The lowest crowd of the season at Huish Park saw Yeovil Town slump to defeat at against relegation battlers Boston United.
Just 2,138 supporters were inside on a cold night to witness two soft goals in four minutes at the end of the first half see the Glovers trail 2-0 at the break before substitute Zak Mills took advantage of more generous defending just after the hour mark.
First half
The absence of Frank Nouble was the headline of the team news with the striker not named in the squad having started the last five matches. Speaking ahead of the match, manager Mark Cooper revealed the 33-year-old had told the club he had agreed to join National League Premier Division side Gateshead which had subsequently fallen through.
His replacement in the starting line-up is Rotherham United loanee Ciaran McGuckin, the only change from the 1-0 defeat at FC Halifax Town at the weekend.
The 23rd minute saw captain-for-the-night goalkeeper Aidan Stone keep the club in the match – twice. First he made a wonderful reflex save to deny Cameron Green from close range after a great run down the left, before the keeper had to make a full length stop to turn the ball around the post from Green shot. Outstanding save from the stopper who had a spell on loan at Boston earlier in the season.
Three minutes later Brad Nicholson went in for a 50-50-looking challenge with Marcel Lavinier which the referee gave in favour of the Yeovil player. The Boston player picked up a knock for his troubles and a yellow card.
Just before the half-hour mark, Alex Whittle had Yeovil’s first effort on goal when his long range effort was turned around the post by Cameron Gregory. There was a worrying moment four minutes later when the full-back went down with what looked like a groin injury.
Boston striker Jimmy Knowles lifted a shot over the crossbar after an unconvincing punch from Stone from Green’s free-kick in to the area.
It was Knowles who gave Boston the lead on 38 minutes. Jacob Hazel held the ball up and fed Jimmy KNOWLES through a wide open Yeovil defence, the striker ran through and threaded it past the grounded Stone. It’s hard to say the goal had not been coming.
Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boston United 2
Second half
Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Boston United 3
Match Details
Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 11th March, 7.45pm kick-off
Competition: National League Premier Division
Scorers: Jimmy Knowles 38 (0-1), Jacob Hazel 42 (0-2), Zak Mills 62 (0-3)
Pitch: Had a bit of time to grow some grass
Conditions: Dull with a chill in the air
Attendance: 2,138 (73 away supporters)
Bookings:
Boston United: Brad Nicholson 27
Yeovil Town: Jahmari Clarke 80
Referee: Wayne Cartmel
Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)
Substitutes: Josh Sims (for Ciaran McGuckin, 46), Jahmari Clarke (for Ryan McLean, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for Brett McGavin, 67) Dom Bernard (not used), Corey Koerner (not used), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).
Boston United: Cameron Gregory, Cameron Green, Martin Woods (for Keaton Ward, 60), Jacob Hazel (for Tony Weston, 83), Jai Rowe, Brad Nicholson, Jimmy Knowles (for Adam Marriott, 83), Jordan Richards (for Olly Green, 83), Zak Mills, Dylan Hill, Jacob Scott (for Kieran Coates, 73).
Substitutes (not used): Connor Teale, Jake Lovelace.
We have a chairman who hasn’t got a plan. A manager who hasn’t got a fit squad. A bunch of players who haven’t a clue.
What yet again another defeat, I can’t see a way out of this mess, another young loanee, good players have left, and not replaced, only with loanee’s, still no striker and what Mark Cooper needs to do is go to spec savers..
God help us on Saturday against York!!!
We are getting very close to relegation, can’t see where our next win is coming.
Mark Cooper needs to go before it’s too late…
Ouch! That was a painful watch. Nothing much to cheer in any of that or the last week. Felt a bit like two seasons ago, when Hargreaves was on his way out. Genuinely don’t know where our next goal is coming from, let alone point, or win. We’ve lost so much experience through injury or want away players. It’s not hugely surprising that we’ve sunk like a stone. Hopefully, a fresh start next season but it’s going to need a major rebuild and a lot of investment.
It can’t get any worse than this can it? It can! A bizarre recruitment policy, where young promising players are bought in, only to be moved on weeks later, players that don’t fit the style of play are used as round pegs in square holes, your club captain is allowed to leave on a free in the middle of the season, all to be replaced by loans and ex FGR outcasts. Tie that in with stubborn and inept tactics and a chairman who quite obviously doesn’t know how to run a football club, and if you’re lucky, you might only loose by 3 to 2nd bottom Boston! Cooper is masquerading on last seasons achievements, which given the playing squad & budget, anyone should’ve been able to do, and probably made it more comfortable in the process. There’s still a very genuine chance of us being dragged into a relegation scrap, next season is looking very very bleak if it stays like this. Those who are cooper in, please show your working because I can’t see any way how none of this is his doing.
Neither a fan nor a disliker of MCs tactics – they go hand in hand with the players doing what they’re told. Like it or not, he’s got two years left on a three year deal. That won’t be cheap to pay off if MH decides enough is enough + any new manager will need paying.
Plus, there is a ground purchase deadline looming in 14 months, and that isn’t just a few quid. With no cup runs or money making transfers/assets to speak of, it’s going to be a few lean years yet before the forward momentum can begin.
I do think we’re safe enough this season but if we end up with experience walking away, no cover for injuries, the revolving door of loanees, NL bench fillers, and empty chairs, we’re bound to repeat the low points of this season.
I think the big concern is, ‘what next’, I can’t imagine there’s going to be many players watching this who’ll be queuing up at the door in the summer to sign on. Whilst I’m aware as anyone that MC is likely to be here for the foreseeable, that does leave a very bleak outlook for the future of the club, and smacks of a lack of ambition or footballing sense. Attendances will continue to drop and eventually that’ll hurt Hellier’s pockets to the point where it becomes unattainable. I’m hoping MC will do what he should’ve done 2 seasons ago and walk in the summer, I think regional football is very much his level.
What next may be after Saturday’s result. Let’s face it, York are coming for three points – that’s all – they need to keep the pressure on at the top. Our defence has shipped nine in three games. Recipe for a drubbing. We’ve got nothing but pride to play for and to somehow…possibly pull off a shock. But if all turns sour – worse than the Boston defeat, that might have repercussions at a number of levels!