Match Reports (Page 2)

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Yeovil Town went within six points of the National League Premier with a 3-0 thrashing of Torquay United, two goals from Jahmari Clarke and one from Jordan Young separated the sides in a feisty encounter in the Somerset sun.

First half

Matt Worthington lost the toss to kick start the Bank Holiday weekend, it meant the Glovers were attacking the Thatchers End first up and the first coming together was just seconds in.

Jordan Young was subject to a tough 50/50 in the opening seconds, a Torquay player seemingly falling on to the winger who needed medical attention and a concussion test.

Young was booked… for getting a headache.

Tom Lapslie gave Charlie Cooper a clattering, and Jude-Boyd earned himself a booking for barging through Morgan Williams… the game barely four minutes old and the Gulls had set their stall out early.

Brad Ash and Jake Wannell tried to swap shirts as a long ball cleared them both, eight minutes on the clock and very little actual football had actually broken out. Cool heads from the Glovers needed, Torquay out to ruffle feathers as much as play football.

It took as much as 11 minutes before some football happened, ironically, from a free kick too, Torquay lofted the ball into the box, Jake Wannell dealt with the first ball before Joe Day took care of the rest.

Torquay found themselves into the attack with 15 minutes gone, but their move down the right was thwarted.

The Glovers quickly countered with Charlie Cooper who played the ball right to Brooklyn Genesini, his cross was just out of reach of the on rushing Jordan Stevens, the first glimpse of the attacking YTFC we’d all been hoping for.

Cooper gave away a free kick in the right back area with less than a quarter of the game gone, the ball, whipped in right footed never troubling anyone other than the away fans in the open terrace.

The Glovers were comfortable in possession, Frank Nouble popping up on both sides of the pitch trying to get the game going. 

Jahmari Clarke, who hadn’t really got much of a touch was finally in the game on 20 minutes, he got on the end of a long ball forward from Morgan Williams, but Clarke’s knock down couldn’t quite find Nouble in a good position.

Nouble, a former Torquay man, was proving instrumental. The referee played an excellent advantage when Cooper was clattered in the Glovers’ area with Nouble and Young linking up down the right hand side, the ball squirmed away, but shortly found its way to Clarke.

Clarke wound up a shot from distance… it might still be in orbit… do let us know if you see it.

More scrappy football in the middle, more unpunished Torquay challenges and more lumped balls forward from the visitors, finally lead to Austen Booth being given a booking for a rugby tackle on Clarke. 

Some lovely football between Genesini and Young led to the ball falling to Matt Worthington on the edge of the box, his shot was deflected wide and Young’s corner evaded everyone.

Yeovil were started to up the ante, Frank Nouble twisted and turned into a shooting position but his effort was blocked, Nouble then laid the ball right to Genesini who saw the headlines as his shot rose just too high.

Clarke and Stevens were next to team up down the left hand side, Stevens’ cross couldn’t find a green shirt.

No sooner did that happen did Torquay find themselves with their first sight at goal, but Brad Ash was muscled away from goal by Morgan Williams as Joe Day mopped up the ball.

Brad Ash had another flop about on the floor to win a free kick with just shy of 45 minutes on the clock, the resulting free kick was almost misjudged by Jay Foulston, who ended up flicking the ball out for a corner.

Brett McGavin’s looping header causing no danger for Joe Day.

The final five minutes became quite breathless with both sides making opportunities, Morgan Williams stretching to clear a cross, Jake Wannell breaking out some yoga move to stop an attack whilst Frank Nouble and Jordan Stevens was causing havoc.

Charlie Cooper benefitted from a great run from Stevens, his shot was blocked but fell nicely to Jahmari CLARKE who tapped home into an open net.

1-0 to the Glovers!

Jahmari Clarke opens the scoring – Pic Gary Brown

Yeovil weren’t switched on from the restart though and Tom Lapslie was inches away from equalising, Joe Day managing to get enough on Stobbs’ cross to force a corner. Nothing came from the resulting set piece. 

The scrappiness continued – Brad Ash scuffed a shot goalwards after Charlie Cooper was bundled off the ball. 

Genesini continued to find space down the right hand side, he and Nouble combined to whip a ball in, but Jordan Stevens couldn’t rise highest.

The visitors fizzed a shot wide as the game entered four minutes of added on time in the first half, 

It was feisty, scrappy, at times a little naughty, but the half ended with the Glovers a goal to the good… and Jake Wannell rattling the Torquay players.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Torquay United 0
Second half

No changes by either side at the break, but the visitors had started with a new formation, a more traditional back four and a two-man front line.

Torquay started the game in the ascendancy, a throw in found it’s way to Ash in the box, but his effort was never going to trouble anyone as the ball trickled out.

Yeovil’s first attack was once again the product of a smooth passage of play down the right hand side, Genesini and Young combined to earn a number of attacking throw ins, one of which found it’s way to Frank Nouble who’s smashed cross went right across goal.

The Glovers were back in possession soon enough, the Jordans were teaming up on the edge of the box, and it was Stevens who had the chance to fire a cross in, but Clarke couldn’t quite get to the ball ahead of the visitors goalkeeper.

Torquay, to their credit, were playing some football this half and Boyd’s cross caused a moment of danger, but with the Glovers back on the front foot with Young, Cooper and Genesini all trying to get into the game from an attacking point of view.

Frank Nouble was on a mission, he locked onto a long ball, skipped past another reckless challenge and gets his head up, to see Jordan YOUNG flying towards the edge of the area, his left footed strike cannoning off the bar and into the back of the net to double Yeovil’s advantage.

Huish Park was now rocking, another National League South attendance record announced and every one of them were enjoying their day out in the glorious sunshine.

Jahmari CLARKE was back in the action, a quite sensational turn saw the Reading loanee close down on goal and slot the ball under the on rushing keeper to give the Glovers a third – a really lovely goal – and one that might have prevented him from being taken off, Olly Thomas was ready to come on and had to sit back down!

He got a couple of more minutes before making way for the Bristol City man.

He was soon into the action, causing trouble in the box as Cooper whipped a free kick in, the ball bobbled to Jake Wannell’s left foot, his traction engine of a shot was blocked for a corner.

The corner was defended well, but the Green shirts were all over the ball, possession back with the home side within seconds. 

Thomas and Young were interchanging some very nice passes and Thomas was hauled down by a defender 20 yards from goal… Jordan Young territory.

Apart from the fact that Jake Wannell stood over the ball, not the most likely taker. 
There was a mix up, and another free kick, which was once again set up for Wannell – it didn’t work, move on, let’s not worry about that.

Jordan Stevens was next to try his luck, benefitting from more good work by Olly Thomas, he struck a ball towards towards the top corner, rising just too far.

With 15 minutes gone, Jenkins-Davies was booked for another foul on Charlie Cooper, the possession was once again with the Glovers, the Jordans were causing all kinds of bother with Wannell, Morgan and Day mopping up everything at the other end.

With the clock ticking down, the game had a bit of a lull.

Jordan Young got another clattering, he was replaced by Dylan Morgan with 12 minutes left. 

Olly Thomas was determined to get in on the goal scoring, chasing down lost causes and having a shot blocked with ten minutes to go.

Jake Wannell got booked for slowing the game down – I’m pretty sure a few worse things went unpunished.

Thomas was again causing all kinds of chaos, he nipped into the area down the left hand side, his shot was blocked for a corner, when the slightly better option might have been to find Jordan Stevens in the six yard box.

The resulting corner saw Dylan Morgan have a shot blocked, everyone was in on the act.

At the other end, Archer made progress down the left and fired a shot at goal, Joe Day was well placed, but it was nodded behind by Worthington nonetheless.

Jay Foulston was being treated for a knock, with only six minutes left.

Torquay continued to have  possession in key areas, but set pieces and final balls weren’t causing the Glovers any trouble.

Yeovil were happy to see the game out by this point, winning possession at regular intervals and marshalling the game, 

In a final change, Sonny Blu Lo Everton came on to give Charlie Cooper the chance to put his feet up.

The referee decided SEVEN additional minutes were required, Jake Wannell and Lo Everton were still happy to show their quick feet in the middle of the park, the Glovers were enjoying themselves.

It was some lovely simple passing from the Glovers to finish the game off, the ball moving far more than any Torquay player, both sets of players happy to wait for the ref to blow his whistle, 

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Torquay United 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Friday 29th March, 3:00pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Amazing considering the weather
Conditions: Beautiful Sunny Day with showers.

Attendance: 6,462

Scorers: Clarke 39 (1-0), Young 57 (2-0), Clarke 62 (3-0),

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 1,

Torquay Uniteds: Jude-Williams 4, A Booth 26, A Hall 68, J Davies 74.

Referee: Matthew Norton

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Dylan Morgan (for Young 78), Sonny Blu Lo Everton (for Cooper 89), Sam Pearson, Rhys Murphy, Olly Thomas (for Clarke 65)

Torquay United: M.Halstead, A Jude-Boyd (for Tomlinson 76), T Lapslie (for Ofori-Acheampong), A Booth, A Hall (C), B Ash, B McGavin, W Jenkins-Davies, D Moxey, J Stobbs (for Collins 79), E Archer.
Substitutes (not used): , R Lovett,

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

A first half Frank Nouble goal was enough to get Yeovil Town back to winning ways with a hard-fought win at Braintree Town.

The striker flicked in a near post header to give the visitors a 14th minute lead at a side which had not lost in National League South action since New Year’s Day.

The three points maintain a seven-point advantage at the top of the league after Taunton Town capitulated to defeat to second-placed Chelmsford City.

First half

The kick-off was delayed by the notable absence of Braintree keeper Jack Sims, who disappeared pre-kick-off, only appearing at 3.05pm. <Add reference to non-League here>

The opening 15 minutes were lacking in goalmouth action with Jahmari Clarke having a half chance and a couple of balls in to the Yeovil box, but the first meaningful attempt led to the opening goal. A flicked header from Frank NOUBLE directed the ball past Sims after 14 minutes.

But, at the other end, Shaq Coulthirst spurned a glorious opportunity when he put a point blank header from a Lewis Miccio straight in to the hands of Joe Day with 16 minutes gone.

It took another 20 minutes before there was any meaningful action and that consisted of a ball in to the box by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and a blocked shot from Charlie Cooper.

At the other end, the clearest cut opportunity fell to Miccio lifted an effort over the bar after Freddie Sears had looked dangerous inside the box.

Half time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 1


Second half

A cagey start to the second half produced about the same amount of action as the first. On 52 minutes, Aaron Blair took advantage of a loose bit of play by Matt Worthington but lifted his shot over the bar. 

Substitute Jayden Davis fizzed a shot just over the bar  after 57 minutes. 

Olly Thomas replaced Jahmari Clarke with an hour gone and in his first involvement he ran on to a ball forward after a powerful run from the effervescent Nouble.

From then on, there was pressure from the home side but without forcing a meaningful stop out of Day.

On 84 minutes it looked like Yeovil were about to go 2-0 up when a beautiful cross from the left Dylan Morgan found Jordan Young in the middle of the box, seemingly certain to head home. To his credit, Sims pulled off a stunning save to turn the ball over the bar.

Aside from a flurry of bookings for the visitors, there was little to talk about from the final stages of the game, except to say we saw it out.

The final whistle felt massive and even the fact Taunton threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 at home to second-placed Chelmsford could not extinguish the fire which will undoubtedly be sparked back in to this Yeovil side.

It was not pretty, but it was a massive three points. Do not underestimate how massive it was.

Full time: Braintree Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: The Rare Breed Meats Company Stadium
Date: Saturday 23rd March

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Bit bobbly, but not the mud bath we had feared.
Conditions: Mostly dry but blustery.

Attendance: 1,985

Scorers: Frank Nouble 14 (1-0).

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Dylan Morgan 80, Jake Wannell 82, Matt Worthington 86.

Braintree Town: Alfie Payne 20, Baris Altinthorp 80.

Referee: Adrian George

Yeovil Town (5-2-1-2)

Substitutes: Olly Thomas (for Jahmari Clarke, 61), Dylan Morgan (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 70), Sam Pearson (for Jordan Young, 87), Josh  Owers (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Braintree Town: Jack Sims, Lewis Miccio, Baris Altintop, Joe Grimwood, Ben Tompkins (for Charlie Wakefield, 76), Tom Blackwell, Alfie Payne (for Reggie Lambe, 70), Aaron Blair, Shaq Coulthirst (for Jayden Davis, 46), Freddie Sears, Dominic Odusanya.
Substitutes (not used): Leon Davies (not used).

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

A balanced game saw both Slough and Yeovil share the points on a dark and grey Saturday afternoon.

A fairly even first half, with no real chances for either side. Yeovil looked solid, if unspectacular, and the same could be said for Slough, who defended vigilantly.

The second half had a few real chances, but neither side could find a breakthrough as Yeovil ended their two game losing run.

First half

With big games on the horizon, and perhaps looking to spark a response from his side, Mark Cooper shuffled the pack with four changes to the lineup. Brooklyn Genesini, Jay Foulston, Jordan Stevens and Frank Nouble come into the starting XI, with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Jordan Young and Sam Pearson dropping to the bench, and Olly Thomas missing out entirely.

The first chance of the game came for Yeovil just a couple of minutes into the game, as Stevens knocked a ball forward in the middle of the park, with Alex Fisher finding himself on the edge of the box, his audacious lob just bouncing wide of the post.

Shortly after, Slough got them in and around the Yeovil box, before Nathan Minhas found his way into the official’s book after just four minutes for a heavy challenge on Jordan Stevens.

Ten minutes in, and Yeovil had their next chance, as Jake Wannell played a great ball downfield under pressure from the Slough attack. He found Frank Nouble, who dominated Temi Eweka physically before some fancy footwork got him out of further trouble. He found Jordan Stevens in space who attempted a shot from distance, winning Yeovil a corner, resulting in a Williams header that landed comfortably in the hands of Dan Lincoln.

Both sides continued to feel each other out, with both defences doing a good job of snuffing out any chances at goal. The first corner of the game came on the 20 minute mark, with Nouble clearing initially before a good cross from Matt Lench forced an important defensive header for another corner.

There were calls for a penalty just a minute later, as a ball forward clipped Charlie Cooper’s shoulder, but his arms were down and the referee promptly gave the visitors a free kick for a foul on the aforementioned.

Charlie Cooper battling in midfield.
Charlie Cooper battling in midfield.

A cagey few minutes followed, and it wasn’t until the 27th minute where we saw the first proper Yeovil chance, a backheel from Jordan Stevens feeding Alex Whittle on the wing, his cross being blocked by player-manager Scott Davies and cleared for a throw. Yeovil began to stamp their authority on the game, as a ball forward for Alex Fisher allowed him into the box, his shot being blocked for a corner.

Yeovil found themselves on the attack once again, as Nouble started a counter-attack following a successful press in midfield, his ball failing to find Fisher, before Stevens picked up the loose ball and tried to find Fisher once again – unfortunately he was off balance and the ball petered out for a goal kick.

David Ogbonna showed off his frightening pace against Alex Whittle, forcing a free kick just a few yards outside the box, Matt Lench only able to find the head of Morgan Williams, before the follow-up shot was blocked by Cooper’s chest. Slough continued to apply pressure on the Yeovil defence, but to no avail.

A counter-attack from Slough was swiftly cut out by the debutant Genesini, the ball then falling to Matt Worthington who had a shot from distance, however he could only find the hands of Dan Lincoln, following a deflection.

A wonderful flick-on from Alex Fisher fed through Matt Worthington in the 41st minute, he was brought to ground inside the box by a Slough defender but the referee wanted none of it. Yeovil continued to press, earning a corner shortly afterwards; it was a dangerous ball from Charlie Cooper but it was well cleared by Bayliss. The resulting throw-in had bodies scrambling, the bouncy artificial surface causing issues for both teams, before Jay Foulston found himself with the ball, his shot bouncing wide.

A weak foul from Genesini resulted in a free-kick for Slough just before half-time, but Slough couldn’t capitalise, leading to a Yeovil Town counter. Jordan Stevens charged downfield, but a heavy touch meant the ball trickled out of play, and the half-time whistle brought an end to the first half.

 

Half time: Slough Town 0 Yeovil Town 0


Second half

There were no changes at half time as things got underway, with the first meaningful action coming a few minutes in. A free kick to Yeovil by the edge of the pitch on the line of the 18 yard box was whipped in by Charlie Cooper, but Scott Davies got to it first and put it out for a corner.

Slough’s first chance of the half came in the 52nd minute, as Scott Davies stood over a free kick from about 25 yards, however it cannoned over the bar and out of the stadium. Not one for the highlight reel Scott…

Yeovil followed up with their first proper chance of the half, as Worthington took a ball into midfield, layed it off for Genesini. He danced past his man and found Stevens in a gap between the midfield and defence, he then surged forward before arrowing a shot just over the bar.

A sequence of free-kicks followed for Slough, with a great ball from Gabe George finding the head of Temi Eweka, but his header was tame and landed straight in the hands of Joe Day.

Minute 59 ticked over, and the first substitution of the game was made by Yeovil, with Jahmari Clarke replacing Jordan Stevens, who had a good showing when he did get himself on the ball.

Slough earned their second yellow of the game when Jeanmal Prosper made a cynical foul on Charlie Cooper on the 61st minute. Yeovil continued to demonstrate their impressive ball-playing abilities, drawing the press from Slough and making their way into the opposition half, before Alex Whittle went down requiring treatment. He was helped off the field, and was replaced by Jordan Young in the 65th minute.

Clarke’s first involvement in the game came just a couple of minutes later, as he beat the offside trap and his cross was blocked for a corner. From the resulting corner, Jordan Young found the head of Wannell, but his header was scuffed and it floated over the bar.

Slough’s first substitution came on the 70 minute mark, as David Ogbonna was replaced by Slavi Spasov. A couple of minutes later, Yeovil found themselves on the attack once again, a great bit of linkup between Worthington and Genesini creating space for Jahmari Clarke, who battled past two Slough players, his dangerous cross being cleared for a throw.

Shortly afterwards, Jake Wannell found himself in the book for stopping a counter-attack inside Slough’s half. Slough’s second substitution came on 74 minutes, as Nathan Minhas was replaced by Trae Cook-Appiah, as they looked to take something from the game. Another dangerous attack came for Yeovil when play got underway, in similar fashion to the previous, this time Nouble leading the charge.

Alex Fisher became the second player to be booked for Yeovil for remonstrating with the referee following an elbow to the head after the whistle had been blown for a free kick, it didn’t make any impact as he was substituted immediately afterwards for Sam Pearson.

Slough took the opportunity to grab a couple of chances on goal, including a cannon of a shot from Scott Davies forcing a good save from Joe Day. A bitty few minutes followed, with some offisde calls and sloppy long balls from both sides bringing us to the 83rd minute where Sam Pearson danced around a couple of Slough players, feeding it to Young but the attack died out.

Slough had the next chance a couple of minutes later, as a shot from Josh Jackman whizzed past the post.

The artificial turf caused some issues for both sides once again on the 89th minute, as a long kick forward from Joe Day bounced over the midfield, and the two banks of Yeovil attackers and Slough defenders. Sam Pearson nearly got on the end of it but Dan Lincoln beat him to it, not that it would’ve mattered as Temi Eweka was down nursing an injury anyways.

A probing long ball from Charlie Cooper forced a corner for Yeovil as the game entered extra time, but Yeovil couldn’t capitalise. Cooper then found himself in the book, assumedly for some not-so-nice words to the referee, before Slough made their final substitution, with Matt Lench being replaced by Christie Ward.

For all their huff and puff, neither side could find a breakthrough as the final whistle blew.

Full time: Slough Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Arbour Park
Date: Saturday 16th March

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Bouncy and plastic
Conditions: Mild, breezy at times

Attendance: 1,533 (469 away)

Scorers: None.

Bookings:
Yeovil Town:  Jake Wannell 72, Alex Fisher 77, Charlie Cooper 90+1
Slough Town: Nathan Minhas 4, Jeanmal Propser 61

Referee: Rob Ablitt

Yeovil Town (5-2-1-2)

 

Substitutes: Jahmari Clarke (for Jordan Stevens, 59), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (not used), Jordan Young (for Alex Whittle, 65), Sam Pearson (for Alex Fisher 77), Dylan Morgan (not used).

Slough Town: Dan Lincoln, Josh Jackman, Gabe George, Dan Bayliss, Jeanmal Prosper, Matt Lench, Nathan Minhas, Johnny Goddard, Scott Davies, Temi Eweka, David Ogbonna.
Substitutes: Joe Dandy, Christie Ward (for Matt Lench, 90+2), Leon Chambers-Parillon, Trae Cook-Appiah (for Nathan Minhas, 74), Slavi Spasov (for David Ogbonna, 70).

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

A second half horror show saw Yeovil Town fall to their second home defeat in succession (and this season) as Chippenham Town stunned Huish Park on Tuesday night.

The Glovers had bossed the first half and taken the lead when Alex Fisher headed home Olly Thomas’ cross with five minutes of the half remaining, but things began to unravel when visiting defender Aaron Amadi-Holloway levelled from a corner on 58 minutes.

After that, Yeovil did not offer a great deal going forwards and were punished as the visitors’ Matt McClure and Craig Fasanmade hit them with two goals in three minutes to snatch the three points for Chippenham, leading to boos from inside Huish Park at the final whistle.

The only saving grace was that second-placed Chelmsford City went down 2-0 away at Maidstone United, meaning the nine-point lead at the top of the National League South remains, but that was scant consolation for Yeovil.

First half

The opening exchanges saw Yeovil dominate possession, but the first chance of the game fell to the visitors. There were a couple of occasions where the ball was given away cheaply in midfield and Ed Williams laid it to Luke Spokes whose effort whistled just past the post.

The visitors’ bright start continued when a well-worked corner saw Williams have a shot well saved by the feet of Joe Day in Yeovil goal, before Jake Wannell cleared a follow-up effort off the line. From the clearance, Olly Thomas broke away down the left and fed the ball in to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and then Alex Fisher, but the striker was beaten by the offside flag.

As is often the case, the visitors came in with a game plan to play a defensive style and wait for Yeovil to make a mistake and, when the Glovers have, they have created chances. You could hear the frustration coming from the Huish Park stands, even though they were watching their side largely dominate the game despite having blue shirts around them all the time they did.

Despite losing the possession game, it was Chippenham who had the game’s next chance after 22 minutes. Tyreke Johnson’s ball in from the was in towards Tom Owen-Evans who could not get anything on it, but if he had Day would have been in trouble.

At at the other end, a ball in from the Yeovil left from Alex Whittle saw Fisher flash a header across the face of goal and, with 30 minutes gone, Lo-Everton drove forward and fired in an effort which forced a fine stop from Will Henry in the Chippenham goal. That led to a flurry of corners which lifted the home crowd – a little.

With 33 minutes, Charlie Cooper went down in the middle of the park and, after a lengthy period of treatment, he was forced off and replaced by Josh Owers.

Then, with five minutes of normal time remaining, Yeovil took the lead. Good pressure started by an excellent reverse pass by Jordan Young ended up at the feet of Thomas down the right and his superb cross found the head of Alex FISHER who rose like…..well, a fish, to put a superb header in to the net.

Having come through a tricky first half-an-hour, Yeovil began to find their rhythm and took their chance which their opponents did not. That’s football, folks.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Chippenham Town 0


Second half

The first meaningful of the effort came after 48 minutes when Young stole the ball off his former team and fed Pearson, the striker bore down on goal but tried to curl it in without much power behind it and the ball went behind for a corner goal.

Following that chance, Chippenham enjoyed a sustained spell of possession as they looked to find a breakthrough and it came on 58 minutes when they drew level. A corner from the left was met by a towering header from defender Aaron AMADI-HOLLOWAY at the back post.

Aaron Amadi-Holloway heads Chippenham level.

On 62 minutes, Thomas was replaced by Jordan Stevens and the substitute combined nicely with Young on the right side to set the former Chippenham man away to break in to the box and fire in an effort which Henry did well to parry away.

Morgan Williams pulled an effort from a Young corner wide soon after before Frank Nouble replaced Pearson with 72 minutes gone.

Everything which Yeovil were doing coming forwards seemed to be coming down the right side with Young in the thick of it. But, it was the first chance created by Chippenham that led to them taking the lead.

Soft defending from the home side substitute Matt McCLURE find space inside the box to fire an easy chance with 83 minutes gone. Too much space given by the Glovers’ defence and, even more concerningly, the body language which followed showed that goal had rocked the hosts.

Matt McClure celebrates his goal for Chippenham Town.

If you thought that was bad, it got worse three minutes later as the visitors took the lead. Craig FASANMADE was the latest player to find space inside the box and he hammered a close range effort past Day. Two quickfire goals and there are people leaving Huish Park.

The only positive we can find from tonight was that second-placed Chelmsford City fell to a 2-0 defeat at Maidstone United. That means the nine point advantage at the top of the table remains, but a poor, poor second half display from Yeovil.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Chippenham Town 3

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 12th March

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Soft in places, but held up well
Conditions: A cool night with a gentle breeze

Attendance: 2,838 (59 away supporters)

Scorers: Alex Fisher 42 (1-0), Aaron Amadi-Holloway 58 (1-1), Matt McClure 83 (1-2), Craig Fasanmade 86 (1-3).

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington 66, 
Chippenham Town: Luke Spokes 71, Tyreke Johnson 78, Matt McClure 90+6

Referee: Callum Fisk

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes: Josh Owers (for Charlie Cooper, 37), Jordan Stevens (for Olly Thomas, 62), Frank Nouble (for Sam Pearson, 72), Jay Foulston (not used), Dylan Morgan (not used).

Chippenham Town: Will Henry, Craig Fasanmade, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Luke Haines, Tyreke Johnson, Tom Owen-Evans (for Caine Bradbury, 90+5), Tom Mehew (for Jack Evans, 75), Luke Spokes, Dan Ellison, Ed Williams (for Matt McClure, 67), Will King.
Substitutes (not used): Alex Bray, Nathaniel Williams.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Yeovil Town’s unbeaten home record this season came to an end as Welling United completed the double over the National League South leaders at Huish Park this afternoon.

The moment that mattered came after 72 minutes when Charlie Cooper’s loose pass was seized upon by Anthony Grant who lashed an effort past Joe Day in front of a stunned Thatcher’s End.

In the first half, Yeovil lost influential full-back Michael Smith after just 16 minutes to what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Jay Foulston but from that point on it seemed to derail any rhythm – which continued for much of the match.

First half

The visitors struck the first blow by winning the toss and making Yeovil attack the Thatcher’s End in the first half, but it almost backfired after just two minutes. Jordan Young’s corner was met by the head of Morgan Williams but his effort went the wrong side of the crossbar.

Seven minutes later, another corner this time found the head of Frank Nouble who had acres of space, but his effort went wide. If those opening exchanges are anything to go by, set pieces could be a point to exploit the weaknesses of Welling. We’ll see.

There was an early change forced on Yeovil after just 16 minutes when Michael Smith went down holding a hamstring and, rather than risk the Northern Irishman who missed the goalless draw with Aveley on Monday night, he was replaced by Jay Foulston.

That meant a change of formation with Foulston making up a back three with Morgan Williams and Jake Wannell, whilst Sam Pearson moved in to a right wing-back position. Up front Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was in behind a front two of Nouble and Young.

Whilst the Glovers reorganised, Welling had their first chance on 18 minutes. It was one which came from nothing as Reece Grant fed Jason Adigun who took his chance early and scooped it over the crossbar. It looked like a decent opening with keeper Joe Day off his line.

But, after a couple of uncomfortable looking minutes, manager Mark Cooper had clearly seen enough of a back five. Foulston switched to right back with Pearson returning to a more forward position. Foulston is not a natural right back, but with Will Dawes, who stood in for Smith at Aveley, not among the substitutes, options were limited.

Welling definitely spotted the impact of losing Smith to their hosts and on 26 minutes Adigun found himself in a good position inside the box, but chose to lay it off to Reece Grant whose shot was well saved by Day. Yeovil were struggling to find their rhythm and their visitors are enjoying a lot of possession.

The tinkering continued with Nouble moving in to a more central position as Lo-Everton moved out to the left side and the striker had a shot straight down the throat of Reice Charles-Cook in the Welling goal just after the half-hour mark.

Yeovil’s best chance came on 40 minutes when a nice move from the right side saw Sam Pearson lay it off to Lo-Everton on the edge of the box and the midfielder tried to curl it rather than drill it and Charles-Cook did well to turn it around the post for a corner.

But that was about as good as it got for Yeovil. After a bright start, the injury to Smith has derailed a bright start from the hosts and given Welling an opportunity to grow back in to the game which, in fairness to them, they have done well.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Welling United 0


Second half

The first action of the second half saw Jake Wannell beaten by the pace of Reece Grant and his defensive team-mate Williams was left with little option other than to commit the foul. Yellow card from referee Craig Scriven. Having totalled 60 yellow cards and three reds in his first 11 matches, it’s fair to say the man in black is doing his best to keep his averages up in his 12th.

There were a couple of half chances for Yeovil, attacking the empty away end after the interval, with Charlie Cooper having one blocked before Charles-Cook got in fractionally ahead of Nouble soon after before Worthington fired one wide. It’s definitely not been a comfortable one for the Glovers.

Frank Nouble fires in a shot.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

On 58 minutes, Young got a pass through to Pearson who tried to cut inside and get a shot in rather than take it first time and it was blocked by the face of Riccardo Di Trolio. Ouch.

That familiar patient, controlled style of play was met by the usual cries of “forward” from the stands of Huish Park. Not a lot of options going forward though. On 63 minutes, Cooper tried to up the options with Jordan Stevens replacing Lo-Everton.

But it was Day who was the keeper in action on 66 minutes. A quick throw-in fell to visiting midfielder Anthony Papadopoulos and Day got down well to make a comfortable save before Reece Grant fired an effort from distance over the bar and in to the Thatcher’s End. More worrying than that shot, the Welling midfield ghosted past Cooper with apparent ease on their way to the chance.

It was a mistake by Cooper which gifted Welling the goal after 72 minutes. Just inside the 18 yard box, a sloppy pass from the midfielder gifted Anthony GRANT the opportunity to smash a  beautiful left-footed shot in to the top corner. We have got away with a lot of misplaced passes this afternoon and it finally caught up with us.

Mark Cooper’s response was to introduce on-loan Bristol City striker Olly Thomas in place of Jordan Young on 76 minutes. The teenager went straight down the middle flanked by Nouble and Pearson.

Olly Thomas shoots at goal.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Thomas almost made an instant impact when he drove powerfully towards goal and unleashed a shot which the referee adjudged got a touch from Charles-Cook. The resulting corner came to nothing.

Having got themselves in front, Welling showed every bit of gamesmanship to both slow the game down and frustrate their opponents and, in fairness to them, they did it perfectly.

As the game edged in to injury time, Pearson nodded the ball down to Thomas who got a clean strike but it was superbly blocked by Di Trolio and took a nick off Alex Whittle on its way out. No goal, no corner. Ugh.

Day even joined the efforts for a number of late balls in to the box, but not even his presence could force an equaliser and the unbeaten home run is over.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Welling United 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 9th March

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Looking good and holding up well
Conditions: Chilly and overcast

Attendance: 3,285 (90 away supporters)

Scorers: Anthony Grant 72 (0-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams 46, Olly Thomas 89
Welling United: Joe Ellul 38, Ricardo Di Trolio 45+1, Reece Grant 51, Anthony Grant 89, Sonny Fish 90+5, Crossley Lema 90+6

Referee: Craig Scriven

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes: Jay Foulston (for Michael Smith, 16), Jordan Stevens (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 63), Olly Thomas (for Jordan Young, 75), Josh Owers (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Welling United: Reice Charles-Cook, Cameron Green, Joe Elull, Anthony Grant, Reece Grant (for Sonny Fish, 87), Chiori Johnson (for Crossley Lema, 76) , Antony Papadopoulos, Riccardo Di Trolio, Jason Adigun, Gene Kennedy, Lachlan Bird. 
Substitutes (not used):  Osman Foyo, Jack Burchell, Luke Holness.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Yeovil picked up a point on the road this evening at Aveley as both sides battled it out to a 0-0 stalemate.

It was an even affair and a game with few chances, but 48 hours after the win at Farnborough, a point will do the job for the Glovers who are 12 points clear 

First half

With two games in the space of 48 hours, Mark Cooper made four changes to the starting line up, with Will Dawes, Jordan Young, Josh Owers and Dylan Morgan in from the start, and Michael Smith, Frank Nouble and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton dropping to the bench and Charlie Cooper missing out altogether.

It didn’t take long for the Glovers to test the Aveley back line. Young had an early chance after being put through by the toe of Jordan Stevens but couldn’t beat the keeper when he probably should have. Moments after, Alex Fisher stung the gloves of the keeper, earning Yeovil a corner.

The hosts had a decent opportunity after a cross in towards the back post with Manny Ogunrinde beating Stevens in the air but only heading straight at Joe Day.

Both sides exchanged possession without really creating anything clear cut. A great switch of play from Dawes set Stevens on his bike on the left wing but Alex Fisher couldn’t divert his cross into the back of the net.

The next chance fell to Aveley with Frankie Terry’s looping header giving Day something to stretch for.

Yeovil caused a bit of mayhem, inside the Aveley box with Morgan Williams throwing himself at a cross that the keeper was equal to.

Mark Cooper’s side enjoyed a spell of sustained pressure around the box without stretching the keeper.

Aveley were next to get a good attacking opportunity. Alex Fisher couldn’t make the ball stick and the hosts flew forward with an inviting ball by Kenny flashed across the face of Joe Day’s goal.

Half time: Aveley 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

At half time, Alex Fisher made way for Frank Nouble and not a massive amount happened other than a booking for Aveley’s Charlee Hughes after a clash with Will Dawes. Dawes was replaced soon after by Michael Smith. The final substitute for Yeovil came on the 69th minute with Josh Owers making way for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Genuinely, the only notable incidents in the second half so far have been the substitutions.

And with that, Aveley had a decent chance charged down by Jake Wannell. Frank Nouble dallied on the edge of the box and Carr couldn’t capitalise after pinching the ball.

The second have was in danger of petering out into nothingness, but Joe Day was alert as Aveley countered  from a loose pass and Carr struck low. Day got down sharply to save, filling his socks annoying 3G rubber crumbs in the process.

Morgan had a speculative effort from distance which was comfortably saved and there were some good attacking moments in wide areas without forcing a save from North.

Day was on the spot again to save from Carr in the 88th minute and was called into action in stoppage time with a fantastic tip over the bar.

There was a late yellow card for Dylan Morgan, but the game ended level.

 

Full time: Aveley 0 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Parkside
Date: Monday 4th March 2024

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Plastic
Conditions: Still

Attendance: 688

Scorers: No one.

Bookings:

Aveley: Hughes 53,
Yeovil Town: Josh Owers 39, Matt Worthington, 45, Morgan 90+3.

Referee: 

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Frank Nouble (for Alex Fisher, 46), Jay Foulston, Michael Smith, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Sam Pearson

Aveley: North, Ring, Vaz, Eze, Jones, Terry, Krasniqi, Carr, Aileru, Ogrunrinde, Hughes
Substitutes: Odelusi, Kyei, Brown, Gibbs, Coleman De-Graft

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Striker Alex Fisher scored his first goal since coming back from a horrific double leg break to lead Yeovil Town to a 3-1 win at Farnborough.

Having taken a 1-0 lead through a well taken goal from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Fisher was in the right place to turn home a second on the hour mark.

Olly Pendlebury pulled a goal back for the home side soon after before Alex Whittle wrapped up the points with his first goal for the club.

The three points meant the Glovers maintained their 11-point lead over second-placed Chelmsford who picked up a 2-0 home win over Aveley, who host Yeovil on Monday night. That game saw Aveley play the entire second half with nine men and Chelmsford finish with ten.

First half

The opening exchanges were dominated by the home side but the nearest they came to finding a breakthrough was a long-range effort by full-back Jordan Norville-Williams which comfortably went wide of Joe Day’s post.

As Yeovil began to find their rhythm, they started probing of the opposition defence with increasing effect and on 13 minutes the breakthrough came. Sam Pearson threaded a ball through to Sonny Blu LO EVERTON who coolly gave the visitors the lead.

On 20 minutes, the scorer almost became the provider for the Glovers’ second. A beautiful move down the left saw him pick out Matt Worthington in the middle but his effort was well blocked  by keeper Jack Turner.

Two minutes after the inevitable booking for Farnborough midfielder Aaron Kuhn, a burst in to the box by Frank Nouble, cutting in from the right side saw him brought down inside the area. No real appeals from the Yeovil players.

But the threat to Day’s goal was virtually zero. A cross flashed across the face of goal by Salim Saied before Reggie Lambe and then Olly Pendlebury flashed efforts over the bar.

Half time: Farnborough 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

It took quarter of an hour of the second half before the patient build up fashioned an opportunity for Yeovil. It was one brought about by good pressure from Nouble, who held up Edon Pruti enough to allow Pearson to nick the ball, break in to the box and get a shot away but his effort rose over the bar.

Then, on the hour mark, Yeovil doubled their advantage. It was Pearson who created the opening inside the box, playing it in to the six yard box where Alex FISHER was on hand to turn it home. A special moment for the striker, his first goal since returning from a horrific double leg break last April.

Alex Fisher celebrates his goal.

But two minutes later, Farnborough pulled a goal back through Olly PENDLEBURY for what appeared to be a hit through a crowd of players. From the other end of the pitch it was difficult to give it much more analysis than that, to be honest.

On 66 minutes, Fisher came within inches of doubling his tally but his header from Pearson’s right wing cross was superbly tipped over by Turner in the hosts’ goal.

Farnborough were buoyed by their goal and that save and Hisham Kasimu had an effort turned wide by a smart stop from Day.

Day was back in action with ten minutes to go. This time a nice move from the hosts broke to goalscorer Pendlebury who fired in a venomous strike which the keeper turned wide, perhaps with the assistance of his goal frame.

Jay Foulston replaced Fisher with nine minutes remaining and the back five with Alex Whittle and Michael Smith at wing backs, and four minutes later Whittle made it 3-1.

Stevens broke away down the right and cut it back in to the box to WHITTLE had to have two goes at before it got past Turner. 

Dawes immediately replaced Pearson after the goal and whilst there was a bit of Farnborough in the dying embers of the game, a shot wide by Pendlebury was as close as they came.

Full time: Farnborough 1 Yeovil Town 3

Match Details

Venue: Cherrywood Road
Date: Saturday 2nd March – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Amazingly playable albeit boggy in the goalmouths
Conditions: Glorious sunshine for the first time this month.

Attendance: 1880

Scorers: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 13 (1-0), Alex Fisher 60 (2-0), Olly Pendlebury 62 (2-1), Alex Whittle 85 (3-1).

Bookings:

Farnborough: Aaron Kuhl 30, Guy Hollis 77, Edon Pruti 90+3.
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 64.

Referee: Harry Jones

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Jordan Stevens (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 70), Jay Foulston (for Alex Fisher, 81), Will Dawes (for Sam Pearson, 88), Josh Owers (not used), Dylan Morgan (not used).

Farnborough: Jack Turner, Jack Ball, Jordan Norville-Williams, Guy Hollis, Edon Pruti, Reggie Young, Olly Pendlebury, Hisham Kasimu, Taylor Clark, Selim Saied, Aaron Kuhl.
Substitutes: Joe Haigh (for Selim Saied, 68), Harvey Bradbury (for Taylor Clark, 68), Miller Matthews-Lewis (for Hisham Kasimu, 78).

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

A second half goal from Charlie Ruff saw Yeovil Town fall to a defeat against a Chelmsford City side who climbed to second in the National League South table on Saturday.

The Essex outfit pulled ahead of Worthing who lost for the second time in as many matches going down 1-0 to an in-form Braintree Town. They’re still 12 points behind the table-topping Glovers, however.

Here’s how Dave saw it from the away end at the Melbourne Stadium.

First half

After some even opening exchanges, a superb ball from Matt Worthington after five minutes found Jordan Stevens on the right, his  ball found its way to Dylan Morgan whose shot was fumbled by the Chelmsford keeper, but Frank Nouble could not pick up the rebound.

But seven minutes later Yeovil were indebted to keeper Joe Day. Jay Foulston was caught napping by Jermaine Francis who unleashed a low shot which the keeper got down well to turn wide for a corner. From the resulting flag kick, George Alexander headed just over the bar.

On 25 minutes, Matt Worthington let fly from 20 yards out but Gray in the Chelmsford goal was equal to it to turn it over the bar.

Jake Wannell wins a header in the first half.

But chances were few and far between with Yeovil sticking to their principles of trying to play through their opponents, and Chelmsford only really threatening from set pieces.

A case in point being Winfeld’s header with half-time approaching, and then soon after Francis had a glorious opportunity after a quick break but he lashed his shot just past the far post on 44 minutes.

The better chances undoubtedly fell to the home side but goalless at the break.

Half time: Chelmsford City 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Aside from a booking for Morgan Williams and a couple of scrambles in the Yeovil goalmouth, the first real event of the first half saw Alex Fisher replace Dylan Morgan on 56 minutes. 

The change saw Fisher through the middle to challenge the aerial power of Winfield and Barbrook at the back and heralded an upturn in tempo from the visitors who went more direct.

A minute later, a nice move saw Nouble’s ball in headed just over the bar by Pearson. The flag was up (as it was an awful lot against us), but it was a nice move. 

Fisher was having an effect as an aerial threat to knock the ball up to. On 70 minutes, a great ball in from Nouble down the right broke to Will Dawes, on as a substitute for Stevens, and his effort was superbly clear by Finley Barbrook on the line.

But, with Yeovil having their best spell in the game, Chelmsford took the lead. A defensive mix up saw the ball break to Clarets’ top scorer Charlie RUFF and he fired home from inside a packed penalty area with 73 minutes gone.

Six minutes later, Yeovil thought they had levelled when Pearson’s ball in from the right was flicked on by the head of Dawes and Fisher got a final touch. But the linesman’s flag intervened – again.

Worthington dragged a shot wide soon after before on 82 minutes before Charlie Cooper was brought on to replace Michael Smith.

Yeovil pushed for an equaliser and in the final minute of normal time a ball in to the box from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was met by the head of Pearson at the far post, but there was no-one in the middle to convert it.

Two minutes in to stoppage time Day pulled off another outstanding save to deny Chelmsford substitute Ody Alfa.

A bad day at the office and a defeat but still 12 points clear at the top of the league. Could be worse, eh?

Full time: Chelmsford City 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Melbourne Stadium 
Date: Saturday 24th February – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Churned up in the goal mouths
Conditions: Chilly and intermittent showers

Attendance: 1,502

Scorers: Charlie Ruff 73 (0-1)

Bookings: 

Chelmsford City: Jermaine Francis 24, Finley Barbrook 35
Yeovil Town: Dylan Morgan 29, Morgan Williams 50, Matt Worthington 61, Jordan Stevens 64

Referee: Tom Ellsmore

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Alex Fisher (for Dylan Morgan, 56), Will Dawes (for Jordan Stevens, 67), Charlie Cooper (for Michael Smith, 83), Alex Whittle (not used), Josh Owers (not used).

Chelmsford City: Gray, Brookes, Winfield, Francis, Alexander, Barbrook, Ruff, Barnum-Bonn, Watts, Castiglone, Ochieng. Substitutes: Wordsworth (for Ruff, 90+3), Carruthers (for Francis, 86), Alfa (for Castiglione, 71), Hockey (not used), James (not used).

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

A second half Morgan Williams goal earned Yeovil Town a gritty win in the all-Somerset clash with Weston-super-Mare at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

The Glovers made a perfect start when Sam Pearson opened the scoring after 50 seconds but the visitors pulled level when Jacob Cane took advantage of a mix-up between Williams and Joe Day to lift the ball over the keeper with 23 minutes played.

It took until seven minutes from time for Williams to head home a corner to maintain a magnificent home record with yet another win.

Here’s how Ian saw it from his spot in the stands…..

First half

Yeovil Town were forced into changes and named just four players on the bench. Jay Foulston came in for Alex Whittle who missed out completely, Will Dawes came in for Dylan Morgan and Jordan Stevens started in place of Frank Nouble. 

It took less than a minute for the Glovers to open the scorning. Neat interplay between Young, Smith and Stevens saw the winger played through into space on the right hand side and his low delivery was flicked home by SAM PEARSON. 1-0

 

The familiar pattern of patient play emerged following the goal with Yeovil probing their opponents and in the 12th minute green shirts flooded forward and Matt Worthington drew a save from Max Harris after being played through. 

In a game Yeovil had total control of, a moment of misjudgment by Morgan Williams allowed JACOB CANE to get in behind the Glovers backline and loop the ball over Joe Day into the back of the net to equalise.

Three minutes later, Jordan Young came close to restoring Yeovil’s advantage after a cross from Will Dawes, but his left-footed effort was wide of the mark.

The equaliser seemed to spark a bit of life into Mark Cooper’s side as they upped the tempo around the Weston box. They had to keep their wits about them though, as a fierce left-footer from Rex Mannings flashed wide of Day’s post.

Yeovil regained control again, with patient play. But as Weston prevented Yeovil playing through the lines, the Huish Park crowd grew restless and the composure began to fade. A loose long pass from Williams allowed Weston to get forward, but the final ball was lacking.

A late set piece after a Jake Wannell foul got the hearts racing a bit, but the header from Humphries was high and wide.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Weston-super-Mare 1

Second half

Neither side many any changes at half time and Yeovil came out stronger of the two teams. It wasn’t until the 54th minute when a decent chance opened up. A good ball over the top found Sam Pearson who had to cut back onto his left foot. Pearson sliced his effort wide when he had support from Dawes to his left.

Another chance came soon after with a dangerous ball into the box that a falling Jordan Young couldn’t connect with inside the six yard box.

The gloves of Joe Day were called into action moments later from a stinging Dayle Grubb shot.

On the hour mark, Stevens drew another save from Harris with a low shot, but he had options square to him as well.

Young crept through inside the box and instead of shooting when the chance was there, he tried to round the keeper and couldn’t bundle in. Yeovil’s number 7 appealed for the penalty, but the referee waved them away.

In the 62nd minute, Mark Cooper introduced Frank Nouble for Jordan Stevens and in the 69th, Will Dawes made way for Dylan Morgan.

There was a nervy moment for Yeovil when Wannell conceded a free kick in a promising position for Weston. After what felt like an eternity, Grubb skied it into the away end.

Nouble got the supporters going with a ranger from distance with his left foot that had Harris panicking. He composed himself and parried away as Alex Fisher put on the pressure.

Yeovil regained their lead from another set piece special in the 83rd minute. MORGAN WILLIAMS rose above everyone to power a header past Harris in front for the Thatchers! 2-1

After the goal, Weston took control as they searched for a leveller. Yeovil were penned back and were defending for their lives at times.

The Glovers held on scored another valuable win!

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Weston-super-Mare 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 20th February – 7:45pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Held up in places and showing a little wear and tear in goal-mouth
Conditions: A cold, clear night under the lights

Attendance: 3,390 (208 away supporters)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 1, (1-0), Jacob Cane 23, (1-1), Morgan Williams 83, (2-1)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: None
Weston-super-Mare: Jacob Cane 

Referee:  Shelby Elson

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Dylan Morgan (for Will Dawes 69), Frank Nouble, (for Jordan Stevens, 62), Alex Fisher (for Jordan Young, 77), Josh Owers (not used).

Weston-super-Mare: Max Harris, Keiran Thomas, Jason Pope (for Jordan Bastin 64), Raphael Arayoe, Lloyd Humphries, James Dodd, Jacob Jagger Cane, Dayle Grubb, Robbie Willmott (Sam Avery, 90+3), Marlon Jackson, Rex Mannings (Bailey Kempster, 83). Substitutes (not used): Jamie Soule, Alex Fletcher.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Match Reports

Jake Wannell’s third goal in two games saw Yeovil Town maintain their unbeaten home form to edge out a Havant & Waterlooville side whose performance belied their lowly status on a miserable afternoon at Huish Park.

The only goal came on 32 minutes when a ball across the face of goal by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was turned home by the centre half to seal the three points in atrocious conditions.

There were glorious chances for strikers Frank Nouble, Sam Pearson and substitute Jordan Stevens to increase the advantage in the second half, but Havant keeper Ross Worner was in inspired form and his team-mates put in an impressive display to match Yeovil in the second half.

First half

Yeovil Town were unchanged from last weekend’s 4-2 win at Tonbridge Angels with Charlie Cooper still missing with an injury picked up in the last fixture at Huish Park, a 3-1 win over Slough Town.

Boss (and Cooper’s father), Mark Cooper, said he was hoping to save the midfielder for some important upcoming fixtures, not least the trip to third-placed Chelmsford City next weekend.

The flag remembering ex-Glovers’ captain Lee Collins was back on the Thatchers’ End ahead of kick-off.

Havant arrived with just one win to their name all season, but they had a glorious chance to open the scoring after just four minutes. A ball in to the box found former Glovers’ striker, Yeovil-born Ryan Seager, in space behind Jake Wannell and his misdirected header went to Callum Kealy whose own header had to be tipped on to the bar by Joe Day.

The visitors’ tactic was to press high and pressure the home side’s midfield, but when Yeovil got in control they created an opening with Michael Smith’s ball in from deep almost finding Sam Pearson, just past the striker’s left boot.

There was a blow for Yeovil as Alex Whittle was replaced by Jay Foulston after a fairly innocuous-looking incident. The full-back had also departed at half-time at Tonbridge the previous weekend when he was suffering with illness. We’ll have to wait to hear from Mark Cooper about the fitness of the full-back.

After 31 minutes, Pearson had a shot well blocked, before a great ball in to the box saw Nouble stretch for a header Nouble over to Michael Smith, he could not quite get enough on it and the ball came off the post. But seconds later the home side were ahead.

A good set-piece routine saw Yeovil play it short, a back heel from Pearson inside the box found Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and his ball across the goal-line was turned home from close range by Jake WANNELL.

On 39 minutes, there was a blow for the Glovers after Young picked up a booking, his tenth of the season, for delaying a restart. That means he will be missing for the trip to the Chelmsford in seven days and the visit to Farnborough Town the weekend after.

Overall, a good controlled performance, dominating in possession albeit not creating too much in the way of chances in tricky conditions, but ahead at the break.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Havant & Waterlooville 0

Second half

With five minutes of the second half played, patient play from Smith saw him put a ball in to the box which carried on the slippery surface and had Havant keeper Ross Worner scrambling. He seemed to punch the ball back in to the danger zone but, luckily for him, there was no Yeovil player there to capitalise.

There were a number of waves of attack from Yeovil, but, with the wind and rain behind them, Havant had not given up on this game and had a succession of corners without forcing Day in to notable action.

Then, just before the hour mark, the hosts broke away with Nouble thundering towards goal, clean through with only Worner to beat. But the big striker lifted his effort high, wide and not so handsome.

Three minutes later, Pearson robbed Ben Morgan and found himself one-on-one with Worner with the whole goal to aim at only for the keeper pulled off a fine stop, but it really should have been 2-0 to Yeovil. From the corner which followed from Young, Pearson was unable to prod the ball towards goal as Worner collided with his own player.

Jordan Stevens replaced Dylan Morgan after 65 minutes and lined up alongside Michael Smith down the right side.

Within five minutes of arriving, Stevens had a golden opportunity to double the advantage. Great hold-up play from Nouble fed the speedy midfielder who nicked it past his defender, but he was denied by a superb save from Worner. HOW IS THIS NOT 2-0?!

With 20 minutes remaining, Lo-Everton got dispossessed in a midfield where a lot of space was opening up there and James Roberts found himself with a great chance to put the visitors level. Thankfully his effort went just past the post.

On 77 minutes, Will Dawes replaced Pearson, and four minutes later Seager had a great opportunity to level, but could not find the target from a free-kick in from substitute Roarie Deacon.

This is a frenetic second half without either side really having the better of it. Yeovil have had two glorious opportunities to have put the game out of sight, but Havant did not give up the fight until the final whistle.

It perhaps was not the win that Glovers’ fans expected when they arrived at Huish Park, but a win is a win. The ten-point lead at the top of the National League is maintained. Just to be on the safe side, keep on minding that gap.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Havant & Waterlooville 0

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 17th February – 3pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Held up in places and showing a little wear and tear in goal-mouth
Conditions: Miserable. Got heavier and windier as the game proceeded.

Attendance: 3,801 (123 away supporters)

Scorers: Jake Wannell 32 (1-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 39, Frank Nouble 46, Joe Day 68
Havant & Waterlooville: Nathan Carlyle 52, Ross McNerney 83, Ben Morgan 90+1

Referee:  George Laflin

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

Substitutes: Jay Foulston (for Alex Whittle, 19), Jordan Stevens (for Dylan Morgan, 65), Will Dawes (for Sam Pearson, 77), Josh Owers (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Havant & Waterlooville: Ross Worner, Devante Stanley, Kai Innocent, Joe McNerney, Ben Morgan, Nathan Carlyle, Harry Jewitt-White (for Sion Spence, 82), Alfy Whittingham (for Roarie Deacon, 63), Callum Kealy (for Ethan Beckford, 58), Ryan Seager, James Roberts. Substitutes (not used): Brendan Willson, Jack Jebb.