Match Report: Yeovil Town v Taunton Town

The Boxing Day derby with Taunton Town ended with an emphatic 4-1 victory for Yeovil Town. Frank Nouble put Yeovil ahead after 15 minutes and Michael Smith doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. Rhys Murphy got back to scoring ways in the second half before Sonny Blu Lo-Everton somehow beat Dan Lavercombe at the near post to put the game beyond any doubt. A consolation goal from Austin Booth made it 4-1 but it mattered little and Town got the win they deserved.

Mark Cooper made three changes to the team that won at Eastbourne Borough on Saturday afternoon. Alex Whittle, Will Dawes and Charlie Cooper all returned to the starting XI as Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Rhys Murphy dropped to the bench while Jay Foulston was dropped, unable to play against the team who he is currently on loan from.

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

On the bench was Jake Hyde, Josh Owers, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Alex Fisher and Rhys Murphy.

Yeovil kicked off towards the home end.

Yeovil were forced into making an early change as Will Dawes was struggling early on, receiving treatment and then being replaced on 6 minutes by Rhys Murphy.

On 12 minutes Yeovil won a free kick on the edge of the area which Jordan Young stepped up to take but his effort was over the bar.

Three minutes later Yeovil took the lead after a good team move allowed Michael Smith to put a low cross into the box and Frank Nouble was there to fire it home.

It was almost 2-0 on 19 minutes when Rhys Murphy was put through 1 on 1 with Dan Lavercombe who was able to make the save for a corner.

Yeovil's second goal came just three minutes later when a lovely ball over the top by Matt Worthington allowed Frank Nouble to play in Smith and he got his first goal for the club with a cool finish.

Yeovil were very comfortable during the first half and were very worthy of their lead. Further chances fell to Rhys Murphy as the half neared it's end but Town weren't able to increase the lead further, not yet anyway.

Half Time: Yeovil Town 2-0 Taunton Town

Taunton made their first substitution at half time, bringing on Cam Evans for Marcus Day.

The game was fairly flat for the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Yeovil weren't at the same level as they were in the first half but Taunton also offered little. A few half chances came and went for either side but the game sprang back into life again with 20 minutes left.

Yeovil replaced Courtney Senior with Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and two minutes later Rhys Murphy made it 3-0. Matt Worthington put a good through ball to Rhys Murphy who did well to hold off the defenders and slot past Lavercombe.

Just three minutes later substitute Lo Everton made it four. A shot to the near post somehow found it's way in when it looked like the keeper had an easy save to make. Oh well, 4-0 and cruising now, no complaints from me!

Taunton and Yeovil made their last substitutions on 72 and 75 minutes when Nick McCootie came on for Ross Stearn and then Jordan Young was replaced by Alex Fisher.

Taunton got a consolation goal on 77 minutes with a header from Austin Booth from a corner.

With just 5 minutes to go Nick McCootie, who was only on the pitch for 10 minutes, picked up two yellow cards in quick succession to be sent off. First he picked up a yellow for a foul, and then immediately confronted the player to pick up a second yellow!

Four minutes of time was added on and Yeovil claimed all three points.

Full Time: Yeovil Town 4-1 Taunton Town

It was a very good performance today, plenty of goals and to do it in front of a big crowd is even better. A new National League South attendance record was set today, 6,301 supporters were present which is truly superb.

Our next fixture is on New Years Eve when we play the return game at Taunton Town. Kick off is at 3:00PM

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

Match Attendance: 6,301 (406 from Taunton Town)

Yeovil Town

21 - Joe Day, 2 - Morgan Williams, 3 - Alex Whittle, 6 - Jake Wannell, 8 - Matt Worthington, 11 - Jordan Young (replaced by 18 - Alex Fisher on 75 minutes), 17 - Will Dawes (replaced by 39 - Rhys Murphy on 6 minutes), 22 - Courtney Senior (replaced by 16 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton on 67 minutes), 23 - Michael Smith, 24 - Charlie Cooper, 30 - Frank Nouble

Substitutes

9 - Jake Hyde, 15 - Josh Owers, 16 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 18 - Alex Fisher, 39 - Rhys Murphy

Kit

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

Taunton Town

1 - Dan Lavercombe, 4 - Nick Grimes, 5 - Dan Ball, 6 - Austin Booth, 7 - Ollie Chamberlain, 8 - Lloyd James, 9 - Nat Jarvis, 11 - Joe Guest, 13 - Ross Stearn (replaced by 10 - Nich McCootie on 72 minutes), 16 - Zac Smith, 18 - Marcus Day (replaced by 17 - Cam Evans on 46 minutes)

Substitutes

10 - Nick McCootie, - Rabby Minzamba, 17 - Cam Evans, 19 - Callum Dolman, - Lloyd Irish

Kit

All White
Goalkeeper: Fluorescent Orange

Referee: Ross Martin
Assistant: James Tewson
Assistant: Sean Jenkins