Match Reports (Page 21)

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 8th November, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Wet and windy
Pitch: Slippery

Attendance: 1,906

Scorers: None

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Bevan 42, Reckord 64, Oluwaborie 90+4
Maidenhead United: Asare 45, Beckwith 67, Adams 90+3

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

Yeovil Town (4-3-3):

Substitutes: Andrew Oluwabori (for Ewan Clark, 60), Gime Toure (for Georgiou, 84), Chiori Johnson, Ollie Hulbert, Malachi Linton.

Maidenhead United: Gyollai, Ferdinand, Asare, Massey, Nathaniel-George (for Clifton 90+3), Acquah, Arthur (for Keetch, 54), Smith (for McCoulsky, 87), Beckwith, Adams, Clerima. Substitutes (not used): Odutayo, Andre.

Match Report.

Yeovil Town’s ninth draw of the National League season was enough to move them out of the National League relegation zone in Mark Cooper’s first home game in charge.

But, more tellingly, it was also the eighth time this season that the Glovers have drawn a blank in front of goal and a failure to do much to force the Maidenhead United goalkeeper in to action was plain for all to see.

There was an improvement – if you set the bar at the last time out against Aldershot Town in Chris Hargreaves’ final match – especially when debutant Andrew Oluwaborie came on after an hour, but it still was not enough.

 

First half

On loan Leyton Orient winger Anthony Georgiou was handed a debut and fellow wideman Andrew Oluwaborie, signed just hours before kick-off from Peterborough United, was named on the bench as the Glovers set up with a three-man forward line in a bid to improve their record as the National League’s lowest scorers.

However, there was no place in the squad for Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Sam Perry, Lawson D’Ath, Charlie Wakefield or Jake Scrimshaw. Signs of changes being rung by Mark Cooper?

The first meaningful chance saw Kane Ferdinand take advantage of a Max Hunt error to test Grant Smith with an effort from the edge of the box and moments later another effort skidded off the slippery surface to force the keeper to awkwardly turn it wide.

But chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes. Jamie Andrews, starting his second match since joining on loan from West Bromwich Albion, was a bright spark on a damp night, he kept his head up and seemed a creative force in midfield.

As the half came towards an end, Owen Bevan was lucky to escape with just a yellow after a two-footed tackle on Ferdinand – call that one an ‘orange’ card with referee Robert Massey-Ellis perhaps given him credit

The best chance of the game so far fell to Emile Acquah as the game crept in to injury time. The striker’s effort shot took a ricochet off someone and forced Smith in to a fine stop to turn it over the bar.

We look better than we did last time out against Aldershot Town, but that isn’t saying much. Not much to warm you on a miserable evening.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidenhead United 0

Second half

To say the second half started in similar fashion to the end of the first would be an understatement. Ferdinand brought a stop out of Smith on 57 minutes but that was probably about as ‘exciting’ as it got….and I use exciting in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Perhaps recognising the risk of hypothermia setting in for those in the Thatcher’s Stand, Yeovil manager Mark Cooper introduced Andrew Oluwabori in place of Ewan Clark, who had a bright first half but again took some heavy knocks.

The change brought the impact it was seeking with Oluwabori added attacking impetus and sparking fellow debutant Georgiou into bombing forward.

A couple of dangerous balls in to the box from Georgiou were turned aside first by Josh Staunton and then from Max Hunt, but neither forced Daniel Gyollai in to a stop.

The keeper was called in to action on 71 minutes when Oluwabori found Alex Fisher who flicked the ball towards goal but was denied by Gyollai. A shot on target, folks!

Max Hunt put a header wide four minutes later, but that was honestly about as near as we came to mustering a meaningful shot on target.

The statistics speak for themselves – two shots on target and two shots off target in 90 minutes of football.

We’re out of the bottom four at the expense of Scunthorpe United who take on Wrexham on Wednesday night, but beyond that positives are hard to come by.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Maidenhead United 0

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Venue: Kingfield
Tuesday 1st November, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions:
Pitch: Soggy after a pre-match downpour

Scorers:  Padraig Amond 84

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Jamie Andrews 30, Ben Richards-Everton 40, Ewan Clark 45, Jamie Reckord 61
Woking: Ricky Korboa 86, Rohan Ince 87

Referee: Lloyd Wood

Yeovil Town:

Substitutes: Gime Toure (for Chiori Johnson, 62), Will Dawes (for Malachi Linton, 62), Sam Perry (for Ewan Clark, 82). Will Buse (not used), Ollie Hulbert (not used).

Woking: Ross, Moss, Cuthbert, McNerney, Casey, Ince, Anderson, Kellerman, Korboa (for Vokins, 90), Clarke (for Roles, 69), Amond (for Bilongo 90+3). Substitutes (not used): Wady Roberts.

Match Report

Yeovil Town remain in the National League relegation zone after a late winner from Padraig Amond saw El Sarllico go the way of the former Glovers’ boss.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Irishman who was denied by the impressive Grant Smith in a one-on-one opportunity and moments later the keeper kept out a tame penalty, but with six minutes remaining the big money summer signing was on hand to tap home the winner.

Another blank in front goal means Mark Cooper’s men remain the lowest scorers in the National League with just 13 goals in 17 games and that was what cost us – again.

 

First half

The first 15 minutes did not offer much from either side finding out a pitch which was drenched by a downpour just ahead of kick-off, despite it being relatively dry in Surrey come 7.45pm.

Ricky Korboa forced the first save – albeit a fairly routine one – out of Grant Smith in the visitor’s goal after 14 minutes but, against a side on a good run of form, they managed to hold their own and rarely looked like they were being too threatened.

As the game approached the half-hour mark, there was a little sustained pressure from Yeovil, but did not do a great deal to threaten Craig Ross in the hosts’ goal.

Winger Ewan Clark did suffer some rough treatment winning a number of fouls which referee Lloyd Wood not picking up on any…..until debutant Jamie Andrews picked up a yellow for a 30th minute foul on the dangerous Korboa, who we struggled to contain.

Yeovil began to find their way in to the game as it progressed towards the interval, however, there was little in the way of quality from either side. Scrappy to put it politely.

It took a moment of superb defending from Max Hunt to clear from the middle of a sea of Woking players in first half injury time and then again rose highest to had another ball in. For a player who was completely out of favour under previous manager, Chris Hargreaves, he will have got plenty of confidence from that impressive piece of defensive play.

Half time: Woking 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The scrappiness continued as the second half got underway along with the lightweight feel to the Yeovil frontline alongside

But, with ten minutes of the second half gone, the game sprang in to life. Woking striker Padraig Amond found himself one-on-one with visiting keeper Smith, who got a leg out to deny the Cardinals’ big money summer signing. Once again, Smith showing the quality he has displayed all season.

The defensive slip was the first blip in an otherwise controlled display from the visitors, but on 59 minutes a clumsy tackle by Owen Bevan on Jermaine Anderson saw a second penalty in three days awarded against the Glovers. It looked as if Anderson was going to take it only for Amond to grab the ball off him and his poor spot kick was saved by Smith.

With FC Halifax Town, the second lowest scorers in the National League, postponed due to the poor weather, Mark Cooper chucked on Gime Toure and Will Dawes in place of Chiori Johnson and Malachi Linton in an attempt to improve his side’s woeful attacking performance this season.

The response saw the game turn in to a real end-to-end affair but without much to trouble either Smith or Ross in the opposing goals.

But, with six minutes remaining, the defensive solidity which had been a hallmark of the visitors’ performance deserted them and gifted Woking the lead. They hesitated as Jack Roles’ ball fizzed in to the box and AMOND was at the back post to turn the ball home. When your luck’s not in, it’s not in.

Smith, a player who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side if ever there was one, pulled off a smart stop to deny Jim Kellerman in second half injury time.

Don’t score goals, you don’t win football matches.

Full time: Woking 1 Yeovil Town 0

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Venue: Gallagher Stadium, Maidstone
Saturday 29th October, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Unseasonably hot for late October
Pitch: Fluffed plastic

Attendance: 2,147 (133 away supporters)

Scorers:  Alex Fisher 13 (0-1), Regan Booty 90+6 pen (1-1)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Clarke 45, Richards-Everton 60, Worthington 71
Maidstone: Odusanya 23, Barkers 37, Booty 41, Galvin 45, Greenidge 52,

Referee: Jacob Miles

Yeovil Town:

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams   Owen Bevan   Max Hunt   Ben Richards-Everton

Josh Staunton

Matt Worthington (Ollie Hulbert 72)    Sam Perry (Charlie Wakefield 63)

Ewan Clarke (Chiori Johnson 63)                                                           Malachi Linton

Alex Fisher

Substitutes (not used): Gime Toure, Will Dawes

Maidstone United: Sandford, Hoyte, Galvin, Barham, Mensah, Odusanya, Booty, Pattisson, Greenidge, Deacon, Barkers. Subs: Mersin, Ellul, Alabi, Fawole, Gurung

Match Report

A stoppage time penalty from Regan Booty prevented Yeovil Town from recording their first away win of the season at fellow relegation zone residents Maidstone United.

David Coates⁩ (almost inexplicably) travelled from Lancashire to Kent for the match, here’s how he saw the Glovers’ eighth draw of the season.

First half

New Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper watched his first game in charge from the stands in Kent, shielding his eyes as he looked out on the pitch – much like every travelling supporter risking a late October sunburn from behind the goal defended by hosts’ keeper Ryan Sandford.

An effort from Josh Staunton skied high, wide and not so handsome over the bar after just seven minutes was as close as the visitors got in the opening exchanges.

Maidstone were the first to carve out an opening when on nine minutes when a defence-splitting pass from Regan Booty picked out Christie Pattison whose cross evaded everyone.

Five minutes later, Yeovil were ahead. A beautifully struck ball forward from Owen Bevan was met by the head of Alex FISHER who beat his defender Jacob Mensah from the edge of the box to loop a ball over the out-of-position Sandford and give the Glovers the lead.

On 22 minutes, the ball was in the net from the visitors when Ewan Clark’s free-kick was flicked in to the net by Ben Richards-Everton following a scramble, but was adjudged to be offside. From behind the goal with the sun burning my corneas, it did not look offside but I’ll give the official the benefit of the doubt.

In the 40th minute, Yeovil should have doubled their advantage. A deft touch forward by Fisher played Matt Worthington on who didn’t either try to touch it round the susceptible Sandford or leather it and it ran harmlessly through to the keeper.

If there’s one thing the Mark Cooper era brought in that first half, it was more fight. Ethan Clark, quite possible the slightest player in the Yeovil line-up, gave a shove in the back of his marker and sent him flying over a chair on the sideline.  The foul he drew from his marker immediately afterwards told you that this may be exactly what he needed to do a against a Maidstone team low on confidence. [Okay, having seeing this on the highlights, the Maidstone player made more of it than it was, but I will wager the push in the back would not have happened four days earlier].

The first half finished 1-0 but should have been more.

Half time: Maidstone 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

A early Richards-Everton header saw Yeovil come close after, but it was Maidstone who came closer on 53 minutes. They were given time and space on the edge of the visitors’ box to work Booty in to a shooting position which was nothing more than routine for Grant Smith, but cue some alarm bells.

Two minutes later, Smith was called in to his first meaningful action of the day to turn Jack Barham’s header from a left-wing cross over the bar.

The home side certainly came out with more of a spring in their step, but they were met by a more resilient response from Yeovil. But, whilst managing to keep their opponents out, the tendency to sit deep which has cost us so many times this season still appears to be there. And, if Cooper’s wild gesticulating was anything to go by, the new manager saw it too.

As the home side grew in confidence, the scars of the season so far on Yeovil’s confidence began to show. Substitute Josh Fawole poked an effort wide and with ten minutes to go Ryan Galvin’s speculative header hit the bar.

With two minutes to go Gavin Hoyte was given a free header from a corner which he should have done better before Fawole was denied by a well-timed tackle from Owen Bevan.

To say the second half was attritional would have been an understatement, but just when you thought Cooper’s reign may begin with a win, the fourth official held up six minutes of injury time. My heart wavered at that, I admit.

And in the fifth minute of time added on, Yeovil paid the price for their defensive second half display when Roarie Deacon tumbled under a tackle from Ollie Hulbert. From the angle I was at it did look like some of Hulbert’s boot connected with Alabi’s but the attacker was on his way down long before the contact was made.

When home supporters outside the ground tell you that it was never a penalty you know your luck is out. BOOTY fire the spot kick expertly in to the corner and the spoils were settled.

Alex Fisher, Chiori Johnson and Max Hunt applaud the fans at Maidstone
? David Coates

Full time: Maidstone United 1 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Huish Park
Tuesday 25th October, 7:45pm kick-off

Conditions: Cool, clear night
Pitch: Looking good

Attendance: 2396 (219 away)

Scorers: Phillips (0-1 ’85), Willard (0-2 ’90+)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Reckord ’75, Dawes ‘ 79, Johnson ’89
Aldershot Town: Harfield ’79, Davies ’90

Referee: James Durkin

 

Yeovil Town : (4-3-3…maybe)

Grant Smith

   Owen Bevan – Josh Staunton – Ben Richards-Everton – Jamie Reckord

Callum Rowe (Will Dawes ’66) – Matt Worthington – Sam Perry

Ollie Hulbert – Alex Fisher(Gime Toure ’60) – Ewan Clark (Chiori Johnson ’73)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Malachi Linton

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town dropped into the National League relegation zone following a 2-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Aldershot Town, in a game where the Glovers passed 430 minutes without scoring a goal, two late goals from the visitors confined the green and whites to a second consecutive 2-0 defeat.

Ian Perkins was there, here’s how he saw it.

First half

With changes across the team, including a debut for Ewan Clarke, the Glovers lined up in a 4-3-3 – praise the Lord.

The opening ten was pretty cagey, with both sides exchanging spells of possession with no chances at goal.

In the 13th minute Grant Smith was called into action, diving to his left to put Tommy Willard’s goal-bound effort wide for a corner.

The Glovers had a half chance moments later with Clarke meeting Jamie Reckord’s deep looping cross with a tame header towards goal.

As the lone striker, Alex Fisher was doing a lot of running and in the 22nd minute he glanced a header wide of the post after a good cross from Reckord on the left.

Some neat play moment later opened some spaces for efforts that were closed down but it fell to Clarke who’s left footed effort was easy for Taylor Ashby-Hammond.

Former W*ymouth man Tyler Cordner’s eyes lit up as he galloped forward and with space to line up a strike he smashed the ball wide of Smith’s goal.

As half time approached discontent grew amongst supporters with boos for misplaced crosses and even when the players had audacity to retain possession – odd.

Aldershot’s movement was causing Chris Hargreaves’ side a few issues as they adjusted to the new shape, but a fairly dull affair saw the scores level at the break.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Aldershot 0

Second half

The first effort of the second half fell to Aldershot, as Amaluzor had his left footed shot deflected wide for a corner.

Attacking the Thatchers, which seemed to have gained a few idiots from the surrounding villages, Alex Fisher dragged an effort wide shortly after.

Aldershot had their best chance of the game in the 58th minute. After a mix up in defence, Frank Vincent snuck in to strike at goal but his shot went wide.

Chris Hargreaves changes personnel Midway through the half, replacing Fisher and Rowe with Gime Toure and Will Dawes.

Shortly after the former Stratford man’s arrival, a defensive clearance rebounded horribly off of Amaluzor just over the bar as Smith scrambled back towards goal.

Buoyed by his effort in the first half, Cordner had another go in the 70th minute that flew just wide of Smith’s left hand post.

Toure mazed his way through the box and went down appealing for a penalty, although the referee saw no contact and waved the appeals away.

Aldershot opened the scoring five minutes from time with Giles PHILLIPS heading home a corner. 0-1.

The Glovers couldn’t lift themselves after conceding and Tommy WILLARD piled on the misery in stoppage time. 0-2.

Chants of “We Want Hargreaves out” and “f*ck off back to BT” and boos at full time really piled the pressure on Chris Hargreaves as the GloverS fell into the bottom four.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Aldershot 2

 

At the full time whistle, there were some ugly scenes as the Glovers fans made their voices heard.

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Venue: Boundary Park
Saturday October 22nd, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and bright
Pitch: Held up well

Attendance: 6,483 (144 away supporters)

Scorers: Oscar Threlkeld 6 (0-1), Mike Fondop 71 (0-2)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Lawson D’Ath 74
Oldham Athletic: Nathan Sheron 49

Referee: Greg Rollason

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Morgan Williams   Owen Bevan  Ben Richards-Everton

Sam Pearson      Chiori Johnson (for Jake Scrimshaw, 82) Josh Staunton Lawson D’Ath   Jamie Reckord

Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 58) Gime Toure (for Ollie Hulbert, 46)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Sam Perry.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town slid to within a point of the National League relegation zone after going down with a whimper at Oldham Athletic.

Having gone behind to Oscar Threlkeld’s sixth minute deflected effort, the Glovers put in a performance lacking in effort, direction and ability for the opening 45 minutes.

Despite a second half which offered a little more in terms of attacking intent, there simply was not enough to see off an Oldham side who sealed the win with Mike Fondop’s goal after 71 minutes.

Here’s how a rather angry Dave saw it from the away end at Boundary Park…..

 

First half

After some tepid opening exchanges, it was a piece of defensive suicide which gifted Oldham a lead after just six minutes. A ball in from the left by Zaine Francis-Angol  you was ignored  by the entire defence, including an uncharacteristic mis-kick from Josh Staunton, and broke to Oscar THRELKELD whose effort was deflected past Grant Smith.

With the exception of an eighth minute foray forward where Malachi Linton had a shot which went well wide, the performance from the visitors in the 15 minutes which followed the goal was characterised by aimless balls, disinterested recipients and a team looking to someone else to make something happen.

The most frustrating thing was that this was against an Oldham side who offered very little themselves. An effort wide from John Rooney on 13 minutes, and a couple of crosses in to the box were all they offered in response.

It was not until the 40th minute that Smith was called in to action when Rooney found Ben Tollitt whose effort was turned aside by a smart stop by the keeper.

In 30 years of watching Yeovil Town – the Darren Way era of whimpering out of the Football League, even the two seasons we spent in a tier below this one in the 1990s – that was as bad a performance as I have seen from a side. Utterly devoid of effort and direction.

Half time: Oldham Athletic 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

Within two minutes of the restart, Yeovil achieved more than the first 45 minutes had offered. Ollie Hulbert, on as a substitute for Gime Toure, put a ball in from the left found Chiori Johnson on the far post but the ball was behind him and he was unable to get his header away.

There was more effort, an attempt at passing the ball, and guess what? It worked. A lukewarm spoon press against a block of butter, but more effort at least.

Alex Fisher replaced Linton after 57 minutes with Yeovil preparing  for a corner that met the head of Ben Richards-Everton who forced a save from Magnus Norman in the Oldham goal.

Moments later, Staunton’s interception set Johnson away down the right, but his effort avoided everyone in the box. For all the better forward play, there was little to threaten Norman’s goal.

On 65 minutes, a good ball forward by Lawson D’Ath found three Yeovil players queuing up despite Fisher and Pearson being in the vicinity, no-one could get a touch.

Two minutes later, Owen Bevan glanced a header just over from D’Ath’s corner.

But on 71 minutes, an Oldham side which had offered nothing all half doubled their advantage. From their own corner, Yeovil found themselves with just Morgan Williams against three attackers and it was Mike FONDOP who was there to turn it in from close range.

Six minutes from time, a ball from Pearson was met by a header from Fisher which force Norman in to a stop to turn it on to the post. That was the nearest to a goal we had got and it wasn’t near  enough.

Full time: Oldham Athletic 2 Yeovil Town 0

 

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Venue: Wordsworth Drive
Tuesday October 18th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but cold
Pitch: Narrow and slopey

Attendance: 2,347 (350 away supporters)

Scorers: Lloyd James (pen) 26

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Worthington 33
Taunton Town: Grimes 13, Z.Smith 48

Referee: Paul Johnson

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Max Hunt  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                                 Chiori Johnson                                                       Jamie Reckord

Sam Pearson       Callum Rowe (for Will Dawes, 70)      Matt Worthington

Gime Toure  (for Jake Scrimshaw, 78)   Alex Fisher (for Malachi Linton, 78)

Substitutes: Will Buse, Morgan Williams, Sam Perry, Ollie Hulbert.

Taunton Town: Bycroft, Foulston, Grimes, Ball, Chamberlain, James, Jarvis, McCootie (for Sims-Burgess, 83), Guest, Smith, Lucas. Substitutes: Budd, Warwick, Stearn, Staley, Morgan, Irish.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town’s FA Cup campaign came to an end

Thanks to Jake Farrant from the Green & White Supporters’ Club who allowed us to use his match report – you can read it on the club’s own page – here – with none of the Gloverscast trio in attendance.

Here’s how he saw it…..

First half

Yeovil had the better of the opening exchanges but they weren’t able to put Taunton under any sort of pressure and the game soon began to be a bit dull, much like the first game at Huish Park.

As Taunton began to have some play of their own they were awarded a penalty on 26 minutes when Chiori Johnson handled the ball in the box and Lloyd JAMES stepped up to fire the ball past Grant Smith.

On 30 minutes the home side almost made it 2-0 when Ollie Chamberlain broke through the Yeovil defence but he fired his effort wide.

Very little happened for the remainder of the half as Yeovil just didn’t look like getting an equaliser and they trailed at the break.

Half time:  Taunton Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Neither side made changes at half time and the game continued with Yeovil playing poorly.

Both teams struggled to create chances during the second half with Yeovil being limited to half chances.

As time ticked away it was inevitable that Yeovil were heading out of the cup and when the full time whistle went the fans were less than impressed.

Full time:  Taunton Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday October 15th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but blustery wind
Pitch: Heavily watered, but held up okay

Attendance: 3,093 (964 away supporters)

Scorers: None

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  None
Taunton Town: Lee Lucas 78, Zac Smith 80

Referee: Daniel Middleton

 

Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                                 Morgan Williams                                                          Chiori Johnson

Sam Pearson Sam Perry Matt Worthington

Charlie Wakefield (for Jake Scrimshaw, 79) Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 61)

Substitutes: Will Buse, Max Hunt, Callum Rowe, Ollie Haste, Will Dawes.

Taunton Town: Bycroft, Foulston, Grimes, Ball, Chamberlain, James, Jarvis, McCootie (for Guest, 87), Stearn (for Morgan, 66), Smith, Lucas (for Budd, 87). Substitutes: Warwick, Staley, Sims-Burgess, Staley. 

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town face an FA Cup replay at Somerset rivals Taunton Town on Tuesday night after being held to a stalemate at Huish Park.

The National League South side, who sit 17th in their division as the Glovers do one tier higher up the pyramid, dominated the opening 45 minutes but could not turn their dominance in to a goal.

In the second half, the Glovers at least created a couple of opportunities to test the visiting keeper with Matt Worthington and Charlie Wakefield both going close.

But, the final whistle was met by boos from the Yeovil Town supporters in the biggest crowd of the season at Huish Park and raucous celebrations from the visiting supporters who will welcome their Somerset rivals to Wordsworth Drive in 72 hours time.

First half

It was the visitors who started the stronger with Nat Jarvis heading a Lloyd James free-kick over after just five minutes, but on 16 minutes Taunton’s best chance fell to Ross Stearn. The midfielder was found five yards by  Jarvis’ nod down from an Ollie Chamberlain cross, but inexplicably his effort came off the post and away.

Grant Smith turns a shot over the bar. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The Peacocks’ bright start was exacerbated by a sluggish one from Yeovil as they grew in to the game a little with Sam Pearson’s ball almost finding Morgan Williams. Not quite though.

Chamberlain’s effort forced a stop out of Grant Smith on 27 minutes, turning the half-volley over the bar and a goal would have been nothing more than the National League South side, separated by 24 league places from the Glovers, deserved having dominated the first half to this point.

As so often has been the case this season, on loan Bristol City winger Sam Pearson was the catalyst for Yeovil’s best chance on 34 minutes when his cross was headed over by captain Josh Staunton, and four minutes later fellow loanee Sam Perry had a great opportunity having been found by a ball from Charlie Wakefield.

But, half chances were as good as it got for the home side whilst Taunton will have gone in the more frustrated to be goalless at the half-time interval.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Taunton Town 0

Second half

Yeovil came out for the second half stronger than the finished the first half and carved out their first meaningful chance when Williams beat his marker to get on to a pass from Matt Worthington to force visiting keeper Jack Bycroft in to action.

Sam Perry had a shot blocked on 52 minutes after impressive play by Pearson and two minutes later a speculative effort by Wakefield tried to catch Bycroft off his lead – speculatively, it is fair to say.

Chiori Johnson tussles for a ball. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In the middle of the park, there was more impetus from Worthington and just before the hour mark his strike took a deflection and went just wide.

Stearn had another good opportunity on 63 minutes which was palmed wide by Grant Smith who needed Williams to clear for a corner with Zac Smith closing in.

With the wind in their favour in the second half, the visitors had a string of corners which Yeovil had to defend before Wakefield, still looking to get off the mark having had a prolific Cup campaign last season, had a gilt-edged chance. On 67 minutes, Pearson found him within six yards but the frontman’s effort went tamely wide.

Taunton striker Jarvis had a great opportunity with 78 minutes on the clock, but a combination of Ben Richards-Everton and Smith were enough to deny him. Another good opportunity for the visitors.

Worthington headed over with seven minutes remaining and Williams put a tame header wide as the game crept in to injury time.

But, the game finished goalless, deservedly for the visitors who were more than good enough to deserve a replay at Wordsworth Drive on Tuesday night.

The result was a repeat of the last time the two sides met in a competitive fixture back in September 1996 – with a goalless draw at Huish Park followed by a 5-3 win in the county town in that second qualifying round tie.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 0 Taunton Town 0

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Venue: Huish Park
Saturday October 8th, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: A clear, sunny Somerset day
Pitch: Looking good, but cut up in places

Attendance: 2,244 (60 away supporters)

Scorers: Chiori Johnson 58 (1-0)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Sam Pearson 11, Matt Worthington 73.
Solihull Moors: None.

Referee: Alan Dale


Yeovil Town : (3-5-2)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton Ben Richards-Everton

                              Sam Pearson Matt Worthington Lawson D’Ath (for Morgan Williams, 53)  Sam Perry  Chiori Johnson

Charlie Wakefield    Malachi Linton (for Alex Fisher, 72)

Substitutes (not used): Max Hunt, Will Dawes, Jake Scrimshaw.


Solihull Moors: Moulden, Clarke, Coker, Maycock (for Reid, 78), Gudger, Howe, Sbarra (for Parsons, 90+2), Dallas, Osborne, Barnett, Kelly. Substitutes (not used): Kelleher, Vaughan, Whelan.

 

Match Report

Yeovil Town picked up their second win of the season in a 1-0 win over Solihull Moors at Huish Park this afternoon.

Chiori Johnson’s second half goal was enough for Chris Hargraves side who saw the game out comfortably to pick up three points.

The result lifts the Glovers out of the National League drop zone and up to 17th place.

Here’s how Ian saw it…..

First half

Yeovil were under pressure less than a minute in. Josh Staunton conceded a free-kick which, after a corner and throw in, resulted in an a good left handed save from Grant Smith as the Glovers struggled to clear their lines.

Chiori Johnson should have put Yeovil ahead in the 4th minute. The Glovers broke with Malachi Linton who returned the ball to Charlie Wakefield after his flick on and Wakefield’s cross was on a plate for Johnson who skied it over the bar.

The Glovers had momentum and a speculative strike from Linton was deflected wide of the Solihull goal as Louis Moulden scrambled to his left.

Joe Sbarra had his first sight of goal in the 10th minute, cutting inside and firing a low effort at goal that was pushed wide by Smith.

As the match calmed in middle of the first half, both sides dwelled for possession with Yeovil’s familiar pattern of patience followed by an impatient lump forward. Solihull had a decent effort from a free-kick just effort the half hour mark, although Smith watched Ben Coker’s shot glide past his post.

Yeovil had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 38th minute as Matt Worthington broke from a corner with three teammates in support against a lone Solihull defender. He shifted the ball to Wakefield on his left and as Wakefield cut inside to shoot he seemed to get his foot stuck in the turf and fell to the floor.

As the first half entered stoppage time, Linton picked the pocket of a Moors defender and looked to curl a shot into the far corner. His effort looped into the away end as the first half came to a close.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 0 Solihull Moors 0

Second half

Neither side came out of the traps particularly fast but Solihull nearly drew first blood in the 50th minute. A great ball in behind saw Josh Kelly go one on one with Smith. As Josh Staunton chased Kelly down, the striker put his shot over the bar.

Chris Hargreaves made his first change of the match shortly after with Morgan Williams coming on for Lawson D’Ath, moving Sam Pearson central and Williams to right midfield.

Chiori JOHNSON made up for his early miss in the 57th minute to give the Glovers a 1-0 lead. The left wing-back/midfielder was in the right place at the right time to tap home after Worthington’s shot from the edge if the box was parried into his path. 1-0.

Alex Fisher came on for Linton and almost had an immediate impact. His left footed strike was saved by Moulden but fell to the feet of Williams who had his shot charged down by two Solihull defenders.

As the clock ticked away Solihull seemingly took their foot off the gas, seemingly happy with zero points.

Fisher very nearly got the Glovers second in the 84th minute, meeting Ben Richards-Everton’s cross with a header that was well saved by Moulden.

Yeovil should have been out of sight two minutes from time, the Glovers broke at pace with Pearson who had Williams up with him. As the Bristol City loanee bore down on goal, he went for it himself rather than pass to Williams who was in the better position.

With six minutes added on, Solihull really didn’t chase the game as you’d expect and Chris Hargreaves side were in control as they picked up their second win of the season.

Full time:  Yeovil Town 1 Solihull Moors 0

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Venue: Meadowbank
Tuesday October 4th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry but a little chilly
Pitch: Plastic

Attendance: 1,525 (no away attendance given, but something like 150)

Scorers: Sam Pearson 3 (1-0), Jack Muitt 53 (1-1)

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town:  Chiori Johnson 29, Josh Staunton 87
Dorking Wanderers: Bobby-Joe Taylor 40

Referee: Matthew Russell


Yeovil Town : (3-4-3)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton   Max Hunt

                              Morgan Williams  Matt Worthington   Lawson D’Ath (Sam Perry 80)   Chiori Johnson (Alex Fisher 75)

Sam Pearson    Malachi Linton   Will Dawes (Charlie Wakefield 55)

Substitutes (not used): Oliver Haste, Jake Scrimshaw.

Dorking Wanderers: Lincoln, Fuller, Gallagher, B. Taylor, McManus (for Jebb, 75), J.Taylor, McShane, Muitt (for Mekki, 66), Bowerman, Ottaway, Seager (for Egan, 59). Substitutes (not used): El-Abd, Quick.

Match Report

This game, which Yeovil Town’s players and management has described as “must win”, ended in the seventh draw of the season as the Glovers slid in to the National League drop zone.

Having taken an early lead through Sam Pearson, the visitors reverted to type defending against a Dorking side more than happy to press their advantage and draw level early in the second half through Jimmy Muitt’s goal.

With Yeovil chairman and owner Scott Priestnall watching on from the stands at Meadowbank, the game concluded with angry chants directed at him at the final whistle.

Here’s how Dave saw another night filled with the F word…..

First half

Having dominated the opening exchanges, a ball forward found Sam PEARSON bursting through to hold off his marker and slam a powerful effort so far in to the corner it stuck there.

Far from looking like the side out of form against their in-form opponents, it was the visitors asking the questions.

But, after a muted speech start, Dorking began to work their way in to the game with some hectic defending from the Glovers to clear a barrage of balls in to the box.

On 18 minutes, Grant Smith was forced in to a point blank save from Grant Smith to deny Harry Ottaway followed by a scramble to clear

Even more worryingly, a slip on the artificial surface saw Smith go down for treatment. Cue a terrace discussion about why we won’t have a keeper on the bench.

Luckily the keeper stayed on and on 23 minutes he got down smartly to turn an effort from Ryan Seager. Yep, that Ryan Seager.

Possession was undoubtedly in favour of the home side (67% in favour of the hosts according to Statman Ben) with the early pressure applied by Chris Hargreaves’ side switching to playing on the break. I mean, when has sitting back ever failed us before, right?

However, for all their possession, it took until the 41st minute for Dorking to create a meaningful chance – and they did it twice in a matter of seconds.

First was a speculative high ball from the right side seemed like it was going out of play, only to come back off the bar and bounce away and eventually land to Seager whose effort was turned aside by Smith.

Two minutes later it was Smith to the rescue again, this time saving with his legs from a point blank effort header from Ottaway.

The half-time whistle was met by a sigh of relief from the away support who began a period of silent prayer that Smith would return after the break.

Half time:  Dorking Wanderers 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The artificial surface at Meadowbank certainly got some questioning looks from the Yeovil players in the first half and seven minutes after the restart it committed a heinous foul to deny a good break forward from Dawes, who stumbled and fell.

The second half started in a similar fashion to how the first half ended with the home sides on the front foot and the visitors on the back foot. The result was inevitable and on 53 minutes Dorking drew level.

More last ditch defending saw the ball pinball around inside the area and it was Jimmy MUITT who turned it home.

The instant response was to replace Dawes with Charlie Wakefield and the substitute almost immediately found Worthington who wasted his opportunity to test the keeper.

That seemed to spark a lacklustre Yeovil who started to venture forward a little more, but a couple of speculative Malachi Linton efforts were all we had to show for it.

Dorking seemed happy to sit back and let us enjoyed possession without any cutting edge.

It took until the 71st minute to force Dorking keeper Dan Lincoln in to a save. Wakefield’s cross was met by the head of Pearson who effort was turned over.

But that was it as far as meaningful chances for the visitors went as chairman and owner Scott Priestnall, watching from the stand at Meadowbank alongside club ‘volunteer’ Martyn Starnes, was the target of chants calling for him to go from a section of the away support.

The hosts, who were playing nine tiers lower than the Glovers less than a decade ago, continued to press for a winner with substitute Adam Mekki shot wide and Bobby Joe Taylor bent a free-kick just over the bar.

As the game crept towards the final whistle, a group of supporters approached the stand to voice their displeasure at Priestnall, who sat impassive before departing with a member of club security at the full-time whistle.

The response to the players was mixed with applause for some – not least Smith, without whom the hosts would have been out of sight by half-time – but angry words for others including some directed at manager, Chris Hargreaves.

Drawing a must win game is truly peak Yeovil.

Full time: Dorking Wanderers 1 Yeovil Town 1

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Venue: Root’s Hall
Saturday October 1st, 3pm kick-off

Conditions: Dry and bright
Pitch: Green

Attendance: 5,324 (81 away supporters)

Scorers: Jake Hyde 37 (0-1),

Bookings: 

Yeovil Town: Richards-Everton 77, D’Ath 88
Southend United: Andeng-Ndi 52, Powell 65

Sendings off:

Yeovil Town: Gime Toure 17

Referee: Sam Mulhall


Yeovil Town : (3-4-3)

Grant Smith

 Owen Bevan  Josh Staunton   Ben Richards-Everton

                                      Morgan Williams  Matt Worthington   Lawson D’Ath   Charlie Wakefield (for Jake Scrimshaw, 76)

Sam Pearson (for Finley Craske, 65)

Alex Fisher (for Malachi Linton, 59)   Gime Toure

Substitutes: Max Hunt, Will Dawes.

Match Report

It was yet another hard luck story for Yeovil Town as the wait due a second National League win of the season goes on.

Having been reduced to ten men after Gime Toure was sent off after 17 minutes for his part in an off-the-ball incident with Southend defender Kacper Lopata. This correspondent, like referee Sam Mulhall, did not see what it was given for but reports on social media suggest a kick out from the Frenchman. If so, that is inexcusable.

The real hard luck came when Josh Staunton had the ball in the net from a corner only for it to be given for a foul on Southend keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi, moments later play swung to the other end and Jake Hyde got what turned out to be the winner.

Here is Dave’s verdict from the away end…..

First half

 

The first surprise saw Charlie Wakefield slotting in at left wing-back in place of the injured Jamie Reckord.

The first chance fell to the star man playing down the….errr….left after just two minutes when a sweeping move made its way out to him and he curled a shot just wide of the post.

Chances were few and far between, but on 12 minutes Morgan Williams got away down the left and put a ball in which ended up at the feet of Sam Pearson whose effort hit as much air as it did ball and failed to test the hosts’ keeper.

Another effort saw a scramble in the hosts’ box which came to nothing before play broke to the other than end Cav Miley effort from the edge of the box was palmed aside by Grant Smith.

The most notable of the game so far came on 18 minutes after an off the ball incident led to a red card for Gime Toure. The incident seemed to pass everybody in ground, including referee Sam Mulhall by, but a tussle and a Southend defender Kacper Lopata saw the latter hit the deck. The assistant flagged and, after discussion with the referee, the man in black produced a red card.

A bit of Googling (thanks, Ben) suggests Mulhall was the same man who gave an early red to Wealdstone defender Lewis Kinsella for a boot up Malachi Linton’s backside. Suggestions on social media suggest Toure may have done the same to Lopata. Impossible to see from the angle of the away support.

Cue confusion in the away end and an intense period of pressure from the home side as Yeovil went deeper and deeper, welcoming the Shrimpers pressure on.

A lot of the threat came from Jack Bridge down the left but Ollie Kensdale and Marcus Dackers both called Grant Smith in to action as it seemed

On 32 minutes, Sam Pearson was set away on the left and fired a ball in to the near post where Alex Fisher could not make the contact and the ball went away for a corner. From the resulting corner by Lawson D’Ath, Josh Staunton rose highest in the box to head home, only for a foul to be given against Southend keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi. Against any other player on the pitch, that is never a foul but it’s the keeper.

There was a sense the dye may be cast there and two minutes later, a cross by Bridge was met by a close range header from Jake HYDE to open the scoring.

 

Half time:  Southend United 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The first chance of the half fell to Yeovil on 52 minutes when Andeng-Ndi brought down Fisher on the edge of the box after a self-inflicted foul due to some poor decision making.

As the half wore on, the home side saw a lot of possession without creating too many opportunities to force a save out of Smith with an effort out of the dangerous Bridge putting an effort over the bar after cutting in off the left flank either side of the hour.

Malachi Linton replaced Fisher up front for the visitors on 59 minutes and six minutes later Finley Craske replaced Sam Pearson, taking up a position in the middle of the park.

The two substitutes combined on 72 minutes when good pressure from Linton presenting Craske with a chance with the hosts’ keeper off his line, but his effort floated wide. Speculative but that’s all I have!

Dackers put an effort just over four minutes later but, for all the possession they enjoyed (and they did enjoy plenty of it), that was as near to a meaningful chance as the home side got.

The frustration of knowing that the standard of our opponents is not that far off our own even on a sub-par showing like this one was palpable to those in the away end in Essex.

Socks were worked off, no doubt bits were being chomped at but again it’s those decisive moments. One came just in to the first of six minutes of added time when Matt Worthington did superbly to break in from the left flank, picked out Craske with a great opportunity but his shot sailed high, wide and not so handsome.

Goal difference is all that separates us from the National League relegation zone and, after 11 matches, that is no hard luck story.

Full time: Southend United 1 Yeovil Town 0