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As the 5653 fans, 400 or so from York, made their way into Huish Park on a glorious afternoon that was still akin to test cricket, the team sheet confirmed two topical talking points. Firstly Kevin Gall had regained his place following his European exploits with Wales, at the expense of the unfortunate Adam Stansfield, and secondly Maidstone's very own "Polly" Kettle was the appointed match official!
Mr Kettle made his mark within a second, the kick off was to be retaken due to an attacker making his way into the centre circle!! Did this set the scene for the afternoon, not really….to be fair if it was any other ref it would probably have gone unnoticed but considering that, when he was announced as the man in the middle the majority of the crowd booed you could sense it was a case of "oh no, here we go again". Apart from one controversial moment and the odd strange decision, he wasn't that bad, so let's not let the ref take up the space within this report, for the day belonged to Gary Johnson and his well marshalled troops.
Starting with a 4.4.2 formation, Kevin Gall the only change from last weeks line up, Yeovil for the second week running took on a team who also have already led the third division, York in third place made a mockery of their position as they never really looked like a side who would be contending a play off spot come January, let alone April! It's going to be floodlights on at half time before we really know the movers and shakers in this league.
Apart from the 8th minute, when a good chance went begging for York, the early exchanges fell to a determined,
organised Yeovil side. 5 corners and a couple of well executed free kicks in a 10 minute spell set the scene for
the home team and it was no surprise when after 22 minutes the Glovers took the lead. Following one of those corners
Roy O'Brien tried to set himself up for a spectacular effort on the edge of the box, but the ball would not drop
and it found its way backwards, and out to the right, whereupon Gavin Williams, who crossed with aplomb, found
the head of Kirk JACKSON who made no mistake with a well directed, powerful header. A goal not too dissimilar
from Adam Stansfield's opener last week.
As the half went by, Yeovil continued to press. Williams and Gall linked well and the latter was fouled which
led to a free kick, subsequently moved on 10 yards for dissent. The resultant dead ball attempt from outside the
box was blocked. But Yeovil kept pressing, Adam Lockwood, playing with tremendous confidence and conviction
audaciously tried to lob Ovendale, the York keeper with a speculative effort from distance.
Gall, again was put through by Nick Crittenden, his effort towards the top angle was clipped by a Minstermen
defender for yet another corner, this time banged into the near post with power, Kirk Jackson met the ball in
flight and a goal bound effort forced a terrific save from the York keeper, who pushed the ball aside for yet
another corner. Lee Johnson has a football brain you know, as for this time he played the ball deep toward the back
post for the powerful Colin PLUCK to head downwards and in from the edge of the six yard box. 2-0 and after 33
minutes the game effectively looked beyond York.
As the half came to a close, a corner and a save from a header that had Weale at full stretch was the best York could muster as Yeovil continued to press.
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Nationwide League Division Three : Yeovil Town 3 York City 0
