Yeovil Town suffered a 2-1 pre‑season loss to League Two side Newport County on July 28, 2026, with manager Billy Rowley expressing frustration while noting several encouraging moments. Luke McCormick gave the Glovers an early lead inside four minutes, but Newport equalised through Shaquille Gwengwe before Lee Jenkins completed the comeback early in the second half.
What happened in the match?
The Glovers opened the scoring when Luke McCormick struck inside four minutes, but Newport County responded with two set‑piece goals. Shaquille Gwengwe levelled before Lee Jenkins netted the winner, handing Newport a 2-1 victory. Despite the defeat, Yeovil created six or seven clear chances, according to Rowley, who felt the team could have turned those opportunities into goals.
Why does Rowley remain optimistic?
Rowley highlighted the progress made in just four weeks of training, stressing that the squad is still learning and that the pre‑season will have "ups and downs." He praised new loanee defender Ben Radcliffe, saying the young player showed a gut feeling of assurance, ball‑playing ability and leadership despite only one training session with the club. Rowley also commended the group’s character and the strong relationships forming among the players.
How does this affect the upcoming season?
The manager believes the positives will carry over into the National League opener, where Yeovil will travel 500 miles to face Scunthorpe United. He stressed the importance of sticking together, building relationships and continuously improving as the season progresses. The next fixture will be a challenging away game against Solihull Moors on 2027‑02‑20, where Yeovil currently sit 17th in the table.
What are the key takeaways?
Rowley’s frustration stems from missed chances, yet his focus remains on the development shown by the squad. The debut of Ben Radcliffe adds depth to the defensive line, and the team’s ability to create opportunities against higher‑league opposition bodes well for the campaign. With the season looming, the Glovers aim to translate pre‑season learning into league points, hoping to climb the table and avoid early setbacks.
