Match Reports (Page 18)

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Venue: Wordsworth Drive
Tuesday October 18th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but cold
Pitch: Narrow and slopey

Attendance: 2,347 (350 away supporters)

Scorers: Lloyd James (pen) 26

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Worthington 33
Taunton Town: Grimes 13, Z.Smith 48

Referee: Paul Johnson

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Max Hunt  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                                 Chiori Johnson                                                       Jamie Reckord

Sam Pearson       Callum Rowe (for Will Dawes, 70)      Matt Worthington

Gime Toure  (for Jake Scrimshaw, 78)   Alex Fisher (for Malachi Linton, 78)

Substitutes: Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Sam Perry, Ollie Hulbert.

Taunton Town: Bycroft, Foulston, Grimes, Ball, Chamberlain, James, Jarvis, McCootie (for Sims-Burgess, 83), Guest, Smith, Lucas. Substitutes: Budd, Warwick, Stearn, Staley, Morgan, Irish.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town’s FA Cup campaign came to an end

Thanks to Jake Farrant from the Green & White Supporters’ Club who allowed us to use his match report – you can read it on the club’s own page – here – with none of the Gloverscast trio in attendance.

Here’s how he saw it…..

First half

Yeovil had the better of the opening exchanges but they weren’t able to put Taunton under any sort of pressure and the game soon began to be a bit dull, much like the first game at Huish Park.

As Taunton began to have some play of their own they were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes when Chiori Johnson handled the ball in the box and Lloyd JAMES stepped up to fire the ball past Grant Smith.

On 30 minutes the home side almost made it 2-0 when Ollie Chamberlain broke through the Yeovil defence but he fired his effort wide.

Very little happened for the remainder of the half as Yeovil just didn’t look like getting an equaliser and they trailed at the break.

Half time:  Taunton Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Neither side made changes at half time and the game continued with Yeovil playing poorly.

Both teams struggled to create chances during the second half with Yeovil being limited to half chances.

As time ticked away it was inevitable that Yeovil were heading out of the cup and when the full time whistle went the fans were less than impressed.

Full time:  Taunton Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday October 15th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but blustery wind
Pitch: Heavily watered, but held up okay

Attendance: 3,093 (964 away supporters)

Scorers: None

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  None
Taunton Town: Lee Lucas 78, Zac Smith 80

Referee: Daniel Middleton

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                                 Morgan Williams                                                          Chiori Johnson

Sam Pearson Sam Perry Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield (for Jake Scrimshaw, 79) Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 61)

Substitutes: Will Buse, Max Hunt, Callum Rowe, Ollie Haste, Will Dawes.

Taunton Town: Bycroft, Foulston, Grimes, Ball, Chamberlain, James, Jarvis, McCootie (for Guest, 87), Stearn (for Morgan, 66), Smith, Lucas (for Budd, 87). Substitutes: Warwick, Staley, Sims-Burgess, Staley. 

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town face an FA Cup replay at Somerset rivals Taunton Town on Tuesday night after being held to a stalemate at Huish Park.

The National League South side, who sit 17th in their division as the Glovers do one tier higher up the pyramid, dominated the opening 45 minutes but could not turn their dominance in to a goal.

In the second half, the Glovers at least created a couple of opportunities to test the visiting keeper with Matt Worthington and Charlie Wakefield both going close.

But, the final whistle was met by boos from the Yeovil Town supporters in the biggest crowd of the season at Huish Park and raucous celebrations from the visiting supporters who will welcome their Somerset rivals to Wordsworth Drive in 72 hours time.

First half

It was the visitors who started the stronger with Nat Jarvis heading a Lloyd James free-kick over after just five minutes, but on 16 minutes Taunton’s best chance fell to Ross Stearn. The midfielder was found five yards by  Jarvis’ nod down from an Ollie Chamberlain cross, but inexplicably his effort came off the post and away.

Grant Smith turns a shot over the bar. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Peacocks’ bright start was exacerbated by a sluggish one from Yeovil as they grew in to the game a little with Sam Pearson’s ball almost finding Morgan Williams. Not quite though.

Chamberlain’s effort forced a stop out of Grant Smith on 27 minutes, turning the half-volley over the bar and a goal would have been nothing more than the National League South side, separated by 24 league places from the Glovers, deserved having dominated the first half to this point.

As so often has been the case this season, on loan Bristol City winger Sam Pearson was the catalyst for Yeovil’s best chance on 34 minutes when his cross was headed over by captain Josh Staunton, and four minutes later fellow loanee Sam Perry had a great opportunity having been found by a ball from Charlie Wakefield.

But, half chances were as good as it got for the home side whilst Taunton will have gone in the more frustrated to be goalless at the half-time interval.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Taunton Town 0

Second half

Yeovil came out for the second half stronger than the finished the first half and carved out their first meaningful chance when Williams beat his marker to get on to a pass from Matt Worthington to force visiting keeper Jack Bycroft in to action.

Sam Perry had a shot blocked on 52 minutes after impressive play by Pearson and two minutes later a speculative effort by Wakefield tried to catch Bycroft off his lead – speculatively, it is fair to say.

Chiori Johnson tussles for a ball. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In the middle of the park, there was more impetus from Worthington and just before the hour mark his strike took a deflection and went just wide.

Stearn had another good opportunity on 63 minutes which was palmed wide by Grant Smith who needed Williams to clear for a corner with Zac Smith closing in.

With the wind in their favour in the second half, the visitors had a string of corners which Yeovil had to defend before Wakefield, still looking to get off the mark having had a prolific Cup campaign last season, had a gilt-edged chance. On 67 minutes, Pearson found him within six yards but the frontman’s effort went tamely wide.

Taunton striker Jarvis had a great opportunity with 78 minutes on the clock, but a combination of Ben Richards-Everton and Smith were enough to deny him. Another good opportunity for the visitors.

Worthington headed over with seven minutes remaining and Williams put a tame header wide as the game crept in to injury time.

But, the game finished goalless, deservedly for the visitors who were more than good enough to deserve a replay at Wordsworth Drive on Tuesday night.

The result was a repeat of the last time the two sides met in a competitive fixture back in September 1996 – with a goalless draw at Huish Park followed by a 5-3 win in the county town in that second qualifying round tie.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 0 Taunton Town 0

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday October 8th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: A clear, sunny Somerset day
Pitch: Looking good, but cut up in places

Attendance: 2,244 (60 away supporters)

Scorers: Chiori Johnson 58 (1-0)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Sam Pearson 11, Matt Worthington 73.
Solihull Moors: None.

Referee: Alan Dale


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                              Sam Pearson Matt Worthington Lawson D’Ath (for Morgan Williams, 53)  Sam Perry  Chiori Johnson

Charlie Wakefield    Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 72)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Will Dawes, Jake Scrimshaw.


Solihull Moors: Moulden, Clarke, Coker, Maycock (for Reid, 78), Gudger, Howe, Sbarra (for Parsons, 90+2), Dallas, Osborne, Barnett, Kelly. Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Vaughan, Whelan.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town picked up their second win of the season in a 1-0 win over Solihull Moors at Huish Park this afternoon.

Chiori Johnson’s second half goal was enough for Chris Hargraves side who saw the game out comfortably to pick up three points.

The result lifts the Glovers out of the National League drop zone and up to 17th place.

Here’s how Ian saw it…..

First half

Yeovil were under pressure less than a minute in. Josh Staunton conceded a free-kick which, after a corner and throw in, resulted in an a good left handed save from Grant Smith as the Glovers struggled to clear their lines.

Chiori Johnson should have put Yeovil ahead in the 4th minute. The Glovers broke with Malachi Linton who returned the ball to Charlie Wakefield after his flick on and Wakefield’s cross was on a plate for Johnson who skied it over the bar.

The Glovers had momentum and a speculative strike from Linton was deflected wide of the Solihull goal as Louis Moulden scrambled to his left.

Joe Sbarra had his first sight of goal in the 10th minute, cutting inside and firing a low effort at goal that was pushed wide by Smith.

As the match calmed in middle of the first half, both sides dwelled for possession with Yeovil’s familiar pattern of patience followed by an impatient lump forward. Solihull had a decent effort from a free-kick just effort the half hour mark, although Smith watched Ben Coker’s shot glide past his post.

Yeovil had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 38th minute as Matt Worthington broke from a corner with three teammates in support against a lone Solihull defender. He shifted the ball to Wakefield on his left and as Wakefield cut inside to shoot he seemed to get his foot stuck in the turf and fell to the floor.

As the first half entered stoppage time, Linton picked the pocket of a Moors defender and looked to curl a shot into the far corner. His effort looped into the away end as the first half came to a close.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Solihull Moors 0

Second half

Neither side came out of the traps particularly fast but Solihull nearly drew first blood in the 50th minute. A great ball in behind saw Josh Kelly go one on one with Smith. As Josh Staunton chased Kelly down, the striker put his shot over the bar.

Chris Hargreaves made his first change of the match shortly after with Morgan Williams coming on for Lawson D’Ath, moving Sam Pearson central and Williams to right midfield.

Chiori JOHNSON made up for his early miss in the 57th minute to give the Glovers a 1-0 lead. The left wing-back/midfielder was in the right place at the right time to tap home after Worthington’s shot from the edge if the box was parried into his path. 1-0.

Alex Fisher came on for Linton and almost had an immediate impact. His left footed strike was saved by Moulden but fell to the feet of Williams who had his shot charged down by two Solihull defenders.

As the clock ticked away Solihull seemingly took their foot off the gas, seemingly happy with zero points.

Fisher very nearly got the Glovers second in the 84th minute, meeting Ben Richards-Everton’s cross with a header that was well saved by Moulden.

Yeovil should have been out of sight two minutes from time, the Glovers broke at pace with Pearson who had Williams up with him. As the Bristol City loanee bore down on goal, he went for it himself rather than pass to Williams who was in the better position.

With six minutes added on, Solihull really didn’t chase the game as you’d expect and Chris Hargreaves side were in control as they picked up their second win of the season.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 1 Solihull Moors 0

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Venue: Meadowbank
Tuesday October 4th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but a little chilly
Pitch: Plastic

Attendance: 1,525 (no away attendance given, but something like 150)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 3 (1-0), Jack Muitt 53 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Chiori Johnson 29, Josh Staunton 87
Dorking Wanderers: Bobby-Joe Taylor 40

Referee: Matthew Russell


Yeovil Town : (3-4-3)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton   Max Hunt

                              Morgan Williams  Matt Worthington   Lawson D’Ath (Sam Perry 80)   Chiori Johnson (Alex Fisher 75)

Sam Pearson    Malachi Linton   Will Dawes (Charlie Wakefield 55)

Substitutes (not used): Oliver Haste, Jake Scrimshaw.

Dorking Wanderers: Lincoln, Fuller, Gallagher, B. Taylor, McManus (for Jebb, 75), J.Taylor, McShane, Muitt (for Mekki, 66), Bowerman, Ottaway, Seager (for Egan, 59). Substitutes (not used): El-Abd, Quick.

Match Report

This game, which Yeovil Town’s players and management has described as “must win”, ended in the seventh draw of the season as the Glovers slid in to the National League drop zone.

Having taken an early lead through Sam Pearson, the visitors reverted to type defending against a Dorking side more than happy to press their advantage and draw level early in the second half through Jimmy Muitt’s goal.

With Yeovil chairman and owner Scott Priestnall watching on from the stands at Meadowbank, the game concluded with angry chants directed at him at the final whistle.

Here’s how Dave saw another night filled with the F word…..

First half

Having dominated the opening exchanges, a ball forward found Sam PEARSON bursting through to hold off his marker and slam a powerful effort so far in to the corner it stuck there.

Far from looking like the side out of form against their in-form opponents, it was the visitors asking the questions.

But, after a muted speech start, Dorking began to work their way in to the game with some hectic defending from the Glovers to clear a barrage of balls in to the box.

On 18 minutes, Grant Smith was forced in to a point blank save from Grant Smith to deny Harry Ottaway followed by a scramble to clear

Even more worryingly, a slip on the artificial surface saw Smith go down for treatment. Cue a terrace discussion about why we won’t have a keeper on the bench.

Luckily the keeper stayed on and on 23 minutes he got down smartly to turn an effort from Ryan Seager. Yep, that Ryan Seager.

Possession was undoubtedly in favour of the home side (67% in favour of the hosts according to Statman Ben) with the early pressure applied by Chris Hargreaves’ side switching to playing on the break. I mean, when has sitting back ever failed us before, right?

However, for all their possession, it took until the 41st minute for Dorking to create a meaningful chance – and they did it twice in a matter of seconds.

First was a speculative high ball from the right side seemed like it was going out of play, only to come back off the bar and bounce away and eventually land to Seager whose effort was turned aside by Smith.

Two minutes later it was Smith to the rescue again, this time saving with his legs from a point blank effort header from Ottaway.

The half-time whistle was met by a sigh of relief from the away support who began a period of silent prayer that Smith would return after the break.

Half time:  Dorking Wanderers 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The artificial surface at Meadowbank certainly got some questioning looks from the Yeovil players in the first half and seven minutes after the restart it committed a heinous foul to deny a good break forward from Dawes, who stumbled and fell.

The second half started in a similar fashion to how the first half ended with the home sides on the front foot and the visitors on the back foot. The result was inevitable and on 53 minutes Dorking drew level.

More last ditch defending saw the ball pinball around inside the area and it was Jimmy MUITT who turned it home.

The instant response was to replace Dawes with Charlie Wakefield and the substitute almost immediately found Worthington who wasted his opportunity to test the keeper.

That seemed to spark a lacklustre Yeovil who started to venture forward a little more, but a couple of speculative Malachi Linton efforts were all we had to show for it.

Dorking seemed happy to sit back and let us enjoyed possession without any cutting edge.

It took until the 71st minute to force Dorking keeper Dan Lincoln in to a save. Wakefield’s cross was met by the head of Pearson who effort was turned over.

But that was it as far as meaningful chances for the visitors went as chairman and owner Scott Priestnall, watching from the stand at Meadowbank alongside club ‘volunteer’ Martyn Starnes, was the target of chants calling for him to go from a section of the away support.

The hosts, who were playing nine tiers lower than the Glovers less than a decade ago, continued to press for a winner with substitute Adam Mekki shot wide and Bobby Joe Taylor bent a free-kick just over the bar.

As the game crept towards the final whistle, a group of supporters approached the stand to voice their displeasure at Priestnall, who sat impassive before departing with a member of club security at the full-time whistle.

The response to the players was mixed with applause for some – not least Smith, without whom the hosts would have been out of sight by half-time – but angry words for others including some directed at manager, Chris Hargreaves.

Drawing a must win game is truly peak Yeovil.

Full time: Dorking Wanderers 1 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Root’s Hall
Saturday October 1st, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and bright
Pitch: Green

Attendance: 5,324 (81 away supporters)

Scorers: Jake Hyde 37 (0-1),

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Richards-Everton 77, D’Ath 88
Southend United: Andeng-Ndi 52, Powell 65

Sendings off:

Yeovil Town: Gime Toure 17

Referee: Sam Mulhall


Yeovil Town : (3-4-3)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton   Ben Richards-Everton

                                      Morgan Williams  Matt Worthington   Lawson D’Ath   Charlie Wakefield (for Jake Scrimshaw, 76)

Sam Pearson (for Finley Craske, 65)

Alex Fisher (for Malachi Linton, 59)   Gime Toure

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Will Dawes.

Match Report

It was yet another hard luck story for Yeovil Town as the wait due a second National League win of the season goes on.

Having been reduced to ten men after Gime Toure was sent off after 17 minutes for his part in an off-the-ball incident with Southend defender Kacper Lopata. This correspondent, like referee Sam Mulhall, did not see what it was given for but reports on social media suggest a kick out from the Frenchman. If so, that is inexcusable.

The real hard luck came when Josh Staunton had the ball in the net from a corner only for it to be given for a foul on Southend keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi, moments later play swung to the other end and Jake Hyde got what turned out to be the winner.

Here is Dave’s verdict from the away end…..

First half

 

The first surprise saw Charlie Wakefield slotting in at left wing-back in place of the injured Jamie Reckord.

The first chance fell to the star man playing down the….errr….left after just two minutes when a sweeping move made its way out to him and he curled a shot just wide of the post.

Chances were few and far between, but on 12 minutes Morgan Williams got away down the left and put a ball in which ended up at the feet of Sam Pearson whose effort hit as much air as it did ball and failed to test the hosts’ keeper.

Another effort saw a scramble in the hosts’ box which came to nothing before play broke to the other than end Cav Miley effort from the edge of the box was palmed aside by Grant Smith.

The most notable of the game so far came on 18 minutes after an off the ball incident led to a red card for Gime Toure. The incident seemed to pass everybody in ground, including referee Sam Mulhall by, but a tussle and a Southend defender Kacper Lopata saw the latter hit the deck. The assistant flagged and, after discussion with the referee, the man in black produced a red card.

A bit of Googling (thanks, Ben) suggests Mulhall was the same man who gave an early red to Wealdstone defender Lewis Kinsella for a boot up Malachi Linton’s backside. Suggestions on social media suggest Toure may have done the same to Lopata. Impossible to see from the angle of the away support.

Cue confusion in the away end and an intense period of pressure from the home side as Yeovil went deeper and deeper, welcoming the Shrimpers pressure on.

A lot of the threat came from Jack Bridge down the left but Ollie Kensdale and Marcus Dackers both called Grant Smith in to action as it seemed

On 32 minutes, Sam Pearson was set away on the left and fired a ball in to the near post where Alex Fisher could not make the contact and the ball went away for a corner. From the resulting corner by Lawson D’Ath, Josh Staunton rose highest in the box to head home, only for a foul to be given against Southend keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi. Against any other player on the pitch, that is never a foul but it’s the keeper.

There was a sense the dye may be cast there and two minutes later, a cross by Bridge was met by a close range header from Jake HYDE to open the scoring.

 

Half time:  Southend United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The first chance of the half fell to Yeovil on 52 minutes when Andeng-Ndi brought down Fisher on the edge of the box after a self-inflicted foul due to some poor decision making.

As the half wore on, the home side saw a lot of possession without creating too many opportunities to force a save out of Smith with an effort out of the dangerous Bridge putting an effort over the bar after cutting in off the left flank either side of the hour.

Malachi Linton replaced Fisher up front for the visitors on 59 minutes and six minutes later Finley Craske replaced Sam Pearson, taking up a position in the middle of the park.

The two substitutes combined on 72 minutes when good pressure from Linton presenting Craske with a chance with the hosts’ keeper off his line, but his effort floated wide. Speculative but that’s all I have!

Dackers put an effort just over four minutes later but, for all the possession they enjoyed (and they did enjoy plenty of it), that was as near to a meaningful chance as the home side got.

The frustration of knowing that the standard of our opponents is not that far off our own even on a sub-par showing like this one was palpable to those in the away end in Essex.

Socks were worked off, no doubt bits were being chomped at but again it’s those decisive moments. One came just in to the first of six minutes of added time when Matt Worthington did superbly to break in from the left flank, picked out Craske with a great opportunity but his shot sailed high, wide and not so handsome.

Goal difference is all that separates us from the National League relegation zone and, after 11 matches, that is no hard luck story.

Full time: Southend United 1 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday September 24th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Cloudy and cool
Pitch: Soft and cut up as the match went on

Attendance: 2,146 (65 away supporters)

Scorers: Alex Fisher 39 (1-0), Jack Payne 45 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams 62
Boreham Wood: Zac Brunt 45, Dion Kelly-Evans 77

Referee: Scott Jackson


Yeovil Town : (3-4-3)

Grant Smith

 Morgan Williams   Josh Staunton   Ben Richards-Everton

                                      Charlie Wakefield   Matt Worthington   Lawson D’Ath   Jamie Reckord

Sam Pearson (for Jake Scrimshaw, 80)

Alex Fisher (for Malachi Linton, 80)   Gime Toure

Substitutes: Will Buse, Fin Craske, Max Hunt.


Boreham Wood: Nathan Ashmore, Dion Kelly-Evans, Femi Ilesnanmi, Will Evans, David Stephens, Josh Rees (for George Broadbent, 61), Tyrone Marsh, Danny Elliott (for Newton, 54), Dennon Lewis, Jack Payne, Zak Brunt (for George Williams, 85).

Substitutes: Connor Stephens, Jude Murphy.

Match Report

It was a yet another case of what might have been as Yeovil Town’s search for their second National League win of the season continued with a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Boreham Wood.

And, it was not for a want of opportunities being carved out by the host, but repeatedly they were denied by visiting goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore.

Ironically it was a mistake by the gloveman on 39 minutes which gifted Yeovil their opener with striker Alex Fisher on the spot to take advantage after the keeper spilled a tame Gime Toure shot, but on the strike of half-time Jack Payne equalised.

The Glovers pushed in the second half and limited Boreham Wood to few chances, but it was another case of so close, but yet so far. Six draws from the opening ten games of the season for Chris Hargreaves’ side.

First half

The opening exchanges were a bit of a non-event with neither side particularly looking to take the game to their opponent with the nearest Yeovil got to carving out a chance came after 12 minutes when a ball over the top set Sam Pearson away, but he was denied by visiting midfielder Jack Payne.

At the other end, Dion Kelly-Evans found himself in a good position before Jamie Reckord’s covering tackle denied him. Can you tell it was a struggle to talk about things happening in the opening third of the first half?

The visitors began to up the ante and the best chance came on 16 minutes with Yeovil temporarily down to ten men with Lawson D’Ath off the pitch getting treatment for a bloodied nose. A well worked move; by the visitors found Femi Ilesanmi who put the ball in to Danny Elliott whose effort went over from close range.

Moments later, Gime Toure broke clear of the visitors’ defence and found himself one-on-one with Wood keeper Nathan Ashmore, but rather than taking a shot he tried to round the gloveman who made a superb stop to deny him.

On 21 minutes, Matt Worthington had a low shot from the edge of the box which Ashmore did well to get down to and turn around for a corner and Wakefield called the keeper in to action again two minutes later.

In a five minute spell after Elliott’s opportunity, it was Yeovil who were in the ascendancy with the game picking up after a slow start. Other than Toure’s chance our efforts were at probably half chances, but there seemed to be opportunity in getting at the visiting defence with some pace.

Having kept his side in the game with some decent stops, it was a mistake by Ashmore which led to the Glovers taking the lead on 39 minutes. Toure fired in a shot from distance which was spilled by the big keeper and Alex FISHER was in the right place to fire home his first goal in his second spell at the club.

The previous weekend, Yeovil had twice failed to hold on to a lead against league leaders Chesterfield and just as the game ticked in to added time at the end of the first half – they did it again.

Matt Worthington swung a leg to make a tackle and the ball broke to a visiting player, the Yeovil defence switched off and the ball broke to Jack PAYNE free at the back post to fire home the equaliser.

The half-time whistle was met with a muted response from the Huish Park crowd frustrated at a seeming inability to hold on to a lead. Cue Ben Barrett’s dog walking puns.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Boreham Wood 1

Second half

Ashmore was back in action to tip a thunderous strike from Lawson D’Ath over the bar on 52 minutes before Ben Richards-Everton flashed a shot wide from the edge of the box.

A lovely lay-off by Matt Worthington found Sam Pearson whose effort was superbly stopped by Ashmore (yep, him again) who did not know the assistant referee’s flag was up.

There seemed to be a desire to get the ball forward quicker in the second half with any effort to retain possession changed for getting the ball up the field as soon as possible.

With 67 minutes played, a corner found the head of Fisher whose goal-bound header was superbly denied by you know who. Yes, Nathan Ashmore who came to the rescue of the Wood again. How many opportunities do we need? No, you know what, don’t answer that.

With ten minutes of the game replacing, Yeovil manager Chris Hargreaves made a double substitution with Malachi Linton and Jake Scrimshaw replacing Sam Pearson and Alex Fisher, clearly not keen to add to the draws column of the National League table.

But, even with plenty of attackers on the pitch, it was giant centre half Richards-Everton who again found himself in space on the edge of the box to warm the palms of Ashmore.

Six draws from the opening ten matches of the National League season. Remarkable. Not good remarkable, but remarkable.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Boreham Wood 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday September 17th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Sunny with a gentle breeze
Pitch: Heavily watered which made it slick but also cut up in places

Attendance: 2,672 (367 away supporters)

Scorers: Gime Toure 3 (1-0), Jamie Grimes 8 (1-1), Josh Staunton 80 (2-1), Jesurun Uchegbulam 87 (2-2)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Grant Smith 6, Matt Worthington 33, Jamie Reckord 90+5
Chesterfield: Tyrone Williams 43, Calvin Miller 63, Michael Gyasi 90+5

Referee: Elliot Swallow


Yeovil Town : (3-4-3)

Grant Smith

Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                          Chiori Johnson                                                                       Jamie Reckord

Matt Worthington Lawson D’Ath

Sam Pearson (for Finley Craske, 66)

Malachi Linton (for Charlie Wakefield, 76) Gime Toure

Substitutes: Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Jake Scrimshaw.


Chesterfield: Covolan, King, Williams, Grimes, Horton, Oldaker, Banks, Mandeville, Clarke (for Gyasi, 70), Miller (for Uchegbulam 66), Quigley. Substitutes: Maguire, Cooper, Akinola.

Match Report

A late leveller three minutes from time saw Yeovil Town denied a win against league leaders Chesterfield in a thoroughly entertaining encounter at Huish Park.

It appeared that Glovers’ skipper Josh Staunton had earned all three points when he bundled home his first goal of the season on 80 minutes, but the visitors’ equalised after Yeovil switched off from a corner to allow substitute Jesurun Uchegbulam.

The equaliser was harsh on Chris Hargreaves’ men who had gone toe-to-toe with their big-spending opponents and been the better side for much of the match – sadly, two defensive lapses mean we are still looking for our second win of the National League season.

 

First half

Chiori Johnson and Gime Toure came in to the starting XI in place of the previously ever-present Morgan Williams and the out-of-sorts Charlie Wakefield, who both dropped to the bench alongside Finley Craske, who made his first appearance in a match day squad. Alex Fisher was not named in the squad having been given compassionate leave.

Gime Toure is congratulated on his opening goal. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

And Toure made the most of his call up after he did not give up on a ball over the top and took advantage of a mix-up between visiting keeper Lucas Covolan and Tyrone Williams. Covolan came a long way off his line and TOURE nicked the ball around goalkeeper and defender fired in to an unguarded net.

But, less than five minutes later the visitors equalised. Grant Smith bizarrely came a long way out of his box and gave away a completely unnecessary free-kick for a foul on ex-Glovers’ striker Joe Quigley. From the set piece, the visitors broke down the right and fired in an effort which Smith only parried straight to Chesterfield captain Jamie GRIMES who turned home an equaliser.

Soon after a Lawson D’Ath corner was sent over the bar by a diving header from Owen Bevan, but it was the visitors who dominated momentum after that goal showing the confidence of a team who had won their last four matches while Yeovil wobbled like a team who had won just once all season.

There was a bright spot on 19 minutes when Johnson’s beat his man and slotted a ball across through to Sam Pearson who could not make the most of the opportunity.

That sparked a bit of pressure from Yeovil with Josh Staunton firing an effort straight in to the ‘non-core land at Huish Park and moments later Johnson, who looked in the mood going forward down the right, found Linton, but the striker fired wide.

Having soaked up some pressure, it was the Glovers who were in the ascendancy as the game entered the final 15 minutes and the more than 250 youngsters brought to Huish Park by the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust had plenty to shout about – and shout they did!

Five minutes before half-time Calvin Miller dragged a shot wide and minute before the break a low free-kick from Matt Worthington forced a good save out of Covolan.

Having been booed off the pitch at the end of their last outing on home soil, Yeovil were applauded off at the interval having taken the game to their lofty opponents for much of the half. Is this the ‘HargBall’ of which we’ve been told?

Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Chesterfield 1

Second half

The home side started brightly with Toure at the heart of everything that was good creating a good chance for Johnson on 52 minutes but his header did not have enough power to trouble Covolan.

A minute later, the visitors broke forward through Jack Clarke, who had an unsuccessful spell on loan at Huish Park last season, but his was denied by a superbly-timed tackle from Jamie Reckord and the ball dropped to Liam Mandeville whose shot was straight at Grant Smith.

Shortly after the hour mark, Pearson had a time effort in on goal and on 66 minutes he was replaced by Finley Craske, the versatile player on loan from Plymouth Argyle. It had been a frustrating afternoon for Pearson who was outmuscled by some of his more experienced opponents for much of this match.

Josh Staunton celebrates his equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Chesterfield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Malachi Linton, who had another hard-working performance without finding the net, was replaced by Charlie Wakefield with 15 minutes remaining.

For all the disappointment of the past couple of weeks, this was a much improved performance from Yeovil and they deservedly regained the lead ten minutes from time. A Reckord corner from was met at the back post with a header back across goal which went through a crowd of bodies and Josh STAUNTON was there to turn it in – probably! No-one could really tell but the captain certainly claimed it.

But they were in the lead for just seven minutes as a defensive error saw a low corner was not picked up by the Glovers’ defence and the ball found its way to substitute winger Jesurun UCHEGBULAM who was unmarked to hammer home another leveller. Such frustration that two defensive lapses cost had undone an otherwise impressive performance from Yeovil.

Toure, who had been in the mood all afternoon, burst down the left in the next attack but his effort went over the bar.

Overall, a brilliant game which saw Yeovil go toe-to-toe with the league leaders. There were some ‘handbags’ at the end with a confrontation between Jamie Reckord and visitors’ substitute Michael Gyasi. Bookings handed out, but applause for Chris Hargreaves’ men at the final whistle.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Chesterfield 2

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Venue: Silverlake Stadium
Tuesday September 13th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry after a couple of days of rain
Pitch: Slippy

Attendance: 1,977 (291 away supporters)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 7 (1-0), JJ McKiernan 72 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Jamie Reckord 15, Ben Richards-Everton 22
Eastleigh: Vincent Harper 25, Ousseynou Cisse 60

Sendings off

Eastleigh: Brennan Camp 90

Referee: Paul Johnson


Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams Owen Bevan Ben Richards-Everton Jamie Reckord

Lawson D’Ath (for Jake Scrimshaw, 90) Josh Staunton Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield (for Alex Fisher, 76)  Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 89) Sam Pearson

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Gime Toure.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Oyenuga (for Hesketh, 72), Camp, Cisse (for Carter, 62), Panter (for Langston, 62), Martin, Harper, McKiernan, Hill, Whitehall, Abrahams. Substitutes: Rutherford, Ebanks.

Match Report

An early goal from Sam Pearson earned Yeovil Town a point after a backs-to-the-wall performance against an Eastleigh side who did more than enough to win the game.

The on loan Bristol City winger took advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Joe McDonnell to open the scoring after just seven minutes, but it was the home side who were completely dominant with goalkeeper Grant Smith pulling off three exceptional saves.

But, in the 77th minute on loan Watford midfielder JJ McKiernan fired home a deserved equaliser and set up a kitchen sink affair.

W*ymouth-born Brennan Camp saw red for a crunching tackle on Lawson D’Ath in added time and the visitors held on for a point.

 

First half

Chris Hargreaves made three changes from the 1-0 home defeat to York City ten days earlier and reverted to the 4-3-3 formation which saw Sam Pearson returning to the starting XI as part of a three-man forward line alongside Malachi Linton and Charlie Wakefield.

Other changes saw AFC Bournemouth loanee defender Owen Bevan replacing Max Hunt in the centre of defence while Matt Worthington who replaced Sam Perry, who was left out of the squad with the manager revealing he suffered a concussion in the York match.

After a fairly uneventful opening seven minutes, it was a howler from Eastleigh keeper Joe McDonnell which gifted the visitors a lead. Malachi Linton was alive to the error from the gloveman and teed up Sam PEARSON who did superbly to fire home an early opener.

Sam Pearson. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Six minutes later, a mistake by Josh Staunton in midfield gifted the ball to striker Tristan Abrahams, who has two goals to his name since joining from Carlisle United in the summer, but the former Glovers’ loanee fired his effort wide.

Then, three minutes later, a carbon copy error from Staunton gave Abrahams another opportunity to shoot and this time forced Grant Smith in to action.

The keeper was in action again after 20 minutes to deny Spitfires’ striker Danny Whitehall. The reaction from the home side to going behind was strong with the visitors pinned inside their own half.

Another mistake from a slip by an Eastleigh defender gave Yeovil another opportunity which saw Charlie Wakefield, back in his favoured position on the right side of attack, break through and have a shot which was blocked with Linton in a decent position.

Defender Corey Panter’s free-kick forced another fantastic stop out of Smith soon after and the ball dropped to defender Aaron Martin, who has seen service with Yeovil, but his effort was superbly blocked by visiting debutant defender Owen Bevan.

Despite the advantage, it was Eastleigh in the ascendancy with some attractive football with the pace of Abrahams a real thorn in the side of his former club.

As the game pressed towards half-time, a good spell of pressure saw an opportunity break to Malachi Linton whose effort went wide on 40 minutes.

Half time: Eastleigh 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Smith was in action again on 52 minutes when Abrahams’ effort was turned over the bar by the keeper to add another outstanding save to a string of them.

The linesman had his flag up for a handball against the home side, but referee Paul Johnson overruled his assistant. To say that the visitors’ bench let the fourth official know their views would be a mild way of saying it.

Shortly after the hour mark, Eastleigh had two good opportunities through first substitute Charlie Carter, whose effort was blocked by Worthington, and then full-back John Oyenuga went over the bar.

Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The pressure that had been mounting since Yeovil took the lead continued to mount and on 70 minutes the home side’s forwards seemed to be queuing up to turn a ball across the face of goal with Ryan Hill perhaps best placed. None of them did and the ball broke to Smith.

But, the goal that had been coming finally came with 72 minutes gone. Staunton was outmuscled by on loan Watford midfielder JJ McKIERNAN who hammered an effort across the slippery surface past Smith. It was nothing more than Eastleigh deserved.

There was no drop off in intensity from the home side after their equaliser whilst Yeovil still could not get a foothold in the game. Defender Brennan Camp – who was born on a rock south of a Dorset coastal town – was the latest to have a chance as headed just over on 76 minutes.

Attacks at the other end were a case of having to take what you could find and a half chance from Pearson as the game ticked over 90 minutes – with six added on. With the home side still (yes, still) piling on the pressure, that was all Yeovil needed to hear.

With a couple of minutes of the added on time gone, Camp saw red after a crunching tackle on Lawson D’Ath which left the play-maker in a pile on the floor. Referee Paul Johnson had no hesitation in showing the card. Dirty W*ymouth…..etc.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Jamie Reckord was well positioned to deflect a goalbound effort wide and that was (mercifully) the final opportunity for the home side.

Full time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday September 3rd, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Unpredictably windy
Pitch: Looking good

Attendance: 2294 (127 away supporters)

Scorers: Lennell John-Lewis 80

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Lawson D’Ath 15,
York City: Fraser Kerr 36, Lennell John-Lewis 42

Referee: Aji Ajibola


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Max Hunt  Josh Staunton  Ben Richards-Everton

Morgan Williams (for Sam Pearson, 60) Lawson D’Ath Sam Perry Jamie Reckord

 Charlie Wakefield

Alex Fisher (for Chiori Johnson, 81)  Malachi Linton (for Gime Toure, 60)

Substitutes: Owen Bevan, Jake Scrimshaw.

York City: Ross, Kouogun, Kerr, Sanders, Fallowfield, Pybus, Dyson, Hancox, Hurst (for Boden, 65), Kouhyar, John-Lewis. Substitutes: Whitley, Whittle, Greaves, Duku.

Match Report

A frustrating afternoon saw Yeovil Town outclassed by a York City side who were unfortunate to only go away from Huish Park with a 1-0 victory.

It looked like the Glovers might have got out of jail after a lacklustre showing when Grant Smith saved a penalty from visiting striker Lennell John-Lewis on 70 minutes, but ten minutes later the experienced striker was found inside the box and fired the opener.

The sponsors’ man of the match was awarded to Smith who made two impressive saves to deny John-Lewis whilst at the other end one tame effort from Alex Fisher was all the hosts offered.

Not a good day at the office, here’s how it went…….

 

First half

Yeovil Town made three changes  from the Bank Holiday Monday stalemate at Wealdstone with Charlie Wakefield returning in a more advanced possession in place of Gime Toure who dropped to the bench.

The other changes was Max Hunt return in place of Alfie Pond, whose loan stay was cut short by his deadline day move from Exeter City to Wolves, and Lawson D’Ath replaced Matt Worthington who boss Chris Hargreaves said was injured albeit “not serious.”

On-loan Bristol City winger Sam Pearson returned to the bench having missed the previous three matches through injury. He was joined by Owen Bevan, the teenage centre half who joined from AFC Bournemouth on Friday.

After a bright start from the home side without threatening on goal, visiting midfielder Alex Hurst had a ninth-minute shot just over had Grant Smith scrambling in the Yeovil goal and moments later striker Lennell John-Lewis forced a fine stop out of the keeper, albeit the linesman’s flag was raised.

Linton, who missed a penalty five days earlier at Wealdstone, had an opportunity denied by the flag on 15 minutes, but it’s fair to say opportunities were at a premium in the opening quarter-of-an-hour.

The assistant was involved again four minutes later when Reckord’s free-kick was well met by Ben Richards-Everton, and a minute later Hurst was denied by a well-timed tackle.

On 39 minutes, a quick throw caught the Yeovil defence napping and John-Lewis nicked the ball over the leg of Josh Staunton and fired in a shot which Grant Smith did well to deny the powerful striker. Far and away the best chance of the match.

Three minutes later, John-Lewis was at the heart of the action soon after he caught Sam Perry with what looked like a stray elbow. There were cries for a red card from the home crowd although it looked as if a heavy landing was more damaging for the Walsall loanee. He was eventually fine to continue.

On 44 minutes, it was John-Lewis who was at the heart of a quick break and was forced wide and had a shot block, it dropped to Dyson whose effort went wide.

The issue for Yeovil was a lack of creative spark and energy in the centre of midfield (again, I know!) with D’Ath lying deeper and the absence of the industrious Worthington, there was not much forward play from Perry and Wakefield isolated in a more central role.

Goalless at the break. Very goalless.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 York City 0

Second half

There were no changes for either side at the break and with the exception of an Alex Fisher flicked header flicked which went over there was not a meaningful opportunity for either side by the time we reached the hour mark.

It was the visitors who looked the more cohesive in their play and showing some attacking intent which was sorely lacking from the home side.

On the hour mark, Pearson and Toure entered the fray in place of Morgan Williams and Linton.

Alex Fisher forced York keeper Ethan Ross in to his first meaningful action of the match when he picked the ball up on the edge of the box and fired in an effort.

The changes failed to have an instant impact with neither Toure or Pearson unable to become the player able to get on the ball and cause a threat.

On 69 minutes, Staunton looked to go to head a ball away, it struck his arm and the referee awarded a clear-cut penalty. John-Lewis took the ball but also took an age to take the spot kick and, when he eventually did, Smith saved with his legs.

Sloppy play from Yeovil gifted John-Lewis an opportunity to rectify his mistake soon after, but he headed his effort wide. On another day, the former Grimsby man could have had a hat-trick and no-one could have grumbled.

The penalty miss did not deter York with substitute Scott Boden heading wide and then Smith denying Dyson with Yeovil dropping deeper and deeper against the frantic waving of Chris Hargreaves in the opposite direction. The frustration around Huish Park was audible.

With ten minutes gone, the inevitable happened with York taking the lead and it was the outstanding Lennell JOHN-LEWIS who got it. A low cross from the man they call ‘The Shop’ inside the box, he got a bit of luck with a deflection past Smith, but you could not deny the visitors deserved their lead.

In the first minute of stoppage time, substitute Chiori Johnson header a D’Ath corner against the crossbar. It could have been an equaliser but it would have been completely undeserved.

The final whistle was met by boos from the Huish Park crowd and you can’t blame them on that performance. For York City, well played, thoroughly deserved it.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 York City 1

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Venue: Grosvenor Vale
Monday August 29th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and warm
Pitch: Green all over

Attendance: 1,714 (251 away supporters)

Scorers: None

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Reckord 53, Wakefield 55, Pond 85, Scrimshaw 90+5
Wealdstone: Allarakhia 75

Sendings off

Wealdstone: Kinsella 9

Referee: Sam Mulhall


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Alfie Pond  Josh Staunton  Ben Richards-Everton

Morgan Williams Matt Worthington Sam Perry (for Charlie Wakefield, 46) Jamie Reckord

Gime Toure

Alex Fisher (for Jake Scrimshaw, 72)  Malachi Linton (for Callum Rowe, 84)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Chiori Johnson.


Wealdstone: Howes, Cook, Habergham, Kinsella, Charles, Allarakhia (Hutchinson 75), Ferguson, Sesay, Napa, Kretzschmar (Dyer 66), Browne (Mongoy 83). Substitutes not used: Young and Mundle-Smith.

Match Report

If we’d stayed out there all day, we still would not have scored. That sentiment summed up a day where “disappointing” just does not cut it.

Having seen their hosts Wealdstone (league leaders, yes, but a part-time side nevertheless) reduced to ten men after Lewis Kinsella kicked out at Malachi Linton after just nine minutes, the game should have been there for the taking.

But, though the opposition was organised and had a plan of what to do as they faced up to 81 minutes with a man down, Yeovil did their level best to make it easy for him.

There was even a ‘Get Out Of Jail – Free’ card printed and handed to the visitors in the form of a 69th minute penalty kick which Malachi Linton put out of the ground. That one moment summed up Yeovil’s day.

Here’s how Dave saw it from the away end in the London Borough of Hillingdon…..

First half

The only change from the first win of the season 48 hours early saw Sam Perry replace the injured Lawson D’Ath in midfield, whilst Charlie Wakefield returned on the bench.

After a bright start with Matt Worthington warming the palms of hosts’ keeper Sam Howes with an early sighter, the first incident saw Wealdstone reduced to ten men after just nine minutes.

Lewis Kinsella tussled for a ball with Malachi Linton and appeared to kick out at his opponent. When referee Sam Mulhall went for his pocket, a yellow card looked most the likely course of action – but it was red.

But, as we have seen on many occasions, a man advantage and Yeovil Town do not always mix well. Possession, we saw plenty of it but the 15 minutes after the dismissal only saw us probe at the home defence without much cut through.

The next meaningful chance actually fell to the home side when Napa was found by a ball in from the left and stabbed it wide. Moments later, Gime Toure weaved in from the left and flashed one across the face of goal.

Two minutes later, saw a golden opportunity arrive a both ends. First a quick break away saw ex-Glover Rhys Browne inside the box but his effort was well blocked by Alfie Pond and scrambled away. The play swung to the other end where Ben Richards-Everton’s header was cleared off the line.

The opening 38 minutes had not seen a great deal of Jamie Reckord, still our top scorer let’s not forget, but it was his ball in front the left that picked out Alex Fisher whose effort went over.

A minute later, Morgan Williams’ cross from the opposite side needed to be turned over by Howes, but the resulting corner saw the other side of Williams’ attacking play, smashing a shot high, wide and not so handsome from the edge of the box.

Half time: Wealdstone 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Almost as if Chris Hargreaves had heard the half-time thoughts of the away end, Charlie Wakefield replaced Sam Perry at the start of the second half.

But if you’re going to play Wakefield down the wing , he needs the opportunities to get forward and for the first 15 minutes he didn’t get many. When he did, he won a corner and from Worthington’s ball in, Fisher’s effort was goalbound but without the venom required and it was easily cleared.

For all the plaudits Worthington has had in recent games, he went missing on too many occasions. Far from the all-action midfielder we have enjoyed so early this season, his only meaningful contribution was from corners.

On 68 minutes, a golden opportunity as Linton made a nuisance of himself to squeeze in between Howes and his defence and was pulled down. The young striker, who had not had his most effective game, grabbed the ball – but skied his effort out of Grosvenor Vale.

It certainly wasn’t Mal’s day and having headed a cross further away from goal that towards it, he was mercifully substituted Hargreaves after 84 minutes. Definitely not his day.

By that Jake Scrimshaw had come on and, for all his running and effort, did little to effect the game. In reality, we could have stayed out there until the next bank holiday and still not scored.

Full time: Wealdstone 0 Yeovil Town 0