Another game of two halves saw Yeovil Town come away with nothing from Woking as a first half strike from Harry Beautyman sunk the Glovers in Surrey.

The home side were in total control during the first half and could have been ahead before Aaron Drewe cut in from the right flank to pick out the experienced Beautyman inside the area and he stroked his side in to the lead.

Yeovil came out for the second half showing an intensity and intent to go forward which had been lacking in the opening 45 minutes and caused problems for the opening 15 minutes. Perhaps the best chance came eight minutes from time when a thunderous free-kick from Brett McGavin was superbly denied by Will Jaaskelainen.

The gap to the National League Premier Division relegation places now stands at just four points, albeit with a game in hand over the five teams below Yeovil, with one of those sides, Morecambe, coming to Huish Park on Saturday for what feels like a real six pointer.

First half

There was a blow for Woking early on as they lost midfielder Roy Syla with an injury after just nine minutes. He was replaced by substitute Tim Akinola.

With ten minutes gone, Yeovil had a bit of good fortune when Brett McGavin handled on the edge of the area according to referee Richie Watkins, there were plenty in the Woking side who thought it could have been just inside. Jake Forster-Caskey bent one in and Jed Ward did what Jed Ward does and pulled off a great save to keep the chance out and push it away from danger.

Yeovil Town’s pre-match huddle at Woking. Picture courtesy of Ollie Marsh.

With 17 minutes, Aaron Jarvis, who only needed to get through this game without a booking to reset his four yellow cards, got a yellow card for tangling with Timi Odusina. That will see him miss the home game with Morecambe at the weekend.

Moments later, a ball in to the box and Harry Beautyman fired in a shot which the in-form Olly Sanderson tried to flick past Ward, but the keeper was able to collect it. Then Matthew Ward got past Josh Sims down the left side and the ball landed at the feet of Beautyman who fired over the bar. Another big let-off for Yeovil.

On 27 minutes, a beautiful ball from McGavin picked out Josh Sims in space down the right side and he flashed a shot across the face of goal where Jarvis could not quite get a touch. Good move from Yeovil, need to do more of that.

Despite that chance, the first half-an-hour had been Woking’s and they took the lead with 30 minutes on the clock. Aaron Drewe cut in from the right side with ease and picked out Harry BEAUTYMAN who was able to stroke it home with ease. Immediately after the goal, Yeovil boss Billy Rowley called his side over for some instructions.
The Glovers were being pulled apart in wide positions and just three minutes after they suffered on the right, they suffered on the left as Sanderson found space on the edge of the box and laid it back to Beautyman who pulled his effort wide. Another big chance. You just feel Woking are sensing blood here.
The half-time whistle was a relief to everyone in green-and-white. The first 15 minutes was a little more even, but Yeovil will be pleased it is only 1-0 to the home side. It could (should?) have been more and we have not asked enough questions in to the Woking back line.

Half time: Woking 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Was there a Rowley rocket at half-time? Whatever was said, Yeovil came out looking much brighter from the start. Two minutes after the restart former Card James Daly burst forward and looked to curl a shot in to the top corner, it took a deflection off two Woking defenders and Will Jaaskelainen had to stretch to tip it wide for a corner. From the resulting flag kick, the ball dropped to Jarvis inside the box but his effort went wide.

In the opening three minutes there was intensity, desire and intent to put the first half performance to shame. This is what we need more of. On 53 minutes, Woking showed that they still have plenty of threat. Joe Gbode got away down the left, cut inside and found Ward at the near post and he shot wide and three minutes later a corner flashed across the face of Jed Ward’s goal and mercifully there was no-one to turn it in at the back post.

Second half action inside the Woking area. Picture courtesy of Ollie Marsh.
With 65 minutes gone, Terrell Works replaced Harvey Greenslade, who had not really got in to the game. A bit of pace and trickery from the young Fulham loanee being looked to to try and re-inject the energy which had dropped a little after the first ten minutes.
On 68 minutes, Daly got a ball across the face of goal but neither Jarvis or Works looked like they were getting close to being in the position for a touch. You just get a feeling there is something else in this game – either an equaliser, or Woking will get a second goal to kill the contest.
Eight minutes from time, Works was brought down on the edge of the box in McGavin territory. That man stepped up and hammered in a fantastic shot which was matched by an equally fantastic shot from Jaaskelainen to push it out but neither Jarvis or Kyle Ferguson got get enough to turn home the rebound.
Millar Matthews-Lewis and Troy Perrett were thrown on in the closing stages. We need to just go for it and, in an effort to keep spirits high, someone (some weapon) in the away end let off a green pyro. Goodness me.
On two occasions, Terrell works showed the the pace and trickery which he was introduced to bring, but on both occasions he failed to find a team-mate. There was an agonising moment when McGavin’s free-kick was met by the head of Jarvis but flashed across the face of goal.
It was a much better performance in the second half than the first, the exact alternate of last weekend’s defeat at Boston. There was applause from the 436 fans who travelled to support their team at the final whistle, but it’s the same number of points heading back to Somerset.

Full time: Woking 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: Kingfield
Date: Tuesday 17th March, 7:45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Harry Beautyman 30 (0-1),

Pitch: “Alright, not great” – Billy Rowley, pre-match. He was being generous.
Conditions: Cold

Attendance: XXXX (436 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Aaron Jarvis 17, Jake Wannell 67, Alex Whittle 83
Woking: Tim Akinola 28, Aaron Drewe 82

Referee: Richie Watkins

Yeovil Town

Substitutes: Terrell Works (for Harvey Greenslade, 65), Millar Matthews-Miller (for Alex Whittle, 83), Troy Perrett (for Kyle Ferguson, 90), Joy Mukena (not used), Jaydon Biss (not used), Ollie Hughes (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Aaron Drewe, Chinwike Okoli, Timi Odusina, Caleb Richards, Roy Syla (for Tim Akinola, 9), Jake Forster-Caskey (for Jamie Andrews, 46), Matt Ward (for Kian Pennant, 84), Olly Sanderson, Harry Beautyman (for Tunji Akinola, 68), Joseph Gbode (for Tariq Hinds, 84).

Substitutes (not used): Dale Gorman, Craig Ross.
Subscribe
Notify of

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments