Matt Worthington (Page 2)

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The Football Association’s Discipline portal updated in the early hours of Sunday morning to confirm the one-match bans for both Jake Hyde and Matt Worthington. (clearly the official likes to get his paperwork done, promptly)

Both are listed as needing to serve a one match suspension on Saturday 30th of September – the date of the FA Cup tie against Didcot Town.

We’ve included a screen shot, below, but this does slightly go against what was suggested post-match with Mark Cooper telling the BBC that the ban would be “Competition Specific”.

This suggests otherwise.

It’s also worth noting that Cooper has said he intends to appeal the straight red card given to Worthington for Handball on the line. That will obviously happen over the coming few days.

Other points of note – Rhys Murphy is now on four yellow cards – one away from a one match ban, whilst Jordan Thomas of Hampton & Richmond has been given a two-match ban for his red card after the final whistle on Saturday afternoon.

We’ll keep you updated on the success (or failure) of the appeal on Matt Worthington’s red card.

FA Portal Screenshot – Correct as of 01:00am on Sunday 24th September

As a reminder, Red Cards are treated slightly differently at this level, here’s a handy explainer.

 

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The arrival of Morgan Williams as an anchor in midfield has created even greater competition for places in Yeovil Town’s engine room, according to midfielder Matt Worthington.

The defender has played the past two matches – the 1-1 draw with Chelmsford City last weekend and Tuesday night’s 3-2 win at Weston-super-Mare – in that position and has impressed even in unfamiliar surroundings.

But, the ability of the ex-Coventry City youngster to take up the role has not surprised Worthington.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s home match with Eastbourne Borough, he said: “I’m not surprised, (Morgan is) one of those players who will do a job anywhere. On the defensive side, he anchors that midfield really well as does Coops and it’s competition in the middle.”

Worthington returned to the starting XI in midweek having missed out last weekend – an experienced it is fair to say he did not enjoy – and admitted that playing two games in 48 hours over the August bank holiday worked against him.

He said: “When you get on the bus at the end of games or you wake up the next morning, you definitely feel it.
I am not too bad because getting around the pitch is a big part of my game, but the Saturday-Monday came a bit too quick. But fortunately the injury was not too bad.”

Asked about missing out against Chelmsford, he added: “I hate it, it’s awful. The whole build-up of the game, I turn up knowing I can’t play and watch the lads get ready for a game. It is awful, knowing you can’t effect the game.

“It’s nice to watch the lads and know what the Gaffer will want in the next game. I did not really enjoy it though!”

The Glovers welcome Eastbourne Borough to Huish Park this weekend looking to extend their unbeaten run on home soil against a full-time side which was the subject of a takeover by businessman Simon Leslie, who owns travel firm Ink, in the summer. Sound familiar.

Echoing manager Mark Cooper’s mantra of their being no easy games in football, Worthington admitted the team are having to find different ways to beat their opponents.

He said: “A lot of teams will sit behind the ball and we have to find different ways to score goals which we are doing very well at the moment, so it is a new challenge.

“We have to find ways to break down teams but I think we are doing well at that, we have scored a lot of goals recently.”

On the subject of full-time fitness, he added: “Towards the end of the game, you can feel (a difference in fitness levels), especially as a midfielder if I am running off my man and he is not tracking me, that is when (fitness) comes in to play.

“It is more of a mental thing, if we turn up for a game and we are not mentally right any team will give us a good game.”

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Yeovil will face a Somerset side for the first time this season, as they make the short journey to Weston Super Mare in midweek.

The game will mark the first time the two teams have met in a league game, with previous matches being either cup or friendly fixtures. The travelling Glovers faithful will be hoping to see their side win for this time away from Huish Park this season.

The Seagulls come into the game in poor form having not won since a 2-6 win against Bath City on the 15th August. Yeovil’s form going into the game at the Optima Stadium has been patchy to say the least, having lost to bottom of the league Havant & Waterlooville and rescuing a late draw to Chelmsford in their last two games.

Yeovil Town News

Mark Cooper knows his side have to “turn up” against Weston. He said: “It’s just another game for us…we know we have to turn up and perform. We have to be better than we were at Havant.”

The 54-year-old feels that the Seagulls will “raise their game” to play Yeovil as it will be a “big game for them”.

The former Notts County manager is wary of the talents that Weston possess. He said: “They have got some good players, Dayle Grubb is a fantastic technician, [Lloyd] Humphries and Reuben Reid… fantastic players, which we have to respect.”

Defender Morgan Williams also spoke about his excitement of playing in the first league fixture between the teams. He said: “We’ve sold over 850 tickets which is massive…the fans back us everywhere we go, so i really cant wait for that.”

Morgan Williams.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Charlie Cooper is still unavailable through suspension, whilst Matt Worthington could also miss out through the calf injury that forced him off againts Havant.

Weston Super Mare News

Speaking to Weston Super Mare AFC after their loss to Eastbourne manager Scott Bartlett, is looking forward to the game. He said: “We have got a great game coming up Tuesday night and one we’re looking forward too.”

The former Forest Green man went talked about the number of diffulculties that lay ahead. He said: “We have a number of injuries and suspensions, but we will knwo more over the next 24-48 hours, but whoever we got we’ll be ready for the challenge.”

Weston Super Mare have a few key players but captain Dayle Grubb could be the one to watch. As Mark Cooper said, he is a fantastic technician who plays off the left wing. The 32-year old has spent the majority of his career at The Optima Stadium but had a spell under Cooper at Forest Green from 2018-2021.

The Seagull skipper will be available after being sent off against Hemel Hempstead, but the suspension was rescinded and he played in Weston’s last match. Rex Mannings is still suspended for the game. Jacob Jagger-Cane and Opi Edwards both were subbed off during the first half against Eastbourne.

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper has said the club is looking to draw on talent from across the South West as he seeks to build a squad ready to compete in the National League South next season.

The boss had spoken of the recent re-signing of midfielder Matt Worthington and the addition of Yeovil-born goalkeeper Will Buse as evidence of a local stamp which he is looking to put on the squad.

Speaking on Tuesday, the boss told the club’s YouTube channel: “It was key for me that I wanted to change the way we recruited. I wanted to try and have more local players which I class as areas such as Bristol, because we are out on a limb and there is no disguising that.

“But Busey fits in to that perfectly and I felt the way he conducted himself last year when he was backing up Grant Smith was really good, he never moaned and just got on with it.

“I think when he got his chance to shine, he really did and, of course, he let some goals in but he made some remarkable saves and he is a really aggressive goalkeeper.

“He wants to come off his line and affect the penalty area which is what I think we are going to need in the league we are going into.”

Will Buse. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

On Worthington, who is the club’s longest-serving player having joined in January 2019, the boss added: “He is someone who is local, he understands the club, he understands the town and it is important we show fans that we have that on our minds.

“Worthy signing was a statement for us because he gives us a lot in that attacking midfield area with his energy and athleticism. I want more goals from him, I have told him that he should be scoring ten goals a season with his technique, so it is a really exciting time for us.”

Having re-signed Worthington and strengthened his defence with the addition of Buse, who was released by Bristol City in the summer, and defender Jamie Sendles-White, Cooper said he was pleased with the additions he had made.

However, he is under no illusions that it is in the attacking department that his squad needs strengthening. The Glovers managed just 35 goals in 46 National League matches last season – but the manager his called for patience in his efforts to bring in players up front.

He added: “I know everyone will be screaming ‘please sign centre forwards’ and I am aware of that and (chairman) Martin (Hellier) is desperate for that as well.

“I could go and sign a load of centre forwards now and they might not be as good as the centre forwards I could get in a month’s time and I think it is so important we take our time.

“We have to wait and be patient for a centre forward that might be playing in League One or been released by a League One club, he thinks he’s going to get another League One club and he doesn’t, he doesn’t get a League Two club and then there’s Yeovil, who are a big club with a big project.

“He will be too good for (National League South) level and that is what I am trying to do, but in the meantime if something does come out of the woodwork and I can act, I will do it.

“But, after everything which happened last year with recruitment, it is important we take our time and make sure (our signings) are the right ones. I understand fans will be frustrated, but please give us a bit of time.”

He also spoke positively about the improvements which are starting to happen around Huish Park since the takeover of the club by Hellier with captain Josh Staunton and winger Will Dawes working alongside the new owners to give the ground a new look.

Cooper said: “Even when you are showing prospective players around and they come and they see the stadium looking good, all the work going on, it gives you a head start over other clubs.

“Those players can see this can be a really big club and that has certainly helped with Worthy and Busey staying (and coming in) and the meetings I have had with players, they have been impressed with what is going on.

“It is the local feel to it. Josh has made Yeovil his home and he is a real ambassador for the town and what we are trying to do. I have given Josh a few programmes for the training ground and the changing rooms here (at Huish Park) to be revamped and he has got Dawesy in to help him.

“It is great and it gives that feeling of togetherness and we want that place to be the best it can be.”

 

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Midfielder Matt Worthington and goalkeeper Will Buse have both signed two-year contracts with Yeovil Town.

Worthington, 25, has extended his stay at Huish Park which began in January 2019 when he signed permanently with the Glovers from AFC Bournemouth, whilst Buse spent last season on loan from Bristol City.

The Yeovil-born keeper was released by the Championship side earlier this week. Following the departure of last season’s number one, Grant Smith, Buse was widely expected to make the move to his hometown club.

Manager Mark Cooper has spoken of his delight at the two signings which were announced by the club on Wednesday.

On Worthington, he said: “I’m delighted we have persuaded to get Matt to stay with us, especially as there were numerous clubs after him. I think like the existing core group of players, he feels a duty to try to get us back up. Matt possess great athleticism and experience in the attacking midfield area.”

Will Buse. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

On the signing of Buse, the boss added: “Will is a local boy and has the club at heart so I’m really pleased to have him on board. He showed towards the end of the season what a competent and aggressive goalkeeper he can be. We are working towards to seeing him develop as our number one goalkeeper.”

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Matt Worthington has said how pleased he was with the response of the Yeovil side after coming from 1-0 down to salvage a point against fellow strugglers, Aldershot.

After the 1-1 draw he spoke with BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins and starting by comparing the game with the 4-0 defeat to Gateshead on Tuesday.

“We did play much better than Tuesday night, it was excellent, people coming off the bench but it wasn’t enough unfortunately.”

“But we’re still in the fight and hopefully the traveling fans can can see that. We need to take it on to Monday.”

“I thought we had a lot of possession in the final third like you said it’s the history of season, unfortunately we didn’t take our chances in the first half, we didn’t really test keeper enough which is probably the only the only bad thing about about our performance, but we reacted well to going one nil down, it was a very soft goal, it’s pretty inexcusable to allow the biggest player on the pitch to get a free header in their in our box so that was really disappointing but we reacted really well.”

The result still leaves the side adrift at the bottom, five points from safety with five games to go, but Worthy, much like the manager, isn’t throwing in the towel just yet,

“We’ve got a lot of lads in there with a lot of fight especially me, I’ll fight until it’s impossible to that we can’t stay up and I still believe that we have a chance and we want to have that belief and I’ll keep fighting.

“(the goal) was brilliant, like I said we reacted really well (to going 1-0 down) we had a lot of those chances in the first half but, I was just really happy that we got that goal back.” 

“I’ve got a lot of fight and that is for them (the supporters) and the club, this club means a lot to me so it’s yeah it’s it’s hard at the moment but you know we’ll keep on fighting.”

Attention turns to another huge game against Dorking on Easter Monday, a game the side are looking forward to.

“Everyone can be frustrated at times but ultimately it’s we had to stay together without a Unity it’s this point of stuff’s going up the pitch we have high standards in there and a lot of things are said after games but we put it to one side as soon as we get back and we have to roll our seats up and go again Monday.”

“Monday is a big game, I said to the lads you’ve got to enjoy that sort of pressure going to a game you have to win I think today showed that if we perform like that there’s no reason why we can’t win the majority of the games, so we have to keep believing.” 

“The gaffer is brilliant, I have nothing but good things to say about him he’s a great manager for this level and he’s constantly encouraging us, picking us up no matter what sort of criticism he gets he’s given us players a lot of belief and like I said we fight for the gaffer, we fight for the club, the fans, the backroom staff.”

 

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The Football Association’s disciplinary portal has updated to confirm Matt Worthington’s two match ban.

Worthy picked up his 10th yellow card in the (very) latter stages of Saturday’s game against Halifax, a game which represented the ‘cut off’ for such bans.

As it stands he will miss both home games against Bromley (Sat 25th March) and the TV game against Southend on 1st April, his next appearance will likely be the crunch clash away at Gateshead the following Tuesday.

For what it’s worth, now that the 10 yellow card cut off has passed, the next significant booking-based milestone surrounds Jamie Reckord who sits on 12, three more between now and the end of the season would lead to a three-match ban.

 

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Paul Fairclough, England C manager, has named his final 16 for the England C game against their Welsh counterparts next Tuesday and unfortunately, Matt Worthington hasn’t made the cut.

Initially named in the squad last week, Worthy was hoping to make his International debut next week at Altrincham, but with the squad now trimmed to just 11 starting players and the five subs, he will instead have a well earned rest next midweek.

Sorry, Worthy, we still think you’re our Ginger Pirlo…

Full Squad Below
Pic: Non League Paper

 

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Yeovil Town’s goal-scoring hero Matt Worthington has said that Huish Park was “brilliant, like old times” after his second half header secured the Glovers a 1-0 home win over Eastleigh.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game on Tuesday night, the longest serving member of the squad recognised just how big of a win it was:

“It was brilliant, the bounce in the stadium all night was excellent, back to old times which I can remember being really good, it’s a massive three points for us.

“It’s been difficult in recent weeks for us, to get that win really takes the pressure off us.

“The gaffer spoke to us before the game and said that attacking this end (away end), we need to be better, and believe in ourselves and enjoy it, we did brilliantly in that half and this half, and it’s always nice to attack the home fans in the second half, it was brilliant.”

Manager Mark Cooper mentioned it was an all-round team performance with plenty of credit due to both the defence for yet another ‘cleano’ as well as a dynamic midfield performance, something Worthington backed up.

“They’re (Stevens and JM-D) are two attacking players, two great players who will do very well for the club and I think it’s an all round great performance from everyone. We’ve given away too many easy chances recently, so we wanted to shore things up at the back and I thought the lads at the back were brilliant, like they have been all season”

A great leap (definitely not a push, ref!) by Matt Worthington for the opener.

As for the winning goal itself, a header at the far post was all it took to separate the sides,

‘I haven’t scored too many headers, it was a great cross and I rose first and luckily it went in the back of the net, it was nice to celebrate in front of the Thatchers end, 

“The gaffer said at half-time that someone needed to step up and put the ball in the back of the net, I’m just thankful it was me today, 

“I think we should have scored more, if I was going to be harsh, I think we should have put a few more past the keeper and tested him a bit more, but we will take three points however it comes.”

The full time scenes at Huish Park a joyful release of emotion as the pressure lifted after a run of poor form and the win that marks the start of the Uggla-Sackey era…

“It feels brilliant, it’s back to old times and long may it continue.”, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Matty!

 

 

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Yeovil Town midfielder Matt Worthington has been named in the provisional England C squad which will take on Wales later this month.

The 25-year-old is included in the 25-man squad managed by national team manager Paul Fairclough which is expected to be cut down to a final 16-man squad after next weekend’s National League fixtures.

The fourth International Challenge Match with Wales takes place at Altrincham’s J.Davidson Stadium on Tuesday, March 21 (7.45pm kick-off).

Tickets are priced at £7 for adults and £2 for under-18s and available to buy on the Altrincham website – here.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Sam Howes (Wealdstone), Magnus Norman (Oldham Athletic), Harrison Male (Worthing).

Defenders: Tyler Cordner (Aldershot Town), Vince Harper (Eastleigh), Harry Phipps (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kenton Richardson (Gateshead), Dan Gallagher (Dorking Wanderers), Jesse Debrah (FC Halifax Town).

Midfielders: John Lundstram (Altrincham), Darren Oldaker (Chesterfield), James Daly (Woking), Ryan de Havilland (Barnet), Regan Booty (Maidstone United), Matt Worthington (Yeovil Town), Gus Scott-Moriss (Southend United), Olly Dyson (York City).

Strikers: Dennon Lewis (Boreham Wood), Cameron Wilson (Scunthorpe United), Sam Dalby (Wrexham), Emile Acquah (Maidenhead United), Joe Sbarra (Solihull Moors), Macauley Langstaff (Notts County), Aaron Jarvis (Torquay United).