Match Report: Weston-Super-Mare v Yeovil Town

Yeovil Town salvaged a 1-1 draw with Southern League side Weston-Super-Mare at The Optima Stadium as a late Tom Knowles strike prevented Town from picking up their second loss of pre-season. Yeovil struggled throughout the game and Weston looked more in control particularly after they had taken the lead through a Dayle Grubb free kick but Knowles netted late on to give Yeovil a draw.

Yeovil lined up in a 4-4-2 formation Jordan Barnett, Josh Staunton, Max Hunt and Alex Bradley in front of Grant Smith. Matt Worthington, Dale Gorman, Tom Knowles and a trialist made up the midfield while Joe Quigley and Reuben Reid lead the attack.

On the bench was Max Evans, Morgan Williams, Lewis Simper, Charlie Wakefield, Ollie Haste and two trialists.

The opening 20 or so minutes were fairly even and plenty of opportunities were being created by both teams. 9 minutes in a Dale Gorman free kick caused problems in the Weston box but Max Hunt's effort was wide.

Our lack of a prolific striker up front was again causing problems for us in attack as we didn't look like scoring when we did get the ball forward and most of our attacks faded into nothing.

Yeovil almost found themselves being on 21 minutes but Josh Staunton was able to block the effort to allow Grant Smith to gather the ball.

5 minutes later Weston came close again a shot flashed across the face of goal and was just wide of the far post.

A similar chance was created on 30 minutes for Weston but with the same outcome with the ball just wide.

Just before half time Yeovil should have taken the lead as joe Quigley couldn't convert from close range following a mistake in the Weston defence.

Half Time: Weston-Super-Mare 0-0 Yeovil Town

Yeovil continued to struggle in the second half and Weston took the lead on 55 minutes as a superb Dayle Grubb free kick flew into the top corner.

Shortly after the goal Yeovil made their first substitution as a trialist made way for Charlie Wakefield.

Once Weston had the goal they looked to be in command of the game and Yeovil looked second best. Yeovil struggled to get hold of the ball and didn't look like the more senior side at all.

On 59 minutes Yeovil were forced into making their second substitution as Reuben Reid had to be replaced by a trialist for a leg injury.

The second half progressed with Yeovil looking rather toothless up front and struggling to cause Weston any problems.

On 76 minutes Yeovil made a double substitution as Matt Worthington and Max Hunt was replaced by Lewis Simper and Morgan Williams.

With 10 minutes left it looked like Yeovil would be heading back down the motorway with defeat but all of a sudden Tom Knowles produced a great shot from inside the box which beat Luke Purnell in the Weston goal and suddenly the game was all square again.

Weston were still pushing though and they were unlucky not to have regained the lead as a looping shot hit the bar.

Yeovil made their final substitution on 85 minutes as Charlie Wakefield made way for a trialist.

The final few minutes passed without incident and both sides had to settle for a draw.

Full Time: Weston-Super-Mare 1-1 Yeovil Town

The game today was poor and Yeovil were lucky not have been beaten as they didn't play anywhere near their best. Yeovil now have two more pre-season games left to address the issues in the side today before the season starts two weeks from today.

Weston-Super-Mare

1 - Luke Purnell, 2 - Keiran Thomas, 3 - Scott Laird, 4 - Jacob Jagger-Cane, 5 - Jason Pope, 6 - Sam Avery, 7 - Jay Murray, 8 - Dayle Grubb, 9 - Lucas Vowles, 10 - Ben Whitehead, 11 - Jordan Bastin

Substitutes

12 - Mike Symoms, 14 - Nick McCootie, 15 - Lloyd Humphries, 16 - Bailey Kempster, 17 - Ben Griffith, 18 - Travis Yule-Turner, 19 - Will Turner

Kit

All White
Goalkeeper: Fluorescent Green

Yeovil Town

1 - Grant Smith, 14 - Alex Bradley, 32 - Josh Staunton, 5 - Max Hunt, 3 - Jordan Barnett, 8 - Dale Gorman, 16 - Trialist, 7 - Matt Worthington, 11 - Tom Knowles, 10 - Joe Quigley, 9 - Reuben Reid

Substitutes

31 - Max Evans, ? - Morgan Williams, 17 - Lewis Simper, 19 - Charlie Wakefield, 15 - Ollie Haste, Trialist x2

Kit

Green Shirts with White Sleeves, White Shorts and Green Socks
Goalkeeper: Orange