Yeovil Town are back in SkyBet League Two action this coming Saturday when the Glovers host Newport County at Huish Park with a 3pm kick off.
There are two things you need to know about this fixture before we get into the meat of the preview; firstly the game has been designated as a “Kids for a Quid” fixture.
Juniors can come into the ground for a single, shiny gold pound coin – great value!
Secondly, the two sides have come together in a combined effort to work for World Autism Day, click HERE to see what the two teams are doing and how you can support the cause on the day.
Two great reasons to get to Huish Park this weekend.
There are three more reasons too, and they are the three points on offer to the victor of the match, the game pits two sides who are still not quite safe from relegation but know that a win over a side in and around them in the league will go a long way to securing League Two football next season.
Yeovil in 21st are 11 points above the line, whilst Newport in 18th are just two points better off and the two sides could swap if results go correctly for the Glovers.
Darren Way will be aiming to continue his record of being unbeaten at home and that form has guided his side away from the drop zone.
Continuing that through to the end of the season will be one of his main aims, with only fixture being played over the Easter Break he will have had chance to give the players a few extra days rest as well as getting Connor Roberts back one match earlier.
Roberts was called up to the Wales Under 21 squad and as a result that went some way to seeing Easter Monday’s game with Stevenage postponed.
Darren Way acted quickly for the Friday game however drafting in Liam Shepherd on loan from Swansea.
However, a public holiday in Switzerland prevented the deal going through on time… yes, really.
So, Shepherd is in line to make his second Glovers debut this week.
Roberts will be back though and with stand in right back Jakub Sokolik playing his part in keeping a clean sheet picking his preferred back line won’t be easy.
The Glovers do currently have six loanees on the books, but the decision on leaving one out won’t be a hard one for Way, Everton midfielder Liam Walsh is still suspended for this game.
Darren Ward did limp off last Friday and he will be given as much time as possible to prove his fitness.
Francois Zoko is the other injury concern for the Glovers but with Ryan Bird and Leroy Lita chomping at the bit to get their chance someone may well get their chance to impress.
Our opponents, Newport had their own frustration towards the FIFA officials who had an extra afternoon off.
They had secured a loan deal for Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly from Peterborough, but the Swiss were tucking into their Easter eggs a tad early.
So, he is in line for his debut this weekend.
Newport got through no fewer than eight fixtures in March and during that period, they won just two – none of those wins coming in the last four.
In fact, County are coming into the game off a losing run of three straight defeats, losing to Accrington, Northampton and Bristol Rovers – a trio of promotion candidates.
County will be glad that streak of fixtures is behind them and will be looking at Saturday’s game as a winnable fixture.
But Darren Way will have his troops rallied and the extra break will have only done the squad good.
So come along and support the team towards anther result at fortress Huish Park.
Last time we met
Before this season there hadn’t been a league meeting since the 1980s, so the 0-0 draw in November was the first competitive game in over 20 years.
There have been two friendly games between the sides, one in 2001 and more recently in the build up to the 2012/13 season.
In that game, Yeovil won away from home with goals from Gozie Ugwu, Reuben Reid and Nathan Ralph.
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.
Soccer Sight (for the Blind & Visually impaired supporter at Huish Park) will also have a full match commentary of the Green & White’s home matches.
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.