Match Reports (Page 2)

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Josh Sims celebrates his goal at Huish Park.

An incredible game at Huish Park saw a second half horror show pile pressure on Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper as his side capitulated to defeat against Gateshead.

The Glovers turned in a scintillating first half performance and goals from Josh Sims, Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade put them 3-0 ahead and seemingly cruising towards three points at half-time.

But when the visitors’ Kyle Hurst pulled one back just a minute after the restart, Yeovil started to crumble. The inevitable goal from former Glovers’ favourite Frank Nouble followed before substitute Kain Adom pulled the visitors’ level as chants of “We want Cooper out” rang around the stadium.

Then in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Adom struck the winner as Cooper disappeared down the tunnel with many supporters following him out of the stadium. 

An first half which was unbelievable and showed what Yeovil can be, a second half which was unacceptable and showed what we all too often have been.

First half

The highlight of the team news was a Glovers’ side with a genuine back four in defence for the first time in living memory – if you were born in the past couple of years at least! Alex Whittle returned at left back with loanee Byron Pendleton on the right and Jake Wannell and Morgan Williams in the centre of defence ahead of Jed Ward.

For the visitors, a very familiar face lined up in the forward line as Frank Nouble made his first return to Huish Park – in a playing capacity at least – leading the line for Gateshead.

In the fourth minute, Yeovil broke forward with James Plant bursting in to the box and went down under pressure from a Gateshead defender. No real appeals from the Yeovil players and nothing given by the referee Harry Wager.

There was a worrying moment shortly after when Josh Sims went down in the middle of the pitch with no-one around him, but the midfielder who collected his ceremonial sack of potatoes for being the club’s first scorer of the season ahead of the match was quickly back on his feet.

The attacking intent which was present for periods of the defeat at Braintree was consistently there with Yeovil suffocating the visitors at every opportunity.

A back pass to visiting keeper Harvey Shelvey saw him attempt to pass it out and Junior Morias intercepted and powered in to the box before laying it across to Josh SIMS who smashed home from close range. At Braintree on Saturday, gilt edged chances were not taken by Yeovil, at Huish Park they took the first one which came their way.

Josh Sims celebrates his goal at Huish Park.
Josh Sims celebrates putting Yeovil Town in front against Gateshead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The pressure continued with Greenslade getting away down the right side after 27 minutes. He flashed one over the bar with Sims and Morias arriving inside the area.

Gateshead did not seem to know what to do about Yeovil and amazingly given how this season had gone, it was the home side who looked more likely to score and just before the half-hour mark they did.

Great play by Brett McGavin in the middle of the park saw him release Greenslade who laid it off to Junior MORIAS on the left side of the box. The stocky frontman beat his defender and leathered it in to the net. Ruthless.

Two goals to the good and seemingly cruising, there was no sign of Yeovil sitting back and on 42 minutes they added a third. A move which started with a great interception by Luke McCormick allowed McGavin to set Sims away down the right, he beat his defender and fired in a shot which Shelvey stopped but could not hold and it broke to Harvey GREENSLADE who smashed it home.

Wow, just wow. Where has this Yeovil Town been this season?! Who cares, more of the same, please. A genuine joy to watch going forward and that back four has not looked troubled at all.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Gateshead 0

Second half

 

Gateshead made two changes at half-time with goalkeeper Harvey Shelvey replaced by Tiernan Brooks and Kain Adom replacing Josh Home.

The visitors got the best start they could as they pulled a goal back within three minutes of the restart. Kyle HURST was picked out in acres of space on the edge of the box and he curled a superb shot in to the far corner past a stranded Jed Ward. 

Ten minutes after the restart, loan striker Ben Wodskou, who got the winner last time out at Huish Park, replaced James Plant.

On 58 minutes, the most inevitable part of the afternoon happened as Frank NOUBLE got a goal against his old side. A corner whipped in to the near post was met by a Gateshead head, and the attempted clearance landed at the feet of Nouble who rifled it home. There were words exchanged with Yeovil manager Mark Cooper and his former frontman as he ran back for the restart.

There were further changes for the home side with Finn Cousin-Dawson replacing McGavin and Tahvon Campbell replacing Morias.

A great opportunity for Yeovil to grow their advantage fell to McCormick on the hour mark. Morias and Sims both tried to bring a bouncing ball under control inside the box, the Gateshead clearance went as far as McCormick whose shot was stopped by Brooks. Great chance to ease the nerves.

Yeovil were indebted to goalkeeper Jed Ward who denied the visitors an opportunity to get an equaliser with a close range finish after 63 minutes. In the 70th minute, Adom flicked one just wide after another goal mouth scramble and there are a lot of nervous voices inside Huish Park.

Then in the 73rd minute, the equaliser came. A ball hooked in to the box was not dealt with by the Yeovil defence, Ward came to the edge of his box to try and meet it and Kain ADOM lifted it deftly over the keeper and Morgan Williams could not get it off the line.

Frank Nouble ‘has a word’ with the Yeovil bench on his way back after the equaliser.

The first chants of “We want Cooper out” come out of the Thatcher’s Stand. The mood has gone as sour as the performance from Yeovil.

With five minutes remaining, Wodskou had a golden opportunity to put Yeovil ahead again after Campbell threaded him in to the box but the Birmingham City youngster did not get a clean connection on it. A great opportunity spurned and two minutes later, visiting substitute Max Sheaf had an equally glorious one but he headed Adom’s cross straight at Ward who was able to parry it.

Moments later it was Greenslade who Yeovil were indebted to as Sheaf’s effort on goal deflected off Williams, looped over Ward and was headed in to the far corner before the forward got back to head it away.

The difference for Yeovil in these two halves have been night and day. The early goal from Gateshead left us completely shell-shocked and we have disappeared inside ourselves in exactly the same way that the visitors were in the first half. As good as the opening 45 minutes were, the second 45 minutes were worst.

But, just when you thought it could not get worse, it did. Eight minutes in to second half stoppage time another ball in the box broke to Nouble and then the substitute Kain ADOM who lashed home the winner. Mark Cooper has gone straight down the tunnel and a huge percentage of the Huish Park crowd and joining him in departing. I wonder if we’ll see either of them back anytime soon.

Honestly, I am lost for words. Unforgivable. Unacceptable. Something has got to change – and I think even the most ardent ‘Cooper in’ supporter will struggle to defend that.

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Gateshead 4

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Monday 24th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Josh Sims 17 (1-0), Junior Morias 29 (2-0), Harvey Greenslade 42 (3-0), Kyle Hurst 46 (3-1), Frank Nouble 58 (3-2), Kain Adom 73 (3-3), Kain Adom 90+8 (3-4)

Pitch: Looking magnificent
Conditions: Hot and sunny

Attendance: 2,799 (45 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Unnamed 62, Unnamed 71, Kyle Ferguson 83
Gateshead: Frank Nouble 66, Callum Johnson 83,  Kenton Richardson 90+5

Referee: Harry Wager

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Ben Wodskou (for James Plant, 55), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Brett McGavin, 65), Tahvon Campbell (for Junior Morias, 65), Kyle Ferguson (for Josh Sims, 79), Charlie Cooper (not used), Aaron Jarvis (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Gateshead: George Shelvey (for Tiernan Brooks, 46), Connor Pani, Kenton Richardson, David Ferguson, Kyle Hurst, Max Melbourne (for Callum Johnson, 25), Josh Home (for Kain Adom, 46), Will Flint, Harry Chapman, Fenton John, Frank Nouble.

Substitutes (not used): Max Sheaf, Ethan Fitzhugh, Ben Williams, Callum Bone.

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A second half sucker punch from Sahid Kamara gave the hosts all three points, against a Glovers side who had plenty of huff and puff, but could not find a telling touch to claim anything out of an important fixture.

The Glovers lacked the killer instinct despite more shots on target, more possession, more corners. The away fans went home empty handed. 

First half

The Glovers had the better of the earliest exchanges, James Plant getting involved nice and early on his return on loan. With four minutes on the clock, it was Plant who drove forward and delivered, his eventual cross found it right through to the right hand side, where Josh Sims forced an early corner.

Brett McGavin’s corner came to little, but the Glovers certainly in the early ascendancy. 

Tahvon Campbell was next to drive forward, and with no more than five minutes on the clock, his attack fell to the path of Josh Sims who’s effort hit the bar. 

Campbell was certainly involved on plenty of occasions, in the opening exchanges, not one, but two further corners came as a result of his driving runs, combining well with Plant once more. 

Plant had chances to strike at goal, but the Braintree defence were there to force the block. 

It took the best part of 10 minutes for the Iron to really get their first chance, a long throw on the right aimed at the head of John Akinde who had taken up a spot on the toes of Jed Ward.

Fletcher Hubbard forced a free kick in a dangerous area, he stood over the ball, but put his set piece into outer space.

The Glovers were fairly happy in possession, without breaking through the Braintree back line and were susceptible to a break away, Hubbard played a delightful ball into the box, Lewis Walker missing his cue – the best chance of the game by far.

At the other end, Josh Sims saw not one but two shots charged down, before the hosts could clear their lines.

A 20th minute corner gave McGavin the chance to put the ball back into the box as Yeovil continued their early dominance, but not for the first time, a good opportunity came to nothing.

With quarter of the game gone, Yeovil will be more than happy with the way they’ve controlled possession, but Braintree arguably had the better chances, John Akinde skipping past Kyle Ferguson, a blocked shot from Elliott Thorpe was followed by another sent high and wide.

The visitors were happy to keep the ball, and as the half developed there was a sense of going through the motions, the sides exchanged free kicks, but neither side could produce that little moment of quality.

On 35 minutes, a McGavin out swinger went harmlessly wide with Jake Wannell unable to get any real purchase on the ball.

Braintree were able to get their game going shortly after, Hubbert and Walker combining well, the latter unable to make the most of another fizzing ball into the danger area from the former. 

With five minutes until the break, Finn Cousin-Dawson found himself in the referee’s notebook after a mistimed control led him towards a rough challenge on Manny Miranda.

The resulting free kick saw Walker put the ball into a dangerous area, but Jed Ward was there to claim.

Ward got the game going quickly and within the blink of an eye, Josh Sims and Bryon Pendleton bringing good saves out of the home ‘keeper Mason Terry.

The final few minutes saw Cousin-Dawson go in hard on Akinde in a dangerous area – already on a booking, he may have been lucky to not get anything more than a word.

The hosts were most certainly finishing the half better; Hubbard causing trouble down the left, James Vennings regularly involved with everything revolving around Akinde in attack.

Yeovil ending the half up in terms of possession stats, but both sides might feel they had the chances to be in front at the break.

Half time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The second half got underway with no changes for either side, Yeovil picking up where they left off, on the ball looking to dictate the play.

Aaron Jarvis started the half well, with chances to bring the ball down and play others in around him, the final ball not quite clicking to turn a decent opportunity into a clear chance at goal.

Could Yeovil force that chance? Byron Pendleton put a glorious ball through the corridor of uncertainty in the box, no-one able to connect and provide the telling touch. 

Marley Miranda provided the hosts with their first shot on target of the game, a nice Cruyff turn created him some space, with Ward there to turn the ball round the post.

But, the Glovers were back on the break not long after; Sims and Pendleton teaming up well, but the final ball to Jarvis ended up falling to no-one.

The Spaniard, Miranda was going through the gears in the opening 10 minutes, a 20-yard effort sailing just over the bar.

Quite how this game was still 0-0 is anyone’s guess. No sooner had the dust settled on that Braintree chance, the Glovers were up the other end creating a moment.

Aaron Jarvis forcing a corner, but, the pressure eased when a referee whistle spotted a foul from the resulting set piece.

FC-D was taken off for Luke McCormick with Junior Morias coming in for Tahvon Campbell just before the hour mark.

Lewis Walker would force a save out of Ward as the hosts continued to get a foot hold in the game.

The addition of Morias was proving to be a positive one, on a number of occasions, he showed for the ball and started an attack, he forced a corner with an effort on goal.

That corner was, much like the previous one, brought to a halt by the referee. 

More changes for the Glovers, Greenslade and Wodskou coming on for Jarvis and Sims as the Glovers rolled their final attacking dice.

20 minutes for those changes to make an impact, Kyle Smith and Junior Morias both found themselves in the ref’s notebook, which seemed to put a spark in the Yeovil man.

He travelled with the ball deep into the Braintree half before unleashing a shot, narrowly off target.

This was quickly becoming a one-chance game, both side knowing that one moment of quality, or one error by enough.

Junior Morias was close to providing that moment, his ball to Wodskou was perfect, but the Birmingham loanee couldn’t hit the target from just outside the box.

Greenslade had a shot, but much like those that had gone before, just not able to nestle in the far corner.

Then, if you’ve read the script, you can probably understand what happens next.

Braintree take the lead through substitute Sahid KAMARA, he found room in the box, brought the ball down well, and made no mistake. The Glovers hadn’t taken any of their chances, the hosts found a way to find one of theirs. 

The hosts now had the bit between their teeth, an Akinde shot was well saved by Ward.

Braintree were, unerstandably, slowing the game down, but were still trying to make things happen, Hubbard had a shot blocked and Vennings and Walker were still able to move the ball around quickly.

Miranda had a pair of shots saved by Ward, the midfielder given way too much space in dangerous areas. 

A breakaway from Plant gave the Glovers the chance to ease the pressure, scythed down by Miranda, who went into the book, gave the chance to put the ball into the box.

McGavin’s free kick fell to Ferguson who’s header was calmly claimed by the home stopper.

With the clock ticking towards the 90, Braintree were able to play the game at their pace, getting the free kicks, earning the corners and not being afraid to keep the ball in the corner. 

Six minutes added, as Braintree made more changed including bringing on the vastly experienced Alan Judge.

Yeovil had more huff and puff in their side, but there lacked forward options to play the ball towards. 

Byron Pendleton continued to try and force something down the right hand side, with Braintree trying to sit a little deeper.

Pendleton and Greenslade teamed up well into the final third and only Greenslade will know how his chance could only be poked towards the goalkeeper rather than either side. 

McGavin saw a free kick tipped round the post by Terry, back to back corners followed, another save from Wannell, another block prevent the Glovers from finding an equaliser.

But, that cutting edge would be lacking from the visitors, left to rue an away day where the Glovers did everything but score.

Full time: Braintree Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium
Date: Saturday 23rd August, 15:00pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Sahid Kamara (1-0 ’77)

Pitch: Rock Hard
Conditions: Overcast

Attendance: 2

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Finn Cousin-Dawson ’40. Junior Morias ’70
Braintree Town: Kyle Smith ’70

Sendings off:
Yeovil Town: None
Braintree Town: None

Referee: Peter Wright

Yeovil Town 

Substitutes:  Matt Gould, Ben Wodskou (for Jarvis ’64), Luke McCormick (for Cousin-Dawson ’60) Harvey Greenslade (for Sims ’64), Alex Whittle, Junior Morias (for Campbell ’60)

Braintree Town: Mason Terry, Aidan Francis-Clarke, George Langston (c), Tommy Smith, Kyle Smith, Marley Miranda, James Vennings, Lewis Walker, Fletcher Hubbard, Elliot Thorpe, John Akinde

Substitutes (not used): Manny Omrore, Alan Judge (for Miranda ’91), Chay Cooper, (for Akinde ’82) Goran Babic, Jacob Pinnington, Sahid Kamara (for Thorpe ’71), Freddie Hockey (for Hubbard ’91)

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Goals from Josh Sims and Ben Wodskou goals gave Yeovil Town all three points against Brackley Town at Huish Park to kick start their 2025/26 season. 

Sims claimed a sack of potatoes for becoming the first scorer of the season in the first half striking from close range before Wodskou finished off a fine team move in the second to secure the points that would take the Glovers into the top 10, just a point off the play-offs (too early?)

Here’s Gloverscast Ben’s on the whistle report: 

First half

The first couple of moments belonged to the visitors, with some good combinations, particularly down the left hand side causing the Glovers some issues, but never really caused Jed Ward any real trouble.

The hosts were into stride on five minutes though, Brett McGavin split the midfield with a pass to find Tahvon Campbell, who combined well with Junior Morias to send a couple of defenders flying. The resulting cross came to nothing.

Ward was forced into the first real save of the match on seven minutes, the Brackley midfield cut through the Glovers and Connor Hall spun in the area to stab a shot goalward. The Bristol Rovers loan keeper did well to put the ball behind, he would also clear the resulting corner with a commanding punch.

Morgan Roberts and Ryan Haynes were certainly having the best of the attacking moves down the left hand side, they combined to force a good header from Michael Nottingham.

Moments before Josh Sims claimed the Spuds. Photo courtesy of Andy Craig

Zak Brown wanted to get involved too, on 13 minutes, he drove at the Glovers’ back line and his deflected effort from just outside the box dropped agonisingly over the goal with Ward stranded. 

Yeovil got their movement going again to force a corner on 16 minutes, Josh Sims and Campbell working well to force a cross on the left hand side, nothing came of it, but it did at least get the home faithful off their feet.

With 20 minutes gone, McGavin decided it was time to get his shooting boots on, Morias and Sims worked the ball back to the midfielder, who took a touch and let fly from 20 yards, but the ball fizzed, just over the bar.

The Thatchers’ Stand was becoming audibly frustrated with the action in front of them as Brackley maintained the impetus, Haynes and Brown in particular finding the passing and moving easy in the final third. 

Anything positive from Yeovil in the opening half an hour was coming through Sims, more trickery from him down the left, but he still managed to squeeze a cross out. The ball dribbled towards the edge of the box where Charlie Cooper stepped onto the ball in fine fashion, but a combination of three flying defenders deflected the ball wide.

The resulting corner came to nothing after some head tennis in the area ended with a Kyle Ferguson high boot and a free kick to the visitors.

DID SOMEONE SAYS POTATOES!?

On 35 minutes, Harvey Greenslade did some great work to the right of the penalty area, he found Pendleton on the right, who forced the ball to Campbell. His cross-come-shot found its way to the left hand side where former Southampton man, Josh SIMS reacted first to fire home from six yard out. SPUD-TACULAR!

This lifted things, the Thatchers Stand found it’s voice and the players had an extra yard in their step. 

With five minutes to go, Campbell found himself in space on the edge of the area, but an unfortunate stumble meant a shot was not forthcoming, 

Brackley weren’t going to lie down though, Jed Ward was called upon once more diving to his right to stop a Brown strike. 

The fourth official signaled for three additional minutes as the Glovers looked to see the half out, but the threats from corners kept coming, eight in total from the visitors. 

The half-time whistle met with sighs of relief, most of the stats favoured the visitors, but the important one favoured the hosts. 

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Brackley Town 0

 

Second half

No changes for either side at the break, but the half did start in much the same way with Brackley in the ascendency. Connor Hall in particular being a menace, he and Kyle Ferguson in quite a battle at times.

Sims was once again in the action, ten or so minutes had passed before the Glovers could get going, but the winger teamed up with first McGavin and then Campbell to force a shooting chance, but Campbell’s effort was straight at Cam Gregory in the visitors’ net.

Shortly before the hour mark, Charlie Cooper decided he fancied his chances from distance, his 30-something yarder stung the hands of Gregory, but didn’t ask him to move an awful lot.

It did signal a more positive spell for the Glovers though, some tough challenges in attacking areas from Campbell, Morias and Greenslade certainly left their mark.

The latter of that trio going into the referee’s notebook as the clock struck 60.

Morias’ race was run at this point, taken off in place of Aaron Jarvis.

It was nearly a perfect first touch for the forward too, who came within a whisker of a Sims cross, the Glovers were getting into their stride again. 

The Huish Park faithful welcomed Scott Pollock to the pitch with a lovely reception (… kind of) as the visitors looked to add something extra to their front line.

Greenslade had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 on 67 minutes, some excellent work down the right hand side, saw Campbell muscle his name off the ball and lay the ball back to Greenslade, but the front man was leaning back and the ball skied over.

Ben Wodskou replaced Campbell shortly after.

Brackley reacted better to the break in play, Jed Ward at full stretch to claw away a shot from Bailey Hobson which looked destined to nestle into the far corner, minutes after the midfielder’s introduction.

Unsurprisingly, Pollock was looking lively, he and Morgan Roberts combining well time and time again with Hobson supporting regularly too, the visitors were certainly doing everything to get back into this game.

Charlie Cooper cleaned out Pollock, the midfielder going into the book, thankfully, just a yellow card.

Greenslade came off just after, Finn Cousin-Dawson coming on, with ten minutes to go, were the Glovers shutting up shop?

The pressure was certainly mounting, Roberts again finding space on the edge of the area, another good save down to his right from Ward.

As Brackley left people forward, there was always chance for a breakaway, FC-D did excellently to break a Brackley challenge down, Cooper sprayed a lovely ball forward, Jarvis knocked it into the path of Ben WODSKOU who fired home with vigour.

Wodskou scores! Picture courtesy of Chris Fox.

To their credit, Brackley were still pushing, Ward, Pendleton and Williams all having impressive one-on-one contributions at the back as the attacks kept flowing.

As the fourth official signaled for six minutes added time, Brackley’s Morgan Roberts found his name taken.

There was time for more though, Brackley kept the pressure high and the Glovers sat too deep, the ball bounced around the box with Roberts going close before the ball trickled home off the boot of Tyler LYTTLE.

Suddenly, nerves. 

Bryon Pendleton was booked for time wasting with 90 seconds to go.

Jed Ward booted the ball out of play and the referee blew for full time. Phew!

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Brackley Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Wednesday 20th August, 19:45pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Josh Sims (36, 1-0), Ben Wodskou (85, 2-0), Tyler Lyttle (90+2, 2-1)

Pitch: Lovely
Conditions: Lovely

Attendance: 2,716 (53 Brackley Town fans)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Alex Whittle ’39, Harvey Greenslade ’60, Charlie Cooper, ’78, Aaron Jarvis, ’83, Bryon Pendleton ’92.
Brackley Town: Kyle Morrison ’75, Morgan Roberts ’89.

Sendings off:
Yeovil Town: None
Brackley Town: None

Referee: Aji Ajibola (late change for Matthew Russell)

Yeovil Town 

Substitutes:  Matt Gould, Aaron Jarvis (for Morias ’60), James Daly, Ben Wodskou (for Campbell ’67), Luke McCormick, Finn Cousin-Dawson

Brackley Town: Cameron Gregory, Kyle Morrison, Gareth Dean, Zak Brown, Morgan Roberts, Matt Lowe, Michael Nottingham, Zak Lilly, Shane Byrne, Connor Hall, Ryan Haynes. 

Substitutes (not used): John Maxted (GK), Riccardo Calder, Tyler Little(for Nottingham ’33), Scott Pollock (for Hall ’64), Jack Price, Danny Waldron (for Lowe ’77)

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One of the many Forest Green attacks on the Yeovil Town defence gets underway.

It tells you everything you need to know about this game when I say that Yeovil Town were very lucky to be walking away from Forest Green Rovers with a 2-0 defeat.

Here’s some full time statistics:

Shots on target: Forest Green Rovers 6 Yeovil Town 0
Shots off target: Forest Green Rovers 10 Yeovil Town 1

It took until the 75th minute for substitute Jili Buyabu to put the home side ahead before striker Kairo Mitchell doubled the advantage in the second minute of injury time, but in reality Forest Green could have won by a much, much higher number. To add insult to further insult, captain Jake Wannell was sent off with four minutes remaining.

First half

Within a minute of the kick-off, Forest Green had won two corners one of which led the hosts’ striker Yahaya Bamber curling one past the post. The pre-match predictions of Robbie Savage’s side going all out attack seem to be coming true.

Having weathered the early storm, Yeovil managed to take a bit of a sting out of their hosts’ attack and, in even more surprising news, it appeared that Tahvon Campbell, handed his first competitive start following an injury to James Daly, was partnering Aaron Jarvis.

On 17 minutes, the first warning sign came as Isaac Moore fizzed a shot past the post and then three minutes later Glovers’ keeper Jed Ward, who started last season on loan at The New Lawn, was called in to action to deny Kyle McAllister. Both McAllister and Laurent Mendy have got a lot of space in the last five minutes and it is no surprise that Forest Green are looking threatening.

Tahvon Campbell grapples with a Hartlepool United player.
Tahvon Campbell was handed his first competitive start at The New Lawn. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Jordan Taylor-Moore was the next to go close after a flurry of corners fell first to Kairo Mitchell who could not get an effort on target before Taylor-Moore’s effort was deflected wide for another corner. It has been a bit like the Alamo – and Yeovil Town are Davy Crockett and his mates fighting off an onslaught. Mendy fired over just after the half-hour mark and the signing who joined Savage from Macclesfield in the summer is running the show.

At half time, the only meaningful statistic which Yeovil Town lead on is yellow cards with Jake Wannell and Charlie Cooper both picking up one to Forest Green’s zero.

Possession: Forest Green Rovers 61% Yeovil Town 39%
Shots on target: Forest Green Rovers 2 Yeovil Town 0
Shots off target: Forest Green Rovers 3 Yeovil Town 0
Corners: Forest Green Rovers 6 Yeovil Town 1

The statistical definition of one-way traffic, but still goalless.

Half time: Forest Green Rovers 0 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

The start of the second half saw Yeovil undo the only change to their starting XI with James Daly, who started the opening day draw with Hartlepool United, replacing Campbell with Daly filling in alongside Sims behind Jarvis. Quite different to the wing back position 

It took Forest Green 30 seconds to get their first shot in on goal with Jayden Clarke fizzing one past the post, whilst at the other end Sims looked to have got away for Yeovil a few moments later – but he was denied by the offside flag.

On 53 minutes, great play from McAllister fed one through to Mitchell whose effort was well blocked by Morgan Williams. A minute later Brett McGavin replaced Luke McCormick, but more worryingly for the home side some heavy hitters came off the bench for Forest Green with striker Christian Doidge, playmaker Nick Haughton and wing-back Jili Buyabu. Doidge almost made an instant impact a minute after arriving as he was gifted a free header at the near post from a Forest Green corner, luckily for Yeovil he did not get it on target.

Just after the hour mark Trey Pemberton’s low cross from the right side just missed Mitchell before Haughton had two glorious opportunities to open the scoring with the second rattling Jed Ward’s woodwork after 65 minutes and then five minutes later Doidge put a header wide. How Forest Green are not ahead in this game is a complete mystery.

Buyabu is having a field day down the wing and, to add even more creativity, Savage introduced former Yeovil favourite Tom Knowles (#DFILWF) after 71 minutes. Another corner for the home side, their tenth of the game, came to Taylor-Moore whose effort was pushed away by Ward.

Eventually the pressure paid, you knew it was going to happen. Jili BUYABU got the better of Byron Pendleton and whipped a ball in to the near post, it might have come off a Yeovil player, but it doesn’t matter the dam has been breached. A minute later it could have been a second after another fantastic moving involving Pemberton who cut the ball back to McAllister, who lifted his shot over the bar.

Substitute Junior Morias collects the ball inside the Forest Green half. Picture courtesy of Andy Craig.

Junior Morias and Harvey Greenslade replaced Charlie Cooper and Josh Sims and then on 83 minutes Knowles spotted Ward off his line and tried a chip from the halfway line – only the post denied him. Incredible.

As if it was not bad enough, Yeovil Town were reduced to ten men after 86 minutes. Wannell handled the ball and picked up his second yellow card. The inevitable second goal – it could have been far more – came as the game crept in to second half injury time after a short corner routine dropped to Kairo MITCHELL who fired home.

Third minute of second half injury time, Morias and McGavin combined and the latter shot wide. 93 minutes of football and that is our first shot and it is off target.

Full time: Forest Green Rovers 2 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The New Lawn
Date: Saturday 16th August, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Jili Buyabu 75 (0-1), Kairo Mitchell 90+2 (0-2)

Pitch: Stunning.
Conditions: Sweltering.

Attendance: 2,118 (486 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 22, Charlie Cooper 35, Byron Pendleton 81, Finn Cousin-Dawson 90+5
Forest Green Rovers: Jili Buyabu 75

Sendings off:
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 86
Forest Green Rovers: None

Referee: Andrew Humphries

Yeovil Town (5-2-2-1)

Substitutes:  James Daly (for Tahvon Campbell, 46), Brett McGavin (for Luke McCormick, 54), Junior Morias (for Charlie Cooper, 81), Harvey Greenslade (for Josh Sims, 81), Kyle Ferguson (not used),  Ben Wodskou (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Forest Green Rovers: Luke McNicholas, Neil Kengni (for Jili Buyabu, 55), Laurent Mendy, Kyle McAllister (for Ryan Inniss, 87), Jayden Clarke (for Tom Knowles, 71), Jordan Moore-Taylor, Isaac Moore (for Nick Haughton, 55), Yahaya Bamba (for Christian Doidge, 55), Tre Pemberton, Kairo Mitchell, Abraham Kanu.

Substitutes (not used): Fiachra Pagel, Harry Whitwell.

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Josh Sims misses out on a 50-50 ball to Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright.

Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United played out the only goalless draw of the National League Premier Division’s opening day at Huish Park.

But it was familiar story of the Glovers not taking the chances which came there way with a glorious opportunity for young loan striker Ben Wodskou with just seven minutes remaining.

The first half belonged to Hartlepool with the home side indebted to new goalkeeper Jed Ward on a couple of occasions, they showed more attacking intent after the break, but could not find the goal.

First half

Yeovil lined up with three central defenders in the shape of captain Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams and Alex Whittle with summer signings James Daly and Byron Pendleton, signed on a season-long loan from Birmingham City, playing as wing backs. New owner Prabhu Srinivasan was in the Thatcher’s End with the home supporters at kick-off and the National League season was underway.

The opening ten minutes did not muster a clear opportunity for either side with Charlie Cooper’s free-kick in to a defensive wall the closest Yeovil got troubling visiting keeper Harvey Cartwright.

Hartlepool were definitely the more attacking and physical in the opening exchanges with Yeovil preferring to sit behind the ball and let the visitors come on to them.  The more things change, the more they stay the same. The rapidity of James Daly and Byron Pendleton, the ‘wingers’ or ‘wing backs’ in the Glovers’ line-up depending on your definition, did not seem to cross the halfway line in the opening 25 minutes.

The biggest cheer of the opening 25 minutes came when the visitors’ Jamie Miley booked for a foul on Finn Cousin-Dawson after 26 minutes.

On 29 minutes, a long ball forward from Jed Ward was flicked on by Aaron Jarvis and a slip by the visitors’ Cameron John gave Josh Sims an opportunity to race towards goal, but Cartwright raced out of his area to get to the ball first. Moments later, Alex Reid flashed one wide for Pools at the other end.

Jed Ward during his pre-match warm up.
Debutant Jed Ward saw plenty of action in the first half. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Reid got himself in to a good position with seven minutes of the first half remaining as he broke in to the box, but shot wide of goal with Wannell sliding in to provide enough of a distraction and a minute later Yeovil were indebted to Whittle as Danny Johnson found himself with a clear sight of goal. The defender put his body in front of the shot.

At the other end there was the occasional break forward and Yeovil got the ball in to the box on a few occasions, but mostly it was Jarvis ploughing a lone furrow with little support up front.  Can’t recall Cartwright having a save to make in the opening 45 minutes.

If you watched us at Huish Park last season, it was like that.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Hartlepool United 0

 

Second half

Within the opening two minutes of the second half, Yeovil forced Cartwright in to two impressive stops. On 47 minutes, a high ball in to the box from Cousin-Dawson picked out Daly on the far post, but his header was pushed away by the Pools’ keeper. Moments later the on loan Hull City keeper did superbly to tip another effort over the bar.

More attacking intent in the opening five minutes of the second half than in the first 45 minutes for Yeovil.

On 53 minutes, Ward was called in to action at the other end when Johnson got another sight of goal, but the Bristol Rovers loanee dealt with it comfortably.

He had a far harder task two minutes later when a surging attack from Pools ended up with Reid whose shot was turned around the post by Ward.

Reid had another opportunity when he was gifted the ball by Charlie Cooper, sped towards goal as the Yeovil defence tried to get back before Ward dropped on the ball. After a bright start from the home side, it is the visitors who are taking control again and our mistakes are giving them the opportunity.

In the 63rd minute, Yeovil made their first substitution with Tahvon Campbell replacing Luke McCormick. With his opening two touches, the striker almost got behind the visitors’ defence, denied by a last ditch header from Miley to concede a corner, and then almost got on the end of a Pendleton cross moments later.

Yeovil Town striker Tahvon Campbell cannot quite connect with a cross as Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright misses his punch.
Yeovil Town striker Tahvon Campbell cannot quite connect with a cross as Hartlepool keeper Harvey Cartwright misses his punch. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

On 70 minutes, the attack was bolstered further by the arrival of Junior Morias, replacing Daly. The two substitutes took up the positions vacated by Daly and McCormick with Sims moving to left wing-back/wing.

There was a bit more attacking intent being shown by the home side and after 79 minutes Morgan Williams tried an acrobatic effort which went over before two further changes for the Glovers saw Ben Wodskou and Brett McGavin replace Jarvis and Whittle. Cousin-Dawson dropped in to defence.

The best chance of the game fell to Wodskou after  83 minutes. Sims got past his defender down the left and slid a perfect ball through to the substitute, but his shot was straight at Cartwright who was able to parry it away. Great move, great ball, great position from the Birmingham City youngster, just the finish was missing.

There were some good signs in the closing stages as Yeovil pressed for a goal with Morias showing a hunger to get forward and down the left side, but the points were shared when the final whistle sounded. No-one is getting that bag of potatoes just yet.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Hartlepool United 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 9th May, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: None

Pitch: Perfect as you would expect on the opening day of the season
Conditions: Dry and bright

Attendance: 3,438 (199 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town:  James Daly 60, Jake Wannell 67, Charlie Cooper 86
Hartlepool United: Jamie Miley 27, Jermaine Francis 45+2

Referee: Rob Massey-Ellis

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Here’s our guess at the Yeovil Town starting line-up.

Substitutes:  Tahvon Campbell (for Luke McCormick, 63), Junior Morias (for James Daly, 70), Ben Wodskou (for Aaron Jarvis, 79), Brett McGavin (for Alex Whittle, 79), Kyle Ferguson (not used), Harvey Greenslade (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Hartlepool United: Harvey Cartwright, Jay Benn, Tom Parkes, Cameron John, McNally, Besart Topallaj (for Maxim Pierre Kouogun, 72), Nathan Sheron, Jamie Miley, Jermaine Francis (for Luke Charman, 87), Danny Johnson (for Matt Daly, 72), Alex Reid. Substitutes (not used):  Jack Hunter, Nicky Featherstone, Brad Walker, Adam Smith.

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A second half penalty saw Yeovil Town go down to defeat in their final pre-season friendly of the campaign in a feisty all-Somerset affair at Weston-super-Mare.

Seagulls’ midfielder Luke Coulson sent new loan goalkeeper Jed Ward the wrong way from the spot in the 67th minute after Jake Wannell fouled former Glovers’ striker Louis Britton inside the box.

In a game marked by a few feisty challenges by both sides, there was the worrying sight of full-back Alex Whittle going off in what appeared to be a precautionary move with a groin injury early in the first half and little else to write home about for the visitors.

Yeovil were largely nullified by the National League South side who took their opportunity from the spot when it came. Not a great way to sign off pre-season.

First half

Early chance for Yeovil saw Finn Cousin-Dawson plant a header straight in to the midriff of Weston keeper Max Harris after three minutes, and the keeper did well to punch clear after Charlie Cooper’s good free-kick in to the box.

The next action was more worrying for the visitors with Alex Whittle going down with an injury after 15 minutes. The left-back received treatment but played on for further five minutes before he was replaced by Brett McGavin. One assumes the substitution was precautionary just seven days before the opening National League fixture and Whittle appeared to be moving okay as he departed for the dressing room, albeit clutching an ice pack. Tight groin, apparently.

On the pitch, Wannell moved to the left side of defence with Cousin-Dawson shifting back in to defence from a deep lying midfield role which was filled by McGavin. On 22 minutes, James Daly had the ball in the net with a beautiful curling shot only denied by an offside flag before a great flick on from Aaron Jarvis  landed to the feet of trialist Luke McCormick who took his shot early but pulled it wide.

Picture courtesy of Rob Manley.

On the trialist front, former Bristol Rovers’ striker Jevani Brown was named on the bench continuing his seemingly endless role as a trialist, but there was a new face in the form of Birmingham Under-21s striker, Ben Wodskou. The St Andrews’ team-mate of signed loanee Byron Pendleton came through the Blues’ academy and had a spell on loan at Northern Premier League side Rushall Athletic last season. The 18-year-old signed his first professional contract, a two-year deal, in the summer of 2024.

New goalkeeper Jed Ward, signed on a season-long loan from Bristol Rovers during the week, was called in to his first action in a Yeovil shirt to collect a header from James Dodd before two former Glovers, Sam Pearson and Louis Britton (remember him?), combined with the former crossing for the latter to head over the bar.

There was another slightly worrying moment when Morgan Williams ran in to a barrier at the side of the pitch, he seems okay to continue. Pearson’s deflected effort, tipped over the bar by Ward, in the 43rd minute was the final action of the half.

Half-time:  Weston-super-Mare 0 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

The half-time break saw a change for Yeovil with Kyle Ferguson replacing Charlie Cooper and six minutes after the restart a McGavin corner was headed away by Wood with a number of green-and-white shirts queuing up to turn home the looping ball.

With an hour gone and Yeovil seemingly out of ideas, strikers Tahvon Campbell and trialist Wodskou replaced Josh Sims and Aaron Jarvis before Ward had to be quick off his line to prevent Britton getting on the end of a good ball from Pearson.

On 67 minutes, Weston were awarded a penalty for a foul on Britton on the edge of the area. Luke COULSON stepped up and sent Ward the wrong way. The goal sparked a further Yeovil change with Harvey Greenslade coming on for trialist McCormick. There were four changes for the home side including another former Glover, Will Dawes, replacing Britton.

Trialist Jevani Brown replaced Byron Pendleton after 77 minutes before Tahvon Campbell got involved in an off-the-ball fracas after a shirt pull from Weston’s Emlyn Lewis. The majority of the on-the-field personnel from both sides got involved in the ‘afters’. Still not sure we can call this a ‘derby’, an all-Somerset match at best, but that was definitely not friendly.

Players from Yeovil Town and Weston-super-Mare get involved in a major fracas.
The not so friendly friendly. Picture courtesy of Michael Stone.

There were a few other snaps by both sides between that major melee and the final whistle but, with just seven days remaining until Hartlepool United visit Huish Park for the opening National League fixture, it ended with a poor performance and poor result.

At the final whistle, manager Mark Cooper gathered his players on the pitch for a ‘talking to’ and you have to wonder what was said by all those involved. Whatever it was, it needs to lift the level considerably in the next week.

Full time: Weston-super-Mare 1 Yeovil Town 0

Teams:

Yeovil Town: Jed Ward, Byron Pendleton (for Byron Pendleton, 77), Alex Whittle (for Brett McGavin, 20), Morgan Williams, Jake Wannell, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Charlie Cooper (for Kyle Ferguson, 46), Luke McCormick (Trialist) (for Harvey Greenslade, 69), Josh Sims (for Ben Wodskou, 60), James Daly, Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 60).

Substitutes (not used): Matt Gould.

Weston-super-Mare: Max Harris, Michael Smith, Dylan Mitchell, Callum Wood, Sam Avery, Luke Coulson, James Dodd, Louis Britton, James Waite, Sam Pearson, Emlyn Lewis.

Substitutes: Jacob Jagger-Cane, Jakob Glover, Jason Pope, Jake Hicks, Josh Salmon, Oliver Jenkins, Daniel Martin.

Scorers: Luke Coulson 67 pen (0-1),

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The ball runs out of play for Bath's Ewan Clark with Byron Pendleton and Morgan Williams in close attendance.

Three first half goals from Yeovil Town saw them get their pre-season campaign back to winning ways with a victory at National League South side Bath City on Saturday.

The Glovers took the lead through defender Morgan Williams after 14 minutes before summer signing James Daly opened his goal-scoring account for his new side and then Josh Sims added a third with trialist Luke McCormick providing assists for all three goals.

A fairly uneventful second half saw Will Jenkins-Davies reduce the deficit for the hosts, managed by former Yeovil player and manager, Darren Way, with nine minutes remaining.

First half

The starting line-up gave the first talking point with just four substitutes, including youngster Ollie Hughes, named by manager Mark Cooper, who had told supporters concerned about the lack of transfer activity to “have a little patience” on Friday. There was no Jake Wannell, missing due to “personal reasons“, or Brett McGavin and Tahvon Campbell, both not being risked due to injuries. Campbell had looked to be struggling in the defeat to Bristol Rovers seven days earlier with a heavy strapping on his knee.

In the starting XI, goalkeeper/goalkeeping coach Matt Gould was named in goal with last season’s first choice, Aidan Stone, named on the bench. The visitors started with Finn Cousin-Dawson lined up in defensive midfield positions alongside Charlie Cooper and trialist Luke McCormick playing behind Aaron Jarvis.

James Daly had the first effort on goal with an effort from distance after just three minutes before former Glovers’ loanee Ewan Clark found Joe Raynes inside the box but his two efforts were blocked by Kyle Fergsuon. Clark forced Matt Gould in to the first save of the match after five minutes, the home side have dominated the opening exchanges.

However, it was Yeovil who opened the scoring through Morgan WILLIAMS after 14 minutes. Good pressure from Byron Pendleton found Josh Sims who could not release anyone until he picked out McCormick whose cross was met by a flick from Williams to put the Glovers ahead against the run of play.

Byron Pendleton and Ewan Clark eye each other during a break in play.
Byron Pendleton keeps a close eye on Bath City’s Ewan Clark. Picture courtesy of Mike Hudson.

Bath continued to dominate with Clark, who failed to get much action during his time at Huish Park, but Yeovil found their composure and doubled their advantage on 27 minutes. Pendleton and Sims linked up well down the right-hand side to get the ball to McCormick whose sliced shot landed on a plate to James DALY who slid home his first goal since arriving in the summer.

Just before the half-hour mark, a great ball from Cousin-Dawson found Pendleton whose cross from the right was towards McCormick who could not quite get to the ball. Good move, but the trialist did not quite have the legs for it.

McCormick was involved again in Yeovil’s third goal with seven minutes of the first half remaining. Nicely worked by McCormick on the left, he found Josh SIMS who turned his man and finished coolly to extend the advantage for the visitors. Having had to weather an early storm, Yeovil have taken this game by the scruff of the neck with McCormick at the centre of it whilst Bath looking unsure what to do.

Bath keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards had to scramble back after a clearance deflected off the knee of Sims just after and from the resulting corner Williams forced the keeper in to a save. But at the interval, get the open top bus booked – we’re winning the lot!

Half-time:  Bath City 0 Yeovil Town 3

Second half

Yeovil Town's four substitutes warming up at half-time in the pre-season friendly at Bath City.
“The depth” warming up at half-time at Twerton Park. Picture courtesy of Mike Hudson.

There were two changes for Bath with last season’s top scorer Scott Wilson entering the fray at the interval, he replaced former W*ymouth frontman Brad Ash. Unsurprisingly given the lack of options, there were no changes for Yeovil.

Bath came out the brighter but the nearest either side got to adding to the scoreline saw Jenkins-Davies try to chip Matt Gould under pressure from the Yeovil defence after 56 minutes. Not much end product from the home side here.

There were a couple of half chances for Raynes and then substitute Wilson around the hour mark, but nothing in the way of meaningful opportunities for either side.

The first change for Yeovil came after 71 minutes with Harvey Greenslade replacing Aaron Jarvis followed six minutes later by trialist Jevani Brown who came on for Daly.

It took an error from Williams to add to the goal-scoring tally. The defender’s attempted clearing header landed at the feet of Will JENKINS-DAVIES who rifled past Gould to reduce the deficit.

Charlie Cooper tried a spectacular effort which did not trouble Wiles-Richards who then kept everyone entertained with a bicycle kick outside his box with three minutes remaining.

Under-18s’ defender Ollie Hughes replaced Kyle Fergsuson in the 88th minute and then, as the game ticked in to injury time, a dangerous cross by Jordan Alves picked out fellow substitute and officially the Nicest Man In Football, Alex Fisher, whose header forced a good save from Gould to touch it over the bar.

Another good ball in to the box from Alves in the flying moments of the game was turned aside by Whittle with Fisher lurking again, but it was Yeovil who ran out winners.

Full time: Bath City 1 Yeovil Town 3

Teams:

Yeovil Town: Matt Gould, Alex Whittle, Kyle Ferguson (for Ollie Hughes, 88), Morgan Williams, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Byron Pendleton, Charlie Cooper, James Daly (for Jevani Brown, Trialist, 77), Josh Sims, Luke McCormick (Trialist), Aaron Jarvis (for Harvey Greenslade, 71).

Substitutes (not used): Aidan Stone.

Bristol Rovers: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes, Danny Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieron Parselle, Will Jenkins-Davies, Ewan Clark (for Jordan Alves, 77), Brad Ash (for Scott Wilson, 46), Jordan Tillson, Mitch Beardmore (for Jack Batten, 46), Luke Russe.

Substitutes (not used): Massimo Sardo, Louis Sweeten, Owen Pritchard, Alex Fisher, Trialist, Trialist.

Scorers: Morgan Williams 14 (1-0), James Daly 27 (2-0), Josh Sims 38 (3-0), Will Jenkins-Davies 81 (1-3)

Attendance: 853

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The scoreboard at Huish Park beamed a thankyou message to Marcus Stewart at the final whistle.

Two second half goals saw Yeovil Town go down to defeat at the hands of Bristol Rovers in the ‘Match for Marcus’ pre-season friendly at Huish Park on Saturday.

A crowd of 2,236, including a healthy 512 from Bristol, turned out to recognise Marcus Stewart, the legendary striker who played for both sides. All gate receipts are being donated to raising money and awareness of Motor Neurone Disease, the condition which the forward was diagnosed with in 2022.

It was an impressive first half for the Glovers which saw them take the lead when Rovers’ goalkeeper Brad Young punched a Brett McGavin corner in to his own net after 21 minutes, but the League Two opposition moved up a gear after the break and goals from ex-Glovers’ loanee Kofi Shaw and Luke Thomas wrapped up the result.

First half

The Glovers lined up with trialist Bristol City Under-21s goalkeeper Josey Casa-Grande in goal with ex-Rovers’ striker Jevani Brown also named in the starting line-up alongside Birmingham City Under-21s defender Byron Pendleton, playing at right-back. Midfielders Teo Kurtaran and Luke McCormick, a former trialist and first-team player for The Gas, were the other trialists named on the substitutes’ bench for the match.

Pendleton is under contract at St Andrews until the summer of 2027 so would be a loan if he is the man Mark Cooper is looking to fill the boots of Michael Smith. 

Before kick-off, there was a one-minute silence in memory of  all those who were injured and affected by the coach crash which killed a ten-year-old boy near Minehead on Thursday.

The opening exchanges saw former Glovers’ loanee Kofi Shaw have a shot deflected away for a corner, but it was Yeovil who took the lead after 21 minutes. An in-swinging corner from Brett McGavin was punched in to his own net by Rovers’ keeper Brad Young. The goal was credit to Morgan Williams, but in reality is was an OWN GOAL from the keeper.

On 29 minutes, those in green-and-white thought Yeovil had doubled their lead when trialist Pendleton got away down the right with only Young to beat, but his shot went in to the side netting. The rippling of the net proved to be an illusion for those in the Main Stand and Thatcher’s End – but those away fans in the Screwfix Stand had a far better view of what had really happened.

Trialist Byron Pendleton, who captains Birmingham City's Under-21s, sinks to his knees after coming close.
Trialist Byron Pendleton sinks to his knees after hitting the side netting. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

At the other end, a quick move from Rovers saw Micah Anthony found in space on the left side of the box, he fired an effort in but it was well blocked by Williams after 32 minutes and the only other action in Yeovil’s favour saw Young have more problems with corners from McGavin. For the visitors Ollie Dewsbury almost took advantage of a lax header back to Casa-Grande, but put his header wide.

Overall, the first half offered many reasons to be impressed with for Yeovil. Pendleton looked a threat going forward down the right with McGavin impressing and Harvey Greenslade and Aaron Jarvis linking up well in the forward line.

Half-time:  Yeovil Town 1 Bristol Rovers 0

Both sides made two changes at half-time with James Daly and Brett McGavin replacing by trialist Luke McCormick and Josh Sims for Yeovil.

The visitors found an equaliser just three minutes in to the second half as Kofi SHAW was awarded the freedom of Huish Park’s midfield to stride forward and smash a shot from outside the box past Casa-Grande. A fantastic strike and it appears the curse of the old boy exists in pre-season as well.

Bryant Bilongo had a great opportunity to put them ahead after 56 minutes after a one-two with substitute Luke Thomas saw him saunter in to the Yeovil penalty area and flash a shot past the far post.

Yeovil Town striker Harvey Greenslade tussles for the ball against a Bristol Rovers player.
Harvey Greenslade tussles with a Bristol Rovers defender Taylor Moore. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The warning signs were there and on 62 minutes Rovers went ahead. This time Shaw was the provider as he picked out Luke THOMAS who had the easiest job of tapping home. A simple goal for Rovers who have stepped up a gear after the break and Yeovil are getting pulled out of position and cut apart. 

There was the usual flurry of changes with trialist Teo Kurtaran appearing alongside Finn Cousin-Dawson, Kyle Ferguson, Lewys Twamley and Tahvon Campbell in the second half. On 75 minutes, Kurtaran forced a good save out of Jed Ward, who replaced Young at the break, with a free-kick from the edge of the box.

In the 82nd minute, we got a first look at the new rule of referees awarding a corner for a team holding on to the ball for too long, awarding Yeovil a corner kick. It has been a flat second half, so that could be among the highlights of this 45 minutes.

Williams’ flicked header was easily saved by Ward from a nice cross from Twamley as the game ticked in to injury time. A nice move from Yeovil, but Morgan did not get enough of a connection on it.

Reasons to be positive in the first half, but reasons to be negative in the second half.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Bristol Rovers 2

Teams:

Yeovil Town: Josey Casa-Grande (Trialist), Alex Whittle, Morgan Williams, Jake Wannell, Byron Pendleton (Trialist), Charlie Cooper, Brett McGavin,  Jevani Brown (Trialist), Harvey Greenslade, Aaron Jarvis (for Tahvon Campbell, 69).

Substitutes:  Luke McCormick (for James Daly, 46), Josh Sims (for Brett McGavin, 46), Teo Kurtaran, Trialist (for Charlie Cooper, 60), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Alex Whittle, 64), Kyle Ferguson (for Jake Wannell, 64), Lewys Twamley (for Jevani Brown, Trialist, 64), Aidan Stone (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Bristol Rovers: Brad Young (for Jed Ward, 46), Joel Senior, Taylor Moore, Isaac Hutchinson, Luke Thomas (for Jack Sparkes, 63), Dan Ellison, Josh McEarhran (for Ryan Howley, 46, for Kamil Conteh, 73), Micah Anthony (for Ruel Sotiriou, 63), Bryant Bilongo, Kofi Shaw, Ollie Dewsbury.

Substitutes (not used): Alfie Kilgour, Shaq Forde, Promise Omochere, Connor Taylor.

Scorers: Brad Young o.g. 21 (1-0), Kofi Shaw 48 (1-1), Luke Thomas 62 (1-2).

Attendance: 2,236 (512 away supporters)

Referee: James Durkin (Portland, W*ymouth)

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Yeovil Town defend the Thatcher's Stand in the pre-season friendly against Cardiff City Under-21s.

A late winner from substitute Morgan Wigley saw Yeovil Town suffer their first friendly defeat of pre-season campaign at the hands of Cardiff City’s Under-21s in their first outing at Huish Park.

The Glovers led 2-0 by the half-hour mark with goals from Josh Sims and Harvey Greenslade before Mannie Barton pulled a goal back before the interval.

The young Bluebirds, managed by former Yeovil loanee defender Darren Purse, made wholesale changes at half-time and a goal just after the hour mark from Trey George pulled them level before Wigley won it late on.

Ian was among the 1,226 supporters, including a sizeable vocal following from South Wales, on Tuesday night and here’s how he saw it.

First half

The pre-match chat was all about the changing shape of the Huish Park pitch – a topic discussed at length on our latest podcast, click here to listen – which looked significantly shorter and narrower.

On the smaller surface, trialists Jevani Brown started and midfielder Teo Kurtaran was named among the substitutes bench. However, there was no sign of either ex-Bristol Rovers midfielder Luke McCormick, who scored in the 3-2 win at Chippenham Town three days earlier, ex-Swindon Town striker Abu Kanu or Plymouth Parkway frontman Kieran Edworthy. All three have featured in the previous three friendlies of pre-season.

An image of the pitch at Huish Park ahead of the first home pre-season friendly of the season which has been significantly shortened and narrowed.
The shorter and narrower surface at Huish Park was there for all to see.

The first opportunity of the match fell to Cardiff’s youngsters as Yeovil defender Kyle Ferguson lost the flight of the ball on the edge of the box allowing Mannie Barton room to pick out strike partner Luke Pearce whose effort was deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting corner, Charlie O’Brien’s header went over the bar.

At the other end, Harvey Greenslade  worked himself a lovely opening five minutes later before striking over the bar and the forward, who scored in the win at Chippenham Town at the weekend, fired in a stinging shot which was parried by Cardiff keeper Matt Turner after 20 minutes, but no-one could follow up in the ensuing scramble.

Two minutes later Jevani Brown, aka Trialist A, combined with the lively James Daly but the summer signing from Harrogate Town couldn’t hook his cross back into the danger area, landing the ball harmlessly on the roof of the net.

Yeovil took the lead on 26 minutes when Josh SIMS, who started the match at right wing-back, caught a Cardiff defender napping and had time and space in the box to fire into the roof of the net. 

The visitors almost levelled direct from the kick-off as Luke Pearce’s effort was saved by Aidan Stone, but it was Yeovil who added the next goal on the halfway line. Harvey GREENSLADE with a brilliant finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Well done that man. 

Yeovil Town defend the Thatcher's Stand in the pre-season friendly against Cardiff City Under-21s.
Yeovil Town defend the Thatcher’s Stand in the pre-season friendly against Cardiff City Under-21s. Picture courtesy of Chris Fox.

Cardiff made another fast restart and this time it paid dividends. Issac Jefferies played in Mannie BARTON who capitalised on  space in behind Sims and confidently putting the ball past Stone. 

There was a nice  passage of play from the Glovers saw Alex Whittle pop up in the box but his right footed effort was too tame for the keeper who got down low to tip wide.

Half time and overall some nice bits of play from the Glovers.

 

Half-time:  Yeovil Town 2 Cardiff City Under-21s 1

The visitors made seven changes at the start of the second half with only goalkeeper Matt Turner, Matthew Apter and striker Luke Pearce remaining from the first half, whilst Finn Cousin-Dawson replaced Morgan Williams for Yeovil.

Brett McGavin would have scored Yeovil’s third just after half-time had he been just a little bit taller. Sims whipped cross from the right very nearly found the midfielder but he could not stretch his neck long enough to head home.

Cardiff levelled it up on the hour mark after Trey GEORGE was given freedom of the penalty box to fire home. Cue lots of pointing from the Yeovil players as to who was marking the attacking midfielder.

Trialist midfielder Teo Kurtaran replaced Charlie Cooper after 69 minutes before Daly worked a nice opening on the left side of the box and hit a shot a comfortable height for the keeper.

Substitutes chaos from the young Bluebirds saw lots of change and it became rather bitty with the odd pot shot here and there with Lewys Twamley replacing Sims after 76 minutes.

Five minutes from the end, Kurataran shot over the bar from the edge of the box after Twamley and Aaron Jarvis combined in the box.

Cardiff took at the death with a quick breakaway and a neat finish from Morgan WIGLEY over Stone to a rapturous ovation from the noisy Cardiff following.

Next up, League Two side Bristol Rovers visit Huish Park on Saturday in the ‘Match for Marcus’ which will see both clubs honour former striker Marcus Stewart and raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease, the illness which the legendary frontman has been diagnosed with. If you can make to Huish Park, please do so.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Cardiff City Under-21s 3

Teams:

Yeovil Town: Aidan Stone, Alex Whittle (for Corey Koerner, 79), Josh Sims (for Lewys Twamley, 76), Morgan Williams (for Finn Cousin-Dawson, 46), Kyle Ferguson, Charlie Cooper (for Teo Kuratarn, Trialist, 69), Brett McGavin, James Daly, Jevani Brown (Trialist), Harvey Greenslade, Aaron Jarvis.

First half – Cardiff City Under-21s: Matt Turner, Charlie O’Brien, Gabriel Keita, Trialist, Josh Beecher, Cody Twose, Matthew Apter, Issac Jefferies, Mannie Barton, Chris Willock, Luke Pearce.

Second half – Cardiff City Under-21s: Matt Turner, Will Spiers, Alyas Debono, Trialist, Jac Thomas, Matthew Apter (for Jacob Hobson, 69), Troy Perrett, Trey George, Sekou Kaba, Luke Pearce, Morgan Wigley.

Scorers: Josh Sims 26 (1-0), Harvey Greenslade 29 (2-0), Mannie Barton 30 (2-1), Trey George 61 (2-2), Morgan Wigley 90 (2-3).

Attendance: 1,226

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A Yeovil Town player launched a ball forward in the pre-season friendly at Chippenham Town.

A late goal from Aaron Jarvis seconds before the final whistle saw Yeovil Town keep their 100% pre-season friendly record with a narrow victory at Chippenham Town on Saturday.

The Glovers trailed to a Tom Owen-Evans goal at half-time before trialist Luke McCormick pulled them level two minutes in to the second half. Former W*ymouth player Ezio Touray put the National League South side ahead again on 51 minutes before Tahvon Campbell spurned a great chance to make it level as he rolled a penalty kick in to the chest of Chippenham keeper Will Henry five minutes later.

The hour mark led to a flurry of changes from both sides and it was two of the Yeovil substitutes who got the goals which won it as Harvey Greenslade pulled Yeovil level in the 83rd minute heading home a corner from trialist Teo Kurtaran before Jarvis nodded in another Kurtaran corner to win it late on.

The starting line-up saw trialists former Bristol Rovers pair striker Jevani Brown (Number 20) and McCormick (Number 8) paired together with former Swindon Town striker Abu Kanu, Plymouth Parkway forward Kieran Edworthy and midfielder Kurtaran all appearing on the hour mark.

All five substitutes have featured in both the Glovers’ first two pre-season friendlies, the 1-0 win at Exmouth Town last weekend and Wednesday night’s 2-1 win at Sherborne Town. You can find about them all in our Spot the Trialist special feature – here.

First half

With no recognised right back in the Yeovil squad, the visitors started with a back three of Morgan Williams, Kyle Ferguson and Jake Wannell with James Daly – a recognised forward/winger – and Alex Whittle playing as wing-backs from the kick-off. Tahvon Campbell played as a lone striker with trialists Jevani Brown and Luke McCormick behind him and Charlie Cooper and Brett McGavin in the centre of midfield. 

The temperature was well about 30 degrees Celsius when this match got underway and only likely to get hotter, so expecting regular drinks breaks and lots of personnel changes.

The first opportunity fell to Yeovil after four minutes as Campbell intercepted the ball on the halfway line, beat the final Chippenham defender but dragged his shot wide. Three minutes later, Charlie Cooper got caught in possession from a corner to allow a breakaway led by Harry Parsons who took his run wide and was denied by Aidan Stone.

Stone was in action again on 12 minutes when Wannell failed to make a clearance giving 13 time and space to get a shot away. A comfortable save by the keeper.

The better opportunities were going the way of the home side and they took the lead a minute later. Tom OWEN-EVANS was allowed to make a run in to the area and hit a low shot in to the far corner, it looked as if Stone thought it was going wide but it kissed the post on its way in.

On 19 minutes, Brett McGavin’s ball was met by a great header from Wannell which turned on to the post by Will Henry. Great cross, great header, great saved – but the offside flag was up. Five minutes later McCormick was denied by another smart stop from Henry before having a follow-up effort blocked.

A Yeovil Town player launched a ball forward in the pre-season friendly at Chippenham Town.
Check out the dust kicking up off the pitch in the first half. Picture courtesy of Callum Hallett.

There was another great opportunity for Chippenham who found Owen-Evans and one of their own trialists two on one with a Yeovil defender just before the half-hour mark, but the trialist got it all wrong and it went high over the bar.

Stone had to make another fine stop with seven minutes of the half remaining after Parsons’ shot from point blank range. Campbell had a good opportunity minutes later after McCormick jumped on a Chippenham mistake and fed the striker whose effort was not enough to test Henry.

There was a pre-season collectors’ item on 44 minutes when McCormick was brought down who got a booking. McGavin’s effort from the resulting free-kick looked to be dipping under the bar but Henry made a great two-handed save to deny him.

Some great saves made by both goalkeepers, but Owen-Evans’ goal divides the two sides at the half-time break on a sweltering afternoon in Wiltshire.

 

Half-time: Chippenham Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

There was only one change at half-time with goalkeeping coach Matt Gould replacing Stone in goal whilst former W*ymouth and Poole Town forward Ezio Touray replaced Parsons in the only change for Chippenham.

Two minutes after the restart the trialists, Brown and McCormick, combined with Brown moving down the left and feeding Luke McCORMICK whose effort went past Henry. 

Luke McCormick celebrates with Tahvon Campbell, right, and Jevani Brown.

But the lead lasted just four minutes when Kyle Ferguson got himself in a tangle, there was a suggestion of handball from the defender but the referee waved play on. A good ball in to Ezio TOURAY who fired past Gould. 

On 56 minutes, Yeovil were awarded a penalty after Cooper went down in the box, Campbell stepped up, stuttered his run up and rolled the ball tamely in to the chest of Henry. Oh dear.

On the hour mark, both teams made a flurry of changes with only Morgan Williams surviving the cut for Yeovil. Under-18s captain Corey Koerner and Josh Sims took up the left and right back positions with Finn Cousin-Dawson and Williams making up a back four. Abu Kanu, who was wearing no number, played up front with Aaron Jarvis with Greenslade, trialists Teo Kurtaran (Number 15) and Kieran Edworthy (Number 16) in midfield, and Harvey Greenslade and Lewys Twamley in wide positions.

On 64 minutes, one of the Chippenham substitutes Olaf Koszela had an effort deflected over the bar, but the only threat on goalkeeper Josh Sawyer, who replaced Henry after 81 minutes, came from Greenslade who was denied by the keeper and the offside flag.

The forward did get himself on the scoresheet with seven minutes remaining though. A corner from trialist Kurtaran was headed home by GREENSLADE from inside a crowded penalty area.

Since arriving on the hour mark, Greenslade looked lively and almost added a second on 85 minutes, but just before the final whistle went (literally) Yeovil took the lead. Another corner from Kurtaran was headed home by Aaron JARVIS. Literally seconds after the ball crossed the line, the final whistle blew.

The stadium announcer had to confirm the final score over the public address system. Peak pre-season.

Full time: Chippenham Town 2 Yeovil Town 3

Teams:

First half – Yeovil Town: Aidan Stone (for Matt Gould, 46), Morgan Williams, Jake Wannell, Kyle Ferguson, Alex Whittle, James Daly, Charlie Cooper, Brett McGavin, Luke McCormick (Trialist), Jevani Brown (Trialist), Tahvon Campbell. 

From 60 minutes – Yeovil Town: Matt Gould, Corey Koerner, Josh Sims, Morgan Williams, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Lewys Twamley, Teo Kurtaran (Trialist), Kieran Edworthy (Trialist), Aby Kanu, Harvey Greenslade, Aaron Jarvis.

Chippenham Town: Will Henry, Lewis Colwell, Ethan Vaughan, Canice Carroll, Freddie Grant, Jake Evans, Caine Bradbury, Quevin Castro, Tom Owen-Evans, Harry Parsons (for Ezio Touray, 46), Trialist.

From 60 minutes – Chippenham Town: Will Henry (for Josh Sawyer, 71), Harry Messenger, Freddie Grant, Luke Haines, Fleet, Tom Mehew, Trialist (for Ollie Smith, 70), Trialist, Olaf Koszela, Harlee Vozza, Enzio Touray.