A dramatic late comeback saw Yeovil Town come from to grab three hugely important points with victory over fellow National League strugglers Sutton United at Huish Park.
The Glovers looked like they were heading for their fifth match without a win as they went in to second half stoppage time 2-1 behind before James Daly grabbed an equaliser with three added on minutes gone, then four minutes later Brett McGavin stepped up to smash home a penalty.
The victory was all the more spectacular as it looked to everyone inside Huish Park – or watching on the DAZN stream – that Yeovil were going out with a whimper having thrown away a 1-0 lead with two sloppy goals conceded.
Credit to the spirit of these players, when they looked dead and buried they found something to grab a vital three points to put eight points between themselves and the relegation places – not that we’re looking at the table at this stage of the season. Honest!
First half
Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley asked for a quick start in his pre-match comments and he almost got one within 20 seconds as Harvey Greenslade, who is sporting a shorter hairstyle, caused problems down the left and got a ball in which Josh Sims could not head any real connection on on the far post.
The opening ten minutes did not offer much in the way of chances for either side, but a good move on 11 minutes when a neat pass from Josh Sims saw Greenslade fire it in to the danger area and it was almost turned in by a Sutton defender. Offside flag was up anyway, but a good bit of pressure. The frontline is upping the intensity.
Ryan Jones fired shot just wide after a good forward run a couple of minutes later before Greenslade found space between the Sutton back line but his effort flashed across the face of goal and wide.
Despite not having any efforts to threaten Jed Ward in the Yeovil goal, there was plenty of pressure from Sutton who had a string of corners in the first half-an-hour. They have looked dynamic when they have had the ball and are pressing us well.
But with five minutes remaining until half-time there was a breakthrough for Yeovil. Terrell Works caused problems down the left side and he was brought down just inside the box and referee James Durkin pointed to the spot.
Luke McCormick took responsibility but his penalty was low and slow down to the keeper’s right and Jack Sims got across to it, but could not hold it. James DALY was on the spot to turn home the rebound.
There was a worrying moment just after when McCormick went down injured after what appeared to be a collision in the scramble to turn home the rebound. Dakari Mafico is ready to come on, but it looks like McCornmick is going to play on.
Just when you thought it was going to be advantage Yeovil going in at half-time, Sutton equalised. Besart Topallaj got a ball in from the left and Hayden MULLER had the freedom of the penalty area to head the visitors level. Another soft goal to concede.
That was a real sucker punch but it’s probably fair to say neither side has forced enough action out of either keeper to deserve a lead.
Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Sutton United 1
Second half
Luke McCormick is back out for the second half, I had not expected that when he went off at the interval with Mafico ready to roll, but our top scorer is out there.
The first real opening of the second half fell to Greenslade on 51 minutes. A long ball forward was flicked on to the striker who did well to nutmeg his defender and charge towards goal, but he was leaning back as he tried to execute his shot and it went high over the bar on his weaker foot. He had Works alongside him and, in hindsight, a pass would have been a better option.
Three minutes later there was a good opening for the visitors as Simper got involved and showed his quality to bring the ball down and then scooped it over to Kai Jennings who thumped in a shot which Ward did well to push away for a corner.
Just before the hour mark, McCormick’s night is over. He is replaced by Troy Perrett who takes up a similar position in the middle of midfield whilst Dakari Mafico replaces Terrell Works, who has been one of the attacking bright spots for Yeovil so far. Sutton made their own double change with the taller figures of Ashley Nadesan and Osman Foyo replacing the more diminutive Jermaine Francis and Brandon Njoku.
The pressing which we saw from Yeovil at the start of the match is missing in the opening 15 minutes of the second half whilst Sutton have continued where they left off in the first half. It is advantage to the visitors so far. Billy Rowley responded by bringing Tahvon Campbell in place of Greenslade, who had just picked up a booking, and maybe that is an effort to get the ball to stick up front.
It has been one-way traffic so far and it was no surprise when Sutton took the lead with 66 minutes on the clock. A good move down the right side saw Simper get the ball in, there were opportunities to clear it but it was Kai JENNINGS who wanted it more and slammed it home. Another (yes, another) disappointing goal to concede, but it had been coming.
There was a moment of audible frustration from the Huish Park crowd when Jonathon Page fired two corners in quick succession at the near post, both were easily cleared away by the Sutton defence. It all seems a bit lethargic from Yeovil at the moment whilst the visitors are happy to bide their time. Crying out for someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
With ten minutes remaining, the only roll of the dice available to Rowley saw Page and Joy Mukena replaced by Brett McGavin and Kyle Ferguson.
It looked like it was all over for Yeovil Town, honestly it did. Then with three minutes of seven minutes stoppage time added on we equalised. It was Ryan Jones’ all in from the left, it evaded Campbell on the near post but James DALY was there to turn it home at the back post.
Just when you thought it could not get better than that, it did. Tahvon Campbell was brought down on the edge of the box and Yeovil were awarded their second penalty of the night – you have to love National League refs, right? Brett McGAVIN claimed the ball and was the coolest man inside Huish Park as he smashed Yeovil ahead.
Wow. Just wow. That is a big, big win.
Full time: Yeovil Town 3 Sutton United 2
Match Details
Venue: Huish Park
Date: Wednesday 25th February, 7.45pm kick-off
Competition: Enterprise National League Premier Division
Scorers: James Daly 41 (1-0), Hayden Muller 45+5 (1-1), Kai Jennings 66 (1-2), James Daly 90+3 (2-2), Brett McGavin pen 90+7 (3-2)
Pitch: Wearing in front of the Thatcher’s Stand
Conditions: Cold but dr7
Attendance: 2,344 (63 away supporters)
Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Terrell Works 45+4, Harvey Greenslade 63, Josh Sims 90+14
Sutton United: Brandon Njoku 33, Kwaku Donkor 55, Jack Sims 88, Edon Pruti 90+5, Dubem Eze 90+14
Referee: James Durkin
Yeovil Town
Substitutes: Troy Perrett (for Luke McCormick, 57), Dakari Mafico (for Terrell Works, 57), Tahvon Campbell (for Harvey Greenslade, 64) Kyle Ferguson (for Joy Mukena, 80), Brett McGavin (for Jonathon Page, 80), Alex Whittle (not used), Matt Gould (not used).
Sutton United: Jack Sims, Lewis Simper, Edom Pruti, Jake Taylor (for Dubem Eze, 90+11), Junior Eccleston, Kai Jennings, Brandon Njoku (for Osman Foyo, 60), Besart Topallaj, Hayden Muller, Jermaine Francis (for Ashley Nadesanm 60), Kwaku Donkor (for David Ogbonnam 90).