Match Reports

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Yeovil Town put in an improved performance to record their first draw of the new season at home to Altrincham on Saturday.

The Glovers came closest to breaking the deadlock in the second half when Michael Smith’s chip came back off the crossbar although in truth it was the visitors who looked in control after the break.

It was an improvement on the midweek defeat to Solihull Moors and another point on the board for the home side who now head back on the road with visits to Oldham Athletic and Sutton United in their next two matches.

 

First half

Manager Mark Cooper made three changes to the starting XI from the midweek 1-0 home defeat to Solihull Moors with Morgan Williams, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Josh Sims coming in for Dom Bernard, Brett McGavin and Frank Nouble. The dropped trio only fell as far as the substitutes’ bench.

Lo-Everton showed his intent within six minutes of the match getting underway. A nice bit of passing and moving from Yeovil picked out the midfielder who dropped his shoulder, beat his man and fired in a venomous right-footed shot which Ethan Ross beat away.

At the other end Regan Linney fired one over before a Matt Worthington cross was towards Aaron Jarvis who got a glancing header on it, but the last touch appeared to come from Altrincham captain James Jones. Inexplicably it was given as a goal kick.

There was a good battle forming between visiting winger Justin Amaluzor and Glovers’ full-back Alex Whittle in the opening 20 minutes. Whittle was definitely enjoying the better of it to start with, but the wideman forced a foul out of Charlie Cooper in a dangerous position and Alex Newby fired the resulting free-kick wide of goal.

Linney tried his luck from the halfway line having spotted Wright off his line on 26 minutes, but the keeper looked fairly comfortable have back-peddled a bit.

Referee Lee Swabey is definitely one we are going to have to invoke Rule #1 for. Sam Pearson’s cross is clearly put out of play by an Alty player and the man in black gives it as a goal kick for the second time. If you’re wondering, Rule #1 of the Gloverscast – don’t moan about National League referees, they’re all useless. Fair to say the Thatcher’s Stand did not stick to that rule.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came on the 33 minute mark when the referee finally awarded a corner to the home side. Jarvis rose highest to meet Cooper’s ball in at the far post, but he could not get enough contact on it.

There’s definitely a more solid look to the Yeovil defence today. The return of Morgan Williams, who did play the second half of the defeat to Solihull on Tuesday night, has reunited the back four of Whittle, Williams, Wannell and Smith which was the mainstay of last season’s success in National League South.

In midfield, both Sonny and Matt Worthington are playing almost in the ‘number ten’ position with Cooper the deeper lying midfielder. That led to quicker movement in attacking positions than we saw four days earlier and Sonny was definitely showing his quality with Yeovil ending the first half better.

Jarvis was utterly convinced there was a handball inside the Altrincham box as the game entered first half injury time before Whittle’s left-footed shot was blocked by a defender before Jarvis headed comfortably in to the hands of Ethan Ross before the half-time whistle sounded.

A huge improvement on the Solihull game on Tuesday night. There was a spell where Altrincham showed some good stuff, but it’s been Yeovil who have had the better chances in that first half.

 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Altrincham 0

Second half

The visitors made their intentions known from the off as they made the brighter start with Amalazour having an effort blocked by Michael Smith with the before Wright had to get down quickly to keep out Tom Crawford’s effort. The first save of note for Wright so far this afternoon within a minute of the restart.

Linney flashed another one past the post seconds later and Altrincham are definitely showing their intent in the opening exchanges of the second half.

On 55 minutes, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net. Linney broke away after the visitors found themselves in a three on three position following a forward foray from Jarvis, he forced Wright in to a save and Alex Newby was on hand to tap in the rebound. Luckily the linesman’s flag was up.

Just after the hour mark, Linney forced another stop out of Wright following a blistering break forward by Alamazour who evaded tackles from Whittle and Williams, the ball broke to Linney whose shot was superbly saved by the ‘keeper. Oddly, referee Swabey appeared to book Charlie Cooper – who had already been booked in the first half.

A bit of post-match detective work from Gloverscast Ben suggests the first booking after 20 minutes was actually for Altrincham’s Justin Amalazour. For what, we do not know.

With 65 minutes gone, Mark Cooper made his first change with Frank Nouble replacing Josh Sims.

Three minutes later, Worthington cut inside and shot just over the bar, but the energy levels were dropping for both sides on a warm afternoon. 

A moment of magic from Michael Smith almost gave Yeovil the lead with 76 minutes gone. Having won the ball in midfield, he drove forward with Jarvis alongside him, spotted Ross fractionally off the line and attempted the chip which came back off the crossbar and hit Ross. So unlucky and the closest either side has come to breaking the deadlock.

That signalled two changes in the Yeovil forward line as Brett McGavin and Jordan Young replaced Lo-Everton and Sam Pearson. That meant Young down the right, Nouble down the left with Jarvis through the middle.

Cooper hit one over the bar with nine minutes of normal time remaining before McGavin hit a low one which Ross collected comfortably. 

There was a worrying moment with a minute left when Michael Smith came off to be replaced by Dom Bernard, but the reaction of the veteran full-back was the biggest concern. He did not look happy. 

With three minutes of injury time played, Nouble showed great strength to get away but he dragged his shot wide with Jarvis and Young both in arguably better positions.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Altrincham 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 14th September – 15:00

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch:  Still looking good
Conditions: A glorious autumn day

Attendance: 2,838 (91 away supporters)

Scorers: None.

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 61, Michael Smith 82
Altrincham: Justin Amalazour 20.

Referee: Lee Swabey

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes:  Frank Nouble (for Josh Sims, 65), Brett McGavin (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 76), Jordan Young (for Sam Pearson, 78), Dom Bernard (for Michael Smith, 89) Finn Cousin-Dawson (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Altrincham: Ethan Ross, Lewis Banks, Jake Cooper, Elliott Osborne, Regan Linney (for Kahrel Reddin, 87), Alex Newby (for Matty Kosylo, 87), Justin Amaluzor, Liam Humbles (for Joe Nuttall, 77), James Jones, Tom Crawford, Tylor Golden.

Substitutes (not used):  Remi Thompson, Eddie Jones, Jake Bickerstaff, Harvey Randle.

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Yeovil Town went down to their third home defeat of the season as they failed to break down a well-drilled Solihull Moors side on a miserable night at Huish Park.

The only goal of the game was one of the few moments of quality on offer as Conor Wilkinson lifted a beautiful chip over stranded Glovers’ keeper Ollie Wright with 11 minutes on the clock.

Brett McGavin’s free-kick off the top of the crossbar in the first half and Jake Wannell had a goal ruled out for offside after the break, but Yeovil never got better than an arm’s length from their opponents.

It was a performance as flat as the weather in Somerset and the final whistle was met with some boos among the home supporters.

First half

The Glovers got turned around from the off and were forced to attack the Thatchers’ Stand with a strong wind and plenty of rain behind them.

But, despite being against the elements, the first effort came from Solihull with John Bostock flashing past the post with Ollie Wright at full stretch.

Unfortunately, it was a sign of what was coming as the next attack led to the opening goal for the visitors. With 11 minutes gone, Dom Bernard misread a forward pass from Solihull and slipped and Conor WILKINSON picked it up and lifted an inch perfect chip over Wright.

In any game that finish was something special, but in these awful conditions and over a keeper who stands 5’8″ that is even more special. Huish Park which started in lively mood, fell silent.

Conor Wilkinson opens the scoring at Huish Park,

A loose pass back from Nouble put Cooper in trouble and Jamey Osborne broke away and got the ball in to Wilkinson whose effort came back off the inside of the post. The Yeovil defence was statuesque there and it should have been 2-0.

There seems to be a lot of fingers being pointed at each other in the hosts’ backline and Solihull are taking advantage of it. Matt Warburton warms the palms of Wright. We really need to wake up.

Definitely contrasting styles, Yeovil playing their usual controlled, possession-based style whilst a lively Solihull side want to play it to the big man Wilkinson and then play some short, sharp passes. In the first half-an-hour, it’s working out better for the visitors.

It was going to take something special to get past a wall of yellow shirts that banked behind the ball whenever Yeovil were in possession. Brett McGavin almost found it when his tried an audacious free-kick from fully 30 yards and Moors’ keeper Laurie Walker could only watch it bounce off the top of the bar.

Osborne caused problems for the Yeovil defence on 42 minutes, he scrambled his way through the defence but flashed his shot wide and a minute later he put one wide of the other post. The speed of Solihull’s passing versus their more ponderous hosts is the difference. Pass and move from the visitors, pass and wait from the hosts.

A couple of boos from some inside Huish Park as the half-time whistle sounded.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Solihull Moors 1

Second half

Mark Cooper responded with two changes at the start of the second half with Morgan Williams and Jordan Young coming on in place of Dom Bernard and Brett McGavin. That reunited Williams alongside Wannell whilst Young and Pearson took up wide positions with Nouble playing closer to Aaron Jarvis as Yeovil went in search of an equaliser.

The first chance of the second half fell to the hosts on 52 minutes. Good endeavour from Pearson down the left side and the ball was cleared as far as Michael Smith who controlled it on his chest and lashed an effort just over the bar.

 

Michael Smith sends an effort dipping over the bar.

But not long after some more shaky defending at the other end with Wannell allowing Newton to hit a shot in which was saved by the legs of Wright.

Another promising moment for Yeovil on 57 minutes as Cooper picked out Nouble who was in a good position on the corner of the penalty area, but rather than pick out a team-mate, he tried the spectacular and it went (spectacularly) over the bar. That one has gone in to the car park behind the empty away end.

Morgan Williams put a header wide from a Cooper corner, and you just feel that a set-piece is going to be where a chance is going to come from. No luck from breaking down that yellow wall.

Huish Park is dead and I really can’t blame it.

There’s that yellow wall.

Josh Sims replaced Michael Smith with 12 minutes of normal time remaining. But the next chance fell to Solihull, a mistake from Matt Worthington in the middle allowed ex-Glover Matt Warburton to get away down the left and put one in to the box where Newton was barrelling in. The effort went wide, luckily.

Yeovil thought they had equalised on 83 minutes when Charlie Cooper lifted a free-kick towards the back post where Jake Wannell was to meet it with a header. The ball flew in to the net, the offside flag went up. Ugh.

As the game ticked in to six minutes of injury time, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton replaced Pearson, who appeared to be suffering with cramp just before.

There was not to be any more late drama and the final whistle was met by some boos from sections of the Huish Park crowd. In truth, we never really laid a glove on Solihull.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Solihull Moors 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 10th September – 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch:  Held up remarkably well in the conditions
Conditions: Pretty miserable

Attendance: 2,489 (42 away supporters)

Scorers: Conor Wilkinson 11 (0-1)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 84, Sam Pearson 87
Solihull Moors: Conor Wilkinson 15, Jamey Osborne 55, Laurie Walker 79, Sam Bowen 90+2

Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes:  Morgan Williams (for Dom Bernard, 46), Jordan Young (for Brett McGavin, 46), Josh Sims (for Michael Smith, 79), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Sam Pearsonl, 90), Finn Cousin-Dawson (not used), Corey Koerner (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Solihull Moors: Laurie Walker, Joe Newton, Olly Tipton, Alex Whitmore, Jordan Tunnicliffe, John Bostock, Jacob Pinnington (for Joss Labadie, 66), Jamey Osborne, Sam Bowen, Matty Warburton, Conor Wilkinson (for Bradley Stevenson, ).

Substitutes (not used):  Aaron Flahavan, Finn Howell, Kian Ryley, Kyle Moseley.

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A debut goal from defender Dom Bernard earned Yeovil Town three points in a madcap match at AFC Fylde which saw the Glovers battle back from 2-0 down at half-time in Lancashire.

The game could not have been one of two more contrasting performances from the visitors. In the first half, they appeared defensively all at sea with an anonymous midfield and unable to capitalise on their chances, but in the second half the roles were reversed as they went on the attack, took their chances and their hosts spurned theirs.

It was Fylde dangerman Nick Haughton who put the Coasters in control with a first half brace, but substitute Sam Pearson pulled one back on 66 minutes before Aaron Jarvis pulled the Glovers level three minutes later. It was substitute Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who put us ahead with a sumptuous strike on 78 minutes then with six minutes remaining Fylde debutant Tyler Roberts pulled the hosts level.

It was left to Bernard to smash home the winner from close range after a goalmouth scramble which sealed the points. Character, not half! 

Here’s how Dave saw – once he got his heart-rate down – from the away end at Mill Farm……

First half

Yeovil Town fielded a patched-up looking defence with new signing Dom Bernard handed a debut the day after being unveiled alongside Finn Cousin-Dawson, there was a welcome return for Alex Whittle on the left side of defence.

However, within three minutes, Whittle was was out-muscled down the right side by Nick HAUGHTON who went on to lash a fine finish past Ollie Wright from a tight angle. 

Three minutes later there was another close call which saw Frank Nouble having to clear a header from ex-Glovers’ loanee Corey Whelan after he was left unmarked at the back post from a Haughton corner. 

Having been stung on a couple occasions, Yeovil began to find a bit of control. A neat touch from Aaron Jarvis allowed Brett McGavin to pick out Josh Sims just outside the box, but he lifted the ball over the bar. The visitors were enjoying plenty of possession, but the majority was played in our own half where Fylde were happy for us to have it.

The best opportunity the visitors had created came on 27 minutes with Jarvis again showing good link-up play this time to set up Michael Smith whose cross almost found  Sims at the far post, but he could not get anything on it. Soon after, Finn Cousin-Dawson put a header harmlessly over the bar from a corner, but Fylde keeper Ben Winterbottom was still yet to be tested by anything approaching a meaningful opportunity.

Meanwhile, every time Fylde (or should I say Nick Haughton) went forward they cut through our defence like a hot knife through butter, and our patched up defence was rocking. Haughton fizzed an effort over the bar and Ethan Mitchell both had opportunities and you felt a second was coming.

It arrived on 39 minutes and Yeovil were architects on their own downfall. McGavin found himself with his back to goal on the corner of his own area, he was out-muscled (that word again) by Mitchell who teed up  Nick HAUGHTON drill another unstoppable shot past Wright. How this lad is still playing at National League level, I have no idea.

From then on praying for no further goals before the half-time whistle was about all the visitors could do, and Haughton almost completed his hat-trick before it sounded when he smashed another effort just past the post.

A rocking defence, a non-existent midfield and forward players who could not finish their own dinner. Other than that, it’s been alright. 

Half time: AFC Fylde 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Half-time saw changes from Yeovil with Jordan Young and Sam Pearson coming on for Finn Cousin-Dawson and Josh Sims…..as full-backs, yes, full-backs. That meant a back three of Michael Smith, Dom Bernard and Alex Whittle.

The result was certainly more attacking from the visitors  with much of the progress coming from the two new arrivals, Young was causing problems down the right and Pearson on the left.

With 62 minutes gone, a Charlie Cooper corner found Matt Worthington at the back post which looked to be looping in to the corner of the net only for Owen Evans to nod it off the line, before at the other end Haughton had another effort which forced Wright to get down smartly to deny.

Then the fightback began. Jarvis showed superb unselfish running to collect a ball forward from Michael Smith and play it in to Sam PEARSON, who brought the ball down and fired home (with a bit of a deflection off a Fylde defender) to reduce the deficit. But, this attacking business has its downside and almost immediately after pulling one back, Yeovil were carved apart again and again it was Haughton driving forward to play in Mitchell whose side was superbly saved by the feet of Wright.

The Glovers’ equalised on 69 minutes was all about superb forward play from Aaron JARVIS. It was his sheer determination and ability which controlled a nodded ball forward from Nouble, to find his strike-partner, who fed Pearson on the left and fired an effort across the face of goal where Jarvis was on hand to bundle it home. 

Aaron Jarvis celebrates his equaliser – as did the away end!

Disclaimer: This is where I totally lost track of the match, you can excuse my excitement, I am sure. The rest of the report is written entirely from memory.

With 77 minutes gone, Sonny Blu LO-EVERTON replaced Brett McGavin and no-one could have guessed the impact the midfielder would have. With what I think was his first touch of the ball, he collected a pass from Nouble, moved to the edge of the area and smashed a beautiful effort past Fylde keeper Ben Winterbottom. Bedlam in the away end, absolute bedlam.

Remember how I said this attacking thing wasn’t all one way? On 84 minutes, Fylde winger Tyler ROBERTS, signed on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, levelled the game again. Haughton (yes, him again) crossed to the back post, substitute Taelor O’Kane headed it back in to the danger area and Roberts was on home to bundle it in.

You’d take a point at that point, right? Not this second half Yeovil team, no a bit of it. They kept coming and an 88th minute corner was won in the air by Nouble, acrobatically helped back in to the danger area by Pearson and Dom BERNARD was on hand to smash it home.

There was still time for more action and step forward Ollie Wright. In injury time, Owen Evans lofted a high ball up to the back post where O’Kane met it with a header and the on-loan Southampton keeper did superbly to turn it aside.

A crazy, chaotic game which had served up one of the worst 45 minutes of football I have seen from us in a long time in the first half, but that was followed by second half performance built on determination, fearlessness and a character which at times took your breath away. Football, eh?

Note: At the end of the match, one Yeovil supporter required medical assistance from staff at the ground on the terraces at Mill Farm. We believe he was responsive following treatment and has been taken to hospital. We are sure we join with all Glovers’ fans in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

Full time: AFC Fylde 3 Yeovil Town 4

Match Details

Venue: Mill Farm
Date: Saturday 7th September – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch:  Very flat
Conditions: Very welcoming on the Lancashire coast.

Attendance: 1,305 (144 away supporters)

Scorers: Nick Haughton 3 (0-1), Nick Haughton 34 (0-2), Sam Pearson 66 (1-2), Aaron Jarvis 69 (2-2), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 78 (3-2), Tyler Roberts 84 (3-3), Dom Bernard (87 (4-3).

Bookings:
AFC Fylde: Gavin Massey 73.
Yeovil Town: Dom Bernard 41.

Referee: James Bancroft

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Jordan Young (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 46), Sam Pearson (for Josh Sims, 46), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Brett McGavin, 78), Corey Koerner (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

AFC Fylde: Ben Winterbottom, Owen Evans, Harry Davis (for Patrick Gamble, 73), Adam Long, Ethan Mitchell (for Taelor O’Kane, 77), Offrande Zanzala (for Danny Ormerod, 62), Nick Haughton, Jonathan Ustabasi (for Tyler Roberts, 77), Corey Whelan, Bryce Hosannah, Joe Riley (for Gavin Massey, 62).

Substitutes (not used): Theo Richardson, Charlie Jolley.

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A first half double from Brett McGavin set Yeovil Town on the way to a 3-1 victory in an eventful game at fellow newly-promoted side Boston United.

The midfielder bent in a beautiful free-kick after just five minutes, before some sloppy defending allowed the home side to equalise. But, on 17 minutes, Boston were reduced to ten men with Jordan Richards seeing red after clattering Charlie Cooper.

McGavin got his second stroking the ball in from the edge of the box with seven minutes of the first half remaining.

But, Yeovil struggled to make their advantage pay and it was not until a great run and cross from Sam Pearson was turned in by substitute Jordan Young on 75 minutes that the three points looked safe.

Even then, Boston continued to press for another goal and Yeovil were reduced to ten men as Jake Wannell was sent off for a needless foul with five minutes remaining.

Here is how Dave saw it from his place in the away end at Pilgrim Way….

First half

After some cautious opening exchanges, it only took five minutes for Yeovil to take the lead. Aaron Jarvis was felled on the edge of the box by Boston’s Zak Mills. Up stepped Brett McGAVIN to bend one in to the top corner, watch that one on the highlights.

A moment of quality had given the visitors the lead but the mistakes in defence which had dogged them the past two matches were still there.

With ten minutes gone, Weston pounced on an error by Jake Wannell and striker Jacob Hazel powered towards goal before a good interception by Finn Cousin-Dawson denied him the opportunity to get a shot away.

But having been the saviour, Cousin-Dawson was the villain five minutes later as his error gifted Boston an equaliser. The centre-half completely missed a challenge on the speedy Weston who got away, squared it to Sam OSBORN who thumped it past Ollie Wright.

At that point, there was not much to separate the two sides but the game turned on 17 minute when Jordan Richards was sent-off after clattering Charlie Cooper.

From that point, Yeovil dominated the possession without carving out a clear-cut opportunity on the Boston goal. In fact, the next chance fell to the home side when Hazel thundered down the right wing and  got the ball in an Wright snatched it off the head of Osborn.

But, with 37 minutes gone, the pressure paid as a nicely-worked move saw McGavin pick out Raphael Araoye on the left side, he found McGAVIN just inside the box and he massaged the ball in to the net for his second. That proved to be Araoye’s last action as he went off with what looked like a knock to be replaced by Sam Pearson.

Half time: Boston United 1 Yeovil Town 2

Second half

On 55 minutes, Charlie Cooper collided with  former Glovers’ loanee Martin Woods on the edge of the box, leaving the Boston man requiring treatment and the Yeovil man going in to the referee’s book, the resulting free-kick was deflected wide of goal.

But the home side had come out of the half-time break the brighter and, despite their numerical disadvantage, looked the more likely to create an opportunity.

The first opportunity took until the 64th minute to come. Nouble got away down the left and put a ball in to a box containing Aaron Jarvis, Josh Sims and Matt Worthington. None of them got a touch.

It took until the 75th minute to find a way through the hosts and it was a goal that was all about Sam Pearson. He got away down the left wing, powered in to the box and hooked a ball back to substitute Jordan YOUNG who turned in Yeovil’s third goal.

Yeovil Town celebrate Jordan Young putting them 3-1 ahead.

With the hosts visibly tiring, Nouble had a couple of breaks forward, the best of which saw him hammer a stinging shot against the palms of the keeper, it bounced out to Young who put it over the bar. Quite how that was not four, I do not know.

To their credit, Boston did not stop pushing for another goal and with five minutes of normal time remaining Jake Wannell picked up his second yellow card for pulling down Hazel. Such a needless booking and, with Morgan Williams and seemingly Araoye missing, leaves Yeovil very short of cover in the middle of defence.

Two minutes after the numerical disadvantage had been levelled, Wright pulled off a fine stop to deny Pilgrims’ substitute Aderoju.

With an even number of players on each side, Boston upped their pressure on the Yeovil box with substitute David Mooney a menace down the right side.

There were a number of moments which set pulse rates racing in the away end throughout eight minutes of stoppage time, but Yeovil went home with the three points.

Full time: Boston United 1 Yeovil Town 3

Match Details

Venue: Jakeman’s Community Stadium
Date: Saturday 31st August – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch:  As you’d expect for the end of August 
Conditions: Dry and bright to start, dull and drizzly by the end

Attendance: 1,956 (154 away supporters)

Scorers: Brett McGavin 7 (1-0), Sam Osborne 15 (1-1), Brett McGavin 37 (2-1), Jordan Young 75 (3-1).

Bookings:
Boston United: Jai Rowe 90+2
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 56, Jake Wannell 60, Jake Wannell 85.

Sendings off:

Boston United: Jordan Richards 17
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 85

Referee: Neil Hair

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Sam Pearson (for Raphael Araoye, 42), Jordan Young (for Josh Sims, 70), Harvey Greenslade (for Aaron Jarvis, 74), Jordan Thomas (for Harvey Greenslade, 90+1), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Boston United: Cameron Gregory, Jai Rowe, Michael Bostwick (for Tom Leak, 82), Zak Mills, Cameron Green, Jordan Richards, Martin Woods (for Dan Mooney, 80), Sam Osborne (for Dylan Hill, 70), Frankie Maguire (for Keaton Ward, 84), Tony Weston (for Pemi Aderoju, 74), Jacob Hazel. Substitutes (not used): Ellis Craven, Mitchell Roberts.

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Yeovil Town lost 1-0 at home to Rochdale on Bank Holiday Monday. 

A single Connor McBride goal on the stroke of 90 minutes was all that seaparated the sides on a roasting hot day at Huish Park.

First half

The opening changes suggested Yeovil were looking to press their opponents far more than they had been in the previous outing at Huish Park, the 3-2 win over Ebbsfleet United last Tuesday night. Frank Nouble was at the heart of it pressuring the Rochdale backline.

With eight minutes gone, Yeovil spurned two great opportunities to take the lead. Rochdale captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell pulled up with an injury and the Glovers capitalised with Young bearing down in goal, it bounced around inside the box until eventually Charlie Cooper hammered in a shot which was saved by Luke McNicholas.

Luke McNicholas class for the ball under pressure from Jordan Young. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

It bounced out to the right side where Michael Smith lifted it in and picked out Aaron Jarvis on the back post, but he could not get enough power on it and it was hacked off the line. Those are exactly the type of chances we have to be taking at this level.

Ebanks-Landell went off, replaced by Kyle Ferguson before the visitors had a good opportunity of their own after ten minutes. A moment of hesitancy from goalkeeper Ollie Wright who hesitated on his line as visitors’ striker Kairo Mitchell broke through and Morgan Williams had to make a last ditch dash to bail out his keeper.

This was definitely a game of two sides who showed in the opening 20 minutes that they like to keep the ball down.

With just under half-an-hour gone, a great turn in the middle of park from Frank Nouble saw him set Josh Sims away, but the winger could not get his shot away and Rochdale shepherded the ball out for a corner. From the resulting Brett McGavin flag kick, Williams’ got his head to it but could not control it.

Rochdale keeper Luke McNicholas scrambles back….

On 38 minutes, Yeovil came about as close to taking the lead as is possible. McNicholas’ attempted to clear it and Jordan oung managed to get a header on it from fully 40 yards out, the ball lofted over the keeper and bounced towards the goal as McNicholas scrambled back to clear it.  Assistant Oliver Taylor judged it did not cross the line despite him being at least ten yards behind the ball with the only people able to tell you whether it did cross the line being the away supporters.

Two minutes later visiting midfielder Tarryn Allrakhia fed an inch-perfect ball through to Kairo Mitchell who beat the offside trap and the striker fizzed a shot just over the bar, literally centimetres over the bar.

A pretty even first 45 minutes with both teams trying to move the ball quickly past each other, not end-to-end but a good standard of football on show for the Bank Holiday crowd.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Rochdale 0

Second half

The visitors made two substitutions at the start of the first half with former Glovers’ loanee winger Courtney senior replaced by Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Finlay Armstrong coming off in place of Connor McBride. No changes for Yeovil.

With five minutes of the half gone, Nouble did superbly to take the ball forward down the right-hand side and fizz a ball in where Aaron Jarvis was arriving, but the striker could not bundle the ball past McNicholas in front of the Thatcher’s End.

McGavin lashed one over from distance a couple of minutes later, but a hat tip to the build up largely involving Josh Sims which led to that chance. Judging from McGavin’s YouTube reel, you can’t blame him for having a go from 30-odd yards.

McGavin hammers one over…..

With 64 minutes on the clock, Jordan Young, who had become a father on Sunday, and Josh Sims were withdrawn in place of Sam Pearson and Harvey Greenslade. Sims had not had the impact that he had in his previous appearances and the arrival of Pearson and Greenslade should offer additional pace.

Three minutes Greenslade had a great chance chipping one towards the back post which caused problems without getting over the line in front of a very noisy sounding Thatcher’s End.

On 73 minutes, it was the visitors’ chance to have a go at goal having worked the ball in nicely from the right-hand side and Aaron Henry’s effort went just over the bar. Sam Beckwith had an opportunity soon after and the danger was definitely coming down that flank with Araoye and Greenslade finding themselves in problems.

The game was starting to slow at this point with chances coming at a premium.

Morgan Williams blocked a fierce shot from a Rochdale forward and the impact seemed to really rock the defender, after a couple minutes of treatment on the pitch, he was replaced by Finn Cousin-Dawson for his home debut.

Aaron Henry saw an effort sail wide with a few moments left, the visitors enjoying the majority of the ball in the latter stages.

Then, no sooner had the fourth officials board gone up to signal seven additional minutes, did Connor MCBRIDE fire home. The ball broke loose to the forward on the edge of the box, he had time to his spot down to Ollie Wright’s right hand side and the keeper, at full stretch was unable to get close.

The Glovers upped the urgency for the remainder of added time, even Wright found himself forward for a last ditch free kick, but there was nothing more significant than an Aaron Jarvis booking to speak of as the ref sounded for full-time.

A frustrated Huish Park streamed for the exits; what might have been.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Rochdale 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Monday 26th August – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch:  Superb, as we have come to expect
Conditions: Red hot

Attendance: 3,686 (182 Away)

Scorers:  Connor McBride (0-1 ’82)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis ’95
Rochdale: Tarryn Allrakhia 40, Aaron Henry 47.

Referee: Alan Dale

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes: Sam Pearson (for Jordan Young ’64),  Harvey Greenslade (for Josh Sims ’64), , Matt Worthington (for Michael Smith ’69), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Charlie Cooper ’78, Finn Cousin-Dawson (For Williams ’83),  Dylan Morgan (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Rochdale : Luke McNicholas, Kyron Gordon, Finlay Armstrong for Connor McBride, 46), Ryan East, Aaron Henry, Ethan Ebanks-Landell (for Kyle Ferguson, 10), Tarryn Allarakhia, Kairo Mitchell (for Ian Henderson ’69), Courtney Senior (for Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, 46), Jake Burger (for Devante Rodney ’82), Sam Beckwith.
Substitutes (not used): Bradley Kelly, Ody Alfa,

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Yeovil Town fell to a 3-1 defeat on the road at Gateshead this afternoon. The first half was a great game for the neutrals, with both sides playing some nice stuff going forward with a side of terrible defending.

An own goal by Jordan Thomas was added to by former Yeovil trialist Brandon Haunstrup inside 22 minutes before Aaron Jarvis got one back.

Mark Cooper’s side gave as good as they got against the league leaders, but a late penalty from Luke Hannant saw it finish 3-1.

First half

Yeovil had Gateshead chasing back in the 3rd minute.  Sam Pearson was played through on the left hand side of the Gateshead defence and he chose to cut it back rather than get it across the six yard box.

Moments later, Aaron Jarvis had a sighter from distance that skipped past the post of Tiernan Brooks.

Both sides exchanged possession in the early stages and in the 12th minute, Jacob Butterfield’s left footed strike was diverted in by Jordan Thomas. A spell of possession led to a cross in the box that came in too easily and wasn’t cleared away. 0-1

Yeovil tried to hit back and cross into the box found Jarvis who rose highest to head towards goal but his effort was comfortable for the keeper.

Ollie Wright was called into action in the 17th minute after the Oseni pounced on the Glovers as they tried to play out. The loanee got down low to deny the Gateshead striker.

Calamitous defending from Yeovil allowed former triallist Brandon Haunstrup to double Gateshead’s lead. A sloppy pass from Worthington didn’t quite make its way to Michael Smith and Haunstrup pounced to fire into the roof of the net. 0-2

The Glovers should have got one back in the 24th minute through Matt Worthington. A ball over the top caught Gateshead napping and Worthington found himself face to face with Brook in goal. The midfielder could only fire straight at the man in purple.

A few minutes later Aaron Jarvis got his goal. A great cross from Michael Smith found Yeovil’s number 9 on the spot and his powerful header couldn’t be kept out despite Brooks’ best efforts. 1-2

Jarvis nearly levelled the score with the next attack. Another cross in from the right caused Gateshead all sorts of problems but Jarvis could only strike high and wide.

Yeovil switched to the familiar back four and started to get more joy. Morgan Williams came within the width of the post to drawing Yeovil back level. 

Gateshead thought they’d scored their third moments later after Louis Storey’s header across the box was nodded in by Oseni. On this occasion the assistant’s flag saved the Glovers.

Half time: Gateshead 2 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Mark Cooper made a half time change with Frank Nouble replacing goalscorer Aaron Jarvis.

Harvey Greenslade snuck in past Louis Storey on the 52nd minute and struck a good effort at goal and earned a corner for his efforts.

Butterfield came close to getting his 2nd of the afternoon moments later, drawing a save from Ollie Wright who clawed it out low to his right.

Gateshead maintained the pressure and whipped strike from Hannant went over Wright’s bar.

On the hour Yeovil Town made a triple substitution with Charlie Cooper, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Dylan Morgan coming on for Greenslade, McGavin and Sims.

Morgan nearly made an instant impact. sloppy play from Gateshead allowed Nouble and Morgan to link up and Morgan’s effort was blocked by a sliding Heed defender.

Gateshead made some changes of their own with former Glover Mark Beck entering the fray. But it was his teammate, Kain Adom who’s shot was deflected wide with Wright at full stretch.

The second half never quite lived up to the first, with neither side able to get their passing game flowing and plenty of substitutions disrupting the flow.

The Glovers conceded an 87th minute penalty after a shirt pull on Mark Beck. Luke Hannant coolly despatched past Wright. 1-3

Gateshead could have scored a fourth in stoppage time but Adom’s effort was skied over.

Full time: Gateshead 3 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Gateshead International Stadium
Date: Saturday 24th August – 12:30pm

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch: Far away.luscious with dark green rugby lines
Conditions: Bright sunshine with a northern chill

Attendance: 1096 (157 away supporters)

Scorers:  Jordan Thomas OG 14 (0-1), Brandon Haunstrup 22 (0-2), Aaron Jarvis  30

Bookings:
Gateshead: Regan Booty 65, Louis Story, 76
Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington 36, Frank Nouble 82

Referee: Martin Woods

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

*It changed multiple times during the match!

Substitutes: Frank Nouble (for Aaron Jarvis, 46), Charlie Cooper (for Harvey Greenslade, 60), Brett McGavin (for Dylan Morgan 60), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Josh Sims, 60), Raphael Araoye (not used), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Michael Smith 72), Matt Gould (not used).

Gateshead : Tiernan Brooks, Kenton Richardson, Louis Storey, Brandon Haunstrup, Callum Whelan (for Will McGowan 80), Ben Worman, Regan Booty, Jacob Butterfield (for Kain Adom 73), Luke Hannant, Thomas Allan (for Tyrelle Newton 70), Owen Oseni (for Mark Beck 70) Substitutes (not used): Harry Moss, Jean Belehouan, Charlie Colkett

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A second half goal from substitute Harvey Greenslade saw Yeovil Town survive a scare from Ebbsfleet United and pick up their first home win of the season.

The Glovers were in cruise control in the first half and deservedly led 2-0 at half-time with goals from Brett McGavin and Michael Smith, but a flurry of substitutions saw the visitors score twice in the space of five minutes.

An error from goalkeeper Ollie Wright saw him spill the ball to the feet of Lewis Page on 64 minutes before Dominic Samuel bent one in from the edge of the box three minutes later to leave Huish Park stunned.

At that point, it would have taken a brave person to call which way this encounter was going to go, but it was Greenslade who struck with nine minutes of normal time remaining to seal the three points for Yeovil.

First half

There was a slightly worrying moment after eight minutes when Michael Smith went down awkwardly having vaulted over the visitors’ Lewis Page. The experienced defender went down looking to be in some discomfort, but returned to the fray soon after.

The opening 15 minutes saw Ebbsfleet willing to work hard to close down Yeovil who typically tried to keep the ball on the floor and pass their way through their opponents. It meant the visitors pressured the Glovers’ backline without creating anything to threaten Ollie Wright, whereas the home side kept patient.

Winger Josh Sims, making his first start for his hometown team, was involved in our best forward play missing out to Ebbsfleet keeper Mark Cousins on 18 minutes, before he linked up with Frank Nouble three minutes later to break in to the box but his effort was blocked.

But with 25 minutes the breakthrough came. Alex Whittle got away down the left and got a ball in to the box, Sam Pearson swung a boot at it in the middle of the box but only hit fresh air and Brett McGAVIN was there to fire an unstoppable strike in to the net. The first real opportunity for either side in the game and we’re in front.

Brett McGavin salutes the Thatchers Stand after his opening goal. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

The persistence of hard-running striker Aaron Jarvis almost paid dividends just after the half-hour mark when he snuck up on visiting defender Louis John and almost left the Ebbsfleet made red-faced.

There was a bizarre moment on 34 minutes when Cousins came charging out of his area to meet Nouble charging down the right side, he managed to see the ball out for a corner and Matt Worthington’s ball in was flicked on by Morgan Williams, who got a head to it but it was never threatening the visitors’ net.

The visitors lost striker Kwame Thomas to injury with seven minutes of the first half remaining and two minutes later the Glovers doubled their advantage.

A beautiful bit of interplay between Sims and Pearson down the right caused chaos in the Ebbsfleet defence, Jarvis tried to bundle it home but it was Michael SMITH who was there to smash home from close range.

There was a glorious opportunity to make it 3-0 soon after. McGavin’s corner found Nouble at the near post and he tried to flick it goalwards but broke to Worthington who was denied by a last-ditch challenge and the grateful Cousins dropped on the ball.

Sims came close with a minute of normal time to go, cutting in from the left and curling an effort not far over the angle of post and bar. This lad has some quality, I’m telling you.

After a slow opening 20 minutes, Yeovil have done exactly what we always talk about needing to do – taken their opportunities. But, the two goals they scored both came from fantastic moves.

Half time: Yeovil Town 2 Ebbsfleet United 0


Second half

There were changes for both sides at half-time with Sims going off as advertised by manager Mark Cooper in his pre-match interview along with Whittle with Charlie Cooper and on-loan Bristol City defender Raphael Araoye coming on to replace them.  The change for Yeovil saw Cooper sitting in midfield giving Worthington and McGavin more licence to push forward, whilst Araoye slotted in at left-back.

For the visitors, striker Dominic Poleon, who had scored in their opening two matches of the season, also came on.

The Yeovil pressure  – not dissimilar to the job Hartlepool United did on them back on the opening day of the season continued after the break. Pearson was in the middle of the early opportunities, first setting up Nouble whose effort was blocked and then almost finding Williams, who could not get enough on it.

Nouble put an effort high, wide and not so handsome soon after, but if anyone thought the half-time changes were Mark Cooper shutting up shop, the opening ten minutes proved otherwise.

With ten minutes of the second half gone, Ebbsfleet manager Danny Searle decided he saw enough and made two other substitutes. They are yet to lay a glove on the Glovers yet, but the changes brought a bit of impetus and the Kent side pulled a goal back on 64 minutes.

A ball in from the right from one of the new arrivals, Dominic Samuel, was not dealt with by Ollie Wright who spilt it to the feet of Lewis PAGE who steered it home.

That seemed to rock Yeovil who allowed themselves to get penned in by their visitors who found an equaliser three minutes after reducing the deficit. Worthington went in for a tackle just inside the penalty area, but he could not clear the ball and it broke to Dominic SAMUEL who fired in from the edge of the box.

With an hour gone it would have taken a very brave person to have suggested Ebbsfleet had any chance of finding their way back in to the goal. 

Mark Cooper responded with changes with three changes inside five minutes with Harvey Greenslade replacing Aaron Jarvis, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton coming on for McGavin and then Jordan Young coming on for Pearson.

Nouble was inches from getting on the end of a Pearson ball in moments before the Welshman’s departure, but the attacking verve of before that quickfire double from the visitors was sorely lacking.

Greenslade could not control a header after a lovely forward run and chipped ball in to the box from Smith found him unmarked with 77 minutes gone.

But it was the substitute who both created and finished the goal which restore the Yeovil lead  on 81 minutes. The ex-Bristol Rovers man won the ball in midfield and fed Nouble who had two efforts at goal, including one off the post, before GREENSLADE was on hand to sweep the ball home.

Harvey Greenslade fires Yeovil back in to the lead.

Soon after Jordan Young drifted in from the right side and curled an effort just the wrong side of the post and despite pressure from the away side, Yeovil were able to hold out to take the win.

No-one saw that coming after the first half, but three points on the board nevertheless.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Ebbsfleet United 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 20th August – 7.45pm

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch: Looking in good nick.
Conditions: Dry.

Attendance: 3,295 (95 away supporters)

Scorers: Brett McGavin 25 (1-0), Michael Smith 40 (2-0), Lewis Page 46 (2-1), Dominic Samuel 67 (2-2), Harvey Greenslade 81 (3-2)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ollie Wright 42, Frank Nouble 82
Ebbsfleet United: Lewis Page 45+6, Franklin Domi 89

Referee: Greg Rollason

 

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Charlie Cooper (for Josh Sims, 46), Raphael Araoye (for Alex Whittle, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for Aaron Jarvis, 68), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Brett McGavin, 71), Jordan Young (for Sam Pearson, 73), Jordan Thomas (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Ebbsfleet United: Mark Cousins, Luke O’Neill, Lewis Page (for Greg Cundle, 83), Josh Wright (for Franklin Domi, 55), Louise John, Jim Kellermann, Wes Fonguck (for Dominic Poleon, 46), Ben Chapman, Tom Dallison, Craig Tanner (for Toby Edser, 55), Kwame Thomas (for Dominic Samuel, 39). Substitutes (not used): Dylan Berry, Tyler Cordner.

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A second half Morgan Williams goal was enough to seal Yeovil Town’s first three points since returning to the National League Premier at Braintree Town on Saturday.

The centre-half was in the right place to  convert a ball in from Frank Nouble with an hour gone of a hard-fought encounter against the home side who came up from National League South alongside the Glovers last season.

The second half also saw the appearance of new signing Josh Sims, the winger who joined last week having played for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last season. He showed some good moments of class to suggest he could be a useful addition.

But, getting the first win, first goal and first clean sheet of the new campaign cannot be underestimated.

Here is how Dave saw it from the away end in Essex…..

First half

On a bone dry pitch on a scorching August afternoon, manager Mark Cooper made one change to his starting XI from the opening day defeat against Hartlepool United with Harvey Greenslade coming in for Dylan Morgan, who was not in the matchday squad still suffering from a knee injury sustained in pre-season.

For much of the opening exchanges it was a carbon copy of the frustrating moments of seven days ago with the visitors enjoying the majority of the ball, but unable to do much to threaten the Braintree goal. There were a few nice link-ups between Aaron Jarvis and Frank Nouble, but nothing even close to a meaningful effort on goal.

At the other end Matt Robinson had an effort blocked by Jarvis early on before Inih Effiong picked up the ball on the Braintree left and made a powerful run past Morgan Williams on 25 minutes. Eventually a combination of Williams and defensive partner Jake Wannell saw the ball out of play, but evidence of the threat of the big frontman.

From the resulting corner, Wannell blocked a shot from Robinson. The visitors dominating possession in this first half, but it is the home side who are having the better efforts on goal.

On the half-hour mark, Effiong had a shot blocked before the ball dropped to Callum Powell who fired over the bar. Probably the closest either side had come to a meaningful effort on goal – not that it was on target.

Matt Robinson strikes at goal for Braintree.

It was clear from the start that the pitch at Cressing Road had not seen water in a long time. The amount of parched turf  was not something you would expect to see in the second game of the season.

The best moment of attacking play from Yeovil came just before the break, some neat play on the edge of the Braintree box worked its way out to Michael Smith who broke down the right and put a quality ball in to the box. No-one there to take advantage.

More of that, that’s what we need.

Half time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Just two minutes after the restart, neat footwork from Nouble saw him beat two players before finding Jarvis on the edge of the six-yard box, he turned and got his shot away but his effort was blocked on the line by Joe Grimwood. Once again, quick movement was the key to creating an opportunity.

On 55 minutes, Sam Pearson replaced Jordan Young and on the half-hour mark and he played a part in Yeovil opening the scoring five minutes after his arrival.

The Welshman’s quick corner found Nouble on the edge of the area and he played a sumptuous ball in to the box where Morgan WILLIAMS was in the right place at the right time to neatly turn the ball past Jacob Knightsbridge in the Braintree goal.

The home side made two substitutions with Effiong fading and Powell unable to get in to the game, Kyrell Libsie and the towering John Akinde replacing Chay Cooper and Jamie Vennings, but it was Yeovil who were in charge.

Williams almost doubled the advantage when he got his head on the end of a pin-point Brett McGavin corner but it was parried by Knightsbridge, Pearson turned home the rebound but referee Carl Walchester had blown up for a foul by Jarvis.

On 76 minutes, new signing Josh Sims made his first appearance in green-and-white as he replaced Greenslade and took up a position on the left side of the box. It was almost a dream start for the Yeovil-born winger as he combined with Alex Whittle and McGavin to find space on the edge of the box to flash an effort wide of Knightsbridge’s right-hand post.

The new boy was again in the middle of the action with five minutes remaining. He turned neatly inside the box to pick out Whittle in an advanced position, but the full-back’s effort crept wide of goal.

Williams’ goal proved enough to wrap up a 1-0 win in Essex for the second time in five months and seal the first win of the season.

Full time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: The Rare Breed Meat Co Stadium
Date: Saturday 17th August, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch: Twinned with the Sahara Desert.
Conditions: Factor 50 territory

Attendance: 1,128 (166 away)

Scorers: Morgan Williams 60 (1-0).

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis 54, Frank Nouble 69,
Braintree Town: James Vennings 7, Callum Powell 23,

Referee: Callum Walchester

 

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Sam Pearson (for Jordan Young, 55), Josh Sims (for Harvey Greenslade, 76), Charlie Cooper (for Brett McGavin, 83), Raphael Araoye (for Alex Whittle, 87), Jordan Thomas (for Aaron Jarvis, 90+3), Matt Gould (not used), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (not used).

Braintree Town: Jacob Knightsbridge, Ryan Clampon, George Langston (for Tom Blackwell, 90+1), Louie Annesley, James Vennings (for John Akinde, 67), Marley Marshall-Miranda, Inih Effiong, Callum Powell (for Reggie Lambe, 86), Chay Cooper (for Kyrell Lisbie, 64), Matt Robinson, Joe Grimwood. Substitutes (not used): Jamal Fyfield.

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Yeovil Town began their return to the National League Premier Division with a defeat at the hands of Hartlepool United at Huish Park.

The visitors, managed by ex-Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll, struck on 65 minutes when Jack Hunter found space on the edge of the box to fire home.

It was a performance from the away side which was in the image of their manager – direct,  organised and with all the ‘dark arts’ Glovers fans will remember from Sarll’s time in charge. 

But, with the final chance of the game, there was a glorious opportunity for an equaliser as a mistake from Pools’ keeper Joel Dixon fell to substitute Harvey Greenslade, who lifted his effort over an unguarded net. 

It was Yeovil’s lack of potency in the final third and a piece of quality from Hunter that settled it and it was a harsh reminder of how fine the margins are at the highest level of non-League football.

Here’s how Dave saw it from his spot on the Thatcher’s End…..

First half

Within 30 seconds of the kick-off, midfielder Brett McGavin needed to make a superb interception to deny Sheron a shooting opportunity.

There were attacking moments (probably not bordering on opportunities) from both sides in the opening exchanges and then on seven minutes Hartlepool centre-half Tom Parkes put in a crunching tackle on Jordan Young. He earned himself a yellow card and, had it been later in the game, could well have seen that turn to a red.

There was a bit more ‘rough justice’ handed out by Pools’ striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe on Brett McGavin. The big frontman was exactly the kind of handful you would imagine him to be and the visitors were showing they are built in the image of their manager, Darren Sarll. That said, Aaron Jarvis was giving as he got from the robust Luke Waterfall and Parkes in the centre of the visitors’ defence.

On 15 minutes, Morgan Williams had to be inch perfect to clear a dangerous ball from the right side with Dieseruvwe arriving at the far post.

Jake Wannell gets the better of Hartlepool striker, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.
Jake Wannell gets the better of Hartlepool striker, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

On 27 minutes, the visitors’ Joe Grey was the next in to the referee’s book after a foul on Dylan Morgan. The resulting did not muster a meaningful effort on goal, but Yeovil definitely look a threat from wide positions. Unsurprisingly, the press was the Sarll style adopted by Hartlepool.

Without ever carving out a meaningful chance to test Joel Dixon in the visitors’ goal, Yeovil seemed controlled and looked like they could cause problems from wide positions. Hartlepool were typically direct and certainly had the better chances but at no point in the first half was goalkeeper Ollie Wright extended.

A ‘1-0 scrapper’ was how the game was predicted to go on Friday’s podcast and there was nothing in the opening 45 minutes to suggest that was not going to be the case.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Hartlepool United 0

Second half

It was another direct attack from Hartlepool which created the first opening of the second half. Adam Campbell, who turned down the opportunity to join Crawley Town in League One to return to his native North East in the summer, found himself in space in the middle and played it out wide to Grey whose shot was blocked by a fine block from Alex Whittle.

Alex Whittle rises highest. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil boss Mark Cooper had spoken pre-match about how substitutions would be crucial this season. With seven players on the bench, he made the game’s first change  came after 56 minutes with Harvey Greenslade replacing Morgan, who never really got to show what he was capable of.

Wright had to be alert a minute later, a high ball in to the box to Dieseruvwe saw him hold off/manhandle Whittle and nod it down to Sheron whose header was in to the hands of the keeper, who two minutes later had to get down to keep out a stinging effort from Campbell.

It was Hartlepool who were looking the more dangerous and on 65 minutes they opened the scoring. Campbell once again involved rolling the ball to Jack HUNTER himself in space on the edge of the box and curled home a tidy finish. It had been coming.

Jordan Thomas replaced Michael Smith and the goal seemed to spark greater attacking intent from home side. Probably the best effort came on 75 minutes when Jordan Young cut in from the right and his effort was deflected wide for a corner.

With time running out the Sarll gamesmanship we know and (used to) love came in to play. Keeper Dixon going down ‘injured’ and whilst Dieseruvwe was off the pitch changing his boots. 

Meanwhile Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Sam Pearson both arrived off the bench, and five minutes from but inside the box Yeovil’s attacking intent was not being rewarded with any luck in front of goal. The visitors were quite happy to stay solid and organised let their hosts and try their luck.

On 86 minutes, hosts’ captain Matt Worthington tried a shot from distance which was comfortably held by Dixon. By my count that is our first shot on target.

Moments later came arguably our best chance. Determined play by Young kept the ball alive on the left side of the box and he found Pearson who clipped a ball in to Greenslade by Dixon was there to deny him.

The sight of seven minutes of injury time seemed to lift the Huish Park crowd as Yeovil continued to try to find a way through a wall of light blue shirts.

Then, literally with the last effort of the match, Lo-Everton’s ball in to the saw Dixon collide with his own player and spill the which dropped to Greenslade who lifted it over an unguarded net. Agonising, we have been well and truly Sarll’d.

Not far off, but those are the fine margins at this level.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Hartlepool United 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 10th August, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier

Pitch: In good nick, as you would hope on Game 1
Conditions: Dull and muggy

Attendance: 3,646 (238 away supporters)

Scorers: Jack Hunter 65 (0-1)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Harvey Greenslade 80, Jake Wannell 90+4.
Hartlepool United: Tom Parkes 7, Joe Grey 27, Adam Campbell 71, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe  90+7.

Referee: David Rock 

 

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Harvey Greenslade (for Dylan Morgan 56), Jordan Thomas (for Michael Smith, 68), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Brett McGavin, 75), Sam Pearson (for Frank Nouble, 84), Matt Gould (not used), Finn Cousin-Dawson (not used), Raphael  Araoye (not used).

Hartlepool United:  Joel Dixon, David Ferguson, Daniel Dodds (for Manny Onariase, 90+4), Tom Parkes, Luke Waterfall (for Billy Sass-Davies, 70), Joe Grey, Jack Hunter, Luke Charman (for Anthony Gomez Mancini, 79), Nathan Sheron, Adam Campbell (for Louis Stephenson, 90), Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.
Substitutes (not used): Adam Smith, Nicky Featherstone, Alfie Steel.

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Former Gloverscast Quiz Champion Rob Manley made his way to the seaside for Yeovil’s final friendly of preseason. He scribble some notes down for us (and you!)

The Glovers started out in a 4-2-3-1 and as both teams sparred early one, the Glovers were on top in terms of possession.

Aaron Jarvis was the first to have an effort at goal with a shot inside the box. That man, Brett McGavin lined up a  free kick not too long after which took a nick on the way through and was saved by keepers legs.

The Glovers remained on top and had a couple of opportunities to get behind the Weston defence, with Sam Pearson latching onto Jarvis’s flick on to test the keeper.

Sam Pearson nearly capitalised from a corner which fell to him at the back post but he could only fire over the bar.

Following a 25th minute water break, the hosts had their first effort at goal but the strike wasn’t great and flew wide.

Jarvis looked isolated as the half wore on, but the Glovers forced a late chance with Matt Worthington drawing a save from the keeper after a good cut back from Michael Smith.

Rob’s half time view: Not much in the game, a lot of possession in our back third and the middle, with half chances in front of their goal.

Half Time: Weston-super-Mare  0 Yeovil Town 0

It didnt take long for the Glovers to fashion a chance in the first half. Jarvis held the ball up well before giving it to Frank Nouble but no one could get on the end of his cross.

Jordan Young had a chance soon after, following a neat one-two with Pearson, Young struck a tame effort at goal.

It wasn’t all friendly by the seaside, Jake Wannell and former Yeovil striker Reuben Reid had a little flare up that saw them both receive yellow cards.

Jarvis showed good strength to hold off a Weston defender before trying to execute a lob that went straight at the keeper.

Reid had decent strike that was parried away by Ollie Wright and then cleared away by the Glovers defence.

In the 60th minute, Harvey Greenslade replaced Sam Pearson and soon after Yeovil found the breakthrough.

Michael Smith’s ball over the top was controlled by Jarvis who get his head up to put a lovely finish into the bottom corner. 1-0

There was a nice passage of play from Yeovil with lots of one-touch passing which finished up with Jordan Young striking wide.

The entrance of Greenslade saw Yeovil go more direct and look more threatening, creating a couple of chances for Jarvis. 

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton entered the fray and made an impact grabbing Yeovil’s second. Young’s great ball into box found Lo-Everton who took one touch before picking out the top corner. 2-0

Rob’s Full Time View: Decent run out against a physical, well-drilled Weston side. Our direct play made the difference, balls over the top, crosses into the box and getting the ball forward quickly was the key to the performance and result.

Full Time: Weston-super-Mare 0 Yeovil Town 2

Aaron Jarvis with some happy children