing through their status as cup tied.
Joy Mukena comes into the back line whilst there’s room on the bench for Alex Whittle as well as youngsters Liam Nardiello and Jaydon Biss.
Efete exits Huish Park
2026-01-30
Defender Michee Efete has become the second departure from Yeovil Town today.
The 28-year-old arrived in mid-October under former manager Richard Dryden following his departure from Scottish Premiership side Ross County.
He becomes the latest exit from Huish Park on Friday after confirmation young midfielder Max Jolliffe has returned to his parent club Colchester United.
Efete came off the bench in the FA Trophy fourth round penalty shoot-out win over Alvechurch and was an unused substitute in the last National League fixture, the 2-1 defeat at Bromley Town.
Match Preview: AFC Telford United vs Yeovil Town
2026-01-30
It’s back to FA Trophy action as Yeovil Town travel to the Midlands to face AFC Telford United in the fifth round of the competition.
FORM…
YEOVIL TOWN
The Glovers haven’t played since the 17th January after their last two fixtures were postponed due to waterlogged pitches. With the extra time off the squad should be feeling fresh and will be looking to put in a better performance than when they lost at Brackley Town.
The 2-1 loss to Brackley was probably one of the worst performances Glovers fans have seen this season. However, credit where it is due, the Saints were good value for money and had Yeovil on the back foot for the majority of the game. However, it was clear to see how much Yeovil missed Morgan Williams at the back, with neither, Jake Wannell, Finn Cousin-Dawson or Kyle Ferguson looking capable at the back.
There was news of the departures of on loan midfielder Max Jolliffe, who returned to his parent club Colchester United, and defender Michee Efete ahead of the match.
TELFORD UNITED
The Bucks are in the division below Yeovil, in the National League North. They currently sit 8th in the league but that doesn’t tell half the story for the Midland side. Over their last five games they have only been beaten once and won the remaining four fixtures. The stand-out result being an 0-8 away win at Curzon Ashton earlier this month.
In their previous game, it was another away three points for the Bucks as they put Merthyr Town to the sword, winning 1-4. That was an impressive victory in itself, with the Welsh side sitting in third. Although Telford do seem concede most games they tend to score a lot more goals than their opponents.
KEY PLAYERS…
YEOVIL TOWN – DAKARAI MAFICO
The young midfielder has shown how good he is since joining on loan from League One side Cardiff City, and was one of the only bright sparks in the defeat to Brackley. The full back does everything you want in a defender, which was shown last time out with:
- 14 recoveries
- Five ground duels won
- Three interceptions
- Two clearances
That is an impressive stat line for anyone let alone a 19-year-old, who is getting his first real taste in senior football. Offensively he is also prolific, with the headline stat from the Brackley game being his 95% pass accuracy. The Glovers will need Mafico on top form again against the Bucks.
AFC TELFORD UNITED – MATTY STENSON
With 55 goals scored this season in the league, The Bucks players are all chipping in, but none more so than their centre-forward, Matty Stenson. The 31-year-old is an experienced player who has travelled around the level all his career but seems to have found his place in Shropshire, he netted 32 goals in the 2024/25 season and already has 13 this campaign.
The big man was also nominated as The National League Player of the Month for December for his five goals in the month. The former Kidderminster man is also Telford’s top scorer of all time (since 2004 reformation) with 60 goals from just over 100 games.
The striker will no doubt cause trouble for the Yeovil defence and they will have to be at their best to stop Stenson. One hope is that he does appear to have a short fuse with eight bookings and a red to his name this season.
THE GAFFER…
Kevin Wilkin is the Bucks boss, and will pit his managerial wit against Danny Rowley on Saturday afternoon. The 58-year-old is a former striker, most notably playing for Northampton Town, Cambridge United and Nuneaton.
As a manager, Wilkin has taken charge of four clubs with considerable time spent at the three of them. In the last two years of Wilkins playing career he also took charge of Nuneaton, with his time as manger there going from 2006-2014. He then took over at Wrexham before the money and quickly left again in 2015.
The next seven years for Wilkin were spent at Brackley Town before he took the job Telford in 2022. The 58-year-old has never faced the Glovers.
LAST TIME WE MET…
The two sides technically have never met, due to the reformation of AFC Telford United in 2004. However, we did have met the “original” Telford United FC on multiple occasions. With the last fixture between the two clubs being played just under 23 years ago in 2003.
That day the Glovers ran 3-0 on their way to league success that season. The game will be remembered by most for the fact we still hadn’t mathematically won the title due to a Chester win, although the players did do a lap of honour at Huish Park.
The squad that day was full of Yeovil legends with the likes of Chris Weale, Terry Skiverton and Kevin Gall in the starting line-up. A brace from Michael McIndoe and a Kirk Jackson header secured the win for the home side.
The last time the two sides met in Telford was earlier in the season in 2002, when the Glovers won 0-5 thanks to goals from Nick Crttenden, Adam Lockwood, Andy Lindegaard, Howard Forinton and Gavin Williams.
DON’T I KNOW YOU…
There will be no former Glovers to look out for this weekend.
THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Aaron Farmer is the man in charge for this fixture. For more information on him and his team for Saturday night check out Ben’s article – here.