A game of two halves saw Yeovil Town held to a draw against an impressive St Albans City side in an entertaining encounter at Clarence Park.
The visitors had the upper hand in the first half and deservedly went ahead through Jordan Young after 19 minutes, before the forward had two great chances to double the advantage including one which came off the post.
But, St Albans, who lost manager David Noble on the eve of the game as he joined National League Premier side Wealdstone, rallied after the break and levelled early through Mitchell Weiss.
The Glovers rode their luck as the home side pressed for a winner and were indebted to goalkeeper Joe Day on a couple of occasions as they held on for a draw.
Here’s Dave’s view from his position in the away end…..
First half
The first opening fell the visitors way after five minutes when Sonny Blu Lo-Everton picked out Frank Nouble on the left of the box, but the striker opted to fire across the face of goal rather than on target. No-one was there to get a telling touch.
Half time: St Albans City 0 Yeovil Town 1
Second half
Within two minutes of the restart the home side were level. A ball to the back post was met by Mitchell WEISS who steered it past the helpless Day.
The bright start continued to with St Albans in the ascendency for the opening ten minutes of the second half without creating much in the way of clear-cut opportunities.
A block from Jake Wannell to deny Zane Banton around the hour mark was as close as it came, whilst the attacking style which brought them success in the first half abandoned Yeovil who struggled to deal with the rampant Saints.
On 62 minutes, Smith hooked a ball which seemed certain to go out for a goal kick over the stranded Johnson but it was over the head of Nouble as well.
St Albans continued to look the more likely to score as they continued to press, but Young had another great opportunity on 73 minutes. He dribbled his way forward and in to the box, but took too long to pull the trigger and the chance disappeared.
With 12 minutes remaining, Mark Cooper introduced Dylan Morgan in place of Lo-Everton, and worryingly soon after Michael Smith limped off with what looked like a hamstring strain. He was replaced by Jay Foulston.
The Saints continued their relentless pressure and on 84 minutes the ball pinballed around inside the box. With a crowd of bodies blocking the view from the away end it was a hard one to follow, but I was most pleased to see the falling frame of Day drop on the ball.
On 86 minutes, another goalmouth scramble saw the keeper drop again on the line. Some goal service apps adjudged the ball to have crossed the line, fortunately the assistant did not.
Will Dawes was thrown on in place of Young as Yeovil looked to find a different way through, but it was to no avail.
On the strength of a strong first half, this could have been considered two points dropped but St Albans deserved a share of the spoils for their second half performance.
Full time: St Albans City 1 Yeovil Town 1
Match Details
Venue: Clarence Park
Date: Saturday 27th January – 3pm
Competition: National League South
Pitch: Rutted in the penalty areas but otherwise in good nick
Conditions: Dry and cool
Attendance: 2,813 (470 away supporters)
Scorers: Jordan Young 19 (1-0), Mitchell Weiss 47 (1-1)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Jake Wannell 55, Matt Worthington 80, Michael Smith 82
St Albans City: Ryan Blackman 32
Yeovil Town (4-5-1)
Substitutes: Dylan Morgan (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 78), Jay Foulston (for Michael Smith, 82), Will Dawes (for Jordan Young, 85).