​Ahead of Yeovil Town’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash against Leatherhead, Glovers manager Billy Rowley has been speaking with BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah about his squad’s phenomenal run of form, recent recruitment, and the magic of the cup.

​Yeovil head into the weekend fixture riding the wave of confidence following an impressive string of victories, including consecutive 6-0 wins. While acknowledging the score lines might flatter them slightly, Rowley remains quick to praise the tireless day-to-day efforts of his players.

​”I said it in the post-match last week, sometimes you do get some freak results,” Rowley said, reflecting on the team’s dominant streak. “The lads’ hard work day-to-day… it’s been another really good week out here for us”.

“I think we’ve got a really level-headed group, really professional group of lads, so I haven’t really sensed any like overconfidence or cockiness. I think we have to approach every game, I said this pre-Wealdstone, I think we have to approach every game with a kind of equal amount of confidence and cockiness as we do humility, so you know, we want to run harder than everyone, we want to fight for every ball, we want to win every goal, but we also want to be really confident on the ball and show show what we’re about.
So I think the lads have bought into that and um and they’re showing that they’re capable of of both sides of the ball at the minute which is which is really really important for us.”

Rowley is fully focused on keeping his squad’s feet planted firmly on the ground. He insists that the group’s professional and level-headed nature prevents any danger of overconfidence or cockiness creeping into the changing room;

“I’ve been I’ve been so pleased with all the boys. I think we we worked really hard to to profile players that would fit into our system, on top of that, fit in from a personality perspective, are they good humans? What do we know about their background? How do they train? All that stuff… I think for the most part we’ve been we’ve been spot on with with most of the lads, and I’ve been really full of praise for them in these recent weeks and like you’ve just mentioned, I think it’s important that we keep our feet on the ground, we keep working hard every day and every week and and long may it continue ” Rowley added.

​Looking ahead to this weekend’s opponents, Rowley is under no illusions about the challenge Leatherhead will pose. Rowley retains absolute faith in his squad’s mindset.

“I’ve got full faith in our lads to approach this in the right mindset. It’s a competition that we as a club, I’m sure, and I know the fans do, the ownership do, we want to do really well in this. You often dream of going a playing against a, you know, a Man Utd or something in these competitions, but, you know, that’s that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? So, we want to make sure that we are turning up at at Leatherhead, [the] best version of us, you know, work really hard and and we should we should get a positive result there.

​As the squad finalises preparations, fitness concerns remain minimal, though Zane Westbrooke is ruled out (calf) and forward Ryan Jones faces a late fitness test following a head knock sustained vs Wealdstone.

For the players currently watching from the sidelines, Rowley offered a clear message of encouragement: stay ready, because opportunities in football can change in a single week.

“That’s my message to the lads as well, you’ve always have to be ready, I fully appreciate when you’re not picked on a Saturday, you know your head goes down, but you’ve seen what Joel Powell’s done, you’ve seen what Jack Kingdon’s done in these recent weeks. You’ve got to be ready for your opportunity and as soon as it’s given to you, grab it with both hands and and they’ve both done that, so I think it’s a really good learning curve for them, but also like an opportunity for for the other boys to learn from that and see that that’s all it takes, one injury, one moment, one week and you’re a star player”

​With the financial incentives of reaching the first round proper running parallel to the psychological boost it offers, Yeovil Town travel to Leatherhead fully aware of potentially setting the next chapter of our wonderful club’s history in this competition.

James Durkin will be the man in the middle for our FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round tie away at Leatherhead.

James, son of former Premier League official, Paul, has already taken charge of nine games this season, across EFL, National League and cup competitions.

He has dished out 39 yellows and two straight red cards, pointing to the spot three times.

Durkin was the man in charge for the National League Play Off Final in 2024 – Bromley beating Solihull on penalties – you remember Byron Webster giving the ‘keeper a knowing look before smashing home the winner.

He has taken charge of seven Yeovil games before, most recently, the dramatic 3-2 win over Sutton United last season, Durkin awarding the Glovers a 95th minute penalty to seal the points – the second time he’d give the Glovers a spot kick in the game, Luke McCormick missing a first half spot kick.

He booked three Yeovil players, Terrell Works, Harvey Greenslade and Josh Sims.

We’ve won two, drawn two and lost three of the seven games he’s taken charge of.

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Leatherhead FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
FA Cup
Referee: Durkin, James
Assistant Referee: Butler, Stuart
Assistant Referee: Hillier, Jake
Fourth Official: Barnett, Craig

Yeovil fans heading to Hornchurch on Tuesday 27th October (7.45pm Kick off) can now buy their tickets.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

The Hornchurch site states that away fans MUST buy their tickets in advance.

Tickets prices are as follows.

You will need to sign up for an account and log in, should you wish to complete the transaction.

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AWAY SUPPORTERS

Away supporters will enter the stadium via the Abraham Court entrance.

AWAY SUPPORTERS MUST PURCHASE THEIR TICKET IN ADVANCE.

There will be No tickets at the gate on the day for away supporters.

For away supporters visiting our stadium for the first time or a returning supporter, please find below our important guidance.

Following our promotion to the National League, we are currently constructing multiple improvements to our away facilities. However, due to planning and construction requirements, these improvements will be implemented over the course of the 2026/27 season. Therefore, some facilities are limited during this period – which is highlighted below.

Where is the Away Supporters Section Located?

Away supporters are currently located in the ‘Riverside’ section of the ground. The allocation to away supporters is a mixture of open terracing and approximately 160 unreserved covered seats (in the Rom Valley Glass & Glazing Stand). The current capacity is 600.

A raised wheelchair accessible viewing area is found in the open terracing (via a ramp). If you require this area, please email matchday@hornchurchfc.com no later than 24 hours before the match so we can make the necessary arrangements.

During the season, our plan is to install a new 544 capacity covered terracing alongside 250 seats. However, this is not anticipated to be ready until the end of 2026.

How do supporters enter the away section?

During the summer, we have constructed a new away entrance from Abraham Court, directly next to the away section.

Supporters are to enter via Abraham Court, opposite the Windmill pub. You will then follow the public footpath on the right-hand side direct to the new Abraham Court turnstiles. The turnstiles will be open 90 minutes before kick-off. They will close 30 minutes after kick-off.

Our volunteers will be on hand to direct you to the correct entrance off Upminster Road.

Please note that if you visited the stadium last season, this entrance is now in a different location.

Supporters should have their QR codes ready for scanning/use on turnstile as they enter to prevent queues forming.

Any away supporters found in the home end will be evicted, with no refunds issued.

Download Stadium Map

 Parking

There is no parking on site or at the Abraham Court flats. Our car park is strictly for players and officials only, unless a Disabled Parking Spot is requested. All disabled parking must be booked in advance by email to matchday@hornchurchfc.com. This request must be made no later than 48 hours before kick-off. However, please note that the away entrance is at the opposite end of the ground.

Street parking is available along Bridge Avenue and opposite the ground in Brookdale Avenue. Please be aware that there will be increased traffic enforcement in this area on matchdays due to parking across driveways and on double yellow lines. Please park responsibly and with consideration to local households.

We would request supporters use public transport.

Coaches

We also do not have any coach parking facilities for away supporters on site or in the nearby streets.

Therefore, we recommend coach drivers to drop off at the bus stops highlighted below and proceed to a dedicated coach park at Thurrock Services. This is an approximate 15-minute drive from the Stadium.

The address is Arterial Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex, RM16 3BG.

Facilities

As mentioned above, we are in the process of installing permanent away facilities.

Mobile toilet blocks have now been installed while the permanent facilities are constructed. 

There will be a mobile food outlet providing soft drinks and hot food.

There is no alcohol served in the away end.

Programmes, Badges & 50/50

Match programmes and 50/50 raffle tickets will be on sale inside the away section.

Programmes cost £3.50.

50/50 tickets are cash only with the draw announced at half time.

A selection of Hornchurch FC club badges will be available for purchase.

Smoking Policy

Smoking inside the stadium is not permitted.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited from the stadium.

• Alcohol
• Illegal substances
• Pyrotechnics
• Air horns and whistles
• Weapons and sharp objects
• Glass bottles
• Footballs

Bag searches may be in operation to enforce this.

In addition, due to a council ruling, dogs are not permitted inside the stadium. Assistance dogs are permitted, but only by prior arrangement by emailing matchday@hornchurchfc.com

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Yeovil Town captain Brett McGavin has, unsurprisingly been named in both the National League and Non League Paper Team of the Week following his first ever professional hat trick against Wealdstone.