The first outing for Yeovil Town reserves must have pleased Gary Johnson greatly as the ran out deserved 5-1 winners in an extremely one sided affair. Swansea City started the game with experienced forward pairing of Paul Connor, once a Yeovil transfer target and Kevin Nugent. By the end of the game neither player came even close to having a chance and Nugent was drafted in to the Swansea back four in an effort to shore up a defence which had shipped three goals by half time. From the kick off Yeovil pressed forward with intent and it was something of a surprise that it took them 27 minutes to register their first goal Adam LOCKWOOD forcing the ball home from a corner after his initial header hit the woodwork.

Once the Swansea defence was breached Yeovil pressed forward incessantly with trialist Jack Adams impressing with a strong display. In quick succession Kevin GALL and Paul TERRY scored ten minutes before half time with Galls goal probably the pick of the night with an excellent finish on the volley after excellent work by Michael Rose.

Swansea made three changes at the break and Yeovil replaced triallist Adams, who seemed to pick up a first half knock, with Gavin McCallum. Yeovil continued where they left off in the first half with Kevin Gall having an early chance one on one with the Swansea keeper who saved well. However, Yeovil scored their fourth of the night in the 49th minute with Dale WILLIAMS scoring with a far post header after a trademark Kevin Gall cross which just begged to be buried.

At this point the Jones scoreboard suggested the score was 9-0 and to be truthful this didn't seem an impossibility. Yeovil should have gone further ahead when Paul Terry disposessed the Swansea midfield and burst into the box. With only the keeper to beat he unselfishly squared the ball to Dale Williams who unfortunately missed from close range. Miles and Terry were replaced by Underwood and Smeeton in the 62nd minute.

Shortly afterwards Swansea scored after a quick break with Dale OTTEN finding the corner of the net from eighteen yards. The four goal advantage was soon restored with Adam LOCKWOOD scoring his second and Yeovils fifth goal following up a strong Williams shot which Murphy initially saved.

There was still time for Dale Williams to have a goal dissallowed for offside given by an official who raised his right arm more than the Arsenal back four of the eighties!

So an excellent night for Yeovil reserves and Gary Johnson can take comfort that his squad has real strength in depth. With excellent performances all round it is probably unfair to highlight individuals but Lockwood, Terry, Rose, Gall and Adams were especially worthy of praise.

Don Gibson.

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