No need for any great shake-up from Gary Johnson at half time and as his team attacked the Westland End, the
crowd seemed to lift them that notch higher. Andy Lindegaard put in a right wing cross, that was turned back
across the face of the area by Arron Davies, with the ball falling inches behind an incoming Phil Jevons with
the goal gaping.
But just 11 minutes into the second period, Yeovil's comeback was complete. Bartosz Tarachulski beat visiting
goalkeeper Ryan Clarke for an aerial ball and as the loose ball spilled behind Clarke, defender Christian
Edwards had a blind spot of panic as he slipped and seeing an incoming Darren Way, clutched the ball away
from the Yeovil midfielder for an obvious penalty, with Edwards lucky to escape any sort of card.
Up stepped the ever reliable Phil JEVONS from the penalty spot after an age of waiting and
numerous fun and games from the Rovers players seeking to delay the kick, but Clarke was sent the wrong way, and
the Glovers now had the lead.
As with many a game at Huish Park, once the Glovers get the lead, particularly if they are attacking the home
end, they are very inclined to run riot. Eight minutes later, it was 3-1. The Rovers defence were left all at sea
on Yeovil's right wing as Andy Lindegaard was able to run the full length of the flank and put in a deep
flighted cross to the back post. With the ball almost heading directly for the goal, Phil JEVONS
didn't take any chances and headed the ball home from a yard out, with Clarke nowhere.
Colin Miles took the ball beautifully off the boot of Junior Agogo as Rovers sought to get back into the game,
but this was never going to be the Rovers striker's day, with Miles and Skiverton nullifying anything he
attempted to create. Yeovil even managed to extend their lead further with the Rovers defence all over the place
by now. Arron Davies looped in a left wing cross and with Rovers failing to deal with Bartosz TARACHULSKI all
afternoon, the big Pole was able to almost casually nod in Yeovil's fourth of the afternoon. This was in
danger of turning into another massacre.
With the game now won, Gary Johnson made a series of substitutions with Andy Lindegaard replaced by Kevin
Amankwaah and Bartosz Tarachulski making way for Kezie Ibe. Those moves seemed to lose the Glovers a bit of
momentum, and they were seemingly content to sit back on the ball. Terry Skiverton caused amusement for the
Huish Park crowd as he upended Junior Agogo in spectacular fashion with the only bad foul of the afternoon. All
credit to referee Andre Marriner and the 22 players for ensuring that the game did not become the nasty affair
that El Fruitcake's pre-match comments could have provoked.
Rovers pulled back a consolation with two minutes left after James Hunt fed Richard WALKER who managed
to swivel, turn and shoot from eight yards out to bring it back to 4-2 for a goal that will have disappointed
Yeovil's defence. The Glovers were a little sloppy in these closing minutes, and Hunt could have set up an
improbable finale as he fired across the face of the box. But that was as close as they got and on the final whistle
the Rovers fans streamed out as the remaining three sides of the ground stayed to applaud their heroes. Rovers
look a little more organised than they did last season, and definitely more motivated, but the end result was
the same and on this performance Rovers will certainly be part of League Two's line-up for next season.
But with Swansea having lost 3-1 at Leyton Orient, the most important thing was that the Glovers had returned
to the top of the league after their brief 24 hour spell in second place. A few more performances like todays
and any worries about the Glovers stuttering post-Charlton should be firmly put out of people's minds.
Badger
MOTM Vote Result:
Player |
MOTM |
Score |
Phil Jevons |
53 |
772 |
Bartosz Tarachulski |
39 |
594 |
Andy Lindegaard |
2 |
102 |
Colin Miles |
2 |
86 |
Arron Davies |
1 |
68 |
Kevin Gall |
1 |
64 |
Terry Skiverton |
1 |
36 |
|
Overall match rating: 8.5 / 10
Performance: 8.1
Entertainment: 8.9
100 votes received.
Any comments/questions please email [email protected]
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