Match Reports (Page 14)

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First half goals from strikers Jake Hyde and Rhys Murphy earned Yeovil Town a win on their first National League South outing at Huish Park.

The Glovers made a fast start with Hyde turning home an effort from Jordan Maguire-Drew after just three minutes.

An error from goalkeeper Will Buse gifted the visitors an equaliser after half-an-hour before Murphy pounced to grab the winner just before half-time.

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

First half

If a fast start was what was needed, it arrived after just three minutes. A first foray forward involving Matt Worthington and Rhys Murphy saw the latter tumble in the box under a tackle, only for the ball to break to Jordan Maguire-Drew whose lashed effort rebounded off of JAKE HYDE to open the scoring. 1-0

But if anyone thought that was that (and a few at the back of the Thatcher’s Stand certainly said they did) then St Albans quickly proved them wrong. Mitchell Weiss broke away on the counter attack, switching the ball to James whose powerful effort was superbly turned away by Will Buse after five minutes.

On seven minutes, Murphy dragged a shot wide soon after Maguire-Drew tried to pick out Frank Nouble at the back post but the cross was just too high for him.

The visitors enjoyed a lot of possession and were finding a couple of gaps in the Yeovil midfield. Andronicos Georgiou put a pot shot straight at Buse before another dangerous effort saw Dylan Fage combine with Giorgio Rasulo. This time it was Josh Staunton who was there to block it allowing Buse to claim.

On 21 minutes, a lung-busting run from Nouble down the left wing, he drilled the ball in to Hyde but Saints’ keeper Michael Johnson was equal to it.

But on the half-hour mark the visitors found an equaliser and, for the second week running, it was an error from Buse. A long ball over the top saw the keeper caught in no man’s land as he came out of his area to meet WEISS, but the striker got the better of it and was able to slot in to an unguarded net. 1-1

Two minutes later, Murphy has an opportunity to do exactly the same as Johnson came out of his area to meet him. The striker got the better of that contest, but his effort was high, wide and not so handsome in to the away terrace.

With five minutes of the half remaining Charlie Cooper came within the width of a goalpost from scoring. A nice move in from the left saw it break to the midfielder on the edge of the box and his effort had Johnson beaten…..but not the woodwork.

A minute before the end of normal time in the first half Yeovil restored the lead. A cross broke in the box to MURPHY who brought it down and drilled the ball home. The type of clinical finishing inside the box which was so sorely lacking last season. 2-1

Half time:  Yeovil Town 2 St Albans City 1

Second Half

St Albans said started the second half taking game to their hosts. After Staunton had cleared a dangerous ball in to the box away, the resulting corner landed to Ryan Blackman who took a swing at it but his effort was well stopped by the diving Buse.

A midfield two of Cooper and Worthington certainly didn’t offer much in the way of protection, seemingly wanting to both go forward at the same time as JM-D and our front three, and the visitors were happy to pick up the pieces.

Chances were fewer and farther between this half but one dropped to Maguire-Drew on the hour mark, but he lifted it in to the Thatcher’s Stand. Three minutes later Hyde had a gilt-edged opportunity as the ball broke to him inside the box, but he pulled it wide with just Johnson in the visitors’ goal to beat.

Nouble broke down the left again on 65 minutes, nutmegged his marker but his effort was turned aside for a corner.

The next opportunity on 71 minutes came to Murphy who took advantage of a misjudgement by Johnson but fluffed his effort inside the box. He claimed he’d been pushed by the keeper and even went off for treatment. Rhys Murphy doing Rhys Murphy things.

Josh Owers replaced Nouble and Olly Thomas came on for Hyde before the end, but the second half was certainly more fragmented.

With four minutes of the ten added on played, a free-kick in to deep was nodded down by Williams to the edge of the box where Thomas struck it towards goal by Johnson was level to it

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 St Albans City 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 12th August, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Perfect
Conditions: Sunshine and sideways showers

Attendance: 3412 (86 away supporters)

Scorers: Jake Hyde 3 (1-0), Mitchell Weiss 30 (1-1), Murphy 44 (2-1).

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Alex Whittle, Josh Staunton, Jake Wannell, Charlie Cooper, Matt Worthington, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Frank Nouble (for Josh Owers, 84), Ryan Murphy (for Jamie Sendles-White, 90+5), Jake Hyde (for Olly Thomas, 87). Substitutes (not used): Lewis Williams, Jordan Young.

St Albans City: Johnson, James, Brown, Smith, Bowry, Blackman (for Hoddle, 61), Rasulo, Weiss, Georgiou (for Dunn, 77), Fage (for Jeffers 86), Carlyle. Substitutes (not used): Clark, Da Silva.

Referee: Thomas Green

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

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Yeovil Town’s start to life in National League South began with a rude awakening and defeat at Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday.

A goal from hosts’ striker Joe Iaciofano ten minutes from time was the difference. He capitalised on an error by Glovers’ keeper Will Buse who was involved in a calamitous mix-up with wing-back Zac Bell.

For their part, Yeovil huffed and puffed but could not find anything approaching the free-flowing play and goal-scoring which they had shown in pre-season.

Two thirds of the Gloverscast were there, and as part of the packed out away end, here’s how Dave saw proceedings.

First half

The opening exchanges showed exactly what an artificial surface was going to be like.

As well as sloping in half-a-dozen different places, there was no doubt the ball moved a lot quicker off this surface, and the home players knew exactly how and unsurprisingly adapted quicker to the conditions.
The first meaningful chance for either side saw Yeovil have the ball in the back of the net after ten minutes. Good play by Rhys Murphy on the left of the box saw his cross headed home by Jordan Maguire-Drew. But the assistant has his flag raised before the ball crossed the line.

The first booking of the match, handed out by Zac Kennard-Kettle, the son of former EFL referee Trevor Kettle (yes, that one), went to Zac Bell presumably for something he said. Three cards in under 30 minutes suggest he is indeed him father’s son.

Nine minutes later a spell of pressure saw Murphy denied by the offside flag again. Matt Worthington lifted the ball back in to the box, Murphy slipped his marker only to have his shot stopped by hosts’ keeper Craig King. The flag also up to deny him.
On 36 minutes, good play by Maguire-Drew who, aside from being denied by the linesman’s flag, had not seen a great deal of the ball, saw it drop to Murphy whose shot went over the bar.
That sparked a spell of sustained pressure with first Jake Wannell and then Charlie Cooper having efforts blocked.
Defender Jake Wannell, who impressed on his debut.
Picture courtesy of Dan Finill.

Maguire-Drew and Murphy combined again just before half-time but again the effort from the striker went over the bar.

The possession count was certainly in the favour of the home side but chances were at a premium although one came when a break forward saw Joe Re fire over.
The end of the first half saw rule changes to try and counter time wasting mean six minutes were added on. It is not an excuse for a fairly pedestrian display, but I would not be surprised if the home side contributed to the vast majority of this additional time.

Half time: Hemel Hempstead 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The first opportunity of the second half fell to the home side who strung together a good passing move which saw Joe Iaciofano one-on-one with Will Buse, who spread himself well to deny the striker.

Yeovil keeper Will Buse does well to save at the feet of Hemel striker Joe Iaciofano.
Picture courtesy of Dan Finill.

On the hour, Montel McKenzie saw an effort tipped over the bar, and on 63 minutes the first Yeovil opportunity dropped to Morgan Williams after a moment of sustained pressure from the visitors. JM-D’s cross dropped to him inside the box but he could not get a decent connection and the effort went over.

Looking for a spark, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was introduced in place of defender Jamie Sendles-White. That saw him move up front alongside Murphy and Nouble with JM-D dropping back in to the right side of midfield.

But it was Hemel who were creating the better chances with McKenzie flicking an effort over the bar after 70 minutes.

The breakthrough came for the home side came with a complete gift. A mix-up between Buse and Zac Bell saw the keeper a long way out of his goal to meet IACIOFANO who got enough on it to steer it in to the corner of the net. It was nothing more than Hemel deserved having exerted the greater threat, whilst Yeovil looked decidedly lacklustre going forwards.

Hemel Hempstead striker Joe Iaciofano steers home the game’s only goal.
Picture courtesy of Dan Finill.

There was a delay in the game not long after with trouble amongst Glovers fans – it seemed to involve supporters shaking the goal posts, a delay we could all have done without – whilst the referee and stewards tried to deal with the incident.

Once the game restarted, chances continued to come for the Glovers, Alex Whittle combined well with Frank Nouble, but the former Torquay man headed over with the game drifting towards a conclusion.

Yeovil threw on on loan Bristol City striker Olly Thomas for JM-D with ten minutes left and brought Jordan Young into the fray with added on time well underway, but to no effect.

The Glovers will head into four home games in a row with something of a reality check fresh in their minds.

Full time: Hemel Hempstead 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Vauxhall Road
Saturday, 5th August, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Plastic and sloping in at least half-a-dozen places
Conditions: Stopped raining at kick-off but not a minute sooner

Attendance: 1276 (no away number given)

Scorers: Joe Iaciofano 78

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Zac Bell (14), Jamie Sendles-White (22)
Hemel Hempstead: Reece Grant (28) George Williams (90+1) Elias Grant (90+8).

Referee: Zac Kennard-Kettle
Assts: Ryan Dix & Shaun Barry

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Sonny Blu-Lo Everton (for Sendles-White 65), Josh Owers, Olly Thomas (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 81), Will Dawes, Jordan Young (for Nouble 90+5)x

Hemel Hempstead Town: Craig King, Montel McKenzie, Josh Williams, Kyle Ajayi, Jethro Hanson (for Eli Grant, 45+4), George Williams, Joe Iaciofano (for Finlay Corrigan 81), Joe Re, Chris Smith, Reece Grant (for Tyrese Briscoe 75), Arj Krasniqi.

Substitutes: Sayoud, Corrigan, Briscoe, Eli Grant, Carman.

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An injury time equaliser saw Yeovil Town’s pre-season campaign finish with a draw at Plymouth Parkway on Saturday.

A header from the home side’s substitute Dylan Jones saw the Glovers pegged back late on having played the entire second half with ten men after a questionable sending off for defender Morgan Williams late in the first half.

Striker Jake Hyde made it four goals in his four pre-season appearances to open the scoring on 29 minutes before Yeovil keeper Lewis Williams saved a penalty late in the first half with the other Williams departing soon after.

Ben was among the away supporters at Bolitho Park and here is how he saw it…..

 

First half

In a scrappy first couple of minutes, both sides struggled to get the ball down, Parkway found a little joy down their left hand side to force a corner, but it was well dealt with at the second attempt by Jake Hyde.

The first Glovers attempt came just 90 seconds later. Hyde again in the action linking up with Jordan Young who forced a good save from the Plymouth keeper from close range.

There was an urgency to the away side, both Jordan Young and Will Dawes keeping the game moving at a rapid pace.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton saw a free-kick come to nothing before Plymouth had a set piece of their own.

A training ground manoeuvre failed to come off with Matt Worthington closing down.

Plymouth were having some early success down the Glovers right as the home side looked to take advantage of Young’s more attacking position, but nothing Morgan Williams couldn’t handle.

Dawes was soon back into the action down the left 11 minutes in, linking up with Hyde to produce a cross that Frank Nouble could only nod wide.

With 16 minutes on the clock, Parkway arguably should have taken the lead, a hopeful long ball found hosts’ striker Jack Crago, but Yeovil keeper Lewis Williams’ position forced the striker into a looping shot which fell high, wide and not so handsome.

Yeovil did have the ball in the net on 18 mins, Hyde sliding Young’s through ball under the keeper, but the former Southend man was flagged offside.

After 20 minutes, a Young effort from 20 yards was well cleared, after more good work from Dawes down the left, the Glovers were turning the screw.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was a constant menace just in behind the front line, his driving run into the box could only result in a scuffed shot wide with a quarter of the game gone.

Dawes was once again picking off crosses down the left, Hyde just unable to get enough leverage on his header as the away side continued to press.

It was just before the half-hour mark that Yeovil finally found a breakthrough. The ball stuck to Nouble like glue and his whipped cross in was tapped in by HYDE. A goal he had deserved, but down entirely to Nouble’s footwork.

 

Jake Hyde in action.

More good work from Nouble, Hyde and Young forced a couple of free kicks in a game which didn’t lack a little spike. The resulting set piece was straight down the keeper’s throat.

As the half drew to a close, Parkway did grow into the game, the two Josh’s, Staunton and Owers mopping up on multiple occasions.

With 39 minutes in the clock, Plymouth were awarded a somewhat…questionable penalty.

Nouble was adjudged to have fouled Crago in the box, but Williams was equal to the shot from the home side’s captain Ryan Lane diving down to his right with the rebound blazed over.

With minutes left before the break, Matt Worthington was brought down by a rash challenge by Parkway’s Callum Hall.

21 of the 22 were soon engaged in some aggressive cuddling in the centre circle.

Morgan Williams was shown a red card after the melee, following a discussion between assistant and referee. The assistant seemed to suggest ‘punching’ from the Glovers’ number 2.

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper and his assistant Chris Todd ‘discuss’ the sending off with the referee.

Half-time: Plymouth Parkway 0 Yeovil Town 1


Second half

The changes started to come after the break, but the Glovers were still intent on keeping their full-backs high.

Dawes on the left combined with Lo-Everton to force a corner whilst Zac Bell had a couple of nice touches early on.

Hyde was proving to be a handful, sheer strength from him saw a ball slide through to Olly Thomas, but the Bristol City loanee couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet.

A Sendles-White long throw caused havoc in the Parkway defence, Zac Bell scuffed a shot wide.

Owers linked well with Thomas, but the ball squirmed away, the Glovers were in no mood to take their foot off the gas.

Jordan Maguire-Drew, Alex Whittle, Rhys Murphy, Charlie Cooper and Will Buse were introduced just before the hour mark.

Jordan Maguire-Drew was introduced after an hour at Plymouth Parkway.

The goalscorer, Jake Hyde was one of those sacrificed. He scored once, but on another day he could have had four.

The changes in personnel did bring about a slight change in formation.

Olly Thomas a lone front man with Murphy and JM-D playing as a duo in behind.

JM-D flung at least one dangerous cross in to force set pieces, but they were snuffed out by a wall of yellow.

At the other end, Will Buse punched a Parkway free kick clear with Josh Owers adopting the role of chief mopper upper.

JM-D’s set pieces were again causing trouble. Olly Thomas not able to capatalise on a ball he wasn’t expecting to get.

Parkway did manage a few forays into the Glovers’ final third, but some sensible defence defending from Jamie Sendells-White and some harmless pot shots were all that the hosts could really offer.

At the right end, Charlie Cooper had a shot closed down after some one touch magic with Rhys Murphy whilst Alex Whittle sent a shot in from distance, it might take some finding.

Charlie Cooper was really in the mood, he and Owers charged forward, but Murphy couldn’t release Thomas as the loanee had strayed offside.

Olly Thomas battles for the ball.

Cooper was playing a box-to-box role in his short stint on the pitch, mopping up on the edge of our 18 yard box and getting forward at every opportunity.

It was Cooper again who had a sniff at goal, JMD and Murphy were exchanging neat touches in around the edge of the box before Whittle whipped in a hard and low cross that Cooper got to, and but for an outstretched boot, may well have scored with.

Yeovil found themselves absorbing a little bit of pressure late on, Parkway getting a couple of corners and free kicks. For the most part, Yeovil were equal to the challenge.

But with a few minutes left on the clock, THOMAS rose highest from a set piece to nod the hosts level.

At the very death, Rhys Murphy was clean through on goal, but his effort was well saved despite the almighty shove he received as he shot.

It was, one of the more dominant 1-1 draws you’ll likely see with the first half penalty the only real chance to fall the way of the hosts before last gasp equaliser.

The Glovers will be happy to have navigated a fair amount of time with 10 players, even if they didn’t take advantage of more opportunities.

Full time: Plymouth Parkway 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

Yeovil Town: Lewis Williams (for Will Buse, 60), Morgan Williams, Josh Staunton, Jake Wannell (for Jamie Sendles-White, 46), Will Dawes (for Charlie Cooper, 65), Jordan Young (for Zac Bell, 46), Matt Worthington (for Alex Whittle, 65), Josh Owers, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 60), Frank Nouble (for Olly Thomas, 46), Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 60).

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Yeovil Town’s one and only friendly at Huish Park this pre-season with their most impressive result and performance seeing off League Two side Newport County in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 on Tuesday night.

A first half goal from defender Morgan Williams gave the Glovers a well-deserved advantage after 21 minutes which they could have added to before the interval.

Striker Jake Hyde, who came off the substitutes’ bench having missed the previous three friendlies through injury, grabbed the ball after the hosts were awarded a penalty following a foul on Jordan Maguire-Drew on 64 minutes – but the striker lifted his spot kick over the bar.

However, the summer signing made amends moments later when his effort – via some ‘help’ from team-mate Charlie Cooper and potentially visiting goalkeeper Nick Townsend – found its way in to the net for Yeovil’s second on 73 minutes.

Here’s how Ian saw it from his position in the Huish Park stands……

 

First half

Rhys Murphy, who has five goals in pre-season so far, was left out of the starting XI (hopefully rested) with Bristol City loanee Olly Thomas paired alongside Frank Nouble up front. There was a return for Jake Hyde, missing since the 2-1 defeat to Wimborne Town in the second friendly of the campaign, on the substitutes’ bench.

For the visitors, there was a familiar face in the shape of striker Seb Palmer-Houlden, who joined Newport on a season-long loan from Bristol City last week and had a brief spell on loan at Huish Park last season. If social media is anything to go by, the South Wales side’s supporters claimed this starting line-up was their strongest available XI as they prepare for the start of the League Two season.

The opening 10 minutes saw the Glovers hold their own against a side two divisions higher, and they created some half chances without testing Newport keeper Nick Townsend. He was drawn into a punch from a teasing Jordan Maguire-Drew cross but Yeovil could not capitalise from the corner.

Thomas showed signs if his physical prowess shrugging off a Newport defender, earning a free-kick after some fancy footwork. Maguire-Drew delivered another teasing cross towards Nouble who’s header went wide.

Yeovil came close to an opener in the 19th minute. A good cross in from Alex Whittle was half cleared to Matt Worthington who brought the ball down and struck an effort which was deflected wide of the post.

It did arrive almost immediately as Morgan WILLIAMS curled a left footed effort into the top corner to put the Glovers ahead with 21 minutes gone.

Charlie Cooper almost doubled the lead seconds later with a free-kick struck fiercely towards the top corner which was tipped over the bar by the scrambling keeper.

Nouble thought he’d grabbed a second in the 28th minute as his right footed effort struck the foot of the post and trickled along the line before the keeper clawed it away. Nouble’s effort came from another delicious cross from Maguire-Drew, with his deliveries causing all sorts of issues for Newport’s defence.

Newport grew into the game as the half wore in and managed to stem the flow of Yeovil pressure. But for a routine catch from a header, Will Buse was hardly tested in the Glovers’ goal but County certainly found themselves further into Yeovil territory as the clock ticked on.

In the 44th minute Williams made an important block as Newport broke into the box and from the resultant corner Buse had to help the ball over the bar from a header Newport header.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Newport County 0

Second half

It was as you were after half time with no changes, and after an early spell of pressure for Yeovil, Newport almost equalised through Harry Charsley’s volley, which went narrowly wide of Buse’s left hand post.

Just past the hour mark Yeovil introduced Sonny Blu Lo-Everton for Zac Bell resulting a change of shape for Mark Cooper’s side and a switch to a back four with Lo-Everton in the ‘number 10’.

Jake Hyde, who’d replaced Olly Thomas opened up the Newport defence and played the ball to Maguire-Drew who turned sharply and went down under a challenge to earn the Glovers a penalty. Hyde stepped up, but attempted to deftly lift his spot kick and it ended up not so deftly in the the Thatchers Stand.

HYDE amends in the 73rd minute with a right footed effort that rebounded off the post before going in. It was credited to Hyde but it looked to me like Charlie Cooper got something on the rebound.

Yeovil were on the hunt for a third with five minutes remaining and as Jordan Young and Will Dawes broke forward, the latter couldn’t find Lo-Everton in the box.

Through luck rather than judgement, Newport’s keeper kept a point blank header from Jake Hyde out from the resulting corner.

The Glovers saw out the game professionally and with some exciting passing okay to whet the appetite for the season ahead of the final friendly fixture at Plymouth Parkway on Saturday.

You can say that Newport County did not look a great side for an EFL outfit, but there is no denying that Mark Cooper’s men looked impressive and thoroughly deserved their victory.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Newport County 0

 

Yeovil Town: Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Jamie Sendles-White, Jake Wannell, Zach Bell (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 62), Alex Whittle (for Will Dawes, 78),  Charlie Cooper, Matt Worthington, Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Josh Owers, 74), Olly Thomas (for Jake Hyde, 56), Frank Nouble (for Jordan Young, 80) .

Attendance: 2,177 (153 away supporters)

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Goals from strikers Rhys Murphy and loanee Olly Thomas was enough to help Yeovil Town to another pre-season friendly win at AFC Totton on Saturday.

It took less than two minutes for Murphy to open the scoring combining well with Frank Nouble and Jordan Maguire-Drew, a front three which repeatedly rotated positions as the game progress, and Bristol City forward Thomas added a second with his first touch after 66 minutes.

The hosts pulled one back through Matt Burrows on 71 minutes, however, despite not being a vintage performance in atrocious weather conditions on the South Coast, the Glovers did enough to hold on for the win.

Callum Hallett was once again in the stands to provide us with updates and here is how it went……

 

First half

How many times did we hear about Yeovil Town wanting to start ‘on the front foot’ last season? Well, this was the most front foot of front foot starts as the Glovers took the lead after less than two minutes.

The ball dropped to Frank Nouble who played a nice ball through to Jordan Maguire-Drew who who had a shot blocked and the ball dropped to Rhys MURPHY. He fired home the opener in to the top right-hand corner.

The match started with Murphy down the left of a front three with Nouble on the right and Maguire-Drew down the middle, albeit they constantly rotated during their time on the pitch. You’d fancy that trio to get some goals next season, wouldn’t you?

On eight minutes, Jake Scrimshaw, who had a fairly unfruitful spell at Huish Park last season, had an effort after a good move from the hosts down the right hand side, but Scrimshaw shot over. Sounds familiar.

Moments later JM-D and Murphy combined nicely and the latter saw his effort well saved by Lewis Noice in the Totton goal and then it was Will Buse who was in action on 12 minutes. He reacted well to get down to a header from Luke Hallett from an Ethan Taylor corner.

First half action at AFC Totton.
Picture courtesy of Marcus Duncomb.

In fairness to the home side, who play a level below Yeovil in Southern League Premier Division South, they did not allow the early goal impact them and caused the visitors problems.

Conditions were not that summery with driving rain making the pitch at the Snows Stadium somewhat heavy, so much so that both sets of players warmed up on a pitch outside the stadium. It made for a couple of ‘tasty’ tackles in the first half with Totton captain Mike Carter putting in a particularly heavy one in on Murphy leading to a talking to from the referee.

The hosts continued to have the better of the chances as the first half progressed and on 34 minutes hosts’ midfielder Adam Tomasso forced a routine stop out of Buse after a smart one-two from the Stags with a Taylor free-kick going over soon after.

On 43 minutes, good combination between Murphy and Maguire-Drew saw the latter go through only to be denied by a fine tackle from experienced hosts’ defender Sam Magri, who picked up an injury for his trouble and had to be substituted.

After a bright start it was not a vintage first half from Yeovil in conditions more akin to mid-November than mid-July, but equally we lead the match. So there’s that.

Half-time: AFC Totton 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

There were no changes at half-time and the second half began as the first ended with the home side having chances. With four minutes of the second half gone, Scrimshaw got through one-on-one with Buse and the keeper did well to save with his feet. You could call that a good save or a reason why we cancelled Scrimhsaw’s contract, we’ll leave that one up to you.

Two minutes later, on loan Bristol City wing-back Zac Bell won the ball back well, got past his man and got a shot in, but it was high and wide.

After a half-time ticking off from manager Mark Cooper, the visitors grew in to the game and just before the hour mark Maguire-Drew twisted and turned the Totton defence but his effort to the back post was just about cleared away.

A minute later good link-up between Maguire-Drew, Nouble and Alex Whittle saw Nouble beat his defender and smash in a shot-come-cross which was blocked.

The changes arrived soon after the hour mark with Olly Thomas, who joined on loan from Bristol City in the week, replacing Murphy and then trialist Sonny Blu Lo-Everton replaced Maguire-Drew on 63 minutes.

It took just three minutes for the new arrivals to combine for Yeovil’s second goal on 66 minutes. Lo-Everton showed great strength to win the ball back and fed THOMAS who had a great touch to set himself away and then hammered a fantastic effort off the post and in to the bottom corner.

Olly Thomas, number 40 (much to Ben’s disgust), celebrates his goal with his new team-mates. Picture courtesy of Marcus Duncomb.

But the home side pulled a goal back on 71 minutes after a mistake from Morgan Williams saw Totton break away down the left, a great ball across from Jordan Ragguette and Matt BURROWS beat Jamie Sendles-White to the ball and pulled one back.

Thomas was in again a minute later when substitute Jordan Young, who had replaced Nouble, set the striker away, but this time he dragged his effort wide. Matt Worthington followed suit pulling one past the post after a great ball through from Lo-Everton on 79 minutes.

Despite the horrendous weather which did not get any better as the match progressed, Lo-Everton continued to press his case for a deal with an impressive performance.

On 85 minutes, Charlie Davies seized on a mistake from Jake Wannell just outside the box, but put his effort over the bar.

 

Full time: AFC Totton 1 Yeovil Town 2

 

Yeovil Town: Will Buse (for Lewis Williams, 75), Morgan Williams, Jamie Sendles-White (for Josh Staunton, 75), Jake Wannell, Alex Whittle (for Will Dawes, 67), Zac Bell (for Jacob Shore, 80), Matt Worthington, Charlie Cooper (for Josh Owers, 75), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 63), Frank Nouble (for Jordan Young, 69), Rhys Murphy (for Olly Thomas, 60).

Attendance: 583

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Four second half goals saw Yeovil Town cruise to a comfortable 5-0 win at near neighbours Dorchester Town in their fourth pre-season friendly on Tuesday night.

A double from playmaker Jordan Maguire-Drew and further goals from strikers Rhys Murphy and Frank Nouble added to a first half strike from trialist Walter Figueira.

Here’s how Ian saw it from his spot on the terraces at The Avenue Stadium….

 

First half

The visitors began with a youthful looking line-up with Under-18s graduates Jacob Shore and Aidan Skiverton lining up alongside another product of the youth system Ollie Haste and Will Dawes.

There were three trialists with one familiar face in play-maker Sonny Blu Lo Everton, who played 36 times in green-and-white in the 2021-22 season and was released by League One side Derby County in the summer.

The other two trialists were less familiar faces with social media identifying one as forward Walter Figueira, who last saw service for Bognor Regis Town, with the other being Torquay United youth team defender, Brandon Quinn.

Lo-Everton did not take long to make an impact as his great footwork after 15 minutes created space for a cross and the ball landed to Dawes whose effort rattled the Dorchester bar.

The Glovers opened the scoring four minutes later when good work from Benjani Junior saw him square the ball FIGUEIRA just inside the box and his powerful effort went in to the bottom corner.

Trialists Walter Figueira, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Brandon Quinn.

The trialist almost bagged a second on 25 minutes. He was sharpest after Dorchester keeper Lloyd Thomas spilled a Benjani effort at his feet but the keeper recovered to deny.

Lewis Williams, who finished last Friday’s friendly victory at Tiverton Town, had a couple of scary moments where he was caught off his line but Dorchester couldn’t capitalise.

The first half ended on a low point for Yeovil as Dawes went off injured. The wing-back appeared to be back-peddling on the artificial surface at the Avenue Stadium and went down.

Half-time: Dorchester Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Unsurprisingly Alex Whittle replaced Dawes at the interval and there were a couple of half chances in the opening stages after the restart with Ollie Haste clearing off the line after a good run and cross from the hosts’s Shaquille Gwengwe.

At the other end, Jordan Young had an effort blocked on 53 minutes before Haste threw a leg at at Josh Owers corner a minute later, but his effort went wide.

But the difference came on 56 minutes when the obligatory mass of substitutions by visiting boss Mark Cooper saw the Glovers’ XI take on a far more first team feel.

Frank Nouble headed a Zac Bell cross over three minutes later and then on the hour mark Jordan Maguire-Drew found Rhys MURPHY who twisted and turned inside the box and fired in a trademark cool finish to double the advantage.

On 78 minutes, MAGUIRE-DREW went from creator to scorer adding Yeovil’s third with a sublime strike from outside the box. The number 10 picked up the ball and picked his spot with immaculate precision.

Despite hurting himself with his thunderbolt, MAGUIRE-DREW grabbed his second and the visitors’ fourth on 82 minutes with calm right-footed finish moments later, after a mix up in the Dorchester defence.

Then, with four minutes remaining, NOUBLE got in on the act shortly after. A great move between him, Murphy and Alex Whittle. A through ball from Murphy found Nouble who fired home.

Full time: Dorchester Town 0 Yeovil Town 5

 

Yeovil Town: Lewis Williams (for Will Buse, 56), Aidan Skiverton (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 56), Jacob Shaw, Will Dawes (for Alex Whittle, 46), Ollie Haste (for Matt Worthington, 56), Brandon Quinn (for Rhys Murphy, 56), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Charlie Cooper 56), Josh Owers (for Jake Wannell, 56), Benjani Junior (for Zac Bell, 56), Jordan Young (for Morgan Williams, 56), Walter Figueira (for Frank Nouble, 56).

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Yeovil Town’s second pre-season friendly ended with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wimborne Town this evening.

The Glovers fell behind early on and lost Matt Worthington to injury in the first half. Jake Hyde levelled things up in the second half as the Glovers improved but Wimborne struck back following a flurry of substitutions to clinch a win in front of a crowd of 375.

Thanks to Callum Hallett for the updates from New Cuthbury…

FIRST HALF

First half XI: Will Buse, Matt Buse (Trialist), Josh Staunton, Jake Wannell, Alex Whittle, Charlie Cooper, Jordan Stevens, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Matt Worthington, Frank Nouble, Rhys Murphy.

Things got off to a poor start for the Glovers as they fell behind inside the first five minutes after a defensive error. 0-1

Will Buse was called into action minutes later and forced into a save. The Southern League side kept the early pressure on with a dangerous cross just going wide of Buse’s left hand post.

In the 16th minute, the hosts countered in a three -on-one but the final pass was misplaced allowing Matt Buse to clear away for a throw in.

Matt Worthington went down injured 20 minutes forcing Cooper into an early change. Josh Owers, who played the first half against Buckland Athletic, came on as Worthington’s replacement. 

Wimborne attacked again a couple of minutes later dancing through the Yeovil defence. A deflected cross went through the penalty area and was blasted over from close range. A terrible miss!

The Glovers finally had an attacking effort around the half hour mark through Jordan Maguire-Drew. The midfielder struck his effort from the edge of the box but it wasn’t causing the Wimborne keeper any trouble.

Maguire-Draw was involved again minutes later as his cross found Rhys Murphy inside the box. The poacher’s header deflected off a Magpies’ defender into the keeper’s hands.

Wimborne were on the attack again in the 32nd minute, a cross into the box following a corner wasn’t inch perfect and the Wimborne attacker couldn’t good enough connection to test Buse.

Before the half time break Alex Whittle found himself with a chance to shoot after neat play from Frank Nouble, but the left back’s effort was charged down by the a Wimborne defender.

Half-time: Wimborne Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

SECOND HALF

Second half XI: Will Buse (Lewis Williams 61), Matt Buse (Jacob Shore 72), Josh Staunton (Jamie Sendles-White 61), Jake Wannell (Ollie Haste 66), Alex Whittle (Will Dawes 61), Charlie Cooper (Trialist – Andry Demira 66), Jordan Young (for Jordan Stevens), Jordan Maguire-Drew (Benjani Jr 66), Josh Owers, Frank Nouble (Malachi Linton 61), Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy).

Yeovil made a double change at half time (flashbacks intensify) with Jake Hyde and Jordan Young replacing Jordan Steven and Rhys Murphy.

Hyde made an instant impact grabbing his second goal of pre-season and levelling things up. A lovely ball from Owers found Maguire-Drew who squared it to Hyde to scuff home! 1-1

Wimborne tried to regain their advantage shortly after with an inviting ball smashed across the box, but no one could get on the other end of it.

Maguire-Drew was centre-stage again, chopping in and out before getting low shot away that was deflected into the feet of Wimborne’s goalkeeper.

Wimborne had an effort of their own moments later as their striker fired a long range effort wide of Buse’s top corner.

Alex Whittle found himself more involved in the 2nd half and his pass to Maguire-Drew led to Jordan Young shooting over the bar.

The Maguire-Drew x Hyde combination almost found a second in the 64th minute, but the striker’s header went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

in the 68th minute the Glovers fell behind again. A lovely ball through the Yeovil defence was squared across the box and tapped home past substitute Lewis Williams. 1-2

Wimborne kept the pressure on and after good play down the right hand side they had an effort deflected over the bar for a corner.

Young attempted an effort from 25 yards out five minutes from time, but his shot didn’t cause the keeper any trouble.

Benjani Jr earned the Glovers a freekick on the edge of the box, but Young despatched his effort well over the bar. The youngster was in the thick of things again moments later, flashing a brilliant cross across the penalty box begging to someone to get a toe on it!

Full time: Wimborne Town 2 Yeovil Town 1

Goals: Wimborne 4 (1-0),  Jake Hyde 49 (1-1), Wimborne 68 (1-2)

Wimborne Town: No idea

Attendance: 375

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Venue: Meadow Park
Saturday, 29th April, 5:30pm kick-off

Pitch: Pristine for a final day pitch
Conditions: Coatesie was dodging sunstroke in the away end

Attendance: .. (226 away supporters!!)

Scorers: Tyrone Marsh 26 (0-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: None
Boreham Wood: Kelly Evans 90

Referee: Matt Corlett

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Reo Griffiths (for Linton 58), Andrew Oluwabori (for Siziba 69), Benjani Jr (for Young 77)

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Ilesanmi, Rees, Ndlovu, Marsh (for Lewis 74), Fyfield, Payne, Sousa (for Kelly-Evans 45), Brunt (for Ricketts 80), Bush, Agbontohoma Substitutes: Evans, Newton


Match Report

Yeovil Town’s finished the National League season with a 1-0 defeat on the road at Boreham Wood.

A first half goal from Tyrone Marsh was enough against a depleted Glovers side who had to make a change just before kick off with Ollie Haste coming in for the ill skipper, Josh Staunton.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it…

First half

The opening 15 minutes offered very little in the way of attacking chances from either side with the opening ‘chance’ coming when Boreham Wood centre half Jamal Fyfield went down inside the box. Nothing doing from the referee.

Charlie Cooper had a free-kick deflected wide on 12 minutes for a corner which can only be described as ‘peak Yeovil’. Just terrible.

On 16 minutes, it was the turn of Zanda Siziba to have a penalty shout. Having jinked his way in to the box, he went to ground under a tackle. It was probably no more of a penalty than the one at the other end.

Cooper fired a long range effort on 18 minutes, but the deadlock was broken by the home side on 26 minutes.

A great ball in from the left wing found Tyrone MARSH in space at the back post to head home a controversial opener, after a foul on Scott Pollock in the build up. 1-0

That gave the home side a lift and soon after Bush has an effort deflected wide followed by a number of half chances which put the visiting defence under pressure.

Siziba pulled an effort wide on 43 minutes after good interplay with Freckleton, but in fairness the interplay of inflatable items was more entertainment than was offered in front of Nathan Ashmore’s goal.

Half time: Boreham Wood 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Not surprisingly, having a shot on goal was the issue for Yeovil going forward in the first half. At the start of the second, they did the exact opposite.

On 47 minutes, the ball came to Chiori Johnson on the edge of the box, he lashed in an effort which Ashmore turned wide. A shot on target, make a note of the day.

Having offered nothing in the first half, it was the Glovers who were offering more going forward.

Malachi Linton tumbled inside the box on 55 minutes and two minutes later he was replaced by Reo Griffiths, much to his disgust. He refused a handshake from Mark Cooper and then took his frustration out on a water bottle.

On the hour, Charlie Cooper has a long range effort tipped over the bar by Ashmore.

But the best chance of the half (and therefore the game) up until this point fell to Griffiths. Played in by Siziba on 68 minutes, he was one-on-one with Ashmore but his effort enabled the keeper to make an easy save.

On 69 minutes, Oluwabori replaced Siziba.

Whilst the attack was still leaving a lot to be desired, the performance of Ollie Haste in defence was a highlight. Up against experienced campaigners in Marsh and strike partner Lee Ndlovu, he was not afraid to put in a forceful tackle.

If we are looking for positives, another came on 77 minutes when Benjani Junior, another graduate of the Under-18s set up at Huish Park, replaced Jordan Young.

I honestly lost count of the number of times I heard the shout of “just have a shot” echo out of the away end.

35 goals in 46 National League games. Tells you everything you need to know.

Full time: Boreham Wood 1 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 22nd April, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Slippy
Conditions: Dark clouds overhead which burst in the second half

Attendance: 4,016 (480 away supporters)

Scorers: Devarn Green 8 (0-1), Mike Fondop 74 (0-2), Mike Fondop 88 (0-3)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Reo Griffiths 45, Charlie Cooper 78
Oldham Athletic: Liam Hogan 34, Nathan Sheron 45

Referee: Paul Johnson

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Max Hunt (for Jamie Reckord, 46), Zanda Siziba (for Reo Griffiths, 60), Young (for Matt Worthington, 64) Pollock (not used).

Oldham Athletic: Norman, Hogan, Sheron, Sutton, Reid (for Fondop, 58), Green, Kitching, Chapman (for Couto, 75), Yarney, Nuttall (for Sambou, 58), Gardner. Substitutes: Tollitt.


Match Report

Yeovil Town’s final home game of the National League season served up another dismal performance as they rolled over to gift mid-table Oldham Athletic a comfortable afternoon at Huish Park.

In front of a crowd of more than 4,000 supporters, an early goal from the visitors Devarn Green set the tone as an hopes of the players (with the usual honourable exceptions) playing for any kind of pride evaporated with a completely lacklustre performance.

In the second half, substitute Mike Fondop added two late goals to set the seal on a dismal day and a dismal season at Huish Park.

Here’s how it went down and kept dropping…..

 

First half

Yet again there was a changed starting XI named by manager Mark Cooper with first choice goalkeeper Grant Smith coming in place of Will Buse, who had appeared in the previous two matches, who had a heavily strapped hand ahead of the game.

You know what we’re going to say here, don’t you? The script was the same as almost every other one written from a Yeovil Town matchday this season and in the first minute a mistake by Miguel Freckleton gave Oldham a chance in the opening minute. Striker Joe Nuttall took up possession and fed Ellis Chapman, on loan from League Two Cheltenham Town, whose effort was deflected wide.

Six minutes later, the visitors were ahead. Try and act like you are shocked. A fantastic cross from the left hand side found Devarn GREEN on the back post and he fired home from close range. Good cross, good finish but non-existent defending from Yeovil. Captain Josh Staunton berated his team-mates, many of whom just trudged back to the halfway line. Same old, same old.

It took until 13 minutes for the first opportunity to fall the way of the Glovers. A mistake by Joseph Yarney gifted the ball to Matt Worthington whose effort was blocked by Yarney.

So we’ve had a slow start, a sloppy goal and very little going forward, what are we missing? Oh, a great save from Grant Smith. That came on 24 minutes when he made a smart stop to deny Oldham captain Liam Hogan, the ball looped up and Josh Staunton was there to clear it.

For the first half hour, there was no doubt which team was in charge of this. The visitors looked well-drilled, every player knew where their team-mates were and crucially they took their chance. For Yeovil, the passes were a yard short and there was no desire to make life easy for one another and there was zero going forward. Any kind of pride the home players were supposed to be playing for, it was sadly lacking.

To quote our very own Ian Perkins who was co-commentator for BBC Radio Somerset: “That’s why we are where we are and why we are going where we are going.”

Charlie Cooper had a couple of opportunities from free kicks. On 33 minutes, his ball across the box failed to find anyone in a green-and-white shirt and three minutes later after good play from Chiori Johnson saw Cooper attempt a shot – but it wasn’t on target. Sigh.

Cooper seemed to be on a mission to score against the club and on 43 minutes a good combination with Worthington presented him with an opportunity a fair way out. High, wide and not so handsome.

Going forward, the only piece of enthusiasm from Reo Griffiths, who appeared to be playing in behind Malachi Linton and Andrew Oluwabori, came when he squared up to an Oldham player and got his name taken by the referee.

 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Oldham Athletic 1

Second half

Max Hunt replaced Jamie Reckord at half-time with a flat back four being retained (something to cheer about, at least) as Freckleton moved across to the right and Chiori Johnson shifted across to the left.

On 49 minutes, Cooper conceded a free-kick and Oldham took it quickly, despite referee Paul Johnson not sounding his whistle, and Smith had to scramble back as the effort from Mark Shelton looped over him and came off the top of the bar. A couple of inches lower that was 2-0.

A chance opened up for Reo Griffiths soon after but the on loan Doncaster Rovers man tried the delicate side foot rather than just putting his laces through it. Add that one to Yeovil Town 2022/23 Bingo card – anyone got a line yet?

If you wanted a bit of a sign there was some passion in this side, there was a bit of a dust up on the touchline when visiting boss David Unsworth and Yeovil assistant Chris Todd. That led to the pair of them being yellow carded before shaking hands.

On the hour mark, Zanda Siziba replaced Reo Griffiths with Malachi Linton moving in to the middle of a front three along with Andrew Oluwabori. Then two minutes later Matt Worthington went down – never a good sign – and was replaced by Jordan Young. Worthy walked past the Thatcher’s Stand on his way round to the Yeovil technical area. If that is the last we see of him at Huish Park, what a shame.

On 74 minutes it was absolutely over. A ball over the top of Max Hunt sent substitute Bassala Sambou away and he ran towards Smith before cutting the ball back and setting up strike partner Mike FONDOP-TALUM who slotted in to an empty net. Some home supporters headed to the exits at that point and it’s hard to argue with them.

Smith made a good save to deny Sambou on 87 minutes before FONDOP completed the rout with his second and Oldham’s third. The big striker side-footed in the third. So, so easy.

From the first minute until the last minute, it was another dire performance from Yeovil. Big changes need to happen in every department of the club before a competitive ball is kicked at the start of next season.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Oldham Athletic 3

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Venue: The Racecourse
Tuesday, 18th April, 7:45pm kick-off

Pitch: A light green turf carpet
Conditions: Bright, breezy with little cloud cover

Attendance: 10106 (217 away supporters)

Scorers: Anthony Forde 59, Jamie Jones 71, Paul Mullin 76

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Cooper 42, Freckleton 44
Wrexham: None

Referee: Michael Barlow

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

Substitutes: Grant Smith, Jordan Young (for Siziba 69), Malachi Linton (for Bevan 23), Max Hunt, Chiori Johnson (for Griffiths 63)

Wrexham: Foster, Barnett, O’Connell, Tozer, O’Connor, Forde, J.Jones, Cannon (for Young 79), Lee, Mullin (for Palmer 87), Dalby Subs: Howard, Cleworth, McAlinden


Match Report

Yeovil Town’s relegation to National League South was confirmed emphatically this evening at the hands of Wrexham.

The Glovers performed admirably but the league leader’s quality shone through as they saw off Mark Cooper’s side 3-0. Goals from Anthony Forde, James Jones and Paul Mullin put Wrexham on course for promotion to the EFL.

Here’s how the match went…

First half

The opening exchanges were even, with Yeovil keeping some nice control of the ball. In the 8th minute when Freckleton was dispossessed the Glovers got their first taste of the Wrexham attack. Mullin drilled a cross through the 18 yard box and Anthony Forde’s shot was charged down by Yeovil defenders.

Yeovil had a couple of efforts from corners shortly afterward, with Charlie Cooper drawing ire from the Wrexham faithful for his placement of the ball on the corner arc.

Wrexham nearly opened the scoring in the 13th minute with Andy Cannon’s drilled effort going wide of the post with Will Buse well-beaten.

Yeovil were forced into a 22nd minute change when Owen Bevan injured after a push in the back by Paul Mullin saw him pull his thigh. Malachi Linton entered the fray at left wing back. Despite Max Hunt being on the bench…

Yeovil managed to carve out an opportunity in the 26th minute with Matt Worthington’s effort stinging the gloves of former England international Ben Foster.

Both side traded possession with Wrexham finding gaping holes on their spacious pitch and moving the ball around nicely. 

Wrexham had a half chance through a header in box after Ben Tozer’s long throw.

After the early efforts, the Glover did find themselves under the cosh and were only able to clear the ball long and invite Wrexham pressure.

Reo Griffiths was dispossessed in stoppage which allowed Elliott Lee to turn and escape Charlie Cooper and Scott Pollock. Lee found Mullin on the edge of the box but he fluffed his lines and skied the ball into the building site behind Buse’s goal.

Half time: Wrexham 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

After the half time break it was much of the same, with Yeovil trying to soak up pressure and hit Wrexham on the counter. 

It wasn’t until the 56th minute that something gave, with Cannon having another effort from outside the box that was deflected wide as Buse scrambled across his goal.

Just before the hour mark, a slip by Pollock on the edge of the box allowed Anthony Forde time to pick up the ball and work some space and fire a deflected effort into the bottom corner past Buse. 1-0

As a response, Yeovil introduced Chiori Johnson for Reo Griffiths, moving Linton to centre forward.

Wrexham came close to doubling their lead in the 65th minute after a collision in the box fell to Mullin whose deflected effort looped over the bar.

In the 71st minute the second goal came. A scramble in the six yard box just couldn’t be mopped up and JAMES JONES doubled the league leader’s lead. 2-0.

It was nearly a third moments later but for terrific save from Buse. A sloppy touch from Josh Staunton allowed Paul Mullin the chance inside the 18 yard box but the Bristol City loanee was equal to it.

PAUL MULLIN scored his 45th goal of the season in the 76th. A cross from Barnett on the right hand side found him unmarked to nod to the far post past the helpless Buse. 3-0

Former Yeovil man Ben Tozer did his best to get a fourth but Buse made yet another impressive save.

Wrexham’s substitute Young called Buse into action again moments later as the Glovers desperately sought the final whistle.

On the 87th minute, Paul Mullin was replaced by Ollie Palmer. Depth.

Foster was called into his first action of the second half in the 88th minute as Jordan Young spotted the goalkeeper off his line and fired in a testing effort.

Yeovil tried for a consolation goal but couldn’t break down Wrexham whose jubilation was matched with the despondence amongst Yeovil supporters.

Full time: Wrexham 3 Yeovil Town 0