Other reports :
Nationwide Conference website;
BBC Sport; www.ytfc.net;
Venue: Huish Park
Saturday 1st March 2003, 3.00pm kick-off.
Conditions: Windy, overcast,some rain at times
Ground: Perfect with bare areas in goalmouths
Nationwide Conference :
Yeovil Town 4 Hereford United 0
Att: 6,487
Referee: Mr S.Dorr (Worcester)
Bookings:
Yeovil: Mustoe (20, foul), Skiverton (36, foul), Williams (68, foul)
Hereford: Smith (37, foul), Tretton (49, dissent), Pitman (61, foul)
. Red Card: Grant (36, violent conduct), James (90, professional foul)
Line up : (3-4-1-2)
|
|
 1. Chris Weale |
|
|
|
 2. Adam Lockwood |
 4. Terry Skiverton |
 5. Colin Pluck |
|
 24. Abdelhalim El Kholti |
 23. Neil Mustoe |
|
 8. Lee Johnson |
 11. Michael McIndoe |
|
|
 20. Gavin Williams |
|
|
|
 25. Kirk Jackson |
|
 9. Kevin Gall |
|
Substitutes: 14. Roy O'Brien (75, for Mustoe), 16. Andy Lindegaard (75, for Williams), 18. Kim Grant (83, for Jackson), 22. Steven Collis, 26. Jimmy Aggrey
Hereford: 1. Mathew Baker, 3. Michael Rose, 4. Andrew Tretton, 6. Tony James, 30. Jay Lovett, 8. Ben Smith, 12. Daniel Williams, 7. Jamie Pitman, 11. Paul Parry, 18. Stephen Guinan, 10. John Grant
Subs : 5. Ian Wright, 14. Kenny Griffiths, 16. Robert Sawyers, 17. Robert Purdey (84, for Williams), 2. Matthew Clarke (79, for Lovett)
Scorers: Adam Lockwood (24 mins, 1-0), Kevin Gall (77 mins, 2-0), Kirk Jackson (78 mins, 3-0), Michael McIndoe pen (90 mins, 4-0)
This report courtesy of Noddy Elms:
BULLS BUTCHERED AT HUISH PARK
Yeovil's Westland Stand Terrace chanted that it was a massacre, but it took
the Glover's well into the second half before that was true. After 74 minutes
Yeovil Town performed with all the skill of a master butcher as they minced
the Bulls in front of the season's second-largest Conference crowd of 6487 at Huish
Park today.
Although reduced to ten men Hereford charged out for to the second half fully
intent to cancel out Lockwood's opener. As Hereford pushed forward the Yeovil
defence looked decidedly nervous and Weale had to make a number of important
saves. However, two minutes of dramatic play left Yeovil with an unassailable
3-0 lead: first Gall then Jackson finished moves after the Hereford defence
conceded possession. With added time ticking away McIndoe converted from the
spot, Hereford finishing with only nine men.
From the start Yeovil dominated proceedings: in the first minute El Kholti's
cross found Jackson who drew a fine save from Baker in the Hereford goal. Two
minutes later Kevin Gall was unlucky to see his shot dip the wrong side of
the Hereford bar after his pace had beaten the opponent's defence. Gavin
Williams then produced a fine run from the halfway line, but his shot was too
straight and Baker had little trouble collecting it. A minute later Pluck 's
long throw seemed to ricochet around the Hereford box before Jackson put in
two headers that the visitor's defence just managed to keep out.
In the opening minutes Hereford were rarely in the Yeovil half, but their
first chance came after twelve minutes when Gavin Williams lost possession,
but John Grant's final header was easily taken by Weale.
Yeovil's new boy, Neil Mustoe, failed to impress and struggled to impose
himself on the game: his main first half contribution earning an entry into
Mr Dorr's book.
When in possession Yeovil looked dangerous and it was no real surprise that
they took the lead. Graham Turner should have done his homework as Yeovil's
opener was a carbon copy of their opener against Northwich a week earlier.
Yeovil won a free kick halfway inside the opposition's half, just in from the
left touchline. Lee Johnson floated in a right footer. This week it was too
strong for Lockwood but Skiverton was at the far post to head it back.
Adam LOCKWOOD was on had to knock the ball past Baker and register his second goal
in two Saturdays: Yeovil 1 Hereford 0.
Hereford responded positively and
Jamie Pitman was unlucky to run the ball out of touch after good work had
taken him into the heart of the Yeovil penalty box.
The game then became somewhat subdued as Yeovil defended their lead. But that
all changed on 33 minutes when Danny Williams, after a challenge from
Johnson, ended up sitting on the ball. Skiverton's initial challenge was
enthusiastic, but John Grant charged across half the width of the pitch to
push the Yeovil skipper and initiate a free-for-all. Mr Dorr took full
consultation with his two assistants before dismissing Grant. The crowd
waited anxiously as Mr Dorr concluded his chat with Skiverton before
brandishing a yellow card. Smith disagreed with the unequal treatment, so
Mr Dorr yellow carded him as well. At the end of it Hereford took their free
kick and Weale did well to smother the low cross through a crowded penalty
area.
As if to calm things down Yeovil took their foot off the gas and were looking
to the half-time break to regroup. The ten minutes before half time produced
little in either penalty area except for McIndoe's excellent run down the
left and his cross for Gall. The Yeovil striker should have done better than
head wide.
Half Time: Yeovil Town 1 Hereford United 0.
Graham Turner's half time talk must have been inspirational. His team,
despite their situation, were the better team for nearly twenty minutes of
the second half. The best Hereford chance of the afternoon fell to Hereford's
Parry on 50 minutes. Weale was hurried into clearing a back pass, and passed
straight to Parry outside the penalty box. The Hereford man was so surprised
that he failed to control the pass and Weale must have been relieved to see
the ball cleared from danger. Weale was again in action minutes later when he
made another good save from Pitman. Yeovil were panicking and Weale had to
gather McIndoe's slice from under his own bar. Guinan then sent a shot past
Weale's right hand post after good work down the Hereford left wing. Seconds
later El Kholti needed to use all his speed to cover at the back.
Hereford were still in with a chance until 74 minutes when Gary Johnson
introduced O'Brien and Lindegaard in place of Mustoe, and former Hereford man
Gavin Williams. Hereford should beware when Lindegaard takes the field for he
was the Yeovil hero twelve months ago coming on to strike an injury-time
winner. Within three minutes the game was all but over.
On 76 minutes Kevin GALL collected McIndoe's through-ball and, cutting back
onto his right foot, curled his shot inside the far post from the left hand
side of the penalty area to make it 2-0.
Seconds later Lindegaard capitalised on another defensive lapse to send Gall
down to the right hand goal line. Gall's cross found Kirk JACKSON at the far post
who had no trouble in making it 3-0.
From then on it was all Yeovil: El Kholti broke from the left and curled in a
teasing low cross. Pitman seemed to have it covered, but again could only lay
it off for the Yeovil strikers. Jackson and Gall seemed to hesitate, leaving
it for each other. Gall eventually shot but Baker managed to tip it away for
a corner.
With seven minutes left Yeovil's Kim Grant replaced Kirk Jackson and
Hereford's Purdie replaced Williams. Another goal seemed inevitable and that
almost fell to Skiverton whose header was itself headed off the line. Gall was close
seconds later, but Grant's cross fell just behind him.
The fourth Yeovil goal eventually fell to Michael McINDOE deep in added time. El
Kholti set Grant away from the halfway line: Grant had a couple of yards
advantage on the chasing James but as the pair entered the box the Hereford
man lunged in desperation and Grant tumbled to the ground, Mr Dorr had little
doubt in awarding a penalty and dismissing James. McIndoe had no difficulty
in sending Baker the wrong way. Yeovil 4 Hereford 0.
Final Score: Yeovil Town 4 Hereford United 0
Hereford can argue that for seventy-odd minutes they were equal to Yeovil.
Hereford can argue Mr Dorr was unkind to them. When down to ten men they were
always going to struggle. But, when Yeovil needed to step up a gear they have
many resources at their disposal, at that point today they were awesome.
Hereford can take heart that a team in a different league massacred them. I
suggest the suspensions they take away from today's game will ensure they remain
in a different league next season.
Noddy Elms
Internet Man of the Match Voting Result:
Player |
MOTM |
Score |
Kevin Gall |
38 |
706 |
Lee Johnson |
20 |
425 |
Adam Lockwood |
9 |
203 |
Colin Pluck |
2 |
114 |
Others |
3 |
|
|
Overall match rating: 8.4 / 10
Performance: 7.9
Entertainment: 8.9
72 votes received.
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