Slavi Spasov says he is happy to be Yeovil Town’s “right place at the right time” striker after his two goals helped the Glovers overcome Leatherhead 5-2 in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay.
The summer signing’s double at Huish Park took his tally for the season to four goals, or five when his Somerset Men’s Premier Cup goal is included. All of his goals this season have come from close range, with the 24-year-old often providing the final touch to attacking moves.
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman after Tuesday night’s replay, Spasov said the instinct to arrive in the right position was an important part of his game.
“I pride myself on (arriving at the right time) and my two goals prior to that were quite similar. “I’d rather get 20 of them a season than score three from the edge of the box. I’d like to think that I’m always sniffing it out and I’m there at the right time.”
Yeovil’s attacking threat
Yeovil have now scored 47 goals in all competitions this season, including their Somerset Men’s Premier Cup campaign. Spasov said the team’s attacking play gives forwards confidence that chances will be created whenever they move forward.
“It’s exciting. I feel like most of the time when we do get forward, we look like a threat. We look like we’re going to create a chance or we’re going to score a goal.”
He also highlighted the attacking options around him, naming Ryan Jones, James Daly and Johl Powell, as well as Brett McGavin, who he said was helping to control the play behind the front line.
“There’s no better feeling as an attacker than to know you’ve got Ryan Jones and obviously James Daly, and then Johl Powell, and Brett McGavin pulling the strings behind them.”
Spasov added that the whole squad was eager to contribute, whether players started the match or came on as substitutes. He linked that collective ambition to the number of Yeovil players arriving in the penalty area.
“I think everyone, whether they start or come off the bench, is just itching to get on the pitch and score goals, which obviously shows in the number of bodies we get in the box all the time.”
Leatherhead made Yeovil work
The scoreline suggested a comfortable win, but Yeovil had to respond after Leatherhead scored inside the opening 90 seconds. The visitors had already fought back to earn a replay in the first match of the tie at the weekend and continued to make the second game competitive despite being reduced to 10 men shortly before half-time.
Spasov accepted responsibility for the early setback, saying he had given the ball away cheaply. Yeovil had also struggled to break down Leatherhead’s disciplined low defensive block in the previous match.
“It was not our best performance of the season. I think we struggled with how disciplined they were in their low block last game.”
He said Yeovil had decided to put more crosses into the penalty area in the replay, either to find a goal directly or force Leatherhead’s defence deeper. The approach produced the desired result, with Spasov scoring the equaliser as part of his two-goal contribution.
“Luckily, it paid off because I actually gave the ball away for their goal. Hopefully I made up for that one with my goal and equaliser.”
The victory sends Yeovil Town into the FA Cup first round proper, with Spasov’s finishing and the team’s attacking depth central to a result earned against a determined Leatherhead side.