Match Reports (Page 16)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time: Welling United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Welling United 4 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

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

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

Attendance: 826

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

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

Referee: Callum Fisk

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

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

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time: Chippenham Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Chippenham Town 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

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

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

Attendance: 1326

Scorers: Hyde, Own Goal

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

Referee: Shelby Elson

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

Alex Whittle following his collision with the advertising boards.

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

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

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

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

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

Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Half time: Torquay United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Torquay United 2 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

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

Pitch: Wet
Conditions: Windy

Attendance: 1,740 (322 away supporters)

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

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

Referee: Robert Ablett

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time:  Yeovil Town 2 Farnborough 1

 

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 4 Farnborough 2

 

Match Details

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

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

Attendance: 3,206 (61 away supporters)

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

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

Referee: Richard Eley

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Dover Athletic 0

 

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Dover Athletic 0

Match Details

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

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

Attendance: 3,162 (43 away supporters)

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

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

Referee: Robert Ablett

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

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

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

 

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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