Match Reports

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A second half hat-trick from midfielder Brett McGavin was Yeovil Town picked up their second 6-0 win in as many weeks as they scored five goals in the second half at Wealdstone.

The home side were reduced to ten men when keeper Dante Simpson was red carded with 25 minutes played and the visitors took full advantage with James Daly putting them ahead ten minutes later.

But it was after the break that the Glovers put their hosts to the sword with Johl Powell doubling the advantage just after the hour mark before Brett McGavin bagged a hat-trick and then Powell added a sixth in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Powell missed a penalty in the dying seconds of the match with Wealdstone reduced to nine men as Aidan Francis-Clark was dismissed for hauling Powell down inside the box to give away the spot kick.

First half

Unsurprisingly having won 6-0 and home to Boston United in their last game, Yeovil boss Billy Rowley named an unchanged starting XI. The only change came on the substitutes’ bench where striker Owen Dean, who arrived from Farnham Town last weekend, was named ahead of midfielder Zain Westbrooke.

The opening exchanges were dominated by the home side and Fejiri Okenabirhie had a couple of opportunities with a header going over after four minutes before Jos Barker got down bravely to deny him a minute later.

Jos Barker makes an early save to deny Okenabirhie. Picture courtesy of Tom Piffle.

The Stones continued to dominate without forcing Barker in to any meaningful saves and the game turned in the Glovers’ favour on 25 minutes when keeper Dante Baptiste tearing out of his area to challenge Archie Davies. Referee Callum Jones had no choice but to show the keeper a red card and back-up stopper Endurance Johnson came on to replace him with former Glovers’ frontman Olufela Olomola making way. From the resulting free-kick, Brett McGavin’s effort came back off the wall before Powell lashed a shot over the bar.

Yeovil celebrate James Daly’s opener.

From there, Yeovil got a hold of the game and ten minutes later took the lead. Ryan Jones dribbled in from the left, slipped a pass through to Archie Davies whose shot was pushed away by Johnson as far as Powell whose effort was blocked and landed to James DALY who smashed it through the keeper’s legs and in to the net.

On 39 minutes, a great bit of skill from Jordan Norville-Williams fed Slavi Spasov whose close range effort turned wide by Johnson.

There was a worrying moment in first half injury when Jones, whose name was sung in the away end to celebrate his new contract, took a blow to the back of the head. He needed a bandage around the head but carried on until the break.

Half-time: Wealdstone 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Ryan Jones was the first player to have an effort at goal after the restart when he fizzed a shot over the bar with 52 minutes, and seven minutes later the winger skipped in from the right and fired an effort in which Johnson got down well.

It was all Yeovil and they doubled the lead when Johl POWELL shrugged off the challenge of his defender and slipped the ball past the keeper. It’s Johl Powell again ole, ole!

On 68 minutes it was 3-0 as Brett McGAVIN got his first of the match. The midfielder started the move before a combination of Powell and Walker set him up to stroke the ball home from the edge of the box.

The maestro’s second goal was not far away. Just one minute later Brett McGAVIN latched on to a loose pass from keeper Johnson, held off the challenge of a Wealdstone defender as he pressed into the box and poked the Glovers 4-0 ahead.

But McGAVIN’s best was still to come and with six minutes of normal time remaining he picked the ball up, took a couple of strides forward and caressed another finish in from fully 25 yards. 12 minutes to score a hat-trick is impressive, but not a club record, that honour goes to Guy Whittingham who scored one in seven minutes at Telford United in January 1989.

Johl Powell makes it six. Picture courtesy of Tom Piffle.

“We want six, we want six” roared the travelling supporters in the away end at Grosvenor Vale. It took until a minute in to injury time at the end of the match for Yeovil to oblige. Substitute Owen Dean closed down keeper Johnson who miscued his clearance and played it straight to the feet of Johl POWELL who ran forward and added the sixth.

There was even time for Yeovil to go one better than last weekend’s heroics as a quick break saw Walker find Powell inside the area where he was hauled to the ground by Wealdstone’s Aidan Francis-Clark to give away a penalty. Looking to complete his hat-trick, but he was denied by a save from Johnson.

Oh well, 6-0 again, ole, ole!

Full time: Wealdstone 0 Yeovil Town 6

Match Details

Venue: Grosvenor Vale
Date: Saturday 10th October, 2026, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: James Daly 29 (1-0), Johl Powell 64 (2-0), Brett McGavin 70 (3-0), Brett McGavin 71 (4-0), Brett McGavin 84 (5-0), Johl Powell 90+1 (6-0).

Conditions: Beautiful sunny day – just a shame the sun was in the eyes of the away fans all through the second half.

Pitch: Green and slopey

Attendance: 2,082 (561 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jordan Norville-Williams 45+3
Wealdstone: Connor McAvoy 90+3

Sendings off:
Wealdstone: Dante Simpson 25, Aidan Francis-Clark 90+3
Yeovil Town: None

Referee: Callum Jones

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Owen Dean (for Slavi Spasov, 65), Mason Obeng (for James Daly, 65), Ste Walker (for Ryan Jones, 65), Loick Ayina (for Hayden Muller, 71), Joe Gubbins (for Jordan Norville-Williams, 71), Charlie Lennon (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Wealdstone: Dante Baptiste, Abraham Kanu (for Joe Newton, 74), Connor McAvoy, Aidan Francis Clarke, Jack Wells-Morrison (for Carmichael Uchenna, 74), Ronan Maher (for Joe Newton, 70), Milton Oni, Dan Chesters, Fejiri Okenabirhie (for Dion Conroy, 70), Olufela Olomola (for Endurance Johnson, 23), Luke Norris.

Substitutes (not used): Tyrelle Newton, Aaron Henry.

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A rampant Yeovil Town blew away Boston United with four goals in 12 first half minutes to send Huish Park home happy on Saturday.

The Glovers opened the scoring when Ryan Jones weaved his way forward and slotted home with 34 minutes on the clock to begin the rout and he was quickly followed by Brett McGavin and James Daly before Johl Powell made it 4-0 at the interval in the second minute of first half stoppage time.

Then after the break boss Billy Rowley made a number of changes, including withdrawing scorers Jones, McGavin and Daly, before Mason Obeng made a fifth on 73 minutes and then Powell added his second from the penalty spot three minutes later.

First half

Ahead of kick-off, Yeovil unveiled a new signing with striker Owen Dean, who has joined on an undisclosed fee from National League South side Farnham Town, unveiled to supporters on the pitch ahead of kick-off at Huish Park.

The opening 60 seconds saw Johl Powell forced a good save out of the visiting keeper Luke Chadwick after making a dangerous run in to box and getting in a shot which was well pushed away by the keeper. Then on 17 minutes the keeper was in action again to turn a Slavi Spasov header over the bar.

But the Glovers’ striker should have given the keeper no chance five minutes later. Archie Davies robbed defender Georgie Gent inside the box and squared it to Spasov who got his feet in a tangle and failed to get anything on what should have been a golden chance to score.

On the half-hour mark, Jos Barker did superbly to get down to keep out Terrell Agyemang’s shot from the edge of the box through a forest of legs, before Brett McGavin had an effort from a similar range blocked at the other end.

Yeovil have been doing the vast majority of the pressing and their efforts got their rewards on 34 minutes when they took the lead. Ryan JONES picked the ball up on the right side, got past Gent and burst in to the box and slotted home his third goal of the season.

Then three minutes later it was 2-0 to Yeovil. Spasov was the creator as he picked out Brett McGAVIN on the edge of the box and the midfielder did superbly to bamboozle his defence and then fire home the second. Another fantastic move and a fantastic finish.

Yeovil Town celebrate after James Daly makes it 3-0. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

The Glovers were purring and they added a third five minutes later. Jones made a move forward down the right, sold Gent a dummy and played a superb pass through to James DALY on the other flank and he hammered a shot across Chadwick and into the far corner.

Just when you thought it could not get any better, Yeovil added a fourth. Jordan Norville-Williams pinged a ball forward down the left side to find the on-running Johl POWELL. The Boston defence looked towards the assistant for an offside flag which never came, but Powell played to the whistle and coolly slotted home.

The whole of Huish Park (except those in the away section) were on their feet to applaud the Glovers off at the interval. Oooo-ahrrrrr, it’s a massacre!

Doesn’t that look pretty? Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 4 Boston United 0

Second half

Yeovil started the second half in a similar fashion to how we ended the first – on the hunt for goals. James Daly prodded a chance wide two minutes after the restart before Jones flashed one just across the face of goal three minutes later.

On the hour mark, Yeovil boss Billy Rowley made a triple substitution with three of the first half goal-scorers, Daly, Jones and McGavin, withdrawan in place of Mason Obeng, Charlie Lennon and Zain Westbrooke. It says everything about the control which the Glovers have on this encounter that we can withdraw those players and with on 69 minutes there was another change with Ste Walker replacing Spasov.

With 73 minutes on the clock, two of the new arrivals combined to add a fifth goal. The move started with Mason OBENG who picked out Walker on the right side, but the winger continued his run and slammed home a fifth. There are Boston supporters in the away section who are leaving, but no-one of a green-and-white persuasion is leaving this one early.

Mason Obeng celebrates making it 5-0. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

But it just kept getting better. Johl POWELL jumped on a defensive mix-up from the visitors and was brought down inside the box by substitute Gavan Holohan. Penalty and Powell made no mistake with 76 minutes on the clock. “Watching super Yeovil, putting on a show….” sings the Thatcher’s Stand and boy were we!

The final whistle was met by an almighty roar for a scintillating performance and a result which moved the Glovers up to fourth place in the National League Premier Division table with 12 games played.

Full time: Yeovil Town 6 Boston United 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 3rd October, 2026, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ryan Jones 34 (1-0), Brett McGavin 37 (2-0), James Daly 42 (3-0), Johl Powell 45+2 (4-0), Mason Obeng 73 (5-0), Johl Powell pen 76 (6-0)

Conditions: Cloudy – the floodlights were on in the second half

Pitch: Looking good – still

Attendance: 3,140 (121 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: James Daly 57, Jordan Norville-Williams 83
Boston United: Sai Sachdev 49, Jack Sutton 51, Connor McBride 59

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Charlie Lennon (for James Daly, 60), Zain Westbrooke (for Ryan Jones, 60), Brett McGavin (for Mason Obeng, 60), Ste Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 69), Joe Gubbins (for Ben Radcliffe, 74), Loick Ayina (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Boston United: Luke Chadwick, Sai Sachdev, Connor Teale, Jamie Grimes, Georgie Gent, Jack Sutton, Terrell Agyemang (for Gavan Holohan, 46), Ken Aboh (for Tom Cursons, 46), Connor McBride, Lennon Wheeldon, Lennell John-Lewis (for Jack Holmes, 83).

Substitutes (not used): Luke Faxon, Lewis Shipley, Niall Canavan, Ben Hammond.

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Yeovil Town had to settle for point as they came from behind against newly-promoted Worthing at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

The Glovers created a number of inviting openings before going behind when goalkeeper Jos Barker allowed a tame shot from the edge of the box from the visitors’ Razzaq Coleman De Graft trickle past him just before the half-hour mark.

The home side pulled level just two minutes in to the second half when a free-kick from Brett McGavin fizzed through a crowded penalty area and came off Worthing defender Joe Cook on its way in to the net. After that both sides had opportunities to take the three points, but neither could find the killer final touch.

First half

Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley said he had given his side instructions to go out and make a fast start, but it was Worthing who did that. With just over 30 seconds on the clock, a ball in from the right found Ricky Aguiar free inside the box with a glorious chance which was superbly stopped by Jos Barker in the Yeovil goal.

With eight minutes on the clock, Johl Powell had a great chance to add to his fine scoring form after Ryan Jones picked him out inside the box but his effort was blocked. The Welsh winger was at it again after 20 minutes, making a burst down the right side and fired a ball in to a crowded penalty but it found the head of a visiting defender before it could make it way to anyone in green-and-white.

Powell had another opportunity two minutes later and (again!) it was Jones who made progress through the middle of the park and picked out Powell whose effort was well stopped by Taylor Seymour in the Worthing goal. Another great run and pass from Jones and Powell picking out another great position.

Next up it was Worthing’s chance to come close to breaking the deadlock. A swift move found striker Charley Kendall on the right side of the box, his effort deflected off Jack Kingdon, clipped the crossbar and bounced away to safety. Then, straight down the other end, a ball dropped to Jordan Norville-Williams inside the box and he struck it first time and watched his effort rattle back off the post.

Ryan Jones takes on ex-Glover Jordan Young, who was weirdly booed by some Glovers’ fans in the first half. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

After several good moves from both sides, it was a pretty scruffy one which broke the deadlock. Razzaq COLEMAN DE GRAFT fired in a speculative shot from just outside the box which slipped through the hands of Barker who appeared to have it covered and in to the corner of the net. It was great to hear Yeovil fans in the Thatcher’s Stand singing the young keeper’s name straight afterwards, there’s plenty of credit in the bank for him.

Despite taking the lead, Worthing had no intent of slacking off and carved out another good chance when Jordan Young – who was weirdly booed by some Glovers’ fans during the first half – looped a ball in to the box which defender Charlie Waller could not direct goalwards.

There were applause from the home support as the players went in at half-time and that is an indication that this was far from a poor performance from Yeovil in this first half. One goalkeeping error is all there is in this one.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 0 Worthing 1

Second half

The first chance of the second half led to Yeovil’s equaliser. Clever play from Powell saw him with a free-kick just 30 seconds after the restart way out on the left side and Brett McGavin’s free-kick fizzed in to the area and in to the net. It was definitely on target but it came off Worthing defender Joe Cook on its way in to the net. OWN GOAL.

Brett McGavin is claiming that one. Picture courtesy of Indy Pitman/Indy’s Visuals.

Almost immediately after the restart, Powell was picked out by another Jones pass, bore down on the Worthing but and was only denied by a sensational last ditch tackle from Cook. If the defender did score an own goal to level this match, he’s made up for it with that tackle.

There were chances at both ends with Barker doing well to block an effort with his feet which landed to Cook whose goal-bound effort was kept out by a superb block from Radcliffe. Just before the hour mark Young lifted a free-kick in prime Jordan Young territory over the bar, and at the other end Powell got away and hammered a ball across the face of an open goal but Slavi Spasov was unable to turn it home.

On 64 minutes, Mason Obeng and Zain Westbrooke replaced Hayden Muller and James Daly and then ten minutes later Ste Walker came on in place of Spasov. But with 76 minutes, Yeovil were indebted to defender Jack Kingdon who did superbly to throw himself at an effort from the visitors Cory Adjetey-Brew which seemed destined to be hammered home.

Charlie Lennon replaced Johl Powell with seven minutes of normal time remaining, but Yeovil found it difficult to make the ball stick in forward positions whilst Worthing seem happy to let this one drift to a draw. And that is exactly what happened as players from both sides collapsed to the turf at the final whistle.

There were definitely chances for both sides to win this one and Yeovil will be disappointed not to have scored more than one from all the chances they created.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Worthing 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 29th September, 2026, 7.45pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Razzaq Coleman De Graft 28 (0-1), Joe Cook o.g. 47 (1-1)

Pitch: Looking spot on as ever
Conditions: Mild for September

Attendance: 2,784 (113 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jordan Norville-Williams 44,
Worthing: None

Referee: Sunny Gill Singh

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Mason Obeng (for James Daly, 64), Zain Westbrooke (for Hayden Muller, 64), Ste Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 74), Charlie Lennon (for Johl Powell, 83), Joe Gubbins (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Worthing: Taylor Seymour, Joel Colbran, Jayden Moore, Joe Cook, Charlie Walker, Razzaq Coleman De Graft, Jack Wadham, Ricky Aguiar, Cory Adjetey-Brew, Charley Kendall, Jordan Young (for Emmerson Suttoon, 77).

Substitutes (not used): Guillermo De La Cruz, Harry Ransom, Sam Packham, Owen Spicer, Harvey Boddy, Bailey Smith.

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Substitute Johl Powell grabbed a late winner to earn Yeovil Town three points from a hard fought win at Kidderminster Harriers.

The midfielder, who had replaced Zain Westbrooke in the 67th minute, ran on to a through ball from striker Slavi Spasov four minutes after coming on and coolly slotted home the winner.

The victory inflicted a first defeat of the season on the home side, managed by former Glovers’ midfielder Paul Wotton, and moved Yeovil up to sixth in the National League Premier Division table with ten games on the board.

First half


The opening exchanges fell in to a familiar pattern of both sides exchanging attacks without making any real impact, but early opportunities fell the way of Yeovil. First James Daly showed great pace down the left side and got a shot away which was blocked before Ryan Jones pass pick out Zain Westbrooke who tried to lob the keeper but his effort went wide.

But Kidderminster can claim the best chance of the opening 15 minutes after Callum Stewart’s ball from the left side picked out Callum Dolan on the far post and the former Torquay United man was only denied by a sensational block from the feet of Yeovil keeper Jos Barker.

First half action at Kidderminster Harriers

The magic feet of Glovers’ winger Ryan Jones almost unlocked the Kidderminster defence on 21 minutes having picked the ball up in the middle of the park, he dribbled his way past three of tackles and got in a shot with clipped the post on its way wide.

As the half wore on, Jones got more and more creative and had the home side’s defenders on toast on numerous occasions. Indeed, some of tue inter play between Westbrooke, Jones and Brett McGavin was a joy to behold. We really can move it.

Half-time: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Kidderminster definitely came out for the second half determined to impose themselves more on the game and they were definitely the side in the ascendancy for the opening 20 minutes. However, despite their pressure and possession, there was nothing to call Barker in to action.

Yeovil captain defender Joe Gubbins, who picked up a booking a minute after the restart, was replaced by Ben Radcliffe. But the first real opening came from another mouth-watering move which began with a great forward run from wing-back Jordan Norville-Williams and ended with Westbrooke picking out McGavin inside the box after 65 minutes but the midfielder’s effort was well blocked by Kiddy defender David Davis.

Barker was called in to action again on 71 minutes when Dolan played a deep cross in to striker Lewis Walker whose header was superbly palmed away by the young keeper. A save that Jed Ward would have been proud of.

But three minutes later, Yeovil took the lead. Spasov did well in a physical altercation, turned his man and fed a ball through to the on-running Johl POWELL. The midfielder, on as a substitute for Westbrooke just seven minutes earlier, had time to think about it but showed no fear to coolly slot past the keeper in front of the travelling support.

Brett McGavin and Hayden Muller celebrate with Johl Powell. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tates Photography.

Kidderminster were not going to give up easy and Barker did well to get down low to a strike from Stewart who ran at the Glovers’ goal and fired in a shot from the edge of the box with ten minutes remaining.

With seven minutes remaining, Yeovil made a treble substitution with Mason Obeng, Ste Walker and Charlie Lennon, replacing Daly, Spasov and Jones.

As the game pushed in to five minutes of injury time, there was the almost inevitable fears of a conceding a late goal with Kiddy pressing for a leveller. But, as the home supporters streamed out of Aggborough, a Ben Crompton effort dragged past the post was as near as they came.

The final whistle was met by a huge roar from what had been a vocal away end all afternoon and there was a real passion in the celebrations of the Yeovil players – this had not been the most attractive performance of the season, but they knew they had dug one out to pick up three more points.

Full time: Kidderminster Harriers 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Aggborough
Date: Saturday 26th September, 2026, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Johl Powell 74 (1-0)

Pitch: They all look decent at this stage of the season, don’t they?
Conditions: Warm, dry and sunny

Attendance: 3,550 (481 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Joe Gubbins 46
Kidderminster Harriers: David Davis 43, Lewis Walker 81

Referee: Oliver Mackey

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Ben Radcliffe (for Joe Gubbins, 53), Johl Powell (for Zain Westbrooke, 67), Mason Obeng (for James Daly, 84), Charlie Lennon (for Ryan Jones, 85), Ste Walker (for Slavi Spasov, 85), Matt Gould (not used).

Kidderminster Harriers: Jack Wint, Ben Crompton, Angus MacDonald, Cian Harries, Richard Faakye, Callum Dolan, David Davis, Max Brogan (for Zak Brown, 56), Reece Devine, Callum Stewart, Lewis Walker.

Substitutes (not used): Josh Bishop, Reece Hall, Luey Giles, Cameron Hargreaves, Ethan Moore, Levi Amantchi.

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Yeovil Town head into Saturday’s round of fixtures just inside the play-off positions following a 4-1 win over Solihull Moors.

Ryan Jones, Slavi Spasov and first ever Yeovil goals for Johl Powell secured the points, with Solihull’s goal coming from a freak own goal which will be attributed to Jos Barker.

First half

The opening exchanges were a little scrappy, but the first proper chance came from the usual source – a charging run down the wings.

Ryan Jones whipped a cross in on the right, James Daly slipped as he looked to get on the end of it, some recycling of the ball, saw the ball come back to Daly who’s cross met the head of Slavi Spasov. The ‘keeper wasn’t troubled, and the assistant’s flag was up.

On seven minutes, Solihull had their first real moment, a long ball towards Jacob Wakeling, saw the forward produce an excellent touch, but his delicate lobbed effort did find its way over Jos Barker, but wide of the post.

Jones was feeling good down the Glovers’ right, on nine minutes, his shoulder dipped from 20 yards out, his effort at goal was easy for the visitors goalkeeper, but the intent was exciting.

The game was no more than 12 minutes old when more lovely footwork in the middle of park saw space open up for Archie Davies off the back of a Hayden Muller pass, but the strike flashed wide of the near post.

With 15 minutes gone, the deadlock was broken and it was that man Ryan JONES and you just knew it was going to happen, play broke down in the middle of the park, Jones got the ball on the right of the penalty area, a few touches of the left foot, a dropped shoulder and the far corner rustled. Glorious.

It was nearly 2-0 within seconds of the restart. Jones (again) involved, whipping a ball centrally for Zain Westbrooke, the former Scunthorpe man saw his chance smothered out for a corner.

James Daly was fancying some of the action Jones was getting and on the half hour he had the chance, bursting down the left, he rounded his man but the angle shortened on him, his shot deflected wide.

He nearly got another chance seconds after, a wonderful Brett McGavin pass was nodded back towards the keeper, Daly was onto it in a flash, caught between a cross and shot, Spasov couldn’t convert.

The fifth Yeovil Town corner of the half produced another chance, but again the Glovers couldn’t convert, but the hosts were turning the screw.

The final 10 minutes of the half were certainly more even, both sides trying to force a significant chance, but neither really able to do so. Jacob Wakeling was certainly the main instigator for the visitors, but nothing of significance.

The half ended with a McGavin shot from distance and a few physical challenges. The Glovers frustrated by not being further ahead.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Solihull Moors 0

Second half

Neither side made any changes at the break but there was certainly a change in early momentum, with the visitors coming out with much more energy.

Solihull had a couple of chances to get shots away, but only a Joe Sbarra pea roller on 50 minutes was the only one of note.

The Glovers were struggling to get their passing going, a James Daly cross evaded everyone and frustration was setting in both on the pitch and in the stands.

But, the first time the Glovers did click into gear, the lead was doubled.

A run from Ryan Jones broke to McGavin who found Daly wide left, his whipped cross fell to Slavi Spasov who couldn’t miss from a matter of inches.

Slavi Spasov prods home. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It took more than an hour, but the referee had finally remembered he packed his cards – Ryan Woods cautioned for hauling down Archie Davies who was on another mazy run.

Shortly after, Woods was hooked by his manager, clearly fearing another one of the bright yellow things turning red before the game was over.

McGavin was getting kicked and earned a free kick that found its way to back to the midfielder, his left footed 30 yarder was high and wide.

Now the Glovers were getting going again. James Daly found Westbrooke who’s effort from 12 yards was scrambled away. Another Westbrooke effort was blocked – on 68 minutes, a breathtaking 10 minutes for the hosts.

How it wasn’t three, I’ll never know, the chances kept coming, a Davies cross somehow evaded everyone.

Ben Worman went into the book for being the umpteeth player to foul Ryan Jones.

Worman was then replaced – same as above – that was for protection.

There was a lengthy stoppage whilst Nat Ford in the Solihull net took treatment after a coming together in his own penalty area.

That broke the game up slightly and with less than ten minutes of the original 90 left, the Glovers injected a bit of energy with Johl Powell and Charlie Lennon coming on for Ryan Jones and Slavi Spasov.

Those changes gave Solihull chance to re group and Joe Sbarra had a chance to cross and shot which came to nothing more than a corner.

That corner though did come to something – the corner was whipped in under the ‘keepers nose and somehow, it squirmed through and into the goal. a Jos Barker OG.

Solihull Moors pull a goal back. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

I can’t type quickly enough by this point – Zain Westbrooke, Charlie Lennon and Johl Powell teamed up down the right, the latter slotting home for his first ever Glovers’ goal.

Hayden Muller took a tactical yellow card, Jordan Norville-Williams had a wonderful run down the left hand side which resulted in a shot on goal and the fourth official decided we needed eight more minutes of this chaos!

Mason Obeng was now on for Westbrooke and he would set up the fourth Glovers goal teaming up with Johl Powell to wrap things up.

The full time whistle went soon after. Breathe!

Full time: Yeovil Town 4 – Solihull Moors 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Friday, 18th September, 2026, 19:45pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ryan Jones (1-0 ’15) Slavi Spasov (2-0 ’57), Jos Barker OG (2-1 ’87), Johl Powell (3-1 ’88), Johl Powell (4-1 ’97)

Pitch: In good nick, a bit zippy.
Conditions: Cloudy, but dry with a light breeze

Attendance: 2,886 (35)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Hayden Muller ’90
Solihull Moors: Ryan Woods ’61, Ben Worman ’73

Referee: Alan Dale

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Lennon (for Jones ’81), Powell (for Spasov ’81), Obeng (for Westbrooke ’91),
Not Used: Gould, Radcliffe, Nardiello

Solihull Moors: Nat Ford, Cam Green, Jamie Andrews, Jevon Mills, Joe Sbarra, Scott High, Jacob Wakeling, Ben Worman (for Rio Shipston), Ryan Woods (for Matt Carson ’64), Tyrell Warren, Callum McFarlane

Substitutes (not used): Metcalfe, Whitmore, Farquhar, Coffey

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Yeovil Town were restricted to just a single point on the road this Tuesday night as a scrambled Michee Efete goal cancelled out Slavi Spasov’s first goal in green and white.

The Glovers played over an hour with 10-men after Loick Ayina saw red in the first half.

First half

The game started in the same theme as just about every other game this season, breathless.

James Daly had been reinstated to the starting line up and was quickly into the fold causing trouble down the left hand side, he forced an early corner which Ryan Jones whipped into a good area. Joe Gubbins unable to double his goal tally for the season.

The Glovers were playing some nice football in the early exchanges and the opening goal was a thing of beauty.

Gubbins, Jones and Zain Westbrooke all worked together to find space in the box and the ball was slid in towards Slavi Spasov who tapped in the easiest goal he will ever score. Yeovil 1-0 up and deservedly so.

The next 15 minutes were physical, both sides giving away silly free kicks and trying to break up each other’s fancy footwork.

Hayden Muller saw yellow for a frustrated tackle, but the big flash point came just short of half an hour in.

Loick Ayina failed to control a clearance and in his haste to try and regain the possession, overstretched his challenge leaving a mark high on the leg of an opponent – malicious? No? Reckless? Probably.

The final 15 minutes of the half was a rejigging process for Yeovil, Muller slotted back into the defence and they had to hold out firm – Jos Barker a commanding presence claiming multiple crosses and clearing his lines.

Half-time: Aldershot Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Yeovil Town opted against making any half time changes, and Aldershot came out all guns blazing.

Basil Tuma looked primed for a run through on goal following a break away but Archie Davies found the afterburners pulling off one of the best tackles we’ve ever seen. Not able to get it wrong by a millimetre, he made the challenge and celebrated like he’d scored a goal. We love it, Archie.

Brett McGavin was fouled on 52 minutes, the referee pulling the game back to award the yellow card to Dom Odusanya despite the Glovers being through on goal.

That frustration started to creep in with the official’s decision making with more petty fouls going unpunished. Unless you wore green of course, Zain Westbrooke going in the book.

We had barely played an hour when Tristan Abrahams had a free kick clip the post on the way out, a fierce effort keeping the Glovers on their toes.

Luke McCormick replaced Slavi Spasov then Muller was fouled by Michael Stickland… it was a yellow card that on another day could have been a red.

Yeovil still looked dangerous on the counter attack and Brett McGavin had a glorious chance to double Yeovil’s advantage, the midfielder did everything right with his shot squirming under Jonathan Macauley and creeping towards the line. The keeper scrambled back and clawed it into his grip. Just.

But, no more than 60 seconds later, the ball was in Yeovil’s net.

A deep cross was nodded back and scrambled in, by some way shape or form – Michee Efete certainly made his presence felt over James Daly at the back post and the equaliser was landed.

Conor Lawless was next to go into the book, living up to his name and breaking a law or two by fouling McCormick.

The Skipper was in the mood, he so nearly capitalised on the keeper spilling a Brett McGavin free kick but that came after he had the ball in the net.

James Daly chased down a lost cause, won the ball on the edge of play and squared to McCormick who found the net. After waiting an age, the referee decided that Daly had committed a foul.

Ryan Jones’ evening came to an end on 83 minutes, he had run the Aldershot defence ragged, drawn fouls, had a solid penalty claim turned down and been unfortunate not to be on the winning side against his former employers.

The final few moments saw Yeovil negotiate the final throws of the home dice.

A point a piece, but plenty of what might have been moments.

Full time: Aldershot Town 1 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Recreation Ground
Date: Tuesday 15th September, 19:45pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Slavi Spasov (’12 0-1), Michee Efete (’66

Pitch: Fine
Conditions: Fine

Attendance: 2,146 (355 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Muller, ’18 Westbrooke ’54 [Ayina – Red – ’29]
Aldershot Town: Odusanya ’53, Stickland ’62, Lawless ’71

Referee: Niall Smith

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Luke McCormick (for Spasov ’57), Mason Obeng (for Jones ’84)
Not Used: Gould, Kingdon, Lennon, Powell, Radcliffe

Aldershot Town: Macauley, Efete, Stickland, Dyce, Adom-Malaki, Oshilaja, Odusanya, Borgnis, Lawless, Abrahams, Tuma

Substitutes (not used): Tenconi (for Borgnis ’36), Peart (for Abrahams ’62), Sandah (for Dyce ’64), Wyllie (for Tuma ’84), Alves, Matton, Oladunjoye,

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Yeovil Town suffered their first home defeat of the new season as they were undone by National League new boys AFC Fylde at Huish Park on Saturday.

The visitors, who won National League North with 100 points last season, took the lead when midfielder Greg Olley who tapped in a cross before Luca Thomas added a second in first half injury time, set through by former Glovers’ loanee Millar Matthews-Lewis.

Thomas ended the game as a contest when he added a third goal six minutes after the break. Luke McCormick pulled one back with his sixth goal of the season on 75 minutes, but Olley danced through the Yeovil defence to set a seal on the result five minutes later.

First half

The Glovers looking to bounce back after their first defeat of the new season at Southend United last weekend, made three changes. Ste Walker replaced Slavi Spasov up front with Hayden Muller coming in to midfield in place of

From the off, Fylde showed they had no plans to park the bus at Huish Park as they came out flying with a high tempo start. When Yeovil got on the ball in the early exchanges, there was a yellow-and-black wall in midfield preventing the home side from playing it through.

The result was no real chances of either side with the first half-opening for the Glovers came after 14 minutes courtesy of a bit of Ryan Jones magic to pick out Archie Davies and his cross was well cleared by Fylde with Ste Walker lurking. Jones and Davies linked up again for a couple of impressive moves down the right in the next five minutes and that might be the key to unpicking the Fylde lock. Still nothing to test Zac Jones in the visitors’ goal.

With 25 minutes gone, Fylde lost full-back Adam Lewis and perhaps perplexingly replaced him with striker Millar Matthews-Lewis, the man who endured a goalless spell at Huish Park at the end of last season on loan from Burton Albion. It required a reshuffle of Harvey Broad, who switched from right wing to left-back, with Luca Thomas going on the flank whilst Matthews-Lewis took over from him up front. Within minutes of that change, Broad was booked for a foul on the dangerous Jones and five minutes later Ben Radcliffe went in to the referee’s book, his fourth of the season – one away from a suspension.

Ste Walker tries to find a way through Fylde. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The pre-match billing of this one as another game for admirers of football tactics is proving to be true, but it took until 35 minutes for either side to carve out a meaningful chance and it led to an opening goal for Fylde. Broad had time and space down the left wing and he fired in a wicked ball in and Greg OLLEY was there to turn it home. There will be questions about how Broad had such an opportunity to put even an impressive cross in.

Yeovil came within inches of levelling a minute before half-time as Archie Davies got away down the right and really showed his pace, cut inside and side-footed it towards goal, but his effort cannoned back off the post.

The Yeovil defence looked to switch off and allowed Matthews-Lewis to play a perfectly-time through ball to Luca THOMAS who finished coolly to double the advantage. There was maybe a minute between Davies’ chance coming off the woodwork and Thomas’ goal.

The two Fylde goals and Davies’ effort off the post were about all the goal-mouth action there was, but it is fair to say this has been a perfect away performance from the visitors who have held the hosts at bay and clinically taken their opportunities.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 0 AFC Fylde 2

Second half

Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley made a double substitution with Slavi Spasov coming on in place of Walker and Radcliffe was replaced by Johl Powell. Hayden Muller moved in to the backline to replace Radcliffe, who missed last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Southend United through injury, whilst there was clear frustration from Walker at the end of the first half.

The first chance of the second half saw the Yeovil midfield and defence carved part by another great move from the visitors as Matthews-Lewis went through, but the striker tried to lob Jos Barker in the hosts’ goal and he did well to claim it. A minute later, good wing play by Mason Obeng picked out McGavin inside the box and Zac Jones saved a weak effort before denying a follow-up from substitute Powell. Neither had enough power on it.

Johl Powell appeared as a second half substitute. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But on 51 minutes, Fylde added to their advantage and it was so easy again. Olley found his way past Joy Mukena and played in Luca THOMAS whose effort took a wicked deflection past Barker. To add injury to insult, Mukena limped off immediately after to be replaced by Joe Gubbins adding to the departure of Radcliffe at the break.

Fylde are cutting through Yeovil at will with first Olley and then Thomas carving out further opportunities, whereas Yeovil have looked sluggish and devoid of ideas to get their way past Fylde who have completely dominated. Rowley tried to make a change with Muller pushing up in to midfield alongside McGavin with Gubbins, Davies and Jordan Norville-Williams making up a back three, whilst Powell and Jones took up the wide positions.

Charlie Lennnon replaced Mason Obeng on 65 minutes before Zain Westbrooke replaced McGavin on 71 minutes. With 15 minutes remaining, Yeovil got a goal back and it was a great goal with Jones weaving some magic with an excellent run before playing a pass through in to Luke McCORMICK who finished with a trademark cool finish from the edge of the box. It has not been a good day for the Glovers, but that is McCormick’s sixth goal in seven games this season.

But any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished as Greg OLLEY netted his second of the season. The former Gateshead man has dribbled through the Yeovil defence with ease, rounded Barker and slotted home. Great skill from Olley, but it is so soft from us. Huish Park is emptying and it is hard to blame any of the departees.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 AFC Fylde 4

Billy Rowley. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 12th September, 3.00pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Greg Olley 35 (0-1), Luca Thomas 45+1 (0-2), Luca Thomas 51 (0-3), Luke McCormick 75 (1-3), Greg Olley 80 (1-4)

Pitch: Arguably the most impressive thing about Yeovil
Conditions: Dry, bright and cloudy

Attendance: 2,792 (34 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Ben Radcliffe 32, Joe Gubbins 54
AFC Fylde: Harvey Broad 27

Referee: Paul Marsden

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Slavi Spasov (for Ste Walker, 46), Johl Powell (for Ben Radcliffe, 46), Joe Gubbins (for Joy Mukena, 53), Charlie Lennon (for Mason Obeng, 65), Zain Westbrooke (for Brett McGavin, 71) Loick Ayina (not used), James Daly (not used).

AFC Fylde: Zac Jones, Adam Lewis (for Millar Matthews-Lewis, 25), Will Lancaster, Corey Whelan, Aaron Drewe, Chris Merrie, Greg Olley (for Jack Morris, 85), Ethan Mitchell (for Luke Butterfield, 85), Theo Upton (for Tom Whelan, 71), Harvey Broad, Luca Thomas.

Substitutes (not used): Patrick Boyes, Max Taylor, Danny Mayor.

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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.