Match Report (Page 4)

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A double strike from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton sealed Yeovil Town a deserved victory over an Oldham Athletic side looking to secure a place in the play-offs this season.

The Glovers struck after just nine minutes when Lo-Everton was found by a great ball from Michael Smith to fire the opener and Yeovil looked good value for their 1-0 half-time advantage with Ciaran McGuckin coming close to adding a second.

Lo-Everton struck early again when great work from McGuckin found him at the back post with just four minutes of the second half played. Jake Caprice pulled a late goal back three minutes in to stoppage time, but it proved nothing more than a consolation goal.

First half

The first opportunity fell to Yeovil after good work from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who found space after a good flick on by Ciaran McGuckin, cut inside and hit a weak shot which Mathew Hudson in the Oldham goal held on to easily.

On ten minutes, it was Sonny who put the hosts ahead. There will be complaints from Oldham who thought Michael Smith had run the ball out of play, but the Northern Irishman played to the whistle and threaded a great ball in to  LO-EVERTON running in to the box to shot across the keeper and in to the net.

The fast start from the home side continued with McGuckin and Sims combining nicely before the on loan Rotherham United man pulled his shot wide. Yeovil have started brightly, whereas Oldham look to be wobbling.

Oldham were forced in to an early change after 20 minutes when Jake Leach, on loan from Hull City, went down injured and was replaced by tricky winger Jesrun Uchegbulam.

The visitors had a great opportunity to level five minutes later when Charlie Raglan met Tom Pett’s free-kick with a header from inside the six-yard area which flashed just wide. A minute later Lo-Everton’s ball towards Dom Bernard was headed tamely towards Hudson at the other end.

There was another chance for Oldham just after the half-hour mark when Kian Harratt seemed surprised to find himself in space eight yards out allowing just enough time for Jake Wannell to clear it.

McGuckin wiggled his way in from the right-hand side and tried to bend one in to the far corner with Hudson at full stretch. It may even have clipped the post on its way out for a goal kick.

Aidan Stone had to be brave to deny Uchegbulum with five minutes of the first half remaining. The keeper came to meet the substitute on the edge of his area.

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Oldham Athletic 0

 

Second half

Four minutes after the restart, Yeovil doubled their advantage with a goal made by McGuckin. Having been found by Bernard’s forward ball, the Rotherham United loanee looked to have a chance to shoot himself as he powered towards goal but instead did superbly to get a ball to the back post where LO-EVERTON was on hand to turn home his second of the day from close range.
 
Yeovil Town celebrate Sonny’s second. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.
 
Oldham responded immediately with a double change bringing on top scorer Mike Fondop and Vinsal Yoganathan, an attacking move with the visitors having to go for it.
 
The pair combined two minutes later when Yoganathan’s ball found Fondop and Stone had to do well to deny him before a ball hit Fondop in the face seconds later and managed to set Harratt through and Stone pulled off another impressive stop to deny him. They have been on the pitch literally minutes, but the substitutes have made an impact.
 
On 56 minutes, Morgan Williams replaced Michael Smith for his first appearance for more than two months. Williams went back in to a three-man back line with Finn Cousin-Dawson switching with Bernard to fulfil midfield position.
 
Cousin-Dawson had a great opportunity to make it 3-0 just after the hour. Great work from McGuckin (again) left an Oldham player on the floor and had a shot well saved by Hudson before the ball broke to Cousin-Dawson who hammered it goalwards and it was deflected over for a corner.
 
 
Oldham looked to have responded well after their substitutions, but Yeovil have quickly taken the sting out of them. Harvey Greenslade replaces Sonny with 63 minutes gone. Can anyone else take the Man of the Match award away from him? Surely not.
 
The visitors had a few efforts high and wide with Harratt and Conlon both off target before an 81st minute free-kick from Conlon landed at the feet of Fondop inside the box. But the striker’s first touch was heavy and the ball ran out for a goal kick.
 
But, with two minutes of seven added on at the end of the game the visitors pulled a goal back. Referee Stephen Copeland got in the way of the ball and was forced to give a drop ball which he dropped straight at the feet of an Oldham player who was unchallenged to knock it sideways to Jake CAPRICE who moved to within 30 yards of goal and unleashed a thunderous strike. A nervy last five minutes which seemed unlikely at any point before that.
 
If you wondered what this meant for the visitors, Mathew Hudson came up for two corners in the sixth minute of injury time. He didn’t get to them and Yeovil held on for a deserved victory.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Oldham Athletic 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 12th April, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 10 (1-0), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 48 (2-0), Jake Caprice 90+2 (2-1)

Pitch: Held up well but started to bobble a bit in the second half
Conditions: Cloudy but warm

Attendance: 3373 (372 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town:  Josh Sims 45+7, Finn Cousin-Dawson 90+6
Oldham Athletic: Vinsal Yoganathan 87

Referee: Stephen Copeland

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes:  Morgan Williams (for Michael Smith, 56), Harvey Greenslade (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 63), Kyrell Wilson (for Ciaran McGuckin, 77), Marcel Lavinier (for Josh Sims, 89), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Oldham Athletic: Mathew Hudson, Mark Kitching, Tom Pett. Shaun Hobson, Tom Conlon, Joe Garner (for Mike Fondop, 53), Jordan Rossiter (for Vinsal Yoganathan, 53), Charlie Raglan, Jake Caprice, Kian Harratt, Jake Leake (for Jesurun Uchegbulam, 20).

Substitutes (not used): Tom Donaghy, Josh Lundstram, Corry Evans, Joe Pritchard.

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A late goal from Altrincham captain Lewis Baines saw Yeovil Town’s winning run in the National League Premier Division come to an end in Greater Manchester.

The Glovers had gone behind when Tylor Golden sparked the first half in to life with an opener after half-an-hour before on loan defender Frankie Terry pulled the game level just two minutes later.

As the game pressed towards a conclusion, the home side, in need of three points to keep their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive, turned the screw with Yeovil wilting on a sunny day and Baines was unmarked on the edge of the box to sweep home the winner.

First half

Manager Mark Cooper made just one change to the squad which grabbed a late win at home to AFC Fylde the previous weekend with defender Jake Wannell returning on the bench in place of Lewys Twamley.

For the opening half-an-hour, the only moment of note came for a break in play after around 20 minutes when captain Alex Whittle went down with a head injury after a challenge with Justin Amalazour which saw him have to go down the tunnel for treatment. That led to a double change for the visitors with Whittle replaced by Ryan McLean and Charlie Cooper, who the manager had picked out as a player who had been playing through injury in recent weeks, went off for Harry Kite with 27 minutes gone.

That change seemed to unsettle the visitors and three minutes later Altrincham were ahead. First top scorer Regan Linney cut in from the left hand side and fired in a shot which was parried by Aidan Stone. The danger was not cleared was worked out to Tom Crawford who picked out Tylor GOLDEN, completely unmarked to turn the ball home at the far post to put the home side ahead after 30 minutes.

Altrincham celebrate an opener.

But two minutes later Yeovil were level. A long throw in to the box was cleared as far as Josh Sims on the edge of the box, he lifted it in to the area for Ciaran McGuckin who hooked it over for Frankie TERRY to run on to and he fired the visitors level.

Linney put one in to the side netting after good play from Amalazour just before the half-time break, but the game was level when the whistle sounded.

Yeovil had probably had the better of the possession in the first half and offered more of the attacking threat, but the loss of the experience of Whittle and Cooper shook us a little. Deservedly level at the break.

Half time: Altrincham 1 Yeovil Town 1

 

Second half

At half-time, Jake Wannell replaced Josh Sims bringing more experience to the back line.
 
The first chance of the second half fell to Yeovil. Another long throw in to the box was headed down by Finn Cousin-Dawson and met on the volley by Otis Khan, but unfortunately in to the hands of Caleb Ansen, the on loan Norwich City goalkeeper between the posts for Altrincham.
 
On the hour mark, Harvey Greenslade replaced Ciaran McGuckin, but there was nothing much in the way of chances until the final 15 minutes. Altrincham started to turn the screw as Yeovil started to look to tire and could not clear their lines.
 
On 75 minutes, Linney did superbly to bring the ball under his spell on the left side and burst towards goal, going past a number of visiting defenders and had to be denied by Stone at the near post. Shortly after Marcel Lavinier replaced Khan with Yeovil seemingly trying to bring some legs on to the pitch.
 
Five minutes later, the striker showed exactly why he has been so prolific this season, showing great control once again, shrugging off Kyle Ferguson, but dragging his shot wide.
 
But with two minutes of normal time remaining, Altrincham took the lead again. A corner from substitute Alex Newby was missed by Cousin-Dawson and fell to Lewis BAINES who swept it home.
 
The ten minutes before that goal had seen us defend deeper and deeper, seemingly unable to keep the home side at bay and eventually the pressure told.
 

Full time: Altrincham 2 Yeovil Town 1

Match Details

Venue: Moss Lane
Date: Saturday 5th April, 3:00pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Tyler Golden 30 (0-1), Frankie Terry 32 (1-1), Lewis Baines 88 (1-2)

Pitch: Bobbly
Conditions: Sun cream – or after sun – required in the away end on a hot and sunny day

Attendance: 1,851 (192 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Altrincham: Lewis Banks 37
Yeovil Town:  Kyle Ferguson 37, Finn Cousin-Dawson 82, Marcel Lavinier 83, Dom Bernard 85

Referee: Dale Baines

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Harry Kite (for Alex Whittle, 28), Ryan McLean (for Charlie Cooper, 28), Jake Wannell (for Josh Sims, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for Ciaran McGuckin, 60), Marcel Lavinier (for Otis Khan, 77), Michael Smith (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Altrincham: Caleb Ansen, Justin Amaluzor, Lewis Baines, Lewis Banks, Tom Crawford, Callum Dolan (for Alex Newby, 81), Tylor Golden, Matt Kosylo (gfor Kahrel Reddin, 70), Regan Linney, Charlie Olsen, Elliot Osborne.

Substitutes (not used): Issac Marriott, Matt Penney, Brandon Powell, Harvey Randle, Lucas Weaver.

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A Harvey Greenslade goal in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time earned Yeovil Town a dramatic late victory at Huish Park.

The striker, on as a second half substitute, smashed home the winner in front of the Thatcher’s End to snatch the three points after the Glovers struggled to break down a resilient AFC Fylde side desperate for points in their relegation battle.

First half

Glovers’ boss Mark Cooper named an unchanged starting XI from the 3-0 win at Solihull Moors last weekend with new signing midfielder Harry Kite and returning defender Michael Smith named on the substitutes’ bench.

Yeovil started the first half quickly with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s free-kick after just two minutes taking a deflection off the defensive wall and forcing Ben Winterbottom in to a save to turn it around the post. From the resulting corner from Otis Khan, Kyle Ferguson won a header inside a crowded area which looked like it was heading in only to be cleared off the line.

On ten minutes, Fylde had their first chance when good work from Will Hugill found Ethan Mitchel arriving late in to the box and a good block from Frankie Terry denied him. Two minutes later they were threatening the Yeovil goal again when a great run from former Glovers’ loanee Gavin Massey fed the ball in to Tyler Roberts who went down under a challenge from Dom Bernard inside the box. Referee Ross Martin decided, assisted by his assistant, that the visiting player had dived and showed him a yellow card.

Dom Bernard goes long. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

The next opportunity came after 30 minutes from another quality ball from Otis Khan , who saw a lot of the ball in the opening half-an-hour, was flicked on by Ciaran McGuckin whose effort went just over the bar. Almost immediately, another good break by the visitors saw top scorer Nick Haughton have a shot well blocked out for a corner. Fylde’s threat is definitely on the break with Yeovil having dominated possession for the last ten minutes.

Massey is causing a lot of problems down the left side with ten minutes of the first half remaining it was the winger’s ball which found Will Hugill whose flicked header went wide.
 
After a frantic first half of the first half, the game settled with Yeovil dominating possession with Fylde only threatening on the break, but the home side could not quite find the quality needed to get a breakthrough.
 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 AFC Fylde 0

Second half

The appearance of former Glovers’ manager Gary Johnson, who was a late call-up to the BBC Somerset commentary team, entertained supporters for the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Hey Gary Johnson, etc.
 
Heyyyy, Gary Johnson, ooh ahh, I wanna knooooow if you love the Town…?
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown
 
On the hour mark, Terry put one wide before AFC Wimbledon loanee Ryan McLean was introduced to replace Josh Sims on 63 minutes and then Harvey Greenslade replaced Dom Bernard after 69 minutes in a bid to break the battle of the lowest scoring home sides against one of the lowest scoring away sides. The latter change necessitated a change of shape with Cousin-Dawson dropping back and Greenslade taking a more advanced position.
 
With ten minutes remaining – no, honestly nothing has happened since the last substitute – Harry Kite replaced Otis Khan, who had looked the biggest attacking threat for Yeovil. 
 
It took until four minutes from the end for the home side to have an opportunity on goal. Good play by McLean saw him attack and get a shot away which was blocked, McGuckin’s follow-up also blocked. The Thatcher’s End having a great time 
 
A minute from end, Yeovil decided it was time to start turning the screw and a long range effort from Charlie Cooper almost found a breakthrough but Winterbottom was level to it. Gary Johnson on the radio: “Why do people wait until the last five minutes to play like that?“
 
But the best opportunity of the game fell to Fylde three minutes in to second half injury time when Haughton’s corner found the head of substitute Ashley Boatswain, just off the bench for the visitors, but his connection was not good enough and the ball flashed across the face of goal. 
 
Then just when you thought this was going to be the most 0-0 of all 0-0s, Yeovil’s late pressure told in the sixth minute of injury time. A long free-kick from goalkeeper Aidan Stone found its way to McGuckin on the edge of the box, he did brilliantly it bring it under control and lay it off to Harvey GREENSLADE who drilled it home. Scenes!
 
 

Full time: Yeovil Town 1 AFC Fylde 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 29th March, 3:00pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Harvey Greenslade 90+6 (1-0)

Pitch: A bit sparse in the goal mouths but looking okay elsewhere
Conditions: Grey and chilly

Attendance: 2,764 (45 away supporters)

Bookings: 
AFC Fylde: Tyler Roberts 12, Nick Haughton 24, Max Bardell 27, Lincoln McFayden 59, Owen Evans 88
Yeovil Town:  

Referee: Ross Martin

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Ryan McLean (for Josh Sims, 64), Harvey Greenslade (for Dom Bernard, 69), Harry Kite (for Otis Khan, 81), Marcel Lavinier (for Alex Whittle, 90+2), Michael Smith (not used), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

AFC Fylde: Ben Winterbottom, Harry Davis, Ethan Mitchell, Nick Haughton, Max Bardell, Will Hugill, Corey Whelan, Lincoln McFayden, Gavin Massey (for Owen Evans, 80), Tyler Roberts (for Jonathan Ustabasi, 74), Joe Riley (for Ashley Boatswain, 90+1).

Substitutes (not used): Charlie Clark, Dan Sassi, Adam Long, Danny Ormerod.

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Life without Frank Nouble began in impressive style as Yeovil Town cruised to a 3-0 win over a Solihull Moors side they leap-frogged in the National League Premier table.

A bizarre first half own goal from the home side’s Alex Whitmore following a great run and cross from Josh Sims gave them the lead before the break, and a quick fire double from Ciaran McGuckin and Alex Whittle sealed the three points.

The result ended a run of five defeats for Mark Cooper’s men and put a ten point gap between them and the division’s drop zone with teams below them picking up valuable points in the battle at the bottom.

First half

The surprise news pre-match was the departure of experienced striker Frank Nouble whose departure to Gateshead was announced ahead of kick-off and made his debut for the North East side the same day.

His exit and the absence of midfielder Brett McGavin in the squad adding to an extensive injury list at Huish Park, left the Yeovil side with a youthful looking starting XI against a Solihull side equally in need of points to pull away from the scrap at the foot of the division.

In the 26th minute, we took the lead but no-one in the away end can honestly say they thought we did. Josh Sims made a jinking run in to the box and fired a ball across the face of goal where it took a deflection off Alex Whitmore and past Ollie Wright. OWN GOAL but in the away end we were politely applauding a corner. 

Yeovil Town defending a first half corner.
 
A Finn Cousin-Dawson off target shot with three minutes of normal time remaining, before a good interception in midfield by Charlie Cooper saw him present Ciaran McGuckin with an opportunity to run through on goal but the young striker’s effort was pulled wide of the post.
 
In between it had been a battle between two poor sides neither of which wanted to make a mistake – well, no more than the mistake which led to the opening goal. But, 1-0 up in a game which both sides need the points to take them away from the bottom end of the table, we will take it.

Half time: Solihull Moors 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The second half started with Yeovil seemingly sensing blood from their hosts and on the attack. First Lo-Everton almost picked out McGuckin inside the box, but the ball was just over his head and then great play between Sims and Lo-Everton (a regular theme of this game) saw the latter play a low ball in to the box. Cooper threw himself at it and the ball flew wide with McGuckin in a better position to take the opportunity.
 
But the second goal came five minutes of the second half played and it was Lo-Everton and Sims again. Sonny’s super pass picked out Sims (what has he had in his half-time water bottle?) and the former Southampton man dribbled forward and fizzed a great ball in to McGUCKIN who doubled the visitors’ advantage with a superb finish from inside the area.
 
Yeovil Town celebrate Ciaran McGuckin’s goal.
 
Great forward play involving Sims and Lo-Everton and a chipped ball to the back post almost found McGuckin before being seen out for a corner. From the resulting corner, the ball looked to have been cleared by Solihull, Cooper’s follow up shot was blocked and it  landed to Alex WHITTLE on the edge of the box. The full-back spotted his old team-mate, Ollie Wright, off his line and tried a chip from the edge of the box which beautifully floated in. What a goal.
 
Suddenly the game was dead and buried and a poor Solihull team looked unlikely to trouble Yeovil, who threatened more going forward with Lo-Everton and Sims at the heart of everything.
 
There was a nice moment for young defender Corey Koerner who made his professional debut replacing Lo-Everton with three minutes of second half injury time played. The teenager is a product of the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust system who is now captain of the club’s Under-18s. Great evidence of what an effective youth system can deliver. Well done, Corey.
 
There was one opportunity for the home side to add a consolation goal. A long ball forward was flicked on by Manny Duku, Holmes got the better of Whittle, ran it around Aidan Stone in goal and got a shot on target and Finn Cousin-Dawson was there to clear on the line. Clean sheet maintained.

Full time: Solihull Moors 0 Yeovil Town 3

Match Details

Venue: Damson Park
Date: Saturday 22nd March, 3:00pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Alex Whitmore o.g. 28, Ciaran McGuckin 50, Alex Whittle 56

Pitch: Surprisingly green for this stage of the season 
Conditions: Gloomy but dry

Attendance: 1495 (244 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Solihull Moors: Jamey Osborne 19, Reece Hall-Johnson 45+1
Yeovil Town:  Alex Whittle 12, Kyle Ferguson 81

Referee:Sebastian Stockbridge

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

Substitutes:  Harvey Greenslade (for Ciaran McGuckin, 59), Ryan McLean (for Josh Sims, 75), Lewys Talley (for Otis Khan, 90), Corey Koerner (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 90+3), Marcel Lavinier (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Solihull Moors: Ollie Wright, James Clarke (for Jon Bostock, 46), Robbie Cundy, Manny Duku,  Reece Hall-Johnson, Frankie Holman (for Brad Stevenson, 55), Joe Newton (for Finley Holmes, 80), Marcel Oakley, Jamey Osborne (for Szhem Hall-Whyte, 71), Oliver Tipton (for Joss Labadie, 87), Alex Whitmore.

Substitutes (not used): Aaron Flahavan, Jack Wells-Morrison.

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An Ollie Pearce tap in penalty saw Yeovil Town fall to a fourth straight defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing York City at Huish Park.

It was a game with few opportunities for either side which was decided by a 56th minute spot kick after debutant Kyle Ferguson felled the speedy Joe Felix inside the box and Pearce stepped up to fire it home.

Substitute Ciaran McGuckin headed Yeovil’s best opportunity over the bar late in the game, but it was another defeat.

Here’s how Ian saw it under the H at HP…..

First half

Both sides exchanged possession in the opening ten minutes with neither gaining much control.

A late challenge from Alex Hunt on Marcel Lavinier earned a deserved booking for the visitors.

The first proper opening came in the 26th minute as Junior Luamba surged forward on the left side but his pass (if that is what it was) was poor, with Josh Stones free on the penalty box.

The next action of note involved a fracas on the edge of the box. A low cross into the Yeovil box was half cleared by about four players before Charlie Cooper was fouled while he had the ball under his legs. Stones was booked for the handbags in the aftermath.

Sonny Blu Lo Everton on the run. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Stones nearly gave the visitors the lead moments later but was denied by the combination of Aidan Stone and Kyle Ferguson, with Yeovil’s latest loan signing enjoying the battle with York’s expensive centre forward.

Yeovil held their nerve at the back while York dominated possession without ever really testing Stone in the Yeovil goal.

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 York City 0

Second half

 
The visitors appealed for a penalty minutes later when Ferguson felled Ollie Pearce. They didn’t have long to wait though as a minute later Joe Felix tripped over a Finn Cousin-Dawson’s leg to earn the visitors a penalty that man PEARCE tapped in. 0-1.
 
 
Aidan Stone denied York a sensational second goal on the hour mark. The Glovers’ keeper was at full stretch to deny a spectacular Tyrese Sinclair bicycle kick.
 
Captain Frank Nouble, back in the starting line-up having been seemingly on his way out of Huish Park in midweek, was on the line to clear away from the result corner too as York looked to turn the screw.
 
Yeovil brought Ciaran McGuckin in the hunt for an equaliser and shortly after Nouble had a couple of headers that were easy for the York keeper to handle. Yeovil were forced into a change in the 76th minute as Brett McGavin went off with an injury. The midfielder needed to be helped off the pitch, a worrying moment given the “war zone” in the Huish Park medical room.
 
Brett McGavin is helped from the pitch. Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.
 
Substitute Ryan McLean had a decent effort at goal from the edge of the box which had all the sting taken out of it by a couple of a ricochets.
 
Yeovil supporters were in their feet with nine minutes left after speedy run from Kyrell Wilson who found Sonny Blu Lo-Everton on the edge of the box, but the midfielder sliced his effort. York failed to clear and gave away a corner. McGuckin nearly headed in from the corner as Yeovil tried to get level.
 
Even Stone went forward for an injury time set piece and hooked one goalwards from the edge of the box, but it went over the bar and that was that for Yeovil.
 

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 York City 1

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 15th March, 3:00pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ollie Pearce pen 56 (0-1)

Pitch: Firm and bobbly in patches
Conditions: Overcast and chilly

Attendance: 2,862 (277 away supporters)

Bookings: 
York City: Alex Hunt 9, Josh Stones 35
Yeovil Town:  Kyle Ferguson 56

Referee: Aaron Farmer

Yeovil Town (3-5-2)

Substitutes:  Ciaran McGuckin (for Marcel Lavinier, 63), Ryan McLean (for Josh Sims, 71), Kyrell Wilson (for Brett McGavin, 77), Harvey Greenslade (for Alex Whittle, 88), Frankie Terry (not used), Jahmari Clarke (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

York City: Harrison Male, Callum Howe, Alex Hunt (for Ryan Fallowfield, 76), Ollie Pearce, Lewis Richardson (for Tyrese Sinclair, 46), Dan Batty, Cameron John (for Adam Crookes, 62), Joe Felix, Josh Stones (for Lennell John-Lewis, 76), Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Junior Luamba (for Billy Chadwick, 84).

Substitutes (not used): Rory Watson, Ashley Nathaniel-George, Billy Chadwick.

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The lowest crowd of the season at Huish Park saw Yeovil Town slump to defeat at against relegation battlers Boston United.

Just 2,138 supporters were inside on a cold night to witness two soft goals in four minutes at the end of the first half see the Glovers trail 2-0 at the break before substitute Zak Mills took advantage of more generous defending just after the hour mark.

First half

The absence of Frank Nouble was the headline of the team news with the striker not named in the squad having started the last five matches. Speaking ahead of the match, manager Mark Cooper revealed the 33-year-old had told the club he had agreed to join National League Premier Division side Gateshead which had subsequently fallen through.

His replacement in the starting line-up is Rotherham United loanee Ciaran McGuckin, the only change from the 1-0 defeat at FC Halifax Town at the weekend.

The 23rd minute saw captain-for-the-night goalkeeper Aidan Stone keep the club in the match – twice. First he made a wonderful reflex save to deny Cameron Green from close range after a great run down the left, before the keeper had to make a full length stop to turn the ball around the post from Green shot. Outstanding save from the stopper who had a spell on loan at Boston earlier in the season.

Superb save by Aidan Stone….

Three minutes later Brad Nicholson went in for a 50-50-looking challenge with Marcel Lavinier which the referee gave in favour of the Yeovil player. The Boston player picked up a knock for his troubles and a yellow card.

Just before the half-hour mark, Alex Whittle had Yeovil’s first effort on goal when his long range effort was turned around the post by Cameron Gregory. There was a worrying moment four minutes later when the full-back went down with what looked like a groin injury.

Boston striker  Jimmy Knowles lifted a shot over the crossbar after an unconvincing punch from Stone from Green’s free-kick in to the area.

It was Knowles who gave Boston the lead on 38 minutes. Jacob Hazel held the ball up and fed Jimmy KNOWLES through a wide open Yeovil defence, the striker ran through and threaded it past the grounded Stone. It’s hard to say the goal had not been coming.

But what was to come was even worse. A loose ball by Frankie Terry to Charlie Cooper who slipped and gifted the ball away to Dylan Hill who ran through, laid it off to Jacob HAZEL who fired it past Stone. A terrible goal to concede and there are boos at Huish Park.
 
There were further boos when the half-time whistle sounded and you cannot blame the home crowd.
 
 

Half time: Yeovil Town 0 Boston United 2

Second half

 
The start of the second half saw Yeovil Town make two changes with new signing Jahmari Clarke and Josh Sims replacing Ciaran McGuckin and Ryan McLean. The change in shape saw Clarke partner Kyrell Wilson as a front two with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in front of them with Cooper in front of a back three.
 
On 49 minutes, a lapse in concentration by Boston gave Wilson possession the chance and he moved forward towards goal, he was faced by a number of visiting defenders and tried to lay it off to Sims who could not get his shot away.
 
Marcel Lavinier floated a harmless effort in to the hands of Gregory on 56 minutes, does that count as a shot on target? We might have to claim that one. 
 
Then on 63 minutes, Boston added a third with a goal which was unbelievably worse than the second. A long throw from Nicholson, the ball was allowed to bounce inside the box and dropped to Zak MILLS, just on as a substitute, and he stabbed it home. People are leaving Huish Park and you cannot blame them.
 
3-0, game over
 
Jahmari Clarke had a great opportunity to reduce the deficit on 65 minutes. Great play down the left by Lo Everton who played it in to the feet of the striker whose finish was one of a player who has not played at any decent level in a long while. High in to the Thatcher’s Stand.
 
Harvey Greenslade came on to replace Brett McGavin after 67 minutes and went up front alongside Clarke with Wilson just behind them. Clarke looked like a stranger from Wilson, who he had probably only met a few hours before kick-off, and it is unlikely he is any more familiar with Greenslade.
 
With three minutes of the four added on at the end of the game, Boston substitute Keaton Ward was given the freedom of Huish Park to hammer in a dipping shot which luckily dipped over the bar. 
 
Moments later, Finn Cousin-Dawson got on the end of a corner, but straight in to the arms of Cameron Gregory. The most pleasing point of the entire match? The final whistle which was met by loud boos.

Full time: Yeovil Town 0 Boston United 3

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Tuesday 11th March, 7.45pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Jimmy Knowles 38 (0-1), Jacob Hazel 42 (0-2), Zak Mills 62 (0-3)

Pitch: Had a bit of time to grow some grass
Conditions: Dull with a chill in the air

Attendance: 2,138 (73 away supporters)

Bookings: 
Boston United: Brad Nicholson 27
Yeovil Town: Jahmari Clarke 80

Referee: Wayne Cartmel

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes:  Josh Sims (for Ciaran McGuckin, 46), Jahmari Clarke (for Ryan McLean, 46), Harvey Greenslade (for Brett McGavin, 67) Dom Bernard (not used), Corey Koerner (not used), Lewys Twamley (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Boston United: Cameron Gregory, Cameron Green, Martin Woods (for Keaton Ward, 60), Jacob Hazel (for Tony Weston, 83), Jai Rowe, Brad Nicholson, Jimmy Knowles (for Adam Marriott, 83), Jordan Richards (for Olly Green, 83), Zak Mills, Dylan Hill, Jacob Scott (for Kieran Coates, 73).

Substitutes (not used): Connor Teale, Jake Lovelace.

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Yeovil Town fell to another league defeat courtesy of a first half strike from FC Halifax Town’s Angelo Capello on the notorious surface at The Shay on Saturday.

The winger fired a strike which seemed to go straight through Glovers’ keeper Aidan Stone with just 13 minutes played and that was enough to earn the hosts the three points.

Brett McGavin rattled the crossbar early in the second half with an effort from the edge of the box, but Yeovil did little to test Halifax keeper Sam Johnson.

First half

The first opportunity fell to the home side after four minutes when Cappello clipped a ball from the left side towards Adam Senior, but the combination of Aidan Stone and Frankie Terry put it off.
 
The ominous surface at The Shay surface, heavily watered just before kick-off, quickly showed its ‘quality’ with the majority of players looking a lot like Bambi on ice. You could tell that even the home side were uncertain which way the rutted surface, which is also the home of rugby league side, Halifax Panthers, was going to bounce.
 
It took 13 minutes before the home side found a breakthrough. The Glovers lost two battles in midfield before Leeds United loanee Luca Thomas pressed forward and laid the ball off to Angelo CAPELLO down the left and he drilled a shot which beat Aidan Stone far too easily. The ball flew through the keeper’s legs.
 
 
Five minutes later, a lucky bounce on the pitch set Ryan McLean away down the right, but his ball into the area was just behind Frank Nouble who could not rotate himself enough to get an effort in on goal.
 
On 25 minutes, great play by Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, the only player who appears to be able to control the ball on this surface, brought it under his spell, fed Brett McGavin who in turn found McLean, he stepped inside his man but his effort went over. That should have been at least on target.
 

On 35 minutes, Capello got away from Lavinier down the left side (again) and fed Florent Hoti who fired in a shot which Stone beat away.

The possession stats will (probably) tell you that Yeovil controlled more of the ball throughout the first half, but in terms of shots on target it was Halifax in the ascendancy.
 

Half time: FC Halifax Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Halifax made two substitutions at half-time with Jamie Cooke and Lewis Leigh coming on, whilst the visitors remained unchanged.
 
The first chance of the second half fell to Yeovil when good play down the left saw the ball find its way across to Brett McGavin, he turned his defender and thumped a shot off the crossbar.

Cooke had the ball in the net on 53 minutes, but Thomas’ slipped ball found the substitute in an offside position as he lifted the ball in to the net.

Ciaran McGuckin replaced McLean after 57 minutes, taking up a position on the left side and within three minutes of arriving, he found a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box but fired over the bar.
 
McGuckin lifts an effort over the bar on the hour mark.
 

On 64 minutes, a Jamie Cooke free kick from the edge of the area was pushed away by Stone. From one of the resulting corners, Finn Cousin-Dawson went down injured whilst Sean McGurk replaced Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

As the game pressed in to the second half of the second half, Yeovil’s defence lived a charmed life. Firstly when Capello went down inside the box followed what looked like a push from Whittle and the referee saw no offence. Then on 73  minutes, Yeovil failed to make any impact from a corner and then allowed Halifax to sprint forward through Owen Bray who exchanged passes with Emmanuel but lifted his shot over the bar from inside the box.

Probably the best attacking opportunity since McGavin rattled the woodwork fell to McGurk with 15 minutes remaining. His effort from inside the box dropped to the substitute inside the box but was blocked. Moments later, the Swindon Town loanee was replaced by Lewys Twamley and appeared to be hobbling as he came past the away supporters. 
 
The Shaymen almost doubled their advantage with two minutes of normal time remaining, a free-kick from the left found defender Festus Arthur at the back post, but his header was cleared off the line by Alex Whittle.
 
With seconds of normal time remaining, a long throw from Charlie Cooper was flicked on by Nouble before dropping to Twamley on the far post, but he could not get it under control and lifted it over the bar.
 
Sadly, that was the story of the Glovers’ attacking intent. 

Full time: FC Halifax Town 1 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The Shay
Date: Saturday 8th March, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Angelo Capello 13 (0-1)

Pitch: Would make a Sunday league team blush
Conditions: Dry and sunny

Attendance: 1688 (144 away supporters)

Bookings: 
FC Halifax Town: Angelo Capello 54
Yeovil Town: Text

Referee: Dean Watson

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes: Ciaran McGuckin (for Ryan McLean, 58), Sean McGurk (for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 68), Josh Sims (for Kyrell Wilson, 77), Lewys Twamley (for Sean McGurk, 81), Harvey Greenslade (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, Adam Senior, Festus Arthur, Ryan Galvin, Harvey Sutcliffe (for Josh Emmanuel, 58), Jack Jenkins (for Jamie Cooke, 46), Jack Evans, Angelo Capello (for Tom Pugh, 76), Florent Hoti (for Oli Bray, 61), Zac Emerson (for Lewis Leigh, 46), Luca Thomas.

Substitutes (not used): Nathaniel Ford, Adam Alimi-Adetoro.

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Yeovil Town were blown away by table topping Barnet on Tuesday night.

The injury-ravaged Glovers’ defence was under pressure from start to finish and three first half goals, including a special effort from the Barnet skipper Anthony Hartigan rendered the game over at the break.

A second half pair of penalties added salt to the wounds, it was a night to forget for the Glovers (not Ryan’s family, they probably had a lovely time).

Ben parted with his hard earned to watch on DAZN, here’s how it went down.

First half

The opening exchanges were, perhaps predictable in terms of dominance, Barnet having plenty of the ball and plenty of opportunities to get the ball into the box.
A third minute corner was one of a number of chances falling the way of the Bees, but, Aidan Stone, didn’t have anything of any note to actually do in the opening few minutes.

With just 11 minutes gone, Ben Coker and Ryan Glover were interchanging passes with ease.

Everyone of the visiting side was within 20 yards of their own goal line and still Glover had time to blaze over the opening shot of the fixture.

On 15 minutes, Zak Brunt found space after sending both Kyrell Wilson and Alex Whittle for a dummy, his cross was dangerous but unable to find a Bees head.
But it was only a matter of time and on 17 minutes, Idris Kanu put in a delightful cross met by Ben Coker. His header was wonderfully saved by Aidan Stone, but Ryan GLOVER made no mistake from the rebound.
 
Skipper Anthony Haritgan tested Aidan Stone from distance on 20 minutes, Stone couldn’t keep the initial save contained and he had to react well before Callum Stead pounced to double the lead.
 
The game was nearly 25 minutes old before the Glovers got within striking distance of the Barnet goal; Frank Nouble and Sonny Blu Lo Everton linked up well 20-yards from goal, before Harvey Greenslade found room on the right side of the area and fired a shot narrowly wide. 
 
The defensive injury crisis was about to get worse, Michael Smith signaled to the bench whilst grabbing his hamstring, a first change saw Josh Sims replace the Northern Ireland international.
 
Sims initially dropped in as a straight replacement for Smith at right back.
 
Kanu was causing all kinds of trouble down the Barnet right hand side, he played a wonderful, long range one-two with Callum Stead, but Kanu’s right footed effort went narrowly past Stone’s right hand post.
 
Two minutes later, the Bees were opening up down the left hand side, Coker found Brunt who turned on the edge of the area and fired just wide. 
 
 
With ten minutes to go, Coker was once again in far too much too space on the left hand side, he could take his time to pick out Callum STEAD who was had time and space 10 yards from goal to pick his spot to double the home side’s lead. 
 
If Yeovil fans were looking for something to cheer, they NEARLY had one on 40 minutes, Barnet keeper Owen Evans found himself under huge pressure in the six yard box from Frank Nouble.

Evans though showed some fancy footwork to nutmeg the guvnor and clear his lines. 

The ball was soon back down the other end though, Kanu down the right, Coker down the left, time and time again.

 
Danny Collinge was next to have a pop, 25 yards out, picked his spot and again only Aidan Stone’s big right mit got in the way.
From the resulting corner though, there was nothing Stone could do from Anthony Hartigan’s effort.
 
Hartigan took the corner short, got the ball back and whipped a viscous effort into the top corner, some effort.
 
It’s been attack vs defence for 45 minutes, the half time whistle a sweet relief for the Glovers’ back line.

Half time: Barnet 3 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Yeovil made their second change in the break, Sean McGurk replacing Kyrell Wilson.
The second half began in much the same way the first one ended, but Josh Sims had gone to left back, Sonny in at right back with a central three of Bernard, FC-D and Whittle.
 
Callum Stead was sniffing around everything and Hartigan was in shooting mood, he had Stone scrambling down to his right hand side after 50 minutes, thankfully the ball squeezed just wide.
 
A goal mouth scramble on 55 minutes somehow saw Barnet fail to add to their tally, some good defending and wayward shooting keeping the score at a respectable level.
 
Finn Cousin-Dawson was in the book shortly after, the only fit centre-back available to us was now on thin ice.
 
Ben Coker’s effort from the resulting free kick was high, wide and not so handsome.
As the clock struck the hour, Stead had chances, Ndlovu had chances but again, some good goalkeeping from Stone kept the Bees at bay.
 
Dean Brennan took the chance to make a couple of changes with Dom Telford and Harry Chapman entering the fray.
Whilst Mark Cooper played the only two other changes he could make, a debut for Ryan McLean in place of Lo-Everton and Harvey Greenslade making way for Lewys Twamley.
 
Not long after, a Chapman run was brought to an abrupt end by Charlie Cooper, who made his way into the book.
 
Ryan Glover was replaced by a former Glover, Billy Clifford. The mass substitutions proving to be, as ever, good at breaking up the flow of the game.
With 20 minutes to go, Ryan McLean was well placed after a neat Brett McGavin pass to run into the area, some good defending pushed the loanee wide though and his effort went wide from a tight angle.
 
At the other end, Dom Telford got a shot off which forced Stone into yet another save.
 
Twamley was next to put in a nice move, he exchanged passes with McLean, before trying to find Nouble, but the Welshman’s through ball was just too heavy.
 
 
On 76 minutes, Yeovil got their first corner of the game, Twamley and McLean teamed up with Nouble, but the number 10’s cross was nudged behind, the following set piece resulted in a Cousin-Dawson header which which harmlessly wide.
 
With ten minutes left, Dom Telford twisted and turned in the box, and Ryan McLean left his boot out for tripping over, penalty to the Bees.
Harry Chapman stood with the ball in his hands and proceeded to add a fourth to the score line, sending Stone the wrong way.
 
Five minutes left, it can’t get worse can it? It can.
Another surging run into the box, another rash challenge, another penalty, another goal. Dom Telford from the spot.
 
There was time for more carnage, Harry Chapman channeled his inner roadrunner and took on half the Glovers side, but almost inexplicably, put his shot wide when it looked easier to score. 
 
Frank Nouble did find a little time and space to fire a shot low and wide into added on time, but that was about all the visitors had to talk of in the second period.
 
After four additional minutes, the referee mercifully blew his whistle. 

Full time: Barnet 5 Yeovil Town 0

Match Details

Venue: The Hive
Date: Tuesday 4th March, 19:45

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Ryan Glover (1-0 ’17), Callum Stead (2-0 ’37), Anthony Hartigan (3-0 ’44), Harry Chapman (4-0 ’82), Dom Telford (5-0 ’86)
Pitch: Perfect Bus Parking Grass
Conditions: A bit fresh

Attendance: 1596 (180 Yeovil Fans)

Bookings: 
Barnet:
Yeovil Town: Finn Cousin-Dawson ’57, Charlie Cooper ’66

Referee: Andrew Miller

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes: Matt Gould, Lewys Twamley (For Lo-Everton ’64), Josh Sims (for Smith ’27), Sean McGurk (for Wilson ’46), Ryan McLean (for Greenslade (’64)

Barnet: Owen Evans, Ben Coker, Danny Collinge, Lee Ndlovu (for Telford ’60), Callum Stead, Idris Kanu (for Cropper ’74), Ryan Glover (for Clifford ’66), Zak Brunt (for Chapman ’60), Anthony Hartigan, Nikola Tavares (for Grimwood ’74), Myles Kenlock

Barnet (not used): Gio Bellagambi (GK), Adebola Oluwa.

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Yeovil Town suffered late heartbreak as they were forced to settle for a draw by a late Southend United equaliser at Huish Park.

The Glovers had the worst start when poor defending gifted the visitors Charley Kendall the lead with around 30 seconds – yes, seconds – on the clock, but they roared back with Kyrell Wilson’s composed finish drawing them level on 13 minutes before Frank Nouble put them in front with his third goal in as many games.

The second half was all about the hard work of the home side, led by an outstanding Charlie Cooper who dropped in to a back three for the second period, as Southend struggled to break them down – but defender James Golding’s stunning strike with four minutes of five added on at the end game saw the game finish even.

First half

The home side could not have started worse as they went behind after 30 seconds against a Southend United who have scored the fewest away goals in the National League Premier Division. A ball bouncing around in the midfield and Leon Parillon was allowed to get away down the left side, the cross came in under no pressure from the Yeovil defence and Charley KENDALL was able to take a touch and fire past Aidan Stone.
 
The visitors could have doubled their advantage when Michael Smith struggled with Jack Bridge running at him down the left side and fell to Parillon on the half-volley on the edge of the box and fortunately his effort went wide. Three opportunities and they have all come down the left side.
 
But, having been up against it for the opening 13 minutes, Yeovil pulled level out of nothing. A looping ball over the top from Charlie Cooper found Kyrell WILSON who did superbly to control it and lift it over the on-rushing Southend keeper Nick Hayes to draw his side level. Good composure from the Swansea City loanee and a nice finish.
 
Four minutes later they were ahead. Michael Smith’s ball down the right was perfect to find McGuckin he took his defender to the byline and his cross was perfect to find captain Frank NOUBLE who took a touch and fired in his third goal in as many games.
 
 
Southend have had by far the better opportunities, but Yeovil have reacted superbly to going behind. It’s a funny old game, isn’t it?! As for the celebration, let’s say the former Colchester United man enjoyed his celebration in front of his old Essex rivals.
 
A word for Frank who has been reborn since half-time in the 2-1 home win over Tamworth. From a player on the transfer list to three goals in as many games to add to some outstanding work-rate, that is some response.
 
On 27 minutes, Southend threatened when Kendall had a shot blocked before it was played back in to the danger area by Tom Hopper who found the dangerous Gus Scott-Morris. Alex Whittle did superbly to flick the ball away from his fellow full-back, who has 14 goals already this season.
 
Two minutes later Nouble proved a hero at the other end, clearing off the line when Goodliffe headed goalwards at the back post. A minute later, Aidan Stone pulled off a superb reflex save to deny Bridge who had been found by Scott-Morris who had got past McGuckin too easily. A superb save by Stone.
 
McGuckin appeared to roll his ankle moments before Scott-Morris went past him and on 43 minutes he went off injured and was replaced by Harvey Greenslade with 43 minutes played.
 
The first half finished with Charlie Cooper playing in the middle of of a three-man defence alongside Finn Cousin-Dawson and Dom Bernard with Whittle and Smith in the wide positions. It was something of a backs to the wall display from Yeovil after they went ahead – but ahead at the interval they are.
 
Picture courtesy of Debs Curtis.

Half time: Yeovil Town 2 Southend United 1

Second half

Yeovil came out for the second half with the same defensive unit as a back five with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Brett McGavin as a midfield two. In front of them, Greenslade and Wilson appear to be playing higher with Nouble dropping a little deeper in to a freer role which has seen him impress in recent weeks.
 
The visitors had to make a change with Oli Coker going off injured with seven minutes of the second half played, he was replaced by Keenan Appiah-Forson.
 
The opening 20 minutes was quite in terms of opportunities with neither side seemingly wanting to do anything too risky. The first opportunity came on 63 minutes when visiting defender James Golding headed a free-kick just wide.
 
With 20 minutes remaining, there was a moment when Cousin-Dawson slipped on the byline and there was a spell of about five crosses in to the Yeovil box. Nothing came from any of them for Southend, but the Glovers don’t seem to be able to get out. 
 
On 73 minutes, Josh Sims replaced Kyrrel Wilson off the bench. The goal will have done the 20-year-old the world of good and he has put in another high-energy performance. There was a lot of effort from everyone in green-and-white, even if they have not done much to threaten Nick Hayes in the visitors’ goal.
 
As the game drew on, Yeovil sat very deep and made themselves hard to break down. Southend had plenty of the ball, but could not find a way past their hard-working hosts. 
 
But, after piling on the pressure, the visitors grabbed an equaliser with four minutes of the five additional minutes played. Great work by Kendall to hold up the ball and found defender James GOLDING on the edge of the box, he showed some superb technique and rocketed a shot past Stone. 
 
A point is a good result against a decent Southend side, but the way it happens – with a goal in the first 30 seconds and the last 30 seconds – is absolutely gutting.
 

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Southend United 2

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Date: Saturday 1st March, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Charlie Kendall 1 (0-1), Kyrrell Wilson 13 (1-1), Frank Nouble 17 (2-1), James Golding 90+4 (2-2)

Pitch: Looking better than it has in recent weeks, a bit bobbly
Conditions: A glorious Spring day

Attendance: 3,508 (354 away supporters)

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: None
Southend United: Oli Coker 50

Referee: William Davies

Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1)

 

Substitutes: Harvey Greenslade (for Ciaran McGuckin, 43), Josh Sims (for Kyrrel Wilson, 74), Corey Koerner, Lewys Twamley, Sean McGurk, Matt Gould.

Southend United: Nick Hayes, Guss Scott-Moriss, Jack Bridge, James Golding, Leon Parillon (for Josh Walker, 78), Ben Goodliffe, Tom Hopper (for Macauley Bonne, 84), James Morton, Charley Kendall, Oli Coker (for Keenan Appiah-Forson, 52).

Substuitutes (not used): Anssi Jaakkola, George Wind,  Daniel Waldron, Joe Gubbins.

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Yeovil Town picked up their first back to back wins since the end of October as they eased past Maidenhead United at York Road.

The Glovers took the lead with seven minutes of normal time remaining in the first half as Frank Nouble thumped in a shot which cannoned off a Maidenhead defender and flew in to the net.

There was some solid defending required to keep out a Maidenhead side who came out for the second half much brighter, before substitute Harvey Greenslade hooked home the second with seven minutes remaining.

First half

The opening chance fell to Yeovil after just two minutes. A good move found Michael Smith on the right side and his ball in to the box came to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton whose shot was deflected wide for a corner.
 
There were a number of half chances (box entries?) which followed with Yeovil probing at the back five in the well-stocked Maidenhead defender. On ten minutes, a free-kick found by Brett McGavin found its way out to Charlie Cooper on the left side and his cross found the head of Jake Wannell in the middle, but the effort was held by Craig Ross.
 
The first opportunity for the home side fell to striker Shawn  McClowsky on 26 minutes who was found in the middle of the box but shot over the bar, before a great ball in from the effective Alex Whittle picked out Ciaran McGuckin  inside the box but his header was well saved by Ross. The pressure was all Yeovil with Maidenhead preferring to play like the away team, sitting deep and hitting on the break.
 
The deadlock was broken on 38 minutes when a sustained period of Yeovil pressure saw a corner worked out to Cooper on the left again and Frank NOUBLE timed his run perfectly and smashed a shot towards goal. It looked to take a deflection off someone on its way in to the net, with the away side crediting Nouble and the home side putting it down as an own goal. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score, so we’ll give it to Frank.
 
Yeovil celebrate the opening goal from Frank Nouble – probably.
Overall, Yeovil looked good value for their half-time lead with a controlled performance. Solid without being spectacular.

Half time: Maidenhead United 0 Yeovil Town 1

Second half

The home side made two changes at the interval with Joshua Johnson and Ricky Korboa brought on and it was Maidenhead who started the second half like they had received a half-time dressing down from their manager.
 
But the  first chance of the half fell to Yeovil after ten minutes when McGavin threaded a ball through to Lo-Everton inside the box whose shot was parried away by Ross, before Will de Havilland’s headed wide from a Reece Smith corner four minutes later.
 

Having gone more than hour without a booking, Yeovil picked up two stupid ones within the space of a minute. First Charlie Cooper saw yellow for squaring up to McGuckin who he felt had not done enough to stop a Maidenhead raid down the left side. Then moments later, Yeovil were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Aidan Stone from a corner, the ball fell to Lo-Everton whose hoofed it away. Kicking the ball away, bookable offence. 

Not long after his public dressing down, McGuckin was replaced by Josh Sims. Whilst I understand why Cooper felt the need to do that and we have all called for leaders to set standards on the pitch, the harsh words felt like they would have been enough. In my opinion, grabbing McGuckin in the way Cooper did was too much.
 
With eight minutes left, the visitors doubled there advantage. A deep free-kick in to the box from Michael Smith looked to have missed all the Yeovil forwards, but substitute Harvey GREENSLADE had different ideas. He bustled in to the defender, controlled it on his chest before bringing it under his spell, swivelling and firing it in to the net. From the other end of the ground it looked special, on the replay it was even better. 
 
There was even a chance for a third with a minute to go when substitute Dom Bernard picked out Nouble on the left, he powered towards goal and flashed a ball across the face of goal with Lo-Everton flying in. Today was a different Frank Nouble to the one I saw at Dagenham & Redbridge just a fortnight earlier – and I am here for it. This was The Guv’nor and we need him in this form.

Full time: Maidenhead United 0 Yeovil Town 2

Match Details

Venue: York Road
Date: Saturday 22nd February, 3pm kick-off

Competition: National League Premier Division

Scorers: Frank Nouble 38 (1-0), Harvey Greenslade 82 (2-0)

Pitch: Not terrible for this point of the season
Conditions: Sunny and bright

Attendance: 1,330 

Bookings:
Yeovil Town: Charlie Cooper 68, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton 69
Maidenhead United: Larry-Fairweather 10, Abrahams 42, Tyrese Dyce 82.

Referee: Callum Walchester

Yeovil Town (3-4-2-1)

Substitutes: Harvey Greenslade (for Kyrell Wilson, 56), Josh Sims (for Ciaran McGuckin, 70), Dom Bernard (for Brett McGavin, 80), Lewys Twamley (not used), Sean McGurk (not used), Matt Gould (not used).

Maidenhead United: Craig Ross, Will de Havilland, Thierry Latty-Fairweather (for Tyrese Dyce, 72), Shawn McClousky, Kane Ferdinand, Casey Pettit (for Ricky Korboa, 46), Reece Smith (for Sam Barratt, 84), Miles Welch-Hayes, Tristan Abrahams (for Tobi Sho-Silva, 84), Alan Massey (for Joshua Johnson, 46), Manny Onarise.

Substuitutes (not used): Harvey Collins, Owen Cochrane.