Match Report - Maidenhead United v Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town were defeated for the first time in 3 matches tonight as they were beaten 4-2 at York Road. Albi Skendi put Yeovil in front mid-way into the first half but this was cancelled out 10 minutes later through Danilo Orsi. Manny Parry gave Maidenhead the lead early in the second half and Dan Sparkes increased the lead for the home side. Albi Skendi pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining but a late penalty prevented the come-back.

Yeovil made two changes to the side that won 3-0 at Weymouth back on the 5th January. Lawson D'Ath and the injured Luke Wilkinson were replaced by Charlie Lee and Jimmy Smith.

Yeovil opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Alex Bradley, Max Hunt, Matt Worthington and Charlie Lee in front of Adam Smith. Carl Dickinson, Jimmy Smith, Josh Neufville and Albi Skendi made up the midfield while Chris Dagnall and Reuben Reid lead the attack.

Yeovil were managed by Terry Skiverton for this fixture as Darren Sarll had to remain isolated from the squad due to a member of his household testing positive for COVID-19.

Maidenhead started the brighter of the two sides and showed their threat with just two minutes on the clock. A good attack culminated in a shot that was just wide from Danilo Osri.

Yeovil won their first corner of the game on three minutes as a free kick floated into the box was put behind however the corner was well defended.

On 10 minutes Yeovil suffered an injury blow as Charlie Lee went down with an injury during a tackle and was replaced by Lee Collins following a lengthy halt in play.

Maidenhead were awarded a free kick from the tackle involving Charlie Lee and Sam Barratt curled the ball around the wall and Adam Smith made a good save to push the ball behind for a corner.

As the half progressed it was Maidenhead who were looking the better of the two teams but they weren't able to carve out any good opportunities and they were punished for this on 19 minutes as Yeovil took the lead slightly against the run of play. Yeovil nicked the ball off Maidenhead on the left hand side which allowed Yeovil to press. Maidenhead struggled to clear their lines and a half clearance found Jimmy Smith who chipped the ball to Albi Skendi in the box who then turned his man and fired into the bottom corner.

The goal gave Yeovil some confidence and they began to assert themselves onto the game threatening to increase their lead.

On 24 minutes a corner on the right hand side from Carl Dickinson was defended away and Dickinson re-delivered a cross that was slightly mishit and almost caught the Maidenhead keeper out as it rebounded off the crossbar.

On 30 minutes Maidenhead drew the match level as a mistake by Lee Collins released Danilo Orsi who charged towards goal. Yeovil did their best to try and prevent the goal but Orsi took the ball around Adam Smith and slotted the ball into the corner for 1-1.

The remainder of the half was a fairly tame affair with neither side looking particularly threatening. Five minutes of additional time was given but the teams went in level at the break.

Half Time: Maidenhead United 1-1 Yeovil Town

With the game poised at 1-1 it was there for the taking but it was Maidenhead who seized the opportunity. 3 minutes into the second half and they took the lead through Manny Parry as Maidenhead picked up a loose ball and a good cross into the box allowed Parry to head his side in front.

On 52 minutes Reuben Reid came close to making it 2-2 as he saw a close range shot get pushed over the bar. The resulting corner came to nothing.

On 59 minutes Yeovil made their second substitution as Joe Quigley was replaced by Rhys Murphy

Just like the end of the first half the game was beginning to become very tame with neither side being very creative. Yeovil did see a long range shot have to be tipped over the bar on 62 minutes but chances were becoming few and far between for both sides.

On 66 minutes Yeovil made their final change as Josh Neufville was replaced by Tom Knowles.

With 20 minutes to go Maidenhead increased their lead from out of nowhere as a long range shot caught Yeovil out and found the bottom corner. In the build up Yeovil were expecting a hand-ball decision to go their way but it never came and this allowed Dan Sparkes to unleash a long range shot which beat Adam Smith for 3-1.

Just five minutes later and Yeovil were given a way back into the game as Alex Bradley's long cross found Albi Skendi and just like his first goal he turned his man and fired past Taye Ashby-Hammond to set up an interesting end to the game.

On 80 minuts Maidenhead made a double substitution as James Comley and Dan Sparkes were replaced by Seth Twumasi and Josh Coley.

As the end of the 90 minutes approached Yeovil were searching for that all important equalising goal but their job of getting something out of the game was made much harder as they gave away a penalty on 87 minutes. Danlo Orsi stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to put the game beyond doubt.

Maidenhead made their final substitution on 90 minutes as Ryan Upward was replaced by Jerry Wiltshire.

Five minutes of additional time was given but Yeovil couldn't stage an unlikely comeback and they return to Somerset empty handed.

Full Time: Maidenhead United 4-2 Yeovil Town

A disappointing result tonight as we weren't at our best throughout the game and were deservedly beaten. Yeovil don't have that much time to dust themselves down before their next game as they host fellow league strugglers Dover Athletic at Huish Park where a win will be most welcome.

The defeat sees us stay in 20th place after having fallen one place since the Weymouth game and now only two points above the drop zone as Weymouth picked up back-to-back wins throughout January while Yeovil's games were postponed.

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

Maidenhead United

1 - Taye Ashby-Hammond, 24 - Alan Massey, 3 - George Wells, 5 - Manny Parry, 16 - Ryheem Sheckleford, 11 - Dan Sparkes (replaced by 7 - Josh Coley on 80 minutes), 8 - James Comley (replaced by 15 - Seth Twumasi on 80 minutes), 14 - Rohan Ince, 19 - Ryan Upward (replaced by 2 - Jerry Wiltshire on 90 minutes), 25 - Sam Barratt, 10 - Danilo Orsi

Substitutes

2 - Jerry Wiltshire, 15 - Seth Twumasi, 7 - Josh Coley, 28 - Josh Smile, 22 - Josh Kelly

Yeovil Town

1 - Adam Smith, 27 - Alex Bradley, 26 - Max Hunt, 3 - Carl Dickinson, 22 - Charlie Lee (replaced by 4 - Lee Collins on 13 minutes), 10 - Jimmy Smith, 7 - Matt Worthington, 24 - Josh Neufville (replaced by 21 - Tom Knowles on 65 minutes), 18 - Albi Skendi, 19 - Joe Quigley (replaced by 9 - Rhys Murphy on 58 minutes), 33 - Reuben Reid

Substitutes

4 - Lee Collins, 21 - Tom Knowles, 9 - Rhys Murphy, 34 - Chris Dagnall, 14 - Michael Kelly

Next Fixture

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Yeovil Town v Torquay United

Date: 29/03/2024
Competition: National League (South)
Venue: Huish Park
Kick Off: 15:00

Latest Result

Braintree Town

0-1

Yeovil Town

Attendance: 1,985 (Unknown from Yeovil Town)

National League (South) Table

Last Updated: 26/03/2024

Pos
Team
Pld
GD
Pts

1
Yeovil Town
40
+29
83

2
Chelmsford City
41
+28
76

3
Braintree Town
40
+18
68

4
Hampton & Richmond
39
+11
67

5
Maidstone United
39
+10
67

6
Worthing
40
+19
66

7
St Albans City
40
+13
63

8
Aveley
41
+4
63

9
Bath City
39
+16
62

10
Farnborough
40
+4
60

11
Chippenham Town
40
+5
57

12
Slough Town
39
+8
56

13
Tonbridge Angels
41
+3
55

14
Weymouth
39
-3
50

15
Weston-super-Mare
37
-7
48

16
Hemel Hempstead Town
40
-14
45

17
Torquay United
39
-5
44

18
Welling United
40
-17
44

19
Truro City
34
-7
41

20
Taunton Town
36
-15
40

21
Dartford
39
-13
39

22
Eastbourne Borough
39
-24
38

23
Havant & Waterlooville
40
-30
33

24
Dover Athletic
40
-33
23