Match Reports (Page 7)

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time:  Bath City 0 Yeovil Town 3

Second half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Bath City 1 Yeovil Town 3

Teams:

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

Substitutes (not used): Aidan Stone.

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

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

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

Attendance: 853

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Half-time:  Yeovil Town 1 Bristol Rovers 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Bristol Rovers 2

Teams:

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

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

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

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

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

Attendance: 2,236 (512 away supporters)

Referee: James Durkin (Portland, W*ymouth)

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

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Teams:

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

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

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

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

Attendance: 1,226

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

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

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

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

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

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

First half

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Half-time: Chippenham Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full time: Chippenham Town 2 Yeovil Town 3

Teams:

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

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

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

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

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An image showing Bristol City defender Joseph James, wearing number two, in action during a pre-season friendly for Yeovil Town at Exmouth Town.

An early first half goal from summer signing striker Tahvon Campbell was the difference between Yeovil Town and Southern League Division One South side Exmouth Town in the opening pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The frontman, who returned to Huish Park following the expiry of his contract at Solihull Moors, turned home a cross from Alex Whittle after eight minutes to earn the victory and it could have been more but for the heroics of Exmouth keeper Aaron Dearing.

As ever in pre-season, the appearance of trialists and the inevitable guessing game as to their identities was a major feature of this fixture. In the starting XI, ex-Bristol Rovers players striker Jevani Brown and midfielder Luke McCormick were joined by young Bristol City full-back Joseph James, who all played the opening 45 minutes.

With a complete change of the XI, trialist strikers Abu Kanu (ex-Swindon Town), Kieren Edworthy (Plymouth Parkway) and midfielder Teo Kurtaran, who played in Poland last season, all took to the field in the second half.

You can find out more about these players in our Spot the Trialist special feature – here.

First half

With the travelling Yeovil fans still trying to figure out who the summer signings – both Tahvon Campbell and James Daly started – and trialists were, the Glovers opened the scoring when a left wing cross from Alex Whittle found Tahvon CAMPBELL who looped one over the keeper.

On 15 minutes, recent signing James Daly hit the crossbar before Mike Landricombe headed over a minute later before Campbell fired another effort wide on the half-hour mark.

On 32 minutes, a free-kick in prime Brett McGavin territory was denied by a stop from Exmouth goalkeeper Aaron Dearing who got down smartly to deny…..well, Brett McGavin. Who else?

With six minutes remaining of the first half, Campbell showed good ability to get past his defender but his touch let him down and the ball went straight to Dearing, then two minutes from time Daly headed one wide.

Yeovil Town's players do some running exercises during the half-time break in their opening pre-season friendly at Exmouth Town.
No rest for Yeovil Town’s players who were put through their paces with more running at half-time at Exmouth Town. Picture courtesy of Rob Manley.

Half-time: Exmouth Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

The start of the second half saw the traditional full change of the starting XI from Yeovil Town and a number of changes from the home side as well. Winger Lewys Twamley found himself playing at right back from the kick-off.

It took until the hour mark for one of the new arrivals,  Twamley, to get an effort to test Dearing in the hosts’ goal before Harvey Greenslade was denied by two sharp stops from the keeper five minutes later.

There was another chance on 66 minutes when trialist midfielder Teo Kurtaran picked out Kieran Edworthy whose effort was saved by Dearing before Twamley had a tame effort from the edge of the box which was easily held by the keeper.

Aaron Jarvis and then Twamley saw efforts blocked by Dearing after 73 minutes and it felt like just a matter of time before another goal was coming for the visitors.

An image showing Yeovil Town under-18s' defender Corey Koerner in action in a pre-season friendly at Exmouth Town.
Under-18s’ captain Corey Koerner, wearing 18, was among the Yeovil Town changes in the second half. Picture courtesy of Rob Manley.

With ten minutes to go there was an unusual substitution as the referee was replaced by the fourth official. Presumably the Devon FA had seen enough from the first man in black. A minute later Greenslade curled an effort which looked like it was going in to the top corner, only for Dearing to get there to turn it wide. He is having quite an afternoon the Exmouth keeper.

Josh Sims had an opportunity to become the latest player to be denied by Dearing with four minutes remaining, but it was not really much to trouble him.

Full time: Exmouth Town 0 Yeovil Town 1

Teams:

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

Second half – Yeovil Town: Matt Gould, Lewys Twamley, Kyle Ferguson, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Corey Koerner, Josh Sims, Harvey Greenslade, Teo Kurtaran (Trialist), Kieran Edworthy (Trialist), Abu Kanu (Trialist), Aaron Jarvis.

Exmouth Town: Aaron Dearing, Sam Morcom (for B Steer, 46) , Ollie Knowles, Mike Landricombe, Aaron Denny (for Slater, 46), Callum Shipton (for Cann, 46), Ben Griffith (for Kennell, 46), Jacob Shore (for Butcher, 46), Issac McCue (for Rowe, 46), Joe Belsten, Matt Wright.

Attendance: 676

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Yeovil Town’s first season back in the National League Premier Division ended in defeat at FA Trophy finalists Aldershot Town.

The Glovers spurned three gilt-edged chances to open the scoring with winger Lewys Twamley and loan striker Ciaran McGuckin guilty of missing great openings before a breakaway from hosts’ striker Jack Barham saw him fire home the opener after 39 minutes.

Tyler Frost doubled the advantage four minutes in to the second half before Dom Bernard pulled one back on the hour mark. Yeovil made a number of changes with Aaron Jarvis, Brett McGavin and Michael Smith all appearing off the bench. The cavalry spurred a strong response, but the visitors could not find an equaliser.

The result means we finish 18th in the division, four points off the division’s relegation places and 12 points off the play-off spots.

First half

Ahead of kick-off Yeovil manager Mark Cooper slammed the state of the pitch at The Recreation Ground which he said would embarrass a Sunday League team. From the kick-off the long grass was obvious with both team seeming likely to not play much on the deck.

It took until the 17th minute for Yeovil to fashion an opening, but then they created three clear-cut opportunities to open the scoring in the space of as many minutes.

The first fell to Lewys Twamley, making his first start since joining in January. The winger exchanged passes with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and had only keeper Marcus Dewhurst to beat, but he pulled his shot wide.

Lewys Twamley drags his effort wide.

Seconds later, Ciaran McGuckin was played in by Harry Kite inside the box, but he pulled his effort wide. Then, moments after that, McGuckin broke clear, lifted the ball past the stranded Dewhurst, but fired in to the side netting.

Aldershot’s defence is all over the place and on 22 minutes Yeovil captain Jake Wannell seemed to be infected by the same problem.
He dallied on the ball on the edge of the box and was caught by hosts’ striker Jack Barham who poked it towards goal and Aidan Stone had to scramble back to claw it around the post for a corner. How is this game goalless?

On 35 minutes, Shots’ midfielder Cameron Hargreaves, son of ex-Yeovil manager, Chris, had to be replaced after a coming together with Charlie Cooper, son of current Glovers’ boss, Mark. He was replaced by Dejen Tetek.

Four minutes later Aldershot took the lead. A long clearance forward from Theo Widdrington, son of Aldershot manager, Tommy, found Jack BARHAM out on the left wing, he out-muscled Morgan Williams and fired past Aidan Stone, who should have done better as well. Wasteful finishing and poor defending, a goal that sums up why we are finishing where we are this season.

Jack Barham opens the scoring for Aldershot.

As four minutes of first half injury time were announced, Aldershot threatened again. Frost fed substitute Tetek in on the left side of the Yeovil area and he fired the ball in to a dangerous area where Wannell was on hand to clear off the line. Moments later Frost sliced through the Yeovil defence and poked the ball in to James Henry who could not turn it in.

The first half ended with the home side ahead, but how they are will only be known by the Yeovil forward line.

Half time: Aldershot Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

With just four minutes of the second half played, the home side doubled their advantage. Tetek broke forward unchallenged by a Yeovil played, fed it in to James Henry inside the box, he pushed it out to Tyler FROST and his effort across the face of goal looked like it took a touch off a Yeovil defender on its way in to the net.

Aldershot celebrate their second goal just four minutes in to the second half.

The chances they missed when the game was goalless will be a talking point at the end of this game, but the defending for both goals has been appalling. We’re on the beach – a very grassy beach.

Five minutes later, Aldershot’s mercurial forward Barrett put a free kick over the bar, and then on the hour mark it was Aldershot’s turn to defend poorly as Yeovil pulled a goal back. It was Frankie Terry’s ball in from the left and Dom BERNARD arrived at the far post to head home.

Manager Mark Cooper responded by making three changes with Finn Cousin-Dawson, Aaron Jarvis and Kyrell Wilson coming on to replace Twamley, Kite and Terry. Aldershot, who have an FA Trophy final on Sunday to think about, made their changes in stages.

Barrett clipped an effort just wide on 70 minutes before Yeovil lost McGuckin who had been holding his hamstring. He was replaced by Brett McGavin, returning from an injury which it seemed had put him out for the season.

On 76 minutes, Cousin-Dawson strode forward in midfield and unleashed a shot from fully 25 yards which Dewhurst made a flying attempt to turn over the post. It was adjudged to be a goal kick, but I’m pretty sure the keeper got something on that.

More changes saw Michael Smith replace Dom Bernard, but it was Wilson who was causing the most problems down the Yeovil right. The Swansea City loanee was twice denied by great blocks from the Aldershot defence. We are giving it a right go.

With two minutes of stoppage time, a corner found its way to Morgan Williams at the back post, but his effort was deflected wide for another corner. We have looked much better since the introductions of some of our quality players – as you would expect – but in front of goal, we are the victims of our own downfall.

In the sixth of six minutes of injury time at the end of the game, Yeovil won a free-kick in prime Brett McGavin territory. The midfielder fired in a shot which was winging its way in to the net, only for Dewhurst to get across to pull off an outstanding save to deny him

And with that, the season ended with defeat. It was a performance with summarised our season and sees us finish in 18th place, four points clear of the relegation places.

See you all in August!

Full time: Aldershot Town 2 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: The Recreation Ground
Date: Monday 5th May, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Jack Barham 39 (0-1), Tyler Frost 49 (0-2), Dom Bernard 60 (1-2)

Pitch: Would have embarrassed “the bottom of Sunday League football”, according to Yeovil manager
Conditions: Grey but dry

Attendance: 3089 (575 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town:  Harry Kite 54
Aldershot Town: Theo Widdrington 81

Referee: Niall Smith

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Aaron Jarvis (for Frankie Terry, 61), Kyrell Wilson (for Harry Kite, 61), Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Lewys Twamley, 61), Brett McGavin (for Ciaran McGuckin, 76), Michael Smith (for Dom Bernard, 80), Harvey Greenslade (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Aldershot Town: Marcus Dewhurst, Theo Widdrington (for Ollie, Bray, 86), Cameron Hargreaves (for Dejen Tetek, 36), Tyler Frost, Josh Barrett (for Kai Corbett, 78), Aaron Jones, Jack Barham (for Maxwell Mullins, 69), James Henry (for Kwame Thomas, 67), Luca Woodhouse, Dan Ellison, Armitage. Substitutes (not used):  Jordi van Stappershoef, Hady Ghandour.

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Yeovil Town fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sutton United at the final match at Huish Park this season.

Here’s Ian’s view from under the H…

First half

The early stages of the game saw both sides feeling each other out with very little in the way of action.

In the 13th minute the game came alive with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Ciaran McGuckin both having shots at goal. It could have easily been 1-0.

Ten minutes later, Aidan Stone had to tip a wayward Boateng cross over his bar. The left footed cross was destined for the goal though. 

The Glovers broke forward from a Sutton free kick in the 28th minute and Lo-Everton drew a good save from Sims in the Sutton goal.

Two minutes later Sims was caught in no mans land as Ciaran McGUCKIN latched onto Harvey Greenslade’s pass and lobbed the ball over the keeper to put the Glovers ahead. 1-0

On the stroke of half time Charlie Cooper was the width of a goalpost away from doubling Yeovil’s lead. His right footed effort from distance curved just a bit too much and hit the Sutton post.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Sutton United 0

Second half

Sutton got back in level terms 5 minutes into the 2nd half. A Lewis Simper free kick was headed in by half time substitute Siju ODELUSI. 1-1.

Lo-Everton was a whisker away from putting Yeovil back in front moments later, poking McGuckin’s cross narrowly wide.

Lewis SIMPER turned goalscorer on the hour Mark, rifling in a left-footed shot from outside of the box having been given all the space in the world. 1-2

Mark Cooper made a triple sub bringing on Jake Wannell, Josh Sims and the returning Aaron Jarvis – who got a very loud reception from the Huish Park crowd.

Morgan Williams made an unbelievable tackle chasing back after Alex Whittle lost the ball on the halfway line, preventing a third Sutton goal.

The visitors should have got their third moments later but Will Davies’ effort was straight at Stone.

Williams was nearly the hero at the other end of the pitch with a headed effort that was too comfortable Sims.

Yeovil huffed and puffed and Williams stung the gloves of Sims late on, but the Glovers couldn’t find an equaliser, finishing off the season at Huish Park with defeat.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Sutton United 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 26th April, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ciaran McGuckin 30 (1-0), Siju Odelusi 50 (1-2), Lewis Simper 61 (1-2)

Pitch: Green but in need of a rest
Conditions: A mix of sunshine and clouds

Attendance: 3.556

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town:  Harry Kite 31, Harvey Greenslade 79, Alex Whittle, Jake Wannell 90+ 4.
Sutton United: Ashley Nadesen 56

Referee: Emily Heaslip

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Jake Wannell (for Harry Kite, 65), Josh Sims (for Ciaran McGuckin, 65), Aaron Jarvis (for Dom Bernard, 65), Lewys Twamley (for Alex Whittle, 90), Marcel Lavinier (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Sutton United: Jack Sims, Harry Ransom, Lewis Simper, Will Davies, Hayden Muller, Nana Boateng (for Dillon De Silva, 61), Jack Wadham, Ryan Jackson (for Eduino Vaz, 81), Alex Woodyard (for Siju Odelusi, 46), Besart Topallaj, Kain Adom (for Ashley Nadesan, 46). Substitutes (not used): Matt Kerbey,  Vinnie Tume, Henry Sandat.

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On loan winger Otis Khan was sent off for Yeovil Town as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Eastleigh on Easter Monday.

Having gone a goal down when Chris Maguire put the home side in front after half-an-hour, Khan grappled with the experienced frontman five minutes later and appeared to throw an elbow at him leaving referee Harry Wager with no choice but to brandish the red card.

That left Yeovil with a numerical disadvantage throughout the second half and, despite more than holding their own, they were unable to find an equaliser.

There were chances for Yeovil at the start of the game and Josh Sims forced a good save from Eastleigh keeper Joe McDonnell towards the end, but a failure to take their chances and the red card proved too much in the end.

First half

The first chance came after just 40 seconds when Eastleigh captain Chris Maguire got away from Marcel Lavinier, who was in for the Alex Whittle at left back,

Lo Everton found Kyrell Wilson running in to the box, he got away from his defender and his shot beat Joe McDonnell in the hosts’ goal but it was blocked on the line. Strange referee Harry Wager pulled play back for an offside.

On 12 minutes, Wilson got away down the right and got a great ball in to Otis Khan in the centre of the box and his effort was deflected wide by Luis Fernandez for a corner. Great opportunity to open the scoring.

Otis Khan can’t believe that’s not gone in – and nor can Kyrell Wilson or Harry Kite.

After a strong start, the game settled down with neither side creating anything to trouble the keeper until Jai Semenyo’s effort was turned away by Aidan Stone. After a strong start from the visitors, Eastleigh have reshuffled their back line to commit more players forward and have come back in to it.

But on the half-hour mark Eastleigh took the lead as they took advantage of some sloppy Yeovil defending. Angel Waruih got away down the right side and had time to feed it to Chris MAGUIRE who stepped in to the box and hit a shot across Stone and in to the corner of the next. 

There was a worrying moment soon after when Harvey Greenslade tried to get away down the right side and was sent crashing to the ground and was clutching his shoulder. That is the same injury which kept him out for a couple of months at the start of the season, but the striker seemed to shrug it off and played on. Keep an eye on that one….

Eastleigh’s tails are now up and Semenyo pulled one wide on 35 minutes and then Yeovil’s afternoon got worse. Otis Khan elbowed Maguire to the floor and was given the easiest red card the referee will give all season. Maguire, an experienced campaigner, has made the most of it, but utterly brainless from Khan. 

Otis Khan heads down the tunnel after 36 minutes.

Three minutes in to first half injury time, Eastleigh tried to work an opening down their left side with Nathan Tshikuna eventually feeding Shade who was one-on-one with Stone on the edge of the six-yard box. The keeper made a fine stop.

From the resulting goal kick, Greenslade was shoved in the back by Fernandez and crashed to the turf again. He’s holding his shoulder again and this time he’s not going to be able to continue. No substitution was made, but I’ll be amazed if we see Harvey Greenslade in this second half. Mark Cooper quite justifiably asking how that is not a booking for Fernandez.

After a bright opening 15 minutes, it has gone from bad to worse for Yeovil and you feel it is going to take quite a shift up through the gears to change it in the second half.

Half time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 0

 

Second half

Well, consider me amazed. Harvey Greenslade is back out for the start of the second half. Eastleigh are starting the second half like they finished the first, doubling up on Yeovil in wide positions.

Soon after the restart, the rain began to fall heavily in Hampshire and that triggered a couple of changes from Yeovil. In the 53rd minute my amazement reduced as Ciaran McGuckin came on to replace Greenslade, with Josh Sims replacing Michael Smith. It still looked like a back four with Sims going in at right back, whilst McGuckin joined Wilson as a front two.

Despite having a man disadvantage, Yeovil are not giving up here and are pressing forward with Lavinier in particular causing problems down the right side. But, despite that, Joe McDonnell in the Eastleigh goal as not been forced in to a meaningful save.

The lesser spotted Lewys Twamley replaces Marcel Lavinier

There were a couple of changes for the visitors with Charlie Cooper replacing Harry Kite after 75 minutes and then Lewys Twamley (yes, he exists) replaces Lavinier.

On 85 minutes, Yeovil had a great opportunity when Sims picked the ball up on the left and tried to curl one in to the top corner, it was flicked over the bar by McDonnell. Amazingly the referee adjudged McDonnell had not touched it and gave a goal kick. Another great chance to add to a couple at the start of the match.

As the game ticked in to injury time another good break forward found Sims bursting forward and he tried to curl one again, McGuckin tried in vain to get his head on it but it went harmlessly wide.

Full time: Eastleigh 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Silverlake Stadium
Date: Monday 21st April, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Chris Maguire 30 (0-1)

Pitch: Looked outrageously good 
Conditions: April showers – and a bit of thunder and lightning

Attendance: 2,657  (642 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Eastleigh: Corey Panter 33, Angel Wariuh, 77, Richard Brindley 85
Yeovil Town:  Harry Kite 19, Finn Cousin-Dawson 81,

Sending off:

Eastleigh:
Yeovil Town: Otis Khan 36

Referee: Harry Wager

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Ciaran McGuckin (for Harvey Greenslade, 53), Josh Sims (for Michael Sims, 53), Charlie Cooper (for Harry Kite, 78), Lewys Twamley (for Marcel Lavinier, 83), Alex Whittle (not used), Dom Bernard (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Eastleigh: Joe McDonnell, Luis Fernandez, Ludwig Francillette, Chris Maguire (for Richard Brindley, 73), Tyrese Shade, Angel Waruih, Corey Panter, Noa Boutin (for Jake Vokins, 46), Ben Close, Jai Semenyo (for Paul McCallum, 57), Nathan Tshikuna (for Lee Hodson, 78). Substitutes (not used):  Lloyd Humphries, Connor Underhill, Tommy Scott.

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An injury time equaliser saw Yeovil Town snatch a point from the jaws of victory as high-flying Forest Green Rovers nicked a point at Huish Park.

It was former Glovers’ loanee Ryan Inniss, who scored a late, late winner in the reverse fixture in Gloucestershire on New Year’s Day, who was there to stab home after a late corner was headed goalwards by substitute Joe Quigley.

The result was a harsh reflection on another impressive performance from Yeovil against one of the division top sides. They took the lead when Sonny Blu Lo-Everton continued his good goal-scoring form after 24 minutes and thoroughly deserved their half-time lead.

They continued to dominate in the second half, but a flurry of substitutions which saw former Glovers Tom Knowles and Quigley both come off an expensively-assembled bench shifted the momentum of the game and Inniss struck late to grab a point.

First half

Yeovil were without captain Jake Wannell, who was not in the squad, and defender Michael Smith, who dropped to the substitutes’ bench with former Forest Green man Dom Bernard filling in on the right side of a back four. Harvey Greenslade came in for his first start in a month-an

The first chance came after just three minutes after Dom Bernard lost the ball down the left and the ball found its way out to Christian Doidge who headed it back in to Harry Cardwell, but he could not get any connection on the ball and it landed safely in to the gloves of Aidan Stone.

In the tenth minute, a great move forward by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton brought the ball forward, he laid it off to Harvey Greenslade whose low cross in to the box was sliced over the bar by ex-Glovers loanee Ryan Inniss for a corner. Soon after a short corner was clipped in to the area where Morgan Williams met it with a header at the back post which went wide.

With 20 minutes gone, Ben Tozer’s foul on Greenslade gave Yeovil, Lo-Everton’s ball in was helped back in by Harry Kite and found it through to Ciaran McGuckin who turned brilliantly but a superb tackle from Sean Long denied him. It is all Yeovil at the moment.

That pressure paid as Yeovil took the lead in the 24th minute – and it was that man Sonny Blu LO-EVERTON again. Good play down the left by Kite saw him play in his midfield colleague inside the box, Sonny took a great first touch to control it and struck it coolly past Ted Cann in the visitors’ goal.

Yeovil Town celebrate Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s opener.

Harvey Greenslade came close to doubling the advantage when he had a shot from 20 yards out which fizzed just past the post, and from the resulting goal kick Forest Green made a mess of it and Greenslade’s persistence saw him get an opportunity inside the box to fire a shot past Cann but Inniss was on the line to clear it. 

The next opportunity for Yeovil came following a massive goalmouth scramble after Lo-Everton’s free-kick in to the box was headed in to the danger area by Finn Cousin-Dawson and a chaos ensued. Eventually it broke to Frankie Terry (I think) whose effort looked to be cleared on the line. Big “handball” appeal from the Thatcher’s End.

Handball? The end of the scramble.

Yeovil were by far the better side and will perhaps be disappointed to only go in to the half-time break only one goal to the good. But they thoroughly deserved their advantage.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Forest Green Rovers 0

 

Second half

Ciaran McGuckin had a strong appeal for a penalty ten minutes in to the second half. Josh Sims’ ball in to the box found McGuckin who appeared to be clipped by Tozer. McGuckin had the goal gaping and had no reason to do anything other than go for goal. Rule 1.

Yeovil Town appeal for a penalty.

On 66 minutes, a foul about as close to the edge of the penalty area as you can get gave Lo-Everton another opportunity to have a go at goal. He got his free-kick over the defensive wall, but also just over the angle of post and bar.

Immediately after there was a pre-season-esque flurry of substitutes for both sides. The three from Yeovil saw Marcel Lavinier, Charlie Cooper and Otis Khan replace Harry Kite, Morgan Williams and Josh Sims.

The visitors made four changes with former Glovers Tom Knowles and Joe Quigley among them alongside Jordan Garrick and Teddy Jenks the other replacements.

The changes definitely increased the threat for the visitors and with ten minutes remaining a ball in from the right came to Knowles at the back post, he played it back across a completely unguarded net, but there was no-one there to turn get there and Bernard cleared it out for a corner.

Kyrell Wilson replaced McGuckin after 84 minutes and five minutes later the Swansea City loanee had a shot superbly blocked inside the area after great work for Lavinier.

With one minute of second half injury time played, the visitors grabbed a late equaliser. A corner was met by the head of Quigley and Ryan INNISS was there to stab it home at the back post. The former Glovers’ loanee ‘had a word’ with some Yeovil fans in the Thatchers’ Stand as he celebrated a second late goal against his old employers – having done exactly the same time at the New Lawn back on New Year’s Day.

The substitutes definitely rescued Forest Green, but Mark Cooper will take heart from another impressive performance against one of the division’s highest-ranked sides.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Forest Green Rovers 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Friday 18th April, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 24 (1-0), Ryan Inniss 90+1

Pitch: Bobbling more and more as the match went on.
Conditions: Started in heavy rain, but eased off in the second half

Attendance: 4,092 (304 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town:  Frankie Terry 77
Forest Green Rovers: Emmanuel Osadebe 45, Charlie McCann 74, Jordan Garrick 77, Sean Long 90+5

Referee: Declan Brown

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Marcel Lavinier (for Harry Kite, 67), Charlie Cooper (for Morgan Williams, 67), Otis Khan (for Josh Sims, 69), Kyrrel Wilson (for Ciaran McGuckin, 84), Michael Smith (not used), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Forest Green Rovers: Ted Cann, Long, Ben Tozer (for Joe Quigley, 68), Ryan Inniss, Emmanuel Osadebe (for Teddy Jenks, 68), Kyle McAllister, Charlie McCann, Christian Doidge (for Jordan Garrick, 68), Jamie Robson (for Brandon Fleming, 75), Adam May, Harry Cardwell (for Tom Knowles, 68).
Substitutes (not used)  Liam Sercombe, Harry Bunker.

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A double strike from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton sealed Yeovil Town a deserved victory over an Oldham Athletic side looking to secure a place in the play-offs this season.

The Glovers struck after just nine minutes when Lo-Everton was found by a great ball from Michael Smith to fire the opener and Yeovil looked good value for their 1-0 half-time advantage with Ciaran McGuckin coming close to adding a second.

Lo-Everton struck early again when great work from McGuckin found him at the back post with just four minutes of the second half played. Jake Caprice pulled a late goal back three minutes in to stoppage time, but it proved nothing more than a consolation goal.

First half

The first opportunity fell to Yeovil after good work from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who found space after a good flick on by Ciaran McGuckin, cut inside and hit a weak shot which Mathew Hudson in the Oldham goal held on to easily.

On ten minutes, it was Sonny who put the hosts ahead. There will be complaints from Oldham who thought Michael Smith had run the ball out of play, but the Northern Irishman played to the whistle and threaded a great ball in to  LO-EVERTON running in to the box to shot across the keeper and in to the net.

The fast start from the home side continued with McGuckin and Sims combining nicely before the on loan Rotherham United man pulled his shot wide. Yeovil have started brightly, whereas Oldham look to be wobbling.

Oldham were forced in to an early change after 20 minutes when Jake Leach, on loan from Hull City, went down injured and was replaced by tricky winger Jesrun Uchegbulam.

The visitors had a great opportunity to level five minutes later when Charlie Raglan met Tom Pett’s free-kick with a header from inside the six-yard area which flashed just wide. A minute later Lo-Everton’s ball towards Dom Bernard was headed tamely towards Hudson at the other end.

There was another chance for Oldham just after the half-hour mark when Kian Harratt seemed surprised to find himself in space eight yards out allowing just enough time for Jake Wannell to clear it.

McGuckin wiggled his way in from the right-hand side and tried to bend one in to the far corner with Hudson at full stretch. It may even have clipped the post on its way out for a goal kick.

Aidan Stone had to be brave to deny Uchegbulum with five minutes of the first half remaining. The keeper came to meet the substitute on the edge of his area.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Oldham Athletic 0

 

Second half

Four minutes after the restart, Yeovil doubled their advantage with a goal made by McGuckin. Having been found by Bernard’s forward ball, the Rotherham United loanee looked to have a chance to shoot himself as he powered towards goal but instead did superbly to get a ball to the back post where LO-EVERTON was on hand to turn home his second of the day from close range.
 
Yeovil Town celebrate Sonny’s second. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.
 
Oldham responded immediately with a double change bringing on top scorer Mike Fondop and Vinsal Yoganathan, an attacking move with the visitors having to go for it.
 
The pair combined two minutes later when Yoganathan’s ball found Fondop and Stone had to do well to deny him before a ball hit Fondop in the face seconds later and managed to set Harratt through and Stone pulled off another impressive stop to deny him. They have been on the pitch literally minutes, but the substitutes have made an impact.
 
On 56 minutes, Morgan Williams replaced Michael Smith for his first appearance for more than two months. Williams went back in to a three-man back line with Finn Cousin-Dawson switching with Bernard to fulfil midfield position.
 
Cousin-Dawson had a great opportunity to make it 3-0 just after the hour. Great work from McGuckin (again) left an Oldham player on the floor and had a shot well saved by Hudson before the ball broke to Cousin-Dawson who hammered it goalwards and it was deflected over for a corner.
 
 
Oldham looked to have responded well after their substitutions, but Yeovil have quickly taken the sting out of them. Harvey Greenslade replaces Sonny with 63 minutes gone. Can anyone else take the Man of the Match award away from him? Surely not.
 
The visitors had a few efforts high and wide with Harratt and Conlon both off target before an 81st minute free-kick from Conlon landed at the feet of Fondop inside the box. But the striker’s first touch was heavy and the ball ran out for a goal kick.
 
But, with two minutes of seven added on at the end of the game the visitors pulled a goal back. Referee Stephen Copeland got in the way of the ball and was forced to give a drop ball which he dropped straight at the feet of an Oldham player who was unchallenged to knock it sideways to Jake CAPRICE who moved to within 30 yards of goal and unleashed a thunderous strike. A nervy last five minutes which seemed unlikely at any point before that.
 
If you wondered what this meant for the visitors, Mathew Hudson came up for two corners in the sixth minute of injury time. He didn’t get to them and Yeovil held on for a deserved victory.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Oldham Athletic 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 12th April, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 10 (1-0), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 48 (2-0), Jake Caprice 90+2 (2-1)

Pitch: Held up well but started to bobble a bit in the second half
Conditions: Cloudy but warm

Attendance: 3373 (372 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town:  Josh Sims 45+7, Finn Cousin-Dawson 90+6
Oldham Athletic: Vinsal Yoganathan 87

Referee: Stephen Copeland

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes:  Morgan Williams (for Michael Smith, 56), Harvey Greenslade (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 63), Kyrell Wilson (for Ciaran McGuckin, 77), Marcel Lavinier (for Josh Sims, 89), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Oldham Athletic: Mathew Hudson, Mark Kitching, Tom Pett. Shaun Hobson, Tom Conlon, Joe Garner (for Mike Fondop, 53), Jordan Rossiter (for Vinsal Yoganathan, 53), Charlie Raglan, Jake Caprice, Kian Harratt, Jake Leake (for Jesurun Uchegbulam, 20).

Substitutes (not used): Tom Donaghy, Josh Lundstram, Corry Evans, Joe Pritchard.