Match Report: Southend United v Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town fell to their third successive National League defeat last night as Southend United overcame The Glovers 2-1 at Roots Hall. Jason Demetriou put the home side in front just before the half hour mark and Tom Clifford added a second on 60 minutes. Reuben Reid pulled a goal back with just injury time left to play but after a late rally Yeovil weren't able to get anything from the game.

Darren Sarll made four changes to the side that was beaten 3-1 by Bournemouth at the weekend. Dillan Barnes and Matt Worthington were dropped while Joe Quigley and Morgan Williams were put onto the bench as Grant Smith, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Charlie Wakefield and Adi Yussuf all regained their places in the starting XI.

Yeovil lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Dan Moss, Max Hunt, Luke Wilkinson and Jordan Barnett in front of Grant Smith. Dale Gorman, Josh Staunton and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton made up the midfield while Tom Knowles, Adi Yussuf and Charlie Wakefield lead the attack.

On the bench was Max Evans, Reuben Reid, Joe Quigley, Morgan Williams and Jack Robinson.

Southend kicked off towards the away end.

The opening 20 minutes were fairly even with neither team playing particularly well. Southend won the first corner after 5 minutes on the left hand side but it was cleared at the near post.

Southend were beginning to look the more dangerous side and after 30 minutes they took a deserved lead as Jason Demetriou's shot from distance deflected over Grant Smith and into the back of the net.

The rest of the half was again a tame affair with Yeovil struggling to get going and they went in behind at the break.

Half Time: Southend United 1-0 Yeovil Town

Southend made their first substitution at half time as Will Atkinson was replaced by Nathan Ferguson.

The second half continued in a similar manner to the first half as Yeovil were struggling to get going. Southend didn't particularly look a very good team themselves but Yeovil just weren't able to play with any fluency or create any good chances.

Yeovil made a double substitution on 58 minutes as Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was replaced by Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf was replaced by Joe Quigley.

One minute after the subs took the field Southend doubled their advantage as they caught Yeovil on the break. The ball was squared into the box to Tom Clifford who had an easy finish at the far post.

On 70 minutes Yeovil won a free kick just outside of the area in a dangerous position but Luke Wilkinson's effort was very tame and it was an easy save for Stephen Arnold to make.

On 76 minutes Southend made their second substitute as Rhys Murphy was replaced by Matt Rush.

With the final 10 minutes approaching Yeovil would need a bit of a miracle to get something from the game and they almost pulled one back on 78 minutes as Joe Quigley's shot from close range was pushed around the post for a corner which came to nothing.

Yeovil made their final substitution on 80 minutes as Jordan Barnett was replaced by Jack Robinson.

With five minutes to go Yeovil thought they had pulled one back through Max Hunt but the goal was ruled out for hand ball.

Shortly after Southend made their finals substitution as Matthew Dennis was replaced by Ollie Kensdale.

Just before the 90 minutes was up Yeovil did manage to pull a goal back as Stephen Arnold spilled a shot and Reuben Reid fired home from one yard out.

Six minutes of time was added on and despite a late push from Yeovil they were unable to snatch an undeserved point.

Full Time: Southend United 1-2 Yeovil Town

It was a poor performance from Yeovil last night as they never got going until the final six minutes of the game. The set plays were also very poor, with every corner and free kick being wasted . Yeovil will need to improve performances if they are to get back to winning ways.

Yeovil's season continues on Saturday afternoon as Needham Market make the trip to Huish Park for an FA Trophy fourth round tie. Kick off is at 3:00PM.

Man of the match voting for this defeat against Southend is now open. You can cast your vote here.

Match Attendance: 4,845 (80 from Yeovil Town)

Southend United

1 - Stephen Arnold, 3 - Nathan Ralph, 5 - Shaun Hobson, 9 - Rhys Murphy (replaced by 18 - Matt Rush on 76 minutes), 10 - Sam Dalby, 12 - Tom Clifford, 20 - Will Atkinson (replaced by 14 - Nathan Ferguson on 46 minutes), 21 - Harrison Neal, 22 - Kacper Lopata, 24 - Jason Demetriou, 30 - Matthew Dennis (replaced by 35 - Ollie Kensdale on 85 minutes)

Substitutes

6 - Josh Coulson, 14 - Nathan Ferguson, 18 - Matt Rush, 27 - Leon Davies, 35 - Ollie Kensdale

Kit

Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, White Socks
Goalkeeper: Yellow

Yeovil Town

1 - Grant Smith, 3 - Jordan Barnett (replaced by 21 - Jack Robinson on 80 minutes), 5 - Max Hunt, 6 - Luke Wilkinson, 8 - Dale Gorman, 11 - Tom Knowles, 15 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (replaced by 9 - Reuben Reid on 56 minutes), 19 - Charlie Wakefield, 22 - Dan Moss, 23 - Adi Yussuf (replaced by 10 - Joe Quigley on 59 minutes), 32 - Josh Staunton

Substitutes

12 - Max Evans, 9 - Reuben Reid, 10 - Joe Quigley, 13 - Morgan Williams,21 - Jack Robinson

Kit

Green Shirts, Green Shorts, Green Socks
Goalkeeper: Turquoise

Officials

Referee: - Adrian Quelch
Assistant: - Jeffery Aldous
Assistant: - Stephen Parkinson
Fourth Official: - Jamaal Horne