Match Report: Yeovil Town v Eastleigh

Yeovil Town picked up their third home win of the season this afternoon as they overcame Eastleigh 2-1 in an entertaining game. Tom Knowles put Yeovil ahead three minutes before half time but Eastleigh responded in the second half through Harry Pritchard. Eight minutes later Adi Yussuf put Yeovil back in front and Eastleigh weren't able to find another equaliser.

Darren Sarll made two changes to the side that beat Yate Town 5-0 last weekend. Luke Wilkinson was deemed fit enough to make his first start since his injury as Morgan Williams was dropped to the bench while Max Hunt regained his place in the starting XI over the injured Jack Robinson.

Yeovil lined up in what appeared to be a 4-3-3 formation with Daniel Moss, Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt and Jordan Barnett in front of Grant Smith. Josh Staunton, Dale Gorman and Matt Worthington made up the midfield while Tom Knowles, Adi Yussuf and Charlie Wakefield lead the attack.

A two minutes silence was observed before the game to pay respects to those who have paid the ultimate price during times of war.

Yeovil kicked off towards the home terrace.

Yeovil made a very good start to the game and were putting Eastleigh under a lot of early pressure. Despite this the first chance came to Eastleigh on four minutes as Harry Pritchard was found unmarked at the far post but he blazed his effort way over the bar when he should have done better.

Yeovil won a couple of corners on 9 minutes but both of them were defended away.

Yeovil won another corner on 15 minutes which was crossed to the center of the box and after a bit of pinball a shot was blocked and Eastleigh could clear the danger.

Eastleigh began to get back into the game after the initial 15 minutes and were beginning to create chances of their own.

Yeovil survived a scare on 22 minutes as the Yeovil defence allowed Eastleigh through as they were appealing for offside. The ball was crossed low across the box but Tyrone Barnett didn't make contact with the ball much to Yeovil's releif.

Two minutes later Tom Knowles tested the Eastleigh keeper as Charlie Wakefield picked him out on the edge of the box but his curling effort was saved.

There was a short stoppage in the half on 26 minutes as Dale Gorman and an Eastleigh player both went sliding in to win a 50/50 ball but ended up making contact with each other. Both players needed treatment on the field but luckily both were able to continue.

As the half wore on Yeovil were slowly beginning to look the much livelier side again and just before half time they took the lead in emphatic style as Josh Staunton fed in Tom Knowles who's thunderous shot flew over the keeper and dipped just under the crossbar to give Yeovil a deserved 1-0 advantage.

Two minutes of time was added on and Yeovil ended the half looking the much superior side and a goal to the good.

Half Time: Yeovil Town 1-0 Eastleigh

The second half started off a bit flat as Yeovil weren't able to keep up the same tempo as they did in the first half.

On 52 minutes Yeovil endured a bit of a worrying moment as Luke Wilkinson received a boot to the face while defending an Eastleigh attack but luckily he only needed minimal treatment.

Yeovil made their first substitution on 63 minutes as Charlie Wakefield made way for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton.

Eastleigh also made their first substitutions as Jake Hesketh was replaced by Ryan Hill and Michael Kelly was replaced by Vincent Harper.

Eastleigh were looking the better side in the second half and were beginning to put Yeovil under pressure. They won a corner on 65 minutes on the left hand side which was overhit to the far post but they kept the ball alive and put it back into the center of the box but Yeovil were able to defend it away.

Shortly afterwards Eastleigh found the equaliser as Harry Pritchard was able to convert from close range after Grant Smith had blocked an initial shot from close range but wasn't able to recover in time and Yeovil now had to make sure they upped their game.

Yeovil made their second substitution on 71 minutes as Matt Worthington was replaced by Joe Quigley.

Despite Eastleigh being the team in ascendancy the game wasn't level for long as Adi Yussuf fired Yeovil ahead again on 76 minutes. Joe Quigley's flick on allowed Yussuf to run in on goal and he unleashed a cracking shot that flew past Joe McDonnell and into the back of the net.

The last 15 minutes of the game were always going to be nervy with a single goal advantage especially as Eastleigh had looked the slightly better team in the second half.

Eastleigh won a corner on 80 minutes on the right hand side which was crossed to the far post but Yeovil were able to defend the ball away.

Eastleigh made their final substitution on 85 minutes as Harry Pritchard was replaced by Danny Whitehall.

Two minutes later Yeovil made their final substitution as Tom Knowles was replaced by Morgan Williams.

Five minutes of time was added on and Yeovil were sitting quite deep which was making for nervy viewing for the Yeovil fans. Eastleigh won a corner right at the death but Yeovil were able to clear the danger and the points stayed in Somerset.

Full Time: Yeovil Town 2-1 Eastleigh

It was a very enjoyable afternoon at Huish Park and the goals that Yeovil scored were both fantastic finishes. It's nice to have Luke Wilkinson back as it allows Josh Staunton to return to the midfield where we have missed his creativity and experience and it payed dividends today as his pass through to Knowles allowed the chance he needed to put is in front.

The win see's us move up into 13th place with 18 points and leapfrog our opponents today. Yeovil also have games in hand over the rest of the league as well so we may be able to push up the table even further.

Yeovil's season continues next weekend as they travel to East London to face Dagenham & Redbridge. Kick off is at 3PM.

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

Match Attendance: 2,494 (253 from Eastleigh)

Yeovil Town

1 - Grant Smith, 3 - Jordan Barnett, 8 - Dale Gorman, 5 - Max Hunt, 11 - Tom Knowles (replaced by 13 - Morgan Williams on 88 minutes), 22 - Dan Moss, 32 - Josh Staunton, 19 - Charlie Wakefield (replaced by 15 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton on 65 minutes), 6 - Luke Wilkinson, 7 - Matt Worthington (replaced by 10 - Joe Quigley on 72 minutes, 23 - Adi Yussuf

Substitutes

14 - Alex Bradley, 12 - Max Evans, 15 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 10 - Joe Quigley, 13 - Morgan Williams

Kit

Green Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks
Goalkeeper: Turquoise

Eastleigh

1 - Joe McDonnell, 2 - Josh Hare, 3 - Michael Kelly (replaced by 26 - Vincent Harper on 63 minutes), 4 - Miley Cavaghn, 5 - Tom Broadbent, 6 - Andrew Boyce, 8 - Harry Pritchard, 10 - Tyrone Barnett, 12 - Jake Hesketh (replaced by 11 - Ryan Hill on 63 minutes), 18 - Ben House, 20 - Tom Whelan

Substitutes

11 - Ryan Hill, 17 - Danny Whitehall, 19 - Danny Hollands, 25 - Christian Maghoma, 26 - Vincent Harper

Kit

All Blue
Goalkeeper: Grey

Officials

Referee: - Sonny Gill
Assistant: - Grzegorz Kornasiewicz
Assistant: - Scott Chalkley
Fourth Official: - Carl Peters