Six Goal Entertainment at home to Leyton Orient

It was back to Saturday afternoon, after a couple of midweek games, and the visit of Leyton Orient. Saints were at home to Brentford and I might have gone to that one instead since a friend of mine is a Brentford fan but in the end decided on Yeovil. As usual we came down on Friday evening, spent the morning in the garden and then set off after lunch. I had also considered cycling to the ground but a flat tyre put paid to that idea.

The game itself was genuine entertainment from start to finish. Both sides took the lead in a six goal thriller that could have easily have ended up with more on the scoreboard. A Gavin Tomlin penalty cancelled out a Scott McGleish header, whilst Jonathan Obika grabbed the first of his second spell before the half time break. But goal of the game came from the opposition and from the familiar face of Andros Townsend. His 80 yard run produced a contender for goal of the season against his former club, leaving a breathless half-time 2-2 scoreline.

The second half produced more of the same with Danny Schofield putting Yeovil in front again, only for substitute Ryan Jarvis to net a third goal for Orient. Townsend could have won it in second half injury time, but that would have been harsh on Yeovil who dominated much of the match.

The Glovers went into the match making four changes from Tuesday night's match. Three were forced, with Stefan Stam (hamstring), Ryan Mason (groin) and Nathan Smith (ankle ligaments) all out injured, whilst Sam Williams was dropped to the bench in favour of Gavin Tomlin. Much had been made pre-match of Yeovil's tendency to start slowly in matches and so things didn't look too clever when Orient netted from Scott McGleish's header - getting far too much space from a Stephen Purches cross. But this belied a start where Danny Schofield had blazed over the bar, and where Jonathan Obika had clipped the outside of the post from a Gavin Tomlin pull-back, with a deflection sending the ball out for a corner. This was to be a game of twists and turns though. Six minutes later, Ben Chorley bundled over Jonathan Obika in the penalty box and Gavin Tomlin's powerful penalty into the bottom corner gave the Glovers an equaliser in a half that they went on to dominate, albeit without creating too many clear-cut chances. Tomlin and Alcock had two of the better attempts, with both players not quite timing their aerial attempts as well as they might have done. Just as the first half had started with two quickfire goals, so it ended with two quickfire goals. First bite went to Jonathan Obika, who was put through by Andy Welsh as Yeovil broke on Leyton Orient superbly with Welsh's pass through to Obika well timed to allow him to finish past Jones. Less than two minutes later though, Andros Townsend indulged in a bit of 'anything you can do, I can do better', going on an 80 yard run from the edge of his own box, seeing off challenges from four Yeovil players and eventually slotting the ball home for an equaliser that even had several Yeovil fans on their feet. 2-2 and no-one could suggest they didn't have their money's worth, even if both managers would be having words with their defences.

Seven minutes into the second half and we were off again with yet more goals. Danny Schofield received the ball from Craig Alcock on the flank and with his back to goal. Turning his marker, he got the ball onto his supposedly weaker left foot and curled a beauty into the corner and past Jamie Jones to put Yeovil in front for the second time in the match. Orient made two second half substitutions to try and bring them back into the game and both perhaps played their part in the sixth goal of the match as once again the game was levelled just past the hour mark. Seconds after Adrian Patulea had replaced another striker in Scott McGleish, Orient's first substitute Ryan Jarvis converted significantly against the run of play to leave the game frustratingly tied again at 3-3. In the closing stages, both sides went for the winning goal. Ben Chorley's deflected shot was superbly saved by Alex McCarthy and then straight from that save, the Glovers counter-attacked with Terrell Forbes feeding Andy Welsh whose own shot could easily have won the game. Then deep into second half injury time, Andros Townsend could also have won it, with a curling effort on the angle after the Glovers again failed to close him down. But it would have been harsh on the Glovers if he had the last word in a superbly entertaining match. The result keeps Yeovil in ninth place in the League One table, albeit with them heading a group of 11 clubs separated by one point. At the top, Charlton Athletic and Leeds United remain on maximum points, with Bristol Rovers sneaking into 4th after they beat next week's opponents Huddersfield Town by a single goal. At the foot of the table, Southampton continue to struggle to claw back their 10 point penalty with a 1-1 draw, whilst Brighton and Hove Albion suffered another miserable day with a 2-4 home defeat and two red cards to add to another received during midweek. Wycombe Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers occupy the other relegation slots. Yeovil Town 3 Leyton Orient 3. Scorers: Scott McGleish (0-1, 5 mins), Gavin Tomlin (1-1, 11 mins, pen), Jonathan Obika (2-1, 40 mins), Andros Townsend (2-2, 42 mins), Danny Schofield (3-2, 52 mins), Ryan Jarvis (3-3, 61 mins) Yeovil Town: (4-4-2) 1. Alex McCarthy 2. Craig Alcock 6. Terrell Forbes 5. Steven Caulker 3. Nathan Jones 22. Danny Schofield 7. George O'Callaghan 8. Keiran Murtagh 11. Andy Welsh 10. Gavin Tomlin 26. Jonathan Obika Substitutes: 9. Sam Williams (80 mins for Gavin Tomlin) 15. Richard Martin (GK) 16. Scott Murray (86 mins for Danny Schofield) 18. Andy Lindegaard 23. Danny Hutchins (90 mins for Keiran Murtagh) 32. Andre McCollin Leyton Orient (4-4-2): 12. Jamie Jones 2. Stephen Purches 5. Tamika Mkandawire 4. Ben Chorley 13. Charlie Daniels 7. John Melligan 20. Jimmy Smith 11. Jason Demetriou 25. Andros Townsend 9. Scott McGleish 22. James Scowcroft Substitutes: 1. Glenn Morris (GK) 6. Luke Ashworth 14. Ryan Jarvis (55 mins for James Scowcroft) 16. Andrew Cave-Brown 18. Harry Baker 17. Loick Pires 23. Adrian Patulea (61 mins for Scott McGleish) Yeovil Bookings: Keiran Murtagh (20 mins, foul) Orient Bookings: Tamika Mkandawire (45 mins, foul), Jimmy Smith (45 mins, encroachment) Referee: Steve Bratt (West Midlands). Assistants: Brett Huxtable (Devon) and Brendan Malone (Wiltshire). Fourth Official: Neil Radford (Worcestershire). Attendance: 3,827 (including approx 250 Orient fans)

Midweek Trip to Exeter

Having taken most of this week off work after the abortive, both for me and the team, trip to Colchester, I had all day to drive down to St James Park. Calling in at Huish Park to pick up my ticket on the way, I was also able to do some shopping in Yeovil. Having never been to St James Park before I took the opportunity to look around the area, without really finding too much of any great interest, and finally parked up about ten minutes walk from the ground.

There were four changes in the line up

The first half was a very poor performance from a Yeovil perspective and Exeter, and Marcus Stewart in particular, looked much more motivated. Exeter scored first after Stefan Stam first seemed to get injured and then put the ball into his own net from an Exeter cross.

In the second half however a poor clearance from their fell to the feet of Ryan Mason who flicked the ball up and volleyed in from 35 yards. The Glovers went into the game making four changes - all of which appeared to be tactical. Gone were both full-backs replaced by Craig Alcock and Nathan Smith, whilst Danny Schofield made a quick return from his hip-flexor muscle problem. Meanwhile Jonathan Obika got his first start of his second spell with the Glovers, displacing Gavin Tomlin. Obika nearly made an instant impact from a corner - heading goalward just 10 minutes into the match, but only to find his attempt blocked on the line. However, it was Exeter who were by far on top in the first half - in particular skinning Yeovil down the right flank on numerous occasions as Nathan Smith was left exposed by Exeter doubling up on him time and time again. One such move brought Exeter's opening goal. Former Glover Marcus Stewart had a blinder during the first half, and it was his assist through to Liam Sercombe that put the winger clean through on the flank. Sercombe's cross was whipped in and dangerous and all Stefan Stam could do was to slice the ball into his own net. Stam had looked uncomfortable throughout the opening quarter hour, and when he fouled James Norwood out on the wing, he went down in a heap, and he had to retire injured, with the final insult being a booking for the foul as he left the field. Exeter's raids down Yeovil's left side continued, with Andy Welsh looking a virtual passenger. It was little surprise that Welsh came off after half an hour, but perhaps the unexpected part was Gavin Tomlin replacing him, as Yeovil abandoned their wingers entirely - switching to the 4-1-2-1-2 diamond formation used frequently last season, with O'Callaghan at the base, and Tomlin on top. As far as the first half was concerned, it didn't really change matters too much - the best Yeovil could offer following that early Obika effort was a Steven Caulker header that went across the face of goal, missing the far post by a foot. But for the second match running the Glovers had come out of the blocks very slowly indeed and Exeter deserved their lead. Whether a half time team talk did the trick, or whether Exeter gradually ran out of ideas and began to sit on their lead, the second period appeared to disappear into nothingness. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances, despite Yeovil forcing a number of corners that home keeper Paul Jones was often left flapping at. Jones wasn't faring much better with his kicking - once producing an almighty slice for a corner, where he was fortunate that his miscue happened wide of his own goalposts. Hence it shouldn't have come as too much surprise when the keeper's somewhat iffy performance gifted Yeovil their equaliser. A Richard Duffy passback was poorly cleared by Jones, straight into the path of Ryan Mason. The Spurs teenager had a split second to decide what to do. With Jones out of position but scrambling back, the moment would be lost if he dithered, but instead he whacked the ball back from 35 yards out and perfectly into the opposite corner from where Jones was trying to recover his ground. Mason's second goal in two games, and this one had pretty much come out of nothing. The last 10 minutes saw some frantic end to end play from both sides as they pushed up for the winning goal, but they both lacked an incisive touch. Marcus Stewart faded badly in the second half, whilst the Glovers blocked out far more emphatically than they had done during the first period, and the end result was a share of the points for the Glovers and one that given their overall performance on the night, they would probably gladly take and run. Final Score: Exeter City 1 Yeovil Town 1. Scorers: Stefan Stam (14 mins, 1-0, own goal), Ryan Mason (72 mins, 1-1) Yeovil Town (4-4-2): 1. Alex McCarthy 2. Craig Alcock, 4. Stefan Stam, 5. Steven Caulker, 28. Nathan Smith 22. Danny Schofield, 13. Ryan Mason, 7. George O'Callaghan, 11. Andy Welsh 26. Jonathan Obika, 9. Sam Williams Substitutes: 15. Richard Martin (GK) 3. Nathan Jones 6. Terrell Forbes (17 mins for Stefan Stam) 8. Keiran Murtagh (71 mins for Jonathan Obika) 10. Gavin Tomlin (29 mins for Andy Welsh) 16. Scott Murray 32. Andre McCollin

Colchester Away

Norwich in the Carling Cup

Excellent Start

Well, that was an excellent start. I predicted the team correctly except that Dean Bowditch played up front instead of Sam Williams. We started poorly I thought but after about 15 minutes got into the game and on 23 a left wing cross from Andy Welsh, I think (it was hard to tell from where I sit at the opposite corner of the ground) found the head of Dean Bowditch for a good goal.

One goal up at half time and playing good attractive football. The sun was out as well for a change in this unusually wet summer and I was quite warm. I usually sit in the back row of the stand, where the elevation does give one a better view of the game, but on a sunny day prefer to sit near the front and enjoy the warmth.

In the second half, perhaps because we were a goal up and the need to score was therefore not quite so urgent I thought we lost our grip on the game slightly and it became a bit more messy. Although we were still the better side, a one goal lead is never enough.

Dean Bowditch had another chance after the break when he was through on the edge of the box but was brought down. As he fell he seemed to injure his shoulder and was helped off the pitch to be replaced by Sam Williams.

After 76 minutes Ryan Mason was also clean through when he was brought down but this time it was inside the box and Gavin Tomlin scored from the penalty.

8th August - Tranmere at home

Something that I suspect is common to many football fans the world over is the sense of routine one gets into during the season. There are in fact two distinct routines, one which applies when we are playing at home and the other that kicks on those Saturdays that the team are away. This year we begin the season at home. In my case, since I live in Southampton, work in Winchester and watch my home games in Yeovil, some sixty odd miles away, it all begins on the Friday evening. Having walked to the car down a pleasant route along the river Itchen I drive the ten miles to pick up my brother from his flat near Andover. I am usually in the car to listen to the Archers, a drama programme I have listened to on the radio since I was a teenager. There follows the longer journey down the A303, including on this occasion a diversion via Tisbury and Shaftesbury due to traffic congestion, to my mother's home in a village near Yeovil. We get there about 9PM.

There is usually some job, like cutting the grass or washing the car, that needs doing in the morning, until lunch and then shortly after 2:00 it is time to leave for the ground. I have my own favourite spot to park the car five minutes walk away. The club has its own excellent car park where I used to park but now I prefer to save the £2. Having a Season Ticket saves me the time queueing up at the ticket office and means I can afford to get to the ground just before kick off.

There are two types of fan in this regard. Some like to turn up well before, up to an hour in some cases, 3:00 and soak up, or help to create, the atmosphere. Others can be seen at the very last minute arriving at the ground or rolling in from the club bar. For away grounds, especially where it is my first visit, the early arrival is more of an attraction to me but normally I like to get there with just enough time to buy a cup of tea and climb the steps to my seat.

Again, that is part of the routine. The same seat, the same fans around you to chat to although you may have very little in common apart from football, and the same view of the game unfolding in front of you.

Predicted Team
Alex McCarthy
Terrell Forbes, Stafan Stam, Steven Caulker, Nathan Jones
Danny Schofield, Ryan Mason, George O'Callaghan, Andy Welsh
Sam Williams, Gavin Tomlin

Predicted Score 2-1

5th August - A New Season

Wednesday, its Wednesday and there are just over three full days until it all starts again. A new season. A new journey, or perhaps a new leg of that epic journey that has taken us from the slopes of Huish to the peaks of Wembley and now perhaps beyond.

Well, I suppose really it started back in mid July with our visit to north Devon and the second incarnation of the South West Challenge Cup. Last year I had just gone down for the weekend and as a result had only caught one Yeovil game. This time I made it to two, and that might have been four had we not been knocked out. The first chance to see the new signings, what few there were at this stage, as well as loads of trialists, including Kevin Gall. Of these the outstanding prospects appeared to be a young striker on loan from Spurs called Ryan Mason, former Ipswich striker Dean Bowditch (who signed on the 30th July), French striker Hamdi Razak (who was not taken on), and Villa striker Sam Williams (who signed permanently on 21st July). Spurs defender Steven Caulker joins Ryan Mason on loan. With a clear need to sign a goalkeeper if Waganaar does not come back there are two on show in Devon, Arran Lee Barratt, a former Hartlepool man, and Richard Martin recently released by Man City. Finally there is Irish midfielder George O'Callaghan. Stafan Stam.

The goalkeeping situation was helped after Devon by the loan signing of Alex McCarthy from Reading.

Up until that time there had been very little news on new, or indeed old, players. However several trialists went to Devon and it was good to have a first view of them.

The first time I had looked forward towards the new season rather than back at the old one was on 16th June when we had been drawn against Norwich City in the first round of the Carling Cup. Norwich City! Well we have played plenty of big teams in cup competitions over the years but what made an impression this time was not the opposition itself but the realisation that Norwich were now at the same level as us. And so were Charlton and Southampton, quite apart from last season's giants of Leeds.

The week before Danny Hutchings, one of the loanees from Spurs from last season, had signed permanently for the club, sending a wave of optimism through me, a symbol that perhaps this season could be at least as good as the last had been.

The following day was one I look forward to every year, the day that the Football League fixtures are announced. The day the new season seams to become real and one can plan those days out that will fill Saturdays during the coming winter. September 19th stood out this year. Southampton away. Or is that "home", as I live in Southampton. A game I've dreamed about for many a year but never thought would happen!

On the 26th June the first of those to leave the club over the summer did so. Paul Warne apparently turned down the offer of a new contract. Certainly a player we will miss, if only for his energy and commitment to the cause. We could only hope that not too many followed him. He later returned to his old club Rotherham.

The same day Stefan Stam, a Dutch central defender joined. I know nothing about him, but with Skivo not expecting to play unless absolutely needed and Aaron Brown having been released, central defence is obviously somewhere we need replacements.

The next day, Andy Welsh, in my opinion one of our best players potentially, signed a new two year contract which was great news.

On the 30th however it was confirmed that Lee Peltier had joined Huddersfield.

A day after that I was personally very pleased at the confirmation of the rumour of Scott Murray's signing.

4th July was Skivo's testimonial.

By the 7th things were looking even better with Terrell Forbes agreeing to extend his contract.

Throughout there was the ongoing saga of whether Josh Waganaar would still be with us come the start of the season.

On 27th July Danny Schofield was taken off the transfer list apparently now happy to stay in Somerset. However on the 29th Gary Roberts was suspended for disciplinary reasons.