Match Report - Yeovil Town v Aldershot Town

Yeovil Town claimed their first home win of the 2020-2021 National League season this afternoon as they saw off Aldershot Town 3-0 at Huish Park. A brace from Courtney Duffus and a solitary goal from Albi Skendi were enough to give Town a deserved victory which was much needed after the 6-1 drubbing against Torquay United two days earlier.

Darren Sarll made 3 changes to the side that were beaten 6-1 at Torquay United on Boxing Day. Luke Wilkinson was back from suspension and Matt Worthington and Courtney Duffus were also re-introduced into the starting line-up in favour of Dan Leadbitter, Emmanuel Sonupe and Chris Dagnall.

Yeovil opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Max Hunt, Gabriel Osho, Luke Wilkinson and Carl Dickinson in front of Adam Smith. Charlie Lee, Lawson D'Ath, Albi Skendi and Matt Worthington made up the midfield and Courtney Duffus and Joe Quigley led the attack.

On the bench was Matt Warburton, Tom Knowles, Emmanuel Sonupe, Josh Neufville and Chris Dagnall.

Aldershot kicked the game off attacking the away terrace.

The opening exchanges were fairly tame but Yeovil won their first corner on 6 minutes which was defended for another corner on the far side. Lawson D'Ath's delivery was met by Matt Worthington but his half volley was skewed over the bar.

Yeovil started to settle into the game a bit more after this and on 15 minutes they took the lead as Courtney Duffus received the ball in the box who's quick turn and shot found the bottom corner to give Yeovil a deserved 1-0 lead.

This gave Yeovil some much needed confidence and they were pushing for a second as Matt Warburton saw a shot go just over the bar and a cross across goal was unfortunately not met by a Yeovil player.

As the half hour mark approached Yeovil were still pressing to increase their lead and another Courtney Duffus shot on the turn was heading goal wards but it was comfortably saved.

Aldershot had soaked up the pressure to keep the score line down and were now starting to create chances of their own and were enjoying more possession. They almost equalised on 35 minutes when a cracking shot from Jermaine Anderson was tipped onto the post by Adam Smith to preserve the lead for the home side.

Aldershot continued to press but the game was temporarily halted while Courtney Duffus received treatment on the field which was worrying for the home side as so far he had been superb. Happily he was able to continue and this break in play allowed Yeovil to re-group and stop Aldershot from continuing to put them under pressure.

Two minutes of time was added at the end of the half and Yeovil were searching for a second goal but in the end they went in at the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

Half Time: Yeovil Town 1-0 Aldershot Town

The second half began with Aldershot looking the more dangerous of the two sides and on 50 minutes some last ditch defending by Max Hunt preserved Yeovil's lead after some pinball in the box was eventually cleared.

Aldershot continued to be the brighter of the two sides as the second half progressed and Yeovil were struggling to create any decent opportunities and at times were getting out of shape trying to prevent Aldershot from drawing the match level.

On 75 minutes Yeovil made their first substitution as Charlie Lee was replaced by Josh Neufville.

Despite Aldershot looking the more likely to score the next goal it was actually Yeovil who got the second goal of the game on 77 minutes. A free kick from 25 yards out was cleverly worked and the ball found Courtney Duffus who fired home his second of the afternoon to give Yeovil a firm grip on the game with the final 10 minutes approaching.

On 79 minutes the visitors made their first and only substitution of the game - replacing Chike Kandi for Joel Nouble.

The final 10 minutes were always going to be about seeing the game out for the three points and this was made much easier on 86 minutes as Aldershot were reduced to 10 men. Jermaine Anderson picking up his second yellow card of the afternoon to make any chance of an Aldershot fight-back even less likely.

Then on 87 minutes the game was put beyond any lingering doubt as Albi Skendi added a third for Yeovil. A cross into the box was put back across goal by Joe Quigley which saw the ball fall to Albi Skendi who was there to fire Yeovil 3-0 in front with just 3 minutes of normal time remaining.

As 90 minutes were just about up Yeovil were also reduced to 10 men as Joe Quigley was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.

Yeovil made a double substitution just after this by replacing Matt Worthington and Courtney Duffus with Emmanuel Sonupe and Tom Knowles.

3 minutes of time was added on at the end of the game and Yeovil saw the final 3 minutes out without incident and they could put the harrowing result against Torquay United two days earlier behind them with a well deserved 3-0 home victory.

Full Time: Yeovil Town 3-0 Aldershot Town

After the humiliation of the 6-1 defeat against Torquay United two days ago a positive response and more importantly a positive result was needed today and the team did just that. They were worthy of the points today and didn't look like a side that are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Aldershot did have spells of good play throughout the game but Yeovil had the cutting edge and three well taken goals and a clean sheet on their home ground will hopefully give the team a much needed confidence boost when they take on Torquay United again on the 2nd January.

The win lifts us out of the relegation places with 11 points after 13 matches with Barnet, Weymouth and Dover Athletic below us in the standings.

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

Yeovil Town

1 - Adam Smith, 26 - Max Hunt, 17 - Gabriel Osho, 8 - Lawson D'Ath, 3 - Carl Dickinson, 6 - Luke Wilkinson, 22 - Charlie Lee (replaced by 24 - Josh Neufville on 75 minutes), 18 - Albi Skendi, 7 - Matt Worthington (replaced by 21 - Tom Knowles on 90 minutes), 19 - Joe Quigley, 14 - Courtney Duffus (replaced by 25 - Emmanuel Sonupe on 90 minutes)

Substitutes

11 - Matt Warburton, 21 - Tom Knowles, 24 - Josh Neufville, 25 - Emmanuel Sonupe, 34 - Chris Dagnall

Aldershot Town

35 - Brad James, 2 - George Fowler, 3 - Alex Finney, 8 - Josh Rees, 9 - Mo Bettamer, 10 - Chike Kandi (replaced by 14 - Joel Nouble on 79 minutes), 11 - Harrison Panayiotou, 15 - Jermaine Anderson, 20 - Toby Edser, 22 - Giles Phillips, 25 - Sadrach Ogie

Substitutes

1 - Mitch Walker, 6 - Kodi Lyons-Foster, 12 - Alfy Whittingham, 14 - Joel Nouble, 23 - Killian Colcombie