Match Report: Yeovil Town 1 Altrincham 2

Yeovil Town were pegged back twice by Altrincham side to lose their eight-match unbeaten streak.

Battling against strong opposition, strong weather and weak officiating, the Glovers ended the game with 10-men after frustration tipped over at Huish Park.

First half

Yeovil Town began with the wind at their backs and there was a hope and an expectancy that the Glovers would take an early advantage.

The opening exchanges were, a little bit scrappy, as you might expect, but both sides exchanged half chances.

Jos Barker was capable with dealing with a early shot come cross. Whilst Charlie Kirk was causing trouble down the left hand side.

Harry Istead in the Alty goal, was punished for taking too long on a goal kick, the resulting corner coming to nothing.

It wasn’t until the game was 10 or 12 minutes old that either side were able to get any control. Altrincham were able to find Leo Farrell in shooting range who’s effort was tame.

Within seconds of that chance, the action was coming at the other end, Otis Khan found himself one on one defending with Johl POWELL who despite not being favourite to win the ball, found the room to shoot and record his eighth goal of the season.

There was a chance for the Glovers to extend their lead not long after, Jordan Norville Williams’ delivery was almost turned home by Slavi Spasov, who opted for a first time effort – forcing a save from Isted in the visitor’s goal.

Ben Radcliffe was next to feel the force of desire to score, the defender making a mazy run, through the pitch and unleashed a fierce drive, which could have been heading anywhere had Spasov not invertedly found himself in the way.

This was by no means a one sided affair, though. Sam Taylor and Charlie Kirk were teaming up well down the left.

Radcliffe blocking one cross before another was deflected out for a corner.

The resulting set piece bounced around the Glovers’ final third before clearing away.

Matty Kosylo was next to try his luck, from range, he forced a save from Barker to force a fourth corner.
A fifth wasn’t far behind, Barker and Kingdon teaming up to clear the Glovers’ lines.

The visitors were certainly getting more of the ball, but it was the hosts who were closest to scoring again.

Isted in the Altrincham goal slipped at an inopportune time, but Hayden Muller’s effort from distance was on target, but the quick thinking ‘keeper was able to right himself quick enough to get something on the ball and prevent an almost comical second.

On 35 minutes, James Daly was the first player to go into the book for a robust challenge.

Within a few seconds of the restart, the Glovers retained possession and Slavi Spasov was in a great place, but a challenge from an Alty defender was deemed fair by the ref, a few (thousand) people disagreed.

Powell was next to draw a foul and Alty also had a name taken, Sam Barnes the guilt man this time.

The resulting free kick came to nothing,

With five minutes left on the clock, it was fair to say Altrincham were certainly in the ascendancy, another corner for the visitors, more set pieces, but all – for now, dealt with by the Green and White back line.

Half time came and Altrincham were down on the score board, but not in performance.

Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Altrincham 0

Second half

Neither side made any changes at the break, and Altrincham were quick to get the possession back into their control – as had been the case at the end of the first period.

A controversial free kick – originally given as a throw in to Yeovil – went the way of the visitors after five minutes, thankfully it came to nothing, but it did give the Lancashire side another attack, another shot on target.

Aidan Barlow found the referee’s notebook shortly after, as the Glovers tried to break away.

It was a break away with presented the Glovers with their first real chance of the second half. Spasov and Jones were flying forward in support of Powell who once again outran Khan.

Powell’s cross field ball found Jones, who’s effort went wide.

Referee Matt Scholes, who was a late sub to officiate this game, was making no friends in Green and White, Slavi Spasov went down under a challenge in the box, but nothing doing, leading to polite questions from Billy Rowley and Brett McGavin.

The clock ticked over the hour and the first two Yeovil subs were forthcoming, Daly (possibly being protected on a Yellow) replaced by Mason Obeng whilst Owen Dean would come on shortly after for Spasov.

Between those moments, the Glovers got their best chance to double their lead. Excellent work from Spasov and Jones saw McGavin fire an effort in, well tipped over by Isted in goal.

Isted was called upon again, Davies had an effort saved before Dean had a sniff which couldn’t be forced home.

As the second half drew on, the Glovers were starting to think they were getting some control, but, that’s not how the visitors saw it.

A long ball from Isted, controlled by Leo Farrell, a sloppy pass from Radcliffe and Farrell’s assist for Charlie KIRK drew the game level.

How would Yeovil react? Welll, fairly well, Powell had a shot blocked and Dean and Davies were starting to link up well. The final 20 minutes were set up to entertain.

A third second half corner for Yeovil followed on 75 minutes, good work from Powell again.

Another corner came shortly after, Ryan Jones unable to force the set piece home.

With ten minutes to go, Altrincham made a double change, but straight off the back of that stoppage, the Glovers were back on the front foot.

Johl Powell was replaced with Zain Westbrooke, the midfielder returning back into the fold after injury.

More questions of the officials, and it was the visitors who were keeping their heads on the game.

With just five minutes left, a long clearance from the keeper, Remi Raymond lifted a cross into the box, which was bundled home by combination of ‘keeper/defender and Kristian DENNIS

Time was now against the Glovers, albeit eight additional minutes was certainly welcome.

There was some needless faff with some Altrincham subs as the gamesmanship crept in, but the Glovers were trying to keep the foot on the accelerator.

Jones ran down into a shooting chance, but had a chance blocked.

Then Referee Scholes really made himself totally friendless with a red card for Ben Radcliffe.

In truth, there were few complaints, the Crawley loanee heading into the dressing room early for a challenge on the half way line.

It was now getting silly, Jack Hinchy, Dennis the scorer both saw yellow for a bit of shenanigans.

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 Altrincham 2

Substitutes: Mason Obeng (for Daly ’61), Owen Dean (for Spasov ’62), Zain Westbrooke (for Powell ’84) Charlie Lennon, Ste Walker, Loick Ayina, Joe Gubbins,

Altrincham: S

Substitutes (not used): M.