Match Reports (Page 12)

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Yeovil Town played out a goalless draw with the National League’s in-form team Hampton and Richmond at Huish Park this afternoon.

The Glovers had their chances in the first half, but an even second half was well contested with Hampton showing exactly why they’re in the position they are. Yeovil remain 7 points clear at the top.

Here’s how Ian saw it from Huish Park..

First half

There were two changes for in the starting line up for Yeovil, with Jay Foulston immediately coming in at left back in place of Will Dawes and Frank Nouble replacing Sonny Cox.

Former Glover Jake Gray had a the first of the chances at Huish Park in the 5th minute. Space opened up nicely for Gray on the edge the Yeovil box and he drew a strong low save from Joe Day.

Minutes later, Rhys Murphy had a great chance to open the scoring. The poacher was in a familiar position inside the box and as he swivelled and fired a low shot at goal, Adam Desbois got down smartly to keep it out with a great save.

Rhys Murphy.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

After those two chances, the game entered a cagey phase, with Yeovil struggling to break the lines of Hampton and the visitors having some bright moments around Yeovil’s box.

Yeovil dominated the possession, albeit with no real threat. Jay Foulston and Michael Smith were starting to find space in wide areas, and it was Foulston who nearly put it on a plate for Murphy. Hampton cleared for a corner and Charlie Cooper very nearly put said corner straight in!

As dominant as Yeovil were with the ball, Hampton did find pockets of space as they beat the Yeovil press as Gray got himself into good crossing positions.

Most bits of good play from the Beavers came from Gray, and his left-footed shot in the 34th minute trickled just wide of Day’s right hand post.

Frank Nouble.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

A minute later, Frank Nouble should have put Yeovil ahead. A ball through in the inside left channel found its way to Nouble and the striker opened up his body to bend it into the far corner but put it wide of Desbois’ post.

Such was the spirit of the game, there was no stoppage time at the end of the first half and both sides seemed fairly content to go in at 0-0.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Hampton & Richmond 0

 

Second half

Like with the first half, Joe Day was the first of the keeper called into action, saving a fiercely struck left-footer from Ruaridh Donaldson.

Neither side were able to break the other down, and on the 62nd minute both side made changes. Alex Fisher came on for Rhys Murphy and Mason Bloomfield joined Ben Seymour up front for Hampton and Richmond.

 

Alex Fisher slides in.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Fisher very nearly made his mark moments later. Matt Worthington, who was playing with a lot of freedom, curled a teasing ball across the six yard box with the outside of his boot and Fisher couldn’t have got closer to getting a toe on the ball.

Yeovil had another opportunity in the 72nd minute with Worthington latching on to a Nouble flick on. It was an awkward height for Yeovil’s skipper, who couldn’t get his shot on target as he was closed down by Desbois.

Bloomfield’s physicality was causing problems for Yeovil and Day had to be alert in the 77th minute to parrying a powerful shot out for a corner. Bloomfield was on the end of a cross moments later but couldn’t direct a header towards goal.

Seymour and Donaldson combined nicely as the clock ticked over 80 minutes, and Day was called into action making another good save from Donaldson.

Yeovil were crying out for a bit of pace, and Will Dawes replaced Frank Nouble in the 88th minute to provide that pace, although with not a lot of time to do much…

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Hampton & Richmond 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 16th December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Looking the part, but cutting up a bit
Conditions:  Mild and dry

Attendance: 3388 (86 away)

Scorers: None

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 49, Alex Fisher, 74, Jordan Young, 90
Hampton & Richmond: Ben Seymour, 71

Referee: Isaac Searle

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Frank Nouble, 88) , Alex Fisher (for Rhys Murphy, 62), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used), Josh Owers (not used), Duncan Idehen (not used).

Hampton & Richmond: Adam Desbois, Jordan Thomas, Ruaridh Donaldson, Luis Ferandez, Rob Hall (Mason Bloomfield, 62), Ben Seymour, Jake Gray, Sam Deadfield, George Hunt (for Shane Dunne, 86), Sam Dreyer, Dan Wishart. Substitutes (not used): Isaac Pitblado, Dom Revan, Joshua Anifowose.

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of National League South with a 2-2 draw at Dartford.

Or, alternatively, Yeovil Town missed the chance to go even further ahead at the top of National League South as they dropped two points at Dartford.

The laws of two things being able to be true at the same time came pass the Glovers took an early lead through a Rhys Murphy penalty, only to be pegged back soon after by the home side who added a good second after some sloppy defending.

It was left to Jordan Young to fire home an equaliser after good play from substitute Frank Nouble on 78 minutes, and the visitors left with a share of the points.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from the away end in Kent….

First half

Three minutes in and a ball over the top saw Rhys Murphy beat the offside trap but pulled his shot past the far post with just the keeper to beat. A big chance and one you would have bet on Murphy to finish.

Four minutes later, a ball threaded through to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who flicked it sideways to Jordan Young whose shot was blocked on the line by the giant frame of Moussa Diarra. The pace of the visitors’ start was causing all kinds of problems.

But it took until the tenth minute for a breakthrough to come. Another Yeovil attack saw Matt Worthington went down under pressure inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. MURPHY stepped up to make no mistake.

There was a strong wing blowing behind the visitors throughout the first half, which was definitely assisting the attack.

But on 17 minutes, a mistake in midfield saw Dartford gifted possession and break away with Luke Allen clipping a beautiful ball to the back post and on loan Bromley striker George ALEXANDER was on hand to head past Joe Day at the far post.

From the restart, Charlie Cooper came within in a whisker as he used the wind to his advantage and tried to chip Sandford who was off his line. The ball ricocheted off the woodwork, the keeper and went out for a corner.

A breakaway after 24 minutes put Michael Smith one-on-one with the keeper but his effort was blocked and a minute later a curling effort from the impressive Sonny Cox was turned aside by the fingertips of Sandford. The keeper is having a great game.

Young had a 35th minute shot just over the  Dartford crossbar before four minutes later a free-kick from the winger had crossbar shaking.

Then, with three minutes or normal time remaining, a great move started by Cox saw the on loan Exeter City man fire in a shot was stopped by Sandford who was having a great game. From the block, the ball broke to Worthington who pulled his shot wide.

The sides went in level at the interval but it will have been Mark Cooper who would have been the more disappointed with Yeovil having had all the chances……except the one Dartford scored, of course!

Half time: Dartford 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

It was the home side who started the second half in the ascendancy. Goal-scorer Alexander was denied by a superb interception from Morgan Williams before at the other end Young’s free-kick on 52 minutes went straight in to the wall.

Just after the hour mark, a ball over the top from Alexander set Luke Coulson free but Joe Day was there to claim it and Young tumbled inside the box but the useless referee was unmoved.

There were chances at either end and moments later a Young run ended with a foul on the edge of the box and Cooper’s free-kick just missed the incoming Williams at the back post.

On 64 minutes, Jake Hyde and Frank Nouble replaced Murphy and Cox with Nouble taking up Cox’s position out wide and Hyde replacing Murphy through the centre. Get Frank through the middle, surely,

There was always the nagging doubt that missed chances (more in the first half than the second) would come back to haunt us, and on 70 minutes Dartford took the lead. On loan Charlton Athletic midfielder Richard CHIN stole the ball off a Yeovil defender and bent a super shot past Day from the edge of the box. A good finish, but more sloppy play cost us.

The deficit seemed to stop Yeovil from doing the thing which had made them look at their most threatening. A lot of balls in the air – against a giant centre half like Diarra – rather than keeping it on the ground made things look scrappy.

With 17 minutes left, Nouble fed Hyde but the striker’s header was off target before more great play from the impressive Chin was not matched  by a finish which would have given him his second of the match.

And, in the 77th minute, a bit of play on the floor led to an equaliser. Nouble’s powerful run down the left and the ball broke to YOUNG who slammed a ball in.

Will Dawes had a shot straight at Sandford with ten minutes remaining, and in injury time the giant frame of Diarra almost bundled home a corner. There may have been a block in there from Wannell.

With three of five minutes added on played, Young was replaced  by Jordan Maguire-Drew, but there was to be no late winner and Yeovil were left to rue missing good early chances.

Full time: Dartford 2 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Princes Park
Date: Saturday 9th December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Soft but held up surprisingly well considering the rain it had endured
Conditions:  Dry and cold after 12 hours of non-stop rain with a strong wind behind Yeovil in the first half

Attendance: 1,072

Scorers: Rhys Murphy pen 10 (1-0), George Alexander 16 (1-1), Richard Chin 69 (1-2), Jordan Young 78 (2-2)

Bookings: 
Dartford: Moussa Diarra 20, Jordan Wynter 63, Luke Allen 88
Yeovil Town:  None
 

Referee: Charles Martland

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 64), Frank Nouble (for Sonny Cox, 64), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Jordan Young, 90+3), Josh Owers (not used), Duncan Idehen (not used).

Dartford: Ryan Sandford, Moussa Diarra, Jordan Wynter, Max Statham, Luke Allen, Sam Odaudu, Luke Coulson, Richard Chin, George Alexander, Joash Nembhard, Tyrell Miller-Rodney (for Paul Rooney, 65). Substitutes (not used): Baris Altintop, Alex Wall,  Lewis Manor, Archie Woods.

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of the National League South to six points with a huge win over fellow play off contenders Bath City.

A single Morgan Williams goal in the second half was all that separated the sides.

First half

The first half began with the hosts in the early ascendancy, Jake Wannell deflected a Joe Greenslade shot wide in just the second minute, but nothing could come of the corner.

The Glovers’ first forray into the Bath City came with a long ball from Duncan Idehen to the returning Alex Fisher, it was a scrappy first ten minutes or so, neither side really able to get their game going.

The hosts were prominent down both flanks, a cross evaded everyone from the right hand side, as the ball broke down, Charlie Cooper stole the ball back before trying to find Fisher wide on the left, his cross just too high for Frank Nouble to bring down.

As the clock ticked past 10 minutes, more danger for the Glovers came from the visitor’s left hand side. Morgan Williams and Idehen teaming up to clear the danger after an error by Wannell.

When in possession, the GLovers were compact and happy to move the ball around, Cooper, Matt Worthington and Alex Fisher all combining well, and it was the Skipper Worthington who forced the visitors’ first corner of the game.

Jordan Young’s delivery was flapped at by stand in Keeper Slav Huk for Bath, but there was no one there to take advantage of the situation.

With 16 minutes gone, Bath had by far their best chance, Dan Hayfield skipped into the box on the left hand side, but his cross couldn’t be met by a team mate, with former Yeovil trialist Scott Wilson flinging himself to get to the ball.

The hosts were dominating possession, Yeovil were looking to release the pressure with longer balls to Fisher and Nouble.

Yeovil were forced into an early change after Alex Whittle went down off camera clutching his right shin, Will Dawes came on as his replacement, like for like into left wing back.

The change nearly caught the Glovers out with a driven free kick from the left hand side needing a couple of attempts to clear.

Jordan Thomas was causing more problems down the Bath City right hand side, twisting and turning before putting a cross in – one that Joe Day could deal with promptly.

His clearance put Michael Smith into a brilliant position, he turned onto his left foot, but his volley was blocked out for a corner.

Young’s delivery only came back to him, the number 11 couldn’t force a delivery after combining with Nouble and Worthington. Young’s slip ended a short stint of pressure for the Glovers.

Bath City’s Thomas was again causing trouble, he forced a corner which was headed towards goal by the home side captain Kieran Parselle. Joe Day was well placed to take the catch with ease, but the signs were clear, Bath are coming for the left hand side of our defence.

Greenslade at left back found Hayfield in acres of space on the edge of the box, his first time effort was sliced wide, but again, far too easy.

Yeovil regained possession through Matt Worthington, he launched the ball in behind the Bath defence for Fisher to chase, he and Michael Smith combined to get a ball into the box, Frank Nouble’s header high and wide.

This move also saw a change of formation, the Glovers switching to a 4-4-2, Idehen at left back with Will Dawes in front of him.

The change in Glovers formation, brought about a change in attack for the hosts, some neat interchange between Thomas and Hayfield saw the latter enter the box, but Nouble was back doing his defensive duties to mop up.

Yeovil were struggling to keep hold of possession, Slav Huk’s skewed clearance, was brought down by Nouble, but again, the game was broken up, this time by a cynical foul.

Charlie Cooper’s set piece couldn’t beat the first man.

The longer balls, particularly from Smith down the Glovers’ right hand side were working, with Nouble and Fisher comfortable with their backs to goal, but when Nouble teamed up with Worthington, the final ball wasn’t there.

Bath quickly broke, three on three, the ball bobbled to Elliot Frear, his shot was smothered by a Joe Day/Morgan Williams combo for a corner.

With time winding down, Yeovil were happy with possession, without being particularly cutting in attack, the game almost sleep walking to half time.

Will Dawes tried to wake it up, his attack down the left side snuffed out, the ball quickly recycled back to the Glovers defence.

Two minutes of added time… it wasn’t a classic 45 minutes of football.

Half time: Bath City 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The Second Half saw no changes from either side, the Glovers in their adjusted 4-4-2 formation from the outset, a series of Goalkeeper to Goalkeeper clearances kicked us off, neither side’s midfielders touching the ball for the first couple of minutes of the second period.

It was no great surprise to see Jordan Thomas in the thick of the first real passage of play of note, he sent Idehen for a hot dog on the right hand side, but his cross was snuffed out.

QUickly down the other end and Will Dawes sent his own defensive counterpart for a refreshment, his cross headed behind.

It was from the resulting corner which saw the Glovers get their first real chance at goal, Morgan Williams rising highest and heading just wide of the right hand post.

This warmed the game up slightly, Thomas was a man on the mission down the Bath right, he slid Scott Wilson behind the defensive line, but the ball was ushered out for a corner. 

Minutes later there was an almighty defensive calamity from the Bath keeper, Will Dawes chased down a lost cause and deflected a Huk clearance into the air, Huk and Dawes fought for the header, the ball just dropping out of range of Alex Fisher with the goal gaping.

Dawes was soon back in the game shortly after, he forced another corner after snapping at the heels of the Bath defender, Huk this time able to fly swat the set piece out. This had been the Glovers best five minutes of the game without question. 

After Joe Day dealt with a horror of a back pass from Morgan WIlliams, he cleared to Will Dawes, who again found space, he bombed down the left, cut inside but his shot was weak on his right (standing) foot.

Now the game was in motion, Bath on the attack down the right, the ball dropping to the full back, his cross-come-shot was easily dealt with.

Scott Wilson was trying to get into the game, he turned Morgan Williams, but the defender was more than capable of getting the distance back and dealing with the danger.

Joe Day dealt with the rest and launched a ball high into the North Somerset night. Slav Huk’s audition for Dancing on Ice nearly offered Frank Nouble a chance at goal, but the Slovakian was able to regain his footing… and control of the ball in time.

Bath were soon in on goal once again and it was that man Thomas causing all the havoc down the right, his cross found his opposite number flying in from the left, but Michael Smith was positioned well on the line – could, maybe should, have been 1-0.

Frustrations were starting to kick in, Jordan Young made his way into the book after a foul and a word, Bath had a wonderful position for a free kick on the left of the Yeovil 18 yard box.

The delivery was met by the home side skipper, Parcelle, but nothing overly dangerous.

Jordan Young was replaced by Sonny Cox soon after, the winger’s frustrating evening coming to an end.

Cox was soon in the thick of it, pulled down by Parcelle after latching onto to a Michael Smith through ball. 

The resulting free kick was nearly forced into the goal at the near post by Alex Fisher, another near miss and another bit of shaky Bath defending.

Matt Worthington was the second Glover into the ref’s note book, something akin to an NFL sideline tackle making absolutely sure Thomas didn’t progress further up the field.

A lengthy stoppage followed, a clash between Joe Raynes and Will Dawes left them both flat out on the ground, Raynes having some fairly heavy strapping wrapped around his hand.

Following the stoppage, the Glovers were out the blocks quicker, Dawes forcing another cross from the left, but the ball trickled into the only space in the 18 yard box not occupied by a body in green.

Mark Cooper rolled his final dice shortly after with Jake ‘don’t call me a Super Sub’ Hyde brought on for Nouble. Alex Fisher set for 90 minutes, despite Cooper saying pre-match he was probably only good for an hour.

All three Glovers changes done, Bath City still with their starting line up.

The match was becoming a 1 v 1 of Dawes v Thomas, the former sprinting down the left but losing the ball, the latter trying to take advantage but went down too easily when trying to claim a free kick on the edge of the Glovers’ penalty area.

Scott Wilson went into the book… as did Jerry Gill… after a free kick was awarded right in front of the home dug out.

The free kick, pin point from Cooper was met by Morgan WILLIAMS, celebrating his new contract with a vital goal! 

After the goal, plenty happened. A couple of Glovers’ idiots threw flares onto the pitch and pretended to cause some trouble, it’s nearly bed time… school in the morning.

Bath City’s Frear was also cautioned in the shenanigans after.

How would Bath respond? Well, by heading down the right hand side through Jordan Thomas. 

The Glovers did what they had been doing best, going through Will Dawes, he was man handled to the ground by the Joe Raynes, who didn’t get a booking for his belly to belly suplex.

The free kick, once again almost inch perfect, Morgan Williams again the intended target, over his head by a matter of inches.

With five minutes of the regular 90 left, Bath forced a free kick of their own down the right hand side, Thomas stood over the ball but his delivery behind everyone.

The Glovers could be forgiven for going into ‘game management’ mode, Bath – and in particular Jordan Thomas – were still causing trouble.

The hosts were always going to force a chance and it did come as the clock hit 90 minutes, Thomas with a drop of the shoulder and a fierce shot that was always rising.

The board goes up with 7 (Seven) minutes added on, both sides still nullifying the others attacks, the offside flag coming to the rescue of Bath as Hyde strayed too far forward.

Thomas again (I’m sick of typing his name) forced a cross into the box, Wilson catching the header on the way down from his jump, not able to control the attempt on goal.

Joe Day’s goal kicks were taking longer and longer, the Glovers defence getting deeper and deeper. 

94 minutes on the clock and Bath were not giving in, a long ball was only half defended by Idehen, but Williams mopped up.

Dawes tried to kick start a counter, but his ball couldn’t find Hyde, a few seconds later, Alex Fisher, who was running like a man who hadn’t played 90 minutes in a LONG time, had the ball in the corner, but the play was brought back for a rogue offside flag.

The clock was ticking, the fingernails were all but gone, Joe Day knew this and collapsed on a claimed cross and took the sting out the final stages.

The 97th minute ticked on by, another long free kick hit the Glovers box, but it was dealt with.

98 minutes. Any time you like, ref… Scott Wilson hooked a ball towards goal, corner kick. Up comes Slav Huk.

But to no avail! 

One goal, three HUGE points. Up the Gloves

Full time: Bath City 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Twerton Park
Date: Wednesday 6th December – 19:45
Competition: National League South

Pitch: Cut up but held out
Conditions:  Blummin’ freezing

Attendance: 3639 (1100 Yeovil – minus the idiots that got thrown out)

Scorers: Morgan Williams (0-1)

Bookings: 
Bath City: Wilson, Frear (Gill)
Yeovil Town:  Young, Worthington
 

Referee:

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

 

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Whittle 20), Sonny Cox, Sonny Blu Lo Everton, Jake Hyde, Jordan Maguire-Drew

Bath: Slav Huk, Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, Jordan Dyer, Kieran Parselle, Dan Hayfield, Cody Cooke, Elliot Frear, Jordan Thomas, Scott Wilson, Luke Rusee
Subs: Batten, Lines, Clark, Thorn, Smith

 

 

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Yeovil Town’s FA Cup run came to an end in the Hollywood Hills of North Wales as two first half goals and a late third saw League Two high-fliers Wrexham earn a victory.

The Red Dragons took the lead after 14 minutes when striker Ollie Palmer smashed home after Joe Day had parried his initial header before Andy Cannon fired a second in first half stoppage time.

The second half and the in particular the introduction of strikers Rhys Murphy saw Yeovil come close to narrowing the deficit before a late third from substitute Sam Dalby sealed it.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from the away end…

 

First half

Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper reverted to five at the back with on loan Bristol City defender Duncan Idehen coming in to defence, as the Glovers tried to match up their opponents, who regularly play five at the back. A brave move given the quality in the Wrexham squad.

The first psychological battle went to the visitors who turned their opponents around to shoot towards their own supporters in the first half. Whether that proves to be worth anything….I’ll come back to you.

The first action of the match as Frank Nouble tussled with Wrexham’s Andy Cannon down the left wing. After both players tried their best to undress each other, Cannon came off the worse of a coming together and spent a period on the floor before making a Lazarus-style recovery to return to the fray.

Wrexham’s threat in the opening exchanges came down the left side with wing-back Jacob Mendy heading over the bar from a James McClean cross after ten minutes.

At the other end, a surge forward by Matt Worthington saw a dangerous ball in to the box was cleared by the home defence.

But the threat from down the left was still there and on 14 minutes the home side were ahead. Elliott Lee spread the ball out wide and a ball in to the box from Cannon found Ollie Palmer whose header was parried by Joe Day, but PALMER was there to hammer home the rebound.

The Red Dragons suffered a setback soon after when defender Aaron Hayden went off injured after 15 minutes. He was replaced by midfielder James Jones with George Evans dropping back in to defence.

Cannon hammered a shot across the face of goal after 20 minutes but no Wrexham player was there to get a vital touch.

Five minutes later, a foray forward from the visitors saw Jordan Young felled on the edge of the box. The referee presumably new it would have been in the territory perfect for his left foot and did not give it.

The first meaningful opening for Yeovil came on the 29th minute following a period of controlled possession (cue calls to “gerrit  forward”) and Michael Smith and Nouble combined down the right for the big striker to lift a shot over.

Seven minutes later a ball broke to the edge of the box and Cooper was there to fire in a shot which Wrexham keeper Mark Howard turned over. It was a great save by the hosts’ stopper as Yeovil started to come in to the game.

 

In the 43rd minute, Young brought the ball in from the right and was felled 25 yards from goal by Lee. The winger proceeded to unleash a tremendous effort which Howard looked to get a touch the ball on to the post.

But, as the game crept in to the second minute of three added on at the end of the first half, Wrexham doubled their lead. A long throw from Ben Tozer (“you were crap for us”, the ex-Glover was reminded by one visiting fan every time he got close enough to hear) was headed away by Duncan Idehen but landed to CANNON who fired through a crowded area and just inside the post. Even in Hollywood there are no television replays, but it looked as if it could have taken a nick off a player on its way past Day. 

Two bits of quality – and the two goals which came from them, of course – were the difference between the two sides at the interval.

Half time: Wrexham 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There were no changes from either side at the break, as Yeovil continued to try and match their opponents’ formation again.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half saw the visitors dominating possession with Wrexham seemingly happy to let us keep it and try and keep us at arm’s length.

On 52 minutes, a Charlie Cooper effort went over from the edge of the box and three minutes later, Young cut in from the right side, beating a couple of defenders, but hit a effort curled wide of goal. If something was going to happen going forward, it feels most likely to come from Young.

On 64 minutes, top scorer Rhys Murphy was brought on in place of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, joining Nouble up front.

A minute later, Mendy flashed an effort but within five minutes of his arrival Murphy almost halved the advantage. A great book from Young set him loose inside the box and it was only a superb tackle from Evans that denied him.

Moments later, the striker headed down a ball in from Smith towards Morgan Williams but the defender was not quite on the same wavelength. 

Further freshness came off the bench on 75 minutes with ex-Wrexham man Jake Hyde and on loan Exeter City striker Sonny Cox replacing Nouble and Young.

The pressure was all coming from Yeovil, but they almost got caught on the break as a fast attack from Wrexham broke to Mendy in the box but he could not get his shot away.

A great ball from Cooper almost released Murphy inside the box soon after before another fast counter by Wrexham found substitute Sam Dalby on the edge of the box. His effort sailed over the bar with the help of a deflection.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, a surge forwards from Cox fed Hyde whose cross ball over just went too far in front of Murphy as he moved towards goal.

The home side continued to look a threat on the break and added a third four minutes in to stoppage time when DALBY chipped in a third having been played in by McClean.

The scoreline flattered the home side who had more quality where it counted, but the chants of “we are top of the league” from the away supporters at the final whistle give an indication of where the real prize lies this season. Bring on the Bath!

 

Full time: Wrexham 3 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The Racecourse Ground
Date: Sunday December 4, 3.45pm kick-off
Competition: National League South

Pitch: December rain and cold 
Conditions: Mostly green 

Attendance: 9640 (784 away supporters)

Scorers: Ollie Palmer 14 (0-1), Andy Cannon 45+2 (0-2), Sam Dalby 

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Cooper 30, Wannell 85
Wrexham: Lee 43,

Referee:

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Lo-Everton, 64), Jake Hyde (for Frank Nouble, 76), Sonny Cox (for Jordan Young, 76), Josh Owers (for Cooper, 87), Will Dawes (for Alex Whittle, 87).

Wrexham (5-3-2): Howard; Mendy, Hayden (Jones 15), Tozer, O’Connor, McClean; Cannon (Young 77), Evans, Lee (Davies 88); Palmer (Dalby 77), Mullin (Bickerstaff 88). Subs not used: McNicholas, Boyle, Hossanah, McAlinden.

 

 

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Yeovil Town Women won their seventh consecutive league match as they overcame Wells City with a 3-1 victory. Niamh Nicholls’ brace, as well as a goal from Jess Hodge ensured that Yeovil took the three points against a strong Wells City outfit.

Paul Knight made one change to the team which thumped Ilminster in Yeovil’s last league outing, as new signing Abbie Vernon came in for Laura Cheesman for what would be her debut for the Glovers.

Yeovil started the game on the front foot, with Wells being pinned back in their own half during the early exchanges. The first chance of the match came in the 15th minute, as the league’s top scorer Niamh Nicholls saw her shot go wide of the post after being played in behind.

In a relatively uneventful first half and just as Wells were beginning to gain a foothold in the game, the deadlock was broken by Jess Hodge, as she netted her 9th goal of the season to give Yeovil the lead in the 42nd minute.

Yeovil went in at the break one goal to the good.

The Glovers came out in the second half in search of a second goal but struggled to break down a stubborn Wells defence.

Yeovil eventually found their second of the afternoon in the 70th minute, following impressive build up play. Chloe Davenport found Abbie Carslake who slid the ball across for Nicholls who inevitably finished to make it 2-0.

Yeovil’s two goal cushion did not last long, as Wells halved the deficit swiftly after the Glovers’ second goal, a well taken goal made it 2-1 just minutes after.

However Wells’ late rally was met with a decisive response by Yeovil, as Nicholls put the result to bed in the 75th minute. Abbie Carslake and Niamh Nicholls combined again, which resulted in Nicholls scoring her 15th goal of the season and continuing her prolific form in front of goal.

Moments later, Yeovil nearly made it four, as Zoe Ball saw her attempted lob impressively saved by Wells City’s goalkeeper.

The match finished 3-1 and saw Yeovil increase their points tally to 21 from seven matches, with the Glovers being six points off the top spot with three games in hand.

The player of the match was awarded to winger Chloe Davenport, who has impressed in recent weeks and continued her good form on Sunday.

Yeovil Town Women manager Paul Knight said after the match: “Solid performance, couldn’t wish for anything else, quite tactical today from our point of view, we know how they lay out the stall we knew it would be a physical game. We’ve let in our second goal of the season, however, what’s massive today is we’ve turned over quite a high pressing game and turned it into a win. Fair play to Wells, I have said to their manager today I felt that they were our threat for this season, so really pleased with the girls.”

On in-form winger Chloe Davenport he said: “Chloe and her opposite wingmate stepped up in the second half, her positioning was great, Wells weren’t coming through. Chloe stopped at least two or three dead cert goals with her ability to recover and make the tackles she did. Over the moon, player of the match 100%.”

On YTWFC’s title ambitions: “Obviously the league title is always in view, that’s my job, today was a critical game in putting us on the right track to achieving that. The girls know that and I think that does add a little bit of pressure.”

On debutant Abbie Vernon: “She’s finding her feet, she made selection after only training once, she’s not a natural left footer but she’s clearly defensive minded and quite a driving player, she worked well with Chloe and the wingers. She’s also quite a threat going forward, as well as defensively, she grew into the game.”

Finally, Paul Knight discussed team selection: “Of course it’s difficult, obviously those players are seen as attacking players but I see them slightly differently because of the way we coach them, for me the key word for this team this year is versatility. They’ve got to learn to play football all over the pitch, even the most senior of players. Those that started off in forward positions 12 weeks ago aren’t necessarily playing there at the moment, I think this is where we’re hurting teams, the fact we are versatile and we can rotate players quite vigorously.”

Sunday’s player of the match Chloe Davenport said: “It was great build up play from the girls, on the counter attack we were quite dangerous. Credit to all the girls for the entire game, great build up throughout.”

Yeovil Town Women return to action on Sunday 3rd December as they travel to Wellington in the Somerset County Division 1 14:00 KO.

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Yeovil Town’s unbeaten run in National League South stretching back to the end of August came to an end in spectacular style at Welling United this afternoon.  An early Jordan Young goal set the Glovers on their way, but it was downhill from there for Mark Cooper’s side as they fell to a 4-1 defeat.

The hosts’ Kain Adom equalised in the first half before a hat-trick in 11 second half minutes from former Glovers loanee Tristan Abrahams left the frozen travelling supporters feeling blue.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from both away ends…

First half

Mark Cooper made two changes from Tuesday night’s draw at Chippenham Town with Jordan Young straight back into the side and Jake Wannell returning to defence, having missed the previous two matches through injury. On-loan Bristol City defender Duncan Idehen and top-scorer Rhys Murphy both dropped to the bench.

The first meaningful effort came to the visitors as Josh Chambers seized on a lapse in concentration and an important deflection by Morgan Williams saw the ball go over. From the corner which followed Joe Day had to get down smartly to deny Dominic Odusanya’s header.

Play swung to the other end and Sonny Cox was brought down on the edge of the box with Lachlan Byrd booked for the foul. Jordan Young’s resulting free-kick went over the bar.

But YOUNG made no mistake after 16 minutes as he came in from the right flank, got on to his left foot and lashed an unstoppable shot in to the net. 1-0

The wind was in the visitors’ sails with pressure coming towards the away terrace (there were in fact two away terraces with the game being the first unsegregated fixture of the season, meaning supporters could change ends at half-time) but the closest to a goal came from Young who got a fierce shot in from the edge of the box on 21 minutes.

Young will have felt he could have done better and never more so than two minutes later as Welling found an equaliser through another good strike. The ball dropped to Kain ADOM on the edge of the box and he curled a fabulous shot past Day. 1-1

That sparked a flurry of pressure for the hosts with Anthony Grant, one of two new signings announced at the start of the game, heading wide before Cameron Green curled one past the post just after the half-hour mark.

With neither side able to retain a lot of possession, a basketball game broke out as the game pressed towards half-time. On 34 minutes, Nouble burst forward through the middle but his shot was straight in to the hands of Charles-Cook. The game sprang to the other end and the speedy Jephte Tanga broke away and was denied by a block from Williams.

But it was the hosts who were in the ascendancy, knocking on the door of the Yeovil defence with some last ditch defending required to keep them out. Adom almost found his second, denied by an acrobatic Day as the board went up for first half stoppage time.

Since Young’s opener and a strong first 15 minutes, it was Welling who had all the impetus and Mark Cooper will have been the happier manager to hear the half-time whistle blow.

Half time: Welling United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

With the words of their manager (probably/hopefully) ringing in their ears, Yeovil attacked down the slope at Park View Road after the break.

They started brightly again with Sonny Cox almost getting away within seconds of the restart, before Morgan Williams forced a fine stop out of the Charles-Cook. But that was as good as it got.

Ten minutes in to the half a break left the visiting defence floundering and cross form the right found ex-Glovers’ loanee Tristan ABRAHAMS who headed his side in front. 1-2

The gaps between a shaky defence and a fairly non-existent midfield, by the standards Worthington and Lo-Everton have shown, were being ruthlessly exploited by the home side who were belying their lowly status. Time and again, they out-ran and out-fought their lofty opponents who almost assisted their opponents to play the way they wanted.

Then, two minutes after going a goal ahead, the home side added a third as ABRAHAMS found himself one-on-one with Day and made no mistake. 1-3

On the hour mark,  Murphy replaced Sonny Cox, before Abrahams missed a glorious chance to get his hat-trick as the ball flew across the face of goal only requiring the slightest of touches.

Murphy had a glorious chance to pull one back when he found himself close range, but his toe poke went straight to Charles-Cook. You’d have put your house on him to reduce the deficit.

On 67 minutes, ABRAHAMS completed his hat-trick curling in an effort. From potentially 3-2 to 4-1 down and that looks decidedly like that. 1-4

“Top of the league, you’re having a laugh”, sang the home fans and it was hard to argue. Since falling behind to Young’s 16th minute strike, the Wings looked far the superior side.

The immediate response saw Alex Fisher replace Dawes before Charlie Cooper replaced Worthington.

But their job was little more than damage limitation at this point.

There was at least a chance for a bit of happiness when Nouble thundered down the right side, fired a ball in to the back post where Fisher was arriving but his shot was stopped by the legs of Charles-Cook.

The final chance of the match deservedly fell to Welling as Adom forced another flying save out of Day in injury time.

Full time: Welling United 4 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Park View Road
Date: Saturday 25th November, 3pm kick-off
Competition: National League South

Pitch: Rutted and definite slope
Conditions: Beautiful Winter Sunshine (sounds like Coatesie’s debut album title)

Attendance: 826

Scorers: Jordan Young 16 (1-0), Kain Adom 23 (1-1), Tristan Abrahams 55 (1-2), Tristan Abrahams 57 (1-3), Tristan Abrahams 65 (1-3).

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 40, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 73, Frank Nouble 85.
Welling United: Lachlan Byrd 13, Anthony Grant 13 , Tristan Abrahams 90+1.

Referee: Callum Fisk

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Sonny Cox, 60), Alex Fisher (for Will Dawes, 67), Charlie Cooper (for Matt Worthington, 75), Duncan Idehen (not used), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used).

Welling United: , Reice Charles-Cook, Crossley Lema (for Rob Howard, 90+5)), Cameron Green, Taylor Curran (for Will Wood, 52), Anthony Grant, Tristan Abrahams, Dominic Odusanya, Kain Adom, Jephte Tanga, Josh Chambers (for Amadou Kassarate, 84), Lachlan Byrd
Substitutes (not used): Ibra Sekejja, Enoch Muwonge

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Yeovil’s winning run in National League South came to an end in at Chippenham Town this evening. Despite peppering the Chippenham goal in the second half the profligate Glovers failed to convert numerous chances. Substitute Jake Hyde gave the Glovers the lead in 76th minute, but a Morgan Williams own goal in the 90th minute earned Chippenham a point. 

The Glovers remain nine points clear at the top of National League South.

Here’s how Ian saw it on National League TV….

 

First half

Mark Cooper made plenty of changes to the Yeovil side which lost to Torquay the weekend in the FA trophy. Michael Smith, Morgan Williams, Matt Worthington, Frank Nouble and Rhys Murphy all returned to the starting line up. Glovers supporters travelled in their numbers once again.

Chippenham had an early effort in the 6th minute with Freddie Grant’s low, left-footed shot saved comfortably by Joe Day.

Yeovil gained a foothold in possession and began to control proceedings and probably should have taken the lead on 10 minutes through Rhys Murphy. The striker could only fire wide after getting into the penalty box. Moments later, Murphy had a good freekick planed wide by Chippenham’s keeper.

The game opened up and the hosts had an effort from distance through Spokes, who could only fire wide.

Michael Smith very nearly scored his first goal in green and white after being played through by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. The Northern Irishman was flagged for offside which drew few complaints from Yeovil players.

The Glovers had to be patient with the ball, with Chippenham proving difficult to break down and having their own spells of pressure.

Some intricate play saw Yeovil find Murphy inside the box, but the striker couldn’t get the ball out of his feet to get a shot away.

As the half wore on, Chippenham stood firm and had some good spells of possession while the Glovers huffed puffed.

Half time: Chippenham Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Chippenham came out of the blocks fast at the beginning of the second half and Tom Mehew struck a left-footed effort agonisingly wide of Joe Day’s left hand post.

Matt Worthington should have opened the scoring shortly after. The midfielder broke into the box and found himself one-on-one with Henry in the Chippenham goal and shot straight at the keeper. Big chance!

Yeovil had a shout for penalty as a defender slapped the ball away from Murphy as he was doing some keepy-uppies in the box, with his back to goal trying to set up an overhead kick.

The Glovers really started to show dominance and Will Dawes came so close to opening the scoring, but fired just wide. Murphy had a header deflected just wide shortly afterwards.

There was concern for Dawes when he went down under a rough tackle, but he quickly got to his feet while Mark Cooper introduced Jordan Maguire-Drew for Sonny Cox around the hour mark.

Maguire-Drew was in the action early and had a decent free kick saved by the keeper.

Henry was called into action again moments later, making a great low save from Murphy, who swivelled and shot at goal. How didn’t that go in? Henry caught another from Frank Nouble header straight afterwards. 

Yeovil finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Nouble’s cross was headed at goal by Murphy, his effort was parried into the path of JAKE HYDE who tapped home! 1-0!

In the 80th minute, Murphy had another golden opportunity inside the six yard box in the and somehow couldn’t convert! It was not Murphy’s night…

Chippenham had a flurry at goal, with efforts straight at Joe Day but making the Glovers uncomfortable as time ticked away. 

Day was called into a brilliant save four minutes from time. An effort from Tudolo fizzed across the surface and Day had to get down quickly to push the ball away. Nervy!

To top off Murphy’s evening the striker picked up his 5th yellow card and a one-match ban.

It went from bad to worse a minute later. A ball into the box was cleared headed away by Idehen but ricocheted off of Morgan Williams into Day’s net. Ugh! 1-1.

Full time: Chippenham Town 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Hardenhuish Park
Date: Tuesday 21st November, 7:45pm kick-off
Competition: National League South

Pitch: Pretty good, but a slope reminiscent of old Huish
Conditions: “F*****g Freezing” – David Coates 

Attendance: 1326

Scorers: Hyde, Own Goal

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Will Dawes, 71, Murphy, 86
Chippenham Town: Luke Spokes

Referee: Shelby Elson

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Will Dawes 71), Alex Fisher, Charlie Cooper (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 71), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Sonny Cox), Josh Staunton

Chippenham Town: Will Henry, Freddie Grant, Craig Fasanmade (for Aaron Amadi-Holloway), Luke Haines, Dan Ellison, Matt McClure, Tom Mehew, Luke Spokes, Leighton Tudolo, Caine Bradbury, Ed Williams
Substitutes (not used): Marcel Lewis, Will King, Tom Owen-Evans, Nat WIlliams.

 

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Yeovil Town’s 14-match winning run came to an as they exited the FA Trophy with defeat at Torquay United on Saturday afternoon.

The Glovers named a much-changed line-up with seven changes from the midweek home win over Farnborough and within two minutes the home side took advantage opening the scoring after just two minutes through Dillon De Silva.

Callum Dolan, the midfielder on loan from Fleetwood Town, put the Gulls 2-0 up with a fine strike early in the second half and it took an own goal from Torquay substitute Ryan Harris in the 90 minutes for the visitors to pull one back.

The run comes to and then and Yeovil Town go to Chippenham 

 

First half

Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper made seven changes from the midweek home win over Farnborough with a completely different back four in front of goalkeeper Joe Day. In the centre of defence, club captain Josh Staunton lined up alongside Bristol City loanee Duncan Idehen with Zac Bell and the returning Alex Whittle in the full-back positions.

And the much-changed back line faced their first test when Dillon DE SILVA found himself in acres of space down the left hand side and was given time and space by Whittle to pick his spot. Add that to the “horrendous” goals category. There has not been many of them this season, but that was definitely one.

The opening exchanges suggested that the lack of matches played by the visitors’ defence had not gone unnoticed by Torquay boss Gary Johnson who clearly instructed his side to press the Glovers.

Injury almost got added to insult when Whittle collided with the advertising boards in front of the away supporters after 12 minutes. The former York City man needed help from the medical staff to make it back to the halfway line, but returned to the action albeit not looking comfortable.

Alex Whittle following his collision with the advertising boards.

Callum Dolan had the ball in the net for the home side after 14 minutes, but the whistle had gone for a foul on Jordan Young in the build-up, and three minutes later the Glovers were indebted to Day who made a superb stop to deny first De Silva and then Brad Ash. The home side very much on top here with De Silva causing all kinds of problem.

Former W*ymouth striker Ash curled an effort wide on 22 minutes, whereas at the other end of the pitch it took until 28 minutes for them to force Rhys Lovett in to a meaningful save. Good play by Will Dawes saw him made a good turn and fire in a shot which the keeper turned around the post.

De Silva was involved again on 37 minutes, setting up Dolan who fired wide before Staunton’s flicked header from a Jordan Maguire-Drew free-kick went the same way a minute later.

Dolan put another effort wide on 40 minutes and, as the game closed towards the interval, two chances came the way of Yeovil. On 42 minutes, Young clipped the ball in to the box where Jake Hyde was unable to make proper contact and, a minutes later, Maguire-Drew put one over the bar.

The final chance of the half came from the same place as the start of it with De Silva who had a shot blocked in the second minute of four minutes of added time.

Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Half time: Torquay United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There were no changes from either side at half-time. But there was no change in much else either with Torquay starting the stronger and doubling their advantage just four minutes after the restart.

The mistake for the second goal was the same as the first with Callum DOLAN found in acres of space again and he fired a superb shot past Joe Day. The defending was poor from the visitors but take nothing away from the finish from the Fleetwood Town loanee.

Immediately after the goal, the Asa Hall replaced Ryan Hanson for Torquay. Hanson was limping as he went off, but you suspect the experience of Hall was part of the thinking from Gulls’ boss Gary Johnson.

The next chance of the game fell to Hall after 54 minutes whose long range effort on the turn was parried away by Day. You guessed it, Hall had a lot of space. 

There had not been much of a response from Yeovil but, on 58 minutes, Young made a run down the left to pull defenders away and Maguire-Drew was in space and hooked his effort over the bar.

A minute later, manager Cooper had seen enough replacing Young with Exeter City loanee Sonny Cox. Young had been one of the better players for the visitors, but will be unavailable for Tuesday night’s trip to Chippenham Town. A sign of the boss thinking ahead to the Tuesday night fixture, or of the significance he places on the FA Trophy? You decide.

On 62 minutes, Frank Nouble replaced Will Dawes with Cox shifting out wide on the left with Nouble going down the middle.

Ex-Glovers’ defender Shaun Donnellan went down for an extended period.
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Johnson brought off the impressive Dylan Crowe on 66 minutes, replacing him with on-loan AFC Bournemouth defender Archie Harris, suggesting he was closing up the game.

On 70 minutes, Maguire-Drew in the centre circle intercepted a clearance from Lovett trip and tried to lift one over the stranded keeper – but it went wide.

A minute later, Matt Worthington replaced Sonny Blu Lo-Everton to make his 200th appearance for the club, putting him in to 49th position in the club’s all-time appearance charts.

Nouble fired an effort over from a tight angle and then on 76 minutes Day was forced in to a smart stop at his near post to keep out Hall’s header from a long throw by Dean Moxey.

Maguire-Drew had a great opportunity to halve the deficit when he free-kick in what we can call “Jordan Young territory” on the edge of the box. But, with Young watching on from the sidelines, Maguire-Drew’s effort got over the defensive wall but went wide of the post. Sums up our performance in front of goal.

There had not been a great deal positive coming forward for Yeovil but just before the fourth official put up the board for six minutes of added time. A Maguire-Drew free-kick in to the box was aimed towards Duncan Idehen at the back post and it was Torquay substitute Harris who headed in an OWN GOAL.

That did spark a bit of a reaction from the visitors who (belatedly) piled forward and in the final attack of the game, a fantastic reverse pass from Worthington found Nouble powering forward down the right side and smashed a ball across the face of the goal but Sonny Cox could not find it at the far post.

That was the best chance Yeovil fashioned all afternoon and that tells its own story as Torquay gained revenge for their defeat in National League South a week-and-a-half earlier.

Full time: Torquay United 2 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Plainmoor
Saturday 18th November, 3pm kick-off
Competition: FA Trophy

Pitch: Wet
Conditions: Windy

Attendance: 1,740 (322 away supporters)

Scorers: Dillon De Silva 2 (0-1), Callum Dolan 49 (0-2), Ryan Harris o.g. 90 (1-2)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Josh Owers 34,
Torquay United: Callum Dolan 90+1

Referee: Robert Ablett

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

 

Substitutes: Sonny Cox (for Jordan Young, 59), Frank Nouble (for Will Dawes, 62), Matt Worthington (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 71), Charlie Cooper (not used), Rhys Murphy (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Torquay United: Rhys Lovett, Dylan Crowe (for Archie Harris, 66), Ryan Hanson (for Asa Hall, 50), Brad Ash, Brett McGavin, Shaun Donnellan, Dillon De Silva (for Lewis Collins, 72), Theo Williams, Callum Dolan, Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson.
Substitutes (not used): Filip Chalupniczak, Calum Thomas.

 

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A superb hat-trick Jordan Young took Yeovil Town nine points clear at the top of the National League South with victory over Farnborough at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

The Glovers took the lead in familiar fashion with top scorer Rhys Murphy bagging his 12th goal of the season after 20 minutes, before a great bit of footwork for Young saw him double the advantage minutes only for Selim Saied to pull one back in first half stoppage time.

Perhaps the most worrying moment of the first period saw central defender Jake Wannell go off with an injury, he was replaced by Zac Bell with Michael Smith going in to the middle of defence.

Just before the hour mark, Young added his second with an outrageous free-kick with deceived visiting keeper Jack Turner, hit the post and went in. Young added his third with some more excellent footwork as second half injury time began and a mistake by Smith gifted Farnborough a consolation second scored by substitute Connor Cullen.

But, with second-placed Aveley losing 24 hours earlier, the Glovers extended their advantage to nine points at the top of the division.

First half

The first chance of the match fell to the visitors when striker Michael Folivi found himself in space on the edge of the box and fired a shot wide. The striker will have been disappointed not to get a shot on target and, if he had been successful, Joe Day might have been struggling.

On the ninth minute, a foul led to a booking for Jordan Young, his fifth of the season meaning that he is likely to miss the visit to his old club Chippenham Town next week, if the FA process the booking within seven days as is the standard.

The first effort of the game fell to Young on 13 minutes when he was found inside the Glovers’ half, but he lifted his shot over the bar. Young then turned provider with a great turn and pass to find Murphy who strode forward and unleashed a shot which fizzed just past the far post.

The visitors showed they were not here to make up the numbers and when Young tumbled inside the box under pressure from Will Dawes referee Richard Eley had to make a decision. Young’s theatrical fall probably did it for him, but put that in ‘seen them given’ territory.

But it was a wonderful team move which led to the opening goal for the home side. The play started with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton bursting forward, he found Nouble who in turn found Young and the forward picked out MURPHY inside the box, the striker turned surperbly and arrowed home an opener.

Yeovil Town celebrate an opener from Rhys Murphy after 20 minutes.

There was a slightly worrying moment soon after when Jake Wannell went down and required some treatment. The central defender, who has been in outstanding form since joining from Taunton Town in the summer, returned to the fray, but very quickly went back down again.

He was replaced by Zac Bell, despite club captain Josh Staunton being on the substitutes’ bench, with Michael Smith reverting to the centre of defence and the on-loan Bristol City player coming in at right-back.

This is a challenge for Yeovil Town with their settled back four, with Wannell and Morgan Williams at its heart, unsettled for the first time. Let’s hope Wannell’s injury is not a serious one.

Jake Wannell goes off with an injury which led to his substitution.

Murphy did superbly to play in Young on the edge of the box and bent a left-footed shot just past the post again.

Farnborough perhaps recognising the change in the back line as a point of weakness, took advantage with a spell of possession and had a great chance to pull the game level. A corner from Olly Pendlebury landed towards Aaron Kuhl, Murphy slipped inside the box and the midfielder on loan from Dorking Wanderers fired over. Golden opportunity.

For the first time, Yeovil looked shaky at the back and Folivi had another strong claim for a penalty as he was bundled to the ground inside the box. Again, referee Eley immediately waved away appeals.

Sonny Cox had a great opportunity when he powered forward showing electric pace from the middle of the box, he could (probably should) have played in Frank Nouble, but having got there he took a shot which rose over the bar.

On 41 minutes, a spell of great possession which began by fine play from the non-stop Nouble ended up with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton having a shot wide but the ex-Watford youngster was the creator for Yeovil’s goal three minutes before half-time.

He played YOUNG in the box and the forward showed fantastic footwork to wriggle his way through a mass of bodies inside the six yard box and the hammered in his fifth goal of the season.

But, I mentioned the visitors were not here to make up the numbers, and they got one back as the game ticked in to first half stoppage time. The ball broke to Selim SAIED who hammered a shot past Day.

Referee Eley, who had let a lot go in the first half, was at the heart of the action again when he missed a full-blooded tackle from Kuhl in the middle of the pitch. He may have got the ball, but – as co-commentator Chris Weale said on BBC Somerset commentary – if you go in with both feet you cannot claim to be in control.

Mark Cooper will have been glad to get his side, definitely unsettled at the back by the loss of Wannell, in ahead at the break, but he will have been telling them to keep doing everything they have been doing going forwards.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 2 Farnborough 1

 

Second half

It was the visitors who started the the brighter after the interval, but the first chance of the second half came for Yeovil on 53 minutes. Nouble played Young in and he was brought down by Norville-Williams right on the edge of the box. If anything it was too close in for the left foot of Young of lifted his shot over the bar.

But, the forward made no mistake six minutes later – the mistake was that of Farnborough keeper Jack Turner. From a position way out on the right side, YOUNG whipped one in to the mixer, the gloveman left the Glovers’ man’s effort to go out of play, it came off the inside of the box and in to the net.

Cox was looking in menacing form and had a good opportunity which he fired straight at Turner on 64 minutes before Murphy was replaced by Josh Owers and then on 71 minutes Jake Hyde replaced Cox.

The former Wrexham man was straight in the thick of the action. First being bundled to the ground after good tenacity inside the box (seen them given, again) but then bundling an effort over the bar from Owers’ ball from the left.

Farnborough had not done anything to really test Joe Day despite having some good possession in the second half, but on 76 minutes substitute Connor Cullen found space inside the box and his effort rattled off the bar and four minutes later Matt Worthington had to clear one off the line. 

To their credit, the visitors are not giving not up and Yeovil were struggling to get hold of the ball here.

But, Young ensured the points stayed in Somerset as he completed his hat-trick as the game ticked in to second half injury time. Worthington picked the ball up down the left and fed the ball in to the box where YOUNG showed superb composure to shimmy it round the keeper and complete his hat-trick.

That was not the final moment of the game – unfortunately for Michael Smith. The usually reliable defender showed he is human afterall gifting Connor CULLEN an open goal to fire in to.

Full time: Yeovil Town 4 Farnborough 2

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 14th November, 7.45pm kick-off

Pitch: Cut up a bit but held up well
Conditions: Clear cool night

Attendance: 3,206 (61 away supporters)

Scorers: Rhys Murphy 20 (1-0), Jordan Young 42 (2-0), Selim Saied 45+1 (2-1), Jordan Young 59 (3-1), Jordan Young 90 (4-1), Connor Cullen 90+3 (4-2).

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 9, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 56
Farnborough: Sid Nelson 34, Aaron Kuhl 49, Norville-Williams 52,

Referee: Richard Eley

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

 

Substitutes: Zac Bell (for Jake Wannell, 26), Josh Owers (for Rhys Murphy, 65), Jake Hyde (for Sonny Cox, 71), Josh Staunton (not used), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used).

Farnborough: Jack Turner, Jordan Norville-Williams, CJ Fearn, Ollie Robinson, Michael Folivi (for Connor Hall, 74), Reggie Young (for Connor Cullen, 68), Olly Pendlebury, Selim Saied, Aaron Kuhl,  Ricky Holmes (for Taylor Maloney, 68), Sid Nelson.
Substitutes (not used): Adam Mekki, Jaden Perez.

 

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A double from on loan striker Sonny Cox saw Yeovil Town achieve a club record 13 wins in a row with a hard-fought win over Dover Athletic to extend their lead at the top of National League South to six points.

A frustrating first half was punctuated by a long stoppage for a serious-looking injury to visitors’ defender Peter Ojemen, who was stretchered off, and the Glovers huffed and puffed to little effect.

The second half began in similar style against a dogged Dover side belying their status in the division’s relegation zone until Exeter City frontman Cox bagged his first on 58 minutes before doubling the lead on 77 minutes.

A defeat for second-placed Aveley at Bath City means Yeovil extend their lead at the top of the division with at least one game in hand over all but one of the teams in the play-off places.

First half

The visitors started the match with only one win this season and sitting second-from-bottom of the National League South table, but they dominated the opening exchanges at Huish Park, moving the ball quickly especially down the right side.

However, it was on loan Exeter City striker Sonny Cox who had the game’s first opportunity, who showed some good footwork in the box and got his shot away which Dover keeper Billy Terrell was equal to.

On 12 minutes, Michael Smith got on the overlap down the right and put a good cross in which Jordan Young headed wide. After a patchy start, Yeovil slowly finding their groove and Smith and Young linked up soon after but the forward smashed his shot over the bar, an effort matched by Matt Worthington after 17 minutes.

The desire for an early goal seems to have us shooting on sight. The visitors will be happy for us to carry on doing that all afternoon.

Good play by Young saw him beat defender Peter Ojemen and get a ball in towards Hyde who could not get his shot away, it broke to Young who could not do any better.

More worryingly Ojemen stayed down after what looked like an awkward fall and medical teams from both sides quickly got involved and the 22-year-old left the pitch on a spinal board and wheeled stretcher to applause from all sides of Huish Park. Good news was Ojemen returned the applause given to him. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Dover defender Peter Ojemen, far right of shot, lies prone in front of the visiting supporters after an awkward fall.
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

 

Following a delay of more than ten minutes, the game got back underway and Charlie Naylor came on to replace Ojemen for Dover. A strange atmosphere at Huish Park.

On 38 minutes (take at least ten minutes off that number), good play by Sonny Cox and the ball broke to Will Dawes and whether it was a miss or a Terrell save (nice one Terrell?) is difficult to tell, but either way it remains goalless.

Dawes had a better-struck shot with a minute of normal time remaining, but again it was a long range effort and Terrell gathered. The home side are being restricted to those kind of efforts with everything that is good coming from Michael Smith down the right side. You can almost here Rhys Murphy and Frank Nouble in Mark Cooper’s ear asking to be brought on to liven up a performance lacking in urgency.

With three minutes of the 11 added on played, Worthington (you guessed it) from range put a comfortable shot in to the arms of Terrell, who is yet to have a real testing shot. Not enough behind that one.

It took until the eighth minute of stoppage time for Terrell to get that test, who then got a quickfire second. Smith was in acres of space at the back post from close range and fired it straight at the keeper who did superbly to deny him, before repeating the feat from Cox on the follow-up. The teenager on loan from AFC Bournemouth has done superbly there.

A frustrating first half marred by the injury to Peter Ojemen. You sense Mark Cooper will be ‘having a quiet word’ with his players at the break. 

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Dover Athletic 0

 

Second half

Mark Cooper sent the same starting XI out for the second half with Messrs Murphy and Nouble surely not far from his thoughts as they attacked the Thatcher’s Stand in the second half.

But the turnaround certainly did not make an instant impact with a flat start which was lacking in midfield positions, not giving Cox and Hyde up front much to get on the end of.

On 52 minutes, a cynical trip on Will Dawes by Naylor led to a quick free-kick which found its way towards Hyde at the back post, but he could not do anything with it. Soon after another quick one from Worthington found Cox inside the box but his effort was deflected wide and, from the corner, Young found Hyde (there’s a script we’ve heard before) but unfortunately Sonny Blu Lo-Everton got in the way and the effort went over the bar.

You got the feeling a goal was coming and on 58 minutes it arrived. Great play by Will Dawes saw him get his shot in which Terrell turned away, but only as far as Hyde who did superbly to pick up the pieces and fire it back across the face of goal and there was Sonny COX to fire home his first goal in green-and-white.  The announcer gave it to Jordan Young, but we know it was you Sonny!

On 68 minutes, Cox thought he had a second goal. Good delivery from Worthington found Hyde who forced a great save out of Terrell and Cox was on the spot to fire in to the net…..but the flag was up for offside.

The goal had understandably lifted Huish Park and the team and Yeovil continued to press for a second and Cox curled an effort just wide with 20 minutes remaining.

On 71 minutes, Rhys Murphy replaced Hyde and he was almost in immediately. Dawes’ through ball found the top scorer who ran on, but the Dover defence stepped up and the flag was raised.

With 77 minutes gone, it was 2-0 to Yeovil and Cox was in on the action again. Dawes was again involved and it was his ball in from the left which a grounded Dover defender tried to clear, hit Alex Whittle and the ball broke  COX who showed superb finishing to smash home his second. 

As the celebrations continued, Frank Nouble replaced Jordan Young (who did not immediately hear the substitution) and, as if there was not enough to deal with for the Dover defence, the pairing of Murphy and Nouble was re-established. Cox moved out to the right with Dawes keeping on the left. 

On 79 minutes, Murphy forced a fine save out of Terrell and the keeper was back in action six minutes later when Cox had a shot which may have led to more if he’d passed. But he’s on a hat-trick, so who else would have passed? No-one is the right answer.

Zac Bell, who one would imagine will replace the suspended Alex Whittle when Farnborough Town come to Huish Park on Tuesday night, replaced Smith with one minute of normal time remaining, and the three points were confirmed soon after.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Dover Athletic 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 11th November, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Cut up slightly, but held up okay
Conditions: Dry after more torrential rain during the week

Attendance: 3,162 (43 away supporters)

Scorers: Sonny Cox 58 (1-0), Sonny Cox 77 (2-0).

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 50
Dover Athletic: James Dunne 43, 

Referee: Robert Ablett

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Jake Hyde, 71), Frank Nouble (for Jordan Young, ) Zac Bell (for Michael Smith, 89), Josh Owers (not used), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used).

Dover Athletic: Billy Terrell, Peter Ojemen (for Charlie Naylor, 28), Sinn’kaye Christie, James Dunne, Josh Anifowose, Zidan Sutherland (for Luke Baptiste, 63), Jacob Mensah, Henry Young, Nick Dembele (for Archie Hatcher, 71), John Oyeunga, Paris Lock.
Substitutes (not used): Luke Baptiste, Dontai Stewart, Johl Powell.