Southend United

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The first round of the FA Cup is upon us and it will see Yeovil Town host possibly their hardest opponent yet, in high flying National League team Gateshead FC. (Storm Ciaran dependent)

The inform Town will be looking to upset the odds against a very strong Tynesiders team, but the prospect of extending the winning streak to 11 games as well as the Huish Park faithful should be enough to spur on the Mark Coopers men.

Gateshead recently lost manager Mark Williamson to MK Dons and have been under the stewardship of ex-Newcastle United keeper Rob Elliot. In his two games in charge so far, Elliot has one point from six.

Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper believes Gateshead will pose a difficult test. He said: “I like watching them in my spare time. I would say they’re the one of best if not the best pure football teams in the National League.

“They’re very similar to Notts County…If you take Chesterfield out of it, they’re the toughest test we could have got from the National League.”

The former Darlington man is hoping for a result either at the weekend. He said: ” We just spoke to the staff and if it’s nil-nil then one of us is going to run on to the pitch to score an own goal. It will be the worst thing for both teams with the amount of games coming up.”

A slight dilemma for Cooper could be up front where the recent purple patch from Jake Hyde has seen him rise into contention among the front line. With the likes of Rhys Murphy and Frank Nouble also competing for a similar role it will be a nice problem to have for the 54-year-old.

Jake Hyde
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

Jordan Young also spoke about the upcoming tie. He said: “We know how good they are but it’s similar to the Southend game, it’s a good chance to show what we can do.” Young also spoke about how “good a feeling” it would be to get to the second round of the Cup and compared the Cup fixtures to a “nice day out” as it takes your mind away from the league.

Jamie Sendles-White is the only player missing through injury.

Gateshead News

Rob Elliot feels the FA Cup will provide the perfect challenge for his young side as they make the long trip down to Somerset. He said: “By no means are we taking them lightly, it’s probably one of the toughest games we could’ve got, in terms of the travel, their form and the potential conditions. But I like that.”

The former Premier league shot stopper has “a lot of respect for Yeovil” and feels the Glovers are a “very good team” with “good, experienced players.”

Town fans will know all about the exploits of the majority of this Gateshead squad after that fateful Tuesday night last season. The danger man so far this season for the Tynesiders has once again been frontman Marcus Dinanga who has netted 12 goals so far. Other key men for the National League side include Luke Hannant and Louis Storey. Greg Olley returns after sitting out his one game suspension.

Gateshead are without Carl Maganay (Injury), Robbie Tinkler (Injury).

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Despite seeing Yeovil Town score two fantastic goals, goalkeeper Joe Day has happiest to end today’s FA Cup win over Southend United with a clean sheet.

You can listen to whole interview at the bottom of this article.

The on-loan Newport County keeper made a couple of vital interceptions to keep the visitors out whilst stunning strikes from defender Joe Wannell and frontman Jordan Young booked a place in the competition’s first round.

It is only the keeper’s second clean sheet since arriving at Huish Park at the start of September, with the other coming in the competition’s previous round, a 2-0 home win over Didcot Town.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the fourth qualifying round win, Day said: “As much as the goals were fantastic, for me to see the players in front of me show the maturity of that performance took the pressure of a team that is doing really well in the league above was really pleasing to see us cope with it and cope with us well.

“They had a lot of possession but that was our plan. We wanted to stay compact and defend our box and we wanted to enjoy defending.

“The Gaffer (manager, Mark Cooper) is probably the happiest man here because the work he has put in this week on the training ground really showed today.”

Joe Day, who has been ever-present since joining on loan from Newport County at the start of September.
? Those White Lines

The 33-year-old was not being drawn on who he wants in the next round of the competition with his parent club in the hat when the draw is made at 2.30pm on Sunday.

But, he was pleased to make it seven wins in a row with the victory and had a word of praise for Will Buse, the Yeovil-born keeper who he replaced in the starting line-up, for his contribution in keeping him on his game.

Day said: “Performances have been really strong and results have been really good. All I wanted to do was to bring a bit of experience to the squad.

“Will Buse is a fantastic young goalkeeper and he shows in training how good he is. I hope he can learn a lot from me and vice versa, I always like to pick things up from every goalkeeper I work with.

“With Phil (Osborn), the goalkeeper coach, we have a really good goalkeeper’s union there, a strong bond and hopefully we can keep this run going and keep building on more clean sheets.”

Will Buse, who started this season as Yeovil’s number one. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Here’s the full interview with Joe Day and Sheridan Robins

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper is dreaming of one of the game’s big boys coming to Huish Park in the third round of the FA Cup.

The boss saw his side book their place in Round 1 with a 2-0 win over National League side Southend United and they will be Ball 71 in tomorrow’s draw – televised on ITV1 at 2.30pm – with the likes of Derby County and Portsmouth among the possible opponents.

But, with an eye on progressing in the competition, Cooper admitted his preference would be to one of the smaller sides left in the draw on home soil on November 4, when the tie will be played.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the match, Cooper said: “You can get your Derby’s or your Portsmouth’s, but I would love to get to the third round and get a real big one.

“For that to happen, we need a bit of luck with the draw. I have not seen any results, but I would like one of those lower than us at home. I’m not taking anything for granted but I would love to get to the third round.”

Having gone ahead after just two minutes thanks to a stunning strike from defender Jake Wannell, the Glovers had to withstand an onslaught from a Southend side which have won seven of their opening matches in the division above and only sit fifth-from-bottom virtue of a ten-point deduction due to their well-documented off-the-field issues.

Cooper said: “We had a really good start and got a goal in front against a really good team who ask questions of you with the way they play.

“So we had to be a bit different structurally with the way we changed three or four times in the first 20 minutes to get us a bit more comfortable out of possession.

“Once we went to a back five and got some help in front of our full-backs so they weren’t one-v-one all the time.
They had plenty of the ball, but I thought we looked comfortably structurally and defensively.”

For the second consecutive week, the boss praised his players for delivering the type of performance he and his coaching staff had worked with them on in training during the week, including seeking to nullify Southend’s top scorer Harry Cardwell, who has eleven goals already this season.

Cooper said: “We did a lot of work on defending crosses because they are lethal with  Cardwell. We had a set way with how we had to defend against him and trying to make sure crosses with in-swingers rather than from the byline that he could attack.

“They were more difficult (crosses) for him to get power on and we gave Joe Day more room to come and work in and I think you saw Joe come and claim or punch a lot of balls in that area we had left clear.

“Defensively as a group we defended deeper, but we always looked at threat (on the counter attack). The second goal was a clinical counter attack.”

Jake Wannell.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Wannell, who scored his fourth goal with a thunderous early strike, was singled out for praise, with the boss adding: “He was brilliant today. He has never really been coached at any real level and he’s starting to show the work myself, Toddy (assistant manager, Chris Todd), and Marcus (Stewart, striker coach) have done with him.

“He’s starting to pick it up and he looks an accomplished defender now and obviously he has added goals to his game as well.”

Having deservedly gone in a goal up at half-time, Yeovil were faced with another attacking onslaught from the visitors and were indebted to a couple of important stops from ‘keeper Day before Jordan Young added a second on 67 minutes.

Cooper said: “Defensively as a group we defended deeper (in the second half), but we always looked at threat (on the counter attack). The second goal was a clinical counter attack.

“Jordan got his confidence and a bit of arrogance about him, which I love. He has to be like that because he is really difficult to play against, he has such a low centre of gravity and twists and turns and he can be really pleased.

“The pleasing thing with him is he is looking like he can last games now whereas before he was 60 minutes and he got cramp and now he looks really robust.”

Jordan Young now has five goals this season. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

With Huish Park still celebrating the second goal, the manager withdrew top scorer Rhys Murphy and Will Dawes, replacing them with Jordan Stevens and Bristol City loanee Zac Bell, as he sought to close out the game. On 83 minutes, club captain Josh Staunton replaced Frank Nouble to added even greater defensive solidity to the side.

Cooper said: “If you are 2-0 up, until there is a minute left you never feel safe. We put Jordan (Stevens) on because Frank (Nouble) and Murph (Rhys Murphy) had run themselves in to the ground.

“It was important we always a threat and we had Jordan late on to give us that pace and we put Belly (Zac Bell) on to look after their best player, their left winger, Jack Bridge.

“Then we put Michael Smith just in front of him and then Staunts (Josh Staunton) comes on to make sure we don’t concede from any crosses in to the box and he positions himself well in the six-yard box.”

The victory stretched the club’s winning run to seven matches (eight if you count the midweek Somerset Men’s Premier Cup win at Keynsham Town, which is a first-team fixture), a fact which was not lost on the manager.

He takes them to Worthing, who are sat fifth in the National League South table and put second-placed Bath City out of the FA Cup today, next weekend.

Cooper said: “That is seven (wins) on the trot. I don’t care what level you are at, it still takes an awful lot of doing, so full credit to the players and fans and everybody connected with the club.

“Today was the culmination of a lot of things and I think we are starting to show what we are really about as a club.
It is such a strong structural performance we looked a difficult side to play against.”

You can listen to the full interview between Sheridan and the gaffer here

Mark Cooper also spoke to the club’s official YouTube, which you can watch here

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Yeovil Town booked their place in the first round of the FA Cup with two superb goals to see off National League side Southend United at Huish Park.

The Glovers took the lead through a stunning strike from Jake Wannell after just two minutes and had to withstand an onslaught of pressure from their higher division visitors throughout the second half before a superb Jordan Young goal on 67 minutes.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure but the hosts’ backline stood firm to keep only their third clean sheet of the season.

First half

It could not have been a better start for Yeovil with a free-kick from Jordan Young found Jake WANNELL on the edge of the box who put his left foot through it and it flew in to the corner. It was a finish that any striker would have been proud of.

Jake Wannell puts his left foot through a second minute effort – and you know where it’s going.

Southend responded and looked for an immediate response to going out early, but the next meaningful chance fell to Will Dawes on 11 minutes. Great running down the left by Rhys Murphy, playing against his former side, of course, saw him then feed Dawes whose effort from the edge of the box fizzed over the bar.

Southend centre-half Jason Demetriou tried to match his opposite number (Wannell) with a long-range effort from the egde of the box, but the dive of Joe Day was probably not required.

An inswinging corner from Young on 17 minutes was well claimed by Nick Hayes with a number of Yeovil players lurking inside the box.

On 24 minutes, a foul by Michael Smith on the lively Jack Bridge gave Dan Mooney the chance to fire a ball in to the box which was punched away by Day. Wes Fonguck’s follow up was blocked and the danger was cleared.

Despite the better chances falling the way of Yeovil, it was Southend who were dominating possession and their best chance came on the half-hour mark as Bridge beat Michael Smith and got his shot away which first Day in to a smart save.

This was one for the football purists with both sides keeping the ball on the surface and playing it nicely with the visitors leaving no-one in any doubt their small squad is filled with quality.

Having been made look a mere mortal by Bridge moments earlier, Smith did superbly to get something on a Jack Wood effort to turn it wide for a corner. From the following flag kick, Mooney found himself in space on the edge of the box, moved past a couple of tackles and unleashed an shot which flew just the wrong side (or should that be the right side?) of Day’s post.

A major blow came for the visitors with four minutes before the break when midfielder Dan Mooney came off with an injury, having just recovered from one. With just three players on the bench, it was youth teamer Beau MacDonald, just 16 years old, who replaced him.

If you want to make a manual of how to deliver a free-kick, just replay Young’s deliveries which have all been superb. 

 

Half time: Yeovil Town 1 Southend United 0

 

Second half

Southend came out for the second half with their tails up (or should that be with a flea in their ear?) and Day was forced in to action first to gather Jack Wood’s tame effort and then do superbly to keep out Ollie Kensfdale before Harry Cardwell headed a corner from Bridge over the bar. This tie ain’t over…..if anyone thought it was.

A beautiful move almost found a breakthrough for the visitors. A great through ball by Oli Coker found Bridge on the left side of the box and Day was forced to make a fine stop with his legs. It’s all Southend at the moment, Yeovil somehow holding on.

A mistake by Kensdale gave Murphy the run on the Southend defence and their was a very clear push in the back from Demetriou who made the mistake. Referee James Durkin, born and raised in Portland (not prizes for guessing his local team), gave nothing. Another referee happy to hand out pointless bookings for alleged time-wasting but bottling big decisions.

Murphy got booked for voicing his view about Mr Durkin’s decision. Fear not, it’s not a fifth booking and a ban as bookings are competition specific.

But, a minute later there was plenty stuck in the referee’s pipe for him to smoke. Dawes and Young found themselves two on one with the visiting defence and Dawes fed YOUNG who broke through the visiting defence and seemed to have lost his opportunity before poking it under Hayes to double the lead.

The goal was harsh on The Shrimpers who had been thoroughly in charge up until that point. But, up yours, Mr Durkin!

Immediately after the goal, Mark Cooper replaced Murphy and Dawes for Jordan Stevens and Zac Bell.

The second half had seen Nouble ploughing a lone furrow up front on his own with Yeovil packing people behind the ball with the hosts’ defence playing deep and the midfield dropping even deeper.

On 83 minutes, Nouble was withdrawn in place of Staunton. So that’s even deeper. 

Two minutes from time, a rare break away by Young – the man now playing up front – and another push inside the box. No surprises for guessing what Portland’s finest thought of it.

But, that said, a three-goal deficit would have been harsh on the visitors who dominated possession and it was only thanks to some gallant defending from the hosts that they were kept out.

In. The. Hat.

Southend piled on the pressure in the second half but the Yeovil defence stood firm.

Full time: Yeovil Town 2 Southend United 0

Match Details

Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 14th October – 3pm Kick Off

Pitch: Wet from the previous night’s rain and cut up badly in front of the Thatcher’s Stand
Conditions: Glorious sunny day with a blustery wind which didn’t really benefit either side

Attendance:  2,697 (301 away supporters)

Scorers: Jake Wannell 2 (1-0), Jordan Young 67 (2-0)

Bookings: 
Yeovil Town: Will Dawes 40, Michael Smith 45, Rhys Murphy 66, Frank Nouble 75.
Southend United: Dan Mooney 21.

Referee: James Durkin (of Portland, just outside W*ymouth)

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)

 

Substitutes: Jordan Stevens (for Rhys Murphy, 68), Zack Bell (for Will Dawes, 68), Josh Staunton (for Frank Nouble, 83) Will Buse (not used), Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (not used), Jordan Maguire-Drew (not used), Jake Hyde (not used).

Southend United: Nick Hayes, Gus Scott-Morriss, Kensdale, Jack Bridge, Harry Cardwell, Dan Mooney (for Beau MacDonald, 41), Jack Wood (for Ronnie Blake, 90+1), Harry Taylor, Wes Fonguck, Jason Demetriou, Oli Coker. 
Substitutes (not used): Nathan Ralph.

Referee: James Durkin (of Portland, near W*ymouth)

 

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Yeovil Town name an unchanged side for the visit of Southend United in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round today (3pm kick-off).

The only changes come on the substitutes’ bench where Jordan Stevens, who has missed the past two matches through injury, returns.

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Yeovil Town play host to Southend United in what is arguably the tie of the FA Cup Fourth qualifying round this weekend.

The game see’s the top team in the National League South take on a Shrimpers team that will be looking to show their potential new owners what they can do.

The Glovers who are on a six game winning streak will be hoping the home crowd advatage will play in their favour once more.

The Essex side come into their first cup game of the season off the back of two straight wins, with their previous a 2-0 victory over ex-Glover boss Darren Sarll.

Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper is hoping to “ride the momentum” created at Huish park this season. He said: “There’s a good feel about the place and a really good atmosphere when we play (at Huish Park) and we have to keep that going and ride the momentum and see how far it will take us. I am sure they have looked at us and are thinking ‘they’re not bad’.”

Cooper is under no illusion how difficult a game this will be for his team. He was keen to point out that the National League side will be boosted by fans who have “got their club back.”

The 54-year-old also made it clear that The Shrimpers wont be bothered by coming to Huish Park. He said: “Their fans have been magnificent throughout all the recent troubles, similar to Yeovil. But they can get 7,000 without trying and I would suggest they are on the way back now.

“They won’t be fussed about coming to Huish Park, we have to make it a really uncomfortable afternoon for them on the pitch.”

Mark Cooper speaks after the Aveley win.

The Somerset sides longest serving player, Matty Worthing also gave his thoughts on the upcoming fixture. He said: “We are more than capable [of beating Southend]. A lot of the squad have played in that league [National League] and higher, so there is no fear from our perspective. 

“We are looking forward to it and if we play the way we have been, it will be a great game.”

The game also see’s Rhys Murphy and Jake Hyde go up against their former team.

The only player to miss out for Yeovil is Jamie Sendles-White with an achilles injury. Jordan Stevens and Charlie Cooper return.

Southend Team News

Boss Kevin Maher was complimentary of the Glovers when speaking to the clubs YouTube channel. He said: “Yeovil are doing ever so well and we know we’ve got to perform. They’re in a different place to when we went there last year and they’ve got some continuity with the manager.”

The Shrimpers legend has experience with teams in the South West as he was coach and caretaker manager at rivals Bristol Rovers for a couple of seasons.

The ex-Ireland youth team player was also happy to see two of his former players doing well. He said: “They’re both great lads. I’m glad to see Murph’s scoring goals and Hydey’s off the mark as well so I’m really pleased for them and it’ll be good to see them.”

Southends very own stalwart Jason Demetriou also spoke to club media ahead of the game. He said: “It would’ve been nice to get a nearer draw. We know some of the boys.

“We haven’t been as confident going into the FA Cup becasue of league form. But where we have good form now, everyones looking forward to the weekend, so it’s a positive and if we beat them will see what happens after that.”

The key man for the Essex club will be striker Harry Cardwell who has bagged 10 goals in 15 games this season, which see’s him tied for second in the goalscorer standings.

Southend will be without Mauro Vilhete and Brooklyn Kabongolo who are both cup tied. Luis Lomas, Collin Adeng-Ndi, Dan Mooney and ex-Town full-back Nathan Ralph are all out with injury. Midfielder Noor Husin is unavailble after being called up for internationl duty and Defender Wesley Fonguck is touch and go.

 

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Yeovil Town boss Mark Cooper has promised he will not allow his players to rest of their laurels as they go in to their biggest test of the season against Southend United in the FA Cup this weekend.

The Glovers sit top of the National League South table going in to the match against the National League Premier side and the manager wants his side to ride the wave of momentum around the club.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, he confirmed he expects to have midfielders Jordan Stevens and Charlie Cooper available for selection after the pair missed last weekend’s 3-1 home win over Aveley through injury.

The manager said: “There’s a good feel about the place and a really good atmosphere when we play (at Huish Park) and we have to keep that going and ride the momentum and see how far it will take us.

“I am sure they have looked at us and are thinking ‘they’re not bad’. They will have watched our game on Saturday (against Aveley) and it will be a tough game for us and that is what we want.

“The positive reinforcement the players that what we are working on is working is a powerful thing. It is important we keep building on that because I still think we can get better.

“I am sure they have looked at us and are thinking ‘they’re not bad’. They will have watched our game on Saturday (against Aveley) and it will be a tough game for us and that is what we want.

“The positive reinforcement the players that what we are working on is working is a powerful thing. It is important we keep building on that because I still think we can get better.”

Southend sit in 19th place in the National League Premier table having been deducted ten points by the FA in exchange for writing off debts of £275,000.

They would be comfortably in the division’s play-offs if they had not had that deduction having won seven and drawn three of their opening 15 league matches despite having a shoestring squad.

Cooper said: “We are the underdog against a team that is doing well in the league above us, so the pressure comes off us and goes a little bit on to Southend.

“They are expected to beat us, so let’s see how we deal with that. We are one game away from drawing a League club, so there is a bit of a different feel and an excitement about it.

“You could feel the spirit when we were playing on Saturday and that is a big thing, so hopefully the fans will turn out in their numbers again and get behind the boys.”

The visitors recently announced they are to be taken over by a consortium led by Australian businessman Jason Rees, who is expected to replace reviled current owner Ron Martin from the start of next month – and Cooper is under no illusion about the boost that news will give the team.

Cooper praised the support of chairman Martin Hellier for his part in the club’s impressive start to the season.
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

He likened it to the takeover by current Glovers’ owner Martin Hellier who bought the club from [NAME REDACTED] in the summer.

Cooper said: “You have seen what has happened here, their fans thought they were going out of business, everyone pulls together in a massive fan base and that is really powerful and that transmits to the players.

“They were doing well enough anyway with a threadbare squad with some good players, small numbers but good players, and now they have added a couple.

“But that feel good factor of knowing they have their club back is worth another 25%, so it’s a brilliant challenge for us.

“Their fans have been magnificent throughout all the recent troubles, similar to Yeovil. But they can get 7,000 without trying and I would suggest they are on the way back now.

“They won’t be fussed about coming to Huish Park, we have to make it a really uncomfortable afternoon for them on the pitch.”

He added: “Having spoken to the owner in the summer, I think we are where we should be. We are not punching above our weight and the plan was always to be competitive.

“We have to get back to this club being used to winning and that is the mentality we are trying to put through it on and off the pitch.

“We have to embrace that challenge that we are expected to win every week and that puts pressure on us and pressure can effect performances at times. But, so far, so good.

“It couldn’t have happened without direction and backing (from the chairman) and that can only happen if you have that all in alignment.”

Stevens has missed the past two games and not featured since scoring a goal of the season contender in the 2-1 win at Hampton & Richmond, whilst Cooper sat out the win against Aveley.

That means only defender Jamie Sendles-White, who has not played since limping off in the 3-2 win at Weston-super-Mare with an Achilles injury over a month ago, is missing for the weekend.

The boss said: “We should have Jordan Stevens and Charlie Cooper back from last week to complement what we have got. If there’s any doubt, we won’t risk them, so we will see how they train today (Thursday) but we are confident they will add to the group.

“You want competition for places and it is important that people know they have to perform week in, week out because there is someone breathing down their neck.

“It is just Sendles-White (who is missing) at the minute and the rest are desperate to play and the biggest challenge for any manager is trying to keep everyone motivated.”

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Venue: Gateshead International Stadium
Tuesday, 4th April, 7:45pm kick-off

Attendance: 959 (141 away)

Pitch: A bit bare in places, but not bad for athletics pitch.
Conditions: Dry and not that cold.

Scorers: Dinanga 19, 27, Pani 55, Bailey 88

Bookings: None

Referee: Aaron Jackson

Yeovil Town (4-3-3)


Substitutes: Malachi Linton (for Jack Clarke, 63), Ryan Law, Chiori Johnson, Jordan Maguire-Drew (for Charlie Cooper, 56), Zanda Siziba (for Max Hunt 58).

Gateshead: Marshall, Tinkler, Storey, Pye, Pani, Wearne (for Ward, 71), Francis, Whelan, Olley,(for Conteh, 64) Campbell, Dinangna Substitutes:  Montgomery, Bailey, Martin

Match Report

In what was absolutely a must-win game against relegation rivals, Yeovil Town were hammered 4-0 by Gateshead this evening. The Glovers are 5 points adrift ahead of a trip to 20th-placed Aldershot on Good Friday.

Here’s how it unfolded in front of Coatesie.

First half

After a quiet opening six minutes, a good move down the right side by Scott Pollock caused a moment of panic but it came to nothing more than a corner.

Two minutes later it was a misjudged header from Pollock which almost let the home side carving out a chance. As ever it was Grant Smith who got the block in to nullify the danger.

Jordan Young lifted an effort just over the bar after good play down the right from Bevan, before the best chance of the game of the game came fell to the home side. A mistake by Bevan saw Marcus Dinanga lifted the ball over onrushing Smith and and Campbell headed it goalwards, only for Max Hunt to head off the line.

If that was a warning, it only took until 19th minute for the warning to become a mortal blow. DINANGA broke the offside trap and lashed it in from the angle off the underside of the bar and past Smith. Sloppy defending again punished by a striker willing have a shot. Not rocket science. 1-0

Eight minutes later and it was 2-0 and effectively game over – obviously not, but as a contest. A superb ball by Greg Olley was met by the header of DINANGA. 2-0.

On 30 minutes it could so easily have been three. You guessed it, another mistake saw a ball to the back post fall to Campbell whose effort was blocked by Smith.

The mood in the away end turned. What had been relatively supportive and noisy, fell angry and muted. Such little movement and attacking intent was on display.

Even when we did get forward, the mistakes were everywhere. A rate forward press saw the ball break to Bevan but his effort ran out of play – on the other side of the pitch. Then an error in the Gateshead back line was seized on by Charlie Cooper, but his pass to Young was overhit.

“Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Bath City,” sang the away support. It only got more toxic when the half-time whistle blew.

Half time: Gateshead 2 Yeovil Town 0

Second Half

The players were sent out early for the second half and whatever was said at least seemed to create some spark. Well, a deflected shot from Cooper which went wide for a corner.

On 52 minutes, an aimless ball forward to Andrew Oluwabori broke down and the home side attacked down right and drilled a low cross in which was crying out for a Campbell to turn it in at the back post. Inexplicably he put it wide.

But third goal was not far away and it came in some style. Connor PANI simply looked up from 25 yards out and hit a thunderous effort past Smith.

That was enough for the away end to turn on the manager. Very audible chants of “We want Cooper Out” were heard. The manager was unmoved with Chris Todd directing affairs on the the touchline.

Whoever was making the changes, they made three of them. Maguire-Drew replaced the injured Cooper, Zanda Siziba was on for Hunt and Malachi Linton was on for Jack Clarke.

The difference was….minimal, I’m being generous. Pollock dragged an effort wide after 65 minutes and on 76 minutes Siziba jinked in to the box and hit one over the bar.

Probably the biggest insult was that Gateshead, a relegation rival (albeit in decent form), genuinely took the mick out of us as the game dragged on. Dinanga had the ball in the net only to be denied his hat-trick by the offside flag, and then he played one twos inside the box with Campbell.

The final (of many insults) came with 86 minutes gone. BAILEY, on as a substitute a minute earlier, poked home a fourth goal.

If I have seen a worse performance from a Yeovil Town side than this, I can’t recall it. Devoid of everything. Effort. Talent. Confidence. A bleak night.

Full time: Gateshead 4 Yeovil Town 0

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Yeovil Town have made three changes to the side that lost against Southend on Saturday.

Matt Worthington, Jamie Reckord and Max Hunt are in the starting line up with Jordan Maguire-Drew and Ryan Law dropping to bench and Miguel Freckleton suspended.

Malachi Linton, Zanda Siziba and Chiori Johnson make up the bench, with no room for Reo Griffiths again.