Match Reports

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Yeovil Town’s unbeaten start to the new season came to an end as Southend United grabbed three goals in the second half to take the points at Root’s Hall on Saturday lunchtime.

The Glovers looked to have pulled off a perfect away performance as they led 2-0 in Essex courtesy of a first half goal from Archie Davies and a second on the counter attack from captain Luke McCormick with an hour on the clock.

But, when midfielder Darren Oldaker lifted in a superb free-kick eight minutes later. That upped the volume levels inside Root’s Hall and the home side grabbed the three points through Leon Chambers-Parillon and then substitute Promise Omochere, the striker on loan from Bristol Rovers.

First half

Yeovil boss Billy Rowley brought defenders Jordan Norville-Williams and Archie Davies and midfielders Zain Westbrooke and Ryan Jones were all in to the starting XI, having started the quartet on the bench for the 3-2 home win over Tamworth on Monday. There was no place in the squad for on loan Crawley Town defender Ben Radcliffe, who was taken off early in the second half earlier this week, and defender Jack Kingdon returned to the squad. For the home side, former Glovers’ winger Lewys Twamley started for Southend with on loan Bristol Rovers striker Promise Omochere on the bench.

Yeovil started with what appeared to be a flat back four with Norville-Williams and Davies on the left and right with ex-Southend man Joe Gubbins and Joy Mukena in the middle. The opening 15 minutes lived up to Rowley’s pre-match prediction of “a chess match” of an encounter with Southend enjoying the better of the territory and possession, but neither side doing anything to force either keeper in to action.

The first meaningful chance for either side saw Yeovil take the lead with their first shot on target after 25 minutes. A good run forward from Archie DAVIES saw him run on to a Westbrooke pass, beat Southend defender Harry Taylor and lift the ball over keeper Joe Duncan.

Yeovil Town celebrate Archie Davies opener at Southend.

That seemed to spark Southend and Ryan Colclough had the first chance which caused Yeovil keeper Jos Barker to have to make a save. The 20-yarder from the edge of the box was well caught by the visiting stopper.

Leon Chambers-Parillon had a good run and shot which warmed the palms of Barker just after the half-hour mark and the forward had another effort which he hit in to the ground and the keeper had to dive for although the ball went wide without the keeper’s help. Southend are getting in behind Yeovil quite easily wide Colclough down the left and Twamley down the right having some joy.

It’s not been the end-to-end basketball match which we saw against Tamworth in the previous game, but, as predicted by Billy Rowley ahead of the game, this has been a game for admirers of the technique with two sides who want to play the ball around.

Half-time: Southend United 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Southend started the second half like they had got a flea in their ear from manager Kieron Dyer and took just three minutes for Colclough to try another effort from the edge of the area which Barker had to turn wide. Moments later there was a huge shout for a penalty as Colclough went down under a tackle from Norville-Williams. Referee Tolu Sangowawa was unmoved, with my green-tinted spectacles on it looked like a good tackle, but fair to say the majority of Root’s Hall disagree with him.

Chambers-Parillon dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box on 54 minutes and there are some loose passes from Yeovil which is giving Southend the opportunity to attack us. A minute before that opportunity Ste Walker replaced Slavi Spasov.

On 57 minutes, the hosts should have levelled, a ball lifted in to the box deflected off Mukena and Chambers-Parillon totally fluffed his header. Yeovil broke and the Ryan Jones picked it up on the right side, skipped in to the box and laid it off to Luke McCORMICK who placed a beautiful effort past the keeper. It has been complete one-way traffic this half with Southend in complete control, but this has been a textbook away performance from Yeovil up until this point.

Yeovil Town’s celebrations after Luke McCormick’s goal, as seen from the away end at Root’s Hall. Picture courtesy of Ed Turnbull.

Twamley had an effort tip over the bar by Barker and that turned out to be the ex-Glover’s last action of the game as Southend made a triple substitution on 63 minutes. On loan Bristol Rovers striker Promise Omochere was one of those arriving as the home side looked to get back in to this game. For Yeovil, James Daly and Hayden Muller replaced Ryan Jones and Brett McGavin.

They did exactly that three minutes later. A free kick just outside the penalty area and Darren OLDAKER did superbly to get it over the defensive wall and in to the far corner. You have to take your hat off to that type of quality. Root’s Hall is awake again.

The wasteful finishing from the home side continued when Harry Cardwell spurned a great opportunity with a header from a cross on 77 minutes, but two minutes later they pulled level. Good play from substitute Omochere saw Southend break in to the box and the ball got laid back to Leon CHAMBERS-PARILLON and he placed an effort through a crowded penalty area and past Barker.

The comeback was completed with five minutes to go. A great ball in to the box found Promise OMOCHERE who rolled Joe Gubbins and absolutely smashed a strike in to the net. It has been all Southend this half and they have pulled it back.

With three minutes to go, Yeovil had a huge shout for a penalty when Johl Powell was caught by a wild kick from Vontae Daley-Campbell inside the area. There will be no sympathy from the home fans given their ire against the referee, but that was a stonewall penalty.

Having been 2-0 up with 30 minutes to go, even against a side who will undoubtedly be pushing for promotion places come the end of the season, will be hugely frustrating for manager Billy Rowley and the travelling supporters.

For probably the first time this season, the second half substitutions seemed to disrupt us more than they helped us and the loss of McGavin and McCormick in midfield in particular had an impact.

Full time: Southend United 3 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Root’s Hall
Date: Saturday 5th September, 12.30pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Archie Davies 25 (1-0), Luke McCormick 58 (2-0), Darren Oldaker 66 (1-2), Leon Chambers-Parillon 79 (2-2), Promise Omochere 85 (2-3)

Pitch: As you would expect so early in the season, looking in good nick
Conditions: Dry and bright, warmed up as the afternoon progressed

Attendance: 8,246 (295 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Zain Westbrooke 61
Southend United: Harry Taylor 45, Dan Cox 73, Promise Omochere 90+3

Referee: Tolu Sangowawa

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Ste Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 53), James Daly (for Ryan Jones, 60), Hayden Muller (for Brett McGavin, 60), Charlie Lennon (for Mason Obeng, 74), Johl Powell (for Luke McCormick, 74), Jack Kingdon (not used), Loick Ayina (not used).

Southend United: Joe Duncan, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Harry Taylor (for Rayan Oyebade, 63), Daniel Cox, Kyle McAdam, Oli Coker (for Promise Omochere, 63), Darren Oldaker, Lewys Twamley (for Josh Popoola, 63), , Leon Chambers-Parillon, Ryan Colclough (for Anthony Hartigan, 87), Harry Cardwell (for Sam Austin, 88).

Substitutes (not used): Jack Sims, Zavier Massiah-Edwards.

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Yeovil Town served up a five-goal thriller in front of the biggest crowd of the season at Huish Park to retain their unbeaten start to the National League season.

Captain Luke McCormick gave the Glovers the lead with 17 minutes after another impressive start but were pegged back when a counter attack found Jake Hutchinson at the back post and he levelled.

Mason Obeng and Ryan Jones’ efforts were both given a helping hand in to the net before Tamworth showed their never-say-die attitude to reduce the advantage through Kieren Donnelly with 20 minutes still to play.

But the real drama came in the closing stages when the visitors thought they had levelled through Hayden Hollis only for the officials to rule the goal out for offside as both sides were ready to restart. Then, with the final kick of the game, McCormick won a penalty and hit it against the inside of the post.

A breathless finish, but at the end of it the unbeaten start was intact.

First half

Billy Rowley made seven changes to the starting XI which started the 2-1 win at Barrow less than three days earlier with all the substitutes for that match starting and all those dropping out named on the bench.

The boss called for another quick start from his side and an early goal almost came after just four minutes when visiting keeper Rhys Lovett tipped over a Brett McGavin effort from the edge of the box before Johl Powell, one of those seven changes, fired wide five minutes later. Whilst there has not been a goal in the opening ten minutes, the Glovers have been in complete control in these opening exchanges.

Jos Barker was called in to action on 12 minutes when he got down well to deny Tamworth forward Kieren Donnelly, but it was Yeovil who deservedly took the lead through a fantastic team goal. McGavin engineered a move forward before darting in to the box to collect a pass from Spasov and flicked it to Luke McCORMICK who slid in to make no mistake for his fourth goal in the last three games.

Tamworth thought they had levelled when Donnelly fired in to the top corner, only for the offside flag to deny him. It is a warning that, despite our impressive start to this match, the opposition still have plenty of threat. They showed exactly that on 31 minutes when Tamworth equaliser. A quick move forward from the back found Yeovil’s defence out of position as Tom McGlinchey strode forward, laid it off to TJ Bramble whose ball across the face of goal picked out Jake HUTCHINSON completely unmarked at the back post to smash past Barker.

We have kept pressing forward looking for a second and Tamworth took advantage with a quick break, we simply could not get back in to our defensive shape quick enough. Credit to the visitors, they took their opportunity ruthlessly but that will be watched back in the post-match review – possibly more than once.

They almost did it again on 38 minutes when a long ball forward found Donnelly down the right side, he tore forward and his effort was tipped over by Barker. Another warning of what Tamworth can do, if we needed one.

Two contrasting styles. Expansive, possession-based from Yeovil, whilst Tamworth are looking to hit the Glovers on the counter attack – and that’s exactly how both goals have come about. Level at the break, but an enjoyable opening 45 minutes.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Tamworth 1

Second half

There were no changes for either side at the break. The first chance of the half fell to the visitors after Mason Obeng was muscled off inside the box and the ball fell to Oliver Dyson just inside the box and he curled an effort wide.

There was movement on the Yeovil substitutes bench and, perhaps realising he might be at risk, Mason OBENG made himself difficult to withdraw as he restored Yeovil’s lead. McGavin picked him out on the right side and the winger moved in to the box and his effort deflected off Joe Rye and in to the net.

Mason Obeng celebrates restoring Yeovil’s advantage. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

The changes happened anyway with Ryan Jones replacing Daly and Ben Radcliffe coming on for Loick Ayina as the two sides lined up for the restart.

But, yet again, Tamworth gave us an almost immediate warning as Roberts’ high cross in from the left found Donnelly on the back post and he headed over. A better chance than the finish it got.

On the hour mark, one of the most obvious handballs I’ve seen since Harry Maguire’s for Manchester United on Sunday was not given by referee Matthew Scholes and Tamworth broke and Donnelly got a shot in which Barker got down to.

Zain Westbrooke and Archie Davies replaced Johl Powell and Hayden Muller on 64 minutes and two minutes later Ryan JONES extended Yeovil’s lead. The winger picked the ball up just inside his own half, cut in from the left and fired in a shot which deflected off Tamworth defender Hayden Hollis and in to the net.

But, Tamworth are not the types to fold and they got one back three minutes later. The Lambs got a cross in from the left despite the presence of plenty of Yeovil defenders, it flashed across the face of goal and Kieren DONNELLY was there to turn it in at the back post. They have always been a threat despite not seeing much of the ball and you have to credit their never-say-die attitude.

Barker was called in to action again when another Tamworth counter attack on 76 minutes was Donnelly denied and two minutes later McGavin’s effort from just inside the box flew just wide. Jordan Norville-Williams replaced Obeng with 11 minutes of normal time left.

With 88 minutes on the clock, a scramble on the goal line just about denied when Barker threw himself on the ball and moments later the visitors levelled – or so they thought. A long punt forward from Lovett was headed up in the air by Norville-Williams, Morgan Roberts’ jumped with Barker who had come a long way off his line and beat the keeper, the ball looped up and there was Hayden Hollis to head it in to an unguarded net. Tamworth celebrated and everyone inside Huish Park thought it was a goal, ran back to the halfway and then the game stopped. The assistant’s flag is up……but it wasn’t up when the ball hit the net or when the visiting players celebrated in front of him. In fact, it didn’t go up until he had spoken to the referee.

Thank goodness for the offside rule.

This correspondent is not the best one to decipher that for you, but the best guess I can make is that because Radcliffe was the only covering defender and Hollis was behind the keeper, it’s offside. I might need to defer to Gloverscast Ben to explain that one.

But, there was still more drama to come from this game in the penultimate minute of the seven added on as McCormick went clear through on goal and was brought down inside the box by Lovett. Penalty given, just a yellow card for the keeper. McCormick stepped up his effort came off the inside of the post and away.

The final whistle came seconds after the restart. Yeovil unbeaten as August comes to an end and up to fourth in the National League Premier Division table – but it is only five games gone, of course.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Tamworth 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Monday 31st August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Luke McCormick 17 (1-0), Jake Hutchinson 31 (1-1), Mason Obeng 53 (2-1), Ryan Jones 66 (3-1), Kieren Donnelly 69 (3-2)

Pitch: In good nick given the recent rain.
Conditions: Cloudy but dry.

Attendance: 3,945 (93 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: None
Tamworth: None

Referee: Matthew Scholes

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Ben Radcliffe (for Loick Ayina, 54), Ryan Jones (for James Daly, 54), Zain Westbrooke (for Hayden Muller, 65), Archie Davies (for Johl Powell, 65) Jordan Norville-Williams (for Mason Obeng, 79), Charlie Lennon (not used), Ste Walker (not used).

Tamworth: Rhys Lovett, Joe Rye, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Hayden Hollis, Luke Fairlamb (for Riccardo Calder, 86), Tom McGlinchey (for Nathan Tshikuna, 86), Oliver Dyson (for Teo Kurtaran, 73), TJ Bramble (for Ben Milnes, 73), Morgan Roberts, Kieren Donnelly, Jake Hutchinson (for Ben Acquaye, 73).

Substitutes (not used): Daniel Rachel, Tom Parkes.

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An injury time header from substitute Joe Gubbins saw Yeovil Town fight back from a goal down to grab a dramatic late winner at Barrow on Friday night.

The Glovers fell behind to a stunning strike from the hosts’ Keaton Ward with 15 minutes remaining and looked set to be heading for their first defeat before a foul on Slavi Spasov saw them awarded a penalty with three minutes remaining. Captain Luke McCormick stepped up to level from the spot.

Then, just as the visitors looked set to make the 300-mile journey home with a point, defender Gubbins snuck in between two defenders to meet a Brett McGavin free kick with a header and snatch three points at the death.

First half

Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley named an unchanged starting XI from the one which won 3-0 at home to Gateshead the previous weekend with defender Joe Gubbins and winger James Daly, who missed the last game through injury and suspension respectively, both on the bench.

The home side, who were looking for their first win of the season, started the brighter of the two sides and Yeovil keeper Jos Barker was called in to action within seven minutes. A corner found defender Kennedy Digie at the back post with a free header which Barker denied with an impressive instinct save before Ryan Jones blocked the rebound on the line.

Barrow’s early pressure continued as they pressed and outmuscled the Glovers on a number of occasions. Alex Reid put a header just wider before Barker had to get down smartly to deny Rekheem Harper’s effort after 12 minutes. Yeovil’s first opportunity came five minutes later after Zain Westbrooke picked out Jones on the right side, he cut in and dragged an effort wide.

Jos Barker comes for a ball in the first half at Barrow.

On 27 minutes, Jones was outmuscled by Danny Rose whose ball in from the left found Harper inside the box but the striker completely miscued his effort which took a deflection off Jordan Norville-Williams on its way out for a corners.

You can absolutely see why Barrow was making a name for their physical style of play this season and it is working for them with referee Ross Martin not listening to any protests from the Yeovil bench – or the away end. Love it or hate it, the home side had the better of the first half and will rue the chances they missed and the question is whether they can keep up that level of intensity in the second half.

Half-time: Barrow 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Billy Rowley responded with three changes at the start of the second half with Joe Gubbins, Mason Obeng and James Daly replacing Mukena, Jones and Charlie Lennon. Both Mukena and Jones picked up bookings in the first half and there is no doubt that Gubbins and Daly add experience and, in the case of Daly, plenty of energy.

The response from Yeovil was much improved, not only proving themselves more willing to mix with Barrow’s more physical approach, but creating chances as well. On 54 minutes, a good move saw McCormick find Daly at the near post and the substitutes’ header was denied by a last ditch block from Danny Amos.

Slavi Spasov replaced Walker just before the hour mark and ten minutes later a move down the right saw Davies pick out Daly whose effort was blocked before falling to Westbrooke whose effort was over the bar. At the other end, former Yeovil loanee Ben Whitfield fired one just past the post.

But, with 15 minutes gone, the home side took the lead in spectacular style. A corner was punched away by Barker, but could not clear the danger and it fell to substitute Keaton WARD who showed great technique to fire in a shot which rattled off the underside of the bar and over the line. Barker did his best to try and clear it, but there were few inside Holker Street who thought it did not cross the line.

Despite being behind for the first time this season, Yeovil were not giving up with Obeng and Daly combining for the latter to have an effort denied by a smart stop from Ben Winterbottom. Then with four minutes remaining Spasov was brought down inside the box by Dan Amos and referee Ross Martin pointed to the spot. After what seemed like an eternity, Luke McCORMICK shrugged off the attempts from home fans behind the goal to put him off with mobile phone torches stepped up to sent Winterbottom the wrong way.

Luke McCormick celebrates his equaliser.

Then, just as we were all about to shake hands and settle for a point each, Brett McGavin swung in a free-kick in the fourth minute of injury time and Joe GUBBINS snuck in between two Barrow defenders to place an expertly taken header in to the net. That was the defender’s first professional goal and he will not score many sweeter.

After the euphoria of the players celebrating in the front of the travelling supporters, there was still three more minutes – plus whatever the referee added on for the goal – remaining. There was enough time for Barker to show his class when substitute Xavier Benjamin got on the end of a ball in to the box and the keeper made a stunning fingertip save.

This was far from the best performance from this team in the opening games, but for their desire for keep going and come back they deserved it.

The 84 fans in the away end, many of which endured a nine-hour coach journey up to Cumbria, will be smiling all the way to Somerset.

Scorer Joe Gubbins celebrates with manager Billy Rowley at the final whistle.

Full time: Barrow 1 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Holker Street
Date: Friday 22nd August, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Keaton Ward 75 (0-1), Luke McCormick pen 87 (1-1), Joe Gubbins 90+4 (2-1)

Pitch: Well watered pre-match despite the heavy rainfall in Cumbria over the past 24 hours
Conditions: Dry

Attendance: 2,286 (84 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ryan Jones 22, Joy Mukena 40, Luke McCormick 43,
Barrow: Scott Smith 48

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Joe Gubbins (for Joy Mukena, 46), Mason Obeng (for Ryan Jones, 46), James Daly (for Charlie Lennon, 46), Slavi Spasov (for Ste Walker, 59), Johl Powell (for Zain Westbrooke, 84), Loick Ayina (not used), Hayden Muller (not used).

Barrow: Ben Winterbottom, Kennedy Digie, Paul Kalambayi, Dan Amos, Marcel Oakley (for Xavier Benjamin, 72), Scott Smith, Issac Marriott, Thierry Latty-Fairweather (for Keaton Ward, 72), George Walker (for Ben Whitfield, 56),  Rekeem Harper (for Ben Jackson, 72), Alex Reid (for Innes Cameron, 60).

Substitutes (not used): Olly Crankshaw, Danny Rose.

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A second half double from captain Luke McCormick saw Yeovil Town pick up their first win of the season with a dominant performance against Gateshead at Huish Park.

The Glovers made a fast start and took the lead after less than just two minutes when striker Ste Walker coolly slotted home and should have been further in front at half-time having created multiple openings to add to the scoreline.

Having continued to control proceedings after the break, McCormick doubled the advantage when he latched on to a through ball from substitute Slavi Spasov to fire home with nine minutes remaining and wrapped it up with a second late on.

First half

The team news saw Yeovil boss Billy Rowley make two changes. The first was enforced with Joy Mukena coming in for the suspended Joe Gubbins whilst Barnsley loanee Charlie Lennon came in on the wing with Mason Obeng dropping to the substitutes’ bench.

In his pre-match remarks, Rowley said his side wanted a fast start and they got it. Great play down the right side saw Ryan Jones’ touch release Archie Davies down the wing, he laid it back to Ste WALKER who placed it coolly past the Gateshead keeper. As he showed last weekend against Carlisle, he is clinical in those positions.

Who gets a feeling we’re going to see a lot of Ste Walker doing this in front of the Thatcher’s? Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

Less than two minutes later, a charge forward from Lennon down the left saw him pick out Jones who moved just inside the area and unleashed a shot which was straight in the midriff of Gateshead keeper Peter Jameson.

Looking so sharp, knocking the ball around quickly in midfield with the Jones-Davies combination down the right side looking dangerous every time they get on the ball. Luke McCormick seems to have a free role in the midfield, he is dropping deeper and then looking to make things happen at the top end of the pitch as well.

In the 23rd minute, Gateshead had a good chance to level when Michael Spellman’s ball found Luke Supyk with a free header, but luckily the visiting frontman’s effort was soft and Jos Barker made an easy save. Two minutes later, good play between Lennon and McCormick saw the latter pick out Jones on the far post, he tried to place a shot between Jameson’s legs but the keeper got enough on it to deny him.

With 32 minutes, more terrific play with Jones skipping in from the right side, he picked out Lennon bursting in to the box from the left and his ball went straight across the face of goal. Seconds later, Lennon picked the ball up inside his own half and left his defender in his wake, he clipped it in to the box but only found a Gateshead head and the ball dropped to Jones whose venomous shot rattled against the underside of the bar and away. Unbelieveable running from Lennon, Jones’ first touch was superb and so unlucky not to double the advantage.

Barnsley loanee Charlie Lennon showed his value during his 60 minutes on the pitch. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

This swift attacking football is a pleasure to watch but if there was a criticism of Yeovil it would be that we are not more than one ahead. Archie Davies was the next to have a go after another great forward charge down the right, he unleashed a shot which Jameson did well to get down and turn away for a corner.

Two minutes before the break, referee Richard Aspinall penalised Jameson for taking too long over his goal kick and awarded Yeovil a corner under new rules brought in this season. The resulting corner almost picked out Walker at the back post but former Glovers’ loanee Jack Robinson was there and got just enough on it to put the striker off.

It should be more than one at the break, but we were 3-0 up against Gateshead around this time last season – and no-one needs reminding how that worked out.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Gateshead 0

Second half

Gateshead made two changes at half-time with David Egyuaibor and Fenton John coming on. No changes for Yeovil.

There were two glorious openings with seven minutes of the second half gone. First it was more great running from Lennon bursting in to the box and Gateshead did well to get it away for a corner from which McCornmick’s effort was well saved by Jameson, the ball pinged around inside the area and a ball to the back post dropped to Ben Radcliffe at the back post but his effort was over the bar.

A great run from Zain Westbrooke saw him find Lennon on the left side of the box, but the Barnsley loanee’s effort was weak and easily held by Jameson.

Just before the hour mark, Gateshead manager Lee Cattermole made another double change with Billy Chadwick and Josh Anifowose coming on.For Yeovil, Mason Obeng replaced the impressive Lennon, who has put in a shift and shown what he is all about. Minutes later, a mistake from Alex Lankshear saw Walker bearing down on goal, but the striker tried to take it on himself with McCormick tearing past him ready to go through on goal.

The summer signing has looked less lively in the opening 15 minutes of this half and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Slavi Spasov. More worrying was an injury for Radcliffe who went down off the ball and was replaced by Loick Ayina.

Huish Park is quieter in this half, probably due in part to the fact we are attacking the away end in this second half, but also maybe more than a little to do with memories of the late equalisers in the previous two games. Gateshead have slowed the game down and it took until 75 minutes for the next opening. A great ball forward from Brett McGavin picked out Jones down the right, he flashed a ball across the face of goal where Spasov was arriving, but the striker could not get anything on it.

On 77 minutes, there was a coming together between McCormick and his former team-mate Kyle Ferguson. The defender body-checked the Yeovil captain with absolutely no eyes on the ball. Luckily for the Scostman, neither referee Richard Aspinall or his assistants saw it.

Then with ten minutes of the game left, it was 2-0 to Yeovil. Spasov moved forward in midfield, played it through to Luke McCORMICK and the skipper coolly slid it past Jameson with Ferguson watching on. Fergie, what’s the score?!

Luke McCormick tussles with ex-Glover Kyle Ferguson – not for the first or last time. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The feud between McCormick and Ferguson continued to bubble and with five minutes remaining, McCormick picked up a booking for a hefty tackle on the defender. Ferguson definitely raised his hands to his former team-mate in the aftermath, but it is only one yellow card shown by the referee. Perhaps sensibly, Ferguson was substituted soon after.

Then, to rub salt in to the wounds, Luke McCORMICK added his second with a minute of normal time gone. Yeovil pressed the visitors to go back and Gateshead captain David Ferguson stumbled on the ball just enough to allow his opposing skipper to steal the ball off him and fire his second across Jameson.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Gateshead 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 22nd August, 12.30pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ste Walker 2 (1-0), Luke McCormick 81 (2-0), Luke McCormick 90 (3-0)

Pitch: Pitch perfect
Conditions: Glorious summer’s afternoon

Attendance: 2,789 (49 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ben Radcliffe 39, Mason Obeng 68, Luke McCormick 85
Gateshead: Jack Robinson 5, Alex Lankshear 55, Michael Spellman, Kyle Ferguson 83

Referee: Richard Aspinall

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Mason Obeng (for Charlie Lennon, 59), Loick Ayina (for Ben Radcliffe, 65), Slavi Spasov (for Ste Walker, 65), Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 82), Hayden Muller (for Brett McGavin, 82), Jack Kingdon (not used) Matt Gould (not used).

Gateshead: Peter Jameson, Alex Lankshear, David Ferguson, Kyle Ferguson, Jack Robinson (for Fenton John, 46), Josh Home, Keon Lewis-Burgess (for Josh Anifowose, 60), Harry Chapman (for David Egyuaibor, 46), Michael Spellman, Luke Supyk (for Billy Chadwick, 59), Ashley Boatswain.

Substitutes (not used): Dan Cameron, Tom Lavery, Sam Bowen.

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Yeovil Town suffered late heartbreak for the second weekend in a row as Carlisle United snatched a point with the final kick of the game at Huish Park on Saturday.

The Glovers had taken the lead through striker Stephen Walker’s first goal for his new club in the first half, but were reduced to ten men when defender Joe Gubbins picked up his second yellow card and got his marching orders after 65 minutes.

Carlisle, who are the bookmakers’ favourites for the National League title, pressed and it looked like heroic defending would keep them out until defender Harvey Bunker flicked in a header at the death.

First half

The headline for the team news was that striker Stephen Walker was handed his league debut having been an unused substitute against Scunthorpe United on the opening day of the season. Slavi Spasov was named on the bench.

Carlisle, who were beaten by newly-promoted Worthing in their first game last weekend, showed they were ready to press Yeovil whenever we had possession.

After just three minutes, it almost paid dividends with a cross from Kenton Richardson turned towards goal before Ben Radcliffe got a foot on it to clear the danger. At the other end, former Carlisle man Archie Davies tried an effort from just outside the box on seven minutes, but it sailed over the bar.

Having had to watch the visitors dominate possession for the opening exchanges, it was a quick break which saw Yeovil take the lead after 19 minutes. A stumble from Carlisle defender Ryan Galvin presented Ryan Jones with an opportunity to put Stephen WALKER through on goal and he made no mistake to open his account in green-and-white.

Stephen Walker celebrates his opener. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tate’s Photography.

The impetus was Yeovil’s having taken the lead on a number of occasions they broke dangerously with Jones and Davies linking up well down the right side. But, a Brett McGavin effort wide and a offside call which went against Walker was as near as it came to finding a second goal.

With three minutes remaining until half-time, McGavin bent a free-kick around the wall which keeper Adam Desbois got down to parry away.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Carlisle United 0

Second half

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with Carlisle enjoying much of the pressure as they probed the Yeovil back line, but a Richardson header over the bar after 54 minutes was as near as they came in the opening exchanges.

The first substitution of the match saw goal scorer Walker replaced by Slavi Spasov with 56 minutes played. In terms of efforts on either goal, Radcliffe pulled one past the post and at the other defender Tom Mullarkey headed on to the roof of the net.

Joe Gubbins disappears down the tunnel. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But, with 65 minutes on the clock, Joe Gubbins hauled back Georgie Kelly on the ease of the area. Second yellow card and the defender was off and Carlisle had a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the box. Jos Barker did well to push out the resulting free-kick out and then pulled off a brave second stop to keep out the rebound.

The red card brought about a reshuffle with Joy Mukena and Johl Powell replacing Jones and McCormick. It feels like we are going to need to find a way to try and keep possession for the remaining 20 minutes with Carlisle continuing to probe for an opening.

Further changes from Billy Rowley saw defender Loick Ayina and James Daly replace Archie Davies and Mason Obeng.

The defending from the ten men in green-and-white was heroic but the with the final kick of the game, Carlisle found an equaliser. Brad Nicholson’s crows in the sixth and final minute of added time was met by a flicked header from Harvey BUNKER which found the net.

Utterly heartbreaking for Yeovil who conceded an 89th minute equaliser at Scunthorpe seven days earlier. Just two points from a possible six, but not losing to two teams who will undoubtedly be in the promotion mix come the end of the season.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Carlisle United 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 15th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Stephen Walker 19 (1-0), Harvey Bunker 90+6 (1-1)

Pitch: Looking perfect
Conditions: Hot and sunny

Attendance: 3486 (345 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Joe Gubbins 45+1, Ben Radcliffe 49
Carlisle United: Regan Linney 49

Sendings off

Yeovil Town: Joe Gubbins

Referee: Lewis Sandoe

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Slavi Spasov (for Stephen Walker, 56), Joy Mukena (for Luke McCormick, 68), Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 68), Loick Ayina (for Mason Obeng, 79), James Daly (for Archie Davies, 79), Hayden Muller (not used), Charlie Lennon (not used).

Carlisle United: Adam Desbois, Ryan Galvin, Toby Mullarkey, Harvey Bunker, Miguel Azeez, Cameron Harper, Leo Duru, Regan Linney, Brad Nicholson, David Ajiboye, Georgie Kelly.

Substitutes: Hayden Atkinson, Jack Ellis, Jonah Lowe, Archie Mair, Kenton Richardson, Luke Skinner, Josh Williams.

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A late equaliser saw Yeovil Town have to settle for a point from a trip to Scunthorpe United on the opening game of the season.

After an even first half, the Glovers took the lead when winger Mason Obeng stroked the ball home three minutes in to the second half.

Scunthorpe, who finished in the National League play-offs last season, pressed hard for an equaliser and eventually found one when substitute Luke Brennan lifted the ball in to the net with a minute of normal time playing.

Despite the tinge of disappointment at not being able to hold out for three points, there was plenty to feel positive from Yeovil about in their first competitive outing of the season.

First half

Manager Billy Rowley gave a league debut to nine players with captain Luke McCormick and Ryan Jones the only members of the starting XI who were at the club last season. One of the recent arrivals Slavi Spasov was preferred to Stephen Walker up front whilst Hayden Muller started in midfield in place of Brett McGavin. Both Walker and McGavin were named among the substitutes.

The opening 15 minutes did not create a chance worthy of a mention but a definite desire from both sides to play the way a beautiful surface at the Attis Arena deserved. The joy Yeovil found came mostly down the right side with Archie Davies delivering a couple of crosses from the box and a jinking run from Ryan Jones leading to an effort which Scunthorpe keeper Louis Jones needed to be sharp to get down low to deny.

On 33 minutes, McCormick ran on to a ball forward and looked to be through on the Iron goal, but lifted his effort over the bar. The linesman flagged him as offside although the Yeovil bench’s protests would suggest the call was closer than it looked from the away end.

First half action at Scunthorpe.

The first meaningful chance of the game fell to the home side a minute later. Winger Pat Jones skipped past Archie Davies and found himself one-on-one with Yeovil keeper Jos Barker who stuck a strong left hand to make an impressive stop to deny him. That save will give the young keeper huge confidence.

Then with five minutes of the first half remaining, another good chance for Scunthorpe. Declan Howe got a ball in from the left, it clipped off the heel of Joe Gubbins and landed invitingly to Jordan Richards but his effort over the bar.

The half-time whistle sounded with the home side having had the better of the opportunities to go ahead, but Yeovil acquitting themselves well. There’s definitely a fans’ favourite being made in Jordan Norville-Williams who has not given an inch against Howe whilst Gubbins and Ben Radcliffe in the middle have managed to keep Scunthorpe danger man striker Danny Whitehall nullified.

Half-time: Scunthorpe United 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The half-time break saw Brett McGavin replace Hayden Muller in the heart of midfield.

A Ryan Jones free-kick from out in the right found its way to Mason OBENG on the far post and he was the coolest man inside the penalty area to confidently stroke Yeovil ahead. The away end of 260 travelling supporters erupted as the players celebrated in front of them.

Mason Obeng puts Yeovil into the lead with just three minutes of the second half played

Just five minutes after going ahead, McCormick found himself through on goal again but (again) was denied by the offside flag. The skipper, much like the visiting bench in the first half, had serious questions about the call. VAR might have had a different opinion – but we don’t want that at this level of the game…….right? Soon after that Ryan Jones forced his namesake Louis Jones in the Scunthorpe goal in to a fine stop.

As we reach the middle of the second half, the home side are turning up the pressure as they search for an equaliser. Archie Davies does well to block an effort from Pat Jones and Ryan Jones took a heavy blow scrambling a Tyler Denton effort off the line from a corner. Jones needed to come off and was replaced by Johl Powell whilst James Daly replaced Slavi Spasov in the forward line with 64 minutes played.

Scunthorpe made changes on their own bringing on winger Luke Brennan, experienced midfielder Jacob Butterfield and striker James Gale as they looked for an equaliser. On 70 minutes, Whitehall had his first opportunity but his header from a Butterfield free-kick was blocked by a Yeovil shirt. The Glovers are standing up well to intense pressure and defensively looking impressive.

With 20 minutes left to play, Billy Rowley made his final two substitutions of the permitted five changes and it is a defensive change. McCormick is removed in place of Joy Mukena whilst Jack Kingdon replaces Archie Davies in the right wing-back position.

In the 73rd minute, a long ball forward from Barker is helped on by Obeng in to the path of James Daly. The substitutes powered in to the box and was only denied by a superb tackle from Tyler Denton. The Iron defender picks up an injury for his troubles.

Scunthorpe were dominating possession and continuing to press and we found ourselves dropping deep to try and repel the danger. Then with a minute of normal time, Joe Gubbins tries to clear a ball in from the left but can only as get it as far as Luke BRENNAN on the left left of the box and he lifts the ball over the head of Jos Barker to snatch a draw.

Full time: Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Attis Arena
Date: Saturday 8th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Mason Obeng 48 (1-0), Luke Brennan 89 (1-1)

Pitch: Like a snooker table
Conditions: Sunny in Scunny

Attendance: 5,111 (260 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ben Radcliffe 72
Scunthorpe United: Pat Jones 31, Callum Howe 54,

Referee: Michael Barlow

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Brett McGavin (for Hayden Muller, 46), Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 64), James Daly (for Slavi Spasov, 64), Joy Mukena (for Luke McCormick, 70), Jack Kingdon (for Archie Davies, 70), Jack Lennon (not used), Stephen Walker (nor used).

Scunthorpe United: Louis Jones, Ross Barrows, Alfie Beestin (for James Gale, 64), Tyler Denton (for Branden Horton, 76), Will Evans, Callum Howe, Declan Howe (for Luke Brennan, 64), Pat Jones (for Kyle Hurst, 83), Jordan Richards, Joe Rowley (for Jacob Butterfield, 64), Danny Whitehall.

Substitutes (not used): Maison Campbell, Jean Belehouan.

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Yeovil Town wrapped up pre-season for the 2026/27 season with a 2-1 defeat to League Two side Newport.

Luke McCormick gave the Glovers the lead in the very early stages, but Newport hit back through two bits of quality from set pieces. Goals from one time rumoured Glovers’ target Shaquille Gwengwe and Lee Jenkins sent the visitors, playing under new manager Hayden Mullins for the first time, back to South Wales with a win.

First half

After a quiet first few moments, Brett McGavin won the ball back and a combination of excellent work from Archie Davies down the right hand side to find Slavi Spasov who laid the ball into the path of Luke McCORMICK who struck the opening goal with pretty much the first chance of the match in only the fourth minute.

The Glovers were in control for most of the first ten minutes, McGavin had a shot deflected wide from distance and Slavi Spasov forced a chance from the resulting corner.

Yeovil Town celebrate Luke McCormick’s opening goal. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It took until almost 20 minutes ticked over on the clock before County found some attacking impetus, a free kick from Matt Smith was cleared, as was the recycled ball in from Smith after, with Spasov doing his defensive duties in his own penalty area.

Another free-kick for the EFL side caused slightly more concern for the Glovers a few minutes later, but Shaq Gwengwe’s effort was charged down by Skipper Luke McCormick.

Newport were just starting to get their movements going and Christian Doidge linked up with Yahya Bamba who was pressured by Jos Barker into making a decision and the effort was skewed wide.

The equaliser did come on the half hour mark with another free kick causing some hassle for the Glovers at the back and Shaquille GWENGWE bundled home at the back post.

A half of two halves came to a close with just a single additional minute added on. All square at 1-1, with both sides having their chances to find a second.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Newport County 1

Second half

Zain Westbrooke and Ryan Jones were introduced at the break with James Daly and Brett McGavin taking the second half off.

Five minutes into the second half, another set piece caused problems for Yeovil. A cross whipped in from Matt Smith, Jos Barker didn’t claim the ball and LEE JENKINS tapped home at the back post to give the League Two side the lead for the first time in the fixture.

The clock had ticked towards the hour mark before Yeovil managed to impose themselves in the second half, Archie Davies once again proving to be the out ball. His right hand sided cross evading both McCormick and Spasov in the area.

Davies was causing trouble down the right hand side, he and Ryan Jones combined to play Westbrooke in, who’s cross was unable to find a green shirt and then calls for a penalty as Davies came together with a Newport defender, but appeals were waved away.

A couple of changes for Newport saw Ciaran Brennan and a trialist entered the fray.

It wasn’t long before the Glovers were again looking at the bench; Spasov, Gubbins and Radcliffe made way, with Ste Walker, Joy Mukena and Jack Kingdon coming on for the final 25 minutes.

The Glovers tried a training ground move for a free kick in a dangerous area, but McCormick’s effort was wayward.

Trialist Brad de Jesus. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

McCormick would be replaced by Johl Powell with 20 minutes of the game left, whilst Davies made way for the Glovers’ own trialist (Brad De Jesus).

Ryan Jones and Ste Walker linked up well after the break in play, De Jesus created space for Jones to cut inside and take a shot which was well saved for a corner.

From the resulting set piece, Mukena had a chance cleared close to the line by Joe Thomas.

Plenty of Newport subs continued to break up the flow of the final stages, but the likes of De Jesus, Powell and Walker were all looking lively, in attacking areas.

Powell had a shot blocked in the final stages following a delightful dummy from Ste Walker after Norville-Williams had whipped a cross in down the left hand side.

That was all she wrote for the Glovers, as the clock ticked 90 minutes, the whistle brought the pre-season schedule to an end.

Yeovil head to Scunthorpe United to get their National League Premier Division season underway next weekend.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Newport County 2

Teams:

First half – Yeovil Town: Jos Barker, Jordan Norville-Williams, Joe Gubbins (for Joy Mukena, 66), Ben Radcliffe (for Jack Kingdon, 66), Hayden Muller, Brett McGavin (for Zain Westbrooke, 46), Archie Davies (for trialist Brad De Jesus, 76), James Daly (for Ryan Jones, 46) Luke McCormick (for Johl Powell, 72), Mason Obeng, Slavi Spasov (for Stephen Walker, 66).

Newport County: Jordan Wright, Cameron Norman, Lee Jenkins, Kyle Cameron, Joe Thomas, Cameron Evans, Matt Smith, Harrison Biggins, Yahya Bamba, Christian Doidge, Shaquille Gwenge.

Scorers: Luke McCormick 4 (1-0) Shaquille Gwengwe 31 (1-1), Lee Jenkins 50 (1-2)

Attendance: 980

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A Brett McGavin free-kick in the first half earned Yeovil Town a draw in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the campaign at National League South new boys Farnham Town.

The midfielder bent in a trademark set piece after 24 minutes and went on to dominate the first half creating a number of chances which they did not take and they were punished when Sam Evans turned home soon after the restart.

There was the usual flurry of substitutes from both sides in the second half including one new face in former Fulham youngster defender Bradley de Jesus, and the game petered out in to a draw.

First half

Defenders Joy Mukena and Dan Ellison were both handed starts by manager Billy Rowley who started with striker Stephen Walker alongside fellow attackers Luke McCormick and Johl Powell.

There was no much to write home about in the opening 20 minutes as Farnham quickly made it clear they were looking to contain the visitors and hit them on the break as Yeovil dominated possession in the opening exchanges. An early long range effort from Brett McGavin and then an attempt to loft the ball over James Shaw in the Farnham goal were about as close as either side got to threatening.

When Yeovil were awarded a free-kick slightly to the left of goal and fully 30 yards out, there was only one man who was taking it. Brett McGAVIN range is Brett McGavin range. The midfielder stepped up and bent a(nother) beautiful set-piece in to the corner of the net after 24 minutes. Did anyone doubt he could?

McCormick tried to goal one better with ten minutes of the first half remaining when he tried an audacious scissor kick from a Johl Powell cross. Unfortunately, the Glovers’ captain could not find a connection. Five minutes later, Powell curled one just past the post with Yeovil thoroughly in control and pressing for a second goal as the game pressed towards half-time.

Half-time: Farnham Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Within three minutes of the second half starting, Farnham levelled after Trae Appiah-Cook tricked his was past Dan Ellison and got a cross in which found Sam EVANS who got enough on it to turn it in to the net. The hosts had been looking to hit Yeovil on the counter attack in the first half and right at the start of the second half, they did it.

Just before the the hour mark, James Daly replaced McCormick and Joe Gubbins replaced Mukena before the hosts made a number of changes bringing on five new faces including the experienced midfielder Sam Hutchinson and striker Rakish Bingham.

Bingham almost made an immediate impact when he tried a spectacular chip after Yeovil give up possession, fortunately it goes just wide. Stephen Walker pulled an effort just wide before a flurry of substitutions after 68 minutes.

The new arrivals included ex-Arsenal academy defender William Lannin-Sweet or Will Sweet, depending how formal you want to be, and an unknown face. In his post-match interview, manager Billy Rowley revealed him to be ex-Fulham defender, Bradley de Jesus. To read what Rowley said about the former Portugal youth international – click here.

The 20-year-old was released by the Premier League club after a decade when his contract expired this summer. He joined the academy at Craven Cottage at under-12s level before going on to sign a professional contract in 2024 and played regularly for them at Under-21s level in Premier League B but did not make a first-team appearance.

Trialist Bradley de Jesus departs the pitch following a pre-match warm-up at Farnham. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate | Tate’s Photography.

Other than Bingham’s audacious effort there was not a huge amount to worry Yeovil goalkeeper Jos Barker, a fairly even affair but probably did not take the chances we created when we were on top in the first half.

Full time: Farnham Town 1 Yeovil Town 1

Teams:

First half – Yeovil Town: Jos Barker, Loick Ayina (for Jack Kingdon, 68), Joy Mukena (for Joe Gubbins, 56), Dan Ellison (for Jordan Norville-Williams, 68), Archie Davies (for Trialist B/William Lannin-Sweet, 68), Mason Obeng (for Trialist A, 68), Zain Westbrooke (for Hayden Muller, 68), Brett McGavin, Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 68), Luke McCormick (for James Daly, 56), Stephen Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 68).

Farnham Town: James Shaw (for Michael Eacott, 60), Kai Tanner, Ryan Kinnane, Dan Bayliss (for Jack Dean, 11), Trialist A, Tom Leggett, Billy Clifford (for Darryl Sanders, 60), Trae Cook-Appiah, Owen Dean (for Bobby-Joe Taylor, 60), Miles Obodo (for Sam Hutchinson, 60), Sam Evans (for Rakish Bingham, 60).

Substitutes: Brandon Mason, Erion Zabelli.

Scorers: Brett McGavin 24 (1-0), Sam Evans 48 (1-1)

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An early goal from striker Stephen Walker earned Yeovil Town a win in their first pre-season friendly at Huish Park on a warm Saturday afternoon.

The frontman, who took his tally to three goals in his three friendly appearances, curled home a beautiful strike with just two minutes on the clock in front of a crowd of 772 in the Somerset sunshine.

There were some impressive attacking moves from the Glovers throughout the performance with Ryan Jones looking particularly effective with many of the starting line-up given an hour rather than the wholesale changes we have seen in the opening two friendlies.

In keeping with pre-season tradition, there was an appearance from three trialists including former Arsenal academy defender William Lannin-Sweet, Bristol Rovers academy player Kian Hill and a new face in Brentford B attacker Kyrie Pierre, who played down the left side for the final 30 minutes.

First half

The Glovers, wearing their new pink away shirt despite being at home, started with a full complement of permanent players – with the exception of loanee defender Loick Ayina, who on loan from Salford City until the end of the season – with trialists left on the substitutes’ bench. Read more about the team news – here.

The game did not take too long to warm up on the pitch with Stephen WALKER opening the scoring with the Glovers’ first attack. Brett McGavin won the ball fed Ryan Jones who picked out the striker and he curled home his third goal of pre-season with a beautiful effort after just two minutes.

Yeovil Town celebrate Stephen Walker’s goal against Cardiff City Under-21s.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

Mason Obeng tried to get in on the act two minutes later as the winger made a driving run before trying a low effort which went just wide. A bright start in their first pre-season outing in front of their own supporters from the Glovers.

On 16 minutes, Archie Davies went on a run from inside his own half and made it in to the Cardiff area and found Walker inside the six-yard box, but his effort came off the post but was cleared away. We look strong in wide positions with Obeng and Jones particularly dangerous and that was a sign of what Davies can do going down the right side.

There was another good run from Davies shortly after the first half hydration break which led to Obeng’s effort being tipped wide for a corner which Loick Ayina headed wide with 28 minutes on the clock.

On 34 minutes, Luke McCormick pushed forward and had a deflected effort turned wide by visiting keeper Jake Dennis and Walker had the ball in the net four minutes later, but was denied by an offside flag. McCormick tried a audacious long range effort after spotting Dennis off his line, but he was a couple of feet over the bar and the ball landed on the top of the net.

Cardiff’s first chance fell to Roko Simic with five minutes of the half remaining when some sloppy Yeovil defending from gifted the young Croatian the opportunity who did not enough contact on it, before McGavin’s free-kick was pushed behind by Dennis. Good save.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Cardiff City Under-21s 0

Second half

There were only two changes for Yeovil at half-time rather than the entire change of eleven we have seen in the previous two friendlies. Johl Powell and Slavi Spasov replaced Luke McCormick and goal-scorer Stephen Walker for the second half with Westbrooke taking the captain’s armband from McCormick.

Five minutes after the restart, a beautiful passage of passing from Yeovil saw Jones and Davies link up well for the latter to get a cross which picked out Spasov inside the box, but the summer signing could not get the ball under control. Two minutes later, Jones curled an effort just wide. A bright start for the Glovers.

Goalkeeper Jos Barker, playing his first second half minutes since arriving in pre-season, made a great save with his legs to deny Mannie Barton after a swift break from Cardiff. Powell broke away down the right soon after and found Jones who put it just wide and then (yet) another burst forward from Jones squared it to McGavin on the stretch but his effort was straight at Dennis in the Bluebirds’ goal.

Brett McGavin fires in a shot. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

On the hour mark the wholesale changes usually reserved for half-time came from Yeovil boss Billy Rowley with only keeper Jos Barker, defender Joe Gubbins and midfielder Zain Westbrooke remaining from the starting XI, the revised line-up is:

Jos Barker, Hayden Muller, Jack Kingdon, Joe Gubbins, Dan Ellison, Zain Westbrooke, Johl Powell, Slavi Spasov, Kian Hill (Trialist A), William Lannin-Sweet (Trialist B), Kyrie Pierre (Trialist C).

Pierre, described as “an attacker” by his parent club Premier League Brentford, played down the left wing. He joined the Bees from Aston Villa last summer on a free transfer and played for them in the Premier League 2 last season.

There were a raft of changes from Cardiff and one of them, Hayden Allmark, was denied by a good stop from Barker after 67 minutes and a hydration break which followed saw Gubbins replaced by Joy Mukena.

On 74 minutes, Spasov found Powell whose effort went just wide before Barker was called in to action to keep out substitute Gabriel Keita with ten minutes remaining.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Cardiff City Under-21s 0

Teams:

First half – Yeovil Town: Jos Barker, Jordan Norville-Williams, Loick Ayina, Archie Davies, Joe Gubbins, Brett McGavin, Zain Westbrooke, Ryan Jones, Mason Obeng, Luke McCormick (for Johl Powell, 46), Stephen Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 46).

60 minutes – Yeovil Town: Jos Barker, Hayden Muller, Jack Kingdon, Joe Gubbins (for Joy Mukena, 70), Dan Ellison, Zain Westbrooke, Johl Powell, Slavi Spasov, Kian Hill (Trialist A), William Lannin-Sweet (Trialist B), Kyrie Pierre (Trialist C).

Cardiff City Under-21s: Jake Dennis, Charlie O’Brien (for Caden Voice, 77), Jesper Daland (for Alyas Debono, 46), Thierry Katsukunya (for Gabriel Keita, 77), Luey Giles (for Logan Cartwright, 77), Issac Davies (for Hayden Allmark, 62), Trey George (for Tiger Tobin, 77), Troy Perrett (for Ellis Yorke, 77), Mannie Barton (for Mannie Barton, 77), Herbie James (for Jake Davies, 46), Roko Simic (for Dan Ola, 46).

Scorers: Stephen Walker 2 (1-0)
Attendance: 772

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Second half goals from summer signings Mason Obeng and a Stephen Walker penalty cancelled out a brace from old boy Sam Pearson to earn Yeovil Town a draw against National League North side Merthyr Town on Tuesday night.

The Glovers were undone by nearly identical goals with two former players, midfielder Jacob Maddox and Pearson, combining to put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time before doubling the advantage on the hour mark.

But, with the visitors’ XI change completely at half-time, fresh legs began to tell in the second half with the impressive Obeng reducing the advantage with a fine finish before trialist Kian Hill, the Bristol Rovers academy player, was brought down inside the box with ten minutes remaining and Walker stepped up to convert from the spot.

The trialists on display in South Wales were three of the four which we saw in the victory at Melksham, namely:

Trialist D – Kian Hill, a product of the Bristol Rovers academy who featured in the second half at the weekend, started at Merthyr and then came on again late in the second half to win the late penalty.

Trialist A – Jonathon Page, the midfielder who had an injury-plagued spell at Huish Park last season, appeared in the second half.

Trialist B – former Arsenal academy defender William Lannin-Sweet who was among the changes at half-time.

There was no place for Trialist C, experienced striker Rhys Healey, who went off with what looked like a knee injury at Melksham and was not risked on an artificial pitch at Penydarren Park. We will see if he re-appears when Cardiff City Under-23s come to Huish Park for the next friendly on Saturday.

First half

On a glorious night in South Wales, Yeovil shuffled the pack from the starting XI which began the 4-1 win at Melksham Town in the opening friendly on Saturday. Defenders Jack Kingdon and Loick Ayina, midfielders Johl Powell and Hayden Muller and striker Slavi Spasov all started alongside Bristol Rovers’ youngster Kian Hill, going under the codename ‘Trialist D’.

There were also plenty of familiar faces in the Merthyr line up with former Glovers Jay Foulston, Sam Pearson and Jacob Maddox all starting for the home side.

The first meaningful opportunity for either side fell to Luke McCormick who tried to catch out the Martyrs’ keeper Jaimie Cogman with a quick direct effort on 20 minutes and Pearson forced Jos Barker in to a save just before the half-hour mark and the winger flashed another effort wide a couple of minutes later.

Sam Pearson takes on Johl Powell Picture courtesy of FMJ Sporting Visuals

Hill/Trialist D came off with 32 minutes on the clock, replaced by Ryan Jones and then five minutes later it was McCormick who was replaced by Jonathon Page, aka Trialist A. Zain Westbrooke took the armband and it appears nothing more than protecting the star midfielder who missed a chunk of the end of last season with a groin injury on a very dry artificial surface.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, Kane Simpson hit an effort just wide and moments later Johl Powell burst through and forced a good stop from Cogman. No shortage of chances for both sides here.

But it took until the stroke of half-time for the deadlock to be broken and, no surprise, it was one of the former Glovers. In fact it was two who combined, midfielder Jacob Maddox caught Yeovil in possession on the halfway line and fed a well-timed pass through to Sam PEARSON who finished well for his first Merthyr goal.

Half-time: Merthyr Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There was another shake-up of the starting XI with only trialist Jonathon Page remaining from the side which ended the first half for the Glovers. One of the new arrivals Mason Obeng showed his intent within five minutes of the restart as he got past the Merthyr defence and curled an effort which Cogman pushed behind for a corner.

Johl Powell went close soon after before Will Spiers caught trialist William Lannin-Sweet napping and his half-volley was tipped over the bar by goalkeeping coach Matt Gould, who was on Jos Barker at the interval.

But, on the hour mark the visitors created an repeat of the goal at the end of the first half to double the advantage. It was from a Yeovil attack and there was a lot of space down the left side for Maddox to feed Sam PEARSON and the Welshman coolly finished past Gould. The goal was against the run of play with Yeovil having started the half the stronger, but perhaps a sign of a defensive unit getting to know each other for the visitors.

Merthyr made a flurry of substitutions just after doubling their advantage making five changes before both Pearson and Maddox departed in separate changes.

Mason Obeng celebrated his goal with trialist Kian Hill
Picture courtesy of FMJ Sporting Visuals

With 71 minutes played, Yeovil pulled a goal back. A  great move down the right with Ryan Jones making a beautiful driving run and picking out Mason OBENG who shot first time to put a beautiful curling effort in. Great move, great finish, that was what the visitors have been trying to do all night.

Eight minutes later, the Glovers were awarded a penalty after Kian Hill, who appeared to have snuck back on to the pitch without even the club’s social media noticing (got to love pre-season!), found himself inside the Merthyr area and was brought down inside the box. Stephen WALKER stepped up and fired it straight down the middle with Cogman diving.

The home team had the better of the first half, but the changes in both teams just after the hour mark saw Yeovil make the most of their fresh legs.

Full time: Merthyr Town 2 Yeovil Town 2

Teams:

First half – Yeovil Town:Jos Barker, Jack Kingdon, Loick Ayina, Hayden Muller, Jordan Norville-Williams, Zain Westbrooke, Johl Powell, James Daly, Kian Hill (for Ryan Jones, 32), Luke McCormick (for Jonathon Page, 37), Slavi Spasov.

Second half – Yeovil Town: Matt Gould, Dan Ellison, William Lannin-Sweet, Joe Gubbins, Archie Davies, Brett McGavin, Jonathon Page, Ryan Jones, Johl Powell (for Kian Hill, ??), Mason Obeng, Stephen Walker.

Merthyr Town: Jaimie Cogman, Callum Ryan-Phillips (for Matthew Harris, 62), Jay Foulston, Aneurin Livermore (for Trialist 2, 62), Ben Margetson (for Jay Williams, 62), Jacob Maddox (for Charlie Caswell, 73), Kane Simpson, Sam Pearson (for Trialist 1, 68), Jack Evans, Kian Evans (for Morgan Wigley, 62), Jamie Spiers (for Lee Lucas, 62), .

Scorers: Sam Pearson 45 (0-1), Sam Pearson 60 (0-2), Mason Obeng 71 (1-2), Stephen Walker pen 79 (2-2)