Yeovil Town progressed into the Fifth Round of the FA Trophy following yet more penalty heroics from Jed Ward, as they won 3-1 on penalties over Southern Premier Division Central side Alvechurch.
The Glovers appeared to be the dominant side in the first half, before a red card for Brett McGavin threatened to derail the Glovers’ hard work. Alvechurch grew into the game but both sides remained level at half-time.
The second half provided even more entertainment, but it remained goalless, with both sides searching for a winner but unable to find that final bit of quality.
First half
Alvechurch took kickoff, but the first chance of the game came just three minutes into the game, as a good cross from James Daly found the head of Josh Sims; he connected well with the ball, but it landed safely in the arms of opposition ‘keeper Jenson Kilroy.
Moments later, a nice ball from Brett McGavin found Harvey Greenslade on the left wing, he cut past his man with ease before having a shot on goal blocked by Jessy Bavanganga. Positive signs from the Glovers as they looked to stamp their authority on the game early on.
Both sides looked to get themselves comfortable into the game, before a high boot from McGavin earned himself a spot in the referee’s book – Elliott Swallow had used his whistle with liberty within the first ten minutes, awarding the Glovers two soft free kicks, to set the scene for a stop-start affair.
11 minutes in, and it was another chance for Yeovil, as a Brett McGavin free kick floated towards the back of the six yard box; Aaron Jarvis won the header, nodding it towards Greenslade but his header went over the bar.
From the goal kick, Alvechurch enjoyed a rare foray into the Yeovil half, showing what they were capable of, their spell of possession ending with an offside flag against Kieran Wakefield. The Glovers made their way downfield from the free kick, earning a corner which tested the visiting ‘keeper once again via the head of Kyle Ferguson.
An incisive through ball from Obadeyi almost found an Alvechurch striker, but it trickled to Jed Ward who fumbled his collection. Wakefield almost pounced on the opportunity but Ward recovered to parry the shot for a corner.
As 20 minutes came and went, Yeovil had their first clear cut chance of the game as Luke McCormick fed a lovely ball through for Josh Sims, but an excellent recovering run from Bavanganga just about blocked the number 19’s shot on goal.
The Glovers continued to probe, as James Daly came down the right hand side and approached the touchline just inside the box, his cross across goal found the left boot of Luke McCormick but he was off balance, sending the ball out for a goal kick.
24 minutes in, and Brett McGavin stretched for a heavy touch and tackled the number 12 of Will Merrett; the referee felt it was grounds for dismissal, and the former Torquay man left the field shaking his head. The sending off led to Yeovil’s first substitution of the game, as Josh Tobin entered play to fill the gap in the middle of the field, replacing Harvey
Following the restart, Luke McCormick came down the right hand side and laid off a ball for Kyle Ferguson to cross in; the cross found an Alvechurch defender, who cleared back to the Scot and proceeded to receive a high boot from another visiting player inside the penalty box; the referee decided to wave play on…
37 minutes in, Joe Willis received Alvechurch’s first yellow card of the game for a heavy challenge on Josh Tobin; the Yeovil fans wanted more for later challenges committed by the opposition, but just the one yellow was dished out.
Lovely play from Kyle Ferguson and James Daly down the right hand side allowed debutant Dakarai Mafico to surge forwards; the 19 year old burst past three defenders into the box, before floating a cross into the six yard area. The ball was cleared and fell to Josh Tobin on the edge of the box, but his shot flew over the bar.
A strong challenge from Kieran Wakefield on Tobin followed a few minutes later, earning himself a spot in the referee’s notebook and Yeovil a free kick. Before the resulting kick was taken, Alvechurch manager Kyle Storer was also booked, assumedly for his reaction to the booking to his attacker.
The free kick floated towards the back of the box, then ping-ponged around the six yard area but Alvechurch lived to fight another day; the visitors then counter-attacked down the left, switching play to the right but the shot from Obadeyi was tame and easy enough for Jed Ward to stop.
Just as the 45th minute struck, Yeovil had yet another good chance, as Aaron Jarvis played a fantastic ball through for Luke McCormick, but in uncharacteristic fashion, the number 8’s shot whizzed past the post.
Alvechurch had a couple of half chances before Yeovil made their way down the other end for a couple of corners but neither resulted in anything for the Glovers.
Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Alvechurch 0
Second half
The first chance of the second half fell to Alvechurch, as they won a header at the back post from a corner, but the referee blew for a free kick to Yeovil.
Yeovil continued to grow into the game and show why they were the National League side, stopping any opposition attacks with ease, and Jarvis in particular demonstrated his physicality in an impressive battle with Bavanganga, however no clear cut chances were created.
55 minutes in, and Josh Sims chested down a great ball from the Yeovil defence, coming centrally and working his way to the edge of the box; he was then deemed to have fouled Will Merrett, much to the derision of the Thatchers terrace.
Alvechurch had a good chance from a poor free kick conceded by Jake Wannell, as Tope Obadeyi opted to blast a shot from 25 yards out, his shot stung the palms of Jed Ward and kept the Glovers in the game.
Another flashpoint came just outside the Alvechurch box, as McCormick and Bavanganga both went for a 50/50, and the referee waved it away; Alvechurch went on the counter and drew a foul from James Daly, who ended up in the referee’s notebook.
Following the introduction of Michee Efete, Alvechurch continued to impress and frustrate, but Yeovil made themselves another chance, as McCormick found Mafico in some space on the edge of the box, he cut onto his weaker foot and took the shot but it was deflected and saved by multiple yellow shirts, giving the Glovers a corner.
Yeovil felt they should’ve had a penalty 73 minutes in, as a ball rolled up the body and onto the arm of Josh Dugmore, but the referee didn’t see it and waved play on.
78 minutes on the clock, and Yeovil found themselves frustrated once again, as a great ball from Mafico found Josh Sims, he cut inside and drilled a low shot, but it was well saved by Kilroy, Jarvis collected the rebound but his shot was blocked for a corner.
More subs took place, including the seemingly unplanned introduction of Jacob Maddox for an injured Josh Sims; the former Forest Green man was last seen at Rochdale last January. Both sides looked to go for the win, as chances came at either end without success.
The full time whistle blew, and in familiar circumstances, it’s penalties once again.
Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Alvechurch 0
Here’s how the penalties went…..
- Yeovil Town – Tahvon Campbell – SCORED (1-0)
- Alvechurch – Tope Obadeyi – SAVED by Jed Ward (1-0)
- Yeovil Town – Luke McCormick – SCORED (2-0)
- Alvechurch – Joe Willis – SAVED by Jed Ward (2-0)
- Yeovil Town – Dakarai Mafico – SCORED (3-0)
- Alvechurch – Szhem Whyte-Hall – SCORED (3-1)
- Yeovil Town – Finn Cousin-Dawson – SAVED by Jenson Kilroy (3-1)
- Alvechurch – Ethan Sephton – SAVED by Jed Ward (3-1)
Match Details
Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 3rd January, 3.00pm kick-off
Competition: Isuzu FA Trophy Fourth Round
Scorers:
Pitch: Very soft and slippery
Conditions: Fresh… but dry
Attendance: 1,870 (80 away supporters)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Brett McGavin 8, James Daly 64
Alvechurch: Joe Willis 37, Kieran Wakefield 41
Sendings Off:
Yeovil Town: Brett McGavin ’24
Referee: Elliott Swallow
Yeovil Town (3-4-1-2)
Substitutes: Josh Tobin (for Harvey Greenslade, 26), Michee Efete (for James Daly 68), Tahvon Campbell (for Aaron Jarvis 81), Jacob Maddox (for Josh Sims 81)
Braintree Town: Jenson Kilroy, Josh Dugmore, Ethan Sephton, Sam Perry, Joe Willis, Jonny Ngandu, Tope Obadeyi, Will Merrett, Callum Sullivan (for Elliott Dugan 82), Kieran Wakefield (for Szhem Whyte-Hall 65), Jessy Bavanganga
Do they want to go to Wembley? Very poor and lack of a leader out there today.
We need a leader who can take charge of the players on the pitch and pull them into line, todays arguing almost each other across the back 3 and the disgraceful arguing and pushing each other between FCD & Tobin was embarrassing.
For me FCD is a liability(weak link) in the middle of the 3, he has heart I’ll give you that, but he can not see a pass, or move the ball quickly. For me he’s a Squad player at best.
Can only beat a village team on penalties. Quite simply not good enough Billy, and little sign that things are improving under your management.
They won. That’ll do.
What a player young Mafico is. Energetic, tenacious runs forever, always wanting the ball which seems to stick to his feet. A joy to watch and a fantastic addition to the squad.
Positive from the game ……… we won!
Firstly , why we can’t have the whole ground open is beyond me . I’m sure it would make it feel like a proper game , and would I’m sure increase the attendance .
Secondly , fair play to the Alvechurch fans , very noisy in support of their team , but the C word is never, never ever acceptable !
As for YTFC, at times it was as if Cooper had never left . So terribly slow in getting the ball forward . As has been mentioned FCD will never be a ball playing centre back , but I’m sure the game plan didn’t include him standing with his foot on the ball for seconds at a time !
As in previous games we seemed to be slow in almost every aspect of the game .
Even when it was pumped up to Jarvis , we never seemed to have anyone withing 20 yards of him , so I’m not sure what was expected from him .
As with the first game in the Trophy , we played a team we should have put away , but we took ourselves down to their level , not a long journey either , and because of Jed Ward we are in the next round .