After a difficult number of weeks for all at Yeovil Town, Darren Sarll and his side return to National League action on Saturday (12:30pm) to face Boreham Wood.
Since the sad passing of club captain Lee Collins, the Glovers have not taken to the pitch at Huish Park, with Sarll giving himself, alongside his players & staff the time they need to come to terms with the heart-breaking news.
The fixture will kick-off at an earlier time of 12:30pm, to avoid clashing with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral.
Darren Sarll’s thoughts
Unsurprisingly, this week’s press conference was largely centred around the tragic passing of club captain Collins. When asked about how he and his players are preparing for the game, Sarll spoke about the unity within the ranks at Huish Park ““If one feels like they can’t play or can’t prepare, none of us are going down the tunnel.”
“We have had an attitude that if one doesn’t go, none of us go. That’s been our ethos.”
Team News
Our last fixture saw a welcome return to the pitch for Emmanuel Sonupe following a long injury lay-off.
Sarll confirmed in his press conference that Rhys Murphy & Alex Bradley are edging closer to a return, whilst Luke Wilkinson is involved in training once again and could make the squad for the first time since Town faced Weymouth in January.
A foot in the opposition camp
Garrard’s Boreham Wood have built a reputation as a tricky National League side, beating League Two Southend in the FA Cup earlier this season.
The star man for the visitors is former Glover Kabongo Tshimanga, who snatched a last gasp equaliser for Luke Garrard’s side when the sides last met at Huish Park.
In last season’s away fixture, Tshimanga was involved in the scoring again, as his second half strike edged a tight game in Hertfordshire.
Head-to-head
Saturday’s opponents provided stern opposition for Yeovil last season, drawing and losing to the Wood.
However, the most memorable clash in recent memory came in February as a stunning first half performance secured three points in Hertfordshire.
Rhys Murphy got Town up and running on 12 minutes before Reuben Reid and Josh Neufville scored to build a comfortable advantage. A dubious penalty in the 46th minute handed the Wood a lifeline, and a late free kick added cause of concern, but the Glovers held on at Meadow Park to claim victory.
Coverage
The fixture will be streamed on the YTFC Live platform, with commentary provided by Marcus Duncomb alongside former Yeovil midfielder Nick Crittenden.
BBC Somerset and Three Valleys Radio provide radio coverage, alongside text updates on our social media profiles.
