A Yeovil Town XI tonight beat Westland Sports 4-1 in the latest of the pre-season friendlies featuring the bulk of the Centre of Excellence squad. In a match that was originally intended as a curtain-raiser for the 2011-12 season for Yeovil Town's Under-18s side, a few additional players were co-opted into the side, most notably former Reading academy player Abdulai Bell-Baggie, who is on trial at Huish Park. He was joined by first year professionals Rhys Baggridge, Rob Clowes and Lewis Clarke who played for the Under-18s last year but are now over the age of eligibility. Meanwhile 22 year old Alistair Slowe continued to occupy a place on the bench.
The Glovers opened the scoring just 12 minutes into the match, when Johnny Kaye fired home from the edge of the box, and went on to dominate the half, with some excellent passing that often left Westland chasing shadows as they tried to get hold of the ball.
Hence it came as not too much of a surprise when the Glovers doubled their lead on 36 minutes, with a superbly struck goal. Former Fulham academy player Melchi Emanuel-Williamson, who played for the ISFA Under-16s representative side last season, unleashed a great 25 yarder that beat Knibbs in the Westland goal, despite the keeper diving down to his left in the vain hope of saving the shot.
Two minutes later, and Yeovil were 3-0 up. A poor challenge by Westland defender Cochrane gave Abdulai Bell-Baggie a chance to step up from the penalty spot. He duly obliged, by slotting home the spot kick, to give the Glovers a three goal advantage at the break.
The second half saw a slightly more even match, although the Glovers were unlucky not to go further ahead when a shot was cleared off the line by a Westland defender. However, they did bag one more, with Lewis Clarke netting ten minutes from time. Meanwhile there was enough time for Westland's Mike Rousell to grab a consolation goal in the closing stage, with the strike coming from the second penalty awarded of the night. The majority of tonight's squad now plan for the 2011-12 Youth Alliance season, with Hereford United their opening match this coming Saturday, and with the Under-18s players certainly showing they could be in for a good season.
Final Score: Yeovil Town XI 4 Westland Sports 1.
Scorers: Johnny Kaye (1-0, 12 mins), Melchi Emanuel-Williamson (2-0, 36 mins), Abdulai Bell-Baggie (3-0, 38 mins), Lewis Clarke (4-0, 80 mins), Mike Rousell (4-1, 85 mins).
Yeovil Town: (3-4-1-2)
Matt Cafer
Rhys Baggridge, Josh Doyle, Victor Ruiz
Billy Gibson, Rob Clowes, Johnny Kaye, Lewis Clarke
Abdulai Bell-Baggie
Lloyd Matthews, Melchi Emanuel-Williamson
Subs: Alistair Slowe, Mitch Brundle, Aidan Chainey, Will Agbo, Will Gordon
Westland Sports: Knibbs, Cochrane, Lindegaard, Sims, Binding, Mapletoft, Smith, Burton, Morgan, Jarman, Rousell.
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2 August 2011 : 
