Match Report: Yeovil Town v Weymouth

Yeovi Town made it five home wins on the bounce tonight as they beat local rivals Weymouth 3-1 at Huish Park. A hat trick from Rhys Murphy gave The Glovers their goals and proved too much for Weymouth as Jacob Mensah gave them their only goal of the evening.

Darren Sarll made one change to the starting XI that was defeated 2-1 at Hartlepool United at the weekend. Billy Sass-Davies returned from his recent injury and replaced Tom Knowles who dropped to the bench.

Yeovil Town lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Alex Bradley, Max Hunt, Billy Sass-Davies and Carl Dickinson in front of Adam Smith. Jimmy Smith, Matt Warburton, Josh Neufvulle and Albi Skendi made up the midfield while Rhys Murphy and Reuben Reid lead the attack.

On the bench was Michael Kelly, Charlie Lee, Tom Knowles, Joe Quigley and Chris Dagnall.

Yeovil Town kicked off towards the home terrace.

It was the first competitive game against Weymouth in 21 years and Weymouth had the better of the opening exchanges but with just two minutes on the clock Yeovil took the lead. Some good play down the left hand side from Josh Neufville allowed him to put a cross into the box which was fumbled by Weymouth keeper Ethan Ross who was under pressure from Reuben Reid and Rhys Murphy was there to smash the ball home to give Yeovil a 1-0 advantage.

This early goal settled Yeovil and they began to create some good chances - one of which came on 6 minutes as Albi Skendi played the ball forward on the right hand side for Reuben Reid to chase. Reid managed to stay onside and unleashed a shot but the keeper was equal to the effort.

On 15 minutes Albi Skendi was given a good opportunity to double Yeovil's lead as he received the ball from Josh Neufville's forward header and drives into the box unchallenged by the Weymouth defenders which allowed him to shoot but his effort was wide of the target.

1 minute later Yeovil got their first corner of the game game which was taken by Alex Bradley on the left hand side. His cross found Rhys Murphy but his header was over the bar.

On 18 minutes Albi Skendi had another opportunity come his way as a good flick on by Rhys Murphy allowed him to charge towards goal and unleash a shot at goal but it was saved with the keepers legs.

For all their good play so far Yeovil only had a 1 goal advantage and Weymouth got themselves back into this game against the run of play as they won a free kick on the left hand side mid-way into the Yeovil half. A good cross to the far post from Sean Shields allowed Jacob Mensah to tap the ball in and suddenly the game was a very different story.

The goal gave Weymouth some confidence and suddenly they were the team looking the more threatening as they enjoyed the best of the play for most of the remainder of the half.

On 27 minutes it was almost 2-1 to Weymouth as a good shot from Jordan Ngalo was pushed away for a corner on the left hand side. The cross in was pushed away for another corner on the opposite side which was crossed in by Sean Shields but cleared by Max Hunt and eventually danger was averted.

On 38 minutes Adam Smith was once again called upon to make a good save as another corner into the box from the right hand side found Brennan Camp who tried an overhead kick which was blocked but he was able to recover and have another go at goal from close range and Adam Smith had to react quickly to push the ball away for a corner on the left which came to nothing.

As half time approached Yeovil were suddenly looking the better team again and were applying good pressure on Weymouth and creating some dangerous chances.

Two minutes of time was added on and the teams went in level at the break.

Half Time: Yeovil Town 1-1 Weymouth

With the game hanging in the balance it was crucial that Yeovil took control of the game in the second half and they did just that - showing their intent straight away as Josh Neufville went on a mazy run from the left hand side that beat three Weymouth players before crossing the ball across to Reuben Reid who then found Matt Worthington but the shot never materialised.

On 52 minutes Yeovil re-gained their lead as Carl Dickinson put in a good cross into the box from the left hand side which found Reuben Reid who's touch was pushed onto the crossbar by Ethan Ross and Rhys Murphy was there to fire Yeovil in front for the second time in the match.

On 57 minutes Weymouth made their first substitution of the game as Jordan Ngalo made way for Ben Thompson.

Yeovil continued to play some nice football and almost got a third goal on 67 minutes as Rhys Murphy unleashed a cracking shot from 25 yards out that was heading into the top corner but Ethan Ross managed to push it over the bar for a corner.

Before the corner was taken Yeovil made their first substitution as Reuben Reid was replaced by Chris Dagnall. The corner was deflected out for another corner on the opposite side but it was easily defended.

On 72 minutes Weymouth made their second substitution as Brennan Camp was replaced by Pierre Fonkeu

Yeovil survived a scare on 75 minutes as Jimmy Smith slipped on the ball in midfield and substitute Pierre Fonkeu gathered the ball and played it out to the left hand side for Sean Shields who ran forward and tried his luck but his effort was wide of the target.

On 78 minutes Yeovil made their second substitution as Josh Neufville was replaced by Tom Knowles.

With less than 10 minutes now to play and with only a 1 goal advantage Yeovil would have to be very careful not to concede another goal but the game was made far more comfortable on 81 minutes thanks to a cracking goal from Rhys Murphy. The striker received the ball on the right hand side and drove forward with the ball before unleashing a shot that Ethan Ross couldn't keep out to complete his hat trick and to make the final 9 minutes much more comfortable for Yeovil.

Just after the kick off Rhys Murphy went down injured and was replaced by Joe Quigley as a precaution.

On 84 minutes Yeovil almost made it 4-1 as Adam Smith kicked the ball up field from a goal kick which caught the wind and Albi Skendi picked up the ball on the edge of the area and shot at goal which deflected onto the post rebounded across the face of goal and away.

Four minutes of time was added on and Weymouth made their final substitution on 91 minutes as Calvin Brooks was replaced by Cody Cooke but Yeovil had a comfortable lead and they ran out worthy winners.

Full Time: Yeovil Town 3-1 Weymouth

Yeovil fans will be delighted with the win tonight as this means that we have now taken six points off our local rivals and we were thoroughly deserving of the wins in both of the games. It was also good to see that the team had bounced back from their disappointing result at Hartlepool United at the weekend and can now look at keeping their excellent recent home record going when they face Dagenham & Redbridge at Huish Park on Saturday.

The result sees us in 16th place with 29 points and with the league being so congested at the moment a couple more good results could see us storm up the table.

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

Yeovil Town

1 - Adam Smith, 27 - Alex Bradley, 26 - Max Hunt, 35 - Billy Sass-Davies, 3 - Carl Dickinson, 10 - Jimmy Smith, 7 - Matt Worthington, 24 - Josh Neufville (replaced by 21 - Tom Knowles on 78 minutes), 18 - Albi Skendi, 9 - Rhys Murphy (replaced by 19 - Joe Quigley on 82 minutes), 33 - Reuben Reid (replaced by 34 - Chris Dagnall on 68 minutes)

Substitutes

14 - Michael Kelly, 22 - Charlie Lee, 21 - Tom Knowles, 19 - Joe Quigley, 34 - Chris Dagnall

Weymouth

29 - Ethan Ross, 2 - Brennan Camp, 6 - Jordan Ngalo (replaced by 9 - Ben Thompson on 57 minutes), 8 - Jake McCarthy, 15 - Josh Leslie-Smith, 16 - Andreas Robinson, 17 - Calvin Brooks (replaced by 20 - Cody Cooke on 91 minutes), 18 - Andrew Dallas, 21 - Jacob Mensah, 24 - Dominic Revan, 32 - Sean Shields

Substitutes

9 - Ben Thompson, 20 - Cody Cooke, 23 - Cameron Murray, 27 - Joan Luque, 42 - Pierre Fonkeu