Match Reports (Page 11)

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Yeovil Town maintained a 10 point lead at the top of National League South with a 4-2 win at Tonbridge Angels.

First half goals from Jordan Young and Jake Wannell saw the Glovers go in 2-1 up at half time before Wannell and Worthington scored in the second to clinch a valuable three points.

Coatesie travelled to Kent and here’s how he saw the win…

(Thanks to Deb Curtis for the videos)

First half

The breakthrough came after 11 minutes and it was all about Dylan Morgan. A superb run showing great strength to shrug off a number of challenges before playing in Jordan YOUNG who emphatically finished.

Four minutes later, it was Sam Pearson’s turn to be creator, picking up a long throw from Joe Day. He tried to find Dylan Morgan but Angels keeper Jonathan Henly got there first.

Morgan was in the thick of it again soon after, this time almost finding Pearson inside the box but his effort went out for a corner. From the resulting flag kick Jake WANNELL rose highest and his header came off a Tonbridge defender to wrong foot Henly to make it 2-0 with 17 minutes gone.

But two minutes later the home side got one back. A mix-up in the Yeovil defence and Nathan ODOKONYERO lashed it in to the net. That led to a period of good pressure from Tonbridge with rain falling on the artificial surface which the hosts did better to control.

The best opportunity fell to Paris Lock who twisted and turned on the edge of the box but dragged his effort wide on the half-hour mark, and on 32 minutes Sean Shields hit a venomous shot which fizzed just past the post.

It was definitely advantage Tonbridge and there were a few more hairy moments inside the Yeovil penalty area whilst at the other end neither Pearson, Nouble or Morgan could make it stick up front.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Scott Wagstaff put in a cross to the far post, Michael Smith was the coolest man on the pitch as his clearing header went over the bar. But it was a move that started from Pearson getting shrugged off the ball too easily, a point his manager let him know.

A strong opening 20 minutes, the final 25 minutes was definitely shakier from a Yeovil perspective.

Half time: Tonbridge Angels 1 Yeovil Town 2

Second half

At half-time, Jay Foulston replaced Alex Whittle who slotted in at left back where winger Paris Lock had been causing problems.

A quiet opening 10 minutes threatened to spring in to life on 56 minutes when Young was fouled on the edge of the box. But he lifted his effort over the bar.

If there was any doubt about whether the second goal belonged to WANNELL, there was no question about the third. A corner from the right was met by a thunderous header from the centre half after 65 minutes.

Immediately after the goal, Morgan was withdrawn and replaced by Stevens, making his first appearance after a lengthy period on the sidelines through injury.

Stevens was involved in a threatening move, released by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and he pulled a ball across the face of goal.

There was a slightly worrying moment when Stevens went down after what looked a like a heavy landing on the solid, sodden surface.

With eight minutes remaining, Alex Fisher replaced Pearson, but it was Tonbridge who were pushing forward more.

Then with a minute to go the home side made it a nervy finish. A ball bouncing around inside the box and Kodi LYONS-FOSTER drilled one home to make it 3-2.

Five minutes of injury time added on and it was enough to put hearts firmly in mouths in the away end with even goalkeeper Jonathan Henly going up for a corner.

But the home side’s attacking intent ended up their undoing as Yeovil broke late with Matt WORTHINGTON and slotted under the oncoming keeper to settle it.

Full time: Tonbridge Angels 2 Yeovil Town 4

Match Details

Venue: Longmead Stadium
Date: Saturday 10th February – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Plastic, but I’ve seen worse plastic
Conditions: Rained hard at the end of the first half

Attendance: 1386

Scorers: 
Young, Wannell (x2), Worthington
Odonkonyero, Lyons-Foster

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Stevens 82, Smith 88.
Tonbridge Angels:

Referee:  Steven Hughes

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Will Dawes, Alex Fisher (for Pearson 81), Jordan Stevens (for Morgan 67), Josh Owers, Jay Foulston (for Whittle 46)

Tonbridge Angels: Henly, Fielding, Lyons-Foster, Higgs, Odonkonyero, Lock (for Gard), Dabre (for Greenidge), Meade, Wagstaff (Mampolo), Shields, Sutcliffe Substitutes (not used): Velvick, Vincent

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Yeovil Town lost 2-1 on the road to Maidstone United this afternoon. First half goals from Mo Faal and Matt Rush put Maidstone in the driving seat and Dylan Morgan’s strike only ended up as a consolation.

There were some unsavoury scenes towards the end of the game, which is great following last night’s statement from the club.

The Glovers sit 10 points clear with a game in hand on Worthing. Here’s how Coatesie saw it from the away end…

First half

For the second match in a row, the formation was something of a mystery. But, the surprise was Alex Whittle started in the centre of a defensive four with Morgan Williams on the right and Jay Foulston on the left, pairing Whittle with Jake Wannell.

With 12 minutes gone, a foul from Wannell on Matt Rush was about as close to the penalty area as it is possible to get. A ball in to the back post was met by Rhys Greenidge who played it back in to the middle and Mo FAAL turned it home. The big striker, on loan from Havant & Waterlooville, had scored twice against the Glovers for his parent club on August Bank Holiday and came back to haunt us.

That change the formation with Worthington going to right back and Whittle to a more familiar left back, with the home side’s tails up.

With 17 minutes, Frank Nouble had Yeovil’s first opportunity on target as he burst in to the box and fired in a shot which Lucas Colovan turned wide for a corner.

But two minutes later it was 2-0 to the home side. Great work from Lamar Reynolds down the left side found Matt RUSH at the back post and he headed home. The threat was from Reynolds down the Maidstone left with a Michael Smith shaped hole down that side of the visitors’ defence.

Call it a plastic pitch, FA Cup fever, whatever you like, Yeovil could not cope with the home side who appeared stronger and hungrier of the two sides.

A long-range effort from Sam Pearson went comfortably wide after half-an-hour, before a a well-worked move came to Jay Foulston on the edge of the box flew just wide two minutes later. But the visitors were being restricted to long-range efforts.

Ironically, the best move we put together all half came as two minutes of additional time were announced. A move which ended with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton picking out Jordan Young on the edge of the box but he pulled his shot wide.

The final action of the first half saw Wannell make a superb block to spare Joe Day another stop, but that was as good as it got for the normally composed centre half who had a first half to forget.

Half time: Maidstone United 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There were no changes at half-time but there was a formation change with Foulston starting at right back with Whittle on the left.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half offered very little in terms of chances for either side with the best chance falling to Pearson. Set free down the left by Josh Owers but his effort was high and not that handsome.

Dylan Morgan was introduced in place of Owers with 56 minutes gone, but Maidstone seemed quite happy to let us have possession and the result was a pretty tame start to the second half.

On 62 minutes, that possession led to a good chance with Nouble appearing on the left and finding Pearson who could not get a good enough connection to force a chance. That was his last chance of the match as he was replaced by Olly Thomas with 65 minutes played.

Despite seemingly moving down a gear this half, Maidstone showed they still posed a threat cutting through our defence with substitute Jephte Tanga feeding defender Sam Bone who poked his effort wide.

Just when this game looked like it was set to go to sleep it burst in to life as Yeovil pulled one back. With 15 minutes remaining, Nouble pulled clear inside the box and laid it back to Dylan MORGAN who coolly stroked home his first goal for his new side.

At the other end, Tanga had a shot superbly turned over by Day before Greenidge had the ball in the net from the following corner, only for the offside flag to deny him.

Witt two minutes of normal time remaining, Alex Fisher, back on the bench following his loan spell at Oxford City, replaced Young.

The action off the pitch seemed livelier than on it as the game closed to an end. Both sets of supporters, housed head-to-head had been simmering at each other all game and it spilled over as the Glovers pushed for an equaliser. Things were thrown from both sides and there was plenty of people marched out of the Gallagher Stadium. No-one comes out of that looking great.

 

Meanwhile, on the pitch, a last hurrah saw Yeovil in injury time. Nouble flicked one wide from a corner and Wannell’s shot hit Fisher and deflected wide. The points went to Maidstone and on the basis of their first half dominance, that was probably fair.

Full time: Maidstone United 2 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Gallagher Stadium
Date: Saturday 3rd February – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Plastic
Conditions: 

Attendance: 3119

Scorers: Mo Faal, Matt Rush, Dylan Morgan

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Wannell, 12
Maidstone United:Sam Bone 75, Reiss Greenidge 80

Referee: Dave McCarrick

Yeovil Town (5-2-3)

Substitutes: Dylan Morgan (for Josh Owers, 56), Olly Thomas (for Sam Pearson, 65) Alex Fisher (for Jordan Young, 88)

Maidstone United: Lucas Covolan, Reece Greenidge, George Fowler, Raphe Brown, Liam Sole (Chi Ezennolim 76), Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong (Jephte Tanga 61), Sam Corne, Sam Bone, Lamar Reynolds, Mo Faal (Manny Duku 64), Matt Rush. Substitutes (not used):Harley Earle, Bivesh Gurung

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Yeovil Town restored their 13-point lead at the top of National League South as they retained their unbeaten home start with victory over Slough Town.

An entertaining first 45 minutes saw both sides go to toe-to-toe with the visitors rattling the crossbar, but two quick goals from Matt Worthington and Jordan Young put the Glovers in the driving seat.

The visitors did not give up and pulled one back with a fine finish from defender Dan Bayliss with 20 minutes remaining before Frank Nouble fired home from the penalty spot to wrap up the points.

Here’s how it went down under the lights at Huish Park.

 

First half

The big question in the team news was who would fill in for the injured Michael Smith, who picked up a hamstring strain late in the 1-1 draw at St Albans City the previous weekend. The answer was captain Matt Worthington.

Cooper said in his pre-match interview that it was a choice between Worthington or Charlie Cooper, despite Will Dawes who has also played in that position on the bench along with Jay Foulston, who came on for Smith on Saturday. 

The other team news saw midfielder Dylan Morgan handed his first start since his arrival from Taunton Town last month.

Morgan had a great opportunity after five minutes when he robbed Slough player-manager Scott Davies, skipped past two other visiting players, but he could not get enough power in it to really trouble Dan Lincoln in the Rebels’ goal.

Two minutes later, fluid move was started by Jake Wannell who found Jordan Young with a superb pass, he moved down the right, fed Worthington who found Frank Nouble, but the big striker could not quite get enough behind it. A beautiful move, almost perfect.

But, there were a few occasions when Slough showed they were not afraid to go forward and on 13 minutes they came closest to scoring. Matt Lench’s free-kick was met by a brilliant header from Temi Eweka whose effort came back off Joe Day’s crossbar. A close shave.

Temi Eweka got in a header which rattled the Yeovil Town crossbar

As gilt-edged chances go, they don’t get much better than Sam Pearson’s after 19 minutes. He seized on a loose pass, was clear through on goal, but showed a bit too much to Lincoln, who grabbed the ball at the forward’s feet.

Lincoln got the better of Pearson again four minutes later as the former Bristol City youngster got in the right place and this time tried to prod his effort past the keeper. But again the gloveman came out on top.

Slough were not giving up though and once again broke forward in numbers and found Josh Jackman on the edge of the box. His effort dipped just past the post with Day scrambling to get across. It is clear to see why Slough have picked up some good results in recent weeks, beating Maidstone United and picking up a point against Worthing already this month.

It was Yeovil’s chance to have a shot on goal next. Young broke forward down the right side, got to the edge of the box but lashed his effort in to the side netting.

To Slough’s credit, they managed to nullify the Yeovil attack frustrating any attempts to play forward. They were staying in their shape and doing what they need to do.

There were a few half-chances with the ball pinging around inside the Slough box before the half-time interval, but there was nothing to force Lincoln in to further action.

A job well done from the visitors who were not giving their hosts the licence to play the ball forward.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Slough Town 0

Second half

The first action of the second half saw Eweka and Nouble clash heads just in front of the dug-outs. Fortunately the defender was okay, but was off the pitch to see Yeovil take the lead just two minutes in to half.

A great ball in to the box from Charlie Cooper found Matt WORTHINGTON arriving in the Michael Smith position on the right side of the area to expertly turn the ball home.

Matt Worthington celebrates his opening goal.

And on 54 minutes it was 2-0. Jordan YOUNG picked the ball on the right, jinked in to the area and surprised everyone – including Lincoln – by tucking a tidy finish in to the bottom corner.

But the visitors almost pulled one back when substitute Munashe Sundrie pulled a ball across to the near post and Nathan Minash was not quite in the right position to take advantage of Day who was struggling to get across

A minute later, Slough player-manager – and former Yeovil loanee – Davies went in to the book for a foul on Cooper. Then less than 60 seconds later Pearson went down off the ball after a tussle with Emeke, but the young Welshman reacted pushing the defender. Referee Neil Pratt (by name….) saw the later offence and booked Pearson. 

On 66 minutes, Dylan Morgan’s first start came to an end and he was replaced by striker Olly Thomas, signed on loan from Bristol City the day before. Pearson moved in to the wide left position vacated by Morgan with Thomas going up front alongside Nouble.

Olly Thomas replaces Dylan Morgan.

Despite their 2-0 deficit, Sough were still not giving up and pulled one back with 20 minutes remaining. Goddard played a great ball out to centre-half Dan BAYLISS who showed a finish belying his position to rocket an effort past Day. A great finish, but questions about the defending from Yeovil.

There was a hairy moment seconds later when a ball in to the box from the left and Minhas could not quite find his feet and Day gratefully dropped on the ball. 

With the visitors looking an increasing threat, Jay Foulston replaced Pearson with 15 minutes to go as Mark Cooper looked to solidify his side. The reorganisation saw Foulston go to the left of a back three with Whittle and Worthington pushed forward in to wing-back positions.

Then with ten minutes to go, a ball through from Thomas young Young who got the wrong side of his defender who was felled inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Frank NOUBLE grabbed the ball and sent Lincoln the wrong way to make it 3-1.

A quick break away saw Young, Thomas and Nouble away and Young slid the ball to his left to the on-rushing Thomas who hammered in a shot at an angle which Lincoln pushed away.

Either side of that opportunity there was a huge goalmouth scramble where Nouble before Lench free-kick was headed just wide.

We definitely did not have it all our own way in the first half, but those two early goals from Worthington and Young were telling. Another three points and another step forward.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Slough Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 30th January – 7.45pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Holding up well having enjoyed its rest in recent weeks
Conditions: A cold night

Attendance: 2902 (70 away fans)

Scorers: Matt Worthington 47 (1-0), Jordan Young 54 (2-0), Dan Bayliss 70 (1-2), Frank Nouble pen 82 (3-1)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Sam Pearson 60, Charlie Cooper 86
Slough Town: Scott Davies 59, Matt Lench 75

Referee: Neil Pratt

Yeovil Town (4-5-1)

Substitutes: Olly Thomas (for Dylan Morgan, 66), Jay Foulston (for Sam Pearson, 75), Josh Owers (for Charlie Cooper, 90+2), Jamie Sendles-White (not used), Will Dawes (not used).

Slough Town: Dan Lincoln, Josh Jackman, Dan Bayliss, Jeanmal Prosper, Matt Lench, Nathan Minhas, Johnny Goddard, Scott Davies, Temi Eweka, Tyrese Dyce (for Munashe Sundrie, 33), David Ogbonna (for Eze Ebuzoeme, 86). Substitutes (not used): Dandy, Idiakhoa, Hamiga.

 

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A game of two halves saw Yeovil Town held to a draw against an impressive St Albans City side in an entertaining encounter at Clarence Park.

The visitors had the upper hand in the first half and deservedly went ahead through Jordan Young after 19 minutes, before the forward had two great chances to double the advantage including one which came off the post.

But, St Albans, who lost manager David Noble on the eve of the game as he joined National League Premier side Wealdstone, rallied after the break and levelled early through Mitchell Weiss.

The Glovers rode their luck as the home side pressed for a winner and were indebted to goalkeeper Joe Day on a couple of occasions as they held on for a draw.

Here’s Dave’s view from his position in the away end…..

 

First half

The first opening fell the visitors way after five minutes when Sonny Blu Lo-Everton picked out Frank Nouble on the left of the box, but the striker opted to fire across the face of goal rather than on target. No-one was there to get a telling touch.

Thereafter the game lived up to its billing as a battle of two footballing sides. Free-flowing attacking play was on display with the Glovers enjoying the better of it, but they were unable to carve another opening. 
 
It took until the 17th minute for a hosts’ keeper Michael Johnson to be called in to action. A flick on by Nouble set Pearson free and his effort was well turned aside by the keeper.
 
Two minutes later Pearson was at the heart of the attack which gave Yeovil the opener. The former Bristol City man broke free and squared it to Jordan YOUNG who smashed the visitors in to a deserved lead.
 
Yeovil Town celebrate Jordan Young’s opener.
 
But just three minutes later the hosts’ top scorer, former Glover Shaun Jeffers, had a a gilt-edged chance to level the scores. Midfielder George Hoddle laid the ball off to him and his effort was goal-bound, but Michael Smith was patrolling the line to clear the danger.
 
On 26 minutes, a great jinking run from Young in to the box saw him lash a shot against the post, and on the half-hour mark Jack James saw an effort well stopped by Joe Day.
 
With six minutes of the first half remaining, Young had another glorious opportunity to double the lead. He took advantage of a loose back pass but lifted his shot over the bar with Nouble steaming in to the middle of the box.
 
The visitors could legitimately have expected to go in further ahead at the break, but with St Albans having some good opportunities of their own a 1-0 advantage at half-time felt about right.

Half time:  St Albans City 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Within two minutes of the restart the home side were level. A ball to the back post was met by Mitchell WEISS who steered it past the helpless Day.

The bright start continued to with St Albans in the ascendency for the opening ten minutes of the second half without creating much in the way of clear-cut opportunities. 

A block from Jake Wannell to deny Zane Banton around the hour mark was as close as it came, whilst the attacking style which brought them success in the first half abandoned Yeovil who struggled to deal with the rampant Saints.

On 62 minutes, Smith hooked a ball which seemed certain to go out for a goal kick over the stranded Johnson but it was over the head of Nouble as well.

St Albans keeper Michael Johnson claims a ball from a Yeovil cross.

St Albans continued to look the more likely to score as they continued to press, but Young had another great opportunity on 73 minutes. He dribbled his way forward and in to the box, but took too long to pull the trigger and the chance disappeared.

With 12 minutes remaining, Mark Cooper introduced Dylan Morgan in place of Lo-Everton, and worryingly soon after Michael Smith limped off with what looked like a hamstring strain. He was replaced by Jay Foulston.

The Saints continued their relentless pressure and on 84 minutes the ball pinballed around inside the box. With a crowd of bodies blocking the view from the away end it was a hard one to follow, but I was most pleased to see the falling frame of Day drop on the ball.

On 86 minutes, another goalmouth scramble saw the keeper drop again on the line. Some goal service apps adjudged the ball to have crossed the line, fortunately the assistant did not.

Will Dawes was thrown on in place of Young as Yeovil looked to find a different way through, but it was to no avail.

On the strength of a strong first half, this could have been considered two points dropped but St Albans deserved a share of the spoils for their second half performance.

Full time: St Albans City 1 Yeovil Town 1 

 

Match Details

Venue: Clarence Park
Date: Saturday 27th January – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Rutted in the penalty areas but otherwise in good nick
Conditions: Dry and cool

Attendance: 2,813 (470 away supporters)

Scorers: Jordan Young 19 (1-0), Mitchell Weiss 47 (1-1)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 55, Matt Worthington 80, Michael Smith 82
St Albans City: Ryan Blackman 32

Yeovil Town (4-5-1)

Substitutes: Dylan Morgan (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 78), Jay Foulston (for Michael Smith, 82), Will Dawes (for Jordan Young, 85).

 

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Sam Pearson made a dream start to his return as a Yeovil Town player with a hand in two goals as Yeovil Town maintained their 13-point advantage at the top of National League South.

The 22-year-old, who went straight in to the starting line-up having joined on a permanent deal in the week, opened the scoring against Hemel Hempstead Town when the acrobatically turned in a Charlie Cooper ball on 28 minutes.

Then, just seconds before he was replaced by Jake Hyde on 69 minutes, the youngster had a shot which was deflected in by a Hemel defender to make it 2-0.

First half

With a strong wind in their favour attacking the away end at Huish Park, Yeovil Town started brightly. An early move saw a good ball from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton find Michael Smith inside the plenty area, the full-back tried to play it across to new signing Sam Pearson, but could not quite find him.

Smith and Pearson got a lot of joy down the right-hand side but despite a flurry of corners there were no efforts to force Hemel keeper Craig King in to real action. The first save from the visiting stopper came in the 18th minute when Pearson combined with Jordan Young and the new signing’s effort was held.

On 27 minutes, a long ball over the top from Joe Day caught the Hemel defence napping and Frank Nouble found himself clear through but the defenders got back to clear it. From the resulting corner the ball was cleared as far as the original taker Young, he laid it off to Charlie Cooper who played an exquisite ball in to the box where PEARSON acrobatically fired past King. It took 28 minutes for the breakthrough to come, but the pressure had been relentless.

Sam Pearson celebrates his opener.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

But, despite the home side’s dominance, there was always the risk of the visitors causing a threat at the other end. With five minutes of the half remaining, Chris Smith had an effort well saved by Day and the ball squirmed under the keeper’s glove, but Tre Mitford failed to bundle the ball home allowing Yeovil to clear their lines.

The Glovers immediately broke with Young and Pearson two-on-two with the Hemel defence and it just needed a pass from Young, who ended up getting brought down by Josh Williams. The defender picked up a booking for his troubles.

There were few hairy moments in the Yeovil penalty area in those last five minutes, but for the majority of that half it was all the hosts.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Hemel Hempstead Town 0

Second half

It was Hemel who started the brighter with the wind behind them in this half and presumably a half-time rocket from their management team inside them. On 51 minutes, Day was called in to action to deny Mitford and the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening ten minutes.

There was a great chance for Yeovil to double their lead soon after following good movement through the middle from Cooper and Matt Worthington. That move found Nouble who fed Young and the forward made ground, but was denied the chance to shoot by fine defending from Kyle Ajayi.

On the hour mark, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton twice found himself in space on the edge of the box and was twice denied by great stops from King, before Michael Smith fired one over the bar three minutes later.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton fires in a shot.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

A terrible tackle saw Kombe Kawimbe lunge in with a high challenge on Cooper after 65 minutes. The Hemel man got the ball, but it was a dangerous tackle. You’ve seen red cards given for less – but he only got a yellow.

On 68 minutes, it was 2-0 to Yeovil. A throw from Alex Whittle found Pearson who made his way inside the box and his shot was on target but the last touch came off visiting defender Ajayi. The goal was given to Pearson, but that one is an OWN GOAL.

What a way for Pearson to finish his second debut. Having finished his goal celebrations, he was replaced by Jake Hyde.

With ten minutes remaining, Hyde was in the action threading a ball through to Young, but again the forward showed a bit too much of the ball to Josh Hill who back to deny him.

Hyde then came about as close as you can to adding a third when he made a brilliant header from a Cooper free-kick, but was denied by another superb save from King with five minutes of normal time remaining.

With two minutes remaining, George Williams had an effort well saved by Joe Day and a minute later the stopper was back in action as he made a flying save to deny Josh Williams.

Hemel showed more in the second half, but the Yeovil Town juggernaut rolls on. A comfortable victory and on to Truro (well, Plymouth) on Tuesday night.

Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Hemel Hempstead Town 0

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 20th January – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Green
Conditions:  Cold, overcast and a bit blowy

Attendance: 3,591 (60 away supporters)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 28 (1-0),Kyle Ajayi o.g. 68 (2-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: None
Hemel Hempstead Town: Tre Mitford 19, Josh Williams 40, Kombe Kawimbe 65

Referee: Craig Scriven

Yeovil Town (4-5-1)

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Sam Pearson, 69), Jay Foulston (for Jordan Young, 79), Dylan Morgan (for Charlie Cooper, 87) Josh Owers (not used), Will Dawes (not used).

Hemel Hempstead Town: Craig King, Josh Williams, Kyle Ajayi, Josh Hill, George Williams, Tre Mitford, Joe Re (for Bayley Brown, 71), Chris Smith, Michael Folivi (for Kaylen Hinds, 61), Kombe Kawimbe, Myles Judd (for Vladimir Paternoster, 71).
Substitutes (not used): Tarrelle Whittaker, James Taylor.

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of the National League South to 13 points with a narrow win at Somerset rivals Taunton Town.

It was a fourth goal in as many games from striker Frank Nouble which sealed the points to give the Glovers’ victory in their game in hand over a number of their rivals in the division’s top seven.

Here’s how it went down in the county town….

First half

A bright start from the visitors saw good link-up between Matt Worthington and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton with the latter’s effort cleared off the goal line by former Glovers’ loanee Zac Bell, signed by Taunton on loan from Bristol City earlier in the day.

Soon after, nice passing saw Yeovil break forward at pace with a move involving Jordan Young and Lo-Everton, but it was full-back Michael Smith who the ball broke to on the edge of the box and his effort was easily held by Dan Lavercombe in the hosts’ goal.

Michael Smith fires in to the gloves of Taunton keeper Dan Lavercombe.

With 18 minutes gone, a foul by Jordan Young on Peacocks’ striker Ross Stearn earned him a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, Lloyd Irish’s ball found Ollie Chamberlain on the left side and he played a dangerous ball in to the box which was headed away Frank Nouble. Nothing much to trouble Joe Day in the Yeovil goal yet, but Taunton certainly not rolling over here.

When they were in possession, Yeovil struggled to shrug off their claret and blue shadows. The home side harried their opponents in a way they were completely unable to in the Boxing Day game at Huish Park. Not a one-sided affair this.

With half-an-hour gone, a nice ball forward by Senior was laid off nicely by Lo-Everton, but Young could not get in ahead of Lavercombe.

There was a heart-in-the-mouth moment on 39 minutes when Joe Day fumbled a long ball in to the box with a number of Taunton players in close proximity. The referee awarded a foul to the keeper who was perhaps a touch fortunate.

The half-time whistle sounded with Yeovil massively ahead in the possession stats, but Taunton’s game of pressing their visitors paid off.

Half time:  Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

A gear change  was required from Yeovil to press home their advantage and manager Mark Cooper introduced top scorer Rhys Murphy in place of the quiet Courtney Senior at the start of the second half.

Following a bitty opening five minutes a lovely ball forward by Matt Worthington picked out Frank NOUBLE who broke in to the box and fired an angled shot past Lavercombe. 1-0 to the visitors.

Frank Nouble celebrates his fourth goal in as many games.

On 63 minutes, a great bit of link up between Lo-Everton and Murphy  saw the midfielder jink his way in to the box, but he could not get a shot away to test Lavercombe.

Moments later a mistake by Zac Bell gifted possession to Murphy who showed all his striker’s instincts who hit it first time and he lashed an effort which Lavercombe did well to turn on to the bar to keep it out. What an effort from the bagsman, deserved a goal.

As the game closed towards the 90th minute, Murphy went down in what seemed like an innocuous clash, judged by the experts in the home crowd as time wasting. But, worryingly for those in the away end, the top scorer went off shortly after, replaced by Jake Hyde.

Hyde was straight in the action to head home a looping free-kick from Worthington, but his effort went over the bar.

It was a hard-fought win, but a win nevertheless. Job done.

Full time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Wordsworth Drive
Date: Tuesday 9th January – 7.45pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Uneven and a bit bobbly.
Conditions:  Cold. Very cold.

Attendance: 3001

Scorers: Frank Nouble 50 (1-0),

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 16, Rhys Murphy 71, Jake Wannell  75, Michael Smith 90+5
Taunton Town: Dan Ball 20, Nat Jarvis 58

Referee: Niall Smith

Yeovil Town (4-5-1)

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Courtney Senior, 46), Will Dawes (for Jordan Young, 76), Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 87), Jamie Sendles-White (not used), Josh Owers (not used).

Taunton Town: Dan Lavercombe, Zac Bell, Nick Grimes, Dan Ball, Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd James, Nat Jarvis (for Marley Rose, 61), Rabby Tabu Minzamba, Ross Stearn (for Evander Grubb, 78), Cameron Evans, Marcus Day (for Louie Slough, 70).
Substitutes (not used): Callum Dolman, Lloyd Irish.

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of the National League South table back to ten points with victory over Bath City at Huish Park.

The home side opened the scoring after Jordan Young finished off a great move involving Frank Nouble and Michael Smith in the only real action of a tepid first half, before Nouble took his tally to ten goals for the season when he tucked home a second in the 77th minute.

With second-placed Hampton & Richmond beaten at Braintree Town and Worthing going down to fellow play-off hopefuls Chelmsford City, the results went in the favour of the table-topping Glovers.

First half

Mark Cooper made one change from the Boxing Day win over Taunton Town with Rhys Murphy replacing Will Dawes, as he did in the early stages of that game. New signing Dylan Morgan was named among the substitutes for the Glovers having signed from Taunton during the week.

After a quiet first ten minutes, Yeovil opened the scoring with their first attack after 13 minutes. A great ball from Frank Nouble found Michael Smith out on the right of the penalty box and his beautifully-cushioned ball in to the danger area was met by Jordan YOUNG who slotted it past Slav Huk in the visitors goal. Knife. Butter.

Yeovil Town celebrate Jordan Young’s opener.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

But in all honesty that was about all there was in terms of goalmouth action for the opening half-an-hour. The nearest the visitors came to offering a threat on Joe Day’s goal was on 33 minutes when former Glovers’ loanee Ewan Clark ran at Alex Whittle and got a shot in from the edge of the block which was turned down the bar by Charlie Cooper.

Day was in action with four minutes of the first half remaining, Clark’s free-kick was met by the head of defender Jordan Dyer, who also had a spell on loan at Huish Park, which the keeper patted over the bar for a corner which came to nothing.

If you are a fan of watching the ball get passed without any purpose, this was the game for you. Neither side really offering a great threat going forwards. Control, I guess you could call it.

An advantage at the interval.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Bath City 0

Second half

Bath came out for the second half with a bit of fizz but without really creating any real threat on Day’s goal and with six minutes of the half played visiting manager Jerry Gill decided he had seen enough and brought on striker Cody Cooke.

A coming together between Charlie Cooper and Tom Smith after 55 minutes saw a booking for both players from referee Elliott Swallow. From the resulting free-kick, a right wing cross from Joe Raynes found the head of Cooke and the ball hit his strike partner, Scott Wilson, in the face giving Alex Whittle the chance to clear.

That seemed to liven up the home side with a break forward involving Murphy, Courtney Senior before it broke to Cooper 25 yards out and his effort was fumbled around the box by Slav Huk with 58 minutes played.

Immediately after Yeovil made their first change with Jay Foulston replacing Courtney Senior whilst for Bath Clark was replaced by Oscar Thorn. Foulston went in to the left side of a back three with Smith and Whittle pushed in to wing-back positions.

On 66 minutes, Thorn came close when his hooked shot from Thomas’ left-wing cross past the post with the aid of a deflection off a Yeovil defender. The visitors are definitely asking the tougher questions.

Murphy had done a lot of running, a lot of it without the ball. Lo-Everton joined the three behind Nouble

On 71 minutes, tug on Scott Wilson by Jake Wannell gave Bath a free-kick on the edge of the box and Dan Hayfield fizzed one just past the post, rippling the side netting to the extent some in the away end thought it was in. It wasn’t.

But six minutes later, it was in…..in the other net as Yeovil doubled their advantage. A corner from Whittle was met by Wannell at the back post as Huk stayed on his line, the header landed at the feet of Frank NOUBLE inside the box and he could not miss from close range.

Frank Nouble celebrates putting Yeovil Town 2-0 ahead.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

New signing Dylan Morgan was immediately introduced with his new side two goals to the good. He replaced Jordan Young.

With two minutes of the six added on at the end of the game, Morgan found a position at an acute angle inside the box but his shot hit the outside of the side netting.

That table’s looking pretty, isn’t it?

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Bath City 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 6th January – 3:00pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Soft, but held up well considering the recent heavy rain
Conditions:  Dry and cool

Attendance: 5,032 (616 away supporters)

Scorers: Jordan Young 13 (1-0), Frank Nouble 77 (2-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 55, Dylan Morgan 87, Alex Whittle 90+5
Bath City: Scott Wilson 20, Luke Russe 25, Jordan Thomas 50, Tom Smith 55, Danny Greenslade 85

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

 

Substitutes: Jay Foulston (for Courtney Senior, 60), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Rhys Murphy, 68), Dylan Morgan (for Jordan Young, 78) Josh Owers (not used), Jake Hyde (not used).

Bath City: Slav Huk, Joe Rayne, Dan Greenslade, Jordan Dyer, Kieran Parselle, Ewan Clark (for Oscar Thorn, 60) , Dan Hayfield, Tom Smith, Jordan Thomas, Scott Wilson, Luke Russe (for Cody Cooke, 51).
Substitutes (not used): Jack Batten, Chris Lines, Elliott Frear.

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Yeovil Town took full advantage of the slip up by Hampton and Richmond earlier to go ten points clear at the top of the National League South, four goals, each from different players wrapped up the points in front of (another) National League South attendance record.

Here’s Gloverscast Ben’s match report.

First half

The Glovers started brightly and did find their way into the Taunton penalty area with just a couple of minutes on the clock, but it was Taunton who first had a proper opportunity to force a save out of Joe Day.

Ross Stern, stood over a free kick 25 yards out, but instead of shooting, he dinked the ball into the area where a couple of Taunton players, challenged for the ball in an offside position.

Will Dawes sought medical attention soon after, a few Glovers players asking the referee if he intended to do anything further regarding the situation, he wasn’t, Dawes was fine.

… that was until he wasn’t.

Despite coming back onto the pitch, Dawes was to be replaced by Rhys Murphy, that would move Jordan Young into a wider to bring Murphy along side Frank Nouble up front.

The opening ten minutes resembled a passing session between the two goalkeepers, neither side able to get their foot on the ball.

Once someone did, a chance was created, Rhys Murphy crashed his way into the box on the right hand side and fizzed a ball across for the waiting Courtney Senior, but it was scrambled away.

It seemed to wake the Glovers up, Alex Whittle and Senior were teaming up nicely, but the crosses weren’t finding their men.

Senior failed to bring one down with the goal gaping, Charlie Cooper had a shot from distance that somehow, via at least one, if not two deflections skipped just wide. 

At the other end, Stern and Nat Jarvis were attempting some of the game’s dark arts with former Peacock Jake Wannell their main target.

Dan Ball brought Jordan Young down with the Glovers man in full flow after picking up a loose ball, the set piece was being lined up by Charlie Cooper.

25 yards out, just to the left hand side of the area, it may have favoured the right footer, but Young pulled rank, but would sky the ball over the bar.

The Glovers would have their goal soon enough though, Morgan Williams picked out Jordan Young through the middle of the park, the winger skipped past one, sped past another and fed Michael Smith whose inch perfect cross ball was placed home from 12 yards by Frank NOUBLE. 

Frank Nouble fires Yeovil in front.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The Peacocks were on the ropes early, their restart went straight out of play and then a loose pass through the midfield nearly gave Nouble another chance to run at the defence.

Nouble and Young got their wires crossed on 18 minutes, good work from Courtney Senior coming to nothing as Nouble couldn’t slide Young through on goal.

Rhys Murphy forced a great save from the Taunton keeper, a sensational pass from Charlie Cooper set the front man on his way, the keeper to his credit stayed big and just got a big toe on the shot, to send it round the post.

20 minutes gone and the Glovers had the ball in comfortable possession, Matt Worthington sent a long ball forward to Nouble, he brought the ball down and found Michael SMITH who slide the ball home as smoothly as only with a man with his silky voice could. 2-0 Gorgeous.

Michael Smith celebrates his goal.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Frank Nouble picked the ball up on 25 minutes, ran the full length of the pitch with no-one in white able to get near him, his final touch was just a smidgen too heavy and a desperate defence could mop up.

Taunton were trying to find a way back into the game, with less than half an hour on the clock they were planning a change, but before they could make it, both Whittle and Young causing havoc down their respective wings.

Young was in full flow by this point, he drew a foul out of Zac Smith in the left wing back area, right by the corner flag.

Young whipped it in himself, some head tennis ensued and Taunton could make a break away, Stern forcing a throw in which would lead to a Glovers goal kick.

Stern – with short sleeves and gloves – claimed for a spot kick, but was waved away.

The change originally planned by Taunton was seemingly canned, the Glovers were looking for a third, Jordan Young was bundled off the ball in the area, but nothing doing there, Senior continued to snap at the heels of anyone in the Taunton defence, and there were chances beginning to flow.

Michael Smith was flying down the right hand side and he whipped a ball in to the six yard box where Rhys Murphy, who started the play off 50 yards further back, somehow missed the target. It looked easier to score.

Dan Ball didn’t like what he was seeing and told someone, and then proceeded to tell the referee his name. Yellow.

Murphy lashed another shot over the target, smashed at goal from distance, a frustrated swipe at the ball.

The first Glover in the book was Matt Worthington, the skipper adjudged to have fouled Joe Guest on 38 minutes.

Confidence was starting to flow, Senior travelled a long way quite quickly down the left hand side, he went sideways to Cooper who couldn’t find Worthington down the right hand side.

Five minutes left of normal time and once again Stern – he of the short sleeves and gloves (are you cold or not?) – was throwing himself to the ground, all it did was give the Glovers the possession again, possession which found its way to Jordan Young, who couldn’t quite squeeze either himself or a cross into the box. 

Senior did manager to get the ball onto his left foot on the edge of the area, but one touch too many saw the Peacocks snuff out the challenge.

Rhys Murphy was in something of a mood after squandering chances earlier in the half, some great work by Nouble and Young saw Murphy skip past the person closest to him, but his left footed shot was again, nestled into the Thatchers Stand.

Taunton would end the half with some sort of pressure, a free kick down the right hand side, taken by Lloyd James found its way back into the area and the Glovers would pounce on a Joe Day punch to counter.

Frank Nouble sending Murphy through again, but the Bagsman couldn’t quite convert as the fourth official announced four additional minutes to play.

Ollie Chamberlain was involved in some nice play with James for Taunton down the right, but his cross was slashed at by the Taunton Skipper, Nick Grimes… it wasn’t close to Joe Day’s goal.

Day got a replacement ball and launched it forward, Nouble sent a couple defenders for an early half time hot dog and found Jordan Young.

Young skipped past one and tricked his way past a second, but another high shot didn’t trouble the away keeper.

The Glovers were approaching double figures for proper chances, Rhys Murphy was too strong for Dan Ball after a long clearance, but the ball got stuck under his foot, with a run at the goal at his mercy.

2-0 to Yeovil, it could have been six.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 2 Taunton Town 0

Second half

Taunton made a switch at the break, Marcus Day was taken out of the affair with Cam Evans brought in.

The opening exhanges of the second half, were a little bit scrappy, both sides tried some longer balls to get their rhythm back, Courtney Senior was the first player to get the ball down and get attacking, he linked up with Alex Whittle, but his cross evaded everyone and it was cleared by the visitors.

Those two would team up again, as the Glovers took their time to force another attack, Smith and Young were equally well teamed together on the right.

He found himself in acres of space near the Taunton corner flag, but his first time cross wasn’t met by a Glover.

The action was all in the Taunton box, Courtney Senior couldn’t find half a yard of space after linking well with Rhys Murphy.

With ten minutes gone, a slip by Senior gave Zac Smith the chance to move the ball forward, Taunton progressed forward before Cooper broke up the attack, he was hauled down for the second time in the first period of the second half. 

Neither goalkeeper had done much in the way of anything arduous since the break, both sides making progress down the flanks, but nothing in the way of a final ball, or shot to cause much damage.

Taunton had clearly had something of a rocket at half time, they were trying to break up play as much as possible, Austen Booth did just that with a bursting run forward, only to foul Jake Wannell in the process.

Zac Smith pounced on a loose ball on the left hand side as the clock ticked passed an hour, but a heavy touch and a loud shout from the Glovers’ keeper meant Joe Day mopped up with minimal fuss.

The second half didn’t appear to have the same fizz to it as the first, Taunton had the most of the ball, a long shot was easily claimed by Day whilst Ross Stearn moaned some more at the ref who wasn’t falling for his antics.

Whilst the Taunton attackers were having a moan, their defenders were doing some attacking, Dan Ball fired a shot in, but a combination of Glovers’ defenders saw it wide; the corner was dealt with by Jake Wannell.

With just over 65 minutes on the clock, Joe Day took a clattering when claiming a high ball, as Taunton maintained a bit of possession in midfield, the hosts prepped a change.

Courtney Senior’s final action was to win a free kick down the left hand side, Sonny Blu Lo Everton coming on, a switch in tactics with Jordan Young going wide on the left.

As the Free Kick came in, it came to nothing, but it soon would.

The Goal Kick from Lavercombe saw a loveley through ball from Matt Worthington, Rhys MURPHY  kept his cool as he slotted past the on rushing keeper.

The chances kept coming, corners and crosses galore.

Sonny Blu LO EVERTON found himself a bit of space 25 yards out, not long after having a shot saved, his fired shot, low and hard, off the post and nestled into the back of the net. 4-0 and it was all happening too fast for this report to be written.

Taunton made a change again, Nick McCootie coming on for Ross Stearn, who had clearly spent too much time and effort flailing about.

Soon after Joe Day finally had something to do; give the referee his name… for time wasting, at 4-0 up… riiiiiight.

Jordan Young was replaced by Alex Fisher and the Glovers played their final cards from the bench.

 

Sonny Blu Lo Everton Makes it 4-0 Yeovil
Pic Gary Brown

 

It was about now, the stream dropped to black, Taunton got a goal back with just over ten minutes left, Austen Booth rising highest at a corner.

Zac Smith was booked (finally) and he had a shot on goal, which went wide.

Nick Grimes had a go too, but that went over, the Glovers were able to take their foot off the gas as the half wore down.

Taunton were reduced to 10 men, after the sub Nick McCootie saw yellow… twice, in quick succession. A reckless challenge followed by a confrontation and that was it, early bath.

Four additional minutes, if you’ve made it this far and were hoping for more significant updates, the stream never came back – Gloverscast Ben will send an angry email shortly after publishing this match report.

Game over. 4-1, could have been a cricket score. Top of the league by ten points. Merry Christmas!

Full time: Yeovil Town 4 Taunton Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 26th December – 3:00pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Cut up in places, but nothing serious
Conditions:  Dry and cool

Attendance: 6,301 (406 away supporters) 

Scorers: Frank Nouble (1-0 ’15), Michael Smith (2-0 ’20), Rhys Murphy (3-0 ’69), Sonny Blu Lo Everton (4-0 ’72), Austen Booth (4-1 ’78)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington ’38, Joe Day ’74, 
Taunton Town: Dan Ball ’36, Zac Smith ’81, Nick McCootie ’85

Red Cards
Yeovil Town: None
Taunton Town: Nick McCootie ’85 (Second Bookable Offence)

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Dawes ‘6), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Senior ’67), Alex Fisher (for Jordan Young ’75), Josh Owers (not used), Jake Hyde (not used). 

Taunton Town: Dan Lavercome (GK), Nick Grimes, Dan Ball, Austen Booth, Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd James, Nat Jarvis, Joe Guest, Ross Stearn (for Nick McCootie ’72), Zac Smith, Marcus Day (For Cam Evans ’46)
Substitutes (not used): Lloyd Irish (GK), Rabi Tabu, Callum Doman

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of National League South to eight points with a hard-fought win at Eastbourne Borough.

A controversial first half goal from Frank Nouble sealed the three points. After 36 minutes, Rhys Murphy nicked the ball off hosts’ Freddie Carter from a drop ball and fed his strike partner who fired the game’s only goal.

The second half was an exercise in energy conservation as the visitors probed but could not find their way through a resolute backline.

With Torquay United and Maidstone United both defeated, the win stretched the Glovers lead heading in to a double header with Somerset rivals Taunton Town.

Here is how Dave saw the game from a chilly away end on the South Coast…..

First half

Mark Cooper handed a debut to winger Courtney Senior, who signed on loan from National League Premier side Barnet on Friday night, with Charlie Cooper who dropped to the bench.

There was also a return among substitutes for left-back Alex Whittle, who had been missing through injury in recent weeks.

From the off it was clear this 3G pitch was going to take some getting used to. Not a drop of water had been put on it in a long time and it had zero bounce on it.

 

An early cross from the hosts’ Sam Beard fizzed a cross over the face of goal and the first sight of goal came from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton after good play from Frank Nouble after 13 minutes.

On 20 minutes, good work down the left side from Matt Worthington and Senior saw Worthy burst in to the box and almost pick out Rhys Murphy at the back post.

Frank Nouble celebrates his goal.
Picture courtesy of LR Photography.

It was a moment of opportunism from Murphy led to an opening goal for the visitors after 36 minutes. A drop ball from the referee saw the striker nip in ahead of Carter and burst forward, play it across to NOUBLE who coolly finished.

There were protests led by Eastbourne skipper Brad Barry to referee Jack Bloxham, but one feels he may have more to complain about to Carter for his bizarre failure to contest the drop ball.

There was another chance fell to Murphy after a great through ball from Young on 42 minutes, but Foulkes was equal to it to turn it wide.

A red card seemed to be flashed at the Eastbourne bench, perhaps to manager Mark Beard, as protests towards the referee continued after the half-time whistle had been blown.

Half time:  Eastbourne Borough 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Within 30 seconds of the restart, the home side’s Callum Kealey broke away from the Yeovil defence but pulled his shot wide. 

That set the tone for the 20 minutes which followed as the home side who continued to probe at the backline. Substitute Decarrey Sherriff had a shot from inside the box blocked by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton makes a perfectly legal tackle…..
Picture courtesy of LR Photography.

There was very little to excite the away support in an end which did little (nothing?) to foster an atmosphere. The arrival of Will Dawes in place of Senior on 64 minutes. Senior showed what he can bring to the side with good pace and flashes of an ability to take of defenders and Cooper will have been pleased with his start.

A minute later Foulkes got in just ahead of Morgan Williams to claim a looping free-kick from Young, before a good combination between Kealey and Leone Gravata almost released Kealey.

Substitute Fletcher Holman almost made an instant impact after coming on 67 minutes, b

ut his shot flew over. On 74 minutes, the first meaningful chance of the second half fell to Young who curled his shot wide.

But, with games coming up on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, the Glovers showed a control to see out the game which, say it quietly, is the hallmark of a promotion side.

For now we’ll settle for an even more comfortable gap at the top of the division. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Full time: Eastbourne Borough 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Priory Lane
Date: Saturday 23rd December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: A rock solid slab of plastic 
Conditions:  Dry and cool

Attendance: 1,736

Scorers: Frank Nouble 36 (1-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Frank Nouble 38,
Eastbourne Borough: Jack Paxman 30, Sam Beard 45,

Referee: Jack Bloxham

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Courtney Senior, 64),Charlie Cooper (for Rhys Murphy, 77), Alex Whittle (not used), Josh Owers (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Eastbourne Borough: Harrison Foulkes, Scott Leslie (for Fletcher Holman, 67), Brad Barry, Jack Clarke (for Imran Uche, 82), Jack Paxman (for Decarrey Sheriff, 55), Freddie Carter, Louis Collins, Leone Gravata, Billy Vigar, Sam Beard, Callum Kealey.
Substitutes (not used): Dan Quick, Lucas Defise.

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Yeovil Town Women ensured consecutive 5-0 victories as they overcame Ilminster Town Reserves on Sunday. The affair once again saw five different scorers, including a debut goal for new signing Becky Miles, who impressed on her debut for the Glovers.

Paul Knight made two changes from Yeovil’s 5-0 victory over Bishops Lydeard Reserves, as Becky Miles and Holly Coles replaced Jess Hodge and Chloe Davenport.

Another fast start by Yeovil was rewarded with an opening goal in the second minute. Becky Miles immediately got in on the action, as her cross from the right was bundled in by an Ilminster defender for 1-0.

Soon after in the eighth minute Yeovil had two, as full back Abbie Vernon found Holly Coles, who scored her second in as many weeks and her seventh league goal of the season.

Despite having a number of chances, including an impressive lob attempt by Abbie Carslake, Yeovil went in at the break two goals to the good.

Yeovil started the second half in a similar vein to the first, as they made it three in the 46th minute. Miles saw her shot deflect into the path of Jess Hodge, who made no mistake in firing the ball home for 3-0.

The Glovers’ positive start to the half continued as the heavily involved debutant Becky Miles got in on the goals in the 51st minute. Following an effective press, Miles regained possession from the Ilminster defence and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 4-0.

Later in the 69th minute a ball from Miles found Zoe Ball, who clinically beat the keeper for her fourth of the season, continuing her goalscoring form from last week.

The match finished 5-0 and increased Yeovil’s league tally to twenty-seven points from nine games in the Somerset County Division 1.

The player of the match was again awarded to Becca McManus, who retains the award from last week after yet another determined and impressive midfield performance.

Yeovil Town Women manager Paul Knight said after the match: “Really good performance, it was quite difficult conditions today in terms of the pitch that we’ve played on. We laid out our stall and we played exactly how we asked in the changing room. The opposition dropped four first team players down for today from the league above, so we knew after we saw the team sheet that the game was going to be quite different. We changed our shape to cancel that out and I think the girls did that quite comfortably. Good result, it’s 9 or 10 on stats if we convert the opportunities which we must score.”

On new signing Becky Miles, Paul said: “She fitted in exceptionally well, she’s an exceptional player. Obviously it’s happened really quickly, we’ve had no time with her, it was a gamble, but it paid off really well.”

Sunday’s player of the match Becca McManus said: “A second player of the match in a row obviously gives me massive amounts of confidence, an early Christmas present for me, really really nice.”

Yeovil Town Women return to action on Sunday 7th January as they host Portishead Ladies Reserves in the Somerset County Division 1 14:00 KO.