Match Reports

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Yeovil Town were dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of a Hemel Hempstead Town side which played more than an hour with ten men in today’s fourth qualifying round tie.

The National League South side were reduced to ten men after forward Isiah Noel-Williams clashed with Glovers’ defender Kyle Ferguson off the ball on 25 minutes, but The Tudors continued to show more desire than their higher division visitors and deservedly took the lead through captain Kyle Ajayi with six minutes of the half remaining.

The game continued in a similar fashion in the second half and it was only after a flurry of Yeovil substitutions that the visitors put up anything approaching a fight with striker Harvey Greenslade pulling them level after 71 minutes.

But, the day belonged to Hemel who got the winner with three minutes of normal time remaining when Finley Wilkinson’s looping header came back off the post, hit Yeovil keeper Jed Ward on the back and went in.

First half

The home side, who started with  former Yeovil trialist Jevani Brown on the right side of attack, looked the brighter without really testing Jed Ward, who was given permission to play in the FA Cup by Bristol Rovers. The desire definitely was with Hemel in the opening exchanges.

For the visitors, there were a few nervy misplaced passes and the occasional bit of overplaying (yes, Jake, I mean you) as we struggled to get to grips with the artificial surface. The impetus came from Andrew Oluwabori and he had the first effort on goal after 15 minutes following good play by Tahvon Campbell, but his effort sailed over the bar.

Jed Ward shepherds Isiah Noel-Williams away after his red card.

The real moment of the first half  came after 25 minutes. Whilst we all looked at Hemel taking a throw in, Isiah Noel-Williams, son of former Yeovil loanee Gifton, clashed with Kyle Ferguson off the ball and was immediately given a red card. I’ll be honest, I did not see it but it happened right in front of the linesman and the referee did not hesitate.

The one man disadvantage did not put Hemel off and the effort and desire they showed from the off was still evident. So, it was no surprise when the ten men took the lead after 39 minutes. Our defence failed  to deal with a Williams corner and captain Kyle AJAYI was there to sweep it home.

With a minute of first half stoppage time played, Hemel came within inches of doubling their advantage. George Williams stepped up to curl a free-kick over the defensive wall and it came rattling back off the post, it flew back across the face of goal with two Hemel players in close proximity. Fortunately, neither player could get to it and Ward dropped on it.

1-0 down at half-time massively flatters us. Where has the attacking flair which won three consecutive games gone?

Half time: Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The second half started in a similar fashion to the way the first ended with Hemel on top and it was no surprise when Yeovil manager Richard Dryden made changes. The first came within five minutes of the restart, Byron Pendleton replaced Alex Whittle with Josh Sims switching to the left side with the Birmingham City loanee taking up the right side. On 58 minutes Brett McGavin replaced Cousin-Dawson with the visitors desperately looking for some creative spark.

But it was the home side who created the next opening on the hour mark after a Hemel was allowed to run through the Yeovil midfield unchallenged and play in Joe White whose shot was weak and easily stopped by Ward. 

Next it was Harvey Greenslade who replaced Junior Morias on 65 minutes whilst Hemel keeper Michael Johnson needed at least three separate visits from the physio as the home side tried to slow the game down. Referee Richie Watkins fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Whilst it would be an exaggeration to say Yeovil started to make their one man advantage pay, there was more urgency after the changes with Pendleton getting some deliveries in from the left. On 71 minutes, Pendleton slid a ball through the Hemel defence and Harvey GREENSLADE was there to stroke a calm finish past Johnson from inside the area.

Tahvon Campbell shoots over the bar.

Eight minutes later, Campbell had a great opportunity to put Yeovil after he was found by a Josh Sims corner, but the striker was leaning back and his effort went over the bar.

Even after an hour of playing with a numerical disadvantage, Hemel continued to press for the win. White pulled an effort wide before substitute Devante Stanley had a shot from distance and then with three minutes of normal time remaining the breakthrough their efforts deserved came for the home side. Samuel Adenoa got away down the left and his deflected ball was met by the head of Finley WILKINSON, hit Ward on the back and found the net.

As the match officials indicated ten minutes of time added on, Yeovil pressed for an equaliser to take the tie to a replay at Huish Park. The best opening came four minutes in to stoppage time when Campbell’s ball found Oluwabori at the back post but the Exeter City loanee could not get anything on it to turn the ball home.

Vauxhall Road erupted at the final whistle and it was nothing less than Hemel deserved. We were out fought, out thought and just out of the FA Cup to lower league opponents for the second successive season. Simply not good enough.

Full time: Hemel Hempstead Town 2 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Vauxhall Road
Date: Saturday 10th October, 3pm kick-off

Competition: FA Cup fourth qualifying round

Scorers: Kyle Ajayi 39 (0-1), Harvey Greenslade 71 (1-1), Finley Wilkinson 87 (1-2).

Pitch: Plastic
Conditions: Dry and bright

Attendance: 1,751

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Finn Cousin-Dawson 31, Morgan Williams 44
Hemel Hempstead Town:

Sendings Off:

Hemel Hempstead Town: Isiah Noel-Williams 25

Referee: Richie Watkins

Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)

Substitutes: Byron Pendleton (for Alex Whittle, 51), Brett McGavin (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 58), Harvey Greenslade (for Junior Morias, 65), Ben Wodskou (for Jake Wannell, 81), Matt Gould (not used).

Hemel Hempstead Town: Michael Johnson, Samuel Adenola, Kyle Ajayi, Jordan Thompson, George Williams, Millar Matthews-Lewis, Joe White, Kyran Wiltshire, Isiah Noel-Williams, Jevani Brown, Devante Stanley.

Substitutes (not used): Darion Dowrich, Jake Gray, Finley Wilkinson, Mathew Achumba, Ade Azeez, Jermaine Anderson, Steve Arnold.

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Yeovil Town’s recent good form came to a juddering halt at the hands of an impressive Boreham Wood side who ran out comfortable winners at a blustery Huish Park on Saturday.

The visitors started the match in fifth place in the National League Premier Division and quickly showed why as they took the lead through the impressive Abdul Abdulmalik and striker Matt Rush added a second deep in to first half stoppage time.

With the wind at their backs after the break, Yeovil failed to take advantage of the conditions and Boreham Wood continued to toy with their hosts and full-back Femi Ilesanmi was there to turn it home. Game, set, match.

First half

Manager Richard Dryden named an unchanged starting XI for the fourth consecutive match as they went in search of their fourth consecutive win. The visitors attacked the Thatcher’s End with Storm Amy giving them a major advantage with the wind literally in their sales from the start.

It was visiting midfielder Zak Brunt who was the first to try his luck with a wind-assisted shot from distance in the eighth minute with an effort which whistled over the bar.

There was an early blow for Yeovil after Josh Sims suffered an injury after an awkward landing having jumped for a header and the former Southampton man was off the pitch when Boreham Wood took the lead after 20 minutes. Abdul ABDULMALIK cut inside and stroked the ball in to the far corner leaving goalkeeper Jed Ward with no chance. Byron Pendleton replaced Sims before the game restarted. A double blow for the Glovers.

Jed Ward can’t keep out Abdulkarim’s strike. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

For the second week in a row, Yeovil faced a side which played the ball around nicely with the ball spending plenty of time on the deck, similar to the second half against Altrincham seven days earlier. Yeovil changed their formation with Pendleton going across to the left and trying to match their visitors’ 4-2-3-1 formation.

After 34 minutes, experienced full-back Jeff King fired in a free-kick which was tipped around the post by Jed Ward who was at full stretch to deny the visitors a second. The windy conditions definitely helped that one on its way.

Abdulmalik had another effort four minutes before half-time which deflected off team-mate Charles Clayden and went behind for a Yeovil goal kick, and Brunt put an effort in to the side netting in the second minute of seven minutes of first half injury time.

Just as it looked like we would go in at the break just one goal down, Boreham Wood grabbed a second with just seconds remaining. Abdulmalik skipped away from Morgan Williams with ease down the left side, fed Clayden and he played a cross in to Matt RUSH was there to double the visitors’ advantage.

Boreham Wood thoroughly deserve their half-time advantage, they have taken full advantage of the windy conditions and Yeovil will have to do the same in the second half if they are to get anything out of this one.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boreham Wood 2

Second half

Richard Dryden made three changes at half-time with Brett McGavin, Aaron Jarvis and Alex Whittle replacing and Finn Cousin-Dawson, Junior Morias and captain Jake Wannell. McGavin in particular was needed to bring some control in the middle and hopefully get Yeovil’s attacking players who have proved some potent in the previous three matches involved in the second half.

It looks like we are starting with a 4-4-2 (cue Mike Bassett quote) formation with Jarvis and Tahvon Campbell paired together up from. Within eight seconds of the restart, Aaron Jarvis was penalised by referee Niall Smith. What does that man have to do to get a decision from a match official?!

Andrew Oluwbori. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

It was Boreham Wood who had the first chance of the second half after seven minutes of the restart, Clayden exploited the space left by Yeovil’s change in formation and curled a wonderful shot in. Luckily, Jed Ward was able to pull off an equally impressive save to deny him. The on loan Bristol Rovers’ man could have a busy half if we are going to push to get back in to his game.

James Plant became the second enforced change of the match of the match on 55 minutes. The on loan Port Vale player appeared to injure his shoulder and was replaced by Harvey Greenslade. That is all our substitutes made with only ten minutes of the second half played.

Campbell had an opportunity to set Andrew Oluwabori away but the striker could not get the ball under control and Wood defender Chris Bush stole the ball off him to start an attack which led to Zak Brunt dragging a chance wide. That could easily have been 3-0.

On 64 minutes, it was 3-0 to Boreham Wood after 63 minutes. It all started with Abdulmalik again, he skipped past a couple of players and the Yeovil defence were statuesque as Femi ILESANMI turned it home. You cannot say the visitors do not deserve this scoreline.

It took until the 72nd minute for Yeovil to have a meaningful effort on goal. McGavin’s ball forward was cleverly stepped over by Campbell and Greenslade coming in from the left side tried to caress it in to the corner but Finn Herrick in the visitors’ goal did well to turn it around the post. 

Ward had to pull off another great save to deny Jeff King after 75 minutes. We have struggled to cope with the pace of this Boreham Wood side all afternoon and that was the case again there. The visitors had the ball in the net three minutes later when substitute Lewis Richardson had a shot saved by Ward and Rush was there to put the ball in the net, but the offside flag was up.

McCormick had a shot well saved by Herrick with ten minutes remaining. The wind which was gusting towards the Thatcher’s in the first half appears to have dropped, but we have simply not been allowed to play in anything like the attacking style we have seen in the last three matches. Credit has to go to Boreham Wood for standing up to us better than we have had a go at them.

Richard Dryden. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

There was still time for the visitors to cut through Yeovil like a hot knife through butter and Brunt fired in another dipping shot which Ward tipped over the bar. The keeper picked up another sponsors’ Man of the Match award and it’s hard to argue with it.

It was one way traffic all afternoon and it looks as if it was a game too far for our small squad.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Boreham Wood 3

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 4th October, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Abdul Abdulmalik 20 (0-1), Matt Rush 45+7 (0-2), Femi Ilesanmi 64 (0-3),

Pitch: Still looking good
Conditions: Blowing a gale towards the Thatcher’s End in the first half, dropped a little after the break

Attendance: 2,660 (48 away supporters)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Luke McCormick 90+2
Boreham Wood: Tom White 90

Referee: Niall Smith

Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)

Substitutes: Byron Pendleton (for Josh Sims, 21), Alex Whittle (for Jake Wannell, 46), Brett McGavin (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 46), Aaron Jarvis (for Junior Morias, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for James Plant, 55), Ben Wodskou (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Boreham Wood: Finlay Herrick, Femi Ilesanmi, Chris Bush, Charlie O’Connell, Zak Brunt, Abdul Abdulmalik (for Jon Benton, 87), Jeff King (for Cameron Coxe, 79), Callum Reynolds, Charles Clayden (for Lewis Richardson, 64), Tom White, Matt Rush.

Substitutes (not used): Erico Sousa, Junior Dixon, Joe Newton, Aaron Henry.

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Yeovil won their third match in a row since Richard Dryden was appointed manager in a 2-1 win at Sutton United.

Andrew Oluwabori scored the opener for the Glovers in second half, before Charlie Bell equalised for the hosts. Aaron Jarvis converted an 82nd minute penalty to clinch another three points as Yeovil climbed to 8th in the table.

First half

Richard Dryden named an unchanged side for the third match in a row, with the Glovers boss hoping the momentum continues.

The first half-chance fell to Junior Morias on the edge who, after a sharp one-two with Tahvon Campbell, struck a weak effort at Jack Sims’ goal.

Yeovil should have been 1-0 up in the 8th minute through Andrew Oluwabori. Yeovil broke at pace through Oluwabori, Morias and Luke McCormick but the Exeter loanee could only strike straight at Sims.

Yeovil continued the pressure, attempting to work an space in front of goal, with Sutton just about managing the clear their lines. Good pressure from Dryden’s side.

On the 22nd minute it was only the frame of the goal keeping the game scoreless. Another bursting run from Oluwabori saw him get the ball to McCormick who opened his body and shot a left-footed looping effort from outside of the box that struck the bar. So close!

James Plant was given a yellow for hauling down a Sutton player outside the box as the hosts broke. Former Yeovil loanee Lewis Simper’s low free kick was comfortable for Jed Ward.

Simper tried another curling effort in the 29th minute which didn’t stretch Ward.

If that didn’t stretch Ward, the save moments later did. Yeovil’s number one somehow managed to get a foot on the ball to scoop Ashley Nadesan’s ball over the bar. Unbelievable save. 

Sutton had the next chance, this time through Simper. A well worked move down the left saw a cross come into the box that the Glovers failed to deal with before Simper hooked an effort fairly wide of the goal.

Simper had another chance to test Ward from the edge of the box in the 39th minute. He could only volley into the houses behind the stand.

McCormick fired a free kick over the bar from a promising position just before the half time break.

Half time: Sutton United 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Tahvon Campbell made way for Aaron Jarvis at half time, refreshing the Glovers’ frontline.

It was Ward who was called into action first though, saving low from Nadesan.

Yeovil could have had a chance at goal moments later but the referee blew up rather than play the advantage with the red and black shirts outnumbering the amber ones.

Oluwabori should have headed Yeovil in front shortly after with another golden opportunity spurned after combining with Jarvis.

Thankfully, Oluwabori finally made the breakthrough on the 51st minute with a low strike from the right side of the six yard box beating Sims in the Sutton goal! 1-0

Yeovil came close to doubling the lead afer a scintillating run from Sims saw him skip through the Sutton team before teeing up Morias who’s shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Sutton had an opportunity from a free kick, which after a long build up was high wide and handsome into the supporters behind the goal.

McCormick had half a sight at goal after Jed Ward’s free kick was knocked down into his path but he couldn’t connect cleanly to test Sims in the Sutton goal.

The hosts levelled it up in the 71st minute with a sumptuous left-footed finish from Charlie Bell leaving Ward helpless. 1-1

Yeovil very nearly fell behind minutes later with Brandon Njoku only able to direct his header over the bar  after getting on the end of a Vincent cross from the left.

Sutton looked to have all the momentum – and the legs – but in their quest for a winner were leaving spaces for Yeovil to exploit. Harvey Greenslade was released by Brett McGavin but could only fire over.

All that momentum was worth nothing, as Josh Sims earned the Glovers a penalty with his cross striking the arm of the Sutton defender and Aaron Jarvis fired the penalty home to restore Yeovil’s lead. 2-1 

With 8 minutes added on from who knows where, there was a nervy conclusion to hold on to all three points and make it the third win on the spin for Richard Dryden’s Glovers!

Full time: Sutton United 1 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Gander Green Lane
Date: Tuesday 30th September, 7:45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Andrew Oluwabori 51 (1-0), Charlie Bell 71 (1-1), Aaron Jarvis 80 (2-1)

Pitch: Lovely but cutting up a little
Conditions: Cold but dry with a strong wind going towards the away end

Attendance: XXXX (188 away supporters)

Bookings: 

Sutton United: Lewis Simper 48, Jayden Harris 67
Yeovil Town: James Plant 25, Cousin-Dawson 62

Referee: David Rock

Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)

Substitutes: Alex Whittle, Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 46), Brett McGavin (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 65),  Harvey Greenslade (for Junior Morias, 61), Byron Pendleton (not used), Ben Wodskou ( for Andrew Oluwabori 86), Matt Gould (not used).

Sutton United: Jack Sims, Lewis Simper, Ashley Nadesan, Edon Pruti (for Vincent), Will Tizzard, Jack Taylor, Aaron Jones (for Ogbonna), Mo Dabre (for Bell), Noa Boutin (for De Silva), Brandon Njoku

Substitutes (not used): Aziaya, Odelusi, Eccleston

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A Morgan Williams header in the first half saw Yeovil Town pick up three points against Altrincham at Huish Park.

After a slow start, the Glovers were driven forward by a front three of Andrew Oluwabori, Junior Morias and Tahvon Campbell who were in scintillating form and it was the Exeter City loanee whose ball was nodded home by Williams.

The second half saw the home side tire as they fought for everything against an impressive Altrincham whose passed the Glovers to death with Jed Ward pulling off a number of critical saves at vital moments.

Huish Park was rocking at the final whistle with around 2,600 home supporters playing their part in ensuring that a difficult week ended with six points – who saw that coming? 

First half

The visitors started at a furious pace with panic inside the Yeovil area from an early corner which saw Jed Ward fail to deal with a corner played deep to his back post and the ball landed to Altrincham’s Keaton Ward who fortunately could not get a decent strike in and our Ward was able to parry it away.

The opening quarter-of-an-hour was played at a million miles with both sides keen to press their opponents whenever they had the ball and it was the lively Andrew Oluwabori who was the big threat for Yeovil. On 16 minutes, he picked the ball up on the right side, cut inside and fired a beautiful shot dipping over the head of Luke Hutchinson in the visitors goal, but it rattled the crossbar. 

Great running by Junior Morias after a wonderful touch from Tahvon Campbell, Morias sped forwards, put it through the legs of an Altrincham defender and was felled by visiting captain Lewis Baines, who was booked for the foul. It was Brett McGavin range, but sadly he was on the bench and Luke McCormick put the free-kick in to the defensive wall.

On 26 minutes, Morias was involved again flicking the ball up and smash a thunderous shot which Dan Sassi did superbly to step up and block the shot with “a tender area”. James Plant grabbed the ball (the football, that is) but referee Wayne Cartmel stopped the play much to the annoyance of the Port Vale loanee and the Thatcher’s End.

After an opening ten minutes where Altrincham were all over the Glovers, the following 20 minutes has been far more solid defensively from Yeovil and there’s been some great opportunities to get a breakthrough. That breakthrough came on 32 minutes and no surprise it was Oluwabori who was at the heart of it. Great play down the right ended with a delicate ball across the area where Morgan WILLIAMS arrived to flick it at the back post.

Oluwabori was at it again on 42 minutes when he burst forward, taking Altrincham defenders on again and smashed an effort in but it was straight in to Hutchinson. The visitors just cannot cope with the Exeter City loanee when he runs at them.

At the other end, Sassi curled an effort just around the post a minute before half-time. Think that one was closer to creeping inside Jed Ward’s post than it first looked, but it would have been harsh on Yeovil, who have dominated the game since the tenth minute.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Altrincham 0

Second half

With four minutes of the second half played, Yeovil had a great opportunity to double their advantage.  Junior Morias found himself in space down the left side bearing down on Hutchinson, but his touch let him down and allowed the Altrincham keeper to deflect it as far as Josh Sims whose effort was hacked off the line by Lewis Banks. That should be 2-0 to Yeovil.

There was a real chance for the visitors when Charlie Kirk put a beautiful ball across the face of Jed Ward’s goal on the hour mark, but none of the Altrincham strikers anticipated to level the scores and Sims hacked it away. It has been a cagey start to the second half in comparison with the blood and thunder way the first 45 minutes ended.

With Altrincham starting to look more of a threat as Yeovil’s legs started to tire, Richard Dryden made two changes with Aaron Jarvis and Alex Whittle replacing Campbell and Jake Wannell. Whittle dropped in to the back line with Jarvis taking Campbell’s place in the forward line.

In the 70th minute, Brett McGavin replaced Morias before Yeovil were indebted to Ward after the defence fell asleep from an Altrincham short corner and Banks found himself in lots of space but was denied by the on loan Bristol Rovers keeper.

Yeovil were indebted to Jed Ward on a number of occasions in the second half. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

McGavin almost made an instant impact when he found himself in space after a deft cushioned touch from Jarvis, but his effort flew over the bar. Shortly after, Finn Cousin-Dawson got caught out of position and Altrincham worked a good opportunity which Jimmy Knowles put millimetres past the post. Jed Ward was not getting to that.

Oluwabori, who had been quieter in the second half after a full speed first half, was replaced by Harvey Greenslade with ten minutes remaining.

Another big opportunity for Altrincham and it was Sassi again who flicked a header which crept just wide of the far post with Tom Crawford arriving. Luckily for Yeovil he was unable to get a touch, but the visitors are passing the ball beautifully here and causing Yeovil real problems.

As the game moved in to three minutes of injury time, the visitors continued to turn the screw. Banks had a great opportunity to get the leveller and then Knowles could not quite get to the loose balls.

When the final whistle eventually blew, Huish Park was in full cry as several Yeovil players dropped to their knees. If anyone ever doubted it, these players gave every last drop of energy to earn those three points and end a crazy week with six points in the bag.

This club, ladies and gentlemen, you’ve got to love it!

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Altrincham 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 24th September, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Morgan Williams 32 (1-0)

Pitch: Lovely but cutting up a little
Conditions: Cold but dry with a strong wind going towards the away end

Attendance: 2,607 (64 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Junior Morias 54, Kyle Ferguson 61
Altrincham: Lewis Baines 21, Matty Kosylo 45+1

Referee: Wayne Cartmel

Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)

Substitutes: Alex Whittle (for Jake Wannell, 67), Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 67), Brett McGavin (for Junior Morias, 70),  Harvey Greenslade (for Andrew Oluwabori, 80), Byron Pendleton (not used), Ben Wodskou (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Altrincham: Luke Hutchinson, Lewis Banks, Samuel Reed, Lewis Baines, Isaac Marriott, Keaton Ward, Jimmy Knowles, Matty Kosylo (for Elliot Osborne, 70), Tom Crawford, Dan Sassi, Charlie Kirk

Substitutes (not used): Jake Cooper, Owen German, Louis Fallon.

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After three days which have rocked the club, Yeovil Town turned in a scintillating team performance to pick up a huge three points at Aldershot Town.

The Glovers took the lead after 11 minutes when Tahvon Campbell smashed home from close range, ten minutes later the impressive Andrew Oluwabori laid it off to Junior Morias who doubled the advantage and then Luke McCormick fired in a beautiful third. With 26 minutes gone, the Glovers were cruising.

In the 64th minute, Campbell fired home a penalty to make it 4-0 before Aldershot substitute James Henry pulled one back a minute in to second half injury time.

It might not have been a cleano, but after everything which has happened at Huish Park since the news of manager Danny Webb’s shock departure you have to take your hats off to everyone for that performance and this result.

What a reaction. What a club.

First half

The first chance of the game fell to the home side as Archy Taylor hit a half-volley over the bar and it was Aldershot who enjoyed the better of the opening ten minutes with dangerman Josh Barrett an ever-present threat.

Having been on the back foot for the opening 11 minutes, Yeovil did a truly Yeovil thing and took the lead. Junior Morias robbed the Taylor  broke in to the box and hammered in a shot which keeper Marcus Dewhurst blocked with his legs and it fell to Tahvon CAMPBELL whose shot cannoned off Theo Widdrington on the line and into the net.

On the 15 minute mark, James Plant cut in from the left hand side and fired in a shot which Dewhurst parried away and moments later Oluwabori broke forward and fired in a shot which came off an Aldershot defender and wide for a corner. There’s definitely opportunities for Yeovil to get at the home side here.

In the 21st minute, it was 2-0 to Yeovil. A high ball forward was superbly brought down by Oluwabori, who laid it off to his left where Junior MORIAS picked it up, fainted to shoot before smashing a shot past Dewhurst.

Junior Morias celebrates Yeovil Town’s second goal.

Two minutes later it could have been three, a ball in from Plant on the left found Oluwabori on the edge of the box, he turned and fired in a shot which Dewhurst had to get down smartly to keep it out. Oluwabori and Morias are pulling the Aldershot defence all over the place.

On 25 minutes it was 3-0. A long ball forward picked out Luke McCORMICK who was in acres of space down the left side, he tore forward and superbly finished. It has been kamikaze defending from  the Aldershot back three, but ruthlessly exposed by Yeovil. What is going on here?! Every time the ball goal goes forward, Yeovil look like they can score.

Aldershot responded with an immediate change with Ryan Jones replacing Charlie Penmen, but it does not stop the visitors from pushing frorward with Oluwabori breaking forward and fizzing a low shot across the face of goal.

With five minutes remaining until half-time, Aldershot had a shot on goal – it was about time. Barrett picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired in a shot which Jed Ward did well to turn away.

Half time: Aldershot Town 0 Yeovil Town 3

Second half

Aldershot came out with a half-time flea in their ear and had some early pressure, but there are green-and-white shirts back fighting to keep the pressure off.

With 56 minutes on the clock, Morias, who looked to have a problem with his knee, was replaced by Byron Pendleton who went in to the right wing-back position with Josh Sims moving further forward in to the berth left by Morias.

There was not a great deal for either side until the 62nd minute when James Plant broke in to the box and was pulled down by the home side’s Ryan Hill, referee Stephen Parkinson pointed to the penalty spot. Tahvon CAMPBELL took the ball and send Dewhurst the wrong way. 

Tahvon Campbell celebrates his penalty in front of the travelling supporters.

Two minutes after adding to their advantage, Yeovil introduced Harvey Greenslade in place of Josh Sims. There hasn’t been much to offer At the other end, Jed Meerholz headed one wide and substitute Jones put one wide, but there was not much on offer from them.

With 12 minutes remaining, Richard Dryden made a couple change with Alex Whittle and Ben Wodskou replacing the excellent Oluwabori and Plant. The closing stages of this game have been wonderfully controlled from Yeovil who have kept Aldershot at arms length with a thoroughly professional performance.

Just as I say that, Aldershot have pulled a goal back. As the fourth official’s board goes up for six minutes of injury time, Jones had space down the left side and the ball landed to the feet of James HENRY who coolly struck it in past Ward from the edge of the box.

That goal has given Aldershot a bit of a lift and with five minutes of injury time played, Archy Taylor fires in a shot which Ward does superbly to tip over the bar.

Honestly, this football club, right? After the three days we have had since the shock departure of Danny Webb on Monday morning it would have been easy for the players to fold, for the supporters to not turn up and for us to tumble further in to despair. Instead, we are 4-0 ahead in front of over 200 people who have made the journey to Hampshire on Wednesday night. We’re some club.

Full time: Aldershot Town 1 Yeovil Town 4

Match Details

Venue: The Recreation Ground
Date: Wednesday 24th September, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Tahvon Campbell 13 (1-0), Junior Morias 21 (2-0), Luke McCormick 26 (3-0), Tahvon Campbell pen 64 (4-0), James Henry 90+1 (4-1)

Pitch: Text
Conditions: Text

Attendance: 1,931 (203 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Harvey Greenslade 67, Kyle Ferguson 82
Aldershot Town: Dejan Tetek  62

Referee: Stephen Parkinson 

Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)

Substitutes: Byron Pendleton (for Junior Morias, 56), Harvey Greenslade (for Josh Sims, 65), Alex Whittle (for James Plant, 78),  Ben Wodskou (for Andrew Oluwabori, 78), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Aldershot Town: Marcus Dewhurst, Josh Barrett (for James Henry, 73), James Claridge, Cameron Hargreaves (for Tristan Abrahams, 61), Ryan Hill (for Kiban Rai, 73), Jed Meerholz, Charlie Penman (for Ryan Jones, 26), Archy Taylor, Dejan Tetek (for Hady Ghandour, 73), Kwame Thomas, Theo Widdrington.

Substitutes (not used): Ben Jackson, Patrick Nash.

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Danny Webb’s start as Yeovil Town manager ended with a scrappy defeat at Tamworth on Saturday.

The Glovers struggled to cope against a physical opponent on an unstable artificial surface in the first half and had to ride the storm with a barrage from their hosts who won the physical battle.

The introduction of new loan signing Andrew Oluwabori and striker Junior Morias brought some added impetus, but in the 75th minute Tamworth found a breakthrough when defender Kennedy Digie bundled home the winner.

Oluwabori had a great opportunity to get a leveller in second half injury time after a fantastic run, but his shot was wide.

First half

There was no midfielder Brett McGavin in the Glovers’ squad having jarred his back in training. Finn Cousin-Dawson replaced him in the middle of the park with Aaron Jarvis brought in to provide a physical presence up front alongside Harvey Greenslade.

The first chance of the game fell to the home side after nine minutes when Yeovil switched off from a Tom Tonks’ quick throw-in towards Tyler Roberts before the winger crosses the ball for Kennedy Digie whose effort was denied by a smart save from Jed Ward.

Five minutes later, Beck-Ray Enoru volleyed just wide before firing in a cross after doing superbly to beat Byron Pendleton. All the pressure was coming room the home side, but the Yeovil defence was standing firm against a barrage of attacks and several cannon ball throw-ins from the human rocket launcher in Tonks.

The first meaningful chance of goal for Yeovil did not come until half-an-hour in when Tonks fouled McCormick on the edge of the box. In the absence of Brett McGavin, the former Bristol Rovers man lifted the resulting free-kick just over the bar.

With three minutes of the half remaining, Yeovil were indebted to Ward once again after the dangerous Tyler Roberts caused issues down the right side before feeding Kwaku Donkor who effort was well saved by the feet of the keeper.

There was dogged defending from the visitors, but also a lack of creativity going forwards with nothing for hosts’ goalkeeper Jas Singh to deal with.

Half time: Tamworth 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The start of the second half saw Andrew Oluwabori replace James Plant and within seconds of the restart Finn Cousin-Dawson was in referees’ book for an aerial tussle with Manny Duku.

Josh Sims had a shot off target in the 55th minute before Junior Morias came on around the hour mark replacing Greenslade. The arrival of Oluwabori and Morias certainly gave the Glovers’ more cutting edge, but the quality going forwards which was lacking in the first half was still absent after the break.

On 65 minutes, a big chance came when McCormick’s free kick met by Morgan Williams at the back post but he was superbly stopped by Singh. That was the first action the Tamworth keeper was called in to.

The home side had a very loud shout for a penalty on 67 minutes for what looked like a hand ball before substitute Oliver Lynch had a shot which was deflected on to Jed Ward’s crossbar.

You just got the feeling a breakthrough was coming for Tamworth and in the 75th minute it arrived. Having not dealt with a corner, Ben Milnes was able to put a ball in to the box and Kennedy DIGIE bundled it home.

It seemed that it was not until the fourth official put his board up for seven minutes of stoppage time that Yeovil’s attackers snapped in to gear. The best chance came from Oluwabori who picked the ball up inside his own half four minutes in to stoppage time and drove forwards but pulled his shot wide.

Full time: Tamworth 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The Lamb Ground
Date: Saturday 20th September, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Kennedy Digie 75 (0-1)

Pitch: An appalling patchwork of plastic 
Conditions: Persistent drizzle 

Attendance: 1,199

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Finn Cousin-Dawson 47
Tamworth: Tom Tonks 30, Alfie Bates 90

Referee: Dale Baines

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Andrew Oluwabori (for James Plant, 46), Junior Morias (for Harvey Greenslade, 61), Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis, 79), Alex Whittle (not used), Ben Wodskou (not used), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

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New Yeovil Town manager Danny Webb watched his new players pull off a dramatic late winner at home to Woking this afternoon.

The former Glovers’ player was in the stands at Huish Park to see midfielder Luke McCormick lash the winner in to the roof of the net with three minutes of second half stoppage time on the clock to seal a crucial victory.

First half

New manager Danny Webb was introduced to the Huish Park crowd before the game and he watched from the stands with Richard Dryden, who has been in interim charge since the departure of Mark Cooper, in charge from the dug-out for one more game.

It was Woking who started the game the brighter, but it took until the 12th minute for either side to carve out much more than a half-chance. That fell to Aaron Drewe who was picked out by Tariq Hinds’ ball in to the box, but his effort was deflected over the bar by Jake Wannell. Eight minutes later, Jed Ward had to get down quickly to keep out a long range effort from Jack Turner.

Neither side has done much to test either keeper, but Woking looking far more composed on the ball with a clearer game plan. Just after the half-hour mark, Harry Beautyman’s free-kick from the edge of the box needed turning around the box by Ward. Good save.

Jed Ward turns an effort around the post,

It took until ten minutes before half-time for Yeovil to create anything which came close to being a chance, James Plant won a header which dropped to Junior Morias whose effort was high over the bar. That’s about as good as it has got going forwards for Yeovil.

The most 0-0 45 minutes of football Huish Park has seen in a long time. If you forgot it was an early kick-off and missed it, you didn’t miss much. If Danny Webb did not know the scale of the job he was facing at the start of this half, he did by the end of it.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0  Woking 0

Second half

Two minutes in to the second half, Yeovil’s first opportunity on goal fell to Josh Sims. Brett McGavin’s ball found him on the right, he twisted his defender inside and out and flashed a shot across the face of goal. Better from Yeovil.

On 53 minutes, Greenslade got away down the right and fired a ball in to the box with Morias ready to convert at the back post, but Woking were able to clear. 

There’s been an improvement going forward from the Glovers (it honestly could not have been much worse) and Dryden introduced Aaron Jarvis off the bench on 65 minutes. He replaced Harvey Greenslade.

With 73 minutes played, Morgan Williams spurned a glorious opportunity to open the scoring. Plant’s ball from the right was met by a great header from Jarvis and landed to the defender who was unmarked on the far post, but lifted his shot over

Morgan Williams does not know how he has missed that.

There was a bizarre moment around 12 minutes from time when Jarvis and Woking keeper Tom Norcott tangled off the ball. The on loan Reading keeper went down like he’d been assaulted and there was even a visit from the Woking medical staff. All a bit bizarre and Jarvis got a booking for his role which was presumably Norcott’s intention.

Tahvon Campbell, who had probably the most prolific spell of his career as a Woking player, was introduced for Wodskou on 82 minutes. A minute later Campbell had a great opportunity to break the deadlock after persistent play from Luke McCormick poked a ball through to him, Norcott seemed to get enough on it to deny Campbell an immediate shot, he managed to hook it towards goal but it was cleared off the line. Just hit the bloody thing!

O’Brien put one over the bar with five minutes remaining, but just when it looked like this game was going to finish goalless – Yeovil took the lead. A minute in to five minutes of second half stoppage time, McGavin’s corner was headed down by Jarvis and it landed to Luke McCORMICK on the back post and the midfielder showed great composure to thrash it in to the roof of the net.

Luke McCormick celebrates his goal.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time there was substitute Josh Osude went down under a challenge from Ward, before the ball broke to O’Brien who was felled by a strong challenge from Ferguson. Ward’s challenge was clearly just a goalkeeper and striker challenging for the ball, the Ferguson one had a bit more on it. Seen those given.

There was a  long stoppage as Osude got treatment and that meant we actually ended up playing 100 minutes. If the first half was forgettable, the second was much better but there was plenty of commitment there and even more importantly three points.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Woking 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 13th September, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Luke McCormick 90+3 (1-0)

Pitch: Looking good
Conditions: Mostly dry and bright with periods of intense rain in the first half

Attendance:  2,646 (259 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Junior Morias 61, Josh Sims 64, Morgan Williams 75
Woking: Jack Turner 45

Referee: Adrian Quelch

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Aaron Jarvis (for Harvey Greenslade, 65), Tahvon Campbell (for Ben Wodskou, 81), Byron Pendleton (for Josh Sims, 87),, Finn Cousin-Dawson (for used), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Woking: Tom Norcott, Aaron Drewe, Tunji Akinola, Timi Odusina, Caleb Richards, Tariq Hinds, Jack Turner (for Jake Forster-Caskey, 59) Jamie Andrews, Harry Beautyman (for Josh Osude, 70), Aiden O’Brien, Josh Kelly (for Timmy Akinola, 70).

Substitutes (not used):  Chin Okoli, Matt Ward, Craig Ross.

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Managerless Yeovil Town were outclassed by a rampant York City side who ran out comfortable winners at Huish Park.

The big-spending visitors, who were under the charge of new boss Stuart Maynard for the first time, went ahead through a penalty from prolific striker Ollie Pearce before a slick move saw Ollie Banks double the advantage before the break.

Luke McCormick pulled one back for Yeovil after a howler from visiting keeper Harrison Male before Jake Wannell turned in to his own net to restore the visitors’ two-goal advantage.

The weaknesses in the Glovers’ paper thin squad, missing the injured Alex Whittle and with youth midfielder Ollie Hughes named as one of just six substitutes, was cruelly exposed by a expensively assembled York squad, who thoroughly deserved the three points.

First half

The opening chances fell to Yeovil with a neat connection between Josh Sims and Junior Morias with the latter having a shot blocked after five minutes and then two minutes later Brett McGavin deceived everyone with a free kick from 30 yards out. The midfielder looked like he would put a ball in to the box, but instead he tried to catch York keeper Harrison Male out but the stopper was able to scramble across the keep it out.

On 13 minutes, the visitors had a great opportunity when Jake Wannell gifted the ball to Ollie Banks who fed Ollie Pearce just inside the box, Jed Ward got enough on it to keep it out. Moments later there was another break involving Joe Felix, who was causing James Plant all kinds of problems down the right, which caused chaos inside the box and a loud penalty appeal for a foul on Alex Newby and soon after Ollie Pearce tried to spin with the ball at his feet inside the box, but was denied by good defending from Kyle Ferguson.
 
York took the lead in the 23rd minute and it came from a familiar source. Newby set Felix away and he got the wrong side of Plant who pulled him down just inside the box. No surprises who it was to take it as Ollie PEARCE stepped up and slammed it straight down the middle. That is his eighth goal in five matches against us now.
 
Ollie Pearce celebrates his opener with the travelling supporters.
 
Ten minutes later it was 2-0 to the visitors. A move saw a ball played down the left side which Byron Pendleton missed and Tyrese Sinclair got away, his ball in was slammed home by Ollie BANKS. Yeovil were absolutely put to the sword by some slick football there and the lead was nothing more than they deserved.
 
For the remainder of the first half, it was all York as they pulled Yeovil about all over the pitch. Since the Pearce penalty, we have struggled to get near them and they have grown in confidence with every pass, whilst we are chasing shadows.
 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 York City 1

Second half

In the 69th minute, Newby seized on to a loose ball from Pendleton and fed Pearce who darted away down the left and lifted a shot just over the bar and on to the top of the net. That would have been quite a tap in.

It seemed like it was going to take something special to get Yeovil back in to it. It came from a mistake by Male as York tried to play it around at the back and the keeper’s loose pass was seized upon by Luke McCORMICK who will never get a better opportunity to get his first goal for the club.

That lifted Yeovil who looked to press forward, but they almost got caught out when they put everyone forward for  free-kick and the speedy Felix found himself clear on goal from the clearance. The wing-back had almost the entire length of the pitch to cover and possibly too much time to think about it and he lifted his effort over the bar.

But, on 83 minutes, the visitors did get a third. Hiram Boateng glided away from the Yeovil defence and fired it towards substitute Josh Stones before Jake Wannell slid in and the ball flew in to the net for an OWN GOAL.

McCormick had an effort turned wide by Male soon after, but York stayed strong whilst Yeovil’s paper thin squad started to feel the effects of three games in seven days. 

The contrast was stark between these two sides and it is clear to see why York will be among the sides pushing at the top of the National League Premier Division table and just how far Yeovil need to come to get anywhere close.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 York City 3

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 6th September, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ollie Pearce pen 25 (0-1), Ollie Banks 34 (0-2), Luke McCormick 77 (1-2), Hiram Boateng 83 (1-3)

Pitch: Still looking impressive
Conditions: Warm and sunny

Attendance:  2,954 (244 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: James Plant 24, Aaron Jarvis 70
York City: Hiram Boateng 76

Referee: Lewis Sandoe

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Tahvon Campbell (for James Plant, 54), Aaron Jarvis (for Harvey Greenslade, 67), Ben Wodskou (for Junior Morias, 68), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Byron Pendleton, 72), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

York City: Harrison Male, Mark Kitching, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Callum Howe, Tyrese Sinclair (for Ben Brookes, 70), Alex Hunt, Ollie Pearce (for Josh Stones, 82), Hiram Boateng, Joe Felix, Ollie Banks (for Joe Grey, 70), Alex Newby (for Daniel Batty, 78).

Substitutes (not used):  George Sykes-Kenworthy, Ryan Fallowfield, Ash Palmer.

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Striker Junior Morias bagged his third goal in as many games to grab Yeovil Town their first away of the season at bottom club Solihull Moors.

The experienced striker was in the right place at the back post when James Plant’s deflected shot looped up and landed at the feet of Morias who turned it home.

It had been a bruising encounter against a physical Solihull side who threw themselves forward in the second half, but could not a breakthrough.

First half

With two minutes played, Yeovil had the game’s first opportunity as Junior Morias was set free towards goal and he laid it off to Josh Sims whose effort needed helping over the bar by Solihull keeper Laurie Walker.

Jacob Wakeling had a strong shot in for the home side’s first chance after eight minutes, but it was never troubling Jed Ward in the visitors’ goal and the keeper had to be at full stretch after 17 minutes to deny former Glover Emmanuel Sonupe. A minute later, Dan Creaney lashed one wide of the post. It is end to end here.
 
Yeovil’s defence were busy against a physical Solihull side. PIcture courtesy of Alex Russell.
 
It has become a real physical battle when Solihull attack with the long throws of Brad Nicholson and the giant Creaney causing problems. If the home side watched Yeovil struggle with crosses in to the box, they have replaced them with Nicholson’s throws which are absolute bombs.
 
Luke McCormick flashes a chance wide but that’s the only break in what has otherwise it has been all Solihull. That was until five minutes before half time when Yeovil did manage to string together a few passes but there was no real quality inside the box.
 
You can hear interim manager Richard Dryden screaming “second ball” to his players. He knows what his players need to do to try and counter Solihull.
 

But, just as the game looked to be petering out to a goalless half scoreline, Yeovil scored. Plant worked himself some space on the edge of the box and tried a shot which looped up off a Solihull defender and landed perfectly to Junior MORIAS who steered it past Walker. 

That is three goals in as many games for Morias and he sends Yeovil in to the break ahead.
 
Junior Morias opens the scoring.

Half time: Solihull Moors 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The opening chance of the second half did not arrive until the 53rd minute when Jacob Wakeling lashed one in to the side netting before Aaron Jarvis replaced Greenslade two minutes later. If you need a back to goal battering ram, Jarvis is probably your man.

But on 59 minutes, Wakeling, who signed from Peterborough United before kick-off, ran through on a long ball over the top with the Yeovil defence scrambling to try and get back. The 23-year-old had only Jed Ward to beat but blazed his effort over the bar. That should be 1-1, but it’s not.

There were further changes for the visitors on 65 minutes with on loan Birmingham City striker Ben Wodskou and former Solihull man Tahvon Campbell, who replace Junior Morias and Josh Sims.

On 70 minutes, Kyle Ferguson went down in a heap after a full-blooded 50-50 tackle in the middle of the pitch. The summer signing looks in a lot of pain, but he has got to his feet and walked (/limped) off the pitch. Unbelievably, he’s returned to the pitch.

There’s been a lot of possession for the home side and Wakeling found himself in a lot of room after 74 minutes and lashed a long range effort wide, but we have to learn the lessons of throwing leads away in our past two matches. 

Ferguson cannot continue here and he is replaced by Finn Cousin-Dawson after 77 minutes with Pendleton replaced by Alex Whittle at the same time.

Plant had a great opportunity after twisting and turning inside the box three minutes later, but his shot was blocked and landed to Jarvis who was facing the wrong way and could not get it back to Wodskou. Moments later, Williams’ ball in finds Jarvis but he cannot get a shot on target. Six minutes remaining and McCormick is given time and space to move towards goal and unleashes an effort past the post from distance.

Eight minutes of injury time goes up as the game ticks over to 90 minutes and you sense there is a kitchen sink about to be thrown by Solihull and with seven of them played keeper Walker came forward for a free-kick which mercifully crept wide.

The final whistle on the first away win of the season sounded sweet, but in the home end Solihull fans were calling for the sacking of manager Matt Taylor. We needed that.

Full time: Solihull Moors 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Damson Park
Date: Tuesday 2nd September, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Junior Morias 45+1 (1-0)

Pitch: Green
Conditions: Soggy

Attendance:  917 (162 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Byron Pendleton 60, Tahvon Campbell 89
Solihull Moors: 

Referee: Harrison Blair

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Aaron Jarvis (for Harvey Greenslade, 55), Ben Wodskou (for Junior Morias, 65), Tahvon Campbell (for Josh Sims, 65), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Kyle Ferguson, 77), Alex Whittle (for Byron Pendleton, 77), Matt Gould (not used).

Solihull Moors: Laurie Walker, James Clarke, Cameron Green, Alex Whitmore, Brad Nicholson, Dan Creaney, Ben Worman (for Sam Bowen, 81), Louis Jackson, Jacob Wakeling (for Callum McFarlane, 89), Emmanuel Sonupe, Oscar Rutherford (for Shen Whyte-Hall, 67).

Substitutes (not used):  Rory Brown, Oliver Tipton, Finn Howell, Brad Stevenson.

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Yeovil Town let a lead slip for the second consecutive game as they started life after Mark Cooper with a defeat at FC Halifax Town on Saturday.

The Glovers spurned opportunities to go ahead in the first half before conceding a goal to Owen Bray late in injury time, but a penalty from Junior Morias and a great header from Harvey Greenslade saw them lead with an hour gone.

But, having taken the lead, the visitors sat back at Halifax came roaring back and Bray pulled them level before substitute Will Harris struck the winner with ten minutes remaining.

Interim manager Richard Dryden was left to look back on the all too familiar story of missed opportunities and soft goals conceded as he prepares to pick the Glovers up ahead of Tuesday night’s visit to Solihull Moors.

First half

After ten minutes, a dangerous ball in to the box caused confusion inside the Yeovil area which led to a scramble before a clearance, it has been a shaky start for the visitors who seem to be still trying to figure things out.

On 13 minutes, the visitors’ first sight on goal fell to Harvey Greenslade who could not get any contact on an Alex Whittle cross from the left wing. 

Greenslade had the ball in the back of the net in the 17th  minute after he got slipped through on goal by Josh Sims and found the net, but could not beat the offside flag having made his run just too early.

Brett McGavin fires a free-kick in on goal.

A mistake from Halifax keeper Sam Johnston after 26 minutes saw him fail to claim Brett McGavin’s ball in to the box, Morgan Williams picked up the loose ball and laid it off to Junior Morias who twisted and turned on the edge of the box but his effort sailed harmlessly over the bar.

This game seems to go in five-minute spells of either side dominating possession; when we get going we look a real threat but we look really threatened when Halifax get their game going as well.

Keeper Jed Ward had to get behind a long range effort from Bray after Sean Tarima’s ball in to the box had evaded David Kawa inside the area and shortly after Ward was forced in to an acrobatic save to deny Jay Turner-Cooke who was the latest Halifax player to try his luck from distance.

Greenslade had a glorious chance to open the scoring with seven minutes of the first half remaining when he ran on to a long ball over the top from Williams, but the striker’s first touch betrayed him and Johnston was able to come and gather. 

As the game crept in to injury time there was the feeling that not taking our chances was going to cost us and a minute in that is what happened. Jamie Cooke whipped a ball in from the right, Williams’ attempt to intercept it cannoned off Ward and Kawa was there to pick up the pieces and find Owen BRAY who stroked it home. The Yeovil players were incensed feeling there was a push on McGavin in the build up.

Overall, an even first half with both sides having opportunities to get the opening, but it is the same old story of not taking our chances and then getting punished for doing so.

Half time: FC Halifax Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The second half started with Yeovil on the attack with McGavin putting a free-kick just over the bar two minutes after the restart before Greenslade had an effort blocked shortly after. 

In the 52nd minute, Yeovil played the ball around well and found Luke McCormick breaking in to the box from the right side, he was felled by a thunderous tackle from Cody Johnson and the referee  awarded a penalty. With our record from the spot, it is fair to say there was some nerves in the away end but one man who showed no nerves was not was Junior MORIAS who smashed it low and hard past the reach of Johnston who guessed the right way.

The bright start continued with Yeovil playing some attractive passing football to retain possession and and led to a second goal after 58 minutes. I lost count of the number of passes which led to Josh Sims’ beautiful ball from the right side which was met by a superb near post header from Harvey GREENSLADE.

Yeovil Town celebrate Harvey Greenslade’s goal.

Remember how I said that for every spell we had, Halifax had one as well? The response to us going ahead was a couple of substitutions for the home side with striker Will Harris and winger Angelo Capello, the scorer of the only goal last time we visited The Shay, introduced on the hour mark.

Their arrival caused all kinds of problems for the Yeovil defence and a spell of sustained pressure we could not deal with and, you guessed it, a goal. With 65 minutes gone, Kawa was allowed to run in to the box and fired a ball across to Owen BRAY who was gifted the freedom of the penalty area to add his second goal of the game. The arrival of the substitutes has seen Kawa shifted over to the left side and he was causing problems.

We had sat back after going ahead and invited the home side to attack which they have been more than happy to do especially after the substitutions. Defensively we just do not look slow and completely unable to deal with balls going in to our box.

It was therefore no surprise that what turned out to be the winning goal came from a ball in to our own box. Josh Hmami played a ball to the back post this time from the right and our defence failed to deal with, Williams missed his header and the ball bounced inside the box where Will HARRIS was given time to smash a volley in to the roof of Jed Ward’s net. It had been coming since we went ahead.

Yeovil made substiutions of their own with former Halifax striker Tahvon Campbell and fellow frontman Aaron Jarvis replacing Sims and Greenslade whilst Finn Cousin-Dawson came on for Byron Pendleton, who was forced off with an injury after a heavy challenge.

As the board went up for nine additional minutes, James Plant got away down the right side and delivered a ball in to the back post but Jarvis’ header came back off the post.

Full time: FC Halifax Town 3 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: The Shay
Date: Saturday 30th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Owen Bray 45+1 (0-1), Junior Morias pen 52 (1-1), Harvey Greenslade 58 (2-1), Owen Bray 65 (2-2), Will Harris 79 (2-3)

Pitch: Surreal-ly green if you have ever visited The Shay before
Conditions: Overcast

Attendance: 1,280 (143 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Harvey Greenslade 62, Tahvon Campbell 73
FC Halifax Town: Cody Johnson 51, Jamie Cooke 53, Angelo Capello 90+8, James Turner-Cooke 90+8

Referee: Richard Aspinall

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Tahvon Campbell (for Josh Sims, 71), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Byron Pendleton, 76), Aaron Jarvis (for Harvey Greenslade, 76), Kyle Ferguson (not used), Ben Wodskou (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, Adam Adetoro, Will Hugill (for Jack Jenkins, 88), Josh Hmami, Jamie Cooke (for Will Harris, 60), Owen Bray (for Jake Griffin 90), David Kawa (for Tom Pugh 88), Jay Turner-Cooke, Sen Tarima, Cody Johnson, Thierry Latty-Fairweather (for Angelo Cappello 60).

Substitutes (not used):  Nathaniel Ford, Harvey Sutcliffe.