A hot Ashton Gate saw the reserves take on a strong Bristol City reserve side this afternoon. The return of Scott Guyett and the inclusion of Latvian international Andrejs Stolcers the main points of interest for Glovers fans.

Yeovil started strongly and had two shots cleared off the City line in the early minutes of the game. On 8 minutes a penalty was awarded to City and was brilliantly saved by Collis diving low to his left to stop the hard spot kick from Gillespie. The hoops were on top at this point and on 15 minutes Keize IBE seized on a defensive mix up to fire home from 16 yards, low to the keepers’ right. Four minutes later City hit the post from a break.

The Glovers were playing calm, attractive, passing football and fully deserved their lead. A mazy run by Caceres on 35 mins ended with him being dispossessed on the edge of the City area. The City bench had clearly seen enough at this point and made two substitutions in two minsutes - Skuse for Brown on 36 & Hart for Harley on 38. City came a little back into the game from here. 42 mins saw Collis comfortably save a City free kick from outside the box followed shortly after by a good save from Hefferman.

The second half started much the same as the first with Yeovil attacking strongly. The first 10 minutes saw a well saved Caceres shot, Stolchers firing just over and having another good shot saved forcing a corner.

In the 61st minute, City broke quickly from defence seeing a lovely cross to Paul HEFFERNAN in the box fire home an undeserved equaliser from 12 yards. 1-1. We started to lose our way a little after that with City coming back into the game.

On 72 mins Guyett went into a tackle and was left in obvious pain lying on the deck. Fears over his recent injury were awoken by intense treatment followed by the sad sight of a stretcher. The hold up lasted about 5 mins. (I was disappointed at the time taken to get a stretcher out to Scott). Sean Smith came on as sub for the departing Guyett.

On 75 mins Collis saved a City shot. Three minutes later it was 2-1 to Bristol City. Collis had no chance from a 25 yard <>b>Craig LOXTON free kick wickedly deflected off the wall over his head. A couple of mins later, City had a goal disallowed for offside. This was followed shortly after by Heffernan being booked for kicking the ball away.

Thomo for Yemi on 84 did nothing to change the superiority City had at this point. Two Collis saves followed by six minutes injury time saw the Glovers slip to an undeserved defeat.

My observations on the game :
1st half, Yeovil in control. Stolchers looking to settle in and got better near the end of the half. Guyett looking very solid.
2nd half, bright start followed by City gradually taking over. Stolchers much better in this period. Guyett, again, solid up to his injury (my MoM).
Mirza looked calm and passed well throughout the game. There were no what I would call bad performances. Dale Williams & Sam Croft also performed well.

All in all, an unlucky defeat. The injury to Guyett is not as bad as first thought. It is the other knee from the previous injury. This should become a little clearer in 48 hours. Stolchers worked hard in midfield but, was not outstanding (fitness?). He would be a good addition though.

Mal Williams

Back to Top of Page