Venue: Moss Lane
Sunday 15th May, 3pm kick-off
Conditions: Dry and warm, except for a spot of rain the second half
Pitch: In decent nick for the final game.
Attendance: 2,123 (184 away supporters)
Scorers: Tom Knowles 15 (1-0),
Bookings:
Yeovil: D’Ath 45,
Altrincham: Hampson 70
Referee: Peter Gibbons
Yeovil Town : (4-4-1-1)
Max Evans
Jordan Barnett, Morgan Williams, Jack Robinson, Mark Little
Charlie Wakefield (for Adi Yussuf, 36) Lawson D’Ath Alex Bradley, Tom Knowles
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton
Reuben Reid
Substitutes: Grant Smith, Josh Staunton, Ollie Haste, Adi Yussuf.
Match Report
A first half strike from Tom Knowles was enough to secure Yeovil Town a final day win and ensure caretaker player-manager Josh Staunton’s managerial career ended with a 100% record.
But, it was a man of the match performance from young goalkeeper Max Evans which was the story of an otherwise uneventful match.
The teenager was handed his debut by Staunton in place of first choice keeper, Grant Smith, and rewarded him with some outstanding saves as the hosts pushed for an equaliser in the second half.
On a day that club captain Luke Wilkinson and midfielders Dale Gorman and Matt Worthington did not even feature in the squad whilst youngster Ollie Haste came on as a late substitute to make his debut, the match had an end of the era feel to it.
Here’s how it all looked to Coatesie saw it from the away end….
First half
After an opening 15 minutes with little more than a half-chance to shout about from either side, the ball found its way to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who played a beautiful ball through to Tom KNOWLES who lashed home the opener with Reuben Reid lurking at the far post.
Moments later Ryan Colclough almost found an instant response, bursting down the right but his ball was turn away by Morgan Williams, before moments later Jake Cooper fired wide for the hosts after a misplaced pass by Alex Bradley.
It took 20 minutes for anything else to happen in the game and that was an injury to Charlie Wakefield who was replaced by Adi Yussuf after 36 minutes.
He went in up front alongside Reid with Lo-Everton dropping back in to midfield from the more advanced position he had adopted.
Altrincham’s threat was coming down the left side from Colclough whereas at the other end there was liveliness from Knowles (as has become standard) but little else to get excited about.
A minute in to first half stoppage time, Colclough’s ball in was flicked wide by Marcus Dinanga. That half-chance was a moment of excitement when on ‘fans’ appreciation day’ at Moss Lane.
The half-time announcement of the raffle draw was another highlight – it was that kind of 45 minutes, folks.
Half time: Altrincham 0 Yeovil Town 1
Second Half
The home side certainly began to grow in to the game and Colclough almost found himself on the end of a cross from Pringle. The winger was certainly keen to add to the 11 goals he has his season with Alty seemingly able to stroll through the visitors midfield at will. What is Josh Staunton up to today? Oh yeah.