Match Report: Yeovil Town 1 Chelmsford City 1

Yeovil Town remain unbeaten at home, Chelmsford remain unbeaten over all, two goals in the final 10 minutes – one for each side – meant the spoils were shared as the Glovers took on the Clarets. Here’s how it unfolded, for Ian Perkins on BBC Somerset

First half

Mark Cooper made five changes from the Glovers 4-3 defeat at Havant & Waterlooville. Joe Day made his debut in place of Will Buse. Morgan Williams, Josh Staunton, Jordan Young and Jake Hyde all returned to the starting line-up.

Josh Staunton’s coin tossing training has clearly paid off, the Glovers shooting towards the uncovered terrace in the first half.

The Glovers dominated the early exchanged, two corners in the first ten minutes came to nothing, with Charlie Cooper forcing a save from a free kick after Barnum-Bobb left a significant indent on the shins of Alex Whittle.

With just ten minutes on the clock, the Glovers got their best of the early opportunities, Jordan Young tried to catch the Clarets keeper out with a smart interception, but the winger’s pass to Frank Nouble couldn’t quite be forced home.

Joe Day, on debut, wasn’t really called into action until the 15 minute mark, Callum Jones’ effort was tipped away for a corner, the set piece was eventually cleared after a couple of back and forth moments.

It wouldn’t be long before another corner was forced as the visitors started to get a foot hold in the game, Huish Park was muted as Frank Nouble gave away a free kick, again, coming to nothing, but the game needed a spark.

With a quarter of the match gone, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was forced off with an injury, Adam Mills was brought on for the visitors.

The break did the Glovers a favour, Jake Hyde tried to flick a free kick into a dangerous area before Jordan Young unleashed a wayward strike a few minutes later. 

Young was starting to get into the game, his attack down the left was full of quality, but Jake Hyde had strayed offside – the subsequent free kick lead to a Chelmsford attack, but Whittle snuffed it out. 

Joe Day was back in action, another fantastic save in amongst a melee in the area, getting down low to paw a shot away at point blank range, following the chaos, Sonny Blu Lo Everton was shown a yellow card for… something or another.

Anthony Wordsworth followed him onto the referee’s shopping list soon after after a challenge on Charlie Cooper. That levels that up.

It wasn’t for long though, Ebuzome scythed down Jordan Young has he headed towards goal… 2-1 to Chelmsford in the note book, but Young couldn’t make it 1-0 on the score sheet from the free kick, he forced a good save and a corner.

Jake Wannell was within touching distance of putting the Glovers’ ahead, but he couldn’t quite get to the flicked on corner… Morgan Williams not quite able to direct his header either goalwards, or to someone in green.

Young was continuing to cause problems, his delivery could easily have been heading in, but neither Hyde or Nouble could make sure, the keeper nudged it round the post. 

With less than five minutes of the normal 45 on the clock, the game opened up, both sets of defenders, particularly from Jake Wannell, prevented clear cut chances as the pace livened up.

There was (only) four minutes added on at the end of the half, as the tentative opening half came to a close, a stalemate… for now.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Chelmsford City 0

Second half

The second half started off with a bang, Zac Bell flung a cracking ball into the box, the visiting Goalkeeper, Josh Oluwayemi was brave as Jake Hyde flew in to try and make a decisive touch, there was a clash and both physio teams were called upon.

Those two were back in the headlines again, Jake Hyde forcing a chance for himself after coming straight back onto the pitch to dispose Brookes of the ball.

Lo- Everton was next to try his luck, he and Nouble combined well, but the effort from the front-man skewed wide.

Chelmsford’s first half chance of the second half came just before the hour, Morgan Williams lost his footing at an inopportune time, Ebuzoeme couldn’t take advantage.

Their second wasn’t far away, Lo-Everton had to do some clearing after some good possession, Zac Bell would find himself in then referee’s note book for a heavy challenge. Everything was beginning to feel very level once again. 

Rhys Murphy was ready to go as the clock struck the hour, he had to watch as Jordan Young and Zac Bell tried to make something happen, eventually Murphy was introduced in place of Nouble.

The former Chelmsford man was quickly in the action, he chased a long ball over the top before finding Lo-Everton who teamed up with Young to force the corner.

The corner was only partially cleared, Hyde tried to recycle the ball, he, Cooper and Bell all tried to keep the momentum… the Thatchers Stand trying to suck the ball into the net.

Murphy struck a free kick, but to no avail, Wannell landed a header onto the roof of the net, the Chelmsford defence was deepening.

The Clarets’ Adam Mills had a couple of busy minutes, he was within touching distance of a fierce cross, but was shortly after in the referee’s notebook for a foul.

From the free kick – Jordan Young hit the cross bar. It was getting closer.

Chelmsford made their final two subs, Jones and Ruff were hooked with Bettamer and Hockey brought into the attack.

With the game entering the final 15 minutes (well, of the 90…) Jake Hyde couldn’t make the most of the break away, he had options with both Young and Murphy in close contention.

Jordan Stevens was promised some minutes as he makes his return from injury, he was brought into the game at the expense of Lo-Everton.

This brought about a slight change in formation, moving to a 4-2-3-1, Cooper and Williams holding, every one else given the freedom to attack.

Stevens was soon in a great space, with options in the box, just as he was ready to make the pass, he slipped. Time starting to run out.

Young was still trying down the left hand side, he forced a 84th minute corner, Mills though more than equal to it.

Then, the sucker punch.

Josh Staunton sliced a clearance, Joe Day pulled off a wonderful save to prevent the own goal, but Adam MILLS tapped home. 

In response, Jordan Young was replaced by Jordan Maguire-Drew. Time was running out.

Six minutes of added time, it was now or never.

It was now, as it seems! Morgan WILLIAMS’ shot may have taken a deflection, of someone, after good work from JM-D and Cooper. It was back level…

Jake Hyde tried to flick a Joe Day goal kick into a dangerous area, Sami Carruthers tried to get attacks going… neither side totally happy with a point. 

JM-D whipped a dangerous corner in, Rhys Murphy and Jake Wannell tried to get a vital touch. Wannell stayed forward, but he was unable to force the score away from One-All… 

The final six minutes had a bit of everything, but neither side could break the deadlock. 

The stats are all fairly even, including the most important one of all, points shared at Huish Park

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Chelmsford City 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 2nd September – 3pm kick-off

Pitch: tbc
Conditions: tbc

Attendance: 2933

Scorers: Adam Mills, 86. (0-1), M Williams (1-1)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Lo-Everton (33), Bell (56)
Chelmsford: Wordsworth (36), Ebuzoeme (37), Mills (68)

Red Cards:
Yeovil Town: 
Chelmsford: 

Referee: Steven Hughes

Yeovil Town (4-1-2-1-2)

Substitutes: James Sendles-While, Josh Owers, Rhys Murphy (For Nouble 60), Jordan Maguire-Drew, Jordan Stevens (For Lo-Everton 80)

Chelmford City: Oluwayemi (GK), Brookes, Wordsworth, Winfield (c), Ebuzoeme, Carruthers, Jenkins, Jones, Ruff, Barnum-Bobb, Francis

Substitutes (not used): Dabre, Bettamer (for Jones 72), Mills (for Barnum-Bobb, 22), Hockey (for Ruff 72), Watts