Perhaps due to a less than perfect performance at Lincoln last week, or perhaps because Histon coach and former Cambridge United manager John Beck knew so much about Gary Johnson's footballing beliefs, the Yeovil side that took to the field saw the club's first "three at the back" formation since the end of August, with Phil Jevons taking a slightly more withdrawn role than normal. Three centre-backs were chosen to try and combat John Beck's direct style of football as the Glovers set to avoid a slip-up against their non-league opponents.

Lee Johnson's curling cross-cum-shot just clipped the top of the goal netting as early as the third minute but former Northwich keeper Lance Key appeared to be watching the ball all the way. Erhan Okay produced a brilliant defensive header to stop a flying Terry Skiverton from getting in a close range attempt on goal. Next a Lee Johnson corner caused Histon problems as Bartosz Tarachulski headed the ball across the face of the box and Phil Jevons produced an overhead kick that was cleared by Histon's Adrian Cambridge. Then as Yeovil continued to dominate the early play, a Phil Jevons free kick was curled round the wall but straight into the arms of Lance Key.

Histon weathered the early onslaught and gradually began to come out of their shells and play their own fast attacking football, with Adrian Cambridge very much the side's lynchpin in the mould of Yeovil's own Lee Johnson.One such free kick from Cambridge saw a Histon header go just wide. Next Chris Weale was forced to save from Neil Kennedy after Robert Nightingale had flicked the ball on. Perhaps this wasn't going to be quite as easy as it should have been on paper.

The Glovers continued to create plenty of chances although they were very much in the category of 'hopeful' rather than 'clear-cut'. Michael Rose forced Lance Key to tip the ball over his crossbar, whilst Tarachulski volleyed a yard clear of the goalframe. The three strikers combined well when Kevin Gall crossed in from the left and a header from Phil Jevons saw Tarachulski attempting an overhead kick, straight into the arms of Key.

Yeovil's attacking play was still allowing Histon to occasionally create advances into the other half and they perhaps created the most clear-cut chance of the half when Ian Cambridge got in behind the Yeovil defence. But as Colin Miles backtracked to force Cambridge wide and Chris Weale parried the narrow angled shot to safety. Adrian Cambridge was booked for dissent - claiming that Miles had pulled the shirt of his namesake, although their claims for a penalty appeared to be on the optimistic side.

Histon were throwing bodies in the way and stopping Yeovil from getting clear shots in on goal and Roscoe Hipperson was the perfect example of that when he blocked an Andy Lindegaard shot. Histon's fine defending was keeping the game level, and the Glovers were going to have to be patient if they were to get past their opponents.

As with the first half, the Glovers came out of the blocks well. Lee Johnson's trickery set up Yeovil's first chance when he cleverly lobbed the ball over the top for Kevin Gall to chase. The striker's quick attempt to lob an advancing Key almost worked but the custodian palmed the ball out and Gall's second attempt from a narrow angle hit the side netting.

Seven minutes into the second period though, the deadlock was broken. A ball up for Bartosz Tarachulski on the corner of the area was needlessly handled by former Kettering defender Colin Vowden and referee Mick Thorpe had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Goalkeeper Lance Key applied some fun and games by delaying the spot kick, but the result was just the same - Phil JEVONS blasting a perfect spot kick high into the net for his 14th goal of the season.

Another seven minutes and it was starting to look as if the tie was all over. Bartosz Tarachulski again provided the spark that set up the goal. Launching on a right-flank run, he caused the Histon defence to back off and as he approached the edge of the area, he brilliantly held the ball up, timing his pass to Lee JOHNSON to perfection who almost nonchalantly lifted the ball into the back of the net from 15 yards. 2-0 up, 30 minutes left and it seemed like the Glovers were going to be in cruise control.

Yeovil continued to force the pressure with a succession of four corners as Colin Miles forced a ball into the ground making goalkeeper Key force the ball over his bar. From the next corner Phil Jevons struck the ball just wide, with the ball being deflected for another corner. Bartosz Tarachulski got in behind the Histon defence, but Key parried brilliantly, grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

Histon still had one more card to play though. Introducing Charles Liban as a substitute, the game seemed to change and the Glovers took the foot off the gas. With one of his first touches, he broke up some Yeovil midfield play, and as Histon pushed forward, a deep left wing cross saw Neil KENNEDY - possibly in an offside position - launch himself at a back post header. Chris Weale did well to parry the header, but with the Yeovil defence having gone missing, Kennedy was still given the time and space to recompose himself and tuck in the rebound.

With the game back at 2-1, unsurprisingly Histon bombed players forward with renewed energy as the home crowd sensed hope. A series of Histon corners whistled across the face of the Yeovil box without anyone managing to seriously connect. Balls were bombed into the box, but the trio of Skiverton, Miles and Guyett stayed firm and kept the pressure off Wealey.

Histon weren't helped in their course by two injuries to their own players that broke up play and delayed proceedings. Roscoe Hipperson limped off and as the game approached the final minute, Charles Liban was involved in a nasty collision with Terry Skiverton, Whilst Skivo continued bandaged up to cover a head-cut, Liban was not so lucky and left on a stretcher, resulting in six minutes injury time to be held up by the fourth official.

That lengthy injury time could have suited the home side but in the end Histon's attempts to grab an equaliser saw them badly exposed at the back. Yemi ODUBADE - on as a substitute for Kevin Gall - latched onto a through ball from Phil Jevons and with only the goalkeeper to beat, he showed great confidence in slotting the ball past the keeper and in off the inside of the post to put Yeovil Town into the third round. A tight game that Histon took nearly all the way, but couldn't allow for the quality that Yeovil showed in the end.

Badger

MOTM Vote Result:

Player MOTM Score Bartosz Tarachulski 13 767 Lee Johnson 2 222 Phil Jevons - 122 Kevin Gall 1 111 Scott Guyett 1 100 Yemi Odubade 6 231

Overall match rating: 7.1 / 10
Performance: 6.9
Entertainment: 7.3

18 votes received.

Any comments/questions please email ytfcmotm@ntlworld.com

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