Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley has admitted his side's progress this season has come quicker than he expected. The Glovers sit fifth in the National League with 28 points from 15 games, a position that shows their strong start under Rowley's guidance. Their record of eight wins, four draws and three losses has them 13 points behind leaders Boreham Wood.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's away fixture at FC Halifax Town, Rowley praised the rapid development of a squad that was largely assembled just before the campaign began. "It’s probably quicker than I thought," Rowley said, "but equally I think we are going to see a couple of steps back here and there." He added that the players are full of confidence and have built strong relationships quickly, which has translated into results. Yeovil's recent form of three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five league matches, including a 2-1 comeback victory at AFC Hornchurch last Tuesday, supports his assessment. That win, secured by goals from Z. Westbrooke and J. Daly after going behind, was part of a run that also included a 5-2 victory over Leatherhead and a 6-0 thrashing of Boston United, contributing to their tally of 35 goals scored this season.
Squad depth tested by injuries
That win at Hornchurch came at a cost, with left-back Jordan Norville-Williams suffering a hamstring injury. He will miss the trip to West Yorkshire and is set for a scan, with a best-case recovery of ten days to two weeks and a worst-case scenario of three to four weeks. Rowley believes the injury is not too serious, but it adds to existing absentees. Defender Joy Mukena and midfielder Joe Haigh are also sidelined, testing the squad's depth.
The recent loan signing of Seb Naylor from Bristol City has provided timely cover. The defender impressed on his debut and can operate at left-back, offering a solution in Norville-Williams' absence. This defensive reshuffle comes as Yeovil prepare for a different challenge against a Halifax side sitting tenth, who lost 3-2 to Barrow in midweek but have taken eight points from their last five games.
A stern test at The Shay
Rowley emphasised that his team must be at their best to get a result at The Shay. The match represents a test of resilience for a young Yeovil squad that has already scored 35 league goals this season. With the next fixture a key part of a congested schedule, managing the squad through this injury period is key for maintaining their promotion push. They currently sit 13 points behind leaders Boreham Wood in a tight race at the top. Their next match is away at FC Halifax Town on Saturday 31 October.
The game kicks off on Saturday afternoon, with Yeovil looking to build on their positive momentum and handle the potential steps back their manager has foreseen.
This story first appeared at Somerset Live
