Yeovil Town are back in Sky Bet League Two action this coming Saturday afternoon when they travel to Hartlepool United.
It would be very easy to mention the distance that will be covered by Glovers fans for this journey, so we won’t mention the 332 miles each way in a car, the 13 hour option on the trains, or even the possible flight from Bristol to Newcastle that still involves significant journey time on the roads at each side and the actual 1 hour flight itself. Ok, so we might mention it.
Both sides are currently far too close to the relegation zone for their own comfort at this stage in the season with Yeovil in 21st just one place above their opponents this Saturday.
It’s probably not quite a so called six pointer, but a win for one side or the other could put up to a seven point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
That’s some motivation and as such, Hartlepool have acted this week to sack Manager Ronnie Moore following their slump in form.
Just hours after announcing the departure of Moore, Hartlepool appointed former Middlesbrough midfielder Craig Hignett as their new gaffer.
Yeovil’s new Manager is starting to feel the warmth of his feet firmly under the table now and with the form table firmly on his side, his Manager of the Month nomination was fully deserved.
Hartlepool played this past Tuesday night, one of their three games in hand on sides around them.
However, it proved to be the final act of Moore’s tenure with a 2—1 defeat to Stevenage.
Both sides didn’t play last weekend with both Huish Park and Notts County’s ground proving unplayable so both teams got an unexpected – and probably unwanted Saturday off.
So, the Glovers have been out of action since a 1-1 draw with Luton Town 10 days ago.
In one way, the extra time off has allowed a couple of extra days for two key players to recover from injury.
Arturt Krysiak has been undergoing treatment following his exit from the Luton game through injury and the extra time may work in his favour.
Darren Ward, the captain was due to return to the match day squad against Plymouth hopefully an extra few days of training will do the skipper good.
The other positive news comes in the form of Liam Walsh extending his stay at Huish Park.
The Everton loanee has impressed since arriving a month ago and his extension is welcome news to everyone.
Despite the lack of form from this Saturday’s opponents, the threat offered from the front line duo Billy Paynter and Luke James should still be taken seriously.
One name that Glovers fans will recognise is that of Michael Woods, the former Leeds and Chelsea midfielder is now a linchpin of the Pools side having played 24 times this season. He played five times for Yeovil in 2012, scoring one and being sent off in his final appearance.
In the other direction, Ryan Bird and Jack Compton – two of the Glovers stars this season – will face their former club, the latter having scored more goals in his 13 Yeovil games as he did in his entire Hartlepool spell.
Darren Way’s team go marching on this Saturday and a win could put his side firmly on the path to safety.
Last time we met
Earlier this season, the two sides met at Huish Park and Hartlepool came out on top in a 2-1 win.
Ryan Bird had levelled the scores in the first half, but in the second half, Brad Walker netted a winner much to the travelling fans delight.
The sides last met during the Glovers’ 2012/13 promotion season in League One.
Most recently, in early March of 2013, the two sides played out a battling 0-0 draw, a Paddy Madden shot hitting the crossbar might well have been the only real talking point of a fairly bland game.
Earlier in the same campaign, a second scrappy game saw Yeovil come out on top thanks to a single Joe Edwards goal.
Edwards playing in a much more advanced midfield role was on target in the 7th minute.
In fact, three out of the last four meetings have all been settled by a single goal, only one of those has gone the way of Saturday’s visitors.
In 2011, Bondz N’Gala scored a winning goal to send 55 travelling fans into raptures.
Tickets
Hartlepool have reduced ticket prices for the Glovers trip north adult admission is now just £12 and concessions are now just £6.
If anyone had already purchased tickets at the old, increased prices contact the Huish Park ticket office for the appropriate refund.
Tickets are available from the away end ticket office on the day.
Commentary and Social Media
Commentary for all of Yeovil Town’s matches can be heard through the online club service Glovers Player, you can sign up for this by clicking HERE!
BBC Radio will also have full match commentary of the Green and White’s matches, stay tuned to your local station for all the details.
Stay tuned to all things Yeovil Town through the club’s social media outlets.
YTFC can be found on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and even SNAPCHAT just search for @YTFC or click on the links provided. Use the Hashtag #YTFC across all platforms to make sure you connect with other Glovers fans the world over.