Match Reports (Page 18)

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Venue: Meadow Lane
Saturday 19th November, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Cold but dry
Pitch: Slick

Attendance: 16511 (452 away supporters)

Scorers: 

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Reckord 70, Linton, 80
Notts County: 

Referee: Gary Parsons

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Substitutes: Will Buse, Lawson D’Ath, Malachi Linton (for Oluwabori 75), Anthony Georgiou, Louis Britton (for Fisher 90)

Notts County: Slocombe, Camerson, Baldwin, Brindley, Chicksen, Adebayo-Rowling, Palmer, Austin, Rodrigues, Scott, Langstaff.

Substitutes: Rawlinson, Bajrami, Francis, Castro, Mitchell.

Match Report

A record National League crowd witnessed a resilient Yeovil Town keep the League leaders out this afternoon in a 0-0 draw at Meadow Lane.

Mark Cooper’s Green and Whites held firm against Notts County despite being under pressure for the overwhelming majority of the game to take a point home to Somerset.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it…

First half

It took three minutes for Macauley Langstaff to get a sight of goal, a ball in from the right side landed to the Notts top scorer six yards out but his low effort was smothered by Grant Smith. The keeper will have been grateful the effort had power on it.

All the home sides play came down the right side in the opening stages with Jamie Reckord given a stern test, and it was a free-kick from that side which was volleyed over by hosts’ skipper Kyle Cameron after seven minutes.

The pre-match prediction of a compact formation from Yeovil proved correct, and for the first quarter-of-an-hour the home side prodded and proved without offering too much. At the other end, a run down the right side by Andrew Oluwabori after 14 minutes was about the only attacking effort at the other end.

There was certainly no lack of patience for the league leaders who played enjoyed ridiculous levels of possession and chance began to come. Smith was forced in to action to deny first Sam Austin and then Cedwyn Scott before Langstaff headed over.

It took until the 28th minute for Yeovil to have their first effort on goal, a slip in the middle of the part saw Oluwabori break away to the edge of the box bit his effort went over. Going forward the game plan seemed to be that, hope a mistake dropped to the on loan Peterborough man and he could outpace his marker. Is a 5-5-0 formation at thing?

The time it took Smith to take goal kicks seemed to infuriate those in the home end, who responded by throwing balled up pieces of paper at division’s best keeper (B.Barrett, 2022) leading to the referee to temporarily call a halt to proceedings to inform stewards.

Meanwhile, the rearguard action continue with Yeovil so deep they were almost sat in the Meadow Lane Kop at some points. Fortunately for them Langstaff was having an off day (or least an off 35 minutes) and his effort was blocked by Owen Bevan, and from the resulting corner Adam Chicksen’s long-range effort was turned over by Smith.

Smith was at it again three minutes from half-time when he dropped superbly to deny a low drive from Rodrigues before Morgan Williams hacked the ball away.

It wasn’t pretty but, for 45 minutes at least, it had been effective.

Half time: Notts County 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

On 47 minutes, Yeovil’s best piece of attacking play forced a save (yes, an actual save) out of Sam Slocombe in the hosts’ goal. Oluwabori put a ball in from the right and Fisher’s attempted flick at the near post was denied. Moments later, Oluwabori seized on a mistake in midfield and broke forward to play Chiori Johnson but he was denied by a fine tackle.

At the other end, Notts picked up where they left off patiently playing it around, hoping to find a gap in the Parma Violet wall. A ball in from Tobi Adebayo-Rowling was headed away as Williams before it found its way to Scott whose shot was weak and Chicksen’s follow up was over.

Rodrigues fizzed one over and substitute Quevin Castro had an effort deflected wide. If I hadn’t watched the same happen for 45 minutes, I would have been more worried. I was a little worried, but not as much as I would have been.

For every probing Rodrigues ball and long range effort from the home side, there was a block from Williams or a header from Max Hunt.

On 75 minutes, Smith was at it again, diving to his left to deny Cameron’s long ranger, before Worthington was in the right place on the back post to head Cameron’s goal bound header off the line.

Malachi Linton, on for the non-stop Oluwabori, was ruffling feathers at the other end. Picking up a booking for a soft foul, but almost finding himself through on goal.

A National League record crowd of 16,511 – including 452 away supporters – was announced and, even with discounted tickets, that is some achievement.

Probably the most inexplicable chance came with the last opportunity when Chicksen got ahead of Adebayo-Rowling but his header went over.

But, the roar from the away end at the final whistle told you everything about what that point meant.

Full time: Notts County 0 Yeovil Town 0

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Malachi Linton. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

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

Conditions: Warm, sunny day
Pitch: Looking good

Attendance: 2,405 (65 away supporters)

Scorers: Will Harris 25 (0-1), Alex Fisher 31 (1-1), Alex Fisher 51 (2-1), Malachi Linton 90+3 (3-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington 87
Gateshead: 

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Substitues: Louis Britton (for Alex Fisher, 70), Malachi Linton (for Andrew Oluwaborie, 74), Ewan Clark (for Anthony Georgiou, 85), Gime Toure (not used), Ollie Hulbert (not used).

Gateshead: Montgomery, Richardson, Pye, Gallagher (for Daley, 20), Conteh (for Yussuf, 86), Bailey, Ward, Hasani (for Martin, 51), Campbell, Harris. Substitutes: Langley, Magnay.

 

Match Report.

A double from man of the match Alex Fisher and a late finish from substitute Malachi Linton saw Yeovil Town pick up their first win under new manager Mark Cooper and their third of the season.

It was also the first time this season the Glovers had scored more than two goals and pulled themselves a whole two points adrift of the National League relegation zone with a win over bottom of the table Gateshead.

The result was nothing less than Mark Cooper’s men deserved and they could even afford a missed second penalty from Fisher who deserved his hat-trick for an outstanding display – but we’ll take three points, oh yes we will!

 

First half

Manager Mark Cooper made two changes from the midweek stalemate against Maidenhead United with Ben Richards-Everton and Ewan Clark, replaced by Chiori Johnson and Andrew Oluwabori.

There was no starting position for new signing striker Louis Britton, who joined four fellow forwards on the substitutes’ bench alongside Malachi Linton, Gime Toure, Ollie Hulbert and Clark.

For the visitors, ex-Glovers’ striker Adi Yussuf was named among the substitutes’ bench manager Mike Williamson, a former Newcastle United player, made just his second appearance of the season.

The line-up saw Matt Worthington playing forward, almost as a number ten, with captain Josh Staunton and on-loan Jamie Andrews playing in the centre of midfield, and it was the home side who started the brighter but without forcing visiting keeper James Montgomery in to action.

But, it was the visitors who took the lead with the game’s first opportunity on 25 minutes. A looped ball forward saw Staunton miss an interception and Will HARRIS picked it up and a clinical finish left Grant Smith clutching at thin air. More than a hint of offside but the only person who matters (the assistant referee) did not agree.

The lead lasted just six minutes as a wonderful free kick whipped in low and around the wall by Anthony Georgiou and Alex FISHER stooped low to head home. A goal and from a set piece – that’s the stuff!

At that point Cooper shifted the formation with Oluwaborie moving up in to a front two with Fisher with Chiori Johnson pushing further forward. If there was a lack of a tactical Plan B from Chris Hargreaves, his successor was showing he is capable of changing it up.

 

Smith was called in to action on 35 minutes when sloppy defending saw a free-kick find its way to Williamson and his first time effort was denied by the keeper’s feet.

Andrew Oluwaborie. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

As the board went up for first half-time injury time, a great ball from Jamie Reckord was chested down by Johnson to Oluwaborie but the winger could not get enough on it to trouble the goal.

But the Peterborough United man did force Montgomery in to action when the winger cut back inside with the keeper off his line and had an effort stopped by his feet.

Then with the final action of the first half, a low ball across the six yard area saw Fisher go agonisingly close to adding his second. There’s no doubt the home side will have been the more disappointed to hear the half-time whistle.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Gateshead 1

Second half

It was a fast start from Yeovil with Chiori Johnson, who was definitely given more licence to go forward since the change, pressing forward in, but he effort went wide.

And the former Torquay United man was at the heart of the move which put the hosts ahead on 51 minutes. His sumptuous delivery found FISHER inside the box and the striker slammed his second of the afternoon in to an unguarded net.

It was nothing more than the Glovers deserved for their positive play, in particular Oluwaborie and Johnson’s link up down the right hand side which was causing Gateshead all kinds of problems.

There was a heart in mouth moment on the hour mark when Smith went down heavily after a coming together with a Gateshead player and needed some lengthy treatment. Heart in mouth because there were five strikers on the bench – but on loan keeper Will Buse was watching on from the stands.

Fisher had a golden opportunity to complete his hat-trick on 67 minutes when he won a penalty and, as you’d imagine, grabbed the ball. But the striker went for the perfect penalty and his effort went over rather than ‘top bins’.

Alex Fisher wins a second half penalty. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

That proved the frontman’s last opportunity who was replaced three minutes later by new signing Louis Britton. Fisher even apologised to the Huish Park for only scoring two goals rather than three. It’s okay, Fish, you’ve done your bit!

Smith was furious by a piece of sloppy defending with 15 minutes remaining, another long ball over the top to Harris (if it sounds familiar, check how the Gateshead goal came about!) put the striker one-on-one, but luckily his effort was not as clinical as when he found the next.

The visitors were hard working and playing good football, and the nervousness from Yeovil was there for all to see. On the touchline, Cooper and Chris Todd were making their feelings known.

Whatever they said, it clearly didn’t get through to the defence as on 84 minutes another (yes another!) dinked ball over the top from the visitors found Kenton Richardson who put the ball in the back of the net……but the flag was up.

If you felt nervous before, how did you feel when Adi Yussuf replaced holding midfielder Kamil Conteh. An attacking move from the visitors. Curse of the old boy, anyone? Oh and five minutes of injury time…..how’s your nerves, Huish Park?

But it was left to substitute Malachi LINTON to settle the nerves three minutes in to stoppage time with a third – yes, a third goal. The young striker was sent through on goal, held his nerve and slotted home his third of the season, taking him level with Reckord as this season’s top scorer.

 

If you wondered what response Huish Park would give to a team which was truly “playing on the front foot”, you only had to listen to the crowd. Off the field, there may be dissent, but these fans will back any Yeovil Town side who put that kind of effort in.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Gateshead 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 8th November, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Wet and windy
Pitch: Slippery

Attendance: 1,906

Scorers: None

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Bevan 42, Reckord 64, Oluwaborie 90+4
Maidenhead United: Asare 45, Beckwith 67, Adams 90+3

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Substitutes: Andrew Oluwabori (for Ewan Clark, 60), Gime Toure (for Georgiou, 84), Chiori Johnson, Ollie Hulbert, Malachi Linton.

Maidenhead United: Gyollai, Ferdinand, Asare, Massey, Nathaniel-George (for Clifton 90+3), Acquah, Arthur (for Keetch, 54), Smith (for McCoulsky, 87), Beckwith, Adams, Clerima. Substitutes (not used): Odutayo, Andre.

Match Report.

Yeovil Town’s ninth draw of the National League season was enough to move them out of the National League relegation zone in Mark Cooper’s first home game in charge.

But, more tellingly, it was also the eighth time this season that the Glovers have drawn a blank in front of goal and a failure to do much to force the Maidenhead United goalkeeper in to action was plain for all to see.

There was an improvement – if you set the bar at the last time out against Aldershot Town in Chris Hargreaves’ final match – especially when debutant Andrew Oluwaborie came on after an hour, but it still was not enough.

 

First half

On loan Leyton Orient winger Anthony Georgiou was handed a debut and fellow wideman Andrew Oluwaborie, signed just hours before kick-off from Peterborough United, was named on the bench as the Glovers set up with a three-man forward line in a bid to improve their record as the National League’s lowest scorers.

However, there was no place in the squad for Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Sam Perry, Lawson D’Ath, Charlie Wakefield or Jake Scrimshaw. Signs of changes being rung by Mark Cooper?

The first meaningful chance saw Kane Ferdinand take advantage of a Max Hunt error to test Grant Smith with an effort from the edge of the box and moments later another effort skidded off the slippery surface to force the keeper to awkwardly turn it wide.

But chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes. Jamie Andrews, starting his second match since joining on loan from West Bromwich Albion, was a bright spark on a damp night, he kept his head up and seemed a creative force in midfield.

As the half came towards an end, Owen Bevan was lucky to escape with just a yellow after a two-footed tackle on Ferdinand – call that one an ‘orange’ card with referee Robert Massey-Ellis perhaps given him credit

The best chance of the game so far fell to Emile Acquah as the game crept in to injury time. The striker’s effort shot took a ricochet off someone and forced Smith in to a fine stop to turn it over the bar.

We look better than we did last time out against Aldershot Town, but that isn’t saying much. Not much to warm you on a miserable evening.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidenhead United 0

Second half

To say the second half started in similar fashion to the end of the first would be an understatement. Ferdinand brought a stop out of Smith on 57 minutes but that was probably about as ‘exciting’ as it got….and I use exciting in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Perhaps recognising the risk of hypothermia setting in for those in the Thatcher’s Stand, Yeovil manager Mark Cooper introduced Andrew Oluwabori in place of Ewan Clark, who had a bright first half but again took some heavy knocks.

The change brought the impact it was seeking with Oluwabori added attacking impetus and sparking fellow debutant Georgiou into bombing forward.

A couple of dangerous balls in to the box from Georgiou were turned aside first by Josh Staunton and then from Max Hunt, but neither forced Daniel Gyollai in to a stop.

The keeper was called in to action on 71 minutes when Oluwabori found Alex Fisher who flicked the ball towards goal but was denied by Gyollai. A shot on target, folks!

Max Hunt put a header wide four minutes later, but that was honestly about as near as we came to mustering a meaningful shot on target.

The statistics speak for themselves – two shots on target and two shots off target in 90 minutes of football.

We’re out of the bottom four at the expense of Scunthorpe United who take on Wrexham on Wednesday night, but beyond that positives are hard to come by.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidenhead United 0

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Venue: Kingfield
Tuesday 1st November, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions:
Pitch: Soggy after a pre-match downpour

Scorers:  Padraig Amond 84

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Jamie Andrews 30, Ben Richards-Everton 40, Ewan Clark 45, Jamie Reckord 61
Woking: Ricky Korboa 86, Rohan Ince 87

Referee: Lloyd Wood

Yeovil Town:

Substitutes: Gime Toure (for Chiori Johnson, 62), Will Dawes (for Malachi Linton, 62), Sam Perry (for Ewan Clark, 82). Will Buse (not used), Ollie Hulbert (not used).

Woking: Ross, Moss, Cuthbert, McNerney, Casey, Ince, Anderson, Kellerman, Korboa (for Vokins, 90), Clarke (for Roles, 69), Amond (for Bilongo 90+3). Substitutes (not used): Wady Roberts.

Match Report

Yeovil Town remain in the National League relegation zone after a late winner from Padraig Amond saw El Sarllico go the way of the former Glovers’ boss.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Irishman who was denied by the impressive Grant Smith in a one-on-one opportunity and moments later the keeper kept out a tame penalty, but with six minutes remaining the big money summer signing was on hand to tap home the winner.

Another blank in front goal means Mark Cooper’s men remain the lowest scorers in the National League with just 13 goals in 17 games and that was what cost us – again.

 

First half

The first 15 minutes did not offer much from either side finding out a pitch which was drenched by a downpour just ahead of kick-off, despite it being relatively dry in Surrey come 7.45pm.

Ricky Korboa forced the first save – albeit a fairly routine one – out of Grant Smith in the visitor’s goal after 14 minutes but, against a side on a good run of form, they managed to hold their own and rarely looked like they were being too threatened.

As the game approached the half-hour mark, there was a little sustained pressure from Yeovil, but did not do a great deal to threaten Craig Ross in the hosts’ goal.

Winger Ewan Clark did suffer some rough treatment winning a number of fouls which referee Lloyd Wood not picking up on any…..until debutant Jamie Andrews picked up a yellow for a 30th minute foul on the dangerous Korboa, who we struggled to contain.

Yeovil began to find their way in to the game as it progressed towards the interval, however, there was little in the way of quality from either side. Scrappy to put it politely.

It took a moment of superb defending from Max Hunt to clear from the middle of a sea of Woking players in first half injury time and then again rose highest to had another ball in. For a player who was completely out of favour under previous manager, Chris Hargreaves, he will have got plenty of confidence from that impressive piece of defensive play.

Half time: Woking 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The scrappiness continued as the second half got underway along with the lightweight feel to the Yeovil frontline alongside

But, with ten minutes of the second half gone, the game sprang in to life. Woking striker Padraig Amond found himself one-on-one with visiting keeper Smith, who got a leg out to deny the Cardinals’ big money summer signing. Once again, Smith showing the quality he has displayed all season.

The defensive slip was the first blip in an otherwise controlled display from the visitors, but on 59 minutes a clumsy tackle by Owen Bevan on Jermaine Anderson saw a second penalty in three days awarded against the Glovers. It looked as if Anderson was going to take it only for Amond to grab the ball off him and his poor spot kick was saved by Smith.

With FC Halifax Town, the second lowest scorers in the National League, postponed due to the poor weather, Mark Cooper chucked on Gime Toure and Will Dawes in place of Chiori Johnson and Malachi Linton in an attempt to improve his side’s woeful attacking performance this season.

The response saw the game turn in to a real end-to-end affair but without much to trouble either Smith or Ross in the opposing goals.

But, with six minutes remaining, the defensive solidity which had been a hallmark of the visitors’ performance deserted them and gifted Woking the lead. They hesitated as Jack Roles’ ball fizzed in to the box and AMOND was at the back post to turn the ball home. When your luck’s not in, it’s not in.

Smith, a player who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side if ever there was one, pulled off a smart stop to deny Jim Kellerman in second half injury time.

Don’t score goals, you don’t win football matches.

Full time: Woking 1 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Gallagher Stadium, Maidstone
Saturday 29th October, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Unseasonably hot for late October
Pitch: Fluffed plastic

Attendance: 2,147 (133 away supporters)

Scorers:  Alex Fisher 13 (0-1), Regan Booty 90+6 pen (1-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Clarke 45, Richards-Everton 60, Worthington 71
Maidstone: Odusanya 23, Barkers 37, Booty 41, Galvin 45, Greenidge 52,

Referee: Jacob Miles

Yeovil Town:

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams   Owen Bevan   Max Hunt   Ben Richards-Everton

Josh Staunton

Matt Worthington (Ollie Hulbert 72)    Sam Perry (Charlie Wakefield 63)

Ewan Clarke (Chiori Johnson 63)                                                           Malachi Linton

Alex Fisher

Substitutes (not used): Gime Toure, Will Dawes

Maidstone United: Sandford, Hoyte, Galvin, Barham, Mensah, Odusanya, Booty, Pattisson, Greenidge, Deacon, Barkers. Subs: Mersin, Ellul, Alabi, Fawole, Gurung

Match Report

A stoppage time penalty from Regan Booty prevented Yeovil Town from recording their first away win of the season at fellow relegation zone residents Maidstone United.

David Coates⁩ (almost inexplicably) travelled from Lancashire to Kent for the match, here’s how he saw the Glovers’ eighth draw of the season.

First half

New Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper watched his first game in charge from the stands in Kent, shielding his eyes as he looked out on the pitch – much like every travelling supporter risking a late October sunburn from behind the goal defended by hosts’ keeper Ryan Sandford.

An effort from Josh Staunton skied high, wide and not so handsome over the bar after just seven minutes was as close as the visitors got in the opening exchanges.

Maidstone were the first to carve out an opening when on nine minutes when a defence-splitting pass from Regan Booty picked out Christie Pattison whose cross evaded everyone.

Five minutes later, Yeovil were ahead. A beautifully struck ball forward from Owen Bevan was met by the head of Alex FISHER who beat his defender Jacob Mensah from the edge of the box to loop a ball over the out-of-position Sandford and give the Glovers the lead.

On 22 minutes, the ball was in the net from the visitors when Ewan Clark’s free-kick was flicked in to the net by Ben Richards-Everton following a scramble, but was adjudged to be offside. From behind the goal with the sun burning my corneas, it did not look offside but I’ll give the official the benefit of the doubt.

In the 40th minute, Yeovil should have doubled their advantage. A deft touch forward by Fisher played Matt Worthington on who didn’t either try to touch it round the susceptible Sandford or leather it and it ran harmlessly through to the keeper.

If there’s one thing the Mark Cooper era brought in that first half, it was more fight. Ethan Clark, quite possible the slightest player in the Yeovil line-up, gave a shove in the back of his marker and sent him flying over a chair on the sideline.  The foul he drew from his marker immediately afterwards told you that this may be exactly what he needed to do a against a Maidstone team low on confidence. [Okay, having seeing this on the highlights, the Maidstone player made more of it than it was, but I will wager the push in the back would not have happened four days earlier].

The first half finished 1-0 but should have been more.

Half time: Maidstone 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

A early Richards-Everton header saw Yeovil come close after, but it was Maidstone who came closer on 53 minutes. They were given time and space on the edge of the visitors’ box to work Booty in to a shooting position which was nothing more than routine for Grant Smith, but cue some alarm bells.

Two minutes later, Smith was called in to his first meaningful action of the day to turn Jack Barham’s header from a left-wing cross over the bar.

The home side certainly came out with more of a spring in their step, but they were met by a more resilient response from Yeovil. But, whilst managing to keep their opponents out, the tendency to sit deep which has cost us so many times this season still appears to be there. And, if Cooper’s wild gesticulating was anything to go by, the new manager saw it too.

As the home side grew in confidence, the scars of the season so far on Yeovil’s confidence began to show. Substitute Josh Fawole poked an effort wide and with ten minutes to go Ryan Galvin’s speculative header hit the bar.

With two minutes to go Gavin Hoyte was given a free header from a corner which he should have done better before Fawole was denied by a well-timed tackle from Owen Bevan.

To say the second half was attritional would have been an understatement, but just when you thought Cooper’s reign may begin with a win, the fourth official held up six minutes of injury time. My heart wavered at that, I admit.

And in the fifth minute of time added on, Yeovil paid the price for their defensive second half display when Roarie Deacon tumbled under a tackle from Ollie Hulbert. From the angle I was at it did look like some of Hulbert’s boot connected with Alabi’s but the attacker was on his way down long before the contact was made.

When home supporters outside the ground tell you that it was never a penalty you know your luck is out. BOOTY fire the spot kick expertly in to the corner and the spoils were settled.

Alex Fisher, Chiori Johnson and Max Hunt applaud the fans at Maidstone
? David Coates

Full time: Maidstone United 1 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 25th October, 7:45pm kick-off

Conditions: Cool, clear night
Pitch: Looking good

Attendance: 2396 (219 away)

Scorers: Phillips (0-1 ’85), Willard (0-2 ’90+)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Reckord ’75, Dawes ‘ 79, Johnson ’89
Aldershot Town: Harfield ’79, Davies ’90

Referee: James Durkin

 

Yeovil Town : (4-3-3…maybe)

Grant Smith

   Owen Bevan – Josh Staunton – Ben Richards-Everton – Jamie Reckord

Callum Rowe (Will Dawes ’66) – Matt Worthington – Sam Perry

Ollie Hulbert – Alex Fisher(Gime Toure ’60) – Ewan Clark (Chiori Johnson ’73)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Malachi Linton

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town dropped into the National League relegation zone following a 2-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Aldershot Town, in a game where the Glovers passed 430 minutes without scoring a goal, two late goals from the visitors confined the green and whites to a second consecutive 2-0 defeat.

Ian Perkins was there, here’s how he saw it.

First half

With changes across the team, including a debut for Ewan Clarke, the Glovers lined up in a 4-3-3 – praise the Lord.

The opening ten was pretty cagey, with both sides exchanging spells of possession with no chances at goal.

In the 13th minute Grant Smith was called into action, diving to his left to put Tommy Willard’s goal-bound effort wide for a corner.

The Glovers had a half chance moments later with Clarke meeting Jamie Reckord’s deep looping cross with a tame header towards goal.

As the lone striker, Alex Fisher was doing a lot of running and in the 22nd minute he glanced a header wide of the post after a good cross from Reckord on the left.

Some neat play moment later opened some spaces for efforts that were closed down but it fell to Clarke who’s left footed effort was easy for Taylor Ashby-Hammond.

Former W*ymouth man Tyler Cordner’s eyes lit up as he galloped forward and with space to line up a strike he smashed the ball wide of Smith’s goal.

As half time approached discontent grew amongst supporters with boos for misplaced crosses and even when the players had audacity to retain possession – odd.

Aldershot’s movement was causing Chris Hargreaves’ side a few issues as they adjusted to the new shape, but a fairly dull affair saw the scores level at the break.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Aldershot 0

Second half

The first effort of the second half fell to Aldershot, as Amaluzor had his left footed shot deflected wide for a corner.

Attacking the Thatchers, which seemed to have gained a few idiots from the surrounding villages, Alex Fisher dragged an effort wide shortly after.

Aldershot had their best chance of the game in the 58th minute. After a mix up in defence, Frank Vincent snuck in to strike at goal but his shot went wide.

Chris Hargreaves changes personnel Midway through the half, replacing Fisher and Rowe with Gime Toure and Will Dawes.

Shortly after the former Stratford man’s arrival, a defensive clearance rebounded horribly off of Amaluzor just over the bar as Smith scrambled back towards goal.

Buoyed by his effort in the first half, Cordner had another go in the 70th minute that flew just wide of Smith’s left hand post.

Toure mazed his way through the box and went down appealing for a penalty, although the referee saw no contact and waved the appeals away.

Aldershot opened the scoring five minutes from time with Giles PHILLIPS heading home a corner. 0-1.

The Glovers couldn’t lift themselves after conceding and Tommy WILLARD piled on the misery in stoppage time. 0-2.

Chants of “We Want Hargreaves out” and “f*ck off back to BT” and boos at full time really piled the pressure on Chris Hargreaves as the GloverS fell into the bottom four.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Aldershot 2

 

At the full time whistle, there were some ugly scenes as the Glovers fans made their voices heard.

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Venue: Boundary Park
Saturday October 22nd, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and bright
Pitch: Held up well

Attendance: 6,483 (144 away supporters)

Scorers: Oscar Threlkeld 6 (0-1), Mike Fondop 71 (0-2)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Lawson D’Ath 74
Oldham Athletic: Nathan Sheron 49

Referee: Greg Rollason

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams   Owen Bevan  Ben Richards-Everton

Sam Pearson      Chiori Johnson (for Jake Scrimshaw, 82) Josh Staunton Lawson D’Ath   Jamie Reckord

Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 58) Gime Toure (for Ollie Hulbert, 46)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Sam Perry.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town slid to within a point of the National League relegation zone after going down with a whimper at Oldham Athletic.

Having gone behind to Oscar Threlkeld’s sixth minute deflected effort, the Glovers put in a performance lacking in effort, direction and ability for the opening 45 minutes.

Despite a second half which offered a little more in terms of attacking intent, there simply was not enough to see off an Oldham side who sealed the win with Mike Fondop’s goal after 71 minutes.

Here’s how a rather angry Dave saw it from the away end at Boundary Park…..

 

First half

After some tepid opening exchanges, it was a piece of defensive suicide which gifted Oldham a lead after just six minutes. A ball in from the left by Zaine Francis-Angol  you was ignored  by the entire defence, including an uncharacteristic mis-kick from Josh Staunton, and broke to Oscar THRELKELD whose effort was deflected past Grant Smith.

With the exception of an eighth minute foray forward where Malachi Linton had a shot which went well wide, the performance from the visitors in the 15 minutes which followed the goal was characterised by aimless balls, disinterested recipients and a team looking to someone else to make something happen.

The most frustrating thing was that this was against an Oldham side who offered very little themselves. An effort wide from John Rooney on 13 minutes, and a couple of crosses in to the box were all they offered in response.

It was not until the 40th minute that Smith was called in to action when Rooney found Ben Tollitt whose effort was turned aside by a smart stop by the keeper.

In 30 years of watching Yeovil Town – the Darren Way era of whimpering out of the Football League, even the two seasons we spent in a tier below this one in the 1990s – that was as bad a performance as I have seen from a side. Utterly devoid of effort and direction.

Half time: Oldham Athletic 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

Within two minutes of the restart, Yeovil achieved more than the first 45 minutes had offered. Ollie Hulbert, on as a substitute for Gime Toure, put a ball in from the left found Chiori Johnson on the far post but the ball was behind him and he was unable to get his header away.

There was more effort, an attempt at passing the ball, and guess what? It worked. A lukewarm spoon press against a block of butter, but more effort at least.

Alex Fisher replaced Linton after 57 minutes with Yeovil preparing  for a corner that met the head of Ben Richards-Everton who forced a save from Magnus Norman in the Oldham goal.

Moments later, Staunton’s interception set Johnson away down the right, but his effort avoided everyone in the box. For all the better forward play, there was little to threaten Norman’s goal.

On 65 minutes, a good ball forward by Lawson D’Ath found three Yeovil players queuing up despite Fisher and Pearson being in the vicinity, no-one could get a touch.

Two minutes later, Owen Bevan glanced a header just over from D’Ath’s corner.

But on 71 minutes, an Oldham side which had offered nothing all half doubled their advantage. From their own corner, Yeovil found themselves with just Morgan Williams against three attackers and it was Mike FONDOP who was there to turn it in from close range.

Six minutes from time, a ball from Pearson was met by a header from Fisher which force Norman in to a stop to turn it on to the post. That was the nearest to a goal we had got and it wasn’t near  enough.

Full time: Oldham Athletic 2 Yeovil Town 0

 

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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