Yeovil Town’s pre-season campaign began with a comfortable 4-0 win over Western League outfit Buckland Athletic in Devon on Saturday.
Goals from midfielder Jordan Stevens and striker Jake Hyde in the first half were followed after the imterval by a stunning striker from new signing Frank Nouble and a late goal from second half skipper Matt Worthington.
There was only a couple of opportunities to play the traditional pre-season game of ‘Spot the Trialist’ and yes undoubtedly someone came out with the “big day for the Trialist family” ‘joke’ – good one.
For the visitors, Andry Demira, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder who had a spell at Gloucester City last season started, with Yeovil-born Matt Buse come on under the Trialist tag for the second half.
First half
The early chances fell to the Glovers with Jordan Stevens, who lined up alongside trialist Demira, Benjani Junior and Josh Owers in a diamond midfield, almost finding an opening inside the first five minutes.
A good ball inside from Jake Hyde found Stevens inside the box but his shot was charged down.
However, the former Barrow man made it 1-0 on seven minutes when STEVENS curled home a free-kick from the edge of the box following a foul on Benjani.
1-0 #YTFC – the crowd goes wiiiiillllld! ✅ pic.twitter.com/b1UnizMxFG
— Gloverscast ?⚽️? (@gloverscast) July 8, 2023
Buckland has a golden chance to even things up soon after when striker Jared Lewington looped the ball over Will Dawes, only to shank his effort high and wide.
On 31 minutes, Morgan Williams, who has looked comfortable up until that point, limped off with what appears to be an ankle injury. Worryingly the defender had ice on the injury during the half-time break which we obviously hope was only precautionary. Williams was replaced by Under-18s defender Jacob Shore.
A minute later HYDE doubled the advantage poking home Malachi Linton’s ball in to give the Glovers a 2-0 half-time lead.
Half-time: Buckland Athletic 0 Yeovil Town 2
First half XI: Lewis Williams, Morgan Williams (for Jacob Shore, 31), Josh Staunton, Ollie Haste, Will Dawes, Josh Owers, Trialist (Andry Demira), Benjani Junior, Jordan Stevens, Malachi Linton, Jake Hyde.
Goals: Jordan Stevens 7 (1-0) Jake Hyde 32 (2-0).
Second half
The interval saw a full change of XI by manager Mark Cooper with Matt Buse, who had trialled at Huish Park last summer under Chris Hargreaves but was not offered a deal, among those warming up for the visitors.
He started at right back with his brother, goalkeeper Will, between the posts.
It took until 53 minutes for three summer signings to link up with defender Alex Whittle playing the ball forward to Rhys Murphy who cleverly stepped over the ball to allow Frank NOUBLE to curl his effort in to the far corner.
On 68 minutes, a good bit of link up between Nouble and Jordan Young almost found Murphy at the back post and four minutes later Jordan Maguire-Drew saw his effort from the edge of the area come back off the crossbar.
Perhaps the highlight of the second half came in the 76th minute when midfielder Charlie Cooper refused to accept this was indeed a friendly match and earned a yellow card for booting the ball at the referee. Whilst we would never condone violence against match officials – never change, Charlie!
With four minutes to go, Maguire-Drew picked out Matt WORTHINGTON who rounded off the scoring with a calm right-footed effort past the keeper.
There was a final chance for the home sides to get a consolation a minute later but substitute striker Jesse Howe saw his effort blocked.
Full time: Buckland Athletic 0 Yeovil Town 4
Second half XI : Will Buse, Trialist (Matt Buse), Jamie Sendles-White, Jake Wannell, Alex Whittle, Charlie Cooper, Jordan Young, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Matt Worthington, Frank Nouble, Rhys Murphy.
Goals: Frank Nouble 53 (3-0), Matt Worthington 86 (4-0)
Buckland United: Collings, Morcom (for Roberts, 70), Leary (for Clark, 70), Farkins, Pearce (for Stone, 70), Carter (for Bridger, 53), Lewington (for Howe, 78), Watson (for Hendrickson, 82), Rosenquest (for Hall, 86), Stayt (for Shanley, 53), Grant (for Crocker, 57).
Attendance: 520