Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley views the upcoming FA Trophy clash with Telford United as both a challenge and an opportunity. After a two-week break following their 2-1 loss at Brackley and postponed matches against Aldershot and Woking, Yeovil are eager to make their mark in this prestigious cup competition.
“The break has its pros and cons,” Rowley reflected. “While we missed the chance to play those games, the extra training time allowed some players to recover from knocks and helped new signings settle in.” The Glovers have advanced to the fifth round thanks to tense penalty shootout victories over Maidstone and Alvechurch.
Telford, currently enjoying an unbeaten start to 2026 with a four-game winning streak—including an emphatic 8-0 win over Curzon Ashton—will pose a formidable test. The National League North side has also eliminated Chesham, Altrincham, and Hornchurch on their path.
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Rowley is optimistic about the progress of his young recruits. “Our teenagers are growing in confidence every session, adapting well to Huish Park’s environment,” he said. However, the manager recognizes the importance of translating promising training performances into results on matchday. “We can talk about how well we train, but the real test is delivering over 90 minutes.”
This weekend will mark Rowley’s first encounter with Telford. “I’ve spoken to a player who recently faced them and gathered insights,” he remarked. “We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
To advance to the quarterfinals, Yeovil must perform at their best. “Preparation is key, but we have to be mentally sharp and execute our game plan,” Rowley emphasized. He also addressed the motivation behind the team’s push: Wembley. “The players know that reaching Wembley is the ultimate prize, but our focus remains fixed on the next hurdle—Telford.”
Selection challenges persist, with Terrel Works and Ryan Jones cup-tied and Aaron Jarvis out with concussion. Additionally, some players missed training, leaving squad decisions pending. “Despite these setbacks, our priority is delivering a strong 90-minute performance to secure progression,” Rowley concluded.