Match Reports (Page 13)

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It was another test confidently passed as Yeovil Town made it 12 consecutive wins in all competitions with victory at pre-season title favourites Torquay United on Tuesday night.

The Glovers quickly took charge of the match against Gary Johnson’s struggling Gulls and it was former Plainmoor favourite Frank Nouble who opened the scoring on 23 minutes before a beauty of a strike from the impressive Sonny Blu Lo-Everton doubled the advantage on 34 minutes.

The home side came out with a bit more a spring in their step and pulled one back through a good hit from the edge of the box from Brett McGavin before Jake Hyde sealed it with a header from a corner just five minutes after coming on as a 64th minute substitute.

That restored Yeovil’s advantage at the top of the National League South table, temporarily narrowed by second-placed Aveley who played on Monday night, to three points – and the greens go marching on.

First half

Mark Cooper made two changes from the FA Cup win over Gateshead at the weekend with on-loan Exeter City striker Sonny Cox and Jordan Young coming in for Jordan Stevens and Will Dawes, who both dropped to the substitutes’ bench. Cox played out on the left side with Murphy and ex-Gulls’ frontman Frank Nouble paired up front.

Inside the third minute, the first chance fell to Murphy. A great bit of play from Cox fed Murphy who moved between the hosts’ centre backs but could only poke the ball wide of the post.

At the other end a good ball down the right hand side saw Michael Smith have to clear over the bar with a Torquay attacker closing in. Any other defender than the experienced Smith and your heart might literally have been in your mouth. The corner came to nothing.

The early pressure was certainly with the home side but when Yeovil got on the ball they played it around nicely, stretching their hosts.

In the 13th minute, great trickery from Jordan Young coming in from the right on his left foot saw him play a one-two with Murphy, but Young’s shot was blocked.

Yeovil’s first corner forced a fine save out of Torquay keeper Rhys Lovett. Referee Elliott Swallow gave a foul against Morgan Williams inside the box, but the keeper was not to know that and did well with a smart stop.

When Young got on the ball, you felt he had the beating of the experienced Dean Moxey. The Gulls’ defence looked at sixes and sevens and Yeovil were thriving in between the lines.

On 19 minutes, Cox headed one on to the roof of the net from a Smith cross, but four minutes later the visitors took the lead.

A great bit of play by Murphy saw him feed NOUBLE who had a lot of work to power his way through a crowded penalty area and fire the opener.

Gary Johnson had clearly seen enough. With 24 minutes gone, Callum Dolan, signed on loan from his son Lee’s Fleetwood Town, was withdrawn and replaced by Ryan Hanson. “Johnson is a Yeovil fan,” sang the away end.

Lovett was back in the thick of the action on 29minutes to deny Smith. The Northern Ireland international fed Young who returned the favour for Smith to force a great stop out of Lovett for a corner.

The switch definitely closed the gap in the midfield as Torquay began to find more of a foothold in the game. Moxey obviously felt confident firing a long range effort just past the post as the game ticked past the half-hour mark before Murphy whipped a long range free-kick wide.

But on 34 minutes, it was 2-0 as Sonny Blu LO-EVERTON burst in to acres of space just outside the area and smashed an unstoppable strike past Lovett. That is some strike and thoroughly deserved from the former Watford youngster who was sent off in his last outing at Plainmoor on Boxing Day 2021.

From the restart, Torquay had a glorious chance to reduce arrears. Morgan Williams got himself in knots and Brad Ash had the goal at his mercy but fluffed his lines. The ex-W*ymouth got no sympathy from either the away end or the home fans for that matter.

More direct play from Young, who seemed to be at the heart of everything which was good for the visitors, found Murphy who rolled his defender (again) and wriggled through, but scuffed his shot.

“Sacked in the morning, you’re getting sacked in the morning,” sang the away end. Anyone want to guess who those chants were directed at? The home fans inside Plainmoor agreed as the boos ringing around South Devon at the half-time whistle could probably have been heard back at Huish Park.

A glorious 45 minutes of football from Yeovil Town.

Half time: Torquay United 0 Yeovil Town 2

 

Second half

With five minutes of the second half gone, a great ball in from Jack Stobbs on the right side and Ross Marshall arrived at the back post and could only guide it in to the home end.

If you wanted an indication of Torquay’s problems, a slip on the edge of the box from Worthington saw them break away with four on two on at one point, but a terrible pass from Lewis Collins gifted the visitors possession back.

To add injury to insult, Marshall, who had been struggling since heading that one over, limped off on 59 minutes, replaced by Asa Hall who took up a place in midfield and ex-Glover Shaun Donnellan moved in to the heart of defence.

A good direct run by Donnellan, the ball worked out to the left side and the ball worked its way across the edge of the box and Brett McGAVIN arrowed one in the net. 61 minutes played and Plainmoor’s livened up a bit.

The home side pushed forward and a beautiful pass forward found Young clean through on goal, but he could not beat Lovett. Great chance, should have been 3-1 there.

Moments later, Alex Whittle was given a booking for taking too long on a free-kick. That makes it five yellow cards for the full-back and puts him out of the home match with Farnborough Town next Tuesday.

On 64 minutes, Mark Cooper made his first change with Murphy coming off, replaced by Jake Hyde.

A Jordan Young free-kick in prime Jordan Young territory hit the defensive wall and came back out to Worthington who smashed it wide.

Hyde almost made an instant impact forcing another good stop out of Lovett, but the substitute found the net with his next chance. On 69 minutes, a great corner from Young found the head of the striker and HYDE made his impact. He’ll hate being called a super sub, but that’s exactly what he is at the moment. Important goal.

Substitute Jake Hyde heads Yeovil’s third goal.

 

The electric pace of Jordan Stevens was unleashed off the bench on 72 minutes, replacing Cox, and then seven minutes later Will Dawes replaced Young. Like to like changes for Yeovil and some serious pace.

On 82 minutes, Stevens and Nouble linked up superbly on the right hand side to find Dawes on the edge of the box, but the substitutes’ final product was not there as he scuffed it wide.

As the fourth official held up five minutes of injury time, a break saw Stevens burst away down the right, but he could not pick out Hyde in the middle. There’s quite an exodus from Plainmoor – from the home end, as you’d expect.

The home side had the final chance of the game as Theo Williams’ shot from an angle forced Joe Day drop on.

But then the final whistle sounded to huge cheers from the travelling fans and boos from the home support. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Full time: Torquay United 1 Yeovil Town 3

 

Match Details

Venue: Plainmoor
Tuesday 7th November, 7.45pm kick-off

Pitch: Slippy in places
Conditions: Dry but cold

Attendance: 2,817 (563 away supporters)

Scorers: Frank Nouble 23 (1-0), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 34 (2-0), Brett McGavin 61 (2-1), Jake Hyde 69 (3-1),

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Alex Whittle 62,
Torquay United: 

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Yeovil Town (4-2-4)

 

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 64), Jordan Stevens (for Sonny Cox, 72), Will Dawes (for Jordan Young, 79), Zac Bell (not used), Josh Owers (not used).

Torquay United: Rhys Lovett, Ross Marshall, Lewis Collins, Brad Ash (for Dillon De Silva, 73), Brett McGavin, Shaun Donnellan, Theo Williams, Callum Dolan (for Ryan Hanson 24), Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson, Jack Stones.
Substitutes (not used): Asa Hall, Filip Chalupniczak, Ethon Archer.

 

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A double from top scorer Rhys Murphy booked Yeovil Town a place in the Second Round of the FA Cup with a win over National League Gateshead at Huish Park on Saturday.

The Glovers made (another) fast start with Murphy latching on to a long ball forward from Joe Day to open the scoring with just a minute on the board, before Jordan Stevens latched on to a pass from Murphy to double the score after 26 minutes.

In the second half, Murphy poked home his second before a penalty from Marcus Dinanga pulled a goal back from the penalty spot and the National League’s top scorer added a second five minutes in to seven minutes of added time.

But it is Yeovil who will be Ball 33 in the draw for the Second Round which will be made at 2.30pm on Sunday, live on ITV1.

First half

Mark Cooper introduced Rhys Murphy and Frank Nouble back in to his starting XI after the pair started on the bench seven days ago in the National League South win over Braintree Town.

Speaking ahead of the match, the boss said the top scorer (that’s Murphy, by the way) was “gagging” to play and was being “let loose” with a trip to Torquay United coming up on Tuesday night.

And, the boss could not have been more of a prophet if he’d tried, as MURPHY gave the home side the lead after just three minutes. The striker latched on to a long ball from goalkeeper Joe Day which bounced over the Gateshead defence and excellent control on the edge of the box saw Murphy beat his man and lift a shot over Archie Mair in the visitors’ goal. There was probably a touch from a Gateshead defender along the way, but you try taking that goal off him.

Day was playing with Petr Cech-style head protection. We learnt after the match that the on-loan Newport County player had been in hospital during the week after suffering a spider bite close to his ear. No, seriously – read here.

Joe Day’s head gear.
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

That stunned Gateshead – a side who ran out 4-0 winners when these sides met up in Tyneside back in April – who started to grow back in to the game. Kyran Lofthouse had a shot from range deflected wide before Ed Francis had an effort blocked on 15 minutes.

But when Yeovil went forward they looked dangerous and on 22 minutes a lovely bit of build up play down the left-hand side involving Will Dawes and Nouble saw the strike whip the ball in to Jordan Stevens driving in on goal but, with a bit of help from Stephen Wearne, he skied it over the bar from close rangfe. Soon after, Murphy found himself unmarked inside the box but could not get enough power on his header.

But on 26 minutes, the home side doubled the lead. A great run forward by Jake Wannell moved the ball forward, fed a ball through to Murphy who made a great turn and fed it to Jordan STEVENS smashed a great angled drive past Mair. First a goal and then an assist from Murphy – literally gagging for it!

Yeovil Town celebrate after Jordan Stevens doubled the advantage.
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

There was a sickening moment where Gateshead midfielder Stephen Wearne collided with the advertising boards two minutes later. He received some treatment and fortunately was able to return to the fray.

Nouble and Murphy combined again to set up Matt Worthington who came within a whisker of adding a third.

As the game ticked in to injury time, midfielder Callum Whelan put an effort over the bar before good play by Will Dawes found Worthy, but his effort was straight at Mair who palmed it away allowing the visitors to clear the danger.

Half time: Yeovil Town 2 Gateshead 0

 

Second half

The second half started with a concerning moment when Alex Whittle went down and needed some treatment. Cue discussion about who could possibly play left-back. The answer for the few moments he was off the pitch was Will Dawes, but fortunately Whittle quickly returned to the fold.

Great play involving Smith saw the ball break to Nouble down the right hand side who put his foot through the ball but his effort was straight at Mair who parried it out as far as Smith whose effort rocketed wide.

Just after the hour mark it was 3-0 to the Glovers. Nouble again caused problems down the right, but his ball drilled in to the box was blocked and Regan Booty looked to have time to clear it, unfortunately (for Booty) he was robbed by Murphy allowing the ball to break to Stevens. Mair did well to block the shot with his feet but could only push it as far as MURPHY who lashed home his second. 

Rhys Murphy celebrates his second goal in front of the Thatcher’s Stand.
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis

But the visitors were given a golden opportunity to pull a goal back when the faintest of nudges from Smith saw the National League’s top-scorer Dinanga (embarrassingly) tumble inside the box. Shock, horror, the referee gave it and it was DINANGA who stepped up send Joe Day the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Heads did not drop from Yeovil with good play from Dawes winning a corner which led to a foul being awarded against the visiting keeper.

That was Dawes’ last involvement as he was replaced by Jordan Young after 70 minutes, and two minutes later Murphy was withdrawn (presumably with Torquay United in mind) in place of Jake Hyde.

Perhaps with the trip to South Devon in 72 hours in mind, manager Mark Cooper saw withdrew the impressive Frank Nouble and goalscorer Jordan Stevens for Zac Bell and Sonny Cox.

Jake Wannell had a glorious chance to make it four with five minutes of normal time remaining. A ball in from Young was left by Morgan Williams for his central defensive partner who did not show the ball-striking ability he has shown previously.

But, the visitors ensured a nervy finish when they pulled another goal back with five minutes of the seven added on played. A shot from the edge of the box by substitute Aidan Rutledge deflected off the boot of Wannell, who was closing the striker down, and looped over Day and on to the crossbar and DINANGA was on the spot to head past Morgan Williams on the line.

The final whistle from referee Gary Parsons was met with a combination of relief and jubilation and means that our home match with Slough Town on December 2 will be moved to match way for a Second Round tie.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Gateshead 2

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 4th November, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Held up well considering the battering the surface (albeit covered) had taken in the week leading up to the game
Conditions: It didn’t rain until the 85th minute

Attendance: 3,241

Scorers: Rhys Murphy 1 (1-0), Jordan Stevens 26 (2-0), Rhys Murphy 64 (3-0), Marcus Dinanga pen 67(3-1), Marcus Dinanga 90+5 (3-2).

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Michael Smith 45+3, Alex Whittle 89
Gateshead: Kenton Richardson 41, Rutledge 90+2

Referee: Gary Parsons

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

Substitutes: Jordan Young (for Will Dawes, 70), Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 72), Zac Bell (for Frank Nouble, 79), Sonny Cox (for Jordan Stevens, 79), Josh Staunton, Josh Owers, Jordan Maguire-Drew,  Alex Fisher.

Gateshead: Mair, Richardson, Grayson, Booty, Lofthouse (for Hunter, 64), Wearne (for Rutledge, 73), Whelan (for Chadwick, 64), Francis, Olley, McBride (for Hannant, 81), Dinanga.
Substitutes (not used): Storey, Allan, Hunter, Pani.

 

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Yeovil Town stretched their winning run to double figures in all competitions with a 2-0 win over Braintree Town in atrocious conditions at Huish Park.

It was on-the-pitch captain Matt Worthington who opened the scoring with a superb lob after a blunder by visiting keeper Vicente Reyes after 29 minutes following a bright start from the visitors.

The second half saw Braintree continue to press, but manager Mark Cooper introduced Frank Nouble and Jake Hyde on the hour mark and in the final minute of normal time the pair combined for Hyde to round Reyes and score his third of the season.

In front of a crowd of 3,708 supporters – many of whom were decked out in pink for the Paint The Park Pink appeal to raise money for Yeovil Hospital Charity’s drive to raise money for a new breast cancer unit – the three points moved the Glovers six points clear at the top of National League South.

Here’s how it unfolded in the rain at Huish Park.

First half

Mark Cooper three changes from the 2-0 home win over W*ymouth in midweek with top-scorer Rhys Murphy, Frank Nouble and Josh Owers replaced in the starting line-up by Sonny Cox, Will Dawes and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

But it was the visitors who made a start as bright as the kits worn by the two sides. After just two minutes, it was Shaquile Coulthirst, signed in the week from National League Ebbsfleet United, who had the first sight of goal as he turned well inside the box and flashed a shot just wide of the post.

On nine minutes, a nice one two between Coulthirst and Will Davies cut through Morgan Williams and Jake Wannell in the middle of the Glovers’ defence. Goalkeeper Joe Day had to come out quickly and get a leg on the effort from Davies and collected the follow-up effort from the Iron frontman.

Then three minutes later, Aaron Blair’s cross in to the box skimmed across Day’s crossbar. Braintree definitely living up to manager Angelo Harrop’s pre-match promise that his side would “have a go.”

For Yeovil, Jordan Young was at the heart of everything which was good about their attacking play in the opening exchanges with Cox looking bright, but not able to force visitors’ keeper Vicente Reyes in to meaningful action.

Jordan Stevens had the hosts’ first meaningful effort having been rolled the ball from a free-kick, but his chance was blocked after 20 minutes.

On 26 minutes, Young showed his quality from set pieces again with a ball in from a similar position to the one which led to the first goal against W*ymouth four days earlier. Will Dawes connected with it but his header went wide and the flag was up for offside anyway.

In the pouring rain, you always felt it was the side which made a mistake first would be the difference and that mistake came from Braintree goalkeeper Vicente Reyes. The Norwich City loanee inexplicably came to the edge of his box to try and punch though a crowd of players, but his connection ball dropped to Matt WORTHINGTON who did superbly to loft the ball over the stranded keeper and in to the net ahead of the visiting defenders rushing back (in vain) to try and rescue Reyes. That looked lovely from the Thatchers’ Stand.

That gave Yeovil confidence with some great passes from Young and Lo Everton splitting the visitors’ defence, something picked up by manager Harrop who made a change in the 39th minute as attacker Tom Blackwell replaced midfielder Ben Watt. That change saw Braintree go like for like in midfield against Young and Lo Everton with Alfie Payne and Reggie Lambe sitting deeper in midfield.

The final action of the match saw Day forced in to a phenomenal stop to keep his side ahead at the interval. A ball in to the box from a free-kick was met by a neat header from Will Davies and the on loan Newport County keeper had to get down quickly to deny him.

Grateful to have (Super) Joe Day in goal.
? Those White Lines

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Braintree Town 0

 

Second half

As the rain got heavier in the second half, it was the Thatcher’s end which of Huish Park which saw more of the action with Braintree not giving up on putting pressure on a surface which was churning up.

We may need to extend Rule 1* to cover assistant referees after this one. On at least two occasions, Braintree were inexplicably awarded throw ins. The Yeovil bench left all the officials in no doubt about their feelings on the decision.

As the game progressed, Yeovil switched to a back five which Will Dawes dropping back to a left wing-back position as the visitors piled forwards in to the box and the energy of Jordan Stevens and Sonny Cox looked to be lacking.

Mark Cooper reacted to this introducing Jake Hyde, who scored his second of the season in the midweek win over W*ymouth, and Frank Nouble in place of Young and Cox on 60 minutes. A bit of physical presence to put some pressure on the Braintree defence.

Frank Nouble was introduced on the hour mark.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It was a terrific ball in from the box by Blair, who switched to the right side of the visitors’ front three, who cut inside and whipped one in towards the back post but there was (luckily) no-one to turn it in.

On the hour, Josh Owers replaced Jordan Stevens straight after the chance with Yeovil switching formation again to bring an extra body in to midfield with Nouble and Hyde as a front two.

On XX minutes, good play by Nouble got a ball and cut the ball back to Morgan Williams in an advanced position, but the defender could not quite open his body up enough to get a proper connection on the ball.

Until that point, neither Nouble or Hyde had much of an impact on the game looking fairly isolated at the top end of the pitch, but as the game ticked in to the 90th minute the pair combined to double the lead.

Nouble somehow in the left back position drove forward before finding Lo Everton in the middle of the park, he then  threaded a great ball through to HYDE who rounded Reyes to add the second. 

The Braintree Town official X (formerly known as Twitter) account will tell you Hyde “looked offside”, but the replay will prove to you that when Sonny played the ball, he clearly wasn’t.

Braintree’s number 3, Leon Davies, is clearly playing Hyde onside when the ball is played.

 

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Braintree Town 0

* – Rule 1 of the Gloverscast – Don’t complain about National League referees, they are all useless.

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 28th October, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Feeling the impact of its 12th match of the season, cutting up early and only deteriorating from then
Conditions: Did not stop raining.

Attendance: 3708 (57 away supporters)

Scorers: Matt Worthington 29 (1-0), Jake Hyde 90 (2-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 22, Will Dawes 79, Jake Hyde 
Braintree Town: Reggie Lambe 29, Ben Mason 33, Ben Tompkins 40, Alfie Payne 50

Referee: Samuel Read

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

Substitutes: Frank Nouble (for Sonny Cox, 60), Jake Hyde (for Jordan Young, 60), Josh Owers (for Jordan Stevens, 64), Zac Bell (not used), Rhys Murphy (not used).

Braintree Town: Vicente Reyes, Ben Mason, Leon Davies, Ben Watt (for Tom Blackwell, 39), Joe Grimwood, Ben Topping, Reggie Lambe, Alfie Payne (captain) (for Marvin Herschel, 89), Will Davies, Aaron Blair, Shaquile Coulthirst (for Gianni Crichlow, 68).
Substitutes (not used): Josh Blunkell, John White.

 

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Yeovil took their unbeaten run to nine in a row, in front of a National League South record crowd of 6289.

Jordan Young’s free kick found its way into the bottom corner of the net in the first half and Jake Hyde’s stoppage time goal clinched it as the Glovers retained their place at the top of the league against W*ymouth…

Here’s how it unfolded in the rain at Huish Park.

First half

Mark Cooper made one change to his starting lineup with Jordan Stevens replacing Will Dawes on the wing.

A shot from Matt Worthington was saved by Hugo Fisher in the W*ymouth goal after seven minutes.

And the Glovers took the lead shortly after as Jordan Young’s free kick was looped into a dangerous area and seemed to take a deflection on its way into the net. 1-0.

Yeovil were largely on top controlling possession and putting pressure on the W*ymouth defence. Neat interplay between Jordan Young and Stevens saw a couple efforts at goal in quick succession, with Stevens dragging his shot wide.

Yeovil were getting a lot of joy on the right hand side and Young played in Michael Smith who put a dangerous cross into the box that Stevens couldn’t connect with cleanly.

There was real pinball in the box half an hour in, with Frank Nouble having a shot charged down and W*ymouth scrambling to clear their lines.

Yeovil had more joy down the right hand side with Stevens putting a delicate cross into the box with Nouble going for glory with what would have been a spectacular volley.

Moments later, an excellent tackle from Cheshire prevented Rhys Murphy from getting a strike at goal.

The pressure continued on the right hand side and Michal Smith was next to have an effort blocked in front of the Seagull Botherer’s goal.

Josh Owers picked up yellow card for a cynical challenge on a W*ymouth player as they broke forward.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 W*ymouth 0

Second half

W*ymouth had a half chance with an effort from Dan Robert’s that was easy for Joe Day.

Then the Glovers pressure began. Jordan Stevens had a hopeful effort that he skied high and wide.

Rhys Murphy had yet another penalty appeal turned down as he was checked in the box, one of these days he might get one.

The pressure continue with W*ymouth having to block shots on the edge of 18-yard-box which culminated in Jake Wannell heading wide.

W*ymouth had a great opportunity to draw level as Calvin Brooks rose above everyone from a corner, but headed over the bar.

The visitors had another decent effort from a free kick on the edge of the box that was drilled low into the hands of Day.

Frank Nouble very nearly doubled Yeovil’s lead in the 66th minute with a near post header that looked goalbound until a Weymouth intervention.

Mark Cooper made a double change in the 70th minute with Sonny Cox making his debut in place of Murphy and Jake Hyde replacing Nouble.

Somehow W*ymoth didn’t equalise moments later. They crafted a great chance in the box and Roberts slid in a la Gazza in 1996 and couldn’t poke it home.

Cox almost made an impact with his first touch, striking a left footed effort low that was saved well by Fisher in front of the Thatchers.

Moments later there was another gilt-edged chance for the visitors with Touray somehow missing.

As the Glovers were rocking a bit, the announcement was made that Yeovil has broken the National League South attendance record with 6289 inside Huish Park.

Will Dawes, who came on for Stevens, thought he’d grabbed a second goal with a lovely finish, however the referee penalised Hyde for a handball.

The game reached its conclusion, both sides tried to break each other down and Jake Hyde scored a stoppage time second to clinch a ninth win in a row. 2-0

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 W*ymouth 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 24th October, 7.45pm kick-off

Pitch: Looked slippery and chopped up a bit
Conditions: Leathered it down

Attendance: 6289

Scorers: Young or an OG 8, Hyde 90+3

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Owers
W*ymouth: Durojaiye

Referee: Steven Hughes

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

Substitutes: Jordan Stevens (for Rhys Murphy, 68), Zac Bell (for Will Dawes, 84), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Michael Smith, 93)

Substitutes (not used): Maguire-Drew, Staunton

W*ymouth: Fisher, Howe, Hamblin, Cheshire, Durojaiye, Roberts, Rollinson, Touray, Bolton, Brooks, Rowan
Substitutes (not used): Matthews, Thompson, O’Connell, Goodship, Tomson

 

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A Morgan Williams header seven minutes in to second half stoppage time earned Yeovil Town a late win at Worthing.

The Glovers looked like they had been pegged back by a 86th minute penalty from the home side which cancelled out an early Matt Worthington goal in the first half.

The result moves us three points clear at the top of the National League South with second-placed Taunton Town and third-placed Bath City both losing.

Here is Dave’s match report from the terraces at Woodside Road….

First half

The opening opening exchanges were dominated by the home side, seemingly more familiar with the surface, but they created nothing more than a bit of catching practice for Joe Day in the Yeovil goal.

And with the first meaningful attack of the game, the visitors went ahead. Will Dawes won possession in midfield and fed Rhys Murphy down the left, his shot (cross?) went across the face of goal where Matt WORTHINGTON was on the spot to tap it home. Worthy at Worthing – it was meant to be!

Rhys Murphy’s shot come cross heads towards the incoming Matt Worthington.

Worthing’s first danger came after 15 minutes as Nick Wheeler caused problems down the right side, but flashing one across the face of Day’s goal was as good as it got.

A minute later strong running by Murphy down the left saw him try to find Jordan Young, but his pass had too much on it. Then, with 20 minutes gone, Jake Wannell’s header across goal tried to find Murphy at the back post but the frontman could not quite get on it.

The possession stats for the opening half-hour would have comfortably been in the home side’s favour, whilst Yeovil seemed happy to watch them play it about without creating an effort of any note.

A long range smash over the bar by Aguiar following a corner generated by a good block from Morgan Williams to deny Ollie Pearce a shot on goal.

Before the game, Yeovil boss Mark Cooper had spoken of the risks taken at the back by Worthing and Murphy was obviously listening. He nipped in to rob the ball off a Rebels’ defender who proceeded to embrace him strongly inside the box, leaving the Glovers’ frontman on the floor. Surprisingly (not) the referee adjudged the wrestling move not to be a foul.

A minute before the end of normal time, good play down the right involving Worthington and Young led to the captain firing an effort in which was diverted in to the side netting.

Worthing had a great chance to go in level at the break after some sustained pressure on the Yeovil penalty area. The ball broke to Joan Luque who smashed his effort the wrong side of the post.

Half time: Worthing 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

A Jake Wannell header over the bar, a booking for Worthing’s Aguiar…..and that was about it for the opening ten minutes of the second half.

Then Matt Worthington got involved. Having battled well on the edge of the box to win possession his shot from 18 yards was turned on to the post by Worthing keeper Rocco Rees.

(Super) Joe Day comes to claim a cross in the second half.

On the hour mark, Frank Nouble cut in from the right and unleashed a shot which fizzed wide before Young did the same after good link-up play with Murphy.

What few chances there are in this game, the majority of them are falling the way of Yeovil.

The game fell a bit flat with neither side really doing much to threaten. Both sides made changes with Jordan Stevens replacing Murphy on 68 minutes. Bit of electric pace to spark a change?

The substitute was involved in a great chance which fell to Young on 75 minutes. Stevens kept a ball which looked to have gone alive and played it in to Nouble managed to get it to Young who lifted his effort over.

Three minutes later, Stevens was in the thick of it again. His effort after a scramble on the box was blocked by the legs of Rees. We could really do with a second to put this one to bed.

On 79 minutes, Aguiar proved the above assessment correct when he fizzed another shot from the edge of the box just past the post. Eek.

I hate being right but seven minutes after writing this Worthing drew level. A ball in to the box saw Wannell, who had been excellent all game, clash with Joel Colbran and referee Dean Skipper pointed to the spot. After what seemed like an age, Ollie PEARCE slotted home.

It looked as if that was going to be that with referee Skipper living up to expectations of National League officials – booking substitute Zac Bell for taking less than ten seconds on a throw in but allowing the clogging of Young and Smith to go unpunished.

But, in a move which will disappoint him, the day was not about the referee thanks to WILLIAMS. A free-kick whipped in from the right side found the defender rising highest to silence the highest pitched home end I have heard in 30 years watching football. 

There was still time for (super) Joe Day to be called in to action again, turning Aguiar’s free-kick from the edge of the box around the post with the last kick of the game.

It was controlled, it wasn’t pretty at times, we looked like we had paid the price of not taking our chances – but that’s what you need to win titles.

Full time: Worthing 1 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Woodside Road
Saturday 20th October, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: <REDACTED>
Conditions: Having rained for 24 hours solid before the match, barely a drop fell all game.

Attendance:  1874 

Scorers: Matt Worthington 8 (1-0),

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Alex Whittle 45, Matt Worthington 56, 
Worthing: Ricky Aguiar 51, Bailey Smith 69

Referee: Dean Skipper

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

Substitutes: Jordan Stevens (for Rhys Murphy, 68), Zac Bell (for Will Dawes, 84), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Michael Smith, 93)

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton

Worthing: Rocco Rees, Kane Wills, Joel Colbran, Joseph Rye, Jake Robinson (for Bailey Smith), Ollie Pearce, Nicky Wheeler, Odei (Luque), Aguiar, Cashman.
Substitutes (not used): Starkey, Woodhouse, Vincent

 

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Yeovil Town booked their place in the first round of the FA Cup with two superb goals to see off National League side Southend United at Huish Park.

The Glovers took the lead through a stunning strike from Jake Wannell after just two minutes and had to withstand an onslaught of pressure from their higher division visitors throughout the second half before a superb Jordan Young goal on 67 minutes.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure but the hosts’ backline stood firm to keep only their third clean sheet of the season.

First half

It could not have been a better start for Yeovil with a free-kick from Jordan Young found Jake WANNELL on the edge of the box who put his left foot through it and it flew in to the corner. It was a finish that any striker would have been proud of.

Jake Wannell puts his left foot through a second minute effort – and you know where it’s going.

Southend responded and looked for an immediate response to going out early, but the next meaningful chance fell to Will Dawes on 11 minutes. Great running down the left by Rhys Murphy, playing against his former side, of course, saw him then feed Dawes whose effort from the edge of the box fizzed over the bar.

Southend centre-half Jason Demetriou tried to match his opposite number (Wannell) with a long-range effort from the egde of the box, but the dive of Joe Day was probably not required.

An inswinging corner from Young on 17 minutes was well claimed by Nick Hayes with a number of Yeovil players lurking inside the box.

On 24 minutes, a foul by Michael Smith on the lively Jack Bridge gave Dan Mooney the chance to fire a ball in to the box which was punched away by Day. Wes Fonguck’s follow up was blocked and the danger was cleared.

Despite the better chances falling the way of Yeovil, it was Southend who were dominating possession and their best chance came on the half-hour mark as Bridge beat Michael Smith and got his shot away which first Day in to a smart save.

This was one for the football purists with both sides keeping the ball on the surface and playing it nicely with the visitors leaving no-one in any doubt their small squad is filled with quality.

Having been made look a mere mortal by Bridge moments earlier, Smith did superbly to get something on a Jack Wood effort to turn it wide for a corner. From the following flag kick, Mooney found himself in space on the edge of the box, moved past a couple of tackles and unleashed an shot which flew just the wrong side (or should that be the right side?) of Day’s post.

A major blow came for the visitors with four minutes before the break when midfielder Dan Mooney came off with an injury, having just recovered from one. With just three players on the bench, it was youth teamer Beau MacDonald, just 16 years old, who replaced him.

If you want to make a manual of how to deliver a free-kick, just replay Young’s deliveries which have all been superb. 

 

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Southend United 0

 

Second half

Southend came out for the second half with their tails up (or should that be with a flea in their ear?) and Day was forced in to action first to gather Jack Wood’s tame effort and then do superbly to keep out Ollie Kensfdale before Harry Cardwell headed a corner from Bridge over the bar. This tie ain’t over…..if anyone thought it was.

A beautiful move almost found a breakthrough for the visitors. A great through ball by Oli Coker found Bridge on the left side of the box and Day was forced to make a fine stop with his legs. It’s all Southend at the moment, Yeovil somehow holding on.

A mistake by Kensdale gave Murphy the run on the Southend defence and their was a very clear push in the back from Demetriou who made the mistake. Referee James Durkin, born and raised in Portland (not prizes for guessing his local team), gave nothing. Another referee happy to hand out pointless bookings for alleged time-wasting but bottling big decisions.

Murphy got booked for voicing his view about Mr Durkin’s decision. Fear not, it’s not a fifth booking and a ban as bookings are competition specific.

But, a minute later there was plenty stuck in the referee’s pipe for him to smoke. Dawes and Young found themselves two on one with the visiting defence and Dawes fed YOUNG who broke through the visiting defence and seemed to have lost his opportunity before poking it under Hayes to double the lead.

The goal was harsh on The Shrimpers who had been thoroughly in charge up until that point. But, up yours, Mr Durkin!

Immediately after the goal, Mark Cooper replaced Murphy and Dawes for Jordan Stevens and Zac Bell.

The second half had seen Nouble ploughing a lone furrow up front on his own with Yeovil packing people behind the ball with the hosts’ defence playing deep and the midfield dropping even deeper.

On 83 minutes, Nouble was withdrawn in place of Staunton. So that’s even deeper. 

Two minutes from time, a rare break away by Young – the man now playing up front – and another push inside the box. No surprises for guessing what Portland’s finest thought of it.

But, that said, a three-goal deficit would have been harsh on the visitors who dominated possession and it was only thanks to some gallant defending from the hosts that they were kept out.

In. The. Hat.

Southend piled on the pressure in the second half but the Yeovil defence stood firm.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Southend United 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 14th October – 3pm Kick Off

Pitch: Wet from the previous night’s rain and cut up badly in front of the Thatcher’s Stand
Conditions: Glorious sunny day with a blustery wind which didn’t really benefit either side

Attendance:  2,697 (301 away supporters)

Scorers: Jake Wannell 2 (1-0), Jordan Young 67 (2-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Will Dawes 40, Michael Smith 45, Rhys Murphy 66, Frank Nouble 75.
Southend United: Dan Mooney 21.

Referee: James Durkin (of Portland, just outside W*ymouth)

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

Substitutes: Jordan Stevens (for Rhys Murphy, 68), Zack Bell (for Will Dawes, 68), Josh Staunton (for Frank Nouble, 83) Will Buse (not used), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (not used), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used), Jake Hyde (not used).

Southend United: Nick Hayes, Gus Scott-Morriss, Kensdale, Jack Bridge, Harry Cardwell, Dan Mooney (for Beau MacDonald, 41), Jack Wood (for Ronnie Blake, 90+1), Harry Taylor, Wes Fonguck, Jason Demetriou, Oli Coker. 
Substitutes (not used): Nathan Ralph.

Referee: James Durkin (of Portland, near W*ymouth)

 

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A scintillating first half performance from Yeovil Town saw them move to the top of the National League South with victory over the division’s surprise package at Aveley at Huish Park.

A quickfire double from Rhys Murphy (who else?) and then Jordan Young saw the Glovers’ domination repaid with less than 20 minutes gone and it was Murphy who added a third before half-time.

The visitors’ Charlee Hughes pulled one back with three minutes of the second half played, but the home side managed out the half to seal the three points.

First half

The Glovers were without Charlie Cooper through injury with captain Josh Staunton and midfielder Jordan Maguire-Drew dropping to the substitutes’ bench having started the 2-0 FA Cup win over Didcot Town seven days earlier.

They were replaced in the starting XI by Matt Worthington, who also took the armband, Will Dawes, who was given his first start of the season, and Alex Whittle, who returned at left back.

Shooting towards the Thatcher’s End, the early exchanges saw Rhys Murphy and Jordan Young’s pace both cause problems to a solid-looking visiting defence, but it was midfielder Jon Benton who had the first effort on goal after three minutes with his shot turned away by Joe Day in the hosts’ goal.

A foul on Dawes earned a free-kick on the left-hand side which was whipped in by Jordan Young was flicked on by Frank Nouble but Jake Wannell could not steer it in  from inside the six yard box. Superb delivery from Young again.

Day was called in action again to deny Dara Dada, before Murphy was felled inside the box after eight minutes – nothing given by referee Ross Martin, put that in the “seen them given” category. But, that riled the striker who forced Jonathan North in the visitors’ goal in to a great stop followed by another with his legs before Young curled it wide. Should be 1-0.

But the striker got his goal on 13 minutes. A great ball across field by Wannell to Nouble and you know who was going to be there to tap home his eighth of the season. It was MURPHY, if you were wondering. It had been coming.

The Thatcher’s End celebrates an opener from Rhys Murphy.

And it was 2-0 within four minutes. A jinking run from Dawes chipped a perfect ball back in to the six-yard box and it was a fantastic first time volley from Jordan YOUNG to double the advantage. Dawes had made the left-hand side his own and that goal owed everything to him.

Josh Owers tried to get in the act on 24 minutes when his long range effort was turned away by North. That seemed to do more damage than good to the ‘keeper who went down holding his shoulder before being declared fit to continue. Tactical delay from the visitors? Either way, both sides got the chance to have a drink and a chat with their respective coaching teams.

The third came just past the half-hour mark again. Will Dawes who found himself in the centre of the park and did superbly to win the ball back, fed Nouble who unselfishly (again!) fed strike partner MURPHY to get another. Another goal which was all about former National League South promotion winner (with Oxford City last season!) yet again – what an impact.

The goal was announced as Nouble – let’s hope that riles Murph up enough to get that picture holding up that many fingers and the match ball, of course.

How Nouble did not make it 4-0 on 35 minutes? Brilliant work down the right-hand side by Young and Nouble stretching for the ball should have turned it home. You get the impression Yeovil Town are enjoying themselves.

Aveley had an opportunity with six minutes of the first half remaining as Jonathan Nzengo drives in to the box, but his shot (or was it a cross) was blocked.

North was back in action again, this time to deny Alex Whittle. A patient bit of play, started by Josh Owers, saw the left back upfield to get in a volley which the keeper did superbly to turn away. Could be six without exaggeration.

Perhaps inspired by his opposite number, a superb free-kick by Benton from 35 yards was superbly turned away by Day, who used all his experience and physicality to punch away the corner which followed. Easily the best chance for the visitors and an excellent stop from the on-loan Newport County player.

What a first half. Take a breath, Huish Park.

Half time: Yeovil Town 3 Aveley 0

 

Second half

There were no changes from either side at the half-time break, but there were some ‘dark arts’ employed by the visitors’ striker Charlie Hughes backing in to Morgan Williams. When the Yeovil Town defender made his feelings known to the referee, he got a booking.

If that was the plan from Hughes, it worked perfectly as he pulled a goal back with just three minutes of the second half played. A cross in to the box and HUGHES was the only visiting player inside the box, he made a nuisance of himself and the striker poked home a goal.

Just before the hour mark, the excellent Dawes was withdrawn and replaced by Jordan Maguire-Drew.

It took Maguire-Drew just five minutes to make an impact. The playmaker took it forward, shaped to shoot before laying it off to Murphy but the Aveley defence did just enough to put him off. The visitors certainly looking a lot more solid at the back since the restart.

Captain-for-the-day Worthington went down in need of treatment on the 70th minute. Jake Hyde saw his opportunity and got changed. No surprise to hear Worthy wanted to continue…..and did.

But, Aveley were not giving up. Substitute Nana Kyei took a shot from the angle and Hughes was inches away from turning home a second. The striker’s frustrated reaction spoke volumes.

Remember I said Hyde was getting ready to come on? It was for Rhys Murphy who was replaced with 74 minutes played. 

Hyde was immediately where you’d want him to be, loitering inside the six yard box when Maguire-Drew’s cross dropped to Young. On his weaker right foot and his effort went over.

Goalscorer Young was replaced by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton with 78 minutes gone.

As five minutes of injury time were put up by the fourth official, a chant of ‘we are top of the league’ rang out from the Thatchers Stand as news that second-placed Bath City had been pegged back by at Braintree United. Still five minutes to go though….

Five minutes later and it’s confirmed. It’s October, so we can look at the league table now – right? Go on, treat yourself.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Aveley 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 7th October – 3pm Kick Off

Pitch: Looking alright, chopping up in places
Conditions: Glorious sunshine

Attendance: 2,793 (69 away supporters)

Scorers: Rhys Murphy 13 (1-0), Jordan Young 17 (2-0), Rhys Murphy 32 (3-0), Charlee Hughes 48 (3-1), 

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 45+1, Morgan Williams 47, Josh  Owers 77
Aveley: Michael Dada 52, Charlee Hughes 90, Alex Hernandez 90+2, 

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

Substitutes: Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Will Dawes, 60), Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 74), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Jordan Young, 78) Zac Bell, Josh Staunton.

Aveley: Jonathan North, Jon Nzengo (for Jason King, 79), Eduino Vaz, Siju Odeulusi, Jalen Jones, Harry Gibbs (captain), Matt Rush (for Alex Fernandez, 84), Garrett Kelly, Charlee Hughes, Jon Benton, Michael Dada (for Nana Kyei, 59). 
Substitutes: Tommy Davis, Kenny Aileru.

 

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Yeovil Town booked their place in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 2-0 home win over Didcot Town at Huish Park.

The hosts opened the scoring when Rhys Murphy converted a dubious-looking penalty following a foul on Jordan Maguire-Drew before Frank Nouble scored with a deft chip on the stroke of half-time.

Didcot, who sit second-from-bottom of the Southern League Premier Division South, rallied after the break but could not find their way past Joe Day, who got his first clean sheet since arriving at Huish Park on loan from Newport County.

Here’s how it went…..

First half

Mark Cooper made three changes from last weekend’s league win at Hampton & Richmond with injuries to Alex Whittle (groin) and Jordan Stevens saw them replaced by Josh Owers and Jordan Maguire-Drew respectively. 

The visitors’ intentions were clear from the off with Didcot sitting deep and waiting for their higher division hosts to break them down. Yeovil dominated possession and with 15 minutes go a break forward by Rhys Murphy saw the forward beat the defence, but could not beat the offside flag.

A couple of minutes later, visitors’ keeper Leigh Bedwell got his first action as a good ball through from Jake Wannell saw Murphy and Maguire-Drew combine well for the later to force the stopper in to a save.

But on 20 minutes, a foul on Maguire-Drew by Didcot captain Adam Learoyd saw the Glovers handed a penalty kick and there was only one man who was going to take it. Rhys MURPHY stepped up to side-foot home his eighth competitive goal of the season in front of the Thatcher’s Stand. Bit of a soft penalty? Probably. Do we care? Not in the slightest.

Rhys Murphy opened the scoring with a 20th minute penalty.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

 

On 25 minutes, Jake Wannell headed a corner over the bar and five minutes later Frank Nouble marauded forward again with a couple of step overs to make his way in to the box but his shot went over.

Yeovil were having joy down the right hand side and on 34 minutes Maguire-Drew got a cross in but it found Jordan Young – as opposed to Nouble or Murphy – and came to nothing. Young had another opportunity cutting in from the left hand side on 37 minutes but his right-footed shot went over.

But, with two minutes of added time indicated at the end of the first half, Yeovil doubled their advantage. Staunton won the ball, fed it through to Maguire-Drew who unselfishly played it through to Frank NOUBLE chipped a ball over Leigh Bedwell. Didcot felt there was a foul from Staunton, but referee Nicholas Dunn waved away the protests.

Bedwell had to be at his best to stop the game going 3-0 as the ex-Swindon Town keeper pulled off a remarkable point blank save to deny Maguire-Drew.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Didcot Town 2

 

Second half

The visitors came out with the air of a team with nothing to lose and looked impressive without being particularly threatening until the hour mark when Oliver Case’s header from a corner was over the bar.

Murphy almost added another but will have been kicking himself having made a good connection but could only direct it in to the arms of Bedwell in the visitors’ goal, and seconds later the striker almost got on the end of cross by Michael Smith but could not quite bundle it home.

That proved to be Smith’s last action who was replaced by Bristol City loanee Zac Bell on the 64th minute with Will Dawes also on replacing Jordan Young.

Murphy had the ball in the back twice, but despite beating Bedwell he could not beat the assistant referee’s offside flag. They don’t count I’m afraid, Bagsman.

Patrick Osborne had an effort blocked by Morgan Williams on 78 minutes before substitute Dawes had an effort blocked and the ball broke to Charlie Cooper who lashed an effort over with five minutes remaining.

Jenson Wright put a long-range effort over the bar with a minute of normal time going but, whilst not disgracing themselves, they never looked like really troubling the home side.

The fourth qualifying round will be played on Saturday, October 18, meaning that the trip to Bath City in National League South will need to be rearranged to a midweek.

 

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Didcot Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 30th September – 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Looking good despite some downpours.
Conditions: Dry but cloudy…..not cold though (with thanks to Andy Cleave for meteorological inputs)

Attendance: 1,999 (75 away supporters)

Scorers: Rhys Murphy pen 20 (1-0), Frank Nouble 45 (2-0),

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Josh Owers 65, Jake Wannell 82,
Didcot Town: Adam Learoyd 20

Referee: Nicholas Dunn

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Jordan Young, 64), Zac Bell (for Michael Smith, 64), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Rhys Murphy, 79), Charlie Bateson (not used), Will Buse (not used).

Didcot Town: Leigh Bedwell, Josh Grant, Cameron McNeill, Oliver Case, Harvey Giles, Adam Learoyd (C), Ben Putland (for Jenson Wright, 75), James Glover, Seth Humphries, Robbie Gallagher, Patrick Osborne.

Substitutes (not used): Sam Barder, Timmy Mugall, Connor Barrett, Andre Bromfield, Andi Noka, Owen Smith.

 

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For a short while, Yeovil Town were top of the National League South table, but, results elsewhere means the Glovers finish Saturday in second after a 2-1 away win against Hampton & Richmond… it was not without incident.

Jake Hyde saw red (two yellows) and Matt Worthington joined him late on after handling on the line. as the away side finished with nine men, but still picked up the three points.

David Coates was there here are his thoughts… 

First half

From the off it was clear Jordan Stevens was going to be an outlet down the right side and it was the ex-Barrow man who tested the Hampton keeper Adam Desbois after three minutes.

At the other end, Mason Bloomfield headed a free-kick wide, but neither side particularly carved out a notable effort.

On 15 minutes, ex-Glovers’ loanee Ben Seymour twisted and turned on the edge of the box but his effort was deflected wide.

Charlie Cooper picked up his regular yellow card after wrestling a Hampton player to the ground after 17 minutes, and he was followed a few minutes later by Rhys Murphy for a less obvious foul. The referee clearly keen to show he has brought his cards.

If the opening exchanges were in the visitors’ favour, Hampton grew in to the game. A clear cut opportunity still eluded either side.

It took a moment of true quality to break the deadlock. On 34 minutes, a free-kick from the right by Cooper broke to the edge of the area where Jordan STEVENS rifled home an unstoppable shot. Get the rocket emojis out.

Murphy tried to out-spectacular his team-mate moments later, but his bicycle kick from inside the box went over the bar.

The away clearly not adhering to the Green Day Clause of not judging anything (or even looking at the league table) until September is over. A chant of “we are top of the league” went up from the Keith Hussey Stand.

But their enthusiasm was not tempered by a second goal after 43 minutes. Good commitment from Alex Whittle down the left saw the ball played forward to Rhys MURPHY who toyed with the hosts’ defenders before slotted in to the far corner.

Half time: Hampton & Richmond 0 Yeovil Town 2

 

Second half

Referee Eugene Robinson appeared to be more focused on pulling up players for perceived time-wasting, but allowing clattering of Yeovil players. Notably Jordan Young who remained on the ground whilst the referee was unmoved. 

Fortunately not hurt, Young picked up on a blocked Murphy effort to fizz a shot wide on the hour mark before Hampton substitute Rob Hall put one over the bar.

Rhys Murphy was replaced by Jake Hyde on 69 minutes and soon picked up a yellow card for complaining at (a blatantly incorrect offside decision – as someone who was in line with it) and then five minutes later he picked up a second for a foul.

Meanwhile, Alex Whittle was replaced by Josh Owers after a heavy challenge on the full-back. You guessed it, no action taken by Mr Robinson.

It had been a quiet afternoon for Joe Day but with six minutes remaining a free-kick in to the box led to a goalmouth scramble which saw the on-loan keeper pull off a fantastic reaction stop before the ball was cleared.

With 85 minute saw Josh Staunton replace Young with the visitors looking to close the game out. Nouble slotted in to the middle of midfield, presumably for his size with Stevens left to chase up front.

I’ve broken Rule #1, so let’s do it properly. With two minutes of remaining, Morgan Williams gets a clear shove in the back. Nothing given. Hampton break down the left and find Deadfield in the box who shoots but Day saves. Presumably it requires someone in blue to commit murder to be guilty of any offence.

In the seventh minute of seven added on, a goalmouth scramble saw Matt Worthington handle on the line to keep the ball out. No hesitation from the official to give a straight red and award a spot kick which Ben SEYMOUR fired home.

There was an even hairier moment in the following added time as a push forward saw a Hampton player felled inside the box. The protests continued after the whistle giving Mr Robinson the chance to continue his inept performance with another red card for the hosts’ defender Jordan Thomas after the game was over.

 

Full time: Hampton & Richmond 1 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: The Beveree Stadium
Saturday 23rd September – 15:00

Pitch: Lovely sunny day
Conditions: Looked like it hadn’t been played on – because it barely had.

Attendance: 1,269 (485 away supporters)

Scorers: Jordan Stevens (0-1), Rhys Murphy (0-2), Ben Seymour (pen 1-2)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 17, Rhys Murphy 20, Frank Nouble 37, Michael Smith 51, Jake Hyde 69, Jake Hyde 74.
Hampton & Richmond: TBC

Sendings-off: 

Yeovil Town: Jake Hyde (two bookable offences), Matt Worthington
Hampton & RIchmond – Jordan Thomas

Referee: Eugene Robinson

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 66), Alex Whittle (for Josh Owers, 70), Josh Staunton (for Jordan Young, 84), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used), Will Dawes (not used).

Hampton & Richmond: Desbois, Thomas, Donaldson (for Kurran-Brown, 69), Inman, Fernandez, Seymour, Gray, Deadfield, Wishart, Dunne (for Hall, 58), Bloomfield (for Whittingham, 60).

Substitutes (not used): Cheadle, Pitblado.

 

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The Glovers have cruised into the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a 7 (Seven) -1 win over AFC Stoneham.

Goals from Jordan Young, Jake Wannell, Frank Nouble, Jordan Maguire-Drew and a Rhys Murphy hattrick saw Yeovil run out dominant winners, although Duarte Robins had his FA Cup moment with a consolation for AFC Stoneham

Here’s how it went down at Huish Park… tin foil covered FA Cup cardboard cut outs at the ready…

First half

The first thing to note was that Josh Staunton’s coin tossing ability hasn’t got any better, once everyone had flipped around, it didn’t deter the Glovers from getting a bright start.

Charlie Cooper struck an early attempt which forced a corner, the resulting set piece was well worked to Jordan Young, his cross forced a very good save from the Stoneham keeper with Jake Wannell’s header destined for the back of the net.

A blistering first three minutes set the tone for what was to come, another attack from Michael Smith ended up with his shot forcing a comfortable save from Callum Lee – nearly a very good start to a Glovers’ debut.

Charlie Cooper kept the pressure on, his effort fell to Frank Nouble, but the assistant’s flag prevented any further damage. 

The first chance for the Visitors came after just 12 minutes, Jake Wannell and Charlie Cooper both coming unstuck and the Purps had a free kick which was diverted just wide by Duarte Martins.

Up the other end, two corners in quick succession came and went, inviting opportunities not quite taken advantage of.

The game was becoming a little bit more even, another chance fell the way of Stoneham’s Mat Bainbridge, he and Ryan Cluett unable to create anything clear cut.

Michael Smith was really settling in well, he and Frank Nouble combined well, but Jordan Stevens’ was unable to gamble on the cross across the six yard box.

Charlie Cooper was quick to force another save from the visitor’s ‘keeper, as the clock ticked past 20 minutes, chances were coming, but the score remained 0-0.

Callum Lee was busy again soon after, Jordan Stevens and Josh Owers combined well to secure a fifth shot on target inside the first quarter of the game.

A sixth wasn’t far away and Rght Back turned centre forward Michael Smith produced a finger tip save from Lee in the Stoneham goal.

Shortly before half an hour, it was copy and past – Charlie Cooper shot with venom, Callum Lee tipped over… another chance, another corner.

As the clock struck the 30th minute, Jordan YOUNG stood over a free kick… and as sure as night follows day, the ball ended up in the back of the net. 1-0. It had been coming.

Jordan Young Celebrates His Goal v Stoneham
? Debs Curtis

The Glovers kept it simple for the next few moments, keeping possession and not letting their visitors get any kind of footing in the fixture.

As the half drew to a close, the hosts began to crank things up again. The two Jordans were swapping flanks with relative ease, the possession stats in-play rarely dropping below 70%.

In a rare flurry forwards, Jordan Stevens was found wanting against their full back, a shot was blocked by Michael Smith, but the corner came to nothing. Well, I say, nothing, it came to a break away attack from Jordan Stevens, blistering pace from the former Leeds United man forced a Glovers corner. 

From the corner, Jordan Young turned assist king with Jake WANNELL powering a header towards goal. 2-0

Jake Wannell heads home Yeovil’s second goal.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It was nearly three shortly after, Stevens was again able to burst away from a challenge and Nouble was too strong for the Stoneham defence but he was unable to finish it off.

Nouble got another chance but Callum Lee (who was having a blinder), forced a corner… Owers skewing his shot just wide from the set piece… it’s all happening too quick to type along with!

Half time: Yeovil Town 2 AFC Stoneham 0

Second half

No changes by either side at the break, the Glovers looking to keep their visitors at arms length… in truth, they did even better than that.

Matt Worthington laid the ball to Michael Smith who gave Frank NOUBLE a chance the big front man couldn’t say no to. 3-0, within two minutes of the game restarting.

Alex Whittle was given a breather with just a few moments gone, Jordan Maguire Drew coming on, pushing Josh Owers to left-back.

Jake Wannell was sloppy at the back for a split second, but Joe Day mopped up… and managed to get the ball down the other end in a split second to force a Glovers free kick.

That free kick… via a huge deflection went in to the net from the boot of Jordan MAGUIRE-DREW. 4-0

Mark Cooper took solace with their opponents and took off Frank Nouble…unfortunately for them though, he also brought on Rhys Murphy. Sorry lads.

Duarte Martins, with 12 goals in nine games already this season, wasn’t throwing in the towel any time soon, he did flash a shot wide of Joe Day’s goal, with 55 minutes on the clock.

With an hour on the clock, the fitness of the Purps was already starting to tell, Jordan Stevens latched onto a through ball, and set the chance up for Rhys MURPHY to slot home and add a fifth. 5-0

Stoneham, to their credit, were not going to stop, they did force a corner and a dangerous one at that, a bit of penalty area pinball just not falling to a Purple shirt.

It was a game that struggled to really get going through the gears, Matt Worthington and Rhys Murphy couldn’t quite force another chance, whilst Duarte Martins was still hustling up front.

The Purps made a couple of changes to make sure as many players as possible got their chance.

Rhys Murphy.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But a defensive mix up allowed Rhys MURPHY to jink around the goalkeeper and tap in, that was his second, Yeovil’s sixth… there was still 20 minutes to go. 6-0

Murphy probably could (should) have bagged a hat trick, he had time and space in the box with 68 minutes on the clock, but he couldn’t get the ball out to force the shot.

Jordan Stevens was taken off after 70 minutes, his contribution was emphatic and his recovery from injury is really coming to an end.

Jake Hyde coming on… Mark Cooper is rutheless.

Hyde had two bites at a very early cherry, he and Murphy were giving the keeper a hard time, nothing more than a corner this time.

Charlie Cooper flashed a shot over, before some action at the other end.

72 minutes on the clock, Duarte MARTINS who has been the Purps’ best player, skipped round Joe Day in the Glovers goal and got one back, fair play – nice finish. 6-1

The Purps skipper, Alex Welch, was in the book for a foul with 15 minutes left, Rhys Murphy pulled rank (someone wants the match ball!), but the free kick cannoned into the defensive wall. 

The Stoneham goal, had given both sides a little wake up call, Alex Welch and Charlie Cooper both came off worse for wear after a crunching tackle on the edge of the Glovers’ penalty area.

Matt Worthington fired a shot in from distance, Callum Lee was equal to it, the final 10 minutes was a tired display of football, the Rhys Murphy hat trick proved elusive, despite his best efforts, forcing a corner with 81 minutes already in the bank.

Lee, who was still impressing, plucked another long range effort from JM-D out of the air and tried to get the attack moving quickly, Michael Smith had to do a little bit of hasty defending clearing from a corner.

More shots, (Worthington, Murphy, JMD) more corners, more chances game the Glovers way, 

But the game felt like it was starting to slow down, Charlie Cooper was playing games with the away fans by placing a corner outside the quadrant with a wink and a nod.

There was time for Rhys Murphy to trigger the assistant’s flag once more before five minutes were added on, Charlie Cooper continued on his quest to everything but score, latching on to a JMD cross only to head over. 

Then, finally… the Hat Trick story of the second half was complete as Rhys MURPHY completed the rout, and took his match ball home as the full time whistle soon went.

The Glovers have won their ‘no-win’ tie in emphatic style, 19 shots on target, plenty of possession, job done.

We at the Gloverscast have enjoyed learning about AFC Stoneham, and wish them nothing but the best for the rest of their season, a club with 100+ teams, 1500+ players and 300+ coaches, they’re doing good things in their local area.

Full time: Yeovil Town 7 AFC Stoneham 1

Yeovil Town have picked up £3375 from the prize fund for the win.

The Third Qualifying Round matches will take place on the weekend of Saturday 30th September.

Match Details

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

Pitch: Looking good, less slippery than last week
Conditions: Overcast, a bit drizzly

Attendance: 2021 (208 from Stoneham)

Scorers: Jordan Young (1-0), Jake Wannell (2-0), Frank Nouble (3-0), Jordan Maguire-Drew (4-0), Rhys Murphy (5-0), Rhys Murphy (6-0), Duarte Martins (6-1), Rhys Murphy (HT) (7-1)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell
AFC Stoneham: Barnes 51, Welch 75

Referee: Ollie Taylor

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Maguire-Drew (for Alex Whittle ’49), Murphy (for Nouble ’54)

AFC Stoneham: Callum Lee, Ryan Cluett, Tommy Barnes, Mat Bainbridge, Yumo Wan, Ben Clarke, Jim Orvis, Alex Welch (C), Duarte Martins, Owen Fee, Liam Callaghan

Substitutes (not used): Pattison, Godwin, Jenkins (for Bainbridge), Batt, Hills, Sampson (for Fee ’62), Nagle

Huge thank you to Debs Curtis for the ? and ?