Match Reports (Page 18)

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: Dorchester Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Dorchester Town 0 Yeovil Town 5

 

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

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

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

Thanks to Callum Hallett for the updates from New Cuthbury…

FIRST HALF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: Wimborne Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

SECOND HALF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Wimborne Town 2 Yeovil Town 1

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

Wimborne Town: No idea

Attendance: 375

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

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

Attendance: .. (226 away supporters!!)

Scorers: Tyrone Marsh 26 (0-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: None
Boreham Wood: Kelly Evans 90

Referee: Matt Corlett

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

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

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


Match Report

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

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

Here’s how Coatesie saw it…

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time: Boreham Wood 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

On 69 minutes, Oluwabori replaced Siziba.

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

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

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

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

Full time: Boreham Wood 1 Yeovil Town 0

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

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

Attendance: 4,016 (480 away supporters)

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

Bookings: 

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

Referee: Paul Johnson

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

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

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


Match Report

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Oldham Athletic 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Oldham Athletic 3

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

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

Attendance: 10106 (217 away supporters)

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

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Cooper 42, Freckleton 44
Wrexham: None

Referee: Michael Barlow

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

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

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


Match Report

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

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

Here’s how the match went…

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time: Wrexham 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Wrexham 3 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Damson Park
Saturday, 15th April, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: In pretty good nick for this stage of the season
Conditions: Dry and bright

Attendance: 1813 (176 away supporters)

Scorers: Josh Kelly 23, 28, Zanda Siziba 53, Owen Bevan 83

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: None
Solihull Moors: J Clarke, J Kelly

Referee: Farai Hallam

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

Substitutes: Andrew Oluwabori (for Max Hunt, 29) Zanda Siziba (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 45) Reo Griffiths (for Jordan Young, 45) Grant Smith, Scott Pollock

Solihull Moors: Boot, Beck, Clarke, Donawa (for Mills, 77), Gudger, Howe (for Jones, 60), Kelly, Morgan, Stevens (for Wood 81), Tiensia, Whelan Substitutes: Howell, Roberts


Match Report

Yeovil Town managed to turn round a dire first half performance to earn a point at Solihull Moors this afternoon. Second half goals from Zanda Siziba and Owen Bevan cancelled out Josh Kelly’s first half double.

The result see’s Yeovil cut adrift by eight points behind Aldershot with just nine points left to play for.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it…

First half

After the opening exchanges between a team all but relegated and another with nothing to play for came to the anticipated amount – very little – the it was Solihull Moors who settled in to their rhythm the quicker.

On six minutes, a misplaced pass in midfield gifted the ball to hosts’ striker Jake Stevens whose effort was turned around the post by Will Buse, making his first start of the season. That sparked a flurry of attacks with Solihull captain Callum Howe arriving at the back post to head against the outside of the post before a long range effort from full-back Junior Tiensia warmed the palms of Buse. I’ve seen hot knives have more trouble tackling a block of butter than Solihull had getting through our defence.

Going forward, the script for this one was identical to almost any other you have read for Yeovil Town this season. A lot of play through the midfield, plenty of running around from Jordan Young and Malachi Linton up front, but zero in the way in terms of efforts to trouble Ryan Boot in the hosts’ goal.

The breakthrough came after just 23 minutes, Justin (‘The Boy’) Donawa found James Clarke on the overlap, he pulled it back to Josh KELLY who tucked away the opener. Former Yeovil striker Mark Beck, who looks every bit the head on a stick he did when he played for us, indicated the direction he expected his former employers were heading. Hard to argue.

If that was game and set, match was soon to follow. Four minutes after the first goal, along came the second when Stevens’ shot was blocked by one of a scrum of Yeovil defenders – and the referee adjudged it had hit a hand. Hard to say from my angle but there was not too much by way or argument from the visiting defence. KELLY stepped up and sent Buse the wrong way from the spot. Game. Set. And you have to feel, match.

Assistant manager Chris Todd was the man on the touchline with manager Mark Cooper suspended for too many booking this season. I therefore assume it was Todd (maybe after a text message from Cooper) that introduced Andrew Oluwabori in place of Max Hunt with Owen Bevan moving across to the right side of defence after 29 minutes.

Ten minutes from half-time a rare foray in to the box saw efforts (such as they are) from first Matt Worthington and then Jamie Reckord. Pot shots would probably be a better way to describe them.

In fact, the nearest we got to a meaningful effort came at the start of the one minute of first half injury time was mercifully awarded and Oluwabori broke forward down the left, beat at least two players on his own and then fired over the top.

Resigned dejection is the best way to describe the noise from the away end which met the referee’s whistle. So, so soft.

Half time: Solihull Moors 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The half-time break saw striker Reo Griffiths and midfielder Zanda Siziba replace two of our Jordan’s – Young and Maguire-Drew. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be in no doubt what the view of the manager and many of their own team-mates think of the two players who joined the fray. A ‘Hail Mary’ is what you call that, I think.

Whatever it was, Siziba was straight in to action with a ball in from the left wing which almost found one of Oluwabori or Linton at the back post. As it was it didn’t find either of them.

But, it was the two half-time arrivals who combined to create a goal which at least gave the long-suffering away support something to cheer about. Griffiths showed great close control down the left side before laying it back to SIZIBA who finished coolly in the corner.

It would not be an exaggeration to say the desire of that pairing, both quite obviously brought in by owners-in-waiting SU Glovers, has been openly questioned. But on the basis of their effort in even the opening ten minutes, you have to question why it’s taken until everything was lost (in this game and this season) for them to be thrown in.

That seemed to add some of the spark which was so sadly lacking in the first half and, lo and behold, a little attacking intent led to some efforts on goal. Firstly, Oluwabori’s 65th minute effort was turned over by goalkeeper Ryan Boot, and then Linton saw two breakaways see him denied by the keeper.

On 73 minutes, it is almost inexplicable how the game was not level. A clever free-kick from Charlie Cooper bamboozled goalkeeper Ryan Boot and came back off the post. Griffith and Oluwabori were both in close attendance, but the quality of the effort caught them as unawares as the keeper and neither were able to turn the loose ball home.

You could literally see the confidence return to the likes of Oluwabori and Siziba as the game progressed. They tried things and they came off, it was like shackles coming off them. I enjoyed it, it was great to see, but my mind keeps going back to why it’s taken until now for it to happen.

Play swung straight to the other end with Kelly breaking clear of the Yeovil defence but curling his effort wide. Defensively, we still looked suspect but our attack was (for once this season) proving the best form of defence.

Ex-Glover Tom Whelan put a chance over with 80 minutes gone, but three minutes later Yeovil were deservedly level and again it was a goal which owed a lot to the skill and intent of Griffiths. It was the on loan Doncaster Rovers man’s footwork which kept the ball alive inside the box and broke to Owen BEVAN to thunder home his first goal for the club for the edge of the box.

The irony that Griffiths, whose desire was publicly questioned by his manager in the week, and Siziba, whose name fits the Tequila-themed chant far better than Dale Gorman’s ever did, were at the heart of both goals was not lost on anyone in the away end at Damson Park.

But Yeovil did not seem in the mood to stop at two goals. The attacks kept coming, I know, I’m thinking the same as you are – where has that been all season?! Linton battled, Oluwabori looked a constant threat with that magic ingredient of confidence injected in to him, and Siziba was involved in most of what was good.

The best chance in six minutes of injury time fell to Oluwabori, following good play by Griffiths, but the on loan Peterborough United player could not get his effort on goal.

So, a point it was. Not enough for today, not enough for the season, not enough to secure survival on the National League which will almost certainly be extinguished at the hands of Wrexham on Tuesday night – but something to shout about. You’ve got to take what cheer you can.

Full time: Solihull Moors 2 Yeovil Town 2

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Venue: Huish Park
Monday, 10th April, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Maybe my green tinted glasses, but looking in good nick
Conditions: Sunny with a strong wind blowing towards the away end – until the second half when it tipped it down

Scorers: Josh Prior 73 (0-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Chiori Johnson 10, Charlie Cooper 27,
Dorking Wanderers: Joe Cook 14, Josh Taylor 64, George Francomb 86

Sendings off:

Yeovil Town: Chiori Johnson 45 (two bookable offences)

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Yeovil Town (5-2-3)


Substitutes: Andrew Oluwabori (for Scott Pollock, 46), Callum Harriott (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 62), Jordan Young (for Jamie Reckord, 74) Ryan Law.

Dorking Wanderers: Lincoln, Francomb, Cook (for Taylor, 21), Moore, Gallagher (for Kuhl, 55), Craig, Taylor, Muitt, McShane (for Seager, 67), Bowerman, Prior. Substitutes: Fuller, Ottaway.


Match Report

In a game which was billed as “do or die” for Yeovil Town’s hopes of surviving in the National League, any hopes of avoiding playing in regional football next season were all but extinguished by a 1-0 home defeat to Dorking Wanderers.

The script was a cut and paste from so many other performances which have led us to this point with some strong attacking intent across both halves leading to very little to test the visitors’ keeper and when Chiori Johnson was sent off on the stroke of half-time for a mindless second booking, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

Even with ten men, Yeovil kept up the pressure going forward but it was just waiting for the sting in the tail which came when Jason Prior turned in a parry from Grant Smith to get what turned out to be the winner for Dorking.

Like so many other performances this season, there will be hard luck tale told about this one, but – like so many other performances this season – it just was not good enough.

 

First half

It was a high octane start from Yeovil who were playing towards the Thatcher’s End against a strong wind blowing towards the away end, but a couple of corners thanks largely to the non-stop Matt Worthington were all there was to show in the opening exchanges.

On 10 minutes, Chiori Johnson’s full-blooded tackle on Dorking striker James McShane drew a yellow card from referee Elliott Swallow and four minutes later Joe Cook went in for an equally feisty challenge on Owen Bevan.

The wind was causing some issues – both positively and negatively – for both sides which misplaced passes and overhit balls all over the place.

In terms of attacking intent, it was all from Yeovil for the opening 20 minutes but (yet again) they failed to force visiting keeper Dan Lincoln in to a meaningful save. Malachi Linton looked to get involved up front, Worthington was everywhere, but there was nothing which constituted a notable effort. Same as Good Friday at Aldershot.

Whatever it was, Dorking manager/chairman/owner Marc White did not like it and after 21 minutes he replaced Cook with Bobby Joe-Taylor; to say that the defender – who was on a yellow card – was unhappy with the decision would be an understatement.

On half-an-hour, good play by Worthington fed Reckord whose ball in to the box found Jordan Maguire-Drew in space on the edge of the box, he tried to check back on to his right foot and only ended up dragging an effort wide. Then four minutes later, Lincoln was finally called in to action with Worthington’s shot from distance which he looked at best uncomfortable about.

At the other end, a quick break after a poor through from Jamie Reckord saw Jimmy Muitt hit on the break and get a ball in to the box which Josh Staunton put out for a corner with Dorking players lurking inside the box.

But, with the game ticking in to injury time at the end of the first half, it was another self-made disaster which cost Yeovil. Johnson went in for a heavy tackle in front of the Main Stand and collected his second yellow card of the game. In fairness, he received some leniency from the referee to not see red for his first bookable offence, but his luck ran out.

There have been times this season where the luck has not gone Yeovil Town’s way, but in the all too familiar shortcomings up front and then a moment of madness from Johnson which cost them. An uphill battle in the second half.

Chiori Johnson walks after his first half red card.

 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Dorking Wanderers 0

 

Second half

The sending off meant a tactical change was required with Andrew Oluwabori coming on in place of Scott Pollock, with the formation returning to four at the back with Maguire-Drew and Oluwabori left and right respectively and Linton up front on his own.

Oluwabori was quickly in the action winning a free-kick with his first attack, from the ball in from Maguire-Drew and the substitute was there to poke the ball goalwards, only for it to be cleared off the line for a corner with 47 minutes gone.

On 51 minutes, a slip by a Dorking defender saw Miguel Freckleton surging forward down the left side – not the player you would have chosen to be that position – and the on loan Sheffield United defender’s shot was deflected aside for a corner. He’s not a striker, but another one of those ‘what if?’ moments for Yeovil.

Two minutes later, Luke Moore had two opportunities. The first was a bit of a scramble, but the second a good move from the right side saw the ball fall to Moore who dragged his shot wide.

Despite having a man advantage, it was Yeovil who had the better chances and none more so than on the hour mark when Linton burst down the left and drove in a shot which Lincoln turned aside – with Oluwabori screaming for the pass. Then on the opposite side Linton got the better of a mistake by George Francomb to burst in to the box but with no striker in the middle to pick out, he laid it back to Cooper who scooped an effort over.

Yeovil were certainly playing with some belief but – yes, I’m as sick of typing it as you are of reading it – still without that goal. Dorking were everything that Ben warned us about on the podcast – complete poophouses.

All that was waiting for this script was a sucker punch and it came on 73 minutes. Substitute Ryan Seager – yes, that one – did well to keep the ball alive on the right, found Moore on the edge of the box and his effort was parried by Grant Smith and Jason PRIOR was on hand to turn in the opener.

The entire Yeovil defence seemed more intent on calling for an offside decision against Prior which never came than trying to get to the ball ahead of him.

The deflation was palpable across Huish Park. You felt it in the crowd, you could see it in the Yeovil players and unsurprisingly Dorking had their tails up.

Nine minutes from time, a ball forward found Seager whose effort was turned aside by Smith and three minutes after that Seb Bowerman had an effort from the other side which Smith smothered.

There was still time for an appalling refereeing decision. No National League fixture is complete without one. Linton was shoved to the ground by Francomb with five minutes remaining, the defender was the only player between Mal and the goalkeeper and yet – despite being the dictionary definition of the last man – referee Swallow gave a yellow card.

The Easter period of games against our relegation rivals was supposed to be our opportunity to make a fight of National League survival – but we have managed one point from a possible nine.

It’s not just about those three games, it’s about so much more, but regional football in National League South is now seemingly an inevitability.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Dorking Wanderers 1

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Venue: EBB Stadium
Friday, 7th April, 3:00pm kick-off

Attendance:

Pitch: 
Conditions:

Scorers: Cordner, 50 (1-0), Harriott, 68 (1-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Cooper 12, Young 48, Staunton 54
Aldershot: Corndner 31, Campbell 77, Klass 96

Referee: James Durkin

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)


Substitutes: Hunt, Reckord, Harriott (for Law, 58) Pollock (for Young, 58) Oluwabori (for Worthington 88)

Aldershot: Ashby-Hammond, Barham, Campbell, Cordner, Glover, Harfield, Jordan, McQuoid, Mnoga, Ochieng, Partington

Substitutes: Amaluzar (For Partington 66), Klass (for McQuoid 69), Hutchinson (For Barham 75) Rowe, Thomas.

Match Report

Yeovil Town earned a point at Aldershot this afternoon in a game of expected quality between 20th and 21st in the National League. Results around the Glovers mean that Mark Cooper’s side fall to 22nd this evening.

A nervy first half never saw many chances, but Grant Smith was forced into action in the 26th minute. 

In the second half, former Weymouth man Tyler Cordner headed in from a corner to give Aldershot the lead.

In the 65th minute the Glovers equalised. Malachi Linton released Matt Worthington on the right wing and his cross found Callum Harriott in the box to give the Glovers hope.

Linton found space on left of the box but could only put his effort into the side netting.

Drama ensued before the final whistle when Aldershot were awarded a controversial penalty. Yeovil lost out on the edge of the Aldershot box and as Campbell broke, in seemingly an offside position, he was brought down by Chiori Johnson.

Fortunately for the Glovers, Jake Hutchinson skied his penalty but a point doesn’t feel enough right now.

Full time: Aldershot 1 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Gateshead International Stadium
Tuesday, 4th April, 7:45pm kick-off

Attendance: 959 (141 away)

Pitch: A bit bare in places, but not bad for athletics pitch.
Conditions: Dry and not that cold.

Scorers: Dinanga 19, 27, Pani 55, Bailey 88

Bookings: None

Referee: Aaron Jackson

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)


Substitutes: Malachi Linton (for Jack Clarke, 63), Ryan Law, Chiori Johnson, Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Charlie Cooper, 56), Zanda Siziba (for Max Hunt 58).

Gateshead: Marshall, Tinkler, Storey, Pye, Pani, Wearne (for Ward, 71), Francis, Whelan, Olley,(for Conteh, 64) Campbell, Dinangna Substitutes:  Montgomery, Bailey, Martin

Match Report

In what was absolutely a must-win game against relegation rivals, Yeovil Town were hammered 4-0 by Gateshead this evening. The Glovers are 5 points adrift ahead of a trip to 20th-placed Aldershot on Good Friday.

Here’s how it unfolded in front of Coatesie.

First half

After a quiet opening six minutes, a good move down the right side by Scott Pollock caused a moment of panic but it came to nothing more than a corner.

Two minutes later it was a misjudged header from Pollock which almost let the home side carving out a chance. As ever it was Grant Smith who got the block in to nullify the danger.

Jordan Young lifted an effort just over the bar after good play down the right from Bevan, before the best chance of the game of the game came fell to the home side. A mistake by Bevan saw Marcus Dinanga lifted the ball over onrushing Smith and and Campbell headed it goalwards, only for Max Hunt to head off the line.

If that was a warning, it only took until 19th minute for the warning to become a mortal blow. DINANGA broke the offside trap and lashed it in from the angle off the underside of the bar and past Smith. Sloppy defending again punished by a striker willing have a shot. Not rocket science. 1-0

Eight minutes later and it was 2-0 and effectively game over – obviously not, but as a contest. A superb ball by Greg Olley was met by the header of DINANGA. 2-0.

On 30 minutes it could so easily have been three. You guessed it, another mistake saw a ball to the back post fall to Campbell whose effort was blocked by Smith.

The mood in the away end turned. What had been relatively supportive and noisy, fell angry and muted. Such little movement and attacking intent was on display.

Even when we did get forward, the mistakes were everywhere. A rate forward press saw the ball break to Bevan but his effort ran out of play – on the other side of the pitch. Then an error in the Gateshead back line was seized on by Charlie Cooper, but his pass to Young was overhit.

“Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Bath City,” sang the away support. It only got more toxic when the half-time whistle blew.

Half time: Gateshead 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second Half

The players were sent out early for the second half and whatever was said at least seemed to create some spark. Well, a deflected shot from Cooper which went wide for a corner.

On 52 minutes, an aimless ball forward to Andrew Oluwabori broke down and the home side attacked down right and drilled a low cross in which was crying out for a Campbell to turn it in at the back post. Inexplicably he put it wide.

But third goal was not far away and it came in some style. Connor PANI simply looked up from 25 yards out and hit a thunderous effort past Smith.

That was enough for the away end to turn on the manager. Very audible chants of “We want Cooper Out” were heard. The manager was unmoved with Chris Todd directing affairs on the the touchline.

Whoever was making the changes, they made three of them. Maguire-Drew replaced the injured Cooper, Zanda Siziba was on for Hunt and Malachi Linton was on for Jack Clarke.

The difference was….minimal, I’m being generous. Pollock dragged an effort wide after 65 minutes and on 76 minutes Siziba jinked in to the box and hit one over the bar.

Probably the biggest insult was that Gateshead, a relegation rival (albeit in decent form), genuinely took the mick out of us as the game dragged on. Dinanga had the ball in the net only to be denied his hat-trick by the offside flag, and then he played one twos inside the box with Campbell.

The final (of many insults) came with 86 minutes gone. BAILEY, on as a substitute a minute earlier, poked home a fourth goal.

If I have seen a worse performance from a Yeovil Town side than this, I can’t recall it. Devoid of everything. Effort. Talent. Confidence. A bleak night.

Full time: Gateshead 4 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 1st April, 5.20pm kick-off

Pitch: Green
Conditions:  Dry and sunny

Scorers: Jake Hyde 24 (0-1), Rhys Murphy 90+2 (0-2),

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Miguel Freckleton 34, Malachi Linton 78
Southend United: Cav Miley 44, Nathan Ralph 45, Harry Cardwell 74

Sendings off:

Yeovil Town: Miguel Freckleton 84

Referee: Ed Duckworthj

Yeovil Town (5-2-3)


Substitutes: Alex Fisher (for Jack Clarke, 46), Max Hunt (for Alex Fisher, 58), Malachi Linton (for Jordan Young, 73), Reckord, Johnson.

Southend United: Andeng-Ndi, Ralph, Taylor, Scott-Morriss, Lomas, Hobson, Kensdale, Benton (for Fonguck, 70), Miley, Hyde (for Powell, 70), Cardwell (for Rhys Murphy, 90). Substitutes:  Mooney, Bridge.


Match Report

Yeovil Town’s relegation woes deepened with a 2-0 home defeat against Southend United – but the result was only part of the story of the day at Huish Park.

A first half strike from Jake Hyde and a late second from former Glover Rhys Murphy did the damage, but just five minutes after coming on at half-time top scorer Alex Fisher suffered a horrific injury after a collision with visiting keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi.

Then with seven minutes of the game remaining defender Miguel Freckleton was given a second yellow card and a the corresponding red. That rules the Sheffield United loanee out for Tuesday night’s trip to Gateshead. Lucky him.

We’ll not blame you if you don’t want to read this latest tale of woe…..

 

First half

Following a one-minute applause to mark the second anniversary of the passing of ex-Glovers’ captain Lee Collins, Yeovil attacked the away end in the first half.

The first chance fell to Scott Pollock, getting his first start for Yeovil, inside the opening two minutes as Yeovil got in down the left side, but the midfielder could not angle a shot past Collin Andeng-Ndi in the visitors’ goal. Squaring the ball to Maguire-Drew was perhaps a better option although he was shadowed by a Southend defender.

It was a bright opening five minutes for Yeovil and Andrew Oluwabori tested Andeng-Ndi from distance and at the other end a long ball forward almost found Harry Cardwell after eight minutes, but Owen Bevan did well to put him off his shot with only Grant Smith to beat.

With 21 minutes played, Maguire-Drew picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and fed Jordan Young, but his effort was not troubling Andeng-Ndi from distance. A minute later, a corner came to Lomas who was found at the back post and his effort was stopped by the feet of Smith.

Three minutes later, the visitors were ahead. The Yeovil defence switched off from a throw and a ball in to the box from Nathan Ralph was nodded down by Gus Scott-Morriss in to a crowded penalty area. Cardwell reacted and got the ball back to Jake HYDE who lashed in the opener.

That gave the visitors a lift and on 28 minutes Scott-Morriss’ cross from the right found Cardwell at the back post, but he couldn’t angle his header on target.

After a bright start, the home side had started to quieten down and the goal and, other than a couple of runs forward by Oluwabori, there was little in the way of a response. Huish Park has fallen deathly quiet.

A deep cross to the back post from Maguire-Drew went towards Oluwabori at the back post with five minutes of the first half remaining, but as far as quality balls in to the box were concerned they were few and far between.

Another came from the same source as Maguire-Drew’s free-kick found Pollock inside the box and his header thumped against the base of the post and away for a corner. That’s a chance to book end the half from the midfielder, who had a reputation from scoring from his days at Boston United…..you can do the rest.

One or two boos met the half-time whistle. It certainly was not as bad as the previous performance against Bromley – but a lack of attacking intent barely even worth mentioning these days. Big second half required, but we seem to say that every week as well.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Southend United 1

 

Second half

Alex Fisher replaced Jack Clarke at the half-time interval and it was the club’s joint top-scorer – with just five goals, of course – who was involved in the first incident. A totally innocuous coming together between Fisher and Andeng-Ndi saw the striker go down with what was instantly obvious was a broken ankle. The television coverage caught Fisher scream in pain, a heartbreaking thing to see.

Just when you thought things could not get any worse – they did. All the best, Fish.

Max Hunt replaced him in the target man role, but having a centre half playing as centre forward perhaps summarises the attacking issues which have riddled us for the entire season – and last season!

Ironically, it was another defender, captain Staunton, who had a glorious chance in the 64th minute. A superb corner from Maguire-Drew saw the skipper get ahead of his opponent Nathan Ralph and Andeng-Ndi did superbly to make a one-handed save and turn it around the post.

A mistake by Pollock on the edge of his box gifted Southend a big opportunity after 69 minutes. His attempted forward pass was blocked and broke to Cardwell, but he lifted his shot over the bar.

On 74 minutes, Malachi Linton, who scored on his last appearance in the 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town a fortnight ago, replaced Young. Difficult to see where the spark of inspiration was going to come from for the home side.

Bevan put a header over from a corner, won by some good play from Oluwabori, another good ball in from Maguire-Drew on a day when quality balls in to the box were sadly lacking.

Remember when we said about things not getting any worse? Well, on 84 minutes substitute Callum Powell’s burst forward and was checked by Freckleton, who had already been booked in the first half. Two yellows make a red. On first inspection it did not look like a bookable offence to me, on re-inspection (via television replay) it still didn’t. Sigh.

Three minutes from time, Pollock broke in to the box and got a shot in on goal which was stopped on the line by Harry Taylor. Pollock has looked lively, but sadly from his three efforts on goal, he has not converted any of them.

As the 11 minutes of injury time came up, Rhys Murphy replaced Harry Cardwell. You know what’s coming here, don’t you? Scott-Morriss’ ball in from the right hand side and Powell was completely unmarked in the middle of the box, inexplicably his effort came off the bar. The ball broke to MURPHY who showed the type of striker’s instinct so sadly lacking from his former club to smash home the second.

Two goals from two clinical strikers. That was the difference.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Southend United 2