Match Report: Hampton & Richmond Borough v Yeovil Town

Town moved into 2nd place in the National League South table yesterday afternoon as they beat Hampton & Richmond Borough 2-1 in South West London. Goals from Jordan Stevens and Rhys Murphy put Town in a comfortable half time lead but they finished the game with 9 men as both Jake Hyde and Matt Worthington were shown red cards and a penalty kick deep into injury time gave the home side a consolation goal.

Mark Cooper made two changes to the side that beat AFC Stoneham last weekend. Josh Owers and Josh Staunton were both benched while Morgan Williams and Rhys Murphy made the starting XI again.

Yeovil went for a 4-4-2 formation with Alex Whittle, Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams and Michael Smith in front of Joe Day. Matt Worthington, Charlie Cooper, Jordan Stevens and Jordan Young were in midfield while Rhys Murphy and Frank Nouble were up front.

On the bench was Jake Hyde, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Josh Owers, Will Dawes and Josh Staunton.

The opening half hour of the game was very tame, neither side threatening the opposite goal. Only half chances were created by the teams but it was Yeovil were the better side.

The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes when a free kick from Charlie Cooper on the right was cleared to the edge of the area and Jordan Stevens fired the ball home into the top corner.

Just before half time it was 2-0 when some good play by Alex Whittle on the left side allowed him to play in Rhys Murphy who did well to hold off the defenders and slot home.

Half Time: Hampton & Richmond Borough 0-2 Yeovil Town

The second half was once again a very tame affair, although the referee seemed insistent on being the "star" of the show. Yeovil players being booked or cautioned for seemingly everything but the Hampton players could get away with murder.

Yeovil made their first substitution on 66 minutes when Rhys Murphy was replaced by Jake Hyde.

Hyde wouldn't last long on the pitch, as he picked up a yellow card for complaining at an incorrect offside decision and then was shown a second yellow for a foul on 74 minutes.

Despite having 10 men Yeovil were still comfortable, and weren't in any real danger at all.

Yeovil had replaced Alex Whittle with Josh Owers on 70 minutes and made their last sub on 84 as Jordan Young was replaced by Josh Staunton.

Seven minutes of time was added on and in the 97th minute Yeovil were reduced to 9 men when Matt Worthington was sent off for handball in the box. Ben Seymour took the resulting penalty and beat Joe Day but it mattered little as Town ran out victorious.

Full Time: Hampton & Richmond Borough 1-2 Yeovil Town

The only thing that mattered was that Yeovil had the points, but the standard of refereeing was nothing short of a disgrace. There was a time when we used to moan about the standards of the referees in League Two, oh how I miss those days!

Yeovil's next fixture is on Saturday as they return to FA Cup action. Southern League Premier side Didcot Town visit Huish Park for a 3PM kick off.

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

Match Attendance: 1,269

Yeovil Town

21 - Joe Day, 2 - Morgan Williams, 3 - Alex Whittle (replaced by 15 - Josh Owers on 70 minutes), 6 - Jake Wannell, 7 - Jordan Stevens, 8 - Matt Worthington, 11 - Jordan Young (replaced by 32 - Josh Staunton on 84 minutes), 23 - Michael Smith, 24 - Charlie Cooper, 30 - Frank Nouble, 39 - Rhys Murphy (replaced by 9 - Jake Hyde on 66 minutes)

Substitutes

9 - Jake Hyde, 10 - Jordan Maguire-Drew, 15 - Josh Owers, 17 - Will Dawes, 32 - Josh Staunton

Kit

Green and White Pin Striped Shirts, Green Shorts, Green Socks
Goalkeeper: Blue

Hampton & Richmond Borough

19 - Adam Desbois, 2 - Jordan Thomas, 3 - Ruaridh Donaldson (replaced by 17 - Connor Curran-Browne on 69 minutes), 4 - Dean Inman, 5 - Luis Fernandez, 9 - Ben Seymour, 10 - Jake Gray, 11 - Sam Deadfield, 15 - Dan Wishart, 21 - Shane Dunne (replaced by 7 - Rob Hall on 58 minutes), 26 - Mason Bloomfield (replaced by 8 - Alfy Whittingham on 60 minutes)

Substitutes

6 - Jordan Cheadle, 8 - Alfy Whittingham, 7 - Rob Hall, 17 - Connor Curran-Browne, 25 - Isaac Pitblado

Kit

All Blue
Goalkeeper: Orange

Referee: Eugene Robinson
Assistant: Louis Dawson
Assistant: Scott Hamilton