Match Reports (Page 9)

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Yeovil Town’s run without a win stretched to nine games and two months after they were beaten by relegation battlers Wealdstone at Huish Park this afternoon.

The Glovers fell behind to a soft header from Enzio Boldewijn after just 14 minutes before Finn Cousin-Dawson thumped home a header as the game ticked in to first half injury time.

But, it was more poor defending which gifted former Yeovil loanee Josh Grant ten minutes in to the second half and then the home side were unable to break down a resolute Wealdstone defence.

 

First half

The opening chance of the game fell to Yeovil after five minutes when a breakdown in communications between the visitors’ Luca Gunter and captain Marian Ariappa allowed a combination of Kyrell Wilson and James Plant to have an opportunity only for it to go out of play.  Peak National League defending and finishing there.
 
For the first ten minutes, Yeovil looked the better side with both Wilson and Ciaran McGuckin stretching the visitors backline, but it was the visitors who took the lead after just 14 minutes. A diagonal ball beat Josh Sims and found Enzio BOLDEWIJN at the back post and his looping header beat Aidan Stone.
 
Four minutes later, visiting defender Adrian Mariappa appeared fortunate to remain on the pitch when he seemed to blatantly handled the ball. McGuckin was behind the defender, albeit with visiting defenders in attendance as well, but referee Issac Searle adjudged the striker had enough to do for it to it only be a yellow card. Huish Park and Yeovil skipper Jake Wannell disagreed with the decision with Wannell getting a booking for his protests.
 
McGuckin came close to pulling the Glovers level after 25 minutes when McGuckin got on to a through ball and prodded it past Gunter but Wealdstone defender Josh Grant, a former loanee at Huish Park back in 2019, did superbly to get back and clear it off the line.
 
 
It is fair to say the Huish Park crowd does not sound happy, there’s jeers coming from all quarters of the ground. Plant has switched to the left side and got a shot away with 38 minutes gone, but Wealdstone manage to get the block in again.
 
On 41 minutes, wonderful run down the right by Wilson crossed a superb ball in to the box which was inches away from McGuckin, who is looking for his first goal since he scored in the Glovers’ 3-0 win at Wealdstone back in October.
 
But, on the stroke of half-time saw Brett McGavin lift a free-kick in to the middle of the box and Finn COUSIN-DAWSON rose highest inside the box to thump a header past  Gunter and draw the match level.
 
 

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Wealdstone 1

Second half

After a thoroughly forgettable, the first action of the second half led to the visitors taking the lead after 55 minutes. Another silly free-kick given away by Josh Sims and a great free-kick from Anthony Georgiou was headed by Josh GRANT and possibly coming off a Yeovil player in its way in to the net. Cheap free-kick, terribly defended.
 
Shortly after the hour mark, Kofi Shaw replaced Sean McGurk and played alongside McGuckin and Wilson in the attacking three. A like for like change.
 
Unsurprisingly, Wealdstone had absolutely no qualms about wasting time and picked up a couple of bookings for their trouble, but Yeovil offered little in the attacking there. Josh Sims put a left-footed shot wide after 68 minutes and then another Georgiou free-kick flashed across the face of goal and Alex Reid was inches away from extending the visitors’ lead three minutes later.
 
Lewys Twamley replaced Dom Bernard with Cousin-Dawson dropping back in to a back three and then Harvey Greenslade replaced McGuckin, who has had a quieter second half. Wealdstone are quite happy to sit back and continue to be defensively solid and hit on the break. 
 
The sun came out in the second half – but that’s about as positive as it gets.
 
Frank Nouble appeared after 83 minutes, in place of Josh Sims, with a flat back four coming in. To be honest, even if he had a cape and was wearing his underpants over some tights, not sure what he can do here.
 
Credit to Wealdstone, they defended for their lives and deserved the three points. Yeovil also got what they deserved. The full-time verdict from the Huish Park crowd – roundly booed.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Wealdstone 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 15th February, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Enzio Boldewijn 14 (0-1), Finn Cousin-Dawson 45 (1-1), Josh Grant 55 (1-2), 

Pitch: Slippy and patchy in front of the Thatchers End
Conditions: Overcast and chilly

Attendance: 3,179 (143 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 19, Kofi Shaw 87
Wealdstone: Adrian Mariappa 19, Alex Reid 30, Craig Eastmond 61, Connor McAvoy 66, Alex Dyer 88, Luca Gunter 90+2

Referee: Issac Searle

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Kofi Shaw (for Sean McGurk, 61), Lewys Twamley (for Dom Bernard, 69), Harvey Greenslade (for Ciaran McGuckin, 75), Frank Nouble (for Josh Sims, 83), Michael Smith (not used),  Matt Gould (not used).

Wealdstone: Luca Gunter, Anthony Georgiou, Adrian Mariappa, Josh Grant, Connor McAvoy, Enzio Boldewijn (for Dominic Hutchinson, 46), Max Kretzschmar, Craig Eastmond, Harrison Sohna, Micah Obiero (for Alex Dyer, 79), Alex Reid.

Substitutes (not used):  Dante Baptiste, Henry Jeffcott, Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong, Jeffrey Sekyere.

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A Brett McGavin goal saw Yeovil Town get away from Dagenham & Redbridge with a point from a thoroughly forgettable encounter.

The Glovers had fallen behind to a fifth minute goal from the hosts’ Josh Rees before they were awarded a penalty – their first of the season when Kyrell Wilson was fouled inside the box after 39 minutes. McGavin’s initial effort was as saved by Nathan Harvey before the midfielder turned home the rebound.

Dave was one of the 311 in the away end at Victoria Road and here is how he saw it.

First half

Manager Mark Cooper gave a debut to recently arrived goalkeeper Aidan Stone following the departure of loanee Ollie Wright and brought James Plant straight in to the starting line-up after his return on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Stone’s first real action was to pick the ball out of his own net after five minutes. A long throw from the left was flicked on and dropped to Josh REES placed a superb finish past the keeper.
 
From there it was the home side which had the advantage with Hill heading a cross with wide before Dagenham had the ball in the net from Loupalo-Bi with the Yeovil defensive ineptitude only saved by the offside flag.
 
 
We look every inch a side that has not played for two weeks and were fielding another unfamiliar starting XI, meanwhile Dagenham seemed to sense blood and pushed forward at every opportunity. 
 
Yeovil’s first opportunity fell to Kyrell Wilson who shot was blocked by the legs of Dagenham keeper Nathan Harvey after 15 minutes, before Brett McGavin’s low free-kick ten minutes later forced the keeper in to action again.
But every time Dagenham pressed forward they found Yeovil in generous mood with Loupalo-Bi forcing Stone to tip one over the bar on 34 minutes and testing the keeper again four minutes later.
 
Then on 39 minutes the unthinkable happened when we were awarded a penalty after Nouble found Wilson inside the area and the Swansea loanee was felled. Our first spot kick of the season and Brett McGavin stepped up. Dead ball specialist, what could go wrong? Harvey saved the spot kick, but McGAVIN was there to turn home the rebound.
 
 
Even with the defence which won last season’s title we look all over the place whenever Dagenham attack, whereas the frontline looks at best disjointed. But, we’re level at the break and let’s been grateful for that.
 

Half time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half almost repeated the first when a free-kick in to the box from Dagenham was met by Tom Eastman whose header seemed to go in slow motion but Stone was level to it.
 
There was a distinct lack of Charlie Cooper in the Yeovil midfield which Mark Cooper tried to rectify with the arrival of Finn Cousin-Dawson in a central defensive midfield position, replacing Jacob Maddox after 55 minutes.
 
Wilson was probably the brightest part of the Yeovil attack and when he jinked in to the box after a hour but his shot was blocked.
 
On the 73 minutes, Dagenham came within inches of restoring their advantage when Shiloh Remy dribbled at the Yeovil defence and slammed a shot against the post and then on 77 minutes it was only a brilliant block on the line by Morgan Williams that denied substitute Khaleel.
 
 
Ciaran McGuckin and Sean McGurk were both introduced towards the end, but this was a match which seemed destined to finish even. Both sides coming in to it in such poor form, it was like neither side wanted to lose it or had enough to win it.
 
When Dagenham got a free-kick in dangerous position with two minutes of the four added on in the second half played, there was a sense of trepidation in the away end. There need not have been, it went high, wide and not very handsome. The universe wanted it to end level and so it did.

Full time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Victoria Road 
Date: Saturday 8th February, 3pm

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Josh Rees 5 (0-1), Brett McGavin 39 (1-1)

Pitch: Not bad for this stage of the season.
Conditions: Cold and a bit damp.

Attendance: 1,703 (311 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Brett McGavin 14, Morgan Williams 54, Finn Cousin-Dawson 64, Jake Wannell 90+4.
Dagenham & Redbridge: Trent Rendall 25, Josh Umerah 54.

Referee: James Bancroft

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Jacob Maddox, 54), Ciaran McGuckin (for James Plant, 75), Sean McGurk (for Kofi Shaw, 83), Dom Bernard (not used), Josh Sims (not used), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Dagenham & Redbridge: Nathan Harvey, Trent Rendall, Tom Eastman, Paul Kalambiya, Reagan Clayton (for Rafiq Khaleel, 75), Shiloh Remy, Jake Hessenthaler, Josh Rees, Ryan Hills, Josh  Umerah (for Reece Grego-Cox, 83), Aaron Loupalo-Bi (for Oscar Rutherford, 75).

Substitutes (not used):  Louis Jones, Chris Jones, Kayden Harrack, Christian N’Guessan.

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A second half horror show saw Yeovil Town crumble to a their joint heaviest defeat of the season as they capitulated at the hands of Rochdale at Spotland.

Having weathered an early storm of pressure from the home side, the Glovers could even have taken the lead when Ciaran McGuckin forced a fine out of Sam Waller and probably deserved to go in level at the break.

But after an error from goalkeeper Ollie Wright gifted Rochdale the lead four minutes after the break, it went from bad to worse for the visitors. Wright conceded a penalty for a foul on Kairo Mitchell eight minutes later which the striker converted before another defensive blunder gifted Leon Ayinde the third on 64 minutes.

Dale lifted their foot off the gas after that but found just enough for Jake Burger to add a fourth in second half injury time to send the travelling supporters back on the 240-mile trip back to Somerset thoroughly dejected.

Here’s how Dave saw it from the away end at Spotland…..

First half

The game started with both teams trying to avoid the huge square of new turf laid down in the middle of the pitch and a mud-sand hybrid in both corners of the end which Yeovil were attacking in the first half which offered the potential of being a serious risk of injury.
 
A fifth minute scramble inside the box which was hacked away by Ciaran McGuckin after a melee of bodies and a 12th-minute free-kick – featuring a yellow card for Finn Cousin-Dawson – which was has eventually headed over by Kairo Mitchell for Rochdale was as near to action as the opening 15 minutes offered.
 
On 16 minutes, Devante Rodney put a ball over the bar after good play down the left by Ayinde before the striker stroked another one harmlessly in to the arms of Ollie Wright. But the opening exchanges were almost entirely one way traffic against a Rochdale side happy to keep probing at the Yeovil back line.
 
On 26 minutes, one of our only midfield players, Jacob Maddox, who had gone down with an injury twice was replaced by Josh Sims.
 
Looking at the state of their pitch, there’s not been much sunshine in Rochdale lately – but there was plenty in the first half.
 
It took until the last 15 minutes for Yeovil to begin to come back in to the game and on 34 minutes McGurk and Wilson combined well for the latter to lift a shot over the bar when he would have been better feeding the Swansea City youngster for a chance on goal.
 
But undoubtedly Yeovil’s best chance of the first half fell to McGuckin after 39 minutes. Good pressure by McGurk and Wilson saw the ball break to the Rotherham United loanee whose effort looked to be going in the top corner only for Dale keeper Sam Waller to turn it over for a corner.
 
At the other end Ollie Wright was in action after 43 minutes after Charlie Cooper’s foul – leading to a booking for the midfielder and a two-match ban – gave Rodney an opportunity to get his effort on target only to be denied by the on loan Southampton keeper.
 

Half time: Rochdale 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The first chance of the second half led to the first goal of the game and from an error from Ollie Wright. He came to punch a corner from East and it comes off the back of Alex Whittle and cannons in to the net. I think there’s a flick from Devante RODNEY before Wright punches it, but that looks like an own goal to me. A disastrous way to start the second half.
 
 

A complete communication break down between Wright and Cousin-Dawson saw Mitchell sneak in and go down under pressure from the keeper. Penalty. Kairo MITCHELL put the ball in the far corner with 57 minutes played. It’s gone from bad to even worse.

Kairo Mitchell strokes home the penalty.
 
Rochdale are running riot and our team looks like they have never met each other – an excuse which only new signing Kyrell Wilson can offer as any kind of defence. Charlie Cooper lucky not to pick up a second yellow card for a foul on the edge of his box.
 
On 61 minutes, Yeovil made three substitutions with Morgan Williams, Lewys Twamley and Frank Nouble coming on in place of Dom Bernard, Alex Whittle and Sean McGurk.
 
Three minutes after the changes and it is 3-0. The third goal was another defensive calamity, a ball from Tobi Adebayo-Rowling was completely missed inside the box by Cousin-Dawson and lands to Leon AYINDE who could not miss from inside the six yard box. 
 
It could have been worse on 68 minutes when a corner was nodded on by Liam Hogan who came back off the bar and away.  The amount of times that Rochdale cut us open down the right side with complete ease, even though that side of the the pitch is basically a swamp.
 
McGuckin has an effort well-saved by Waller before Cooper is replaced by Kofi Shaw with 68 minutes played, presumably as much to protect him from a second yellow card as much as anything else. Mercifully, Rochdale make a raft of changes with just over ten minutes remaining and seem to have taken their foot off the gas.
 
That said, Wright makes a good save from substitute evergreen striker Ian Henderson with eight minutes remaining and then with four minutes of second half stoppage time played, it’s four. A shot from substitute Jili Buyabu is saved by Wright, falls to Henderson who is denied by a last ditch tackle and Jake BURGER is on hand to smash it home from close range.
 
The final whistle is met by the sound of boos from the away end and quite rightly. That was a performance completely lacking in spirit from Yeovil and there can be no defence for it.
 

Full time: Rochdale 4 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Spotland
Date: Saturday 25th January- 3pm kick-off 

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Devante Rodney 49 (0-1), Kairo Mitchell 57 (0-2), Leon Ayinde 64 (0-3), Jake Burger 90+4 (0-4)

Pitch: Looked like the type of carpet your Dad puts down in his garage, but inside of oil stains there were huge muddy patches
Conditions: Brilliant sunshine

Attendance: 2,463 

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Finn Cousin-Dawson 10, Charlie Cooper 41, Dom Bernard 41
Rochdale:  Sam Beckwith 90

Referee: Scott Oldham

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

 

Substitutes: Josh Sims (for Jacob Maddox, 26), Lewys Twamley (for Dom Bernard, 61), Morgan Williams (for Sean McGurk, 61), Frank Nouble (for Alex Whittle, 65), Kofi Shaw (for Charlie Cooper, 69), Harvey Greenslade (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Rochdale: Sam Waller, Jid Okeke (for Jili Buyabu, 77), Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Liam Hogan, Kyron Gordon, Sam Beckwith, Leon Ayinde (for Jake Burger, 77), Ryan East (for Charlie Weston, 87), Harvey Gilmour, Kairo Mitchell (for Connor McBride, 77), Devante Rodney (for Devante Rodney, 73).

Substitutes (not used):  Kyle Ferguson, Tarryn Allarakhia.

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Yeovil Town drew a blank in front of goal as they were forced to settle for a point under the floodlights of Friday night football at Huish Park against play-off chasing Gateshead.

It was loanee Sean McGurk who came the closest to scoring for the Glovers when he slammed a shot against the base of the post in the second minute of the game and the hosts arguably edge the first half.

In the second it was definitely Gateshead’s with Luke Hannant curling an effort against the inside of the post with five minutes remaining before Ollie Wright pulled off an outstanding save from Will McGowan to seal the clean sheet and the point.

First half

It was an eventful bit of team news with manager Mark Cooper confirming the absence of striker Aaron Jarvis would be for the next three months and such was the reaction that the absence of defender Morgan Williams from the starting XI barely got a mention.
 
There were returns to the line-up of left-back Alex Whittle alongside club captain Matt Worthington who took the armband for his 250th appearance for the Glovers. New signing forward Lewys Twamley was named amongst the substitutes.
 
We had thought it was a back three (a fair guess) but it is Dom Bernard and Whittle taking up the right and left positions in defence with Jake Wannell and Finn Cousin-Dawson in the centre of the defence. Brett McGavin is playing (at least for the start of this game) as the deeper of his partnership with Charlie Cooper.
 
The opening chance fell to Yeovil and it was so close to going it after just two minutes. Josh Sims’ ball found Ciaran McGuckin with his back to goal, he could not turn the defenders but managed to find Sean McGurk just inside the box and the Swindon Town loanee smashed his shot off the foot of the post. So close.
 
We are moving the ball quicker. This is not a drill, we are moving the ball quicker. For the opening ten minutes, we weathered a bit of a storm but gave as good as we got against a Gateshead side which were very keen to dominate possession.
 
There was a blow for the visitors after just 12 minutes as defender Max Sheaf, recently signed following his release from Scottish side Ross County, went down injured and was replaced by Charlie Colkett.
 
Alex Whittle shown a yellow card after half-an-hour of his return from injury.
 
The tactic from the Yeovil midfield seems to be to try and draw the Gateshead defence out by playing a little deeper, presumably to free up for some space for McGuckin to run in to.
 
There’s not been a lot of action for either goalkeeper, a bit of a tactical chess game going on here. Some restless shouts from the Huish Park stands and judging from Mark Cooper’s gesticulation, he wants the ball forward as well. That speed of moving the ball I mentioned earlier has slackened off somewhat.
 
With 90 seconds of the first half remaining, a Charlie Cooper corner was not dealt with by Gateshead keeper Owen Mason and there was a scramble inside the box which Finn Cousin-Dawson headed wide. The offside flag was up, so it was academic anyway.
 
 
There was a yellow card for Gateshead captain Kenton Richardson for a foul on Josh Sims which led to the best chance since the second minute. Cooper’s free-kick in to the box was knocked back across goal by Jake Wannell and Matt Worthington stretched to try and turn it home but could not quite reach it.
 
A technical battle but we held our own and there was more energy and purpose going forward compared to the past couple of matches. We have arguably edged it, but GERRIT FORWARD, YEOVIL!
 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Gateshead 0

Second half

The first chance (if you can call it that) of the second half fell to the visitors’ Louis Flower after five minutes of the restart. A ball in between Wannell and Whittle was not dealt with by either player but fortunately Flower could only put it over the away end and possibly on to the top pitches. Those individual errors we have been feeling the brunt of recently almost cost us again there.
Gateshead have stepped it up this half and are moving the ball quickly (lovely) and there was a bit of pressure in our area without forcing Ollie Wright in to action.
 
There was an effort from McGurk who was found by a beautiful ball from Brett McGavin affair 56 minutes and moments later Ben Worman had one easily held by Wright. Cagey affair this one.
 
On 59 minutes, new signing Lewys Twamley replaced Josh Sims. 
 
Gateshead’s foothold in the game is getting firmer and firmer as Yeovil drop deeper and deeper and on 61 minutes Jean Belehouan’s shot from inside the box went narrowly wide. It is one-way traffic with the visitors dominating and starting to create openings. 
 
Jean Belehouan shoots just wide of the post.
 
Another injury blow to add to the losses of Jarvis and Williams as another key player goes off the pitch. Brett McGavin limping off after 64 minutes replaced by Jacob Maddox.
 
On 66 minutes, Jake Wannell found himself unmarked inside the box to pick his spot from Cooper’s free-kick, but he got it all wrong. A great delivery but Wannell got it all wrong and found himself in the wrong position and headed in to the Thatcher’s End. That was a chance.
 
Kofi Shaw replaced Sean McGurk after 70 minutes. It looks like a tactical change as well with Worthington getting further forward with Twamley and Shaw in behind McGuckin.
 
With ten minutes remaining, there was almost a beautiful end to the script as Yeovil pressured the ball and McGuckin fed the ball through to Worthington who forced a fine stop out of Owen Mason on his 250th appearance. Worthy’s 250th appearance, that is.
 
There was another great chance with eight minutes remaining. The ball pinging around inside the Gateshead box, Maddox’s shot was blocked but broke to Shaw who inexplicably put the effort wide. Luckily for him the linesman’s flag spared his blushes. It’s Yeovil who are on top for now.
 
But, within seconds it was the visitors who had two glorious opportunities within the space of 90 seconds. On 86 minutes, Luke Hannant’s curling effort looked to be creeping in to the corner of the net only to come off the inside of the post and away to safety, then seconds later Will McGowan tried to curl one only to be denied by an outstanding save from Ollie Wright. Take a bow, son!
 
What a save, Ollie Wright.
 
We are looking like the walking wounded here, Alex Whittle, who looked like he was running backwards against Belehouan before the Hannant effort, is getting stretched out by a team-mate, and Matt Worthington is replaced by Frank Nouble after 88 minutes. Huish Park rises to recognise the 250th appearance from their captain. What a servant.
 
Well, a strike of the post apiece and an even game. It is not going to appease those looking for a different style of play, but a point each is probably a fair result. If you look at the league table, it’s not a bad point.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Gateshead 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 17th January- 7.30pm kick-off 

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: None

Pitch: Patchy in front of the Thatcher’s, but looking okay otherwise
Conditions: Cold

Attendance: 2,919 (61 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Alex Whittle 30
Gateshead: Kenton Richardson 45+2, Louis Flower 54

Referee: Ed Duckworth

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

 

Substitutes: Lewys Twamley (for Josh Sims, 59), Jacob Maddox (for Brett McGavin, 64), Kofi Shaw (for Sean McGurk, 70), Frank Nouble (for Matt Worthington, 90), Ollie Hughes (not used), Harvey Greenslade (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Gateshead: Owen Mason, Jean Belehouan, Robbie Tinkler, Kenton Richardson (for Dan Jones, 84), Luke Hannant, Josh Williams (for Kain Adom, 89), Liam Humbles, Max Sheaf (for Charlie Colkett, 12), Will McGowan, Ben Worman, Louis Flower (for Jovan Malcolm,68).

Substitutes (not used):  Lewis Leech, Connor Pani, Jamie Bramwell.

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For the fourth match running Yeovil Town threw away a lead to leave a winning position with less than full points.

A Sean McGurk wonderstrike was cancelled out by Aaron Cosgrave in the second half.

Ebbsfleet played almost 40 minutes with ten men and Yeovil could not break them down.

A thoroughly disappointing showing from the Glovers, who have to settle for nothing more than a point.

First half

The starting XI saw two changes from the 1-1 draw at home to Woking on Saturday with Kofi Shaw straight back in to the line-up following his suspension, and Morgan Williams returning having missed the weekend through injury.
 
A Charlie Cooper shot past the post after nine minutes and Shaw’s ball in to the box were as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock in the opening ten minutes.
 
There was little to write home (or even to you good people) about for the 15 minutes which followed that with another Cooper effort from the edge of the box on 24 minutes which was deflected wide the closest effort either side came. 
There was a substitution for Ebbsfleet (that feels something concrete) with Jez Davies replaced by Todd Kane after 26 minutes, and Finn Cousin-Dawson having to temporarily go off with a blooded nose.
 
Not to sound too ‘Gerrit Forward, Cooper’, but the first shot on target came from a long ball forward which sat up nicely for Shaw to hit the game’s first effort on target. There are 35 minutes played, that is the first effort on target, although McGurk did have another within about 30 seconds of the first one landing. As low blocks go, Ebbsfleet’s is one of the lowest I have ever seen.
It was going to take something special to wake this one up and fortunately there was something in the boots of Sean MCGURK. The Swindon Town loanee produced a beautiful bit of skill to get past a defender, turned towards goal, beat another defender and lash one in off the post in from 20 yards out.

Half time: Ebbsfleet United 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half began with no changes for either team, the opening exchanges were understandably scrappy; nothing more than a mis-timed Aaron Jarvis through ball and an Aaron Cosgrave wild shot at goal for the first few moments of the game.
 
Ebbsfleet had to try and take more control of the second half and with five minutes on the clock in the second period, they had taken more control of the ball.
The Glovers’ first foray forward came through Kofi Shaw, who broke down the left hand side and held off his man, but the loanee was quickly snuffed out of the attack and despite having the ball in a good area, nothing more than a calm cross collection from the home ‘keeper is all Yeovil had to show for it.
 
The game was doing much of nothing, until it sparked into life.
 
Jake Wannell was outpaced down the left hand side, the first half sub Jez Davies, had all the time to find a through ball to Cosgrave who nudged Morgan Williams off the ball and found a cute dink over the on rushing Ollie Wright. 
 
Salt poured into the wounds a few moments later as Jarvis spun Tyler Cordner and immediately grabbed the back of his hamstring. Oh.
 
The former Torquay man had to be helped from the pitch, Josh Sims coming on for him. 
 
61 minutes on the clock and medically, things went from bad to worse. Morgan Williams hit the deck and needed assistance.
 
With the Glovers down to ten men albeit temporarily, Ebbsfleet wasted their opportunity with an overhit free kick.
 
After the restart, the Yeovil team maintained possession and Dom Bernard found a lovely ball over the top only for Mustapha Olagunju to haul Ciaran McGuckin to the floor. Foul, Free Kick. DOGSO. Red Card.
 
Yeovil would face ten men for the best part of half an hour.
 
McGavin stood over the resulting free kick, his set piece hit the wall and McGurk’s follow up shot was turned behind for a corner.
 
Charlie Cooper shot, Morgan Williams headed towards goal, if the previous 30 seconds were a sign of what’s to come, the Glovers would be in the ascendancy.
 
Brett McGavin played a lovely through ball on 68 minutes, a perfect side ways pass was blazed over from 12 yards. Not one that McGurk will want to see again.
 
There was a significant delay off the back of that chance, Tyler Cordner needed to be stretchered from the pitch after twisting awkwardly. We hope he’ll be ok, no-one likes to see that.
 
 
On came Anthony Stewart to replace the former W*ymouth man.
 
After a pause of almost 10 minutes, the game resumed and shortly after, Frank Nouble replaced Kofi Shaw and Jacob Maddox came on for McGurk.
 
With 12 minutes of the normal 90 left, McGuckin committed a foul which invited some rare Ebbsfleet pressure.
 
More subs broke up the rhythm some more, and the hosts were in no hurry.
 
When they did come forward the hosts were able to create crossing opportunities, particularly down Yeovil’s left hand side,
 
McGavin was pulling the strings in the Glovers midfield. He found some room to force the ball into the danger area, the ball found it’s way back out to the former Torquay man, but a wall of red deflected it wide.
 
The corner was followed by an intense spell of Green and White pressure, but Ebbsfleet were happy to camp in and hold on to what they had.
 
The hosts were in their two clear banks of defence, and the Glovers were struggling to pierce through the ranks.
 
Another sub for the hosts, another chance to slow the game down. Only four minutes of normal time left and Harvey Greenslade was thrown into the mix in place of McGavin.
 
Could the visitors put a sustained spell of possession? Could they find a way through? 
 
Frank Nouble did, but Josh Sims opted to pass sideways when it looked more inviting to shoot. 
 
It was pretty much just FC-D in defence for the away side as the clock ticked to 89 minutes.
 
Everyone else was in attacking areas.
 
14 Minutes added on, much to the surprise of those in red and white.
 
The sideways passes continued from the Glovers, trying to find a way through.
 
But the best chance actually fell the way of Ebbsfleet, a long hopeful ball saw Bernard muscled off the ball and Ollie Wright had to be down smart to save.
 
McGuckin had a shot drift wide – there were still more than ten minutes left to go.
 
Cooper found Bernard in the box, he was closed down by exhausted Ebbsfleet defenders. Another attempt to thread the needle was headed away.
Another shot – this time from Maddox – was blocked away.
Another cross, another block, another corner.
 
Time was still on Yeovil’s side, and Jake Wannell was now a permanent member of the attacking unit.
 
But time after time, wave after wave, Yeovil found one Ebbsfleet defender too many in the way.
 
Cooper saw a volley skew wide, the Ebbsfleet gaffer saw Yellow. 
Cooper saw a shot fly high and wide – the Glovers had failed to register a single shot on target in the second half.
 
30 seconds remained when Nouble was muscled off the ball, the front man gave away a foul and that was that.
 

Full time: Ebbsfleet United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Stonebridge Road
Date: Tuesday 14th January- 7.45pm kick-off 

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: McGurk ’38 (0-1) Cosgrave ’57 (1-1),

Pitch: Like running on a non-Newtonian fluid
Conditions: Text

Attendance: 1125 (XXX away fans)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: N/A
Ebbsfleet United:  Aoraha

Sending Off:
Yeovil Town: N/A
Ebbsfleet United:  Olagunju ’66

Referee: Rob Massey-Ellis

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Gould (GK), Greenslade, Maddox, Nouble, Sims (for Jarvis ’59), Whittle, Worthington.

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins, Aoraha, Chapman, Cordner (For Stewart), Cosgrave, Dallison, Edser, Kane (for Davies ’26), Moncur (for Samuels), Olagunju, Thomas

Substitutes (not used):  Bingham, Goddard(GK), Manktelow, Odokonyero, 

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Frustration was the word of the day at Huish Park as Woking came from behind to salvage a point from a scrappy and bitty game.

The Glovers took the lead in first half stoppage time, but an impressive second half performance from the visitors saw them claim a goal to take a share of the spoils. Here’s how it went down.

First half

Ciaran McGuckin returned to the starting line up at the first time of asking on his second loan spell in place of Kofi Shaw with Chris Todd in the dugout and Mark Cooper in the stands.
 
The first half was an even affair with both sides enjoying spells of possession. There was an early booking for Charlie Cooper who collided with Dale Gorman in the 3rd minute.
 
Gorman was in the thick of the action again in the 15th minute with a low shot from the edge of the box helped wide by Ollie Wright via a Jake Wannell deflection.
 
The Glovers had moments in the attacking areas with Frank Nouble and Josh Sims finding space out wide to get crosses into the box. Sean McGurk was inches away from getting on the end of a Nouble cross before Dion Kelly-Evans’ diving header directed it out for a corner.
 
Woking enjoyed a spell of possession without doing as great deal with the ball and lacked quality with their deliveries into the box with Wright enjoying some catching practice.
 
Throughout the first half, Yeovil looked likely to get something from a cross or set piece, with the deliveries from open play causing Woking problems.
 
Eventually into first half stoppage time, the opener came. Charlie Cooper’s wonderfully flighted cross from deep was matched by an equally wonderful looping header from Aaron JARVIS. The route to goal was only over the top of Jaaskelainen to the back post and Yeovil’s number 9 met it with precision. 1-0.
 
Jarvis was in the wars moments later following a collision with Gorman which went unnoticed by the referee although it drew a fierce reaction from Chris Todd in the dugout. 
 

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Woking 0

Second half

With neither side making any changes, the game restarted in brisk conditions.
 
The visitors had the first half chance has Harry Beautyman and Inih Effiong combined to give Jermaine Anderson an opening, but the Glovers defence smothered out the chance.
 
Adam Chicksen gave Ollie Wright some catching practice on 48 minutes, and it wasn’t until the clock ticked 50 did the Glovers make their first foray into the Woking half, but Aaron Jarvis couldn’t latch onto a through ball originally aimed for Frank Nouble, but the Guvnor was in an offside position.
 
Charlie Cooper and Brett McGavin were linking up nicely and with the latter winning a free kick, nothing came of it though and the sides began a short exchange of giving the possession back to one another.
It was Frank Nouble who put his foot on the ball, despite nearly losing the ball, he got himself free and was brought down by Harry Beautyman, who found his name taken.
 
The set piece was dealt with by a Woking side defending on the edge of their box, Sean McGurk twisted and turned but couldn’t quite find a green and white head with a well placed cross.
 
A short break in play as Dion Kelly-Evans needed treatment, with Woking in the ascendancy it was possibly not at the best time for the visitors, the appropriately named Ben Wynter coming on his place.
 
The game was edging towards the scrappy nature, Finn Cousin-Dawson went down off the ball, and got booked on 51 minutes, when the football did get going again, the Glovers tried to get forward again, Josh Sims couldn’t find a cross, Dom Bernard’s effort was claimed by the Finnish Keeper, Will Jaaskelainen.
 
Sims was next to have his name taken, a challenge on Beautyman deemed worthy of more than just a ticking off.
 
With the hour mark coming and going, the game was still yet to really settle down; Woking sub Wynter tried a cross which came to nothing and Charlie Cooper managed a heart-in-mouth moment well with a calm clearance… (can you tell I’m struggling to really make a lot of this game!?)
 
What this game needed was an explosion of quality, and it almost came from Aaron Jarvis who was within touching distance of getting to a through-ball ahead of the keeper, what followed was a good free kick set up as McGavin laid the ball into the path of Nouble, but the Glovers number 10 could only offer a pea-roller towards goal.
 
Two changes for Woking with 65 minutes on the clock, Anderson and Francis taken off and Aiden O’Brien and Lewis Walker entering the fray.
 
They both were involved in the action fairly quickly, Walker’s shot forced behind for a corner. 
Gorman’s set piece was headed away, but another shot came in, this time from Beautyman was deflected over by the head of Jake Wannell, another corner, another chance to get the ball into the area for Woking. But this time, Effiong could only put it wide.
 
The first change for the Glovers saw Frank Nouble replaced by Michael Smith, Jacob Wannell taking the armband.
 
The change seemed to just give the Glovers a chance to get going again and with 72 minutes gone, Sean McGurk picked up a lovely pass from Charlie Cooper only to see his curled effort clip the post.
 
Up the other end, quick movement between Lewis Walker took the ball down and his shot seemed to flick in off the other sub Aiden O’BRIEN.
 
That evened the game up at one a piece. Both sides were now looking for a second goal with 15 minutes left.
 
A few minutes later, Ciaran McGuckin went down under a challenge from Cian Harries – nothing doing from the referee, the Rotherham loanee hobbling back to his feet.
 
With ten minutes to go, Woking were once again in the ascendancy, earning a corner after Effiong’s shot was skewed wide off Jake Wannell.
The resulting set piece, taken by the pantomime villain, Gorman, dropped kindly for a Woking fan only for some combination of Michael Smith and Dom Bernard, just about, doing enough to keep the ball out.
 

Momentum was well and truly with the away side now, Chris Todd choosing to bring on a Glovers’ debutant – Jacob Maddox in play of Sean McGurk for the final eight or nine minutes.

This brought a slight chance of formation, Bernard switching to left back and a flat back four for the Glovers.

 
Michael Smith won an 84th minute corner, which was only half cleared by the visitors, the hosts came back though and tried to create another chance through Josh Sims, but his one-on-one with Chicksen only trickling out for a harmless goal kick.
 
The clock ticked past 90 minutes and it’s fair to say that the possession was very much in favour of Woking, five minutes added on.
 
Could either side find a final chance? Yeovil held possession in and around the final third but without a final ball to really give someone, anyone a sight at goal.
 
One final change for Yeovil as McGuckin was replaced by Harvey Greenslade to try and squeeze something out of the final seconds.
 
Yeovil were still using the ball nicely, but when Jacob Maddox went down there were some half hearted cries for action from the official, nothing doing. When Josh Sims when down late on there were some half hearted cries for action from the official. Nothing doing again.
 
That, was, that. One all. Point each. 
 

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Woking 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 11th January- 3pm kick-off 

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Aaron Jarvis 45+1 (1-0), Aiden O’Brien 74  (1-1)

Pitch: You wouldn’t have thought it had snowed on and barely above 0 this week.
Conditions: Dry and cold

Attendance: 3188 (213 Woking fans)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 3, Brett McGavin 37, Finn Cousin-Dawson 59
Woking:  Harry Beautyman 54

Referee: Paul Johnson

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Michael Smith (for Finn Cousin-Dawson 71), Jacob Maddox (for Sean McGurk, 83), Harvey Greenslade (for Ciaran McGuckin, 90+4), Matt Worthington (not used), Pedro Borges (not used), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used). 

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Cian Harries, Jamie Andrews, Harry Beautyman, Dale Gorman, Inih Effiong, Adam Chicksen, Tunji Akinola, Jermaine Anderson (for Aiden O’Brien, 67), Dion Kelly-Evans (for Ben Wynter, 58), Frank Vincent (for Lewis Walker, 67).

Substitutes (not used):  Jacob Jones, Dennon Lewis,  Rohan Ince, Oliver Webber

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More late heartbreak for Yeovil Town as Forest Green Rovers came from behind to secure all three points, a goal and a red card for Kofi Shaw meant the Bristol Rovers loanee will make the headlines. 

Here’s how it panned out at the New Lawn on New Year’s Day.

 

First half

Manager Mark Cooper named two goalkeepers on the bench with Under-18s’ stopper Will Howard sitting alongside goalkeeping coach Matt Gould at the top of the hill in Gloucestershire. The only change to the starting XI saw ex-Forest Green defender Dom Bernard replace Finn Cousin-Dawson in the back line.
 
The first opportunity came from a familiar source as Tom Knowles broke away down the left wing, skipped past Dom Bernard, and fired in a shot which Ollie Wright did well to stop at his near post after seven minutes.
 
On 13 minutes, a good break led by Sean McGurk picked out Kofi Shaw on the right side of the box, but he lifted his shot (cross?) high over the bar.

There were opportunities at both ends with 24 minutes gone. First a good move forward involving McGurk and Jarvis found Shaw loose inside the box, but his effort did not have enough on it. From the immediate break, Kyle McAllister beat the offside trap but dragged his shot wide of the far post. A let off.

Charlie Cooper tussles with Emmanuel Osadebe in the first half.
 
On the half-hour mark, a sumptuous pass from Brett McGavin found Josh Sims down the left, he laid it off to McGurk whose effort was tipped over bar by Jed Ward, before a long ball forward to Jarvis saw him have an effort blocked by Ryan Inniss.
 
The plan seemed to be to try and frustrate Forest Green’s expensively-assembled forward line whilst hitting them on the break using the pace and trickery of McGurk and Shaw. With the exception of the early chance from Knowles and McAllister’s shot wide, there was not much of a real threat on either goal.
 
That was until the 38th minute when Matt Worthington’s ball in from the right found its way across to Sims, he picked out Kofi SHAW inside the box and the teenager showed superb coolness to slot home the opening goal.
 
A scramble inside the box following a Brett McGavin free-kick with two minutes of the half remaining saw Shaw have an effort blocked.
 
 

Half time: Forest Green Rovers 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

With the wind now behind the Glovers’ backs, and a rocket up the backsides of the Forest Green players it’s perhaps no great surprise to see Rovers dominate the very early exchanges.
 
Good play down the left hand side led to former Glover Tom Knowles pouncing on a loose ball from Morgan Williams, Knowles had time to pick his spot from 25 yards, but his shot flew high and wide, an early warning sign.
 
The first time Yeovil found themselves in an attacking position saw Brett McGavin spray the ball wide to Worthington, his first time cross was just about snuffed out by Ryan Inniss, before Jarvis could pounce with the goal gaping.
 
It wasn’t long after that, Charlie Cooper did well in midfield to snatch the ball and send Kofi Shaw on his way, but the Rovers loanee could only force a corner. McGavin’s set piece was over everyone, but the official had already blown for a foul.
 
On 53 minutes, a fairly even coming together between Robson and Shaw, saw Robson go down and Shaw go in the book, the subsequent free kick was snuffed out by the visitors.
 
 
There was a hairy moment on 57 minutes as Jake Wannell let a ball bounce and Liam Sercombe beat him to the ball, the awkward bounce almost did for Ollie Wright on the edge of the box, the keeper needing every millimeter of his frame to pluck the ball out of the air.
 
As the clock approached an hour mark, back to back crosses from Worthington and Sims saw both McGurk and McGavin twist and turn to try and find space before the ex-Torquay midfielder just ran out of room in the 18-yard box.
 
McGurk was back in the mix shortly after as well, he and Shaw linked up well 20 yards from goal, but a second goal was still not coming as Shaw fired over.
 
As subs for both sides warmed up on the sidelines, Forest Green forced a corner, good play between Knowles and Long down the left side. Before the corner could be taken, a double change with Harry Cardwell and Joe Quigley (remember him!) coming on. The corner was taken and both Osadebe and Inniss had chances to force the ball home, but a combination of Ollie Wright and a whole host of Glovers’ bodies kept the sheet clean.
 
The substitutions saw the hosts go to a back three and match up the Glovers and it was immediately paying dividends with Cardwell and Quigley working well off one another. Ryan Inniss was again causing problems in the air, winning the first ball from a couple of set pieces meant that Wright was called into action on more than one occasion.
 
The traffic  (and presumably, electrically charged) could now be described as one-way in favour of Forest Green, with 70 minutes on the clock – Ollie Wright took advantage of a stoppage in play to get some treatment – spoiler, he was fine.
 
Yeovil were having trouble breaking away from defensive positions, both Kofi Shaw and Matt Worthington made runs forward but found support hard to come by and possession was quickly back at the feet of the home side.
 
With 75 minutes on the clock, a flash point right on the edge of the box, Kofi Shaw’s boot was once again too high for the referee’s liking, his boot met the head of Tom Knowles (#DFILWF). Penalty. Red Card. Nightmare.
 
Inside the box, ref?
 
Dom Bernard was booked before the spot kick would be taken and Kyle MCALLISTER slotted the spot kick home, hard and low to Ollie Wright’s left.
 
Momentum was now well and truly with the hosts, the Glovers were sitting deeper and deeper and chances were starting to come, Liam Sercombe had a shot from distance, Joe Quigley narrowly missed a vital contact on a fierce cross and Tom Knowled had a shot blocked.
 
Finn Cousin-Dawson was brought on to bolster the back line, replacing Sean McGurk and going straight into a right-back position.
 
With more than 10 minutes still to play, Tom Knowles continued to cause problems down the left, his cross was only half cleared before Adam May’s long range effort tipped over by Ollie Wright.
 
The Glovers’ clearances were getting more wild by the minute, possession would have favoured the home side in serious numbers since the red card. Another corner for the hosts, found it’s way onto the head of Harry Cardwell, but the sub couldn’t control the effort and it sailed over.
 
It was starting to feel like an attack vs defence session, another good run by Knowles, another effort sailing high over the bar. Jake Wannell was then sprawled out on the deck, with plenty of attention being paid to his ‘grown up areas’. Both Quigley and Wannell were booked in the fracas.
 
When play resumed, so did the barrage of attacks, Robson ghosted into the box and forced Ollie Wright into a fantastic save down to his right. The following corner came to nothing.
 
We’re clock watching now, 88 minutes came and went, another dangerous move involving Knowles and Quigley, another effort high and wide. Josh Sims was replaced by Michael Smith. Shutting up shop was well and truly underway.
 
 
As the clock ticked over the 90, Forest Green attacked again, Knowles set up Sercombe and a vital block got in the way for the Glovers. The Vegans’ sixth corner was high over the heads of everyone.
 
Knowles’ race was run, he was taken off for new signing Jordan Garrick. Garrick was immediately involved, drawing a foul from FC-D. Adam May stood over the ball, 18.2 yards from goal, his right footed free kick wasted.
 
With 93 minutes gone, a short free kick found the head of Harry Cardwell, a great save from Wright could only put the ball at the feet of Ryan INNISS, he bundled home to break Glovers’ hearts. It’s fair to say, the pressure had been mounting.

It was Forest Green’s turn to time waste now with a minute left and as time ticked down, the result was confirmed. A spirited performance from the Glovers, but the travelling 703 supporters were sent home empty handed.

Full time: Forest Green Rovers 2 Yeovil Town 1

 

Match Details

Venue: The New Lawn
Date: Wednesday 1st January 2025 – 3pm kick-off 

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Kofi Shaw 38 (1-0), Kyle McAllister pen 75 (1-1), Ryan Inniss 90+4 (1-2) 

Pitch: Look exceptional given the wet conditions in the build up
Conditions: Dry but blustery

Attendance: 3002 (703 away supporters)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Kofi Shaw 54, 75, Dom Bernard 76, Jake Wannell 87
Forest Green:  Joe Quigley 85

Referee: James Oldham

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Sean McGurk, 79), Michael Smith (for Josh Sims, 88), Pedro Borges (not used), Ollie Hughes (not used), Frank Nouble (not used), Matt Gould (not used), Will Howard (not used).

Forest Green Rovers: Jed Ward, Sean Long (for Joe Quigley, 63), Ryan Inniss, Emmanuel Odsadebe, Kyle McAllister, Christian Doidge (for Harry Cardwell, 63), Liam Sercombe, Tom Knowles (for Jordan Garrick, 90+2), Jordan Moore-Taylor, Jamie Robson, Adam May.

Substitutes (not used):  Jamie Searle, Marcel Lavinier, Ben Tozer, Harvey Bunker.

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Yeovil Town suffered stoppage time heartbreak as an equaliser in the third minute of second half injury time saw them have to settle for a point against Eastleigh at Huish Park on Boxing Day.

The Glovers looked like they had gift wrapped three points when a late Morgan Williams header from a corner (where have we heard that before?) saw them take the lead with a minute of normal time remaining.

But the visitors grabbed an even later goal when a suspiciously offside looking Richard Brindley snuck in on 90+3 minutes to grab an equaliser.

Here’s how Dave saw it from the Thatcher’s End….

First half

Yeovil gave new signing winger Sean McGurk, who joined from Swindon Town on Christmas Eve, an immediate start playing alongside Kofi Shaw in behind Aaron Jarvis. Josh Sims and Matt Worthington took up the left and right wing-back positions with no sign of Alex Whittle in the squad and Michael Smith on the bench.
 
The first effort on goal came from Shaw after four minutes following persistent play by Jarvis and the Bristol Rovers loanee, whose effort was blocked.
 
The Huish Park pitch looks to be suffering the after effects of weeks of non-stop rain and the ball held up well and had players from both sides slipping and sliding from early on. It was also clear the Eastleigh players had heard about Shaw who seemed to have three yellow shirts marking him for the opening exchanges.
 
On 15 minutes, McGurk flashed a shot across from goal after Sims got away down the left side. But it was Eastleigh who enjoyed a ten minute spell of pressure as the half reached the midway point, albeit without forcing Ollie Wright in to action.
 
On 28 minutes, sustained period of pressure saw the ball pinging around inside the Eastleigh area, before falling to Charlie Cooper who needed two goes at it but forced a stop out of Joe McDonnell in the visitors’ goal.
 
Cooper, who had been in commanding form in the middle of the pitch, had another effort with seven minutes to go until half-time. He found himself in space on the edge of the box, but McDonnell was equal to another fierce effort.
 
On 41 minutes, Shaw combined well with McGurk before bending an effort the wrong side of the post and moments later a low ball in to the box found the loanee at the far post but his effort was blocked by McDonnell.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Eastleigh 0

Second half

But it was Yeovil who started with more attacking threat with Jarvis just unable to get enough on a ball in from the right, before McGurk had a glorious opportunity to open his account on 47 minutes. He was found by Shaw but delayed his shot and McDonnell denied him.

It took just one more minute for the Swindon Town loanee to get a goal and he’ll never get an easier one. A long ball forward from Williams saw Jarvis battling (when doesn’t he?) for the ball and it broke for Shaw who fired across the face of goal, evading McDonnell and McGURK was completely unmarked at the back post to tap home the opener.

 
Having brought on Paul McCallum, a player with a history of being prolific at this level, at half-time and lost another player with a similar record, Scott Quigley, on 58 minutes through injury.
 
But on 69 minutes it was a great bit of skill from Waruih which saw him turn as Finn Cousin-Dawson slipped and chipped the ball over the onrushing Wright, only for Worthington to come to the rescue with an outstanding goal line clearance.
 
With 20 minutes remaining, McGurk was withdrawn and replaced by Frank Nouble and in 75th minute he almost had a great chance to open his account for the season. Worthington hooked a clearance back in to the danger area but the ball did not come down quick enough for the striker and Eastleigh cleared the danger.
 
Jake Wannell came close when his header from a McGavin cross crept agonisingly wide before Shaw had another effort blocked. But the next clear-cut fell to McCallum who found himself one-on-one with Wright after Williams tumbled under pressure from the substitute, only to be denied by a great save from the on loan Southampton keeper.
 
Ten minutes from time, the visitors found their equaliser. A long throw from McCallum, who had been chucking bombs since he arrived, found its way to the back post where Lloyd HUMPHREYS stole a yard of space to head it home.
 
With three minutes of normal time remaining, Michael Smith replaced Sims and the evergreen Northern Irishman was straight in to action, causing issues for the Eastleigh defence down the right side. And it was his  pressure which won a corner that put Yeovil back in front.
 
With a minute of normal time remaining, McGavin lifted one in to the middle of the box which landed on to the head of Morgan WILLIAMS who sent the Thatcher’s Stand in to raptures.
 
That looked for all the world to be enough to take three points until six minutes of injury time came up from the officials and in the third minute of stoppage time, Eastleigh grabbed an equaliser. Richard BRINDLEY stole in from what looked a decidedly offside position (admittedly looking from the Thatcher’s End) to grab the visitors a point. Having seen it again on the highlights, I still cannot tell you if it’s a botched attempt at playing offside from our defence or a botched attempt at being a linesman.
 
Whether it’s another hard luck story about National League officials again, the two goals we conceded in that second half  were soft and, when coupled with our inability to convert our chances, tell the story of our season so far.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Eastleigh 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Thursday 26th December 2024 – 3pm kick-off 

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Sean McGurk 48 (1-0), Lloyd Humphries 80 (1-1), Morgan Williams 89 (2-1), Richard Brindley 90+3 (2-2)

Pitch: Looked heavy from the off with plenty of sand at the Thatcher’s end. Feeling the effects of weeks of relentless battering from the weather.
Conditions: Misty but mild 

Attendance: 4,355 (130 away supporters)

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: None
Eastleigh: Noa Boutin 52, Niall Maher 86

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Frank Nouble (for Sean McGurk, ) Michael Smith (for Josh Sims, 87), Pedro Borges (for Kofi Shaw, 90), Dom Bernard, Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Eastleigh: Joe McDonnell, Richard Brindley, Lloyd Humphreys, Ludwig Francilleti, Jake Taylor (for Paul McCallum, 46), Tyrese Shade, Dominic Gape, Angel Waruhi, Scott Quigley (for Luis Hernandez, 53), Noa Boutin, Niall Maher.

Substitutes (not used): Scott, Hodson, Stepien-Iwuene, Ryan, Underhill.

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A late Gary Madine goal saw Yeovil Town go home empty handed from a long journey to Hartlepool United.

The Glovers looked to be heading home to Somerset with a point after substitute Kofi Shaw scored a stunning equaliser to cancel out a penalty Emmanuel Dieseruwerve awarded for a soft foul after 64 minutes.

The game will be best remembered for the game being stopped for 17 minutes in the first half after strong winds pulled an advertising board loose on the away end.

Here’s how Dave saw it among the frozen 84 supporters in the away end….

First half

Yeovil were playing in to an unpredictable wind in the first half with the seagulls circling above Victoria Park unsure whether they were coming or going. Got a feeling this one does not have the makings of a classic.
 
The first notable effort came five minutes in to the game when Brett McGavin had a free-kick was easily held by ex-Glover Adam Smith in the Pools’ goal.
 
A Luke Charman and David Ferguson both put efforts over the bar for Hartlepool before in the 25th minute good play by Aaron Jarvis to hunt the ball down led to Frank Nouble being released down the right. The forward got it in to the box, but could not get a shot away and Tom Parkes was able to clear the danger.
 
Possibly the most entertaining thing to happen came after half-an-hour when referee Aaron Jackson spotted an advertising board on the away end flapping in the wind and decided to stop the game for ten minutes whilst someone tore it down. Unbelievable Jeff!
 
Anyone got a ladder?
The first effort after the restart fell to the home side after a game of predict the wind in midfield, Mancini got away down the right and hit a shot which Ollie Wright parried out as far as Dieseruvwe who put the follow up wide.

Half time: Hartlepool United 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Dieseruwve had the first opportunity of the second half just two minutes after the restart, a ball clipped in to the box found the big striker at the box and he headed over.
 
Aaron Jarvis had the ball in the net on 53 minutes after sliding in to poke home a free-kick, but he was just the wrong side of offside.
 
 
Wright was in action again on 55 minutes making a superb full length stop to keep out a free-kick from Nicky Featherstone.
 
But on 64 minutes, the breakthrough came for the home side. A free-kick lifted in to the box was running away for a goal kick when Tom Parkes fell at the back post with Nouble in attendance and referee Aaron Jackson pointed to the spot. From the away end it was impossible to tell why the penalty had been given but watch the highlights and the contact is minimal. Emmanuel DIESERUWERVE made no mistake from the spot, sending Wright the wrong way. Both Worthington and Nouble were booked for their complaints.
 
Nouble had an effort blocked before Michael Smith found himself in space inside the box, found by a great pass from Charlie Cooper, and his effort well stop by Smith.
 
Mark Cooper rang the changes on 70 minutes with Josh Sims and Kofi Shaw replacing Smith and Worthington, before Pedro Borges came on for Dom Bernard five minutes later.
 
It was Kofi SHAW who got Yeovil back in to the game grabbing an equaliser from nothing ten minutes after coming on. The Bristol Rovers loanee smashed in a shot from the edge of the box which flew in to the bottom corner sending the 85 travelling fans in to raptures.
The joy proved short lived, however, as Hartlepool regained the advantage just three minutes later. Mancini curled the ball in to the box and picked out substitute Gary MADINE who made no mistake.
 
Yeovil made a push in the closing stages with Wright coming up for two late corners, but it was not to be. Defeat on the road and a long journey home for the travelling supporters.
 

Full time: Hartlepool United 2 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Victoria Park
Date: Saturday 21st December 2024 – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Emmanuel Dieseruwerve pen 64 (0-1), Kofi Shaw 80 (1-1), Gary Madine 83 (1-2)

Pitch: Typical for the time of year
Conditions: A strong wind which made the ball completely unpredictable at times and threatened to tear Victoria Park apart at one point.

Attendance: 3,420 (84 away supporters) 

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Matt Worthington 64, Frank Nouble 65
Hartlepool United: Jack Hunter 32, Luke Waterfall 72

Referee: Aaron Jackson

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Josh Sims (for Michael Smith, 70), Kofi Shaw (for Matt Worthington, 70), Pedro Borges (for Dom Bernard, 75), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Hartlepool United: Adam Smith, David Ferguson, Tom Parkes, Luke Waterfall, Jack Hunter, Anthony Mancini (for Daniel Dodds, 80), Adam Campbell (for Joe Grey, 27), Luke Charman (for Gary Madine, 62), Nathan Sheron, Nicky Featherstone, Emmanuel Dieseruwerve.

Substitutes (not used): Brad Young, Billy Sass-Davies, Kazenga LuaLua, Matthew Bondswell.

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Two second half goals saw Yeovil Town move back in to the National League Premier Division play-off places with victory over struggling Braintree Town at Huish Park.

The Glovers went behind after 15 minutes when visiting frontman John Akinde ran on to a long ball and lifted the ball over the on-rushing Ollie Wright only for Aaron Jarvis to grab a spectacular leveller on 27 minutes. The visitors had three efforts cleared off the line and undoubtedly were the better side in the first half.

After a slow start to the second half, on loan defender Ed James headed Yeovil in to the lead just after the hour mark before Brett McGavin wrapped it up with a beautiful finish a minute in to second half injury time.

It was not a vintage performance, but we looked better as the game wore on and, most importantly, it was another three points on the board and we sneaked in to seventh place in the table ahead.

 

First half

 
Following the midweek derby defeat against W*ymouth in the FA Trophy, manager Mark Cooper promised to be “ruthless“ with his players and he did not disappoint with five changes from the 2-1 defeat to the seagull botherers.
 
Jake Wannell returned after a four-match ban alongside on loan Exeter City defender Ed James and the experienced Michael Smith in the defence, captain Matt Worthington in the middle of the pitch and Kofi Shaw just behind Aaron Jarvis up front. Dropping out were injured pair Alex Whittle and James Plant and Finn Cousin-Dawson, Josh Sims and Frank Nouble, who were on the bench. 
 
Also on the bench was 16-year-old Ollie Hughes, a product of the club’s Under-18s’ side, who at 16 years, 6 moths and 16 days old is 204 days younger than the club’s current youngest debutant Devon Arnold who was 6247 days old when he made his debut back in 2019.
 
It took four minutes for a shot on target when Kofi Shaw had a long range effort which warmed the hands of visiting keeper Luca Covolan and five minutes later Jarvis almost got on the end of a ball in from Smith.
 
John Akinde puts Braintree Town ahead. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.
 
At the other end, Braintree were trying to play a possession game, but it was a route one ball which led to them taking the lead after 15 minutes. A ball over the top from George Langston picked out John AKINDE who had a great first touch and lifted it over the on-rushing Ollie Wright. Yeovil’s defence complained to the assistant referee, but he was not for turning. A simple goal and a sucker punch after all the early pressure came from the Glovers.
 
There was another opportunity for the visitors to double their advantage five minutes later, a free-kick in to the box saw Wright lose out to Akinde and the ball broke to Kyrell Lisbie whose shot was blocked on the line by Morgan Williams, who glanced a near post header over from a McGavin cross after 23 minutes.
 
Yeovil drew level after 27 minutes when Aaron JARVIS was found by a long ball from Matt Worthington and he hit a first-time shot from probably 20 yards out at an angle, across Covolan and in to the net. There’s something to be said for this route one football, isn’t there?
 
Another ball over the top (theme here, isn’t they?) saw Lisbie sneak in between the Yeovil defence and lift the ball over the out-of-position Wright who needed Wannell to clear it of the line after 31 minutes.
 
On 38 minutes, James failed to clear his lines and no-one took ownership inside the box allowing first Lisbie and then Akinde had efforts blocked with one of them happening on the goal line (yes, again!) by Michael Smith. How Braintree have not scored at least four times I do not know!
 
Two minutes from time, Akinde had another huge chance after he found a hole in the Yeovil defence, but put a free header wide.
 
Two minutes in to injury time, Borges was on the attack and referee Elliot Swallow stopped the game to talk to Akinde about something…..no-one inside the ground except the man in black knows what. Possibly not even him. A free-kick inside our own penalty area, thanks ref.
 
With the final moment of the game, Charlie Cooper and Braintree’s Chay Cooper both went for a ball with the visiting player complained about an elbow from his namesake. Swallow agreed (to an extent) and showed Charlie a yellow card as he went off.
 
No question that Braintree will be the more disappointed not to be going in to the half-time break ahead having dominated the possession and had the better chances. No the response to the FA Trophy exit that Mark Cooper would have wanted.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Braintree Town 1

 

Second half

Yeovil made two changes at the interval with Finn Cousin-Dawson replacing Morgan Williams and Frank Nouble coming on in place of Pedro Borges. It looks more like the 3-4-3 that we are used to with Worthington on the left side of defence, anyone remember Worthy at left wing-back?
 
Early in the second half, the club posted on social media that manager Mark Cooper had been sent off as the players returned to the pitch presumably for telling referee Swallow what he thought of his efforts in the first half. The official will not have made it any closer to the boss’s Christmas card list when Smith went down inside the box under pressure from Frankie ‘son of Paul’ Terry. The referee adjudged the former Hearts man to have dived and showed him a yellow card.
 
 
McGavin had an effort blocked from the edge of the box by Langston after good work from Shaw on 52 minutes, before Lisbie tried a spectacular overhead effort inside the box two minutes later.
 
Up until that point in the match, Braintree had looked the better side albeit they do not seem to be able to finish their dinner. You know what’s coming don’t you? Yes, Yeovil took the lead after 63 minutes!
 
It’s mine! Ed James celebrates his first Yeovil goal – as FC-D celebrates what he claims is his second! Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.
 
A great corner in from Charlie Cooper was met at the back post by Finn Cousin-Dawson and it was cleared off the line but popped up for Ed JAMES to head home. The stadium announcer gave it to Cousin-Dawson, the club’s social media gave it to James. Either way, it is 2-1 to Yeovil.
 
 
On 68 minutes, Yeovil made two changes with the goal hero James and captain Worthington replaced by Dylan Morgan and Dom Bernard. Morgan moved in behind Jarvis with Bernard slotting in to defence.
 
How’s your luck, Kofi Shaw? The Bristol Rovers’ loanee picked up the ball in space between the Braintree defence and midfield and the youngster leathered one from 30 yards, it hit one post, rolled across the goal line and hit the other on 74 minutes. That proved to be Shaw’s last action of an energetic display as he was replaced by Josh Sims.
 
 
McGavin had a glorious opportunity to extend the advantage having been played through brilliantly by Nouble on 82 minutes. He lifted his shot over the bar and complained he had a push in the back, but referee Swallow disagreed. No closer to the Cooper Christmas card list.
 
Since the arrival of Dom Bernard and the reshuffling of the Yeovil defence, the composure we are used to has returned and, now chasing the game, there has been a lot of space appearing between the Braintree defence and midfield and the Glovers exploited it to add a third a minute in to second half injury time.
 
The goal was created by the strong running of substitute Dylan Morgan who surged forward before feeding the ball in to Brett McGAVIN who dinked it beautifully over the oncoming Covolan to add a third.
 
It could have been four a minute later when superb play by Josh Sims saw him play in Jarvis whose effort came back off the woodwork. A couple of centimetres the other side and that is the striker’s second of the day.
Be under no illusion, if Braintree were more clinical in front of goal this could have been very different, but we are where we are because are getting results against the teams below us and this is another three points.
 
The result was there, the performance towards the end of the game was better. The redemption begins.
 

Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Braintree Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 14th December 2024 – 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: John Akinde 15 (0-1), Aaron Jarvis 27 (1-1), Ed James 63 (2-1), Brett McGavin 90+1 (3-1)

Pitch: Slippery in places
Conditions: Chilly

Attendance: 2,767 (25 away supporters) 

Bookings:

Yeovil Town: Morgan Williams 34, Charlie Cooper 45, Michael Smith 49, Ed James 56, Brett McGavin 64
Braintree Town: None

Referee: Elliot Swallow

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Finn Cousin-Dawson (for Morgan Williams, 46), Frank Nouble (for Pedro Borges, 46), Dylan Morgan (for Matt Worthington, 69), Dom Bernard (for Ed James, 69) Josh Sims (for Kofi Shaw, 76), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Braintree Town: Lucas Covolan, Louie Annesley, George Langston, Frankie Terry, Ryan Clampin, Matt Robinson, James Vennings, Tom Blackwell (for Callum Powell, 76), Chay Cooper, Kyrell Lisbie (for Marley Marshall-Miranda, 83), John Akinde.

Substitutes: Jamal Fyfield, Philip Haxthausen-Nielsen, Rio Phipps, Tariq Hinds.