Match Report: Taunton Town v Yeovil Town

The Glovers went 13 points clear at the top of the National League South last night as they came away from Taunton Town with a 1-0 victory. Frank Nouble's shot from a narrow angle was enough to give them the points in a game that wasn't a classic but the job was done.

Mark Cooper made just one change to the side that beat Bath City at the weekend. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton got his starting place back as Rhys Murphy dropped to the bench.

Yeovil opted for a 4-5-1 formation with Alex Whittle, Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams and Michael Smith in front of Joe Day. Courtney Senior, Matt Worthington, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Charlie Cooper and Jordan Young were in midfield while Frank Nouble was up front.

On the bench was Jamie Sendles-White, Jake Hyde, Josh Owers, Will Dawes and Rhys Murphy.

Yeovil kicked off towards the home end.

Yeovil had two good chances within the first 10 minutes as a shot from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was cleared off the line by former Yeovil loan player Zac Bell. Five minutes later Michael Smith had a good chance from the edge of the box but his shot was straight at Dan Lavercombe.

After these early chances had gone there wasn't much goalmouth action from either side. Taunton were pressing Yeovil well but our class made it difficult for them to create anything. It wasn't as one-sided as it was in the game on Boxing Day but Taunton offered no threat in front of goal for the majority of the game.

Half Time: Taunton Town 0-0 Yeovil Town

Yeovil replaced Courtney Senior with Rhys Murphy at half time and within five minutes Yeovil were ahead. Yeovil won the ball in midfield and Matt Worthington put a nice ball forward to Frank Nouble who was able to carry it forward and fired the ball into the far corner from a narrow angle.

Taunton made their first substitution on 60 minutes as Nat Jarvis was replaced by Marley Rose.

Yeovil almost went 2-0 up on 64 minutes when a mistake by Zac Bell gave the ball to Rhys Murphy and he hit it first time which Lavercombe managed to push onto the bar.

Taunton then made their second substitution on 69 minutes when Marcus Day was replaced by Louie Slough.

Yeovil replaced Jordan Young with Will Dawes on 76 minutes and Taunton then replaced Ross Stearn with Evander Grubb two minutes later.

On 82 minutes Taunton had a decent change to equalise when substitute Louie Slough saw his header at the back post go just wide.

With three minutes left Rhys Murphy had to be subbed off through injury, being replaced by Jake Hyde.

Seven minutes of time was added on and Yeovil held on for another win.

Full Time: Taunton Town 0-1 Yeovil Town

It was a hard-fought win last night as Taunton were pressing Yeovil quite well throughout the game but they offered very little in terms of goal threat. We now have 59 points from 26 league games and a 13 point lead over Hampton & Richmond.

We now have a break until our next fixture as we play Hemel Hempstead on the 20th January. 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: 3,001 (920 from Yeovil Town)

Taunton Town

1 - Dan Lavercombe, 2 - Zac Bell, 4 - Nick Grimes, 5 - Dan Ball, 7 - Ollie Chamberlain, 8 - LLoyd James, 9 - Nat Jarvis (replaced by 22 - Marley Rose on 60 minutes), 12 - Rabby Tabu-Minzamba, 13 - Ross Stearn (replaced by 14 - Evander Grubb on 78 minutes), 17 - Cameron Evans, 18 - Marcus Day (replaced by 23 - Louie Slough on 69 minutes)

Substitutes

19 - Callum Dolman, 22 - Marley Rose, 23 - Louie Slough, 14 - Evander Grubb, 21 - Lloyd Irish

Kit

Claret and Sky Blue Pin Striped Shirts, Sky Blue Shorts, Sky Blue Socks
Goalkeeper: Light Green

Yeovil Town

21 - Joe Day, 2 - Morgan Williams, 3 - Alex Whittle, 6 - Jake Wannell, 8 - Matt Worthington, 11 - Jordan Young (replaced by 17 - Will Dawes on 76 minutes), 16 - Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 22 - Courtney Senior (replaced by 39 - Rhys Murphy on 46 minutes) - (replaced by 9 - Jake Hyde on 87 minutes), 23 - Michael Smith, 24 - Charlie Cooper, 30 - Frank Nouble

Substitutes

5 - Jamie Sendles-White, 9 - Jake Hyde, 15 - Josh Owers, 17 - Will Dawes, 39 - Rhys Murphy

Kit

Amber and Black Striped Shirts, Black Shorts, Amber Socks
Goalkeeper: Blue

Referee: Niall Smith