Match Reports (Page 20)

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

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

Attendance: 2,880 (645 away supporters)

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

Bookings: 

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

Referee: Lewis Smith


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

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

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

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

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

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

 

Match Report

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

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

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

Here’s how it played out in Somerset……

 

First half

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

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

Morgan Williams. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Wrexham 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Wrexham 1

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

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

Attendance: 3,131 (141 away supporters)

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

Bookings: Grivosti 90+5
Sendings off: None

Referee: Scott Tallis


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

 Morgan Williams, Max Hunt, Ben Richards-Everton,

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

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

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

 

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

 

Match Report

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

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Half time:  Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time:  Scunthorpe United 2 Yeovil Town 1

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

Conditions: Cloudy but warm.
Pitch: Pristine.

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

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

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

Referee: Daniel Lamport


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

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

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

Tom Knowles (for Toby Stephens, 82)

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

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

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

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

 

Match Report

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

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

Here’s how Marcus Duncomb saw proceedings…..

First half

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

Tom Knowles.

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

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

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

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

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

 Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 0

Second half

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

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

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

Matt Worthington.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

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

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

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

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

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

Full time:  Yeovil Town 0 Plymouth Argyle 2

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

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

Attendance: 926

Scorers: Tom Knowles 20, Matt Jay 34

Referee: Gary Parsons


Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

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

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

Tom Knowles (for Pierre Fonkeu, 56)

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

Substitutes (not used): Max Evans

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

 

Match Report

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Exeter City 1

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time:  Yeovil Town 1 Exeter City 1

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

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

Attendance: 723

Scorers: None

Referee: Craig Scriven


Yeovil Town : (5-4-1)

Grant Smith (for Max Evans, 82)

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

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

Malachi Linton (for Trialist, 65)

Substitutes (not used):  Benjani Junior

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

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

 

Match Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Half time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

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

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

Pitch: In decent nick for the final game.

Attendance: 2,123 (184 away supporters)

Scorers: Tom Knowles 15 (1-0),

Bookings:

Yeovil: D’Ath 45, 
Altrincham: Hampson 70

Referee:  Peter Gibbons

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

Max Evans

Jordan Barnett, Morgan Williams, Jack Robinson, Mark Little

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

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton

Reuben Reid

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


Match Report

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

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

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

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

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

 

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Half time: Altrincham 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second Half

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

Full time: Altrincham 0 Yeovil Town 1

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

Conditions: Clear

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

Attendance: 1016 (351 away)

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

Bookings:

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

Referee: Scott Jackson

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

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

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

Josh Neufville, Rueben Reid (for Wakefield ’85)

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

Bath City:

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

Substitutes: Fuller, Sims-Burgess

SPC at Huish Park ? – Somerset FA

Championés, Championés, Olé, Olé, Olé!

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

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

Morgan Williams. ? Mike Kunz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Bath City 0

Tom Knowles scores goals ? Mike Kunz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Somerset Premier Cup Winners 2022 ? SomersetFA

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Bath City 0

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday, 7th April, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Lovely clear day.

Pitch: Looking good.

Attendance: 2,599

Scorers: Tyrone Marsh 11 (0-1), Dennon Lewis 27 (0-2), Jacob Mendy o.g. 59 (1-2), Luke Wilkinson 65 (2-2)

Bookings:

Yeovil: Gorman 36, D’Ath 53
Boreham Wood: Raymond 37, Evans 65

Referee: Ryan Atkin

 

Yeovil Town : (5-3-2)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams, Mark Little (for Reuben Reid, 83), Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt (for Ben Barclay, 90), Jack Robinson

Lawson D’Ath, Dale Gorman, Matt Worthington (for Jordan Barnett, 90)

Tom Knowles, Josh Neufville

Substitutes: Ben Barclay, Jordan Barnett, Alex Bradley, Reuben Reid, Adi Yussuf.

Boreham Wood: Ashmore, Evans, Stephens, Comley, Mendy Mendy, Smith, Mafuta, Raymond, Boden (for Clifton, 82), Marsh, Lewis. Substitutes: Ashby-Hammond, Smith, Joyce, Orsi.


Match Report

A second half free-kick from captain Luke Wilkinson earned Yeovil Town a point in their final National League home match of the season.

Having gone 2-0 down after a powder puff first half performance, Charlie Lee‘s men turned things around with an improved second half appearance.

A long throw from Tom Knowles was flicked in to his own net by Boreham Wood defender Jacob Mendy to pull one back after the hour mark before Wilkinson stepped up to lash home the equaliser five minutes later.

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

 

First half

Caretaker manager Charlie Lee went for a back three of Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt and Mark Little to match up to the opposition who arrived at Huish Park still in with a shout of a play-off place. Morgan Williams and Jack Robinson 

The opening exchanges favored the home side albeit their possession was never turned in to any real threat on the visitors’ goal and after 11 minutes Boreham Wood opened the scoring with their first attack.

Mark Little lost the ball to Jacob Mendy who drilled a ball across the face of goal and visitors’ top scorer Tyrone MARSH was on hand inside the six yard box to open the scoring with his 11th of the season.

Yet another goal conceded far too easily but, on 17 minutes, Yeovil were gifted a golden opportunity to half the deficit. Tom Knowles controlled the ball superbly inside the box and went down under contact from the Boreham Wood defender and, despite the forward getting back on his feet, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Dale Gorman. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Dale Gorman stepped up and his effort was saved by Nathan Ashmore. Put that down as ‘good height for the goalkeeper’ and from the follow-up the ball was put back in to the box by Knowles and Morgan Williams headed wide.

On 24 minutes, Wood had a penalty shout when Kane Smith’s shot was blocked by Wilkinson, the visitors were convinced it was handball, the referee was not. But three minutes later they doubled their advantage.

Dennon LEWIS won the ball 40 yards from goal and found himself one-on-one with Wilkinson and made no mistake with a composed finish.

A golden opportunity to level the scoreline spurned followed by another gift of a goal. Sigh. It just sums us up this season, doesn’t it?

It took until moments after the board went up to confirm the amount of added time before half-time for Yeovil to fashion a meaningful chain and no surprise it was Knowles whose shot was smartly stopped by Ashmore.

Play almost immediately swung to the other half as goal-scorer Lewis hassled Jack Robinson in to a mistake, burst forward but his shot was stopped by Grant Smith.

If this change of formation was an experiment by Charlie Lee, it failed.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boreham Wood 2

 

Second Half

If you were out late from the bar (is that a thing at Huish Park at half-time?) and did not arrive until around the hour mark, you’d not miss anything. Not a thing. But on 59 minutes, Yeovil got a goal back.
A long throw by Knowles landed on the head of Mendy who was challenging with Morgan Williams and looped in to the net. Williams grabbed the ball as if it was him, but that was an OWN GOAL from Mendy – albeit one from a long throw.
A bit of a spark? Josh Neufville wriggled away as far as the edge of the box and found himself crowded out by the Boreham Wood defence, passed to Knowles but his effort was easily stopped by Ashmore.
On 65 minutes, Knowles was causing problems again and fouled just outside the box by Will Evans, who was shown a yellow card for his ‘professional’ foul.
Luke Wilkinson celebrates his equaliser. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

From the resulting free-kick, Gorman and Wilkinson were over the ball. Not excited, right? Obviously Nathan Ashmore in the Boreham Wood goal had been listening to the podcast and underestimated WILKINSON whose effort sent the keeper the wrong way to net the equaliser.

You’re not reading this wrong, folks. That is a goal from a long throw and one from a free-kick – where’s that been all season?
Wherever it had been, it was enough to earn a point in this last action of the season at Huish Park – with the exception of next weekend’s Legends’ game, of course.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Boreham Wood 2

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Venue: Huish Park
Monday, 2nd April, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Overcast 

Pitch: Held up nicely

Attendance: 2210 (153 away)

Scorers: None

Bookings:

Yeovil: D’Ath 27, Worthington 45,
Wealdstone: Cooper 78,

Sending Off:
Wealdstone: Dyer 37.

Referee: Savvas Yianni

 

Yeovil Town : (4-4-2)

Grant Smith

Jack Robinson, Luke Wilkinson, Ben Barclay, Morgan Williams

Tom Knowles, Matt Worthington (Gorman 65), Lawson D’Ath, Sonny Blu-Lo Everton (Bradley 79)

Reuben Reid (Yussuf 55), Josh Neufville

Substitutes:  Alex Bradley, Jack Robinson, Dale Gorman, Reuben Reid, Max Hunt

Wealdstone: Howes, Cook, Okimo, Umerah (Charles 63), Sesay, Tavares, Dyer, Clayden (Browne 70), Henry, Mundle-Smith, Cooper

Substitutes: Charles, Browne, Hearin, Mascoll, Shrowder

Match Report

Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town played out a 0-0 draw with Wealdstone in the penultimate home game of the 2021/22 season, despite plenty of attacking intent against a Stones’ side who played nearly an hour with ten men, the Glovers could’t get through a staunch back line. Here’s how it went at Huish Park.

First half

In a half lacking goals, there wasn’t much lacking in terms of talking points.

The drama kicked off early with a concerning injury to Wealdstone’s Charlie Cooper, he looked to take a nasty bump and concern was high, but after a number of minutes of treatment, he returned with tissue stuffed up his nose and a new bloodless shirt.

He would actually be one of the livelier players for the visitors with a couple of early pot shots, but he was a key player in the Stones’ best chances when the clock hit 30 minutes.

However, the Glovers did have the ball in the back of the net shortly before, Adi Yussuf and Lawson D’ath combined to cause chaos in the Wealdstone’s defence, the ball hit the net, the music started blaring but there was a foul given on the travelling goalkeeper.

Back to that big chance, on 29 minutes a flurry of near misses, half chances and shots on goal resulted in not one, not two but three goal line clearances. Luke WIlkinson and Morgan Williams both throwing their body on the line in the name of a clean sheet.

The game would take on two more defining moments, Jack Cook hit the crossbar from a header, before Alex Dyer, the Monserrat midfielder was shown a straight red for a challenge on the Glovers’ Sonny Blu Lo Everton.

This changed the Glovers’ intensity; Lo-Everton drove forward for force shots in on goal, whilst the full backs began to venture forward more often.

Ben Barclay, who was returning to the starting line up, had a half chance from a Tom Knowles throw in, but despite six additional minutes being added on, the half-time whistle came in time for the visitors.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Wealdstone 0

Second Half

The second half began with plenty of attacking intent from the Glovers, but the number of clear cut chances didn’t match the amount of possession.
 
Charlie Lee made his first change with Reuben Reid replacing Adi Yussuf, with an desire to bring more control to the front line, but it was the visitors who actually went close shortly before the hour, David Sesay giving Grant Smith a chance to earn his corn.
 
Lawson D’Ath and Tom Knowles saw shots cleared, parried or sail high into the stand behind the goal as the hosts continue to huff and puff.
 
Dale Gorman was brought on to replace the booked Matty Worthington, and the Northern Irishman was straight into the action but his free kick was well saved.
 
The next chance to break the deadlock fell the way of Middlesbrough loanee Jack Robinson; with the ball pinging about in the box, the stand-in right back saw his shot squirm just wide.
 
The stats were all in favour of the Glovers, with plenty of shots flying in, Josh Neufville continued his exciting form with an effort which was blocked. Shots became corners, but rarely became clear chances.
 
Sam Howes in the visitor’s goal continued to keep the Glovers out, as the game became a glorified attack vs defence session.
 
As with all matches like this, there was always going to be an inevitable chance for the ten-man visitors and it came from Cooper, who had an eventful game with the injury and booking, he forced Smith in the Yeovil goal into a fantastic save with less than ten minutes on the clock.
 
With the clock winding down, Yeovil found frustration kicking in but there was still more opportunities coming the way of the home side.
 
Josh Neufville had a penalty shout turned down, Gorman saw another effort fly wide as the clock ticked beyond the 90 minute mark, Reid couldn’t convert late on either as the game ended up finishing a disappointing stale mate for the Glovers

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Wealdstone 0

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Venue: The Shay
Saturday, 30th April, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dull

Pitch: A rugby league pitch – rock hard, sandy and not conducive to good football.

Attendance: 1,947 (106 away supporters)

Scorers: Zach Dearnley 83

Bookings:

Yeovil: Wilkinson 53, Barnett 54, Knowles 80
Halifax: Debrah 60, Warren 61, Spence 90+3

Referee: Michael Barlow

 

Yeovil Town : (4-3-3)

Grant Smith

Mark Little (Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 85), Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt, Morgan Williams

Dale Gorman, Lawson D’Ath, Jordan Barnett

Tom Knowles (Ben Barclay 81), Reuben Reid (Adi Yussuf 75) , Josh Neufville

Substitutes: Jack Robinson, Alex Bradley

FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 3 Jack Senior, 5 Jesse Debrah, 8 Kieran Green (Martin Woods 75), 10 Matt Warburton, 11 Billy Waters, 17 Kian Spence, 20 Harvey Gilmour (Matty Stenson 64), 21 Tyrell Warren, 25 Jordan Slew (Zak Dearnley 78), 28 Pierce Bird

Substitutes: 2 Jay Benn, 19 Jamie Cooke

Match Report

A late winner from Zach Dearnley saw FC Halifax Town break a stubborn Yeovil Town side to earn the three points they needed to seal a National League play-off position.

The substitute found himself in the right place in a crowded penalty box to turn home a right wing ball from Tyrell Warren with seven minutes remaining.

Up until that point neither side appeared to have the quality to find a breakthrough with Josh Neufville coming closest when he smashed an effort off the crossbar in the closing stages of the first half.

Here is how Coatesie saw it from his position in the away end at The Shay…..


First half

The first meaningful opportunity fell to the hosts on six minutes and it was ex-Glover Matt Warburton who was at the heart of it breaking down the left before feeding in strike partner Billy Waters whose shot was cleared off the line by Morgan Williams.

Williams was a definite target on the left side of defence with both Warburton and Jordan Slee testing for weaknesses in the visitors’ defence.

With 24 minutes gone, Warburton and Waters combined again and it was only further last ditch defending that denied them.

At the other end, the tactic was to play long balls forward for Reuben Reid, Josh Neufville and Jordan Barnett to run on to. A couple of penalty appeals – one more half-hearted for Barnett followed by another stronger one for Reid – were the most we had to offer for it.

Until about three minutes before the break that was about the level of opportunities which came to either side. Then Jack Senior got away down the left and picked out Waters who (very fortunately) slipped at the vital moment.

Josh Neufville. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But the closest either side came to scoring fell to Neufville who found himself in space on the edge of the box and, with no obvious pads available, unleashed a thunderous effort which came back off the crossbar.

Certainly not a classic and goalless at the break.

Half time: FC Halifax Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second Half

Having warned Halifax supporters pre-match that they would probably be cursing Tom Knowles at some point in the game, the opening ten minutes cantered around the forward’s ‘injuries’ which certainly earned him his attention of the hosts.
For Halifax, the front three of Warburton, Waters and Slew continued to probe and there was some last ditch defending required. The most came on then house mark when Warburton and Waters combined for the latter to have a shot which was deflected by a heroic stop by Luke Wilkinson.
This certainly was not a vintage performance from either side with Halifax’s attractive passing having very little in the way of cutting edge, whilst Yeovil could not string any real passes together.
Going forward it relied on a moment of magic from either Neufville or Knowles. Neufville showed moments of his undoubted class but had very little in the way of support.

Another combination between Warburton and Waters saw the latter arrive at the back post to fire in to the side netting after 77 minutes.

Eventually The Shaymen found a breakthrough and unsurprisingly it came from the right side with Tyrrel Warren’s ball in turned home by substitute Zachary DEARNLEY with seven minutes of normal time remaining.
It was clearly a goal that meant more to the home side who needed three points to secure a play-off place. Manager Pete Wild punched the air in delight and The Shay awoke from the slumber it has been in for the previous 83 minutes.
For Yeovil, it seemed another match towards the end of the season with a further one to come in under 48 hours.

Full time: FC Halifax Town 1 Yeovil Town 0