Match Reports (Page 3)

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of the National League South table back to ten points with victory over Bath City at Huish Park.

The home side opened the scoring after Jordan Young finished off a great move involving Frank Nouble and Michael Smith in the only real action of a tepid first half, before Nouble took his tally to ten goals for the season when he tucked home a second in the 77th minute.

With second-placed Hampton & Richmond beaten at Braintree Town and Worthing going down to fellow play-off hopefuls Chelmsford City, the results went in the favour of the table-topping Glovers.

First half

Mark Cooper made one change from the Boxing Day win over Taunton Town with Rhys Murphy replacing Will Dawes, as he did in the early stages of that game. New signing Dylan Morgan was named among the substitutes for the Glovers having signed from Taunton during the week.

After a quiet first ten minutes, Yeovil opened the scoring with their first attack after 13 minutes. A great ball from Frank Nouble found Michael Smith out on the right of the penalty box and his beautifully-cushioned ball in to the danger area was met by Jordan YOUNG who slotted it past Slav Huk in the visitors goal. Knife. Butter.

Yeovil Town celebrate Jordan Young’s opener.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

But in all honesty that was about all there was in terms of goalmouth action for the opening half-an-hour. The nearest the visitors came to offering a threat on Joe Day’s goal was on 33 minutes when former Glovers’ loanee Ewan Clark ran at Alex Whittle and got a shot in from the edge of the block which was turned down the bar by Charlie Cooper.

Day was in action with four minutes of the first half remaining, Clark’s free-kick was met by the head of defender Jordan Dyer, who also had a spell on loan at Huish Park, which the keeper patted over the bar for a corner which came to nothing.

If you are a fan of watching the ball get passed without any purpose, this was the game for you. Neither side really offering a great threat going forwards. Control, I guess you could call it.

An advantage at the interval.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 1 Bath City 0

Second half

Bath came out for the second half with a bit of fizz but without really creating any real threat on Day’s goal and with six minutes of the half played visiting manager Jerry Gill decided he had seen enough and brought on striker Cody Cooke.

A coming together between Charlie Cooper and Tom Smith after 55 minutes saw a booking for both players from referee Elliott Swallow. From the resulting free-kick, a right wing cross from Joe Raynes found the head of Cooke and the ball hit his strike partner, Scott Wilson, in the face giving Alex Whittle the chance to clear.

That seemed to liven up the home side with a break forward involving Murphy, Courtney Senior before it broke to Cooper 25 yards out and his effort was fumbled around the box by Slav Huk with 58 minutes played.

Immediately after Yeovil made their first change with Jay Foulston replacing Courtney Senior whilst for Bath Clark was replaced by Oscar Thorn. Foulston went in to the left side of a back three with Smith and Whittle pushed in to wing-back positions.

On 66 minutes, Thorn came close when his hooked shot from Thomas’ left-wing cross past the post with the aid of a deflection off a Yeovil defender. The visitors are definitely asking the tougher questions.

Murphy had done a lot of running, a lot of it without the ball. Lo-Everton joined the three behind Nouble

On 71 minutes, tug on Scott Wilson by Jake Wannell gave Bath a free-kick on the edge of the box and Dan Hayfield fizzed one just past the post, rippling the side netting to the extent some in the away end thought it was in. It wasn’t.

But six minutes later, it was in…..in the other net as Yeovil doubled their advantage. A corner from Whittle was met by Wannell at the back post as Huk stayed on his line, the header landed at the feet of Frank NOUBLE inside the box and he could not miss from close range.

Frank Nouble celebrates putting Yeovil Town 2-0 ahead.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

New signing Dylan Morgan was immediately introduced with his new side two goals to the good. He replaced Jordan Young.

With two minutes of the six added on at the end of the game, Morgan found a position at an acute angle inside the box but his shot hit the outside of the side netting.

That table’s looking pretty, isn’t it?

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Bath City 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 6th January – 3:00pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Soft, but held up well considering the recent heavy rain
Conditions:  Dry and cool

Attendance: 5,032 (616 away supporters)

Scorers: Jordan Young 13 (1-0), Frank Nouble 77 (2-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 55, Dylan Morgan 87, Alex Whittle 90+5
Bath City: Scott Wilson 20, Luke Russe 25, Jordan Thomas 50, Tom Smith 55, Danny Greenslade 85

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

 

Substitutes: Jay Foulston (for Courtney Senior, 60), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Rhys Murphy, 68), Dylan Morgan (for Jordan Young, 78) Josh Owers (not used), Jake Hyde (not used).

Bath City: Slav Huk, Joe Rayne, Dan Greenslade, Jordan Dyer, Kieran Parselle, Ewan Clark (for Oscar Thorn, 60) , Dan Hayfield, Tom Smith, Jordan Thomas, Scott Wilson, Luke Russe (for Cody Cooke, 51).
Substitutes (not used): Jack Batten, Chris Lines, Elliott Frear.

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Yeovil Town took full advantage of the slip up by Hampton and Richmond earlier to go ten points clear at the top of the National League South, four goals, each from different players wrapped up the points in front of (another) National League South attendance record.

Here’s Gloverscast Ben’s match report.

First half

The Glovers started brightly and did find their way into the Taunton penalty area with just a couple of minutes on the clock, but it was Taunton who first had a proper opportunity to force a save out of Joe Day.

Ross Stern, stood over a free kick 25 yards out, but instead of shooting, he dinked the ball into the area where a couple of Taunton players, challenged for the ball in an offside position.

Will Dawes sought medical attention soon after, a few Glovers players asking the referee if he intended to do anything further regarding the situation, he wasn’t, Dawes was fine.

… that was until he wasn’t.

Despite coming back onto the pitch, Dawes was to be replaced by Rhys Murphy, that would move Jordan Young into a wider to bring Murphy along side Frank Nouble up front.

The opening ten minutes resembled a passing session between the two goalkeepers, neither side able to get their foot on the ball.

Once someone did, a chance was created, Rhys Murphy crashed his way into the box on the right hand side and fizzed a ball across for the waiting Courtney Senior, but it was scrambled away.

It seemed to wake the Glovers up, Alex Whittle and Senior were teaming up nicely, but the crosses weren’t finding their men.

Senior failed to bring one down with the goal gaping, Charlie Cooper had a shot from distance that somehow, via at least one, if not two deflections skipped just wide. 

At the other end, Stern and Nat Jarvis were attempting some of the game’s dark arts with former Peacock Jake Wannell their main target.

Dan Ball brought Jordan Young down with the Glovers man in full flow after picking up a loose ball, the set piece was being lined up by Charlie Cooper.

25 yards out, just to the left hand side of the area, it may have favoured the right footer, but Young pulled rank, but would sky the ball over the bar.

The Glovers would have their goal soon enough though, Morgan Williams picked out Jordan Young through the middle of the park, the winger skipped past one, sped past another and fed Michael Smith whose inch perfect cross ball was placed home from 12 yards by Frank NOUBLE. 

Frank Nouble fires Yeovil in front.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The Peacocks were on the ropes early, their restart went straight out of play and then a loose pass through the midfield nearly gave Nouble another chance to run at the defence.

Nouble and Young got their wires crossed on 18 minutes, good work from Courtney Senior coming to nothing as Nouble couldn’t slide Young through on goal.

Rhys Murphy forced a great save from the Taunton keeper, a sensational pass from Charlie Cooper set the front man on his way, the keeper to his credit stayed big and just got a big toe on the shot, to send it round the post.

20 minutes gone and the Glovers had the ball in comfortable possession, Matt Worthington sent a long ball forward to Nouble, he brought the ball down and found Michael SMITH who slide the ball home as smoothly as only with a man with his silky voice could. 2-0 Gorgeous.

Michael Smith celebrates his goal.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Frank Nouble picked the ball up on 25 minutes, ran the full length of the pitch with no-one in white able to get near him, his final touch was just a smidgen too heavy and a desperate defence could mop up.

Taunton were trying to find a way back into the game, with less than half an hour on the clock they were planning a change, but before they could make it, both Whittle and Young causing havoc down their respective wings.

Young was in full flow by this point, he drew a foul out of Zac Smith in the left wing back area, right by the corner flag.

Young whipped it in himself, some head tennis ensued and Taunton could make a break away, Stern forcing a throw in which would lead to a Glovers goal kick.

Stern – with short sleeves and gloves – claimed for a spot kick, but was waved away.

The change originally planned by Taunton was seemingly canned, the Glovers were looking for a third, Jordan Young was bundled off the ball in the area, but nothing doing there, Senior continued to snap at the heels of anyone in the Taunton defence, and there were chances beginning to flow.

Michael Smith was flying down the right hand side and he whipped a ball in to the six yard box where Rhys Murphy, who started the play off 50 yards further back, somehow missed the target. It looked easier to score.

Dan Ball didn’t like what he was seeing and told someone, and then proceeded to tell the referee his name. Yellow.

Murphy lashed another shot over the target, smashed at goal from distance, a frustrated swipe at the ball.

The first Glover in the book was Matt Worthington, the skipper adjudged to have fouled Joe Guest on 38 minutes.

Confidence was starting to flow, Senior travelled a long way quite quickly down the left hand side, he went sideways to Cooper who couldn’t find Worthington down the right hand side.

Five minutes left of normal time and once again Stern – he of the short sleeves and gloves (are you cold or not?) – was throwing himself to the ground, all it did was give the Glovers the possession again, possession which found its way to Jordan Young, who couldn’t quite squeeze either himself or a cross into the box. 

Senior did manager to get the ball onto his left foot on the edge of the area, but one touch too many saw the Peacocks snuff out the challenge.

Rhys Murphy was in something of a mood after squandering chances earlier in the half, some great work by Nouble and Young saw Murphy skip past the person closest to him, but his left footed shot was again, nestled into the Thatchers Stand.

Taunton would end the half with some sort of pressure, a free kick down the right hand side, taken by Lloyd James found its way back into the area and the Glovers would pounce on a Joe Day punch to counter.

Frank Nouble sending Murphy through again, but the Bagsman couldn’t quite convert as the fourth official announced four additional minutes to play.

Ollie Chamberlain was involved in some nice play with James for Taunton down the right, but his cross was slashed at by the Taunton Skipper, Nick Grimes… it wasn’t close to Joe Day’s goal.

Day got a replacement ball and launched it forward, Nouble sent a couple defenders for an early half time hot dog and found Jordan Young.

Young skipped past one and tricked his way past a second, but another high shot didn’t trouble the away keeper.

The Glovers were approaching double figures for proper chances, Rhys Murphy was too strong for Dan Ball after a long clearance, but the ball got stuck under his foot, with a run at the goal at his mercy.

2-0 to Yeovil, it could have been six.

Half time:  Yeovil Town 2 Taunton Town 0

Second half

Taunton made a switch at the break, Marcus Day was taken out of the affair with Cam Evans brought in.

The opening exhanges of the second half, were a little bit scrappy, both sides tried some longer balls to get their rhythm back, Courtney Senior was the first player to get the ball down and get attacking, he linked up with Alex Whittle, but his cross evaded everyone and it was cleared by the visitors.

Those two would team up again, as the Glovers took their time to force another attack, Smith and Young were equally well teamed together on the right.

He found himself in acres of space near the Taunton corner flag, but his first time cross wasn’t met by a Glover.

The action was all in the Taunton box, Courtney Senior couldn’t find half a yard of space after linking well with Rhys Murphy.

With ten minutes gone, a slip by Senior gave Zac Smith the chance to move the ball forward, Taunton progressed forward before Cooper broke up the attack, he was hauled down for the second time in the first period of the second half. 

Neither goalkeeper had done much in the way of anything arduous since the break, both sides making progress down the flanks, but nothing in the way of a final ball, or shot to cause much damage.

Taunton had clearly had something of a rocket at half time, they were trying to break up play as much as possible, Austen Booth did just that with a bursting run forward, only to foul Jake Wannell in the process.

Zac Smith pounced on a loose ball on the left hand side as the clock ticked passed an hour, but a heavy touch and a loud shout from the Glovers’ keeper meant Joe Day mopped up with minimal fuss.

The second half didn’t appear to have the same fizz to it as the first, Taunton had the most of the ball, a long shot was easily claimed by Day whilst Ross Stearn moaned some more at the ref who wasn’t falling for his antics.

Whilst the Taunton attackers were having a moan, their defenders were doing some attacking, Dan Ball fired a shot in, but a combination of Glovers’ defenders saw it wide; the corner was dealt with by Jake Wannell.

With just over 65 minutes on the clock, Joe Day took a clattering when claiming a high ball, as Taunton maintained a bit of possession in midfield, the hosts prepped a change.

Courtney Senior’s final action was to win a free kick down the left hand side, Sonny Blu Lo Everton coming on, a switch in tactics with Jordan Young going wide on the left.

As the Free Kick came in, it came to nothing, but it soon would.

The Goal Kick from Lavercombe saw a loveley through ball from Matt Worthington, Rhys MURPHY  kept his cool as he slotted past the on rushing keeper.

The chances kept coming, corners and crosses galore.

Sonny Blu LO EVERTON found himself a bit of space 25 yards out, not long after having a shot saved, his fired shot, low and hard, off the post and nestled into the back of the net. 4-0 and it was all happening too fast for this report to be written.

Taunton made a change again, Nick McCootie coming on for Ross Stearn, who had clearly spent too much time and effort flailing about.

Soon after Joe Day finally had something to do; give the referee his name… for time wasting, at 4-0 up… riiiiiight.

Jordan Young was replaced by Alex Fisher and the Glovers played their final cards from the bench.

 

Sonny Blu Lo Everton Makes it 4-0 Yeovil
Pic Gary Brown

 

It was about now, the stream dropped to black, Taunton got a goal back with just over ten minutes left, Austen Booth rising highest at a corner.

Zac Smith was booked (finally) and he had a shot on goal, which went wide.

Nick Grimes had a go too, but that went over, the Glovers were able to take their foot off the gas as the half wore down.

Taunton were reduced to 10 men, after the sub Nick McCootie saw yellow… twice, in quick succession. A reckless challenge followed by a confrontation and that was it, early bath.

Four additional minutes, if you’ve made it this far and were hoping for more significant updates, the stream never came back – Gloverscast Ben will send an angry email shortly after publishing this match report.

Game over. 4-1, could have been a cricket score. Top of the league by ten points. Merry Christmas!

Full time: Yeovil Town 4 Taunton Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 26th December – 3:00pm

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Cut up in places, but nothing serious
Conditions:  Dry and cool

Attendance: 6,301 (406 away supporters) 

Scorers: Frank Nouble (1-0 ’15), Michael Smith (2-0 ’20), Rhys Murphy (3-0 ’69), Sonny Blu Lo Everton (4-0 ’72), Austen Booth (4-1 ’78)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington ’38, Joe Day ’74, 
Taunton Town: Dan Ball ’36, Zac Smith ’81, Nick McCootie ’85

Red Cards
Yeovil Town: None
Taunton Town: Nick McCootie ’85 (Second Bookable Offence)

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

 

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Dawes ‘6), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (for Senior ’67), Alex Fisher (for Jordan Young ’75), Josh Owers (not used), Jake Hyde (not used). 

Taunton Town: Dan Lavercome (GK), Nick Grimes, Dan Ball, Austen Booth, Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd James, Nat Jarvis, Joe Guest, Ross Stearn (for Nick McCootie ’72), Zac Smith, Marcus Day (For Cam Evans ’46)
Substitutes (not used): Lloyd Irish (GK), Rabi Tabu, Callum Doman

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of National League South to eight points with a hard-fought win at Eastbourne Borough.

A controversial first half goal from Frank Nouble sealed the three points. After 36 minutes, Rhys Murphy nicked the ball off hosts’ Freddie Carter from a drop ball and fed his strike partner who fired the game’s only goal.

The second half was an exercise in energy conservation as the visitors probed but could not find their way through a resolute backline.

With Torquay United and Maidstone United both defeated, the win stretched the Glovers lead heading in to a double header with Somerset rivals Taunton Town.

Here is how Dave saw the game from a chilly away end on the South Coast…..

First half

Mark Cooper handed a debut to winger Courtney Senior, who signed on loan from National League Premier side Barnet on Friday night, with Charlie Cooper who dropped to the bench.

There was also a return among substitutes for left-back Alex Whittle, who had been missing through injury in recent weeks.

From the off it was clear this 3G pitch was going to take some getting used to. Not a drop of water had been put on it in a long time and it had zero bounce on it.

 

An early cross from the hosts’ Sam Beard fizzed a cross over the face of goal and the first sight of goal came from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton after good play from Frank Nouble after 13 minutes.

On 20 minutes, good work down the left side from Matt Worthington and Senior saw Worthy burst in to the box and almost pick out Rhys Murphy at the back post.

Frank Nouble celebrates his goal.
Picture courtesy of LR Photography.

It was a moment of opportunism from Murphy led to an opening goal for the visitors after 36 minutes. A drop ball from the referee saw the striker nip in ahead of Carter and burst forward, play it across to NOUBLE who coolly finished.

There were protests led by Eastbourne skipper Brad Barry to referee Jack Bloxham, but one feels he may have more to complain about to Carter for his bizarre failure to contest the drop ball.

There was another chance fell to Murphy after a great through ball from Young on 42 minutes, but Foulkes was equal to it to turn it wide.

A red card seemed to be flashed at the Eastbourne bench, perhaps to manager Mark Beard, as protests towards the referee continued after the half-time whistle had been blown.

Half time:  Eastbourne Borough 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

Within 30 seconds of the restart, the home side’s Callum Kealey broke away from the Yeovil defence but pulled his shot wide. 

That set the tone for the 20 minutes which followed as the home side who continued to probe at the backline. Substitute Decarrey Sherriff had a shot from inside the box blocked by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton makes a perfectly legal tackle…..
Picture courtesy of LR Photography.

There was very little to excite the away support in an end which did little (nothing?) to foster an atmosphere. The arrival of Will Dawes in place of Senior on 64 minutes. Senior showed what he can bring to the side with good pace and flashes of an ability to take of defenders and Cooper will have been pleased with his start.

A minute later Foulkes got in just ahead of Morgan Williams to claim a looping free-kick from Young, before a good combination between Kealey and Leone Gravata almost released Kealey.

Substitute Fletcher Holman almost made an instant impact after coming on 67 minutes, b

ut his shot flew over. On 74 minutes, the first meaningful chance of the second half fell to Young who curled his shot wide.

But, with games coming up on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, the Glovers showed a control to see out the game which, say it quietly, is the hallmark of a promotion side.

For now we’ll settle for an even more comfortable gap at the top of the division. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Full time: Eastbourne Borough 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Priory Lane
Date: Saturday 23rd December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: A rock solid slab of plastic 
Conditions:  Dry and cool

Attendance: 1,736

Scorers: Frank Nouble 36 (1-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Frank Nouble 38,
Eastbourne Borough: Jack Paxman 30, Sam Beard 45,

Referee: Jack Bloxham

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Courtney Senior, 64),Charlie Cooper (for Rhys Murphy, 77), Alex Whittle (not used), Josh Owers (not used), Alex Fisher (not used).

Eastbourne Borough: Harrison Foulkes, Scott Leslie (for Fletcher Holman, 67), Brad Barry, Jack Clarke (for Imran Uche, 82), Jack Paxman (for Decarrey Sheriff, 55), Freddie Carter, Louis Collins, Leone Gravata, Billy Vigar, Sam Beard, Callum Kealey.
Substitutes (not used): Dan Quick, Lucas Defise.

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Yeovil Town Women ensured consecutive 5-0 victories as they overcame Ilminster Town Reserves on Sunday. The affair once again saw five different scorers, including a debut goal for new signing Becky Miles, who impressed on her debut for the Glovers.

Paul Knight made two changes from Yeovil’s 5-0 victory over Bishops Lydeard Reserves, as Becky Miles and Holly Coles replaced Jess Hodge and Chloe Davenport.

Another fast start by Yeovil was rewarded with an opening goal in the second minute. Becky Miles immediately got in on the action, as her cross from the right was bundled in by an Ilminster defender for 1-0.

Soon after in the eighth minute Yeovil had two, as full back Abbie Vernon found Holly Coles, who scored her second in as many weeks and her seventh league goal of the season.

Despite having a number of chances, including an impressive lob attempt by Abbie Carslake, Yeovil went in at the break two goals to the good.

Yeovil started the second half in a similar vein to the first, as they made it three in the 46th minute. Miles saw her shot deflect into the path of Jess Hodge, who made no mistake in firing the ball home for 3-0.

The Glovers’ positive start to the half continued as the heavily involved debutant Becky Miles got in on the goals in the 51st minute. Following an effective press, Miles regained possession from the Ilminster defence and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 4-0.

Later in the 69th minute a ball from Miles found Zoe Ball, who clinically beat the keeper for her fourth of the season, continuing her goalscoring form from last week.

The match finished 5-0 and increased Yeovil’s league tally to twenty-seven points from nine games in the Somerset County Division 1.

The player of the match was again awarded to Becca McManus, who retains the award from last week after yet another determined and impressive midfield performance.

Yeovil Town Women manager Paul Knight said after the match: “Really good performance, it was quite difficult conditions today in terms of the pitch that we’ve played on. We laid out our stall and we played exactly how we asked in the changing room. The opposition dropped four first team players down for today from the league above, so we knew after we saw the team sheet that the game was going to be quite different. We changed our shape to cancel that out and I think the girls did that quite comfortably. Good result, it’s 9 or 10 on stats if we convert the opportunities which we must score.”

On new signing Becky Miles, Paul said: “She fitted in exceptionally well, she’s an exceptional player. Obviously it’s happened really quickly, we’ve had no time with her, it was a gamble, but it paid off really well.”

Sunday’s player of the match Becca McManus said: “A second player of the match in a row obviously gives me massive amounts of confidence, an early Christmas present for me, really really nice.”

Yeovil Town Women return to action on Sunday 7th January as they host Portishead Ladies Reserves in the Somerset County Division 1 14:00 KO.

 

 

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Yeovil Town played out a goalless draw with the National League’s in-form team Hampton and Richmond at Huish Park this afternoon.

The Glovers had their chances in the first half, but an even second half was well contested with Hampton showing exactly why they’re in the position they are. Yeovil remain 7 points clear at the top.

Here’s how Ian saw it from Huish Park..

First half

There were two changes for in the starting line up for Yeovil, with Jay Foulston immediately coming in at left back in place of Will Dawes and Frank Nouble replacing Sonny Cox.

Former Glover Jake Gray had a the first of the chances at Huish Park in the 5th minute. Space opened up nicely for Gray on the edge the Yeovil box and he drew a strong low save from Joe Day.

Minutes later, Rhys Murphy had a great chance to open the scoring. The poacher was in a familiar position inside the box and as he swivelled and fired a low shot at goal, Adam Desbois got down smartly to keep it out with a great save.

Rhys Murphy.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

After those two chances, the game entered a cagey phase, with Yeovil struggling to break the lines of Hampton and the visitors having some bright moments around Yeovil’s box.

Yeovil dominated the possession, albeit with no real threat. Jay Foulston and Michael Smith were starting to find space in wide areas, and it was Foulston who nearly put it on a plate for Murphy. Hampton cleared for a corner and Charlie Cooper very nearly put said corner straight in!

As dominant as Yeovil were with the ball, Hampton did find pockets of space as they beat the Yeovil press as Gray got himself into good crossing positions.

Most bits of good play from the Beavers came from Gray, and his left-footed shot in the 34th minute trickled just wide of Day’s right hand post.

Frank Nouble.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

A minute later, Frank Nouble should have put Yeovil ahead. A ball through in the inside left channel found its way to Nouble and the striker opened up his body to bend it into the far corner but put it wide of Desbois’ post.

Such was the spirit of the game, there was no stoppage time at the end of the first half and both sides seemed fairly content to go in at 0-0.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Hampton & Richmond 0

 

Second half

Like with the first half, Joe Day was the first of the keeper called into action, saving a fiercely struck left-footer from Ruaridh Donaldson.

Neither side were able to break the other down, and on the 62nd minute both side made changes. Alex Fisher came on for Rhys Murphy and Mason Bloomfield joined Ben Seymour up front for Hampton and Richmond.

 

Alex Fisher slides in.
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Fisher very nearly made his mark moments later. Matt Worthington, who was playing with a lot of freedom, curled a teasing ball across the six yard box with the outside of his boot and Fisher couldn’t have got closer to getting a toe on the ball.

Yeovil had another opportunity in the 72nd minute with Worthington latching on to a Nouble flick on. It was an awkward height for Yeovil’s skipper, who couldn’t get his shot on target as he was closed down by Desbois.

Bloomfield’s physicality was causing problems for Yeovil and Day had to be alert in the 77th minute to parrying a powerful shot out for a corner. Bloomfield was on the end of a cross moments later but couldn’t direct a header towards goal.

Seymour and Donaldson combined nicely as the clock ticked over 80 minutes, and Day was called into action making another good save from Donaldson.

Yeovil were crying out for a bit of pace, and Will Dawes replaced Frank Nouble in the 88th minute to provide that pace, although with not a lot of time to do much…

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Hampton & Richmond 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 16th December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Looking the part, but cutting up a bit
Conditions:  Mild and dry

Attendance: 3388 (86 away)

Scorers: None

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 49, Alex Fisher, 74, Jordan Young, 90
Hampton & Richmond: Ben Seymour, 71

Referee: Isaac Searle

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Frank Nouble, 88) , Alex Fisher (for Rhys Murphy, 62), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used), Josh Owers (not used), Duncan Idehen (not used).

Hampton & Richmond: Adam Desbois, Jordan Thomas, Ruaridh Donaldson, Luis Ferandez, Rob Hall (Mason Bloomfield, 62), Ben Seymour, Jake Gray, Sam Deadfield, George Hunt (for Shane Dunne, 86), Sam Dreyer, Dan Wishart. Substitutes (not used): Isaac Pitblado, Dom Revan, Joshua Anifowose.

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of National League South with a 2-2 draw at Dartford.

Or, alternatively, Yeovil Town missed the chance to go even further ahead at the top of National League South as they dropped two points at Dartford.

The laws of two things being able to be true at the same time came pass the Glovers took an early lead through a Rhys Murphy penalty, only to be pegged back soon after by the home side who added a good second after some sloppy defending.

It was left to Jordan Young to fire home an equaliser after good play from substitute Frank Nouble on 78 minutes, and the visitors left with a share of the points.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from the away end in Kent….

First half

Three minutes in and a ball over the top saw Rhys Murphy beat the offside trap but pulled his shot past the far post with just the keeper to beat. A big chance and one you would have bet on Murphy to finish.

Four minutes later, a ball threaded through to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who flicked it sideways to Jordan Young whose shot was blocked on the line by the giant frame of Moussa Diarra. The pace of the visitors’ start was causing all kinds of problems.

But it took until the tenth minute for a breakthrough to come. Another Yeovil attack saw Matt Worthington went down under pressure inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. MURPHY stepped up to make no mistake.

There was a strong wing blowing behind the visitors throughout the first half, which was definitely assisting the attack.

But on 17 minutes, a mistake in midfield saw Dartford gifted possession and break away with Luke Allen clipping a beautiful ball to the back post and on loan Bromley striker George ALEXANDER was on hand to head past Joe Day at the far post.

From the restart, Charlie Cooper came within in a whisker as he used the wind to his advantage and tried to chip Sandford who was off his line. The ball ricocheted off the woodwork, the keeper and went out for a corner.

A breakaway after 24 minutes put Michael Smith one-on-one with the keeper but his effort was blocked and a minute later a curling effort from the impressive Sonny Cox was turned aside by the fingertips of Sandford. The keeper is having a great game.

Young had a 35th minute shot just over the  Dartford crossbar before four minutes later a free-kick from the winger had crossbar shaking.

Then, with three minutes or normal time remaining, a great move started by Cox saw the on loan Exeter City man fire in a shot was stopped by Sandford who was having a great game. From the block, the ball broke to Worthington who pulled his shot wide.

The sides went in level at the interval but it will have been Mark Cooper who would have been the more disappointed with Yeovil having had all the chances……except the one Dartford scored, of course!

Half time: Dartford 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

It was the home side who started the second half in the ascendancy. Goal-scorer Alexander was denied by a superb interception from Morgan Williams before at the other end Young’s free-kick on 52 minutes went straight in to the wall.

Just after the hour mark, a ball over the top from Alexander set Luke Coulson free but Joe Day was there to claim it and Young tumbled inside the box but the useless referee was unmoved.

There were chances at either end and moments later a Young run ended with a foul on the edge of the box and Cooper’s free-kick just missed the incoming Williams at the back post.

On 64 minutes, Jake Hyde and Frank Nouble replaced Murphy and Cox with Nouble taking up Cox’s position out wide and Hyde replacing Murphy through the centre. Get Frank through the middle, surely,

There was always the nagging doubt that missed chances (more in the first half than the second) would come back to haunt us, and on 70 minutes Dartford took the lead. On loan Charlton Athletic midfielder Richard CHIN stole the ball off a Yeovil defender and bent a super shot past Day from the edge of the box. A good finish, but more sloppy play cost us.

The deficit seemed to stop Yeovil from doing the thing which had made them look at their most threatening. A lot of balls in the air – against a giant centre half like Diarra – rather than keeping it on the ground made things look scrappy.

With 17 minutes left, Nouble fed Hyde but the striker’s header was off target before more great play from the impressive Chin was not matched  by a finish which would have given him his second of the match.

And, in the 77th minute, a bit of play on the floor led to an equaliser. Nouble’s powerful run down the left and the ball broke to YOUNG who slammed a ball in.

Will Dawes had a shot straight at Sandford with ten minutes remaining, and in injury time the giant frame of Diarra almost bundled home a corner. There may have been a block in there from Wannell.

With three of five minutes added on played, Young was replaced  by Jordan Maguire-Drew, but there was to be no late winner and Yeovil were left to rue missing good early chances.

Full time: Dartford 2 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: Princes Park
Date: Saturday 9th December – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League South

Pitch: Soft but held up surprisingly well considering the rain it had endured
Conditions:  Dry and cold after 12 hours of non-stop rain with a strong wind behind Yeovil in the first half

Attendance: 1,072

Scorers: Rhys Murphy pen 10 (1-0), George Alexander 16 (1-1), Richard Chin 69 (1-2), Jordan Young 78 (2-2)

Bookings: 
Dartford: Moussa Diarra 20, Jordan Wynter 63, Luke Allen 88
Yeovil Town:  None
 

Referee: Charles Martland

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes: Jake Hyde (for Rhys Murphy, 64), Frank Nouble (for Sonny Cox, 64), Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Jordan Young, 90+3), Josh Owers (not used), Duncan Idehen (not used).

Dartford: Ryan Sandford, Moussa Diarra, Jordan Wynter, Max Statham, Luke Allen, Sam Odaudu, Luke Coulson, Richard Chin, George Alexander, Joash Nembhard, Tyrell Miller-Rodney (for Paul Rooney, 65). Substitutes (not used): Baris Altintop, Alex Wall,  Lewis Manor, Archie Woods.

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Yeovil Town extended their lead at the top of the National League South to six points with a huge win over fellow play off contenders Bath City.

A single Morgan Williams goal in the second half was all that separated the sides.

First half

The first half began with the hosts in the early ascendancy, Jake Wannell deflected a Joe Greenslade shot wide in just the second minute, but nothing could come of the corner.

The Glovers’ first forray into the Bath City came with a long ball from Duncan Idehen to the returning Alex Fisher, it was a scrappy first ten minutes or so, neither side really able to get their game going.

The hosts were prominent down both flanks, a cross evaded everyone from the right hand side, as the ball broke down, Charlie Cooper stole the ball back before trying to find Fisher wide on the left, his cross just too high for Frank Nouble to bring down.

As the clock ticked past 10 minutes, more danger for the Glovers came from the visitor’s left hand side. Morgan Williams and Idehen teaming up to clear the danger after an error by Wannell.

When in possession, the GLovers were compact and happy to move the ball around, Cooper, Matt Worthington and Alex Fisher all combining well, and it was the Skipper Worthington who forced the visitors’ first corner of the game.

Jordan Young’s delivery was flapped at by stand in Keeper Slav Huk for Bath, but there was no one there to take advantage of the situation.

With 16 minutes gone, Bath had by far their best chance, Dan Hayfield skipped into the box on the left hand side, but his cross couldn’t be met by a team mate, with former Yeovil trialist Scott Wilson flinging himself to get to the ball.

The hosts were dominating possession, Yeovil were looking to release the pressure with longer balls to Fisher and Nouble.

Yeovil were forced into an early change after Alex Whittle went down off camera clutching his right shin, Will Dawes came on as his replacement, like for like into left wing back.

The change nearly caught the Glovers out with a driven free kick from the left hand side needing a couple of attempts to clear.

Jordan Thomas was causing more problems down the Bath City right hand side, twisting and turning before putting a cross in – one that Joe Day could deal with promptly.

His clearance put Michael Smith into a brilliant position, he turned onto his left foot, but his volley was blocked out for a corner.

Young’s delivery only came back to him, the number 11 couldn’t force a delivery after combining with Nouble and Worthington. Young’s slip ended a short stint of pressure for the Glovers.

Bath City’s Thomas was again causing trouble, he forced a corner which was headed towards goal by the home side captain Kieran Parselle. Joe Day was well placed to take the catch with ease, but the signs were clear, Bath are coming for the left hand side of our defence.

Greenslade at left back found Hayfield in acres of space on the edge of the box, his first time effort was sliced wide, but again, far too easy.

Yeovil regained possession through Matt Worthington, he launched the ball in behind the Bath defence for Fisher to chase, he and Michael Smith combined to get a ball into the box, Frank Nouble’s header high and wide.

This move also saw a change of formation, the Glovers switching to a 4-4-2, Idehen at left back with Will Dawes in front of him.

The change in Glovers formation, brought about a change in attack for the hosts, some neat interchange between Thomas and Hayfield saw the latter enter the box, but Nouble was back doing his defensive duties to mop up.

Yeovil were struggling to keep hold of possession, Slav Huk’s skewed clearance, was brought down by Nouble, but again, the game was broken up, this time by a cynical foul.

Charlie Cooper’s set piece couldn’t beat the first man.

The longer balls, particularly from Smith down the Glovers’ right hand side were working, with Nouble and Fisher comfortable with their backs to goal, but when Nouble teamed up with Worthington, the final ball wasn’t there.

Bath quickly broke, three on three, the ball bobbled to Elliot Frear, his shot was smothered by a Joe Day/Morgan Williams combo for a corner.

With time winding down, Yeovil were happy with possession, without being particularly cutting in attack, the game almost sleep walking to half time.

Will Dawes tried to wake it up, his attack down the left side snuffed out, the ball quickly recycled back to the Glovers defence.

Two minutes of added time… it wasn’t a classic 45 minutes of football.

Half time: Bath City 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The Second Half saw no changes from either side, the Glovers in their adjusted 4-4-2 formation from the outset, a series of Goalkeeper to Goalkeeper clearances kicked us off, neither side’s midfielders touching the ball for the first couple of minutes of the second period.

It was no great surprise to see Jordan Thomas in the thick of the first real passage of play of note, he sent Idehen for a hot dog on the right hand side, but his cross was snuffed out.

QUickly down the other end and Will Dawes sent his own defensive counterpart for a refreshment, his cross headed behind.

It was from the resulting corner which saw the Glovers get their first real chance at goal, Morgan Williams rising highest and heading just wide of the right hand post.

This warmed the game up slightly, Thomas was a man on the mission down the Bath right, he slid Scott Wilson behind the defensive line, but the ball was ushered out for a corner. 

Minutes later there was an almighty defensive calamity from the Bath keeper, Will Dawes chased down a lost cause and deflected a Huk clearance into the air, Huk and Dawes fought for the header, the ball just dropping out of range of Alex Fisher with the goal gaping.

Dawes was soon back in the game shortly after, he forced another corner after snapping at the heels of the Bath defender, Huk this time able to fly swat the set piece out. This had been the Glovers best five minutes of the game without question. 

After Joe Day dealt with a horror of a back pass from Morgan WIlliams, he cleared to Will Dawes, who again found space, he bombed down the left, cut inside but his shot was weak on his right (standing) foot.

Now the game was in motion, Bath on the attack down the right, the ball dropping to the full back, his cross-come-shot was easily dealt with.

Scott Wilson was trying to get into the game, he turned Morgan Williams, but the defender was more than capable of getting the distance back and dealing with the danger.

Joe Day dealt with the rest and launched a ball high into the North Somerset night. Slav Huk’s audition for Dancing on Ice nearly offered Frank Nouble a chance at goal, but the Slovakian was able to regain his footing… and control of the ball in time.

Bath were soon in on goal once again and it was that man Thomas causing all the havoc down the right, his cross found his opposite number flying in from the left, but Michael Smith was positioned well on the line – could, maybe should, have been 1-0.

Frustrations were starting to kick in, Jordan Young made his way into the book after a foul and a word, Bath had a wonderful position for a free kick on the left of the Yeovil 18 yard box.

The delivery was met by the home side skipper, Parcelle, but nothing overly dangerous.

Jordan Young was replaced by Sonny Cox soon after, the winger’s frustrating evening coming to an end.

Cox was soon in the thick of it, pulled down by Parcelle after latching onto to a Michael Smith through ball. 

The resulting free kick was nearly forced into the goal at the near post by Alex Fisher, another near miss and another bit of shaky Bath defending.

Matt Worthington was the second Glover into the ref’s note book, something akin to an NFL sideline tackle making absolutely sure Thomas didn’t progress further up the field.

A lengthy stoppage followed, a clash between Joe Raynes and Will Dawes left them both flat out on the ground, Raynes having some fairly heavy strapping wrapped around his hand.

Following the stoppage, the Glovers were out the blocks quicker, Dawes forcing another cross from the left, but the ball trickled into the only space in the 18 yard box not occupied by a body in green.

Mark Cooper rolled his final dice shortly after with Jake ‘don’t call me a Super Sub’ Hyde brought on for Nouble. Alex Fisher set for 90 minutes, despite Cooper saying pre-match he was probably only good for an hour.

All three Glovers changes done, Bath City still with their starting line up.

The match was becoming a 1 v 1 of Dawes v Thomas, the former sprinting down the left but losing the ball, the latter trying to take advantage but went down too easily when trying to claim a free kick on the edge of the Glovers’ penalty area.

Scott Wilson went into the book… as did Jerry Gill… after a free kick was awarded right in front of the home dug out.

The free kick, pin point from Cooper was met by Morgan WILLIAMS, celebrating his new contract with a vital goal! 

After the goal, plenty happened. A couple of Glovers’ idiots threw flares onto the pitch and pretended to cause some trouble, it’s nearly bed time… school in the morning.

Bath City’s Frear was also cautioned in the shenanigans after.

How would Bath respond? Well, by heading down the right hand side through Jordan Thomas. 

The Glovers did what they had been doing best, going through Will Dawes, he was man handled to the ground by the Joe Raynes, who didn’t get a booking for his belly to belly suplex.

The free kick, once again almost inch perfect, Morgan Williams again the intended target, over his head by a matter of inches.

With five minutes of the regular 90 left, Bath forced a free kick of their own down the right hand side, Thomas stood over the ball but his delivery behind everyone.

The Glovers could be forgiven for going into ‘game management’ mode, Bath – and in particular Jordan Thomas – were still causing trouble.

The hosts were always going to force a chance and it did come as the clock hit 90 minutes, Thomas with a drop of the shoulder and a fierce shot that was always rising.

The board goes up with 7 (Seven) minutes added on, both sides still nullifying the others attacks, the offside flag coming to the rescue of Bath as Hyde strayed too far forward.

Thomas again (I’m sick of typing his name) forced a cross into the box, Wilson catching the header on the way down from his jump, not able to control the attempt on goal.

Joe Day’s goal kicks were taking longer and longer, the Glovers defence getting deeper and deeper. 

94 minutes on the clock and Bath were not giving in, a long ball was only half defended by Idehen, but Williams mopped up.

Dawes tried to kick start a counter, but his ball couldn’t find Hyde, a few seconds later, Alex Fisher, who was running like a man who hadn’t played 90 minutes in a LONG time, had the ball in the corner, but the play was brought back for a rogue offside flag.

The clock was ticking, the fingernails were all but gone, Joe Day knew this and collapsed on a claimed cross and took the sting out the final stages.

The 97th minute ticked on by, another long free kick hit the Glovers box, but it was dealt with.

98 minutes. Any time you like, ref… Scott Wilson hooked a ball towards goal, corner kick. Up comes Slav Huk.

But to no avail! 

One goal, three HUGE points. Up the Gloves

Full time: Bath City 0 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Twerton Park
Date: Wednesday 6th December – 19:45
Competition: National League South

Pitch: Cut up but held out
Conditions:  Blummin’ freezing

Attendance: 3639 (1100 Yeovil – minus the idiots that got thrown out)

Scorers: Morgan Williams (0-1)

Bookings: 
Bath City: Wilson, Frear (Gill)
Yeovil Town:  Young, Worthington
 

Referee:

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

 

Substitutes: Will Dawes (for Whittle 20), Sonny Cox, Sonny Blu Lo Everton, Jake Hyde, Jordan Maguire-Drew

Bath: Slav Huk, Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, Jordan Dyer, Kieran Parselle, Dan Hayfield, Cody Cooke, Elliot Frear, Jordan Thomas, Scott Wilson, Luke Rusee
Subs: Batten, Lines, Clark, Thorn, Smith

 

 

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Yeovil Town’s FA Cup run came to an end in the Hollywood Hills of North Wales as two first half goals and a late third saw League Two high-fliers Wrexham earn a victory.

The Red Dragons took the lead after 14 minutes when striker Ollie Palmer smashed home after Joe Day had parried his initial header before Andy Cannon fired a second in first half stoppage time.

The second half and the in particular the introduction of strikers Rhys Murphy saw Yeovil come close to narrowing the deficit before a late third from substitute Sam Dalby sealed it.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from the away end…

 

First half

Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper reverted to five at the back with on loan Bristol City defender Duncan Idehen coming in to defence, as the Glovers tried to match up their opponents, who regularly play five at the back. A brave move given the quality in the Wrexham squad.

The first psychological battle went to the visitors who turned their opponents around to shoot towards their own supporters in the first half. Whether that proves to be worth anything….I’ll come back to you.

The first action of the match as Frank Nouble tussled with Wrexham’s Andy Cannon down the left wing. After both players tried their best to undress each other, Cannon came off the worse of a coming together and spent a period on the floor before making a Lazarus-style recovery to return to the fray.

Wrexham’s threat in the opening exchanges came down the left side with wing-back Jacob Mendy heading over the bar from a James McClean cross after ten minutes.

At the other end, a surge forward by Matt Worthington saw a dangerous ball in to the box was cleared by the home defence.

But the threat from down the left was still there and on 14 minutes the home side were ahead. Elliott Lee spread the ball out wide and a ball in to the box from Cannon found Ollie Palmer whose header was parried by Joe Day, but PALMER was there to hammer home the rebound.

The Red Dragons suffered a setback soon after when defender Aaron Hayden went off injured after 15 minutes. He was replaced by midfielder James Jones with George Evans dropping back in to defence.

Cannon hammered a shot across the face of goal after 20 minutes but no Wrexham player was there to get a vital touch.

Five minutes later, a foray forward from the visitors saw Jordan Young felled on the edge of the box. The referee presumably new it would have been in the territory perfect for his left foot and did not give it.

The first meaningful opening for Yeovil came on the 29th minute following a period of controlled possession (cue calls to “gerrit  forward”) and Michael Smith and Nouble combined down the right for the big striker to lift a shot over.

Seven minutes later a ball broke to the edge of the box and Cooper was there to fire in a shot which Wrexham keeper Mark Howard turned over. It was a great save by the hosts’ stopper as Yeovil started to come in to the game.

 

In the 43rd minute, Young brought the ball in from the right and was felled 25 yards from goal by Lee. The winger proceeded to unleash a tremendous effort which Howard looked to get a touch the ball on to the post.

But, as the game crept in to the second minute of three added on at the end of the first half, Wrexham doubled their lead. A long throw from Ben Tozer (“you were crap for us”, the ex-Glover was reminded by one visiting fan every time he got close enough to hear) was headed away by Duncan Idehen but landed to CANNON who fired through a crowded area and just inside the post. Even in Hollywood there are no television replays, but it looked as if it could have taken a nick off a player on its way past Day. 

Two bits of quality – and the two goals which came from them, of course – were the difference between the two sides at the interval.

Half time: Wrexham 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

There were no changes from either side at the break, as Yeovil continued to try and match their opponents’ formation again.

The opening 15 minutes of the second half saw the visitors dominating possession with Wrexham seemingly happy to let us keep it and try and keep us at arm’s length.

On 52 minutes, a Charlie Cooper effort went over from the edge of the box and three minutes later, Young cut in from the right side, beating a couple of defenders, but hit a effort curled wide of goal. If something was going to happen going forward, it feels most likely to come from Young.

On 64 minutes, top scorer Rhys Murphy was brought on in place of Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, joining Nouble up front.

A minute later, Mendy flashed an effort but within five minutes of his arrival Murphy almost halved the advantage. A great book from Young set him loose inside the box and it was only a superb tackle from Evans that denied him.

Moments later, the striker headed down a ball in from Smith towards Morgan Williams but the defender was not quite on the same wavelength. 

Further freshness came off the bench on 75 minutes with ex-Wrexham man Jake Hyde and on loan Exeter City striker Sonny Cox replacing Nouble and Young.

The pressure was all coming from Yeovil, but they almost got caught on the break as a fast attack from Wrexham broke to Mendy in the box but he could not get his shot away.

A great ball from Cooper almost released Murphy inside the box soon after before another fast counter by Wrexham found substitute Sam Dalby on the edge of the box. His effort sailed over the bar with the help of a deflection.

With three minutes of normal time remaining, a surge forwards from Cox fed Hyde whose cross ball over just went too far in front of Murphy as he moved towards goal.

The home side continued to look a threat on the break and added a third four minutes in to stoppage time when DALBY chipped in a third having been played in by McClean.

The scoreline flattered the home side who had more quality where it counted, but the chants of “we are top of the league” from the away supporters at the final whistle give an indication of where the real prize lies this season. Bring on the Bath!

 

Full time: Wrexham 3 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The Racecourse Ground
Date: Sunday December 4, 3.45pm kick-off
Competition: National League South

Pitch: December rain and cold 
Conditions: Mostly green 

Attendance: 9640 (784 away supporters)

Scorers: Ollie Palmer 14 (0-1), Andy Cannon 45+2 (0-2), Sam Dalby 

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Cooper 30, Wannell 85
Wrexham: Lee 43,

Referee:

Yeovil Town (5-3-2)

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Lo-Everton, 64), Jake Hyde (for Frank Nouble, 76), Sonny Cox (for Jordan Young, 76), Josh Owers (for Cooper, 87), Will Dawes (for Alex Whittle, 87).

Wrexham (5-3-2): Howard; Mendy, Hayden (Jones 15), Tozer, O’Connor, McClean; Cannon (Young 77), Evans, Lee (Davies 88); Palmer (Dalby 77), Mullin (Bickerstaff 88). Subs not used: McNicholas, Boyle, Hossanah, McAlinden.

 

 

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Yeovil Town Women won their seventh consecutive league match as they overcame Wells City with a 3-1 victory. Niamh Nicholls’ brace, as well as a goal from Jess Hodge ensured that Yeovil took the three points against a strong Wells City outfit.

Paul Knight made one change to the team which thumped Ilminster in Yeovil’s last league outing, as new signing Abbie Vernon came in for Laura Cheesman for what would be her debut for the Glovers.

Yeovil started the game on the front foot, with Wells being pinned back in their own half during the early exchanges. The first chance of the match came in the 15th minute, as the league’s top scorer Niamh Nicholls saw her shot go wide of the post after being played in behind.

In a relatively uneventful first half and just as Wells were beginning to gain a foothold in the game, the deadlock was broken by Jess Hodge, as she netted her 9th goal of the season to give Yeovil the lead in the 42nd minute.

Yeovil went in at the break one goal to the good.

The Glovers came out in the second half in search of a second goal but struggled to break down a stubborn Wells defence.

Yeovil eventually found their second of the afternoon in the 70th minute, following impressive build up play. Chloe Davenport found Abbie Carslake who slid the ball across for Nicholls who inevitably finished to make it 2-0.

Yeovil’s two goal cushion did not last long, as Wells halved the deficit swiftly after the Glovers’ second goal, a well taken goal made it 2-1 just minutes after.

However Wells’ late rally was met with a decisive response by Yeovil, as Nicholls put the result to bed in the 75th minute. Abbie Carslake and Niamh Nicholls combined again, which resulted in Nicholls scoring her 15th goal of the season and continuing her prolific form in front of goal.

Moments later, Yeovil nearly made it four, as Zoe Ball saw her attempted lob impressively saved by Wells City’s goalkeeper.

The match finished 3-1 and saw Yeovil increase their points tally to 21 from seven matches, with the Glovers being six points off the top spot with three games in hand.

The player of the match was awarded to winger Chloe Davenport, who has impressed in recent weeks and continued her good form on Sunday.

Yeovil Town Women manager Paul Knight said after the match: “Solid performance, couldn’t wish for anything else, quite tactical today from our point of view, we know how they lay out the stall we knew it would be a physical game. We’ve let in our second goal of the season, however, what’s massive today is we’ve turned over quite a high pressing game and turned it into a win. Fair play to Wells, I have said to their manager today I felt that they were our threat for this season, so really pleased with the girls.”

On in-form winger Chloe Davenport he said: “Chloe and her opposite wingmate stepped up in the second half, her positioning was great, Wells weren’t coming through. Chloe stopped at least two or three dead cert goals with her ability to recover and make the tackles she did. Over the moon, player of the match 100%.”

On YTWFC’s title ambitions: “Obviously the league title is always in view, that’s my job, today was a critical game in putting us on the right track to achieving that. The girls know that and I think that does add a little bit of pressure.”

On debutant Abbie Vernon: “She’s finding her feet, she made selection after only training once, she’s not a natural left footer but she’s clearly defensive minded and quite a driving player, she worked well with Chloe and the wingers. She’s also quite a threat going forward, as well as defensively, she grew into the game.”

Finally, Paul Knight discussed team selection: “Of course it’s difficult, obviously those players are seen as attacking players but I see them slightly differently because of the way we coach them, for me the key word for this team this year is versatility. They’ve got to learn to play football all over the pitch, even the most senior of players. Those that started off in forward positions 12 weeks ago aren’t necessarily playing there at the moment, I think this is where we’re hurting teams, the fact we are versatile and we can rotate players quite vigorously.”

Sunday’s player of the match Chloe Davenport said: “It was great build up play from the girls, on the counter attack we were quite dangerous. Credit to all the girls for the entire game, great build up throughout.”

Yeovil Town Women return to action on Sunday 3rd December as they travel to Wellington in the Somerset County Division 1 14:00 KO.

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Yeovil Town’s unbeaten run in National League South stretching back to the end of August came to an end in spectacular style at Welling United this afternoon.  An early Jordan Young goal set the Glovers on their way, but it was downhill from there for Mark Cooper’s side as they fell to a 4-1 defeat.

The hosts’ Kain Adom equalised in the first half before a hat-trick in 11 second half minutes from former Glovers loanee Tristan Abrahams left the frozen travelling supporters feeling blue.

Here’s how Coatesie saw it from both away ends…

First half

Mark Cooper made two changes from Tuesday night’s draw at Chippenham Town with Jordan Young straight back into the side and Jake Wannell returning to defence, having missed the previous two matches through injury. On-loan Bristol City defender Duncan Idehen and top-scorer Rhys Murphy both dropped to the bench.

The first meaningful effort came to the visitors as Josh Chambers seized on a lapse in concentration and an important deflection by Morgan Williams saw the ball go over. From the corner which followed Joe Day had to get down smartly to deny Dominic Odusanya’s header.

Play swung to the other end and Sonny Cox was brought down on the edge of the box with Lachlan Byrd booked for the foul. Jordan Young’s resulting free-kick went over the bar.

But YOUNG made no mistake after 16 minutes as he came in from the right flank, got on to his left foot and lashed an unstoppable shot in to the net. 1-0

The wind was in the visitors’ sails with pressure coming towards the away terrace (there were in fact two away terraces with the game being the first unsegregated fixture of the season, meaning supporters could change ends at half-time) but the closest to a goal came from Young who got a fierce shot in from the edge of the box on 21 minutes.

Young will have felt he could have done better and never more so than two minutes later as Welling found an equaliser through another good strike. The ball dropped to Kain ADOM on the edge of the box and he curled a fabulous shot past Day. 1-1

That sparked a flurry of pressure for the hosts with Anthony Grant, one of two new signings announced at the start of the game, heading wide before Cameron Green curled one past the post just after the half-hour mark.

With neither side able to retain a lot of possession, a basketball game broke out as the game pressed towards half-time. On 34 minutes, Nouble burst forward through the middle but his shot was straight in to the hands of Charles-Cook. The game sprang to the other end and the speedy Jephte Tanga broke away and was denied by a block from Williams.

But it was the hosts who were in the ascendancy, knocking on the door of the Yeovil defence with some last ditch defending required to keep them out. Adom almost found his second, denied by an acrobatic Day as the board went up for first half stoppage time.

Since Young’s opener and a strong first 15 minutes, it was Welling who had all the impetus and Mark Cooper will have been the happier manager to hear the half-time whistle blow.

Half time: Welling United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

With the words of their manager (probably/hopefully) ringing in their ears, Yeovil attacked down the slope at Park View Road after the break.

They started brightly again with Sonny Cox almost getting away within seconds of the restart, before Morgan Williams forced a fine stop out of the Charles-Cook. But that was as good as it got.

Ten minutes in to the half a break left the visiting defence floundering and cross form the right found ex-Glovers’ loanee Tristan ABRAHAMS who headed his side in front. 1-2

The gaps between a shaky defence and a fairly non-existent midfield, by the standards Worthington and Lo-Everton have shown, were being ruthlessly exploited by the home side who were belying their lowly status. Time and again, they out-ran and out-fought their lofty opponents who almost assisted their opponents to play the way they wanted.

Then, two minutes after going a goal ahead, the home side added a third as ABRAHAMS found himself one-on-one with Day and made no mistake. 1-3

On the hour mark,  Murphy replaced Sonny Cox, before Abrahams missed a glorious chance to get his hat-trick as the ball flew across the face of goal only requiring the slightest of touches.

Murphy had a glorious chance to pull one back when he found himself close range, but his toe poke went straight to Charles-Cook. You’d have put your house on him to reduce the deficit.

On 67 minutes, ABRAHAMS completed his hat-trick curling in an effort. From potentially 3-2 to 4-1 down and that looks decidedly like that. 1-4

“Top of the league, you’re having a laugh”, sang the home fans and it was hard to argue. Since falling behind to Young’s 16th minute strike, the Wings looked far the superior side.

The immediate response saw Alex Fisher replace Dawes before Charlie Cooper replaced Worthington.

But their job was little more than damage limitation at this point.

There was at least a chance for a bit of happiness when Nouble thundered down the right side, fired a ball in to the back post where Fisher was arriving but his shot was stopped by the legs of Charles-Cook.

The final chance of the match deservedly fell to Welling as Adom forced another flying save out of Day in injury time.

Full time: Welling United 4 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Park View Road
Date: Saturday 25th November, 3pm kick-off
Competition: National League South

Pitch: Rutted and definite slope
Conditions: Beautiful Winter Sunshine (sounds like Coatesie’s debut album title)

Attendance: 826

Scorers: Jordan Young 16 (1-0), Kain Adom 23 (1-1), Tristan Abrahams 55 (1-2), Tristan Abrahams 57 (1-3), Tristan Abrahams 65 (1-3).

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Jordan Young 40, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 73, Frank Nouble 85.
Welling United: Lachlan Byrd 13, Anthony Grant 13 , Tristan Abrahams 90+1.

Referee: Callum Fisk

Yeovil Town (4-4-2)

Substitutes: Rhys Murphy (for Sonny Cox, 60), Alex Fisher (for Will Dawes, 67), Charlie Cooper (for Matt Worthington, 75), Duncan Idehen (not used), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used).

Welling United: , Reice Charles-Cook, Crossley Lema (for Rob Howard, 90+5)), Cameron Green, Taylor Curran (for Will Wood, 52), Anthony Grant, Tristan Abrahams, Dominic Odusanya, Kain Adom, Jephte Tanga, Josh Chambers (for Amadou Kassarate, 84), Lachlan Byrd
Substitutes (not used): Ibra Sekejja, Enoch Muwonge