Football is back, Yeovil Town are back in the National League and Five Conclusions is back too. Ian was in the press box for BBC Somerset, and here’s how he saw it…
We struggled to find a way through. There were familiar patterns to the game as Yeovil resumed with the possession-based style which served them so well last season and felt in control for most of the game. But, where there was control, there wasn’t that creative spark to cut through a dogged defence. Not until the end of the match, where an error at the back allowed Harvey Greenslade an opportunity at an open goal, did Yeovil create something clear cut. Mark Cooper said his ‘nippy’ players need to more. Morgan struggled to find a way into the game. Young, who was scythed down by Parkes early on, wasn’t allowed to find his rhythm on the ball. We brought Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Harvey Greenslade and Sam Pearson in to make something happen, but they couldn’t make the decisive impact.
Hartlepool did exactly what you’d expect. I’m not sure it’s fair to tarnish Darren Sarll with the ‘typical Sarll’ brush, but every time we’ve played him since he left, we have lost 1-0 and it’s been a war. Yesterday was the same, it was physical, it was long ball and it was knock downs from the big man Dieseruvwe. I actually thought we coped well with it, but for a spell in the second half. Wannell and Williams handled the physicality, but in that second half patch Hartlepool found more space around Yeovil’s box, had the Glovers stretched and it was a well-struck finish from Jack Hunter that won the game in the end. The onus was then on the Glovers to break down a resilient side that often went into a back six and, as is their right, burned away the time by any means necessary.
Aaron Jarvis relished the battle. When Yeovil’s new number 9 lined up against a centre back pairing with nearly 900 games between then, I think he knew the afternoon he was in for. Tom Parkes and Luke Waterfall were the nasty bastards you’d expect from a Darren Sarll defence, but I thought Jarvis gave as good as he got. He was physical with them, won some headers and also seemed to get under their skin too. He’s got that Murphy/Hyde-esque edge to him. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the service into him to make anything happen at goal, but it was a game where he had to show he was up for a fight, and I think he was.
Alex Whittle was back to his reliable best. The left-back, who was missing for the run-in through injury last season, returned to the side and was every bit the player we low-key loved last season. He might not have that Michael Smith swagger, but he’s an absolute machine on the left. He dealt with the pace and strength of Joe Grey. He was tough in the tackle, perceptive in the moments where he needed to be in the right position and is just Mr Dependable. My man of the match.
It was nice to be back! There was a good atmosphere at Huish Park (and plenty of Bradfords bucket hats) and as always, the opening day expectations are high – despite having not won on the opening day since 2015/16. (Goals from Kevin Dawson and Otis Khan scored against Notts County). The pitch was great, the stadium was looking the part and the buzz was there. While the result didn’t match the mood, football is back and there’s a long way to go!
Bit of a toothless performance from us. Hopefully they will get things together. And good to see Darren Sarll back after how he conducted himself during his time as Yeovil manager. Was a difficult time.