Match Reports (Page 19)

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday August 27th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and bright
Pitch: Looking good

Attendance: 2,152 (70 away supporters)

Scorers: Jamie Reckord 34 (1-0)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Worthington 81
Dagenham & Redbridge: McCallum 76

Referee: Wayne Cartmel


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Alfie Pond  Josh Staunton  Ben Richards-Everton

Morgan Williams Matt Worthington  Lawson D’Ath (for Sam Perry, 54)  Jamie Reckord

Gime Toure (for Jake Scrimshaw, 73)

Alex Fisher (for Callum Rowe, 63)  Malachi Linton

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


Dagenham & Redbridge: Justham, Hare, Onariase, Longe-King (for Vilhete, 41), Weston, Tavares, Robinson, Sagaf (for Mussa, 63), Ling, McCallum, Walker (for Morias, 63). Substitutes: Strizovic, Zouma.

Match Report

A first half goal from Jamie Reckord saw Yeovil Town earn their first win of the National League season at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.

The wing-back made it three goals in his opening five matches for the Glovers after good play from striker Alex Fisher on 34 minutes.

However, it was a performance which relied on defensive resilience with young loanee Alfie Pond impressive alongside captain Josh Staunton and the returning Ben Richards-Everton in a back three as Dagenham dominated the second half.

Here’s how it played out in manager Chris Hargreaves’ first win since taking charge…..

First half

With two games in three matches, manager Chris Hargreaves made three changes with Ben Richards-Everton, who had been missing with a knee injury since the opening day, and young Exeter City loanee Alfie Pond coming in for Chiori Johnson and Max Hunt, who dropped to the bench.

The other change saw Charlie Wakefield, who was suffering with a thigh injury, replaced by Gime Toure with new signings striker Jake Scrimshaw and defender Callum Rowe named on the bench.

Josh Staunton headed an early free-kick from Lawson D’Ath just over, but it was the visitors who made the brighter start with winger Myles Weston firing a decent chance in to the side netting after ten minutes.

A nice bit of passing play seven minutes saw the ball break to Toure who caught it sweetly but his effort ricocheted off defender David Longe-King and behind for a free kick.

Jamie Reckord. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The absence of on loan winger Sam Pearson, still suffering the after effects of a back injury, was obvious as the half progressed. With Toure keen to get far forward as possible, the hosts were missing someone to pick it up and take it forward in the way we’ve seen from Pearson so far.

After a fragmented 34 minutes of very little to trouble either Grant Smith or his counterpart Elliot Justham, out of nothing Yeovil went ahead. A brilliantly time run by Alex Fisher saw him beat the Daggers’ offside trap and fired a great ball across to Jamie RECKORD turned home his third goal of the season.

That sparked the hosts in to life and Malachi Linton found himself through and collided with Justham, the ball broke to Worthington who had a shot despite having Toure in acres of space on the edge of the six yard box. Manager Chris Hargreaves left his midfielder in no doubt what he felt he should have done – to put it mildly.

With the game closing to half-time, a good effort from Worthington forced a good stop out of Justham.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Second half

Within two minutes of the restart, good play by Myles Weston saw him play a ball to the back post where it found substitute Mauro Vilhete, he found Nikola Tavares whose effort hit the post with the goal at his mercy.

It was Dagenham who dominated the opening 15 minutes after the restart, but aside from Tavares’ chance and a header over the bar from striker Paul McCallum there was not a huge threat from the visitors.

With another game coming up for both teams on Monday, there were unsurprisingly changes. D’Ath, who returned after the break with a brace on his knee, was replaced by Sam Perry on 54 minutes, and Rowe replaced Fisher soon after the hour.

Rowe was described as “a ball-playing midfielder” by Glovers’ boss Chris Hargreaves and his arrival was perhaps a desire from the manager to take control of the game with their opponents upping the pressure. Their substitutes Omar Mussa, who was part of the W*ymouth side relegated last season, and Junior Morias both looked bright after coming on after 63 minutes.

On 73 minutes, Scrimshaw replaced Toure who had tired as the match progressed.

Rowe impressed with some confident touches in the middle of the park, but it was Dagenham – led by the impressive pair of Mussa and Weston – who were firmly in control as the game ticked towards the conclusion. Is this holding out the return of the resilience which Hargreaves has spoken about so much in recent weeks?

There were calls ahead of the match for his leaders to step forwards and it’s fair to say that captain Josh Staunton and Morgan Williams responded the strongest although it was Alfie Pond who received the sponsor’s man of the match.


Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

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Venue: Moss Lane
Saturday August 20th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Bright and sunny with a strong cross wind
Pitch: As you would expect on the second home game or the season.

Attendance: 1,621 (142 away supporters)

Scorers: Malachi Linton 8 (1-0), Toby Mullarkey 39 (1-1), Gime Toure 70 (2-1), Egli Kaja 90 (2-2).

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: None
Altrincham: Cooper 60

Referee: Gareth Rhodes


Yeovil Town : (4-4-2)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord

Charlie Wakefield, Matt Worthington, Lawson D’Ath (for Sam Perry 89), Chiori Johnson (for Matt Grivosti 73)

Alex Fisher (for Gime Toure, 61) Malachi Linton

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Alfie Pond.

Altrincham: Mee, Jones, Baines, Osborne, Cooper, Mullarkey, Lundstram, Bennett (for Kaja, 68), Conn-Clarke (for Pringle, 68), Colclough, Hulme (for Dinanga, 79). Substitutes (not used): Brockbank, Samizadeh.

Match Report

An injury time equaliser from Altrincham substitute Egli Kaja saw Yeovil Town’s search for their first win of the season go on.

Having taken the lead early on through Malachi Linton, the visitors were pegged back by a goal from Toby Mullarkey late in the first half and then forced to soak up a great deal of pressure early in the second half.

The ‘Hargreaves-ball’ style which had been evident in the previous two matches was in short supply, but the introduction of forward Gime Toure midway through the second half provided a spark.

The Frenchman drew Yeovil level on 72 minutes before Kaja struck at the death. In fairness, it was a game we have probably did not deserve to win, but it was a sickening way to be denied it.

Here’s how Dave saw it from the sun-soaked away end at Moss Lane…..

First half

The game opened with the visitors attacking the home end with a strong left-to-right wind causing issues with balls floated over the top.

Jordan Hulme and Ryan Colclough both forces Grant Smith in to early action, but it was Yeovil who took the lead after just nine minutes.

Matt Worthington dispossessed his man and fed the ball to Malachi LINTON (aka ‘Mal’ to our listeners) who turned and slammed home an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.

But Altrincham kept up the pressure seeing more or the ball with Colclough a threat down the left flank without causing too much to trouble Grant Smith. However, if there was to be any joy for the home side, it was going to come from a wide position

Having earned a corner shortly before the half-hour mark, Glovers’ defender Max Hunt directed a corner in to the hands of Dermot Mee in the hosts’ goal.

Moments later a great through ball from D’Ath set Wakefield away, he was clattered just outside the box but the referee Gareth Rhodes was unmoved.

With the game closing towards half-time, Altrincham found their way through the visitors’ defence and on 40 minutes they pulled level.

Chris Conn-Clarke brought the ball forward without much resistance and his effort deflected to Colclough whose smashed a shot across the face of goal. The chance looked to have gone wide, only for Toby MULLARKEY to burst in from right back at the far post to tuck it home from an acute angle.

It was nothing more than Altrincham deserved having carved out a couple of opportunities as the half wore on, however, the half-hearted nature of the efforts to stop the move will have frustrated boss Chris Hargreaves.

I firmly suspect the possession stats would show Alty bossing the ball in the first half and there was not a great deal of the free-flowing ‘Hargreaves-ball’ which had been seen in the previous two outings.

Half time: Altrincham 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half started as the first one finished with the visitors affording their hosts too much time on the ball. Altrincham responded by testing Grant Smith before Max Hunt was forced to clear a goalbound effort off the line.

For the opening 15 minutes of the second half, it was the home side in the ascendancy, but again they were not able to turn their dominance in to many clear-cut opportunities.

Seeking a spark, Hargreaves threw on forward Gime Toure in place of Alex Fisher around the four mark. For all his running around, Fisher never looked like threatening the goal.

Toure’s arrival had the desired impact with the Glovers having a flurry of opportunities around the 66 minutes mark. Johnson’s tame header could not threaten, but a sumptuous ball in from D’Ath moments later almost found the head of Toure. From the resulting corner, Josh Staunton nodded over Worthington’s corner.

The arrival of Toure seemed to give the home side something to think about and on 72 minutes he grabbed the lead. A mistake from the home side saw him gifted possession, he broke forward in to the box and, having had his first efforts blocked by on-rushing defenders, the ball broke to him again and  TOURE slammed home his first goal for the club.

The lead was probably harsh on Altrincham who had dominated up to the Frenchman’s arrival, but there was always the fear of a mistake in Yeovil. With ten minutes to go, Jordan Hulme twisted and turned in the box and fired in a shot that Smith had to save with his feet.

If the Hargreaves-ball was missing, there is always the class of D’Ath to enjoy. The playmaker was taken off in the 89th minute, replaced by Sam Perry to well-earned  applause from the away end.

But remember how I said there was a mistake in the visitors? Just moments after the fourth official’s board went up to display five minutes of added time, a ball from a wide position (where have we heard that before?) got a glancing header from substitute Egli KAJA to draw the game level.


Full time: Altrincham 2 Yeovil Town 2

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday August 16th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Damp
Pitch: Green – well, except for the damp bits

Attendance: 2,263 (89 away supporters)

Scorers: Nicky Kabamba 72 (0-1), Nicke Kabamba 78 (0-2), Jamie Reckord 80 (1-2)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Fisher 41, Worthington 50, Reckord 82
Barnet: Gorman 72, Phillips 85

Referee: Gary Parsons


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Charlie Wakefield, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord

Sam Perry Matt Worthington, Sam Pearson (for Lawson D’Ath, 72)

Alex Fisher (for Gime Toure, 58) Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 80)

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Chiori Johnson, Alfie Pond.

Barnet: Walker, Wynter, Collinge, Okimo, Beard, Gorman (for Phillips, 77), Pritchard,. De Havilland, Mason-Clark, Kabama, Shields (for Smith, 62) Substitutes: Callan, Thomas, Hall.

Match Report

A second half brace from Barnet striker Nicke Kabamba earned them a smash-and-grab win on a damp Tuesday night at Huish Park.

After a first half which saw visiting keeper Laurie Walker pull off three fantastic saves to twice deny Yeovil striker Malachi Linton and Jamie Reckord, it took until 72 minutes for the visitors to make their hosts pay for not taking their chances and then doubled it after an error from goalkeeper Grant Smith.

Jamie Reckord pulled one back after 82 minutes which sparked a late flurry of attacks which could not find a breakthrough.

In the words of our own Ben Barrett co-commentating for BBC Somerset, “skullduggery has prevailed” and you’ll not be surprised to hear that former Glover Dale Gorman was at the heart of the dark arts.

Here’s how it went down…..

First half

Chris Hargreaves named an unchanged squad from the 1-1 draw against Wrexham at the weekend with Malachi Linton and Alex Fisher paired up front, whilst Gime Toure and Lawson D’Ath, who both impressed whilst coming off the bench three days earlier, both remained among the substitutes.

The opening 20 minutes were all about Barnet goalkeeper Laurie Walker who made three fantastic saves to deny the Glovers.

After just four minutes, strong play by Fisher saw him win the ball well and then unselfishly play the ball to Jamie Reckord whose shot was superbly stopped by the big keeper, who was at it again four minutes later when good play by Sam Pearson set up Linton whose effort was kept out.

Linton was denied again on 18 minutes when his free header was denied by probably the best of the keeper’s three saves with the ball almost behind the keeper.

That saw Barnet begin to enjoy a bit of possession without doing much to carve out any meaningful opportunities as the game ticked past the half-hour mark. One thing is for sure, former Glover Dale Gorman is likely to spend much of his game in the ear of referee, Gary Parsons.

Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Walker was at it again on 38 minutes when Charlie Wakefield, who was having a quiet game up to that point, got involved and fed the ball on to Pearson who turned on the edge of the box and fired in a shot which the former Stevenage keeper did superbly to deny going in the wrong direction.

Moments later, Gorman fulfilled his role as the pantomime villain when he made the most of a tackle from Fisher earning the striker a yellow card. The home crowd let him know what they thought of him and the Northern Irishman loved it – as you’d expect.

The half ended goalless and Barnet no doubt went in thanking the efforts of their keeper for keeping them in the game.

 Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Barnet 0

Second half

With just five minutes of the second half played, Sam Pearson burst through and lifted the ball over the keeper but fluffed his lines from a glorious opportunity. Fisher kept the ball in play but his effort was cleared off the line. Great opportunity – again.

Fisher brought the ball down well moments later, but his effort was tame and easily held by Walker.

Just before the hour mark, Yeovil introduced Gime Toure in place of Fisher, who was on a booking.

It took until the 65th minute for the visitors to put pressure on Grant Smith as referee Gary Parsons failed (a sentence quite often uttered….Rule 1, I know, I know) to give a free-kick in their favour in the middle of the park. Mason Ephron-Clarke got away and put in a shot which Smith had to deal with.

However, with the chances missed at the other end, you just knew the sucker punch was coming and it came on 72 minutes. Ephron-Clarke was at the heart of it again, firing a low cross in to the box and Nicke KABAMBA was there to steer home to opener.

Ex-Glover Dale Gorman is finally booked by referee Gary Parsons. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Lawson D’Ath was introduced in place of Pearson straight after the goal before Gorman finally found his way in to the referee’s book and was shortly substituted for his own safety.

But, with 11 minutes remaining, the visitors got their second A mistake by Max Hunt led to Smith came for a ball that was not his to come for and he found himself in No Man’s Land allowing KABAMBA to lift the ball over him and his second of the night.

Moments later, Chiori Johnson replaced Linton with Charlie Wakefield moving up front and the substitute soon found Lawson D’Ath whose cross came in from the right and found Jamie RECKORD at the far post and he fired home his second goal for the the club. Lifeline?

Sam Beard sent a free-kick just over the box which had Smith scrambling soon after and the keeper will have been relieved to see the effort go wide.

Toure almost turned an injury time corner home when he smashed an effort in which was blocked by a Barnet player on the line.

The pressure was all from Yeovil in injury time with a penalty shout for a shove on Morgan Williams before Toure and Sam Perry both had chances. However, it was too little, too late for the home side.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Barnet 2

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday August 13th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Hot…..very hot!
Pitch: Impressive, as you’d imagine.

Attendance: 2,880 (645 away supporters)

Scorers: Paul Mullin 7 (0-1), Malachi Linton 49 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Linton, Worthington, Wakefield, Williams
Wrexham: J.Jones

Referee: Lewis Smith


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Charlie Wakefield, Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Jamie Reckord

Sam Perry, Matt Worthington, Sam Pearson (for Lawson D’Ath, 70)

Alex Fisher (for Gime Toure, 72), Malachi Linton (for Chiori Johnson, 88)

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Alfie Pond.

Wrexham: Howard, Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth, Mendy (for Hosannah, 64) , J.Davies, Young, Lee (for J.Jones, 70), Mullin, Palmer. Substitutes: Watson, Tunnicliffe, J.Jones, Dalby.

 

Match Report

A goal of the season contender from Malachi Linton earned Yeovil Town a point against title favourites Wrexham in the opening game of the season at Huish Park.

The 21-year-old striker, who joined in the summer following his release by Wycombe Wanderers, lashed home an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box on 49 minutes to cancel out an early opener from visitors’ star striker Paul Mullin.

On a scorching hot day there were plenty of drinks breaks and substitutions with new boy Gime Toure impressing with a lively display after coming on with 72 minutes gone.

Here’s how it played out in Somerset……

 

First half

The only change from the opening day defeat at Scunthorpe United saw winger Sam Pearson replace Ben Richards-Everton, who was in the stands with an injury, as Yeovil lined up with Josh Staunton, Max Hunt and Morgan Williams as three central defenders.

New arrivals forward Gime Toure and defender Alfie Pond, who both joined on Friday, were both named on the substitutes’ bench.

Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The system was an unmitigated disaster in the first half seven days about, but the hosts actually made a decent start seeing plenty of the ball and controlled it without really threatening their visitors but, with just six minutes on the clock, a defensive clanger gifted Wrexham an opener.

A long ball forward from the visitors saw Paul MULLIN sneak in behind Williams and fired through the legs of goalkeeper Grant Smith. It was the striker’s first goal of the campaign, but there’s every chance he won’t score an easier one.

Having gone behind, the home side went back to having more possession and, five minutes after the opener, a whipped corner by Matt Worthington found Josh Staunton who could not direct his effort goalwards.

Williams almost got caught out again when he tried to clear his lines only be caught out by Ollie Palmer, but the defender put in a fine block to deny the visitors’ other star striker……oh, Elliot Lee as well.

However, there were things to be positive about from the hosts – despite the goal, of course – with a far more composed performance in the formation which showed no sign of paying off seven days earlier.

The mercury rising to 33 degrees may have meant there was not a huge amount else to write home about for the rest of the half.

It took until two minutes before the break for either side to create anything approaching an opportunity and it fell to Yeovil with Worthington’s corner forcing a scramble with Hunt and Alex Fisher both in there, but neither being able to test Mark Howard in the visitors’ goal.

 Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Wrexham 1

Second half

The first chance of the second half came out of nowhere when a long ball forward from Hunt forced an error by former Glover Ben Tozer and Linton was free. He burst clear on goal, but was denied by the fingertips of Howard.

Malachi Linton chases down Dan Moss whilst playing for King’s Lynn on the opening day of last season at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But, just when you thought the young striker had missed his chance to impress his new supporters, LINTON picked the ball up on the edge of the 18 yard box and he smashed it right footed in to the top corner. If Jordan Barnett’s wonder strike against Torquay last season was the goal of the season, it will take something special to top that.

With only five minutes of the second half gone, the fear was a rapid Wrexham reaction (trying saying that after a few drinks!) but there was not a huge amount to trouble either Smith or Grant in the 20 minutes that followed.

Sam Pearson, who impressed coming off the bench at Scunthorpe, looked lively again down the wing and caused some problems up until he was replaced in the 70th minute by Lawson D’Ath.

Toure replaced Alex Fisher shortly after as both sides began to make changes with the heat taking its toll.

It took Toure only a few moments to make an impact. He picked the ball up on the left, drove at the Wrexham defence and flashed a ball across the face of goal, but there was no-one there to finish the opportunity.

There was a heart in mouth moment soon after when Smith tried some fancy footwork to get around Palmer and was very lucky not to gift the striker a goal. If looks could kill, Chris Hargreaves would have been on a murder charge with his goalkeeper!

The heat even had an effect on the officials with referee Lewis Smith going off and the result was seven minutes of stoppage time being added on at the end.

As the game ticked in to the additional time, Toure flashed a ball across the face of goal in what could have been a win.

However, there was plenty to be optimistic with an impressive performance to banish the disappointment of the opening day – bring on Barnet.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Wrexham 1

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Venue: Glanford Park
Saturday August 6th, 5:20pm kick-off

Conditions: Sunny Scunny – no seriously!
Pitch: Green….all over.

Attendance: 3,131 (141 away supporters)

Scorers: Andrew Boyce 25 (0-1), Jacob Butterfield 62 (0-2), Jamie Reckord (1-2)

Bookings: Grivosti 90+5
Sendings off: None

Referee: Scott Tallis


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

 Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Ben Richards-Everton,

Charlie Wakefield, Sam Perry (for Sam Pearson, 66), Josh Staunton, Matt Worthington, Jamie Reckord

Alex Fisher (for Matt Grivosti, 83) , Malachi Linton

Substitutes (not used): Will Buse, Chiori Johnson, Oliver Craske.

 

Scunthorpe United: Dewhurst, Ogle, O’Malley, Boyce, Taft, Daniel (for Carver, 73), Whitehouse, Feeney, Butterfield, Beestin (for Gallimore, 80), Nuttall (for Wilson, 90+4). Substitutes (not used): Lewis, Rowe.

 

Match Report

Two pieces of defending which defied belief saw Yeovil Town fall to a 2-1 defeat at Scunthorpe United on the opening day of the National League season.

Having given giant Iron centre half Andrew Boyce the freedom of the box to head home the opener with 26 minutes gone, the Glovers gifted Jacob Butterfield the freedom of Glanford Park to smash home the second on the hour.

The first half was utterly abject from the visitors with a five-man defence with Charlie Wakefield and Jamie Reckord operating as wing backs repeatedly pulled apart by the home side, playing their first game since relegation out of League Two in May.

Glovers’ boss Chris Hargreaves responded with a change of shape with Wakefield and Reckord given more licence to go forward and, albeit with a low bar to reach, the second was an improvement with Reckord pulling a goal back on 74 minutes to set up an interesting finish.

Here’s how Dave saw it from his vantage point in the away end in Lincolnshire…..

First half

After a shaky opening few seconds, a long ball forward from Max Hunt set Malachi Linton away on two minutes, his ball in dropped to Jamie Reckord, up from left wing-back, to lash one wide from the angle.

Two minutes later, the hosts worked an opening down their left with Charlie Wakefield and Morgan Williams found wanting and the ball dropped to Alfie Beestin whose effort was tipped over by Grant Smith.

What could at best be described as half-chances fell to Linton and Reckord at one end whilst Beestin’s effort from the edge of the box did little more than warm Smith’s palms.

The back five certainly looked stretched at times with Wakefield exposed on a number of occasions and on 13 minutes Reagan Ogle got the better of him to whip a ball in from the right and Andrew Boyce had a free header which went just wide.

There was what can only be described as ‘a full and frank exchange of views’ between Wakefield and Smith following. Perhaps asking quite what Charlie was doing at right wing back!

Unsurprisingly, when Scunthorpe found a breakthrough on 25 minutes it was from the left albeit Wakefield was not in attendance. Instead a free-kick broke out to the flank where Mason O’Malley delivered in and BOYCE rose highest to head home. The visitors’ defence certainly couldn’t say they didn’t see the giant centre half coming!

In the words of Adam Virgo (Gloverscast #182): “If you can’t defend set pieces in this division, you are going to struggle.” I’m not saying we can’t, but we definitely didn’t this time.

Wakefield lashed one over and Beestin (loves a shot from outside the box, that lad) has another from distance, before Wakefield popped up further forward on 34 minutes. Linton’s positive play found him on the right side of the box but he dragged his effort wide. Good chance.

A Reckord header that was comfortably held after Josh Staunton scooped a ball in to the box with two minutes of the half remaining was as good as it got for Yeovil.

It is difficult to know quite what to say. Defence looked like it hadn’t played together. Midfield bypassed. Up front….well, Linton or Alex Fisher barely saw the ball. The only positive I can find is it is only half-time in the first game of the season.

 Half time:  Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Having come out first after the interval (difficult to check for fleas in ears from this range) there was a change of shape and some more impetus from Yeovil going forward, though the hosts did seem to have less of a spring in their step.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the change in shape saw Wakefield further forward and looking far more dangerous with Williams offering more cover on the right side and therefore looking more solid. If that is the last we see if that experiment, I will be quite happy.

On 56 minutes, the ball was worked out wide to Wakefield who beat his man and got in to the box to put a ball across the six-yard box. There was no-one there to apply a finishing touch, but Reckord was on his backside protesting inside the box. Have to rely on VAR for that one.

Shortly after the hour mark the home side doubled their advantage. From my vantage point at the other end of Glanford Park, I watched Jacob BUTTERFIELD pick the ball up in midfield and proceed to run in a gap as wide as the pitch and unleash a thunderous effort past Smith. The defending (if I can call it that) was absolutely criminal.

On 66 minutes, Perry limped off after a hefty tackle and was replaced by fellow loanee Sam Pearson, whose first effort saw his left-wing cross land on top of the net.

The most frustrating thing about that weak second goal was that it came after a much improved performance from Yeovil. I know, it couldn’t have been much worse.

But on 74 minutes, Linton got the ball forward with real positivity and the ball broke to RECKORD who coolly slotted home his first goal for the club. It was nothing less than the visitors deserved.

Three minutes later Fisher stretched but could not quite get on the end of a Worthington ball across the box. Then, on 88 minutes a great free-kick in from Worthington found Hunt sliding in and his connection was turned aside by Dewhurst in the Iron goal.

With Yeovil pressing forward in search of an equaliser, space (yes, even more of it) was left for Scunthorpe and they nearly made the visitors’ pay when Feeney and Butterfield combined for the letter’s shot to be turned over the bar by Smith.

Although improved in the second half, there was still plenty to cause concern for those travelling back to Somerset – and, of course, boss Chris Hargreaves.

Full time:  Scunthorpe United 2 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday July 23rd, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Cloudy but warm.
Pitch: Pristine.

Attendance: 1,565 including a significant number of visiting fans

Scorers: Ryan Hardie 47 (0-1), Finn Azaz 60 (0-2)

Sendings off: Yeovil Town – Matt Worthington 69; Plymouth Argyle – Bali Mumba 69.

Referee: Daniel Lamport


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Chiori Johnson (for Charlie Wakefield, 61), Max Hunt, Josh Staunton, Morgan Williams, Jamie Reckord (for Trialist C, 72)

Sam Perry (for Matt Buse, 72), Matt Worthington

Tom Knowles (for Toby Stephens, 82)

Malachi Linton (for Stanley Anaebonum, 61),  Alex Fisher (for Ollie Hulbert, 61)

Substitutes (not used): Max Evans, Ollie Haste, Toby Stephens, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F, Trialist G, Trialist H.

Plymouth Argyle: Callum Burton, Macaulay Gillesphey (for Endacott, 82), James Wilson, Dan Scarr, Matt Butcher (for Lewis, 74), Joe Edwards (for Craske, 82), Ryan Hardie (for Ennis, 60), Danny Mayor (for Jephcott, 60), Bali Mumba, Finn Azaz (for Whittaker, 60), Adam Randell (for Houghton, 74).

Substitutes: Zak Baker, Jordan Houghton, Niall Ennis, Morgan Whittaker, Brendon Galloway, Luke Jephcott, Finley Craske, Brandon Pursall, Jack Endacott, Alfie Lewis.

 

Match Report

The final pre-season friendly at Huish Park ended in defeat for Yeovil Town as they went down 2-0 at the hands of League One opposition in Plymouth Argyle.

Second half goals from Ryan Hardie and Finn Azaz put the visitors ahead by the hour mark before the game’s other flash point saw Glovers’ midfielder Matt Worthington red carded after a clash with Argyle wing back Bali Mumba. Both players got their marching orders.

Here’s how Marcus Duncomb saw proceedings…..

First half

Cries of ‘green army’ were ringing around Huish Park ahead of the match, but they came from the Devon visitors who had traveled in decent numbers for this pre-season friendly.

Tom Knowles.

After Plymouth completely dominated possession for the first ten minutes, Yeovil then played the ball out from the back perfectly. Starting with Grant Smith, the ball was played around and beat the Plymouth press to find Tom Knowles who drove forward and hit a strike from 25 yards out just wide of the right hand.

The Pilgrims had pretty much all the ball but were struggling to break down the Yeovil defence. Their countless crosses led to nothing but tame Ryan Hardie and, former Glovers’ loanee Matt Butcher efforts in the opening 20 minutes.

Plymouth should have taken the lead in the 26th minute when the ball was played back to Hardie who beat Smith, but Max Hunt used all of his 198 centimetres to block it on the line. Seconds later, Finn Azaz had the ball from six yards out and fired on target, but Smith was back on his feet to smother.

Smith had to deal with a lot of shots from outside the box from Butcher, who was channeling his inner Dale Gorman, but all of them were claimed comfortably.

The final chance of the half came from a corner which Hardie flicked on with the back of his head but it whistled just over the bar.

 Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 0

Second half

Three minutes after the restart Plymouth finally created the clear-cut chance that their possession deserved. Talisman Danny Mayor ran down the left and played a very simple ball into the area for HARDIE to tap in and take the lead.

In the 55th minute, Malachi Linton won the ball high up in the opposition’s half (not for the first time) and drove forward with the ball. He opted to shoot early but he blazed it over.

Plymouth’s lead doubled on the hour mark when left back Macaulay Gillesphey fired from range and Smith parried right into the path of AZAZ who couldn’t miss.

Matt Worthington.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

That triggered three changes from either side with Charlie Wakefield coming on for Chiori Johnson, replacing him at right wing back, with Ollie Hulbert and trialist Stanley Anaebonam replacing Linton and Fisher. For Plymouth, Niall Ennis, Luke Jephcott and Morgan Whittaker replaced Hardie, Mayor and Azaz.

Yeovil had their best chance of the game in the 66th minute when a well-aimed kick from Smith was flicked on well by Knowles to Ollie Hulbert who was one-on-one but missed the target.

Moments later, and it looked very unlike a pre-season friendly. Yeovil midfielder Matt Worthington and visiting wing back Bali Mumba clashed and within seconds all 22 players on the pitch as well as both dugouts and coaching staff were engaged in a mass brawl. The referee sent off both Mumba and Worthington.

Looking at the rule book it would appear that, if this friendly is considered to be a “non-first team fixture” it would mean Worthington is suspended for the next three non-first team fixtures. However, with only two more friendlies – at Dorchester Town on Tuesday night and then Weston-super-Mare next Saturday – it would appear the midfielder is unlikely to fulfil his suspension.

The combination of the red cards and the endless substitutes completely killed any momentum this game had and Yeovil couldn’t find a way back into it.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 2

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday July 16th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: “I like it hot, but I don’t like it this hot.”
Pitch: Exquisite

Attendance: 926

Scorers: Tom Knowles 20, Matt Jay 34

Referee: Gary Parsons


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Chiori Johnson (Trialist) (for Charlie Wakefield, 70), Max Hunt, Josh Staunton (for trialist, 70), Morgan Williams, Jamie Reckord (for Ollie Haste, 76)

Sam Perry (for Toby Stephens, 80), Matt Worthington (for Matt Buse, 70),

Tom Knowles (for Pierre Fonkeu, 56)

Malachi Linton (for Ollie Hulbert, 56) Alex Fisher (Triallist, 75)

Substitutes (not used): Max Evans

Exeter City: Lee, Caprice, Sweeney, Stubbs, Hartridge, Sparkes, Kite, Trialist, Dieng, Nombe, Jay..(and a lot of unnamed substitutes)

 

Match Report

Chris Hargreaves first friendly at Huish Park ended in a 1-1 draw against League One Exeter City.

A vintage Tom Knowles finish opened the scoring in the 20th minute for Yeovil but that was cancelled out by Matt Jay’s equaliser just before the half time break.

On a hot afternoon in Yeovil, neither side particularly over-exerted themselves as the game wore on and petered out in true pre-season friendly fashion.

First half

On the most glorious of glorious days, Huish Park was looking resplendent in this sunshine and the early exchanges were cautious in the heat. 

The returning Alex Fisher nearly put his new partner Malachi Linton through on with a chested pass that just about ran on to the Exeter keeper.

Soon after, a cross to the back post was headed wide of Grant Smith’s goal by Sam Nombe under pressure from Morgan Williams and Chiori Johnson.

Nombe had the next chance for Exeter in the 14th minute as the Grecians nicked the ball from Yeovil’s midfield and broke away. The striker slipped as he attempted a hopeful left-footed effort from distance that comfortably rolled through to Smith.

The Glovers took the lead 20 minutes in through Tom Knowles. Making amends for his penalty miss at Taunton, he picked the ball up after sloppy play from Exeter and drove purposefully through the defence to strike a low left footed effort past Harry Lee in true Knowles fashion #DFILWF. 1-0

Yeovil held a strong defensive shape and kept Exeter to efforts from distance and in the 28th minute a curling effort from their left back Jack Sparkes had Smith at full stretch as it flew wide of the post.

Exeter found an equaliser on 34 minutes after a poor header by Max Hunt fell to skipper Matt Jay in the six-yard box who couldn’t miss. 1-1

 Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Exeter City 1

Second half

As the temperature reached 38 degrees on the pitch (according an Ian Welch announcement), the action started to liven up after five minutes of the second half. A driving run and low cross by Sparkes forced an important stop in the box by Smith and created a breakaway for Knowles who was pulled back by an Exeter trialist who received a booking. 

The Glovers made their first changes of the game after 56 minutes, with Ollie Hulbert and a trialist (Pierre Fonkeu) replacing Knowles and Linton.

The action tempered away in the heat with Exeter reduced to optimistic pot shots against a well-organised green and white striped back line.

As the clocked ticked past the hour, Huish Park was treated to more substitutes from both teams with former Yeovil academy player Pedro Borges coming on for the Grecians and Stanley Anaebonam (trialist) joining the Glovers attack.

As more trialists (and Charlie Wakefield at wingback) entered the fray on 70 minutes, a mix up in the Exeter defence nearly allowed Hulbert to put Yeovil ahead but the ball ricochet in the box before trickling into the keeper’s gloves.

No real action followed that as the substitutions and heat saw the flow disrupted and both sides play it safe through to the 90th minute.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 1 Exeter City 1

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Venue: Wordsworth Drive
Tuesday July 12th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Summer’s evening – sticky, but clear
Pitch: Dry and slope-y (if that is a word)

Attendance: 723

Scorers: None

Referee: Craig Scriven


Yeovil Town : (5-4-1)

Grant Smith (for Max Evans, 82)

Chiori Johnson (Trialist) (for Toby Stephens, 82), Max Hunt (for Trialist 75), Josh Staunton (for Trialist, 59), Morgan Williams (for Haste, 75), Jamie Reckord (for Trialist, 80)

Dominic (Trialist) (for Scott Wilson – Trialist, 47), Sam Perry (for Trialist, 59), Matt Worthington (for Trialist, 59), Tom Knowles (for Trialist, 59)

Malachi Linton (for Trialist, 65)

Substitutes (not used):  Benjani Junior

Taunton Town: Will Buse, Will Tunnicliff, Nick Grimes, Jake Wannell, Dan Ball, Lloyd James, Joe Guest, Zac Smith, Ross Stearn, Dave Sims-Burgess, Nat Jarvis.

Substitutes (not used): Lee Lucas, Ollie Chamberlain, Nick McCootie, Jared Lewington, Ioan Richards, Jay Foulston, Joe Budd, Harry Warwick, Ross Staley, Dylan Morgan, Lloyd Irish

 

Match Report

A saved Tom Knowles penalty was the most dramatic moment of Yeovil Town’s opening pre-season friendly which ended in a goalless draw at Taunton Town on Tuesday night.

The Glovers’ forward won the spot kick on 53 minutes and stepped up to see his effort turned aside by Taunton goalkeeper, Will Buse, who lives a stone’s throw from Huish Park and whose brother, Matt, was among the trialists on the bench for Yeovil.

As is the tradition, there were a host of trialists on show for the visitors with two in the starting line-up with a “a number” of others on the substitutes’ bench – to quote the club’s social media accounts directly.

One starting at right-back identified as Chiori Johnson, released by Torquay United at the end of last season, and the other (we think) Dominic McHale, who was last at National League North, AFC Telford, on the opposite wing to Tom Knowles with new signing Malachi Linton through the middle on his own.

By the end of the match the entire starting XI had been replaced with the only recognisable faces coming off the bench being goalkeeper Max Evans, and midfielders Ollie Haste and Toby Stephens – all the others were trialists.

Former Glovers’ youngster Matt Buse, who ended last season at W*ymouth (someone’s got to do it, Matt!) and formerly turned out for Taunton, was among those on the bench alongside quite a number of others who may very well not be about for the next friendly against Exeter City at Huish Park on Saturday.

Here’s how our very own Ian saw it from his vantage point in the county town…..

 

First half

As both sides tried to gain a foothold in the game neither was particularly able to take control. The Glovers had early half chances through long distance efforts.

Taunton had themselves a half chance 18 minutes in with a headed effort that looped comfortably wide of Grant Smith’s goal.

Dominic McHale…..probably. Picture courtesy of Will Jones.

One of the trialists, Dominic McHale (we’re pretty sure), had a chance to make a good first impression with a free kick in a decent area but his effort was comfortably saved by Will Buse, in the hosts’ goal.

Taunton came close to opening the scoring half an hour in with a low effort that trickled wide of Smith’s post after their striker  got the better of Josh Staunton.

The Peacocks grew into the game as the first half wore on, spending a lot of time on the front foot and putting dangerous crosses into the Yeovil box. The Glovers conceded some needless free kicks, inviting the pressure and a combination of defenders kept another effort out of Smith’s goal.

Max Hunt was denied a 35th minute opener through a fantastic save from Buse in the Taunton goal. Hunt rose highest in the box and his powerful header was low into the ground which was somehow kept out.

Yeovil had a good effort as the first half drew to a close with a trialist Chiori Johnson beat Buse to the ball and put it across the box in front of goal. Taunton dealt with the immediate danger but it fell to Knowles who drove his strike over the bar.

 Half time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Scott Wilson, a striker who came on at the start of the second half.

Yeovil swapped one trialist, McHale (pretty certain) for another, Scott Wilson, a Bristol-born forward who had a spell at Aldershot Town last season,  at the break, with the replacement partnering Malachi Linton up front.

Both sides returned from the break with intent and Taunton tested Smith early on.

Hunt hit the post in the 53rd minute with another towering header and as Yeovil peppered the Taunton goal in the ensuing goal mouth scramble the ball fell to Knowles who darted into the box and went down under a challenge to win a penalty.

Knowles stepped up to take the resultant spot kick but his shot was saved by Buse who got down low to his right to keep the score level.

On 59 minutes, four trialists replaced Worthington, Staunton, Knowles and Perry.

Taunton came back up the other end and earned a free kick in a dangerous area which flew wide of the goal.

Midway through the second half both sides made the obligatory preseason friendly changes with five, including Matt Buse, joining the action.

The changes took all the momentum from the game as both sides adjusted to their new personnel, with neither particularly finding a rhythm.

Yeovil had a chance to take the lead five minutes from time after Buse threaded a precise ball to a trialist striker, Lloyd Irish in the Taunton goal charged him down and prevented a late opener.

The Glovers continued to press and the play opened up nicely on the edge of the box for Buse whose curled effort took a deflection on its way towards go to out for a corner.

So, in summary, no goals, loads of trialists most of whom probably won’t be here come the next match, and it was bloody hot.

Full time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Moss Lane
Sunday 15th May, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and warm, except for a spot of rain the second half

Pitch: In decent nick for the final game.

Attendance: 2,123 (184 away supporters)

Scorers: Tom Knowles 15 (1-0),

Bookings:

Yeovil: D’Ath 45, 
Altrincham: Hampson 70

Referee:  Peter Gibbons

Yeovil Town : (4-4-1-1)

Max Evans

Jordan Barnett, Morgan Williams, Jack Robinson, Mark Little

Charlie Wakefield (for Adi Yussuf, 36) Lawson D’Ath Alex Bradley, Tom Knowles

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton

Reuben Reid

Substitutes: Grant Smith, Josh Staunton, Ollie Haste, Adi Yussuf.


Match Report

A first half strike from Tom Knowles was enough to secure Yeovil Town a final day win and ensure caretaker player-manager Josh Staunton’s managerial career ended with a 100% record.

But, it was a man of the match performance from young goalkeeper Max Evans which was the story of an otherwise uneventful match.

The teenager was handed his debut by Staunton in place of first choice keeper, Grant Smith, and rewarded him with some outstanding saves as the hosts pushed for an equaliser in the second half.

On a day that club captain Luke Wilkinson and midfielders Dale Gorman and Matt Worthington did not even feature in the squad whilst youngster Ollie Haste came on as a late substitute to make his debut, the match had an end of the era feel to it.

Here’s how it all looked to Coatesie saw it from the away end….

 

First half

After an opening 15 minutes with little more than a half-chance to shout about from either side, the ball found its way to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who played a beautiful ball through to Tom KNOWLES who lashed home the opener with Reuben Reid lurking at the far post.

Moments later Ryan Colclough almost found an instant response, bursting down the right but his ball was turn away by Morgan Williams, before moments later Jake Cooper fired wide for the hosts after a misplaced pass by Alex Bradley.

It took 20 minutes for anything else to happen in the game and that was an injury to Charlie Wakefield who was replaced by Adi Yussuf after 36 minutes.

He went in up front alongside Reid with Lo-Everton dropping back in to midfield  from the more advanced position he had adopted.

Altrincham’s threat was coming down the left side from Colclough whereas at the other end there was liveliness from Knowles (as has become standard) but little else to get excited about.

A minute in to first half stoppage time, Colclough’s ball in was flicked wide by Marcus Dinanga. That half-chance was a moment of excitement when on ‘fans’ appreciation day’ at Moss Lane.

The half-time announcement of the raffle draw was another highlight – it was that kind of 45 minutes, folks.


Half time: Altrincham 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second Half

The half-time interval saw young substitute Ollie Haste warming up on his own, albeit he ran along halfway line twice before disappearing in to the dressing room.
 
It took until the 51st minute for something to happen when Lo-Everton picked up the ball in midfield, skipped past a couple of tackles and poked it through to Yussuf who either tried to bustle his way through and was blocked or gave up. You decide.
Play immediately swung to the other end where Colclough, the hosts’ threat in the first half, was denied by a smart stop from Max Evans.
 
Evans was in action again dropping to his right to deny Cooper before Colclough lashed one wide.
 
The home side certainly began to grow in to the game and Colclough almost found himself on the end of a cross from Pringle. The winger was certainly keen to add to the 11 goals he has his season with Alty seemingly able to stroll through the visitors midfield at will. What is Josh Staunton up to today? Oh yeah.
 
Little was caught out 30 yards from goal and Pringle fed it through to substitute Josh Hancock, but his shot was easily stopped by Evans, fast becoming the visitors’ man of the match.
 
If that fact was in doubt, the teenager pulled off another superb stop to deny Mooney who had carved his way through the visitors’ defence.
Moments later, Hancock inexplicably beat the offside flag to break through on goal and pulled his shot across goal.
On 83 minutes, Yeovil’s best chance saw Yussuf charge forward in to the box, squared it to Reid who paused and allowed the Alty defence to get a challenge in.
 
Seemingly unhappy at watching his midfield allow the hosts to attack that caretaker player boss Josh Staunton brought himself on. It is fair to say that he had not prepared for it.
 
With Altrincham committing men forward in search of a goal, Yeovil found gaps with chances to Yussuf who lifted one over from out side and Lo-Everton who lashed a shot over the bar.
 
As the fourth official’s board went up, there was one final moment for the visitors as Ollie Haste came on as a substitute to make his league debut for the club.
 
The applause at the end suggested this may be the last we see or many of this Yeovil again. As on chapter closes, another opens.
 

Full time: Altrincham 0 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 10th May, 8pm Kick Off

Conditions: Clear

Pitch: “Won’t need much work over the summer” Perkins, I. May 10th, 2022

Attendance: 1016 (351 away)

Scorers: Williams ‘6 (1-0), Knowles ’47 (2-0), Barclay ’85 (3-0)

Bookings:

Yeovil: Neufville ’85
Bath City: Delaney ’14, Clarke ’85, Richards ’87, Gill ’89

Referee: Scott Jackson

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams, Ben Barclay, Max Hunt (for Worthington ’25)

Tom Knowles, Lawson D’ath, Josh Staunton, Sonny Blu Lo Everton (for Robinson ’71) Jordan Barnett

Josh Neufville, Rueben Reid (for Wakefield ’85)

Substitutes: Max Evans, Matt Worthington, Alex Bradley, Charlie Wakefield, Jack Robinson

Bath City:

Clarke, Raynes, Delaney, Fletcher, Holness, Cooke, Smith, Frear, Jones (for Sims-Burgess)  Ball, Richards

Substitutes: Fuller, Sims-Burgess

SPC at Huish Park ? – Somerset FA

Championés, Championés, Olé, Olé, Olé!

Yeovil Town captured the Somerset Premier Cup after a beating Bath City on Tuesday night in the final at Huish Park.

Our man, Ian Perkins was there, here’s his match report.

Morgan Williams. ? Mike Kunz.

It took six minutes for the Glovers to open the scoring. Bath City failed to clear their lines and Morgan WILLIAMS nicked the ball off a Bath City defender to beat Ryan Clarke, despite the keeper’s best efforts. There was no doubt about this one being Williams goal.

Yeovil took control of the early proceedings and had a decent effort through Tom Knowles, although the player of the season fired over.

Bath City had an opportunity to level the score moments later through Tom Smith. Bath’s number 10 pulled his effort wide of Smith’s post into the side netting.

On 24 minutes Max Hunt picked up an injury, forcing Charlie Lee into a first half replacement bringing on Matt Worthington.

Yeovil kept up the momentum and Reuben Reid, released by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, couldn’t wrap his foot round the ball enough to get his effort in target.

City nearly hit back in the 31st through Elliot Frear on Smith’s back post again. His effort was bundled wide for a corner.

Bath had another chance to equalise in first half stoppage time but Cook’s effort from just inside the 18 yard box was straight at Smith.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Bath City 0

Tom Knowles scores goals ? Mike Kunz.

Three minutes into the second half, Tom KNOWLES doubled the Glovers lead. Knowles was released on the right and in vintage fashion he cut inside and fired home past the helpless keeper.

Bath came close to hitting back in the 54th minute, forcing Smith into an important block.

Both sides took their foot off the gas, althiugh the Romans had the better possession and a decent half chahce though Tom Richards, who acrobatically shot over.

It wasn’t until the 68th minute when the game came alive again through Knowles. He picked up the ball on the half way line and surged forward beating four men before shooting over the bar. He probably should have passed to Neufville, but after that run, who could blame him for having a go.

The Glovers kept Bath at arms length and Ben BARCLAY scored the third with a free header onto the top corner from Lawson D’Ath’s corner. Handbags ensued after the goal, with Baths keeper getting a booking after an altercation with Neufville.

The Glovers saw out the remainder of the game against their old rivals to be crowned Somerset Premier Cup champions for the 25th time.

Somerset Premier Cup Winners 2022 ? SomersetFA

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Bath City 0