Match Report: Yeovil Town 2 Tamworth 0

Yeovil Town responded to the disappointment of last weekend’s FA Trophy exit with a massive three points with a dominant performance against Tamworth under the lights at Huish Park.

Ryan Jones put the Glovers ahead with a superb solo goal five minutes of the first half remaining and then on loan defender Declan Skura reacted to turn in a second after Brett McGavin’s free-kick came back off the crossbar ten minutes in to the second half.

It was the performance which was the reassuring factor in this one, unlike the late, late show against Sutton United six days earlier, Yeovil looked totally in control for the entire match.

First half

There were three changes from last weekend’s FA Trophy exit at Southport with Ryan Jones, Troy Perrett, and Aaron Jarvis all returning to the starting XI. There were boos when Jarvis’ name was read out over the tannoy ahead of the match. Whatever you think of him, that is not going to help.

From the off it was clear that Tamworth were going to be a very different test to the one they faced in their last outing at Huish Park, the late 3-2 win over Sutton United, as they start with a very rigid 4-4-2 looking to play it long towards striker Oliver Lynch. Brett McGavin pinging a couple of great passes, but not much in the way of openings for either side in the opening ten minutes.

The nearest to an opening for either side came after 19 minutes when a Mafico corner almost found James Daly on the near post and almost got his fourth in three matches with an attempted back heel. Couldn’t quite pull it off. Soon after a good free-kick in the box appeared to be missed by Declan Skura at the back post, but that was about as near as it got for either side.

Tamworth’s style is making it very narrow in the middle and it is going to take a bit of magic from either Ryan Jones or Josh Sims in the wide positions in there is going to be any joy for Yeovil. Patience and keeping switched on to the danger Tamworth offer will be key.

A great ball from McGavin picked out Jones on the left, Jarvis did well to pick up the pieces and laid it off to Troy Perrett, but his shot flashed wide. Good move, that is about as near to a clear cut chance as we have seen.

I told you it was going to take a bit of magic from Sims or Jones and on 40 minutes that is exactly what happened. Another fantastic pass picked out Ryan JONES on the left, he took an amazing first touch but then topped it by weaving past two defenders and then smashed the ball across Jas Singh and in to the far corner. Take a bow, that was special.

There was applause from Huish Park as the half-time whistle sounded. There have not been many chances in this one but we have something to build on.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Tamworth 0

Second half

There was a change in personnel for Yeovil Town at the start of the second half with Aaron Jarvis replaced by Finn Cousin-Dawson. It looks as if James Daly, who has three goals in his previous two games, is playing through the middle with the Cardiff City loan duo of Perrett and Mafico in behind him.

Tamworth came out after the break looking but their forward play has created space for Yeovil going forwards and one player who was exploiting it was Mafico. On 54 minutes, the youngster found such a pocket of space and was fouled just outside the area. There was a queue lining up to take it, but it was McGavin and his effort was pushed on to the bar by Singh and Declan SKURA did superbly to hammer home the rebound.

This is the response supporters wanted after the disappointment of last weekend’s FA Trophy exit and full credit for Yeovil for keeping on pushing. First goals for first Jones and now Skura.

On 65 minutes, Mafico threaded a great pass to the on-rushing Perrett who was running in to the box, the midfielder tried to take it past the defender who got it away for a corner. You just felt a first time shot was the better option, but Yeovil still going for it.

Alex Whittle replaced Josh Sims on 67 minutes with the impressive Jones switching from left to right flanks and then with the game pressing in to the final ten minutes Tahvon Campbell replaced Daly.

Campbell thought he had made an instant impact when he met a great ball in to the box from McGavin with a header, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for a push. No real complaints from the Glovers or Tamworth, I would add.

Yeovil have controlled this second half well, there has been less of the attacking moments which we saw in the first hour of the game as the game has pressed on.

With two minutes to go, Huish Park had another nice moment as Ollie Hughes replaced Troy Perrett. At 17 years, nine months and five days he becomes the fifth youngest player to represent the Glovers in a competitive men’s league game. Devon Arnold is still the holder of the youngest at 17 years, one month and eight days. Kyle Ferguson also replaced Ryan Jones.

In the final minute of injury time another opportunity to get a third fell to Campbell. McGavin blasted it towards the near post, Singh did not deal with it and Campbell piled in looking to get a touch but it went win.

A brilliant response to last weekend’s disappointment, Yeovil controlled the game for the full 90 minutes. A goal in each half and a clean sheet and moving up the National League table. Well done, lads, that’s the stuff.