Yeovil Town will take their remarkable recent form into the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon when they travel to face Leatherhead FC in the Fourth Qualifying Round.
The Glovers head to the Isthmian League club after recording back-to-back 6–0 victories, the latest against Wealdstone. That achievement is rare across the top five tiers of English football: according to the match preview, the last team to win two consecutive matches by that score was Chelsea in 2010.
Yeovil have also kept four clean sheets in a row, underlining the defensive organisation that has helped them produce a strong run of performances. The team has been described as structured and organised, with the midfielders and wingers carrying out their roles effectively.
Yeovil’s midfield has become a key strength
Johl Powell is highlighted as one of the main players to watch for Yeovil. The midfielder has established himself in the first team since being given his opportunity and has become part of a midfield partnership with Brett McGavin while Luke McCormick is out of the squad.
Powell’s scoring rate has been particularly notable, with a goal every 79 minutes so far. His willingness to attack and get into the penalty area has created problems for opposing defenders, while also giving McGavin more freedom in midfield. McGavin scored at the weekend, adding another dimension to Yeovil’s threat.
The preview says Powell has adapted to the step up to the National League with confidence. His performances will be closely watched as Yeovil attempt to continue their FA Cup run against lower-league opposition.
Leatherhead arrive after a late league defeat
Leatherhead’s season has been inconsistent, with the side putting together short winning runs before having their momentum interrupted by defeat. Their best sequence this campaign was a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, which ended in the Surrey Cup against Farnham Town.
The Tanners were beaten in their most recent match, losing to Cheshunt in the league. The game remained goalless for much of the opening hour before Tommy Wood gave Cheshunt the lead. Leatherhead responded when Charlie Kennett equalised 15 minutes later, but a goal in added time left the Surrey side empty-handed.
Goalkeeper Sonny Wheeler is identified as Leatherhead’s player to watch. Although the Tanners have kept only five clean sheets in 15 matches in all competitions, three of those shutouts have come in the FA Cup.
Wheeler saved a penalty against Haworth in the previous round, keeping Leatherhead in the tie at 0–0. He also stopped a spot-kick during the FA Trophy shootout against Ramsgate. His form in the FA competitions could be important if Yeovil’s attacking threat creates pressure on the home side.
Leatherhead manager Ian Selley has FA Cup pedigree
Leatherhead manager Ian Selley brings considerable cup experience from his playing career. The 52-year-old was on Arsenal’s books and won the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup during his time there.
His playing career was later affected by injuries. After leaving Arsenal, he joined Fulham, where he made only a handful of appearances during three years, before moving to Wimbledon. Further injury problems with the Crazy Gang were followed by spells in the lower levels of the English football pyramid, including a season with Dorchester in 2009/10.
Selley officially ended his playing career in 2023, two decades after it began. He started managing in 2020 while also playing for Westfield in Surrey and managing Sandhurst Town. He subsequently worked with Chertsey, Hartley Wintney and Westfield before joining Leatherhead in 2024.
There has been just one recorded meeting between Leatherhead and Yeovil Town. That came in the FA Trophy third round in 1979, when Yeovil won 1–0 at Huish Park. David Platt scored the only goal, sending the Glovers into the fourth round.
Leatherhead have no former Yeovil players in their squad for Saturday’s match. James Durkin has been appointed as the match official.