Match Report: Yeovil Town v Notts County

Two late goals from Enzio Boldewijn and Ruben Rodrigues earned Notts County a draw at Huish Park tonight as Yeovil squandered a 2-0 half time lead and make it three games without a win. Yeovil had taken control of the game after a goal from Jimmy Smith and a Reuben Reid penalty had given Town a comfortable advantage at half time but Notts County applied the pressure in the second half and got their reward late on.

Darren Sarll made two changes to the side that were beaten 2-0 on Saturday. Billy Sass-Davies was dropped from the side and replaced by Michael Kelly while the injured Rhys Murphy was replaced by Charlie Lee.

Yeovil lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Michael Kelly, Max Hunt, Albi Skendi and Matt Worthington in front of Adam Smith. Carl Dickinson, Josh Neufville, Jimmy Smith, Charlie Lee and Tom Knowles made up the midfield while Reuben Reid lead the attack.

On the bench was Matt Warburton, Joe Quigley, Emmanuel Sonupe, Max Evans and Chris Dagnall.

A 1 minutes silence was observed to mark 1 year since the first national lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to pay respect for those who have lost their lives or been affected over the last year.

Yeovil kicked off towards the away terrace.

Yeovil made the brighter start of the two sides and had an early chance to take the lead as Reuben Reid was put through 1 on 1 with Sam Slocombe but the effort was tame and Slocombe could block the effort.

Notts County won the first corner of the game on 16 minutes from the left hand side which was crossed in by Jake Reeves but Reuben Reid could head the ball away to safety.

As the half progressed County were settling into the game and were starting to enjoy more possession and were putting Yeovil under pressure. They won a series of corners in quick succession as Yeovil struggled to defend them clear but eventually Yeovil were able to clear the ball out and ease the immediate danger.

Yeovil won their first corner on 28 minutes on the left hand side to the near post but it was headed away and the chance had gone.

Just one minute later Yeovil took the lead as they won another corner on the opposite side and the ball was whipped into the box which was headed goal wards by Charlie Lee and Jimmy Smith was there to tap the ball over the line and Yeovil the lead which was slightly against the run of play.

Yeovil were pushing for another goal from then as they had began to ease the Notts County attacks and on 36 minutes Yeovil were awarded a penalty after Ben Turner fouled Tom Knowles in the box.

Reuben Reid stepped up and fired the ball hard and low into the bottom corner which Sam Slocombe couldn't keep out and suddenly Yeovil were in command of the match.

The rest of the half was fairly tame and after 2 minutes of time was added Yeovil went in at the break with a healthy 2-0 advantage to their name.

Half Time: Yeovil Town 2-0 Notts County

The second half belonged to Notts County as they were intent on not leaving Huish Park without a fight. They made two substitutions at half time as Dion Kelly-Evans and Jimmy Knowles were introduced for Ben Turner and Inih Effiong.

County were looking the more lively side and were putting Yeovil under some sustained pressure but despite this Yeovil almost made it 3-0 as Josh Neufville received the ball on the left wing and beat his man to find himself charging through on goal with Sam Slocombe in no mans land and Neufville shot early past Slocombe but the ball trickled just wide of the target.

This didn't stop County though and they were soon putting Yeovil back under pressure and were also testing the defence with a number of corners in quick succession.

Notts County made their final change on 62 minutes as Jim O'Brien was replaced by Ruben Rodrigues.

It was only a matter of time before Notts got a goal back and that came in the 78th minute. Enzio Boldewijn chested the ball and turned and volleyed past Adam Smith to set up a very nervy last 12 minutes for the home side.

Yeovil their first substitution on 81 minutes as Matt Worthington was replaced by Matt Warburton and then four minutes later Reuben Reid was replaced by Joe Quigley.

Shortly after this substitution the comeback was complete as Notts County got the equalising goal. The substitute Ruben Rodrigues received the ball following a low cross to the center of the box and found himself in a prime position to fire past Adam Smith from close range.

With 5 minutes still to play plus injury time it was now a question of whether Yeovil could hold out for a point as County had been the far more dangerous side in the second half and they had enough time to find the winner.

4 minutes of time was added on and in the 91st minute a golden chance went begging for Notts County Kyle Wootton received the ball in the center of the box but his shot was just wide of the target and Yeovil could breathe a sigh of relief.

That was the final chance that County had to take all three points and Yeovil ran off with a point for their efforts but disappointed knowing that it could have been more had they sought to kill the game off earlier on.

Full Time: Notts County 2-2 Yeovil Town

A rare draw for Yeovil tonight which was not the outcome they were hoping for especially being 2-0 to the good at half time. County switched things up with early substitutions in the second half and their pressure paid dividends in the end.

The draw sees us stay in 14th place but with the league being so tight we could see ourselves climb up a few places if we can get back to winning ways.

Our season continues on Saturday when Barnet visit Huish Park where Yeovil will be hoping to put the last few results behind them.

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

Yeovil Town

1 - Adam Smith, 3 - Carl Dickinson, 7 - Matt Worthington (replaced by 11 - Matt Warburton on 81 minutes), 10 - Jimmy Smith, 14 - Michael Kelly, 18 - Albi Skendi, 21 - Tom Knowles, 22 - Charlie Lee, 24 - Josh Neufville, 26 - Max Hunt, 33 - Reuben Reid (replaced by 19 - Joe Quigley on 85 minutes)

Substitutes

11 - Matt Warburton, 19 - Joe Quigley, 25 - Emmanuel Sonupe, 31 - Max Evans, 34 - Chris Dagnall

Notts County

1 - Sam Slocombe, 3 - Mark Ellis, 4 - Jake Reeves, 5 - Ben Turner (replaced by 16 - Dion Kelly-Evans on 45 minutes), 6 - Jim O'Brien (replaced by 20 - Ruben Rodrigues on 62 minutes), 7 - Jordan Barnett, 8 - Michael Doyle, 9 - Kyle Wootton, 11 - Enzio Boldewijn, 12 - Inih Effiong (replaced by 18 - Jimmy Knowles on 45 minutes), 13 - Connell Rawlinson

Substitutes

16 - Dion Kelly-Evans, 18 - Jimmy Knowles, 19 - Elisha Sam, 23 - Adam Chicksen, 20 - Ruben Rodrigues