Tom Bailey

Luke McCormick secured Yeovil’s first win since late September, and the first win of the Billy Rowley era following his double in front of the Thatchers terrace as Yeovil Town defeated Boston United at Huish Park.

The Glovers looked nervy in the opening 15-20 minutes or so, making mistakes at the back that Boston looked to punish, but to no effect. The hosts grew into the game, showing glimpses of what life could be like under the new management team, but the game remained goalless at half-time.

Yeovil came out all guns blazing in the second half, and they were rewarded when McCormick scored his first of the game not long after the game got back underway. The hosts continued to push for their second, and found their goal when McCormick buried the second following a loose ball from a defensive error by Boston.

The visitors bagged a consolation, but it wasn’t enough as the Glovers saw out an impressive win to kick off the Rowley era in style.

First half

The visitors got things underway, as they kicked towards the Thatcher’s End for the first 45 minutes, and just 90 seconds in, first shot in anger was taken as Lenell John-Lewis found space towards the back post, his shot lead to nothing though as he was flagged offside.

Yeovil’s new high line was immediately noticeable, trying to catch the Pilgrims with offside traps and keeping patient with possession. A lovely turn from Tahvon Campbell almost released James Daly into space but the tricky number 11’s touch was too heavy, sending the game back into a back and forth affair.

Campbell once again was involved just minutes later, receiving the ball from Josh Sims inside the box, but his touch let him down and Boston cleared their lines, eventually winning a free kick just inside their own half.

Billy Rowley’s new ideas were evident, as a high press allowed the visitors to counter attack, Dylan Hill’s poor touch allowing Kyle Ferguson to recover in time to block his shot for a throw-in.

A sequence of poor passes almost allowed Boston a chance, but the Glovers scrambled to block any opportunities, Daly winning a free kick that led to nothing.

The ten-minute mark came and went, with both sides looking to move forwards with little success, however Yeovil looked the stronger of the two sides, some intricate patterns between Daly and Campbell once again almost unlocking the Boston defence.

A tidy set-piece just inside the Yeovil half almost led to an opportunity for the visitors, patiently working their way forwards but each and every shot was closed down well by a green and white body, Yeovil eventually clearing their lines and re-setting their shape.

Just as twenty minutes hit the clock, Yeovil had another positive spell, Kyle Ferguson finding Sims with a long ball down the right hand side, eventually leading to a throw-in. The Glovers enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure outside the Boston box, a succession of crosses across the box unable to find a Yeovil player, before Brett McGavin snatched at a loose ball outside the box, catapulting it into the top field.

Boston enjoyed possession for the next five minutes or so, but were unable to fashion any chances for themselves. A long ball over to the right hand side for James Daly almost led to something, but he fouled Matty Carson in the process, ending the move.

Yeovil’s first real chance of the game came 27 minutes in, Josh Sims being released down the right hand side and getting the better of Matty Carson, his cross into the box almost found Tahvon Campbell but was cleared by the visitors, James Plant’s shot was well saved though by Killian Barrett.

The resulting corner allowed Yeovil to continue applying pressure, but the Pilgrims’ defence was resolute, and after multiple crosses and shifts in direction, the ball was cleared for a Yeovil throw in.

Just before the half hour mark, a free kick was swung in from the left hand side, finding the head of Kyle Ferguson; his header looped high into the sky and was on target, but it was a simple enough save for the Boston ‘keeper.

A few minutes later, Boston almost found the back of the net; a tidy ball from John-Lewis made its way to Frankie Maguire, who was flagged offside before missing a peach of a chance from just outside the six yard box.

Yeovil made their way down the left hand side with a good bit of link up play between McCormick and Campbell, the number 8’s cross looped towards the back of the box; Daly won the header, but Boston once again cleared their lines well.

Another short free kick from Boston led to another chance for the visitors soon after, former Glover Marcel Lavinier danced his way down the right hand side into the box, but his cross was cleared back into his path, the following header went over the bar leading to a Yeovil goal kick.

Soon after, Josh Sims found his way into the referee’s book for a seemingly innocuous challenge, leading to another Boston free kick that led to nothing.

Campbell found himself involved in positive play once again just after the forty minute mark, his cute flick behind his legs almost allowing Daly into the box unchallenged, but Boston just about recovered possession.

Soon after, a ball from Max Jolliffe found Campbell, who lost his footing but still managed to prod a ball through to Luke McCormick, his shot was well blocked by the Boston defence for another corner, which was much less successful than our previous efforts.

The final chance of a high-energy first half fell to Boston, as a soft free kick was given in their favour against Kyle Ferguson. Boston’s number 10 whipped the ball into the danger zone but Yeovil’s defence dealt with it well once again, Josh Sims clearing for a throw in. From the throw, the ball fell to Adam Crowther, who’s fierce shot was tipped over the bar well by Jed Ward, leaving both sides headed down the tunnel goalless at half time.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boston United 0

Second half

The hosts got us underway for the second half, and immediately went on the attack, James Plant causing Lavinier and Teale to crash into each other, working some space for a cross that drifted over everybody, but the intention was made clear from the off that Yeovil weren’t going to lift their foot off the gas.

Another ball through for McCormick almost allowed Yeovil a chance, but it was well dealt with by Adam Crowther. Boston eventually sent the ball downfield, however it ended up straight in the arms of Jed Ward.

Yeovil had another chance soon after, as Brett McGavin carried the ball a good forty yards before releasing Plant down the left hand side; the Port Vale loanee worked his way into the box, before squaring it for McCormick, who miscommunicated with McGavin and the chance went begging.

The Glovers continued on the front foot though, with another dangerous looking cross coming in, this time from the right side of play, half-time substitute Michee Efete almost finding the head of James Daly.

Boston found themselves scrambling once again, as a well weighted ball through for Tahvon Campbell forced Killian Barrett to clear, only for the Yeovil frontman to block his clearance. Unfortunately, no Yeovil bodies were able to capitalise, but the first five minutes were almost entirely in Yeovil’s favour (yes, all of that happened in five minutes!)

Boston whipped a good cross in from the left hand side soon after, but it was an easy collection from Jed Ward to get the Glovers on their way once again.

And with 53 minutes on the clock, Yeovil finally had their just rewards, as Michee Efete came down the right hand side following a great ball to him. He charged with intent towards the box, his cross cleared just about by the Boston defence, but it fell to Luke McCORMICK to bury it in the back of the net for the opening goal of the Billy Rowley era.

Yeovil were almost in again just a few minutes later, as a ball was dinked over Barrett by James Daly, but Tahvon Campbell couldn’t quite get on the end of it, Boston were hanging on by a thread…

The visitors won a free kick inside the Yeovil half but wasted their chance, as the Glovers barrelled forwards once again – James Plant almost released McCormick, but the visiting defence once again scrambled back to deal with the threat. Incisive balls for Campbell were slightly mistimed, but the green and whites were purring with nearly an hour on the clock.

Boston lashed an effort over the bar before normal service was resumed, Campbell once again involved in positive linkup among the front line, before James Daly won a free kick just inside the Boston half. The ball forwards troubled the amber and black back line, with Morgan Williams laying the ball off for Jake Wannell, his shot cannoned into the wall of Boston bodies and away from danger.

A low driven shot was well collected by Jed Ward soon after, and in amongst all the action, former Glover Jordy Hiwula entered play as Boston’s first substitute.

Marcel Lavinier and James Plant had a brilliant battle down Boston’s right hand side, the former Glover winning out just about, but his cross couldn’t find a Boston head, and the Glovers cleared their lines. Soon after, Aaron Jarvis replaced the excellent Tahvon Campbell.

Any positives for the visitors all came from Lavinier, as his through ball troubled the Yeovil defence once more; Jake Wannell had enough about him to see the ball out of play for a Yeovil goal kick though.

Yeovil came forward once again following a free kick, asking further questions of the Boston defence, but the ball was eventually put out of play following a good spell of play around the box.

Jarvis was getting involved once again following his introduction, successfully chasing a lost cause of a ball, before earning a free kick just outside the box on the left hand side for the Glovers, and earning Adam Crowther a booking on his debut for Boston United. The resulting free kick was hammered in by McGavin, but a Boston body headed the ball away from danger.

A double substitution took place for the hosts, as McGavin and Plant gave way to Finn Cousin-Dawson and Harvey Greenslade respectively, before Aaron Jarvis found himself in space on the right hand side this time round. He made himself a yard to work with and put in a good cross, but it was just over the head of Luke McCormick; roles reversed, and we could’ve been celebrating a second…

More involvement for Aaron Jarvis came soon after a Boston free kick, as he earned the Glovers another free kick just five yards inside the Boston half, Daly’s ball was cleared but only into the path of Efete, who’s ball back in towards the box caused panic. Yeovil recycled the ball and almost worked a chance, but the cross from the left floated by everybody for a Boston goal kick.

Soon after Boston made a second substitution, it was a second goal for the Glovers! A free kick from inside the Yeovil half made its way onto the head of Wannell, who found the head of Greenslade, who found the boot of a Boston man. He was pickpocketed by Morgan Williams though, his ball found the number 8 of Luke McCORMICK in space inside the box, and his shot found the bottom right of the net. Two for Yeovil, two for McCormick, and joy spread across Huish Park!

Boston looked to respond following the second goal, but their chance went wide of the post, not troubling Jed Ward.

A series of weak chances came for the visitors, before a poor header from Jake Wannell allowed Sloggett to capitalise, his shot blocked by Williams but not cleared, before the ball bounced and fell to Dylan HILL to get a goal back for the Pilgrims with eight minutes remaining.

Yeovil weren’t down though, as the Thatchers terrace kept singing, and the players came forward once again, Aaron Jarvis’ switch of play unable to find a green and white shirt but still the Glovers looked positive.

Lavinier’s cross-come-shot almost looked to cause more trouble, but Jed Ward collected comfortably to ease supporter’s nerves.

More attacks came down the Boston right hand side from Lavinier, who floated past Daly and McCormick, and almost left Williams and Wannell on the floor, his shot was fortunately wayward, but he looked night and day to what we saw from him in a green shirt last season!

Harvey Greenslade received the ball as Yeovil looked to counter once again, going down inside the centre circle to win a free kick for the hosts, which unfortunately led to nothing. Efete almost danced past three Boston bodies before being brought down, but the referee wanted nothing to do with it, and the Yeovil press continued following a poor ball for Lavinier, as he was hounded by Jarvis and McCormick, the latter eventually winning Yeovil another free kick.

Three minutes into the five added on by the officials, Harvey Greenslade almost worked himself a chance, before ending up penned in the corner by two Boston players, his hard work led to a corner for the Glovers which he celebrated like he’d scored!

From the corner, Boston won the ball back and Greenslade went from the high of the corner to being booked for a sporting foul. The free kick was wasted by their ‘keeper, before Morgan Williams won a free kick following a clash with Marcel Lavinier, fist pumping in front of the Boston fans to rub the salt into the wounds. From the free kick, the referee blew for full time on a frenetic second half, as Yeovil Town secured their first win in eight games!

Substitutes: Substitutes: Michee Efete (for Josh Sims, 46), Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 65), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Brett McGavin, 73), Harvey Greenslade (for James Plant, 73), Dan Ellison (not used), Junior Morias (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Boston United: Killian Barrett, Matty Carson (for Jordy Hiwula, 60), Oisin Gallagher, Adam Crowther (for Tommy Fogarty, 77), Connor Teale, Greg Sloggett, Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill, Frankie Maguire, Marcel Lavinier, Lenell John-Lewis.
Substitutes (not used): Ben Grist, Deji Sotona, Liam Waldock, Rhys Lovett.