For most of the travelling Green Army this was the first time they had seen Yeovil get beyond the third round of the FA Cup. That special day, normally the first weekend in January is one of the most eagerly awaited days the football calendar throws up � Hope and expectation fills the air - This time, for the Glovers that dream turned into reality as an officially counted 4000 green and white�s left the lush green fields behind and made straight for the Valley - for the first time in over 50 years Yeovil Town took part in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The motorways and its pit stops were awash with Green and White as in excess of 40 coaches snaked the route in convoy fashion and, as in battle the reinforcements arrived at the right time with hordes of warriors leaving the station platforms simultaneously and bringing South East London to a standstill. As the masses spilled out and headed to the ground there stood the Valley�home ofthe Addicks.

In years gone by days like these were meant to be enjoyed, now, under Gary Johnson�s brand of cavalier football - enjoyment is mixed with expectation. One Charlton fan, who stood nervously outside the players entrance shook his head and said �I�m really not looking forward to this� � which is testament to the reputation of the current Yeovil Town. As the teams took to the pitch the battle cry was sounded and it must have sent shivers through Charlton ranks as they fell silent.

The game got underway and Charlton had the first sniff of goal, a free kick was knocked into the box by Danny Murphy, booed by the Yeovil fans, and Shaun Bartlett rose highest but his header cleared the bar. Jerome Thomas, a tricky left winger looked an immediate threat as he attempted to open up Yeovil�s right flank but to no avail.

Yeovil then began to settle, intricate passing released Gall, whose cross following his strong run down the wing missed it�s range. Two corners followed before Jevons blasted wide after a trade mark Tarachulski knock down. Then Charlton attacked, and Franny Jeffers had a great opportunity to open the scoring, fed by Murphy he unleashed a powerful shot that just missed the top right hand corner. Yeovil came right back and were so unlucky not to take the lead when the tenacious Paul Terry ran unchallenged from midfield and shot from 20 yards, his effort beat Kiely in the Charlton goal but not the post and the ball rebounded to safety. Skiverton�s powerful header missed its target and Lindegaard's shot was blocked as Yeovil went on the rampage.

Charlton, unable to escape the shackles gradually got back into the game, and on 26 minutes some good movement down their right saw Murphy spray the ball to Luke Young whose fine low cross should have been converted at the far post by Shaun Bartlett. The same combination again linked, but this time Murphy was the provider, his first time ball into the path of Bryan Hughes was sweetly struck and grazed the top of the bar as it flew into the home end. On 38 minutes Charltons mini spell reaped it�s reward as a long ball from a free kick came into the box and Hreidarsson�s knockdown was met by Bryan HUGHES who stabbed the ball home to give the host�s a rather fortunate lead. Not to be denied though Yeovil kept going, and a tremendous run from Gall set up the equaliser. Picking up the ball in his own half, instead of going wide as he normally does the man from Merthyr ran straight through the heart of Charlton evading and slipping tackles the way he does best. Eventually he was brought to a halt deep in the box but the ball was never cleared, and as it fell to Paul TERRY he picked his spot from 10 yards and sent the travelling fans packed behind that goal wild with just a minute to go until halftime.

The second half started slowly, but a 15 minute spell looked to have finished Yeovil off as the Premiership side took a 3-1 lead. On 51 minutes, the first of two soft goals arrived. Danny Murphy carved his way down the Town�s right and slid an inch perfect pass straight into the path of Franny JEFFERS who won�t have scored an easier goal all season at Weale�s near post, and then 7 minutes later the goal that effectively killed off the Glovers came. Jerome Thomas, always a threat jinked his way past the hard working Gall, evaded Guyett�s challenge and fed Shaun BARTLETT, who unmarked poked home his first and Charlton's third of the afternoon. A minute later the Addicks came again and only a wonderful reaction save by Weale kept Danny Murphy�s effort out.

But Yeovil are the comeback kings, and if anyone can salvage something in this situation these boys can. Gone was the long ball seen in recent games, rendered maybe as a decoy for watching scouts, as Yeovil did what they do best and passed the ball to feet and at pace, probably as well, if not better than many sides who graced the turf before them this season. Bartosz Tarachulski was replaced by Aaron DAVIES, and Davies, as any Town fan will tell you makes things happen. Bartlett shot wide with only Weale to beat, and from his clearance Gall picked the ball up and passed inside to Davies. The new signing from Southampton shot from outside the box and his perfect placement found the corner of the net to bring his side right back into it. 4000 went wild again, and they - with twice that many back home - suddenly started to ponder how to get tickets for the replay�and it so nearly came!

First Stolcers run and cross-cum-shot skimmed the roof Kiely�s goal, but then the best chance came and went. Jevons released the unmarked Davies who squirmed his way through the middle and away from Charlton, with only the keeper to beat, it seemed to take an age before he let fly but Kiely saved, he could only block the effort and as the ball ran loose Jevons fired the rebound goalwards but El Karkouri was in the right place at the right time and saved a certain goal on the line and Yeovil were denied the goal and the replay that their performance richly deserved.

Once again the club and it�s supporters can be so proud of the effort, the second division leaders left the fine arena to a well deserved standing ovation and as Gary Johnson later told the Match Of The Day cameras, after Yeovil topped the bill, that the reputation of this club has been further enhanced. Unfortunately, once again�so has his!

My man of the Match: Kevin Gall, he ran his heart out!

Jeremy Gear

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