Match Report: Maidstone United v Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town had to settle for a draw yesterday afternoon as a penalty from Regan Booty in the fifth minute of stoppage time cancelled out Alex Fisher's first half header. New Yeovil boss Mark Cooper was watching from the stands as due to a touchline ban and oversaw his new side play some neat football in the first half but sit back in the second and let a narrow lead slip away at the death.

Mark Cooper made three changes to the side that lost to Aldershot Town in midweek. Jamie Reckord and Callum Rowe were both dropped from the side while Ollie Hulbert dropped to the bench. Morgan Williams, Max Hunt and Malachi Linton took their places.

Yeovil opted for what appeared to be a 4-3-3 formation with Morgan Williams, Owen Bevan, Max Hunt and Ben Richards-Everton in front of Grant Smith. Josh Staunton, Matt Worthington and Sam Perry were in midfield while Ewen Clarke, Alex Fisher and Malachi Linton were in attack.

On the bench was Gime Toure, Chiori Johnson, Charlie Wakefield, Ollie Hulbert and Will Dawes.

Yeovil played some positive, attacking football in the first half and got their reward on 15 minutes when Owen Bevan put the ball onto Alex Fisher's head on the edge of the box which looped over Ryan Sandford and into the net.

Seven minutes later Yeovil had a goal ruled out when Ewan Clarkes free kick was turned in by Ben Richards-Everton but he was in an offside position.

Yeovil continued to play some neat football and were looking much better than they had been in previous weeks but they couldn't increase the lead and went in at half time with a slim advantage.

Half Time: Maidstone United 0-1 Yeovil Town

Neither side made changes at half time and Maidstone came out looking the brighter of the two teams.

Yeovil began to sit back and weren't able to go forward with the same intent as they did in the first half.

On 53 minutes Maidstone almost levelled when a free kick was crossed deep into the box but Grant Smith was able to make the save.

Maidstone made their first substitution on 56 minutes when Dylan Barkers was replaced by James Alabi.

Just after the hour Grant Smith was called into action again when a cross to the near post was headed at goal but Smith was able to tip the ball over the bar.

Yeovil then made a double substitution as Ewen Clarke and Sam Perry were replaced by Charlie Wakefield and Chiori Johnson.

With 20 minutes to go both sides made their last substitutions as Jack Barham was replaced by Josh Fawole and Matt Worthington was replaced by Ollie Hulbert.

Maidstone hit the bar with 10 minutes left when Ryan Galvin's header beat Grant Smith but not the woodwork.

Six minutes of time was added on and in the fifth minute Yeovil gave away a dubious penalty when Ollie Hulbert poked the ball away from James Alabi. The referee deemed that Hulbert had fouled Alabi which seemed harsh since Alabi was already on his way down when any contact was made.

Regan Booty stepped up and produced a fine penalty into the bottom corner to level the game.

Full Time: Maidstone United 1-1 Yeovil Town

Despite the late equaliser there were signs of improvement yesterday. Mark Cooper has had less than 24 hours to work with the team so it's going to take time before he will be able to put his own mark on the team but at least yesterday Yeovil were actually trying to push on at 1-0 rather than sitting back straight away. The second half is where Mark Cooper learned of our habit of sitting deep and this is something he will need to address.

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

Match Attendance: 2,147 (133 from Yeovil Town)

Maidstone United

31 - Ryan Sandford, 2 - Gavin Hoyte, 3 - Ryan Galvin, 10 - Jack Barham (replaced by 16 - Josh Fawole on 71 minutes), 12 - Jacob Mensah, 14 - Dom Odusanya, 15 - Regan Booty, 17 - Christie Pattison, 20 - Reiss Greenidge, 21 - Roarie Deacon, 22 - Dylan Barkers (replaced by 7 - James Alabi on 56 minutes)

Substitutes

30 - Yussuf Mersin, 4 - Joe Ellul, 7 - James Alabi, 16 - Josh Fawole, 29 - Bivesh Gurung

Kit

Amber and Black Striped Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks
Goalkeeper: Grey

Yeovil Town

1 - Grant Smith, 2 - Morgan Williams, 26 Owen Bevan, 32 - Josh Staunton, 5 - Max Hunt, 6 - Ben Richards-Everton, 7 - Matt Worthington (replaced by 22 - Ollie Hulbert on 72 minutes), 16 - Sam Perry (replaced by 17 - Chiori Johnson on 63 minutes), 23 - Ewen Clarke (replaced by 19 - Charlie Wakefield on 63 minutes), 14 - Malachi Linton, 9 - Alex Fisher

Substitutes

10 - Gime Toure, 17 - Chiori Johnson, 19 - Charlie Wakefield, 22 - Ollie Hulbert, 25 - Will Dawes

Kit

Pink and Purple Striped Shirts, Purple Shorts, Pink Socks
Goalkeeper: Blue

Officials

Referee: Jacob Miles
Assistant: Steven Parmenter
Assistant: Gary Jerden
Fourth Official Michael Butcher