Match Reports (Page 18)

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First competitive goals from Jordan Young and Frank Nouble were enough to earn Yeovil Towna third win of the season against Tonbridge Angels at Huish Park on Saturday.

Young, who was called in to the starting XI having sat out the first four games of the season, opened the scoring having broken in to the box after 13 minutes minutes to lash an effort under visiting goalkeeper Jonathan Henley.

Henley proved to be the difference between the Glovers and a more comprehensive lead not least on 63 minutes when he saved a penalty from Rhys Murphy having been booked for appearing to scuffing up the spot in front of the away end. He was not alone with referee Robert Ablitt handing out nine yellow cards in a game which could not be described as dirty.

Nouble, on as a substitute in the second half, sealed the win with five of nine minutes of second half injury time gone. The big frontman was set away by fellow substitute Olly Thomas and fired in at a near post.

Here’s how it went down at Huish Park…..

First half

There were three changes for Yeovil Town going into the match, with manager Mark Cooper citing Bank Holiday Monday’s trip to Havant & Waterlooville as a factor in team selection. Jordan Young, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Rhys Murphy came into the side in place of Frank Nouble, Jordan Maguire-Drew, who were on the bench, and Jamie Sendles-White who dropped out of the squad altogether.

Rhys Murphy.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It was the visitors came firing out of the starting blocks bombarding the Yeovil box with crosses and the opening exchanges made it clear that Tonbridge were happy to come to dig in for a result. In the initial exchanges, the diamond in midfield led to the inevitable lack of width with neither Alex Whittle or Morgan Williams getting forward to stretch the visiting back line.

The hosts did manage to enjoy much of the possession as the rain hammered down on Huish Park and their dominance paid off as they took the lead after 13 minutes. Jake Hyde held the ball up, played it out to Matt Worthington on the right and he found Jordan YOUNG on the edge of the box. The forward moved in to the box and hammered a low shot across the skiddy surface under visiting keeper Jonathan Henley.

On 19 minutes, Morgan Williams appeared to be bundled over in the box but referee Robert Ablitt was unmoved and the ball broke to Hyde whose close range effort was superbly denied by Henley.

Three minutes later, the match official was in the the spotlight again. Williams and Joseph Turner went in for what looked like a 50-50 challenge on a wet pitch which the Yeovil man came off the worse in, but he was the one who got the booking. The home crowd certainly thought that Turner should have also seen a yellow.

Tonbridge’s first chance came on 23 minutes when Lewis Gard’s ball in to the box was flicked on by Jamie Fielding almost found ex-Bristol Rovers’ man Stefan Payne, but he was unable to make contact and his effort went in to the side netting.

The 31st minute was met with a round of applause in memory of Yeovil supporter Craig Leader, who tragically lost his battle against bowel cancer at the age of 31. A big thankyou to all those from Tonbridge who joined in this moment. Class.

A minute’s applause in memory of Yeovil Town supporter Craig Leader after 31 minutes.
Picture courtesy of Amy @craw1304.

With eight minutes to play before half-time, a Great move from Jordan Young, who was impressing on his first start of the season, out wide saw him cut in and his ball in was flicked on by Hyde, but Henley was up to it again. 

Referee Ablitt was back in the action on 41 minutes. Murphy tussled with his marker and the referee adjudged the striker to have fouled. Let’s just say the official is 

Young and Hyde combined with half-time closing in and it was Young who clipped a ball in to the box but Murphy could only turn it wide. Once again, the chances were there for the home side, it was the goals that were missing. 

With the final kick of the half, a free-kick from Charlie Cooper forced another good save out of Henley and (again!) the keeper came out on top.

It was Yeovil who undoubtedly dominated the first half and were well worth their advantage, but, given the chances they created, will be disappointed it was only by a single goal.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Second half

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first with Tonbridge having the better of the early exchanges and had the first chance. After 48 minutes,  a  simple straight ball forward found Turner who brought the ball down well and his effort had Will Buse scrambling, but went wide.

Not long after visiting striker Ibby Akanbi broke in from the left and got his shot away but again wide in front of the Thatcher’s Stand. Cue the expected ripple of frustrated noises from the home crowd and the rallying cry from captain Josh Staunton to his Yeovil team-mates.

Young put an effort wide at the other end after good play from Lo-Everton and then on 55 minutes both Jake Wannell and Rhys Murphy entered the referee’s box. Wannell’s was for what appeared a nothing challenge on Akanbi – presumably one for the ‘totting up’ list – whereas Murphy’s was for having a word with the official. Rule 1, Rhys, Rule 1.

Tonbridge undoubtedly had the better of the opening 15 minutes after the restart, but the best chance of the half fell to Yeovil on the hour. Whittle broke in to the box and got his left foot around it but that man Henley was on hand to deny the hosts from increasing their lead – again!

On 63 minutes, the questionable decisions of the referee finally went in favour of the home side as they were awarded a penalty. Murphy was one-v-one with Kodi Lyons-Foster, there was a little contact but, after a bit of pause, Mr Ablitt awarded the spot kick. After a long delay and more than a suggestion that Henley had scuffed the penalty spot, Murphy went low and hard and Henley did well to keep it out. It must be noted that Henley got a booking for his ‘intervention’.

That proved to be Murphy’s last involvement as he was replaced by Olly Thomas on 65 minutes with Frank Nouble also replacing Hyde.

Payne put an effort over after 72 minutes and a minute later Yeovil manager Mark Cooper made a change as Zac Bell replaced Sonny Blu Lo-Everton with the hosts switching to a back three with Morgan Williams moving in to the middle.

Nouble volleyed an effort goalwards from 50 yards with Henley off his line but that was about as close as the home side came to getting another goal. The keeper was certainly not afraid to come off his line.

There was no surprise when the fourth official put up the board to confirm nine minutes of injury time. In a game which certainly could not be described as dirty, there were eight bookings across the two teams. Well done, ref!

Substitutes Frank Nouble and Olly Thomas celebrate Yeovil’s second goal.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

It took five minutes of added time for the home side to get a second. A well-worked move involving Young in midfield and Thomas set NOUBLE away and the big forward powered forward and drove it hard and low past Henley at his near post. 

Two goals, a first clean sheet of the season and finally, comfortable.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 26th August, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Excellent
Conditions: Intermittent heavy showers.

Attendance: 2,896 (66 away supporters)

Scorers: Jordan Young 13 (1-0)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams 21, Jake Wannell 55, Rhys Murphy 55, Will Buse, Olly Thomas 75, Charlie Cooper 90+2.
Tonbridge Angels: Jonathan Henley 64, Jernade Mead 75, Scott Wagstaff 81, 

Referee: Robert Ablitt

Yeovil Town (4-1-2-1-2) 

Substitutes:  Frank Nouble (for Hyde, 65), Olly Thomas (for Rhys Murphy, 65), Zac Bell (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 72), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used), Josh Owers (not used).

Tonbridge Angels: Jonathan Henley, Jamie Fielding, Kodi Lyon’s-Foster, Lewis Gard (for Johl Powell, 82), Jordan Higgs, Ibrahim Akanbi, Joseph Turner (for Gianni Crichlow, 90), Tarim Hinds, Jernade Meade, Scott Wagstaff, Stefan Payne (for Soares-Junior, 73).

Substiututes (not used): Tom Parkinson, Nathan Wood.

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A second half equaliser from substitute Rhys Murphy saw Yeovil Town come from behind to get a draw against Maidstone United at Huish Park on Saturday.

The frontman, who came off the bench after 64 minutes, reacted quickest to stab home a Jordan Young corner kick with seven minutes of normal time remaining.

Yeovil had fallen behind to a header from another substitute, Maidstone’s Levi Amantchi, with 56 minutes on the clock and the hosts were forced to settle for a point.

Here’s how it went down at Huish Park…..

First half

Manager Mark Cooper made just one change from the midweek win over Truro City as Jamie Sendles-White came in to a five-man back line with Morgan Williams overcoming a dead leg to line up as right wing-back.

Striker Rhys Murphy, who had started the previous three matches of the season, dropped to be the bench with Jake Hyde, Frank Nouble and Jordan Maguire-Drew lining up as a front three.

Having won a free-kick within seconds of the start with the team shooting towards a noisy Thatcher’s Stand, Charlie Cooper hammered an effort just wide of the post.

Hyde had a couple of decent chances soon after. On five minutes, he went through on goal, rounded visiting keeper Lucas Covolan, but could not beat the offside flag, and then six minutes the striker headed a great ball from Maguire-Drew just wide.

The possession was certainly in the home side’s favour but, following those early chances, clear-cut opportunities were few and far between with Bivesh Gurung’s run and shot after 24 minutes easily held by Yeovil manager Will Buse.

Two minutes later, a glorious free-kick delivery from Maguire-Drew found the head of Nouble seven yards out from goal but the big forward got under it and it went over. The best chance of the game by a margin.

The visitors’ best chance of the half so far came ten minutes before half-time when Sam Corne’s free-kick was cleared as far as Gurung whose effort fizzed past the post.

On 38 minutes, Covolan was the difference between Yeovil Town a 1-0 lead. A long throw from Sendles-White found the head of Williams whose effort was superbly turned away by the ex-Torquay United stopper.

Better possession, better chances, but still nothing to put Yeovil Town in the ascendancy.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidstone United 0

Second half

The second half started in a less controlled fashion for Yeovil Town than the first half and, as it was in midweek against Truro City, the visitors took the lead with just ten minutes after the break.

A corner from Corne was flicked on by winger Lamar Reynolds, Buse pushed it away but straight on to the head of striker Levi AMANTCHI, just on as a substitute, and he headed home the opener after 56 minutes.

Looking back on the chances which the Glovers had in the first half and the visitors’ improved performance, it was a case of what could have been. Can’t argue that there’s not enough goal-scoring talent available to the home side.

Yeovil responded with a treble change on 64 minutes and an attacking one. Olly Thomas, Jordan Young and Rhys Murphy came off the bench to replace Jake Hyde, captain Josh Staunton and Jordan Maguire-Drew with the formation switching to a very narrow-looking 4-4-2 with Sendles-White and Wannell flanked by Williams on the right and Whittle on the left.

A weak effort from Nouble, a shot wide of the post by Worthington, it was all a bit powder puff from the home side, but – if you were in attendance at the Truro game, you know what’s coming next – with seven minutes remaining Yeovil were level. A corner from Young was not dealt with by Covolan and the predator that is MURPHY was on hand to stab home the equaliser.

Moments later Maidstone will be wondering how they did not regain their advantage on 86 minutes. A free-kick in to the box found the head of George Fowler whose effort went over the bar. *loud exhalation of breath*

Seven minutes of injury time added by the referee. With a couple of them gone, a corner came to Thomas whose effort was blocked, broke to Young, again blocked. 

It was all Yeovil in the closing stages, but they were left to rue the missed opportunities in the first half as they settled for a point.

 

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Maidstone United 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 19th August, 3pm kick-off

Pitch: Excellent
Conditions: Warm and sunny

Attendance: 2,899 (130 away supporters)

Scorers: Levi Amantchi 56 (0-1), Rhys Murphy 83 (1-1), 

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Alex Whittle 63, Matt Worthington 72, Rhys Murphy 90+4
Maidstone United: Ogo Obi 41, Gavin Hoyte 46, George Fowler 90+4

Yeovil Town (5-2-3) 

Substitutes: Olly Thomas (for Jake Hyde, 64), Jordan Young (for Josh Staunton, 64), Rhys Murphy (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 64), Zac Bell, Josh Owers.

Maidstone United: Covolan, Hoyte, Ezennolim, Fowler, Corne, Reynolds (for Wanjau-Smith  80), Aransibia, Obi (for Amantchi, 53), Bone, Sole, Gurung (for Kelly, 84). Substiututes (not used): De Graft, Earle, Amantchi.

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A late winner from defender Jake Wannell earned Yeovil Town a smash-and-grab win as they broke the resistance of a determined Truro City side to record back-to-back wins for the first time since March 2022.

After a goalless first half which saw the Cornish outfit dominate, the visitors took the lead when Rocky Neal broke the offside trap to slot past Will Buse after 55 minutes, stirring rumblings among the home supporters.

Substitute striker Olly Thomas, who replaced Jake Hyde after 68 minutes, pulled one back when he got on the end of a Charlie Cooper through ball with six minutes remaining, before Wannell rose highest at the back post to head the winner as the game ticked in to added time.

Here is how Dave saw it from the Thatcher’s Stand at Huish Park…….

FIRST HALF

The starting XI remained unchanged from the 2-1 home win over St Albans City on Saturday, albeit we lined up with a back three with Josh Staunton, Morgan Williams, and Jake Wannell. Jordan Maguire-Drew and Alex Whittle operating as right and left wing-backs respectively.

The opening 15 minutes saw the visitors carve out the clearer cut chances, the best of which arrived with 14 minutes gone when Williams had to slide in to the box to deny Ed Palmer before the ball broke to Rocky Neal whose effort was blocked by Staunton.

A minute later, they got even closer when on-loan Bristol Rovers youngster Harvey Greenslade’s effort came back off the outside of the post. A minute after that hosts’ keeper Will Buse turned away another effort from Greenslade before captain Connor Riley-Lowe headed narrowly wide.

The visitors, managed by ex-Glovers’ midfielder Paul Wotton, were not here to just make up the numbers. They looked more of a threat going forwards than their hosts , they quickly got back in to a defensive shape to frustrate us. It was going to be a long night with a lot of patience required at Huish Park

The nearest to a goal the Glovers got in the opening half-hour was a speculative effort from Maguire-Drew. Was it a shot? Was it a cross? Either way Truro keeper James Hamon turned it over the bar for a corner.

There was a nervous atmosphere inside Huish Park again (after the second half had been against St Albans) and it seemed to translate on to the pitch.

In a fluid formation, it was Williams who pulled out to the right with Staunton, Wannell and Whittle forming the back line. But Williams proved an effective attacking force with his crosses almost finding Murphy inside the box on 31 minutes and then just missing Hyde at the back post a minute later.

The chances were starting to come with Murphy found inside the box with five minutes of the half remaining but his effort was blocked. That was the theme of the evening as Truro seemed to have something in the way of every effort whilst looking the far more threatening going forward.

Come half-time it was certainly the home side who were grateful to go in goalless at the break.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Truro City 0

Thanks to Ollie Marsh for the photography

SECOND HALF

The second half saw Zac Bell replaced Williams, who appeared to be carrying an injury, with the Bristol City youngster going in on the right side of a back four. In the forward line, Murphy seemed to play slightly behind Hyde with Nouble and Maguire-Drew on either flank.

The result was certainly more possession for the home side but it was difficult to say they were was much in the way of chances as a result of it.

At the other end, Truro were continuing to threaten with the pace of Greenslade causing issues for the Yeovil backline and it was no surprise when that led to them taking the lead after 55 minutes. Rocky NEAL broke the offside trap – some in the Screwfix Stand certainly thought he did not break it – and raced clear and slot past Buse.

It could have been 2-0 two minutes later when Greenslade put one wide before Nouble shot wide at the other end. That effort was about all the home side had to offer in the opening 15 minutes after the break with a distinct lack of movement in the forward line.

On 68 minutes, Jordan Young and Olly Thomas replaced Maguire-Drew and Hyde. The changes were like for like and with a narrow formation like the one we were playing, did little to give Truro much to think about whilst the visitors stuck to their task.

With 77 minutes gone, a deep ball to the back post found Thomas at the back post to head it back in to the danger zone. It bounced around and Murphy was unable to bring it down and get a shot away.

It was difficult to see where anything was going to come from for Yeovil – and then an equaliser appeared. A ball through from Charlie Cooper set THOMAS away and he coolly slotted home the equaliser.

That lifted the stagnant atmosphere inside Huish Park and the Thatcher’s Stand burst in to life with the home side responding as Thomas had another effort. Then as the game ticked in to the final minute Worthington lifted a ball in to the box found WANNELL at the back post to head home a winner.

In summary, it was not a pretty win, it was not a convincing win – but it was a win!

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Truro City 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday, 15th August, 7.45pm kick-off

Pitch: Looking early season good
Conditions: Dry and cool

Attendance: 3,315 (70 away supporters)

Scorers: Rocky Neal 55 (0-1), Olly Thomas 84 (1-1), Jake Wannell 90 (2-1)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington 51, Rhys Murphy 90+5.
Truro City: Ryan Law 53, Will Dean 66, Dan Rooney 72.

Yeovil Town (4-3-3) 

Substitutes: Zac Bell (for Morgan Williams, 46), Jordan Young (for Jordan Maguire-Drew, 68), Olly Thomas (for Jake Hyde, 68), Jamie Sendles-White (not used), Josh Owers (not used).

Truro City: Hamon, Melhado, Riley-Lowe, Palmer, Sanders, Law, Dean, Porter (for Yeboah, 90), Rooney (for Brett, 74), Neal, Greenslade (for Adelsbury, 90). Substiututes (not used): White, Jones.

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time:  Yeovil Town 2 St Albans City 1

Second Half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 St Albans City 1

 

Match Details

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

Pitch: Perfect
Conditions: Sunshine and sideways showers

Attendance: 3412 (86 away supporters)

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

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

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

Referee: Thomas Green

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time: Hemel Hempstead 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Hemel Hempstead 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

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

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

Attendance: 1276 (no away number given)

Scorers: Joe Iaciofano 78

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

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

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Jake Hyde in action.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: Plymouth Parkway 0 Yeovil Town 1


Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Olly Thomas battles for the ball.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Plymouth Parkway 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Newport County 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Newport County 0

 

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

Attendance: 2,177 (153 away supporters)

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: AFC Totton 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Full time: AFC Totton 1 Yeovil Town 2

 

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

Attendance: 583

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: Dorchester Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Dorchester Town 0 Yeovil Town 5

 

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

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

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

Thanks to Callum Hallett for the updates from New Cuthbury…

FIRST HALF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time: Wimborne Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

SECOND HALF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Wimborne Town 2 Yeovil Town 1

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

Wimborne Town: No idea

Attendance: 375