Stevenage

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Yeovil Town goal-scoring hero Charlie Wakefield spoke to the BBC television team after his goal sent the Glovers into the Third Round of the FA Cup.

Ask who he’d like to face, in the next round, Charlie (like the rest of us) set his wishlist quite high!

Glancing over at pundits former Brighton manager Chris Hughton and ex-Seagulls’ striker Glenn Murray, he said: “Now we are in the draw, hopefully we can get someone like Brighton – that’s where I’m from – one of the big Prem teams and we will enjoy every moment.”

Wakefield is enjoying his finest form of his career, as well as his first elongated period as a first team regular this season, something the former Chelsea man thinks is paying dividends.

“I am getting a run of games, I am thankful to the gaffer (Darren Sarll) for giving me this opportunity and I managed to kick on.

“When you have a smile on your face you are going to play your best football and I am just delighted for the team.

“I have had my injuries and setbacks, but that is in the past and I am enjoying my football. This team are on a great run, we all have to keep level-headed and focus on the league and the next game.”

“We just take it a game at a time and we are all just enjoying it, everyone plays with a smile on our face and it is paying off.”

It was Wakefield’s fifth goal of the season which secured the Glovers’ place in the hat… (it’s a bowl, but whatever) a moment for the winger to savour.

He told Murray: “Scoring goals is what I should be doing in the position I am playing, so I am delighted.”

“There’s been a couple where I have not been that composed and the manager always says to me ‘just strike through the ball’.”

“Great play from Sonny (Blu-Lo Everton) so credit to the build up to put me in that position.”

Yeovil Town are ball number 45 in Monday’s FA Cup draw… Brighton are number nine if you’re interested, Charlie.

 

 

 

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Yeovil Town loan defender Dan Moss spoke to the BBC TV pundits pitch side following the Glovers’ 1-0 win over Stevenage in the FA Cup second half.

He told them he was really enjoying his temporary stint in Somerset and the win was down to the teamwork of those around him.

“I am loving it. It is a massive result, a real team performance, everyone dug in deep and you can see it at the end, everyone just throwing their bodies in to get the win in the end.”

Moss, on loan from Millwall for another month was speaking after getting the television’s Man of The Match nomination, for, amongst other moments, a last-ditch tackle to prevent a ‘Boro equaliser.

“When it was happening, I saw my runner running late and thought I just had to get my body in the way, it looked good on the camera.”
“The other boys are putting them in as well, so it is not just me.”

Grant Smith in goal made a couple of good saves to keep his side’s nose in front, something which Moss appreciated.

“He was quality again, he is a great keeper and he’s helped us out a bit, he’s dug us out. He’s class.”

The 21-year old recieved praise from Darren Sarll this week who said his performances have shown great maturity and his MOTM showing on prime time Saturday night TV will only enhance the young man’s reputation more.

 

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A tactical change to push Sonny Blu Lo-Everton further forward helped Yeovil Town find a breakthrough in their 1-0 FA Cup win over Stevenage, according to manager Darren Sarll.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The on-loan Watford forward played in a deeper position in the first half but was moved up alongside Adi Yussuf after the break and within six minutes the pair combined to set up the winner for Charlie Wakefield.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the game, Sarll said: “We found it very hard to break that midfield line that they set up (in the first half) and Sonny was starved, so I thought we would free him up.

“I thought the two forwards would disrupt their back four and Adi (Yussuf) does a fabulous job of disrupting back fours.

“So the shape and the tactical changes did work and they have been working for a while now, it was a good performance but when people put that kind of energy and desire in to a performance you have a chance.”

The manager also had praise for his defence who have now conceded just three goals in their last ten games, keeping six clean sheets in the process.

Of goalkeeper Grant Smith who pulled off a fine save to deny Stevenage striker Jamie Reid shortly after the opener, Sarll said: “There’s just a calmness about Grant which allows those young ones in front of him to be reassured that he is there and that is a big plus for us to have that goalkeeper and that back four.”

  • Asked who he would like to face in the third round draw, Sarll was non-committal, saying: “I just want to enjoy my Sunday knowing we are still in a fabulous competition and I have a group of players that are willing to do whatever it takes for the football club.“
  • The manager revealed that Jordan Barnett has been ill for “the past couple of days” and has returned home to South Yorkshire to recover.
    Sarll added: “Hopefully he can rejoin us next week, but it was a big game he missed today and he was not a happy bunny.“

 

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday December 4th, 5.30pm kick-off

Conditions: Cold
Pitch: Slick

Attendance: 2,754 (326 away supporters)

Scorers: Charlie Wakefield 51 (1-0)

Referee: Craig Hicks

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Staunton 30, Wilkinson 73
Stevenage: Reeves 11


Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith
Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Luke Wilkinson, Morgan Williams
Matt Worthington, Josh Staunton, Dale Gorman
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Adi Yussuf, Charlie Wakefield

Substitutes: Tom Knowles (for Yussuf, 66), Reuben Reid (for Lo-Everton, 80) Alex Bradley (for Wakefield, 91), Ollie Haste, Max Evans.

Stevenage: Smith, James-Wildin, Reeves, Prosser (for Norris, 56), List, Taylor, Osborne (for Barry, 72), Andrade, Vancooten, Reid (for Read, 72), Melbourne.

Substitutes: Anang, Coker, Norris, Lines, Daly, Smith, Marshall.

Match Report

A second half strike from Charlie Wakefield was enough to add another FA Cup giant-killing in to the Yeovil Town history books with a 1-0 win over League Two Stevenage.

But, the game owed much to heroic defensive performances from the Glovers with full-back Dan Moss putting in a man of the match performance.

Following an even first half, the 51st minute strike gave Yeovil an early advantage and minutes later a last-ditch tackle by Moss followed by a fantastic save from keeper Grant Smith kept was enough to see out the tie.

Here’s how another special night at Huish Park played out….

 

First half

Within 20 seconds of the start, Adi Yussuf and Dale Gorman linked up for the midfielder to fire a shot wide from the edge of the box.

Gorman was involved in the first clear-cut chance after seven minutes when his free-kick in to the box was met by Luke Wilkinson, who had a free header but could only direct it wide.

On 13 minutes, a foul by Dan Moss gave Stevenage their first opportunity with a free-kick on the edge of the box. Jake Reeves‘ effort was pushed out by Grant Smith who tipped the follow-up effort from Elliott Osborne over the bar with the linesman’s flag up.

Smith had to get down smartly to turn Osborne’s shot from the edge of the box aside three minutes later, and on 18 minutes former Torquay striker Jamie Reid found himself in space in the box, but his shot was deflected wide.

If the first ten minutes belonged to the home side, the visitors certainly turned up the pressure in the next ten with Bruno Andrade the next to test Smith.

The absence of Barnett and Knowles was clear to see in the opening half-an-hour with Yeovil’s attacking threats coming from set-pieces.

On 34 minutes, a free-kick from Smith broke to Josh Staunton on the edge of the area and he curled a shot just wide of Adam Smith’s right-hand post.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton lifted an effort over the bar and Andrade smashed an effort wide having broken free down the left, but neither side could find the target before the break.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Stevenage 0

Second half

Tom Knowles was involved in a strenuous half-time warm-up but there were no changes from either side at the break.

Stevenage striker Elliott List had a great opportunity within two minutes of the restart as a free-kick was swept in, but he could only put his header over.

It was the visitors who enjoyed the brighter of the second half, but on 51 minutes it was Yeovil who took the lead.

The ball found its way to Yussuf who played in Lo-Everton, he fed in Charlie WAKEFIELD who took advantage of a slip by his marker and smashed a shot across Smith in to the corner of the net.

Just after the hour mark, Osborne beat the offside trap and fired a ball in only for an amazing last-ditch tackle from Moss to clear the danger, then seconds later the ball broke to former Torquay man Reid who was clear through on goal but an Smith spread himself and a trailing leg turned the ball wide.

Both defensive interventions were worth every bit as much as the goal for keeping the Glovers in the tie. Absolutely outstanding from both Moss and Smith.

Stevenage did not give up and continued to press forward with the right hand side a target, perhaps recognising centre-half Williams playing at left-back.

Reuben Reid made his first appearance since picking up a hamstring injury in pre-season replacing Lo-Everton with ten minutes remaining, and when Matt Worthington put a ball just across the box, the striker was lurking but unable to get a touch.

It was no surprise when Moss was handed the sponsors’ man of the match and the young Millwall loanee was in the thick of the action again as the game ticked in to injury time.

A  ball in from the right found Andrade at the back post but Moss was there to block the shot again – some player this lad, some player.

That was enough to see the game out and book a place in the thir round.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Stevenage 0

 

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Jordan Barnett is missing from the Yeovil Town squad for the the televised FA Cup second round tie against League Two Stevenage at Huish Park today (5.30pm kick-off).

But, striker Reuben Reid makes his first appearance of the season in the squad among the substitutes with Tom Knowles also on the bench after missing the midweek win at Wrexham.

For the visitors, former Glovers’ goalkeeper Adam Smith starts with Stevenage naming a full complement of seven substitutes.

Yeovil Town: Smith, Moss, Wilkinson, Hunt, Williams, Staunton, Gorman, Worthington, Lo-Everton, Wakefield, Yussuf.

Substitutes: Evans, Bradley, Williams, Haste, Knowles, Reid.

Stevenage: Smith, James-Wildin, Reeves, Prosser, List, Taylor, Osborne, Andrade, Vancooten, Reid, Melbourne.

Substitutes: Anang, Coker, Norris, Lines, Daly, Read, Smith, Marshall, Barry.

 

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New Stevenage manager Paul Tisdale has said players will have an opportunity to impress him having arrived in the hot seat at Broadhall Way.

However, the former Yeovil Town midfielder has also been told that there is money for him to spend in the January transfer window – if he wants it.

Speaking on his arrival, he told the Stevenage Comet: “The transfer process in other clubs will have already started but there’s a month to the start of January and two months until the end of [the window] so there’s a good period where I can make some opinion of how we can take things forward. 

“The players all have a chance, a blank canvas to impress. I don’t believe there is a lot to tinker with, there is the makings of a good team here. 

“I won’t spend money needlessly. It’s great that there are funds available but you have to spend it wisely. I won’t be spending it for the sake of it.”

He was in the stands for his first match since his appointment to see Stevenage go out of the Papa John’s Trophy in a penalty shoot-out at Sutton United on Tuesday night.

Coach Robbie O’Keefe, who Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll described as “his first mentor in football“, took the team which had eight changes to enable Tisdale to take a look at a number of squad players and rest players ahead of the weekend.

All of which means any scouts from Huish Park in attendance at Gander Green Lane were unlikely to learn much about their opponents this weekend – not that Sarll will need much introduction.

FROM THE MANAGER

Newly-appointed Stevenage manager Paul Tisdale has been speaking to his new club’s YouTube channel ahead of the FA Cup second round tie, he said: “I’m very familiar with Yeovil Town having played there and managed there many times, so it’s a good one to start. Being an FA Cup game and on live TV I am really looking forward to it.

“Professional football does not give you any opportunities for freebies, you have to get results, so I have to find a way to get my message across as soon as possible and get a performance.

“I spoken quite a bit about the need for us to improve our league position, but the FA Cup can be a catalyst for improved performances and for players to step forward and make a mark.

“So never underestimate an FA Cup game and what it might bring and I will not be taking it lightly.”

TEAM NEWS

Despite picking up a fifth booking in his side’s last League Two fixture, captain Scott Cuthbert will be available tomorrow.

The former Leyton Orient and Luton Town centre-half will miss their next league fixture but competition specific bookings make him available.

Fellow defender Luke Prosser has missed the last three games through illness, could return and be restored to the defence if he proves his match fitness.

Former Exeter City captain Jake Taylor was one of those recalled in midweek having picked up an injury last weekend, but ex-Bristol Rovers man Chris Lines is a doubt after picking up a knock against Sutton.

 

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

You do not have to look far for connections between these two sides – in fact, you don’t need to look any further than the respective dug-outs.

Home boss Darren Sarll was born in Hitchin, the neighbouring town to Stevenage, and was Head of Youth, first-team coach, caretaker manager and then manager for two seasons at Broadhall Way.

His opposite number Paul Tisdale was a Yeovil Town player in the 1999-2000 season and played 17 times for the club, scoring in his final appearance with first minute goal in a 3-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers.

On the pitch there are further connections in the Yeovil Town team with midfielder Dale Gorman having come through the academy at Stevenage under the guidance of Sarll and went on to play 62 times for the club, while captain Luke Wilkinson made more than 100 appearances for his opponents this week between 2016 and his release at the end of the 2018-19 season.

In the opposite dressing room, Stevenage goalkeeper Adam Smith had three loan spells at Huish Park whilst a Forest Green Rovers player, most notably as Yeovil’s number one last season. He joined Stevenage following his release by Forest Green in the summer and has been a regular between the posts since arriving.

Other players who have a foot in both camps include:

  • Remeao Hutton – Yeovil Town (2019-20), Stevenage (2020-21)
  • Emmanuel Sonupe – Stevenage (2018-20), Yeovil Town (2020-21)
  • Charlie Lee – Stevenage (2014-17), Yeovil Town (2019-21)
  • Sam Hoskins – Stevenage (2013), Yeovil Town (2013-2015)
  • Max Ehmer – Yeovil Town – loan (2011-12), Stevenage – loan (2013)
  • Luke Freeman – Yeovil Town (2010), Stevenage (2011-14)
  • Dean Bowditch – Yeovil Town (2009-11), Stevenage – loan (2018)
  • Ed Upson – Stevenage (2008), Yeovil Town (2010-14)
  • Russell Slade – Yeovil Town – manager (2006-09), Stevenage – managerial consultant (2020)
  • Darren Way – Stevenage – trial (2000), Yeovil Town (2000-2006, 2007-2008, 2008-2010, 2010-2019)
  • Colin Miles – Stevenage (2000), Yeovil Town (2001-2006)
  • Giuliano Grazioli – Yeovil Town (1995), Stevenage (1997-98)

 

 

 

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Darren Sarll’s old club Stevenage will visit Huish Park for the televised second round of the FA Cup on December 4.

They needed 120 minutes and a last minute penalty from Luke Norris to see off the Milton Keynes Franchise in a first round replay in Hertfordshire on Tuesday night.

The match which will be played out in front of the BBC 2 (and iPlayer) cameras not only pits Sarll against his former employers, but Glovers’ defender Luke Wilkinson and midfielder Dale Gorman will also be up against the old club.

It will also see Stevenage goalkeeper Adam Smith, who was on loan with Yeovil last season, return to Huish Park.