Match Report: Hemel Hempstead Town v Yeovil Town

The first game of the National League South season ended in disappointment for Yeovil Town as they came away from Hemel Hempstead with a 1-0 defeat. A defensive mix-up between Zac Bell and Will Buse saw an attempted clearance from Buse hit Joe Iaciofano and the ball rebounded into the net to give Hemel the victory on 75 minutes.

Yeovil opted for an initial 3-5-2 formation with Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams and Jamie Sendles-White sat in front of Grant Smith. Alex Whittle and Zac Bell were sat just in front of them on the left and right respectively while Charlie Cooper, Jordan Maguire-Drew and Matt Worthington were in midfield. Rhys Murphy and Frank Nouble lead the front line.

On the bench was Jordan Young, Josh Owers, Will Dawes, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Olly Thomas.

Hemel kicked off towards the away end.

Yeovil started brightly and had the ball in the net after 9 minutes when Rhys Murphy but in a cross to Jordan Maguire-Drew from the left and his header found the back of the net but he was in an offside position.

Yeovil were struggling to settle into the game and were finding it hard to go forward. Maybe the surface played a part in this but Town will have to get used to playing on these surfaces.

Hemel were struggling to threaten Yeovil themselves but Yeovil were often in offside positions or wasting the chances they created.

Yeovil almost went ahead on 36 minutes when Jordan Maguire-Drew found Rhys Murphy but his shot was just over the bar.

Six minutes of time was added on and Hemel made their first substitution during this time by replacing Jethro Hanson with Elias Grant.

Half Time: Hemel Hempstead Town 0-0 Yeovil Town

The second half was a struggle for Yeovil as their attacking play was almost non-existent.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was introduced on 65 minutes for Jamie Sendles-White to try and create some attacking spark but it had little effect.

Hemel made their second substitution on 75 minutes when Reece Grant was replaced by Tyrese Briscoe.

As the game ticked by it was looking like a stalemate was coming but on 78 minutes Hemel were head after a mix up between Zac Bell and Will Buse. Buse came charging out of his goal to clear a loose ball but Joe Iaciofano was able to close him down and the ball rebounded off him into the net.

Yeovil replaced Jordan Maguire-Drew with Olly Thomas on 80 minutes but Yeovil continued to be lackluster in front of goal.

9 minutes of time was added on and after replacing Frank Nouble with Jordan Young the game ended in a defeat for Yeovil.

Full Time: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 Yeovil Town

Not the result we wanted yesterday and it was disappointing for it to happen with such a large away following. What we mustn't do is get too defeatist. We've only played 1 game, there's a whole season in front of us to kick on.

Our next fixture is next Saturday when St Albans City visit Huish Park. Kick off is at 3:00PM.

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

Match Attendance: 1,276 (Approx 850 from Yeovil Town)

Hemel Hempstead Town

1 - Craig King, 2 - Montel McKenzie, 3 -Josh Williams, 4 - Kyle Ajayi, 6 - Jethro Hanson (replaced by Elias Grant on 45 minutes), 7 - George Williams, 9 - Joe Iaciofano (replaced by 15 - Finlay Corrigan on 81 minutes), 14 - Joe Re, 16 - Chris Smith, 18 - Reece Grant (replaced by 17 - Tyrese Briscoe on 75 minutes), 23 - Arj Kransiqi

Substitutes

11 - Bilal Sayoud, 15 - Finlay Corrigan, 17 - Tyrese Briscoe, Sam Carman, Elias Grant

Kit

All Red
Goalkeeper: Green

Yeovil Town

1 - Will Buse, 2 - Morgan Williams, 3 - Alex Whittle, 5 - Jamie Sendles-White (relaced by 16 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton on 65 minutes), 6 - Jake Wannell, 8 - Matt Worthington, 10 - Jordan Maguire-Drew (replaced by 40 - Olly Thomas on 80 minutes), 20 - Zac Bell, 24 - Charlie Cooper, 30 - Frank Nouble (replaced by 11 - Jordan Young on 95 minutes), 39 - Rhys Murphy

Substitutes

11 - Jordan Young, 15 - Josh Owers, 17 - Will Dawes, 16 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 40 - Olly Thomas

Kit

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