West Country bragging rights will once again be up for grabs on Boxing Day, as United take on Somerset rivals Yeovil Town at Plainmoor on Boxing Day.
Having come out on top with handsome wins in each of the past two home festive clashes against The Glovers, Gary Johnson will be looking for his side to secure a memorable hat-trick, however they will have to overcome a Town side determined to put an end to that trend.
Who’s the boss?
Mark Cooper was appointed as Yeovil’s new boss following the departure of ex-Gulls manager Chris Hargreaves last October. Having take charge of over 800 games, Cooper’s managerial career began with Tamworth, before the former Exeter and Birmingham midfielder moved on to take the reigns at Kettering.
After making his name in non-League circles, Peterborough came calling in 2009, and although his stay at London Road was a brief one, his next job at Darlington saw him mastermind their 2010 FA Trophy success, before a return to Kettering followed. Short tenures at Telford and Notts County bookmarked a two-year stay at Swindon Town, before his longest spell, at Forest Green Rovers, would ultimately see him lead them into the EFL for the first time in their history in 2017.
Barrow would be Mark’s next port of call, before the call from Huish Park saw him head for the other end of the country for his latest quest.
How have they been doing?
After struggling for form under Hargreaves, there’s been a marked improvement in The Glovers’ recent results under Cooper, with the side amassing a respectable ten points from seven outings under their new boss. They still have work to do in their to avoid a relegation dogfight though, as they remain in 19th place, just three points and two spaces of the dreaded bottom-four.
Player to watch
Jordan Maguire-Drew was a surprise addition to the squad, with numerous eyebrows raised following the Grimsby winger’s loan move to Somerset.
With memories of his extra-time winner against Solihull Moors still fresh in the memories of the Blundell Park faithful, Maguire-Drew will be looking forward to teh opporunity to show his parent club what they are missing.
Beginning his career at Brighton, loan stints at Worthing, Dagenham, Lincoln, Coventry and Wrexham preceded a permanent move to Leyton Orient, where he made 58 league appearances over a two-year period, before moving on once again, this time to Crawley, Woking and then Grimsby.
Played for both
Chiori Johnson’s spell at Plainmoor may not have quite reached the heights that he had hoped, however his still made over 30 appearances in his first full season of senior football, and marked the occasion with two goals throughout the campaign, including a first league goal at Southend on the final day of the season.
Beginning his career at Arsenal, moves to Bolton and Welling were marred by with financial constraints at one, and a global pandemic at another, with Johnson no doubt relishing the current challenge at Huish Park as much as anyone.
Previous encounter
Torquay United 3 – 0 Yeovil Town, Sunday 26th December 2021, National League.
12 months ago, a match that was heading for a stalemate was sparked into life following Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s straight red card midway through the second period. Shortly after, United’s personnel advantage was reflected on the scoreboard, as two goals in four minutes from Ben Wynter and Jack Sparkes saw The Gulls take control, with a third from Joe Lewis sealing a superb victory late on.
United v Yeovil | Plainmoor | 26/12/22 | 3pm KO | BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE