Match Report: Yeovil Town 4 Solihull Moors 1

Yeovil Town head into Saturday’s round of fixtures just inside the play-off positions following a 4-1 win over Solihull Moors.

Ryan Jones, Slavi Spasov and first ever Yeovil goals for Johl Powell secured the points, with Solihull’s goal coming from a freak own goal which will be attributed to Jos Barker.

First half

The opening exchanges were a little scrappy, but the first proper chance came from the usual source – a charging run down the wings.

Ryan Jones whipped a cross in on the right, James Daly slipped as he looked to get on the end of it, some recycling of the ball, saw the ball come back to Daly who’s cross met the head of Slavi Spasov. The ‘keeper wasn’t troubled, and the assistant’s flag was up.

On seven minutes, Solihull had their first real moment, a long ball towards Jacob Wakeling, saw the forward produce an excellent touch, but his delicate lobbed effort did find its way over Jos Barker, but wide of the post.

Jones was feeling good down the Glovers’ right, on nine minutes, his shoulder dipped from 20 yards out, his effort at goal was easy for the visitors goalkeeper, but the intent was exciting.

The game was no more than 12 minutes old when more lovely footwork in the middle of park saw space open up for Archie Davies off the back of a Hayden Muller pass, but the strike flashed wide of the near post.

With 15 minutes gone, the deadlock was broken and it was that man Ryan JONES and you just knew it was going to happen, play broke down in the middle of the park, Jones got the ball on the right of the penalty area, a few touches of the left foot, a dropped shoulder and the far corner rustled. Glorious.

It was nearly 2-0 within seconds of the restart. Jones (again) involved, whipping a ball centrally for Zain Westbrooke, the former Scunthorpe man saw his chance smothered out for a corner.

James Daly was fancying some of the action Jones was getting and on the half hour he had the chance, bursting down the left, he rounded his man but the angle shortened on him, his shot deflected wide.

He nearly got another chance seconds after, a wonderful Brett McGavin pass was nodded back towards the keeper, Daly was onto it in a flash, caught between a cross and shot, Spasov couldn’t convert.

The fifth Yeovil Town corner of the half produced another chance, but again the Glovers couldn’t convert, but the hosts were turning the screw.

The final 10 minutes of the half were certainly more even, both sides trying to force a significant chance, but neither really able to do so. Jacob Wakeling was certainly the main instigator for the visitors, but nothing of significance.

The half ended with a McGavin shot from distance and a few physical challenges. The Glovers frustrated by not being further ahead.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Solihull Moors 0

Second half

Neither side made any changes at the break but there was certainly a change in early momentum, with the visitors coming out with much more energy.

Solihull had a couple of chances to get shots away, but only a Joe Sbarra pea roller on 50 minutes was the only one of note.

The Glovers were struggling to get their passing going, a James Daly cross evaded everyone and frustration was setting in both on the pitch and in the stands.

But, the first time the Glovers did click into gear, the lead was doubled.

A run from Ryan Jones broke to McGavin who found Daly wide left, his whipped cross fell to Slavi Spasov who couldn’t miss from a matter of inches.

It took more than an hour, but the referee had finally remembered he packed his cards – Ryan Woods cautioned for hauling down Archie Davies who was on another mazy run.

Shortly after, Woods was hooked by his manager, clearly fearing another one of the bright yellow things turning red before the game was over.

McGavin was getting kicked and earned a free kick that found its way to back to the midfielder, his left footed 30 yarder was high and wide.

Now the Glovers were getting going again. James Daly found Westbrooke who’s effort from 12 yards was scrambled away. Another Westbrooke effort was blocked – on 68 minutes, a breathtaking 10 minutes for the hosts.

How it wasn’t three, I’ll never know, the chances kept coming, a Davies cross somehow evaded everyone.

Ben Worman went into the book for being the umpteeth player to foul Ryan Jones.

Worman was then replaced – same as above – that was for protection.

There was a lengthy stoppage whilst Nat Ford in the Solihull net took treatment after a coming together in his own penalty area.

That broke the game up slightly and with less than ten minutes of the original 90 left, the Glovers injected a bit of energy with Johl Powell and Charlie Lennon coming on for Ryan Jones and Slavi Spasov.

Those changes gave Solihull chance to re group and Joe Sbarra had a chance to cross and shot which came to nothing more than a corner.

That corner though did come to something – the corner was whipped in under the ‘keepers nose and somehow, it squirmed through and into the goal. a Jos Barker OG.

I can’t type quickly enough by this point – Zain Westbrooke, Charlie Lennon and Johl Powell teamed up down the right, the latter slotting home for his first ever Glovers’ goal.

Hayden Muller took a tactical yellow card, Jordan Norville-Williams had a wonderful run down the left hand side which resulted in a shot on goal and the fourth official decided we needed eight more minutes of this chaos!

Mason Obeng was now on for Westbrooke and he would set up the fourth Glovers goal teaming up with Johl Powell to wrap things up.

The full time whistle went soon after. Breathe!

Full time: Yeovil Town 4 – Solihull Moors 1

Substitutes: Lennon (for Jones ’81), Powell (for Spasov ’81), Obeng (for Westbrooke ’91),
Not Used: Gould, Radcliffe, Nardiello

Solihull Moors: Nat Ford, Cam Green, Jamie Andrews, Jevon Mills, Joe Sbarra, Scott High, Jacob Wakeling, Ben Worman (for Rio Shipston), Ryan Woods (for Matt Carson ’64), Tyrell Warren, Callum McFarlane

Substitutes (not used): Metcalfe, Whitmore, Farquhar, Coffey