Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has issued a stark warning to his squad ahead of their FA Trophy fourth-round tie against Alvechurch. Despite Alvechurch playing two divisions below Yeovil, Rowley emphasized the threat posed by the underdogs and the need for his team to remain alert.
“This is their cup final; they’re going to come and have a free hit on us,” Rowley stated, highlighting the intensity they expect from Alvechurch at Huish Park. Yeovil enter the match on the back of solid recent form, having beaten Braintree Town 3-1 and edged Maidstone United on penalties in the previous round.
Alvechurch’s journey to this stage has involved three nail-biting penalty shootout wins against Alfreton, Real Bedford, and Worcester, showcasing their resilience and determination. Rowley noted, “First 15 minutes they’re going to press, and we need to prepare for that.” He added, “This is a competition we want to progress in, obviously the dream is Wembley.”
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The Glovers’ boss acknowledged the wider benefits of a strong cup run. “It definitely gets more eyes on the club,” he said, reinforcing the importance of taking the fixture seriously. He also cautioned against complacency: “We’ve got to turn up Saturday and make sure we progress.”
Rowley further reflected on the unpredictable nature of cup football, warning, “These games are here for giant killing at times, and we need to make sure our mentality is top notch.”
Amid preparations, Yeovil announced their first signing of the year: Jonathon Page, who has joined on a short-term deal until season’s end. Rowley praised Page’s experience and football intelligence, noting, “I’ve known him for many years; he was professional at Fulham and highly thought of there. He’s got a tremendous football brain.”
Page, a traditional defensive midfielder, is expected to bring versatility to Yeovil’s midfield, with the manager adding, “He can play as a single pivot, a double pivot… really good positional understanding and a possession-based footballer.” Rowley emphasized their strategy to recruit hungry players invested in the club’s ambition.
There was further positive news as top scorer Luke McCormick signed a new contract, committing to Yeovil until 2028. “It’s massive,” Rowley said. “Luke was one of the first players, when I watched training five, six weeks ago you could instantly see he was a top player.”
With the squad gradually settling into Rowley’s tactical approach, he observed, “I can see and feel the patterns are starting to take place now. Naturally it will take the boys a certain amount of time for ideas to bed in.”
Fitness updates reveal mostly positive conditions ahead of the cup tie. “Jacob is looking really sharp,” Rowley reported, though he did confirm fitness concerns: “Whitts had to step out of training today, and Planty didn’t train due to a slight hamstring issue.” The manager also indicated a potential need for reinforcements on the left side of the pitch, describing it as “an ongoing process, we’re always trying to improve.”
In other squad news, longtime midfielder Morgan Williams has departed to join York City for an undisclosed fee. Williams, a pivotal member of Yeovil’s promotion-winning side last season, leaves having made 185 appearances for the club. The club expressed gratitude for his dedication and wished him well as he moves closer to family in the north.
With focus, resolve, and a strengthening squad, Yeovil Town prepare diligently for their challenging encounter against determined underdogs Alvechurch in the FA Trophy.