Charlie Lee's programme notes
Good afternoon and a warm welcome back to Huish Park for the final time this season. I'd also like to wish a safe journey to our visitors from Boreham Wood today!
Personally it's been a hectic season for me, starting the season as a player and ending it managing this club, a club that I absolutely loved playing for, it is a real honour. Your support for the team has been superb, it really does drive us on to succeed.
On Monday, we showed glimpses of what we are all about, but let ourselves down in front of goal. All in attendance would agree that it only looked like one team was going to win this match. However, in those instances you need to credit your opposition, Wealdstone defended resolutely and showed why they will be playing National League football next season.
As for today, I'm really looking forward to stepping out at Huish Park for the last time this season. Boreham Wood present a difficult challenge to end our campaign at home. They've shown the nation their potential with a fantastic FA Cup run, something I congratulate Luke & his coaching staff, and players for. Like every game in the division, we will need to be at our best.
As much as I'm always focused on the game, every time you sing "Charlie Lee's Green & White army," it's an unbelievably special moment for me, and all I can say to that is thank you, I don't think I can put into words what it means. We as a group need your support once again, we want to celebrate together one last time at Huish Park this season and you have the power to drive us towards that.
Football is about moments, let's create another.
Keep with us,
Charlie.
Get Pedalling
A massive shoutout to our Get Pedalling cyclists who return to Huish Park this afternoon after 500 miles of cycling in aid of 'Mind in Somerset.'
The cyclists have been visiting a number of Lee Collins' former clubs including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale, Mansfield, and Northampton.
Interim manager Charlie Lee, who was a teammate of Collins at Yeovil, joined them on Wednesday for the toughest day of the ride.
This afternoon, the cyclists complete their mammoth journey, leaving Portishead this morning and arriving at Huish Park ahead of kick-off.
For more information on the ride, head to the Get Pedalling twitter page.
Big Interview
Tom Knowles has become synonymous with his long-throw exploits, with many of them leading to chances, and goals (see Dagenham away highlights! 😅)
However, the back story behind them is expected if you were a fan of the Premier League in the late noughties.
Speaking in his press conference this week, Knowles said; "I didn't want to admit this publicly, but I'm actually a Stoke fan.
"I grew up watching Rory Delap slinging them into the box!"
It isn't just long-throws in the winger's arsenal, Knowles has struck nine times for the Glovers this season, with many coming in rather spectacular fashion.
"My view on it is, if I have space as an attacker, when I have an option to shoot, why turn it down? You never know, it could go in.
"When I was younger I had a coach, that said 'they don't remember the ones that hit the back of the stand, but they remember the ones that hit the back of the net'
"If they go in, then happy days, I watch it on repeat all weekend, and if they don't I try again and hope it goes in the next time."
The forward could have a goal of the season award for just himself after hitting a number of screamers, but his favourite is his strike against Eastleigh.
"I quite liked my goal against Eastleigh at home, I just gave that a whack and it went in.
"I enjoyed my the one away to Barnet too, although they did tee that up nicely for me with their set-piece.
"I enjoy every goal, whether it comes off my bum or my shin, I don't care as long as it goes in."
Exclusive training snaps 📸
Some snaps from training as the players trained inside Huish Park this week.
Programme sponsor - David & Steve Montacute
Life Time supporters of our wonderful football club, Yeovil Town.
Celebrating our birthday of 85 Years of David Montacute & birthday of Steve Montacute of 60 Year, both on the 17th May .
David has great memories of that famous FA Cup win against Sunderland in January 1949 and watching his oldest brother Ron, playing for the Town in the 1950's.
Also Ken Montacute doing an awesome job of over 20 Years for The St Johns Ambulance on the Touch Line,
Forwards and Upwards We Will All Ways Follow The Glovers! ⚽️
Mascots
With it being the last game of the season, we've got a bumper group of mascots for this afternoon's game!
Oliver Beasley – age 10 - Yeovil & Liverpool fan - his favourite players are Alex Bradley, Grant Smith, Allison & Mo Salah.
Samuel Cox – age 10 - Yeovil & Spurs fan - his favourite players are Tom Knowles and Son Heung-min.
Riley Elcombe – age 11 - he is a Spurs & Yeovil fan - his favourite players Son Heung-min and Luke Wilkinson.
Harry Barber – age 8 - Yeovil fan - favourite player is Jordan Barnett
Oil Pimm – age 11 - Yeovil & Spurs fan - his favourite players are Matt Worthington, Grant Smith and Hugo Lloris
Jack Wall – age 8 - Man Utd & Yeovil fan - His favourite players are Adi Yussuf, Charlie Wakefield, Grant Smith
Henry Wall – age 4 - Yeovil fan - His favourite players are Adi Yussuf, Charlie Wakefield, Grant Smith
Ethan Taylor – age 5 - Liverpool & Yeovil fan - his favourite players are Saido Mane, Mohamed Salah, Luke Wilkinson & Matt Worthington
Opposition
After a stunning FA Cup run which saw the Wood reach the Fifth Round to face Premier League strugglers Everton, Boreham Wood have endured a tricky patch which has seem them drop out of the promotion picture.
However, recent form has been positive picking up four points against the top two, with a victory over Stockport at Edgeley Park before a 1-1 draw with Wrexham at Meadow Park.
Manager - Luke Garrard has just this week signed a new contact with the Wood to extend his time in Hertfordshire for another three seasons. Garrard has taken the Wood to multiple play-off campaigns, even the showpiece final at Wembley where his side fell just short against Tranmere.
Star man - Dennon Lewis is the man to look out for in the visiting camp. After a difficult start to life at Meadow Park which saw him only play a bit-part role, the former Love Island contestant has stepped up in recent weeks, scoring the opener against Stockport County.
A familiar face - Connor Smith joined Yeovil Town in the summer of 2017 and made 17 league apps for the Glovers. Once showing signs of a promising career at the highest level in Watford's academy, Smith struggled to kick on and now plays for the Wood via spells at Wealdstone & Billericay.
Have we met before?
On a cold February Tuesday evening in Hertfordshire, Yeovil held onto an enthralling 3-2 victory away at top half Boreham Wood. After going 3-0 up in the first half, the Glovers were pegged back by two goals in the second half which made for a nervy ending. The match was, of course, played behind closed doors which meant the only atmosphere at the game was created by the jubilant Yeovil players and staff celebrating back-to-back wins after a tough start to the season.
The Glovers went into this game off the back of a hard-fought 2-0 home victory over Altrincham, while Boreham Wood were trying to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Gander Green Lane to eventual champions Sutton United. Darren Sarll opted for Adam Smith behind a back four of Alex Bradley, Max Hunt, Billy Sass-Davies and Carl Dickinson in a season where Yeovil badly struggled with defensive injuries. The midfield was made up of Jimmy Smith, Albi Skendi, Tom Knowles and Josh Neufville while Rhys Murphy partnered with Reuben Reid up front
Yeovil started the game intensely and had the lead within a quarter of an hour. Skendi used his big frame to glide through Boreham Wood’s midfield before playing in Murphy on the left. The striker weaved in and out before releasing a left-footed effort that caught Nathan Ashmore unsighted and made it 1-0.
In the 33rd minute, Yeovil doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Neufville completely outpaced and outmuscled Kieran Murtagh, once again, on the left-hand side, before driving into the box gracefully where he had to be fouled by Krystian Pearce. Reid stepped up to dispatch the penalty for his first goal since returning to the club.
It went from bad to worse for Boreham Wood in the 41st minute as Neufville terrorised their left-hand side once again. Pearce was dispossessed by the winger in his own half and the Luton loanee positively dribbled towards Ashmore’s goal before cutting in and smashing the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 3-0.
The second half was nervy for Yeovil despite their apparent three goal cushion at the interval as Kabongo Tshimanga made it 3-1 via the penalty spot just 100 seconds after the restart. Boreham Wood couldn’t break Yeovil’s resolute down through open play, however, and so it took a special Gus Mafuta free kick to make it 3-2 in the 78th minute
Injury update
This week, Charlie Wakefield returned to training after struggling with illness for a number of weeks.
Josh Staunton has also been involved following his operation. Both could be involved today!
Match sponsor - Johnsons Stalbridge Linen Services
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We’re on hand to communicate with our clients at any time, by either email or phone, so you can be sure that any queries will be dealt with as quickly as possible. We offer a product range of both traditional and contemporary styles, and service methods to suit all different types of customers. We also conduct an annual survey to ensure our service and products stay at the highest quality, and you can find details of our findings
Ticket office
Ticket details have been confirmed for Yeovil Town’s Somerset Premier Cup final against Bath City at Huish Park (10th May – 7:45pm).
Only the main stand will be open for this fixture, with further stands opening subject to demand. With the fixture technically being played at a neutral venue, Bath & Yeovil supporters will share the main stand.
Yeovil Town supporters should purchase tickets in Block E, F, G, & GG. Bath supporters should select the away section in the Screwfix Stand on the online ticketing system, but tickets will be allocated in Block C, B, A, & AA.
Tickets will also be available to purchase on the night.
Ticket prices:
Adults – £7
65+ and Students – £4
U16 – £1
To purchase online, click HERE.
Where are they now? - Kevin Dawson
Dublin-born Kevin Dawson joined Sporting Fingal in 2009 where he made his debut as a 19-year-old and won promotion to the Irish Premier Division. In 2011 the tenacious midfielder was signed by Shelbourne in the division below, where he once again won promotion to the top tier. Dawson made the 2011 FAI Cup Final with Shelbourne, where they lost against Sligo Rovers on penalties with Dawson impressing despite missing one of the spot-kicks.
In January 2013, he ventured over the Irish Sea to the south west of England where he has remained to this day. He signed for Yeovil on a six month deal for the second half of the Glovers’ historic 2012-13 season in which he played a key role in promotion to the Championship. After signing a contract extension, Dawson was ever-present in the second tier for Yeovil during a spirited season which ended with relegation. After struggling with injuries and the club being relegated to League Two, it was only in 2016-17 when Dawson would feature regularly for the Glovers again.
Dawson opted to leave the Glovers after this season and signed for divisional rivals Cheltenham Town for whom he scored nine goals over two seasons in League Two. Again, Dawson decided to move on and controversially signed for Gloucestershire rivals Forest Green on a one year deal where he made just 15 league appearances.
Now very much trying to do the full tour of Gloucestershire football teams, Dawson was snapped up by sixth tier Gloucester City in 2020. The Tigers, who were showing their ambition to gain promotion to the National League by signing a player of Dawson’s calibre, ultimately had their season curtailed and Dawson remains at the club in the National League North.
Officials
Ref - Ryan Atkin
Assistant -Ashley Clarke
Assistant - Stuart Kane
Fourth - Ollie Taylor