Yeovil gears up for Liverpool game

Yeovil Town were promoted to the football league last season

The town of Yeovil is watching with baited breath as one of the biggest football cup ties ever seen takes place at Huish Park.

Yeovil Town are taking on Premiership side Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup after kicking off at 1300 GMT.

Mark Kelly, chairman of the club's supporters association, said there was a real "buzz" in the town.

"The whole place is decked out in green and white and the people are raring to go," he said.

"I think it will be a tremendous atmosphere at the game especially with Liverpool bringing a full allocation of away fans."

I don't think our players will be overawed by the superstars Gary Johnson, Yeovil Town manager

Yeovil's Mayor Julian Freke told BBC News Online: "It is a very big day for the town and will help trade.

"Many of the shops have decorated their windows and there is bunting up in the shopping centre.

"Not only are there the fans arriving but there are family members with them who are not going to the game, and they will be shopping and eating out in the town."

More than 9,000 fans have packed into the ground for the fixture, which is being screened live on BBC One, earning the club around £250,000.

'Good game'

Tickets sold out very quickly - one of those who managed to get his hands on one is Yeovil fan Ken Rogers, who was there last time Yeovil hosted Liverpool in the cup 70 years ago.

He said he believes the home side are in with a chance.

"Anything can happen on the day - penalties, somebody could be sent off - and it is what happens then that counts," said Mr Rogers.

"If Yeovil play well then they will give Liverpool a good game - they could win."

We could get a draw - we've pulled out a number of big shocks over the years Mark Kelly, chairman of Yeovil Tow's supporters association

Asked to rate Yeovil's chances, Mark Kelly said: "I think we will have to play very well to pull anything out of the game really and Liverpool would have to play under par.

"We could get a draw - we've pulled out a number of big shocks over the years."

Manager Gary Johnson said: "The cup has a fascinating history of upsets, sometimes they happen, sometimes they don't, but what an occasion it would be if it did happen.

"Let's not forget though that Liverpool is one of the biggest and strongest teams in Europe and they're only having a tough time at their level."

'Under pressure'

Mr Johnson said Yeovil Town now has many young supporters and this would be a game they would remember for the rest of their lives.

He said he did not think the players would be overawed by the occasion.

"We have a saying which says 'trust your training' and our training sometimes is geared around putting people under pressure and seeing how they come through it.

"We mustn't be looking at the Liverpool team as the superstars that they are but will be focussing on the game."