Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley believes home advantage could prove decisive as the Glovers attempt to avoid an FA Cup upset against lower-league Leatherhead in tonight’s fourth qualifying round replay.
The replay was forced after Yeovil surrendered a two-goal lead during a frantic final quarter of the first match in Surrey. The Glovers had appeared to be heading comfortably towards the First Round Proper after going 2-0 ahead, but Leatherhead scored three times in 13 second-half minutes to turn the game around.
Yeovil salvaged their chance to continue in the competition when midfielder Johl Powell equalised with a minute of normal time remaining. That late goal brought the Isthmian League Premier Division side back to Somerset for a deciding fixture.
Rowley expects a different contest at home
Speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Mark Stillman before the replay, Rowley said the conditions and support available to Yeovil should help his team play with greater control.
“Home advantage is massive. It is such a shame we couldn’t play here in the first game, but this is what the FA Cup is about, isn’t it? I’ve got a lot of respect for Leatherhead. They’re a good local club to me, and it should be a really interesting game for us.”
He added that the home setting would be “more suited” to Yeovil, citing the shorter grass, wet pitch and the prospect of moving the ball with more purpose and rhythm. Rowley also hopes the club’s supporters can provide extra energy as the team seeks to produce a performance for them.
“But this is definitely more suited to us here. The grass is shorter, the pitch is wet, and we’ll be able to move the ball with a bit more purpose and rhythm. Obviously, we’ll be supported by our brilliant fans, so hopefully we can put on a really good show for them, and that will give the boys a little bit more energy.”
Manager accepts criticism over substitutions
Rowley acknowledged that he had faced criticism for making five second-half substitutions during the first match. The final change saw influential midfielder Brett McGavin replaced by defender Loick Ayina, two minutes before Leatherhead scored their first goal.
The manager said the substitutions had also been used in home and away victories against Boston and Wealdstone, when Yeovil won both matches 6-0. He described the final 15 minutes against Leatherhead as “a bit crazy”, while maintaining that the overall performance had been good before that spell.
“It just so happens that the substitutions didn’t help us score more goals this time, and we conceded a couple of corners. I’ll obviously take the flak for that, but I thought the performance was good, barring the last 15 minutes.”
Team changes confirmed
Winger Mason Obeng misses the replay after suffering a hamstring injury. He is replaced on the bench by Under-19s striker Liam Nardiello.
There is one change to the starting XI, with captain Joe Gubbins replacing Jordan Norville-Williams in defence. Rowley said Gubbins would add height defensively and could use his left foot to play longer passes across the pitch.
Jordan, meanwhile, is being managed after completing substantial high-intensity work in each match. Rowley said the aim was not necessarily to rest him completely, but to keep him available should Yeovil need him during the second half.