Team News:
Dan Sweeney serves the last of his three game suspension. Jamie Stephens (hamstring), Harry Taylor (metatarsal) and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (knee) are out. Elliott Johnson (knee) and Dave Tarpey (knee) are long-term absentees.
Ruben Bover and Ricardo Santos both face fitness tests after coming off on Saturday’s game.
Last Time We Met:
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at The Hive London back in October of this season.
Barnet started brightly and took the lead 6 minutes in through a great effort from Simeon Akinola. It wasn’t until the 81st minute when Yeovil equalised, Jack Taylor giving the ball away in midfield, Surridge split the Bees defence with a great pass to Khan who finished low past Craig Ross.
Manager:
Darren Way has been at Yeovil Town for the club’s entire period in the EFL as a player, coach and now manager.
He first arrived at Huish Park as a combative midfielder in 2000 and became a club legend by helping the Glovers achieve promotion from the National League in 2003 and League Two in 2005, as well as lifting the FA Trophy in 2002.
After leaving for Swansea City in January 2006, Way returned to Somerset on loan in 2007, before signing permanently ahead of the 2008/09 season.
However, Way’s playing career was ended on December 17th, 2008 when he was involved in a severe car accident.
The determined character defied the doctor’s prognosis of not being able to walk again by returning to Yeovil as a coach, working under Russell Slade, Terry Skiverton and Gary Johnson – achieving promotion to the Championship with the latter.
Two years after the club’s solitary season in the second tier, Way worked under Paul Sturrock as first team coach, before taking interim charge in December 2015.
He was appointed as permanent boss after six games and led Yeovil to safety during the 2015/16 season by a margin of 14 points, putting together a six-game unbeaten run in the process and turning the club’s fortunes around.
The Town legend signed a new three-year contract in the summer of 2016 to keep him at Huish Park, before guiding the Glovers to a 20th place finish during the 2016/17 campaign, accruing the club’s highest points tally in the last four campaigns.
Dangerman:
Francois Zoko recently made his 100th appearance for the Glovers, and is arguably having his best season to date, scoring 11 goals and assisting 4 in 37 appearances.
The experienced striker initially arrived at Huish Park in November 2015 on a short-term deal, which was then extended until the end of the season.
Zoko, who has played for a host of clubs including Carlisle United, Notts County, Stevenage, Blackpool and Bradford, scored eight goals in 29 appearances during the 2015/16 season, becoming an integral part of Darren Way’s side.
Having agreed to remain in Somerset, the former Ivory Coast Under 23 international finished the 2016/17 season as Town’s top scorer with 13 goals, pushing him into the top 10 list of goalscorers since the club reached the EFL in 2003.
Last Time Out:
Yeovil Town played out a 0-0 draw away to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday. Artur Krysiak was in fine form in the first half but the Yeovil goalkeeper limped off after the break.
Crewe had penalty appeals turned down when Nathan Smith appeared to handle Paul Green’s cross.
Ryan Seager wasted Yeovil’s best chance when he drove wide.
Connections:
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro went on loan to Yeovil Town from Barnet for the second half of the 2016/17 season. During this spell, he made 13 league appearances for the Glovers, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Since returning back to the club, he’s been a prominent feature in the side, with 15 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals.
Ticket info:
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Keep up with the game:
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