Venue: Huish Park
Wed 24th March 2004, 7pm kick-off.

Scorers:

Yeovil Town: 32. Ryan Northmore; 2. Paul Terry; 3. Nathan Talbot; 4. Steve Reed; 5. Nick Matthews; 6. Simon Weatherstone; 7. Adam Stansfield; 8. Jamie Gleeson; 9. Kirk Jackson; 10. Danni Rodrigues; 11. Nick Crittenden. Subs: 15. Dale Williams (Reed 73 mins); 16. Charlie Welch (Rodrigues 81 mins); 17. Shaun Smith (Crittenden 73 mins)

Bristol Rovers: 1. Ryan Clarke; 2. Matt Thorne; 3. Sam Jones; 4. Victor Webb; 5. Chris Nestor; 6. Ryan Weisberg; 7. Ryan Williams; 8. Graham Price; 9. Lewis Haldane; 10. Shane Hobbs; 11. Lee Hodges. Subs: 12. Dale Evans; 14. Dane O'Connor (Haldane 79 mins); 15. Ben Wiltshire.

Referee: A. Turner Assistant referees: P. Hutton and R. Greenwood Fourth Official: T. Lawrence.

Two goals in as many minutes from Yeovil's Kirk Jackson proved an obstacle too steep for neighbours Bristol Rovers to overcome, with the visitors finally falling 4-2 in an open clash. The home team contained a number of trialists, as the Green and White management team looked to both cast their eyes over new recruits, as well as judge the performance of other squad members in irregular positions.

Lee Matthews was denied a run-out ahead of the first team's six-pointer with Mansfield on Saturday, with Kirk Jackson partnering the unattached Danni Rodrigues up front. Simon Weatherstone fell into the centre of midfield alongside the impressive Jamie Gleeson, as he spends some time at the club from Southampton. Adam Stansfield occupied an unfamiliar position on the left flank, and Nicky Crittenden made a welcome return from injury, playing at right wing. As with the midfield, the back four accommodated two new faces, with Wolves scholar Nathan Talbot fitting in at left back, and Nick Matthews from Leicester at centre back. Steve Reed was placed alongside Matthews at the heart of defence, with Paul Terry captaining from right back.

Containing a number of familiar faces from their recent visit to Huish Park in the Third Division, it was Bristol Rovers who started the brighter, with Lewis Haldane almost making the most of a sleepy start from youth graduate Steve Reed. The promising Reed was often too easily pushed away from play in the opening exchanges by the slippery Haldane, and it was only an increasingly acute angle that spared Reed's blushes, as Haldane fired into the side-netting after four minutes.

Despite the diminutive Ryan Williams attempting to boss the game from midfield, gaining plenty of possession, it was not long before Yeovil began to find their stride, with Adam Stansfield troubling the visiting defence with his pace. On fourteen minutes Yeovil established a lead that they would never relinquish. A smart turn and pass from the skilful Rodrigues found Weatherstone, whose cross was duly converted by Kirk JACKSON. One soon became two, as Jamie Gleeson's run down the right side presented Yeovil with an opportunity to double their lead. Gleeson demonstrated the flair and effort that dominated a superb performance when finding Kirk JACKSON with his back to goal. The strong front man only had one thing in mind, as he successfully held off his marker to bury the ball in the net with his right boot.

The Yeovil defence was still taking time to gel, with former Southampton academy star, Lewis Haldane proving a handful for Reed. However, the quality of the Town's play going forward was sufficient to warrant a third goal, with the Glovers playing a quick and incisive attacking game. With 21 minutes on the clock, Stansfield yet again left the Rovers right back for dead, and found his cross laid off to Weatherstone by Jackson. Simon WEATHERSTONE left glovesman Clarke with little chance, as a thundering drive found the top left hand corner.

Four minutes later, Lewis HALDANE's persistency was rewarded, giving Rovers a glimmer of hope. On the edge of the box, the silky striker flicked, turned and volleyed past a helpless Northmore. As the half wore on, Nicky Crittenden continued to display that he was well on the road to recovery, providing a number of useful runs, showing good footwork. Rodrigues continued to impress, battling for the ball whilst still demonstrating decent creativity and exhibiting good technique and skill.

The second half began in much the way it had ended, with further goals always being a possibility. The Yeovil wingers remained a constant threat, showing both the ability to run and cross, as well as cut inside their defender when needed. Gleeson was to come close after 56 minutes, even fooling the PA announcer into believing Yeovil had added a fourth. Unfortunately for the supporters at Huish Park, Gleeson's long-range drive went narrowly wide of the left post.

As the hour mark passed, the Bristol Rovers defence became increasingly uncomfortable in defending green and white set-pieces, and Sam Jones, in particular, found the presence of Danni Rodrigues a challenge. The quiet Reed was replaced after 73 minutes, along with Nicky Crittenden, as youth prospects Shaun Smith and Dale Williams filled their places. With Williams playing on the left, Stansfield was allowed to switch to the right, and the arrival of Smith at right back saw Paul Terry move into central defence alongside the solid Matthews.

With fifteen minutes on the clock, Bristol Rovers moved into a position in which a draw was a possibility, with the best goal of the game making the score 3-2. A sloppy clearance from loan Town 'keeper Ryan Northmore only found Shane HOBBS 25 yards out. After taking two touches, Hobbs exquisitely beat a flailing Northmore, moving Rovers to within a goal of their hosts.

Buoyed by the stunning strike, the visitors began to exert a little more pressure. However the pace and persistence of Stansfield told again in stoppage time, as Yeovil scored their fourth of the night to cap a deserved victory. After a strong run down the right, Stansfield's wicked cross into the danger area could only be converted by unlucky Rover Matt THORNE, as Yeovil put the result beyond doubt.

Despite a determined Gashead fight back, the Glovers deserved the victory, playing some outstanding attacking football. Stansfield's pace was put to good use on both flanks, and Crittenden made a decent return from injury, with Jackson making his presence known in attack. The Yeovil trialists added an extra bite to the home side's game, an important factor in the defeat of Rovers. Talbot looked composed coming forward from left back, and Matthews put in a very solid performance at centre back. Gleeson worked tirelessly in the centre of the park, whilst still finding time to display flair, creativity and a sound technique in a fantastic performance. Finally, the striker Rodrigues matched the skill and work rate of Gleeson and proved a handful for an occasionally weak Rovers defence. In conclusion, a good performance from the Yeovil side, that will have given Gary Johnson plenty to think about. The side showed great willingness to work for each other, displaying a spirit that will help propel the club even further forward.

Chris Sweet

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