13th February 2015

Yeovil Town are back in SkyBet League One action this coming Saturday with another long away trip, this time to Doncaster Rovers.

The Glovers will be hoping for slightly better fortunes on the road this Saturday after a 1-0 defeat away at Crewe in midweek.

Terry Skiverton’s second game of his second stint in charge didn’t go to plan as a Nicky Ajose goal in the first half secured all three points for the Alex.

Meanwhile, Doncaster were probably doing Yeovil a favour by putting no fewer than five goals past relegation rivals, Crawley.

Prior to Tuesday’s thrashing of Crawley, Doncaster had become somewhat the draw specialists, sharing the spoils against four sides since the turn of the year.

Defeats to Walsall and Bristol City (FA Cup) have been squeezed in between stalemates against Peterborough, Notts County, Chesterfield, Oldham and the first leg of that FA Cup tie versus Bristol City.

The failure to turn draws into wins has seen them stagnate slightly into 11th place in the league table, their record of ten wins, nine draws, nine defeats and goal difference of 0 fits in with a side neither looking up or down.

That being said, the squashed nature of the division means that not only are they only a few defeats from being dragged into the bottom half, but they actual lie just one win off the final play off spot.

As for Yeovil, a win on Saturday would take them back within a point of the side in 20th place, Coventry.

Tuesday’s loss may not have helped #MissionSurvival but it didn’t hinder the side either with Crawley, Leyton Orient and Colchester all losing.

In terms of team news, the loan window will have reopened by kick off, at the time of writing, no new additions had come into Huish Park, but never say never!

Joe Edwards was forced off at half time on Tuesday, the Glovers’ skipper took a number of forceful challenges and they resulted in him having to be replaced by James Berrett.

 

Berrett was himself returning to the squad after missing out last weekend, he could be in line to make another start if Edwards doesn’t recover in time.

Images of Joel Grant in training have excited the Glovers faithful this week, the Jamaican wide man has been out of action for a long time and the sight of him kicking a football again is a welcome one.

Grant may not be in the squad quite as quickly as we’d all hope, his training is still more in the mould of rehabilitation and not quite match fitness – just yet.

On Tuesday, Fergus Bell was the unlucky man to miss out on a place in the squad, he could return to the 18 if Edwards or anyone else misses out.

Doncaster’s news is that they brought in striker Uche Ikpeazu from Watford on loan at the back end of January.

The former Crewe loanee is yet to score in the red and white of his new club and wasn’t in the squad at all on Tuesday night.

Rovers have also secured the services of Ivorian Abdul Rasak (pictured above) for the remainder of the season after impressing on trial.

As you will know, these two sides have a long history together. Yeovil fans won’t need reminding of the epic 5-4 FA Trophy match back in 2002, or the many more meetings since then.

The most recent of which, at the very start of this season might be one Yeovil fans will want to forget.

A 3-0 opening day defeat came curtesy of goals from Curtis Main, Harry Forrester and Theo Robinson (pictured below).

The Glovers defence that day will be a far cry from what it will look like this weekend.

Chris Weale, Jakub Sokolik and Liam Davis are all out injured while Brendan Moloney and Aaron Martin have since left the club.

Interestingly, in the opposition net, a certain Jed Steer, who not only went on to have a successful loan spell at Huish Park but also came to cheer his former team mates on at Crewe in midweek.

The head to heads are pretty much in the Glovers’ favour.

Since joining the Football League, the sides have met 13 times with eight going in favour of the side from Somerset.

If anyone in keeping an aggregate score, Yeovil lead 15-10 over the same time period.

Another long trip for not only the players and staff and supporters too, tickets are available on the day and anyone making the trip to provide their support is gratefully appreciated.

For those who can’t bare another motorway mile this week, the game is available on Glovers Player and while you’re tuned into the commentary why not click HERE to check out the full range of home tickets available to purchase in advance.

As ever, the media team will have twitter covered for a live feed of the game and check out Facebook and YouTube for post match coverage.

Famous Doncaster Rovers fans:

Car enthusiast Jeremy Clarkson, Magician extraordinaire Paul Daniels and Louis Tomlinson, one fifth of One Direction!

A foot in both camps:

James Hayter, Byron Webster, Adam Lockwood, Ryan Mason, Michael Woods, Michael McIndoe, Sam Johnstone, and Jed Steer.

Did you know?

Doncaster doesn’t just have an English football team, but an American football team.

The Doncaster Mustangs play in the British American Football League Premier North, but have lost their last seven fixtures conceding over 300 points in the process.

For fans making the long trip north Doncaster have a handy away fans guide. To view the guide click here.

 

Tweets by @YTFC