Match Report - Yeovil Town v Boreham Wood

With the last three weeks being so difficult for Yeovil Town FC following the passing of club captain Lee Collins, it would have been fitting to re-start their season with a win and they did just that with a 1-0 win over Boreham Wood at Huish Park. A fine team goal mid-way into the first half was enough to give Yeovil a well deserved three points and pay tribute to our leader.

Darren Sarll made three changes to the side that beat Barnet 3-1 in their last fixture. Luke Wilkinson, Billy Sass-Davies and Jimmy Smith took their places in he starting line up in favour for Max Hunt, Charlie Lee and Chris Dagnall who all dropped to the bench.

Yeovil lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Carl Dickinson, Michael Kelly, Luke Wilkinson and Billy Sass-Davies in front of Adam Smith. Albi Skendi, Jimmy Smith and Matt Worthington made up the midfield while Josh Neufville, Reuben Reid and Tom Knowles lead the attack.

On the bench was Max Hunt, Charlie Lee, Rhys Murphy, Joe Quigley and Chris Dagnall.

Boreham Wood kicked off towards the home terrace.

The game started pretty slowly for both sides as neither team were looking particularly threatening. Yeovil did have the better of the possession but no clear cut chances were being created.

The first real chance of note came on 15 minutes as Albi Skendi did well on the right hand side and put a good cross in for Reuben Reid but his header was wide of the target.

Boreham Wood won the first corner of the game on 23 minutes on the right hand side. Corey Whitely took the corner and crossed the ball to the center of the box but Yeovil were able to defend it clear. They found themselves able to launch a counter attack but it was snuffed out as Boreham Wood keeper Nathan Ashmore was able to race forward and clear the ball.

On 25 minutes Boreham Wood almost gave Yeovil the lead as a the ball was crossed into the box and a mis-timed header from Jamal Fyfield almost looped into the net but Nathan Ashmore was able to push the ball over the bar.

The resulting corner was taken by Tom Knowles but the cross didn't beat the first man and it was defended clear.

Just two minutes later though Yeovil took the lead as a good team move on the right hand side allowed Albi SKendi to put a low cross to Tom Knowles who raced into the box and fired a low shot into the back of the net.

Yeovil won their second corner on 31 minutes on the right hand side which was taken by Michael Kelly. His cross was straight to Nathan Ashmore who spilled the ball but Boreham Wood were able to clear the ball away.

The rest of the half was fairly tame with Yeovil still looking the more lively side and were playing some neat football.

2 minutes of time added on at the end of the half and Yeovil won a succession of corners to put more pressure on the Boreham Wood goal but they couldn't take advantage of them and Yeovil went in at the break with a fully deserved 1-0 advantage.

Half Time: Yeovil Town 1-0 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood started the second half as the much stronger side and were putting Yeovil under some pressure. They won a corner on 47 minutes which was taken short by Corey Whitely to Tyrone Marsh who got a low cross into the box but it was defended clear by Albi Skendi.

Boreham Wood continued to press Yeovil but they weren't able to carve out any decent opportunities and Yeovil were able to keep their shape and defend well.

Borham Wood made their first substitution on 57 minutes as Keiran Murtagh was replaced by Matt Rhead.

Yeovil did manage to win a corner on 67 minutes on the right hand side which was taken by Michael Kelly but his cross wasn't met by anyone and the chance had gone.

On 78 minutes Yeovil survived as care as a good cross into the box for Matt Rhead was just headed a way in time by Michael Kelly. Had he not got there in the nick of time Matt Rhead would almost certainly have equalised given that he was less than six yards from goal.

The resulting corner from the left hand side was crossed to the near post and flicked on well but Yeovil were able to clear the danger.

On 82 minutes Boreham Wood won a free kick 25 yards from goal. Before the free kick was taken Yeovil made a double substitution as Reuben Reid was replaced by Charlie Lee and Matt Worthington was replaced by Rhys Murphy.

Corey Whiteley took the free kick and managed to get it up and over the wall and the shot looked like it was going to nestle into the bottom corner but Adam Smith was able to make the save.

On 85 minutes Boreham Wood won another fee kick this time to the left hand side of the box. Corey Whiteley stepped up to take it and shot at goal when it would have been better for him to cross and the shot was over the bar.

One minute later Boreham Wood made their final substitution as Tyrone Marsh was replaced by David Stephens.

5 minutes of time was added on and Yeovil made their final substitution on 91 minutes as Joe Quigley was introduced for Albi Skendi.

Boreham Wood kept pressing Yeovil late on but Yeovil were able to see the game out and claim a fully deserved three points.

Full Time: Yeovil Town 1-0 Boreham Wood

After such a difficult three weeks for the club the win today was such a fitting tribute to Lee Collins. All the players, management and back room staff at the club can be proud that they have won three points today especially at Huish Park.

The victory see's us move into 15th place after falling into 17th after the last round of fixtures. Our season continues next Saturday afternoon where we travel to face Solihull Moors where they will be hoping to claim their third victory on the bounce.

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, 6 - Luke Wilkinson, 35 - Billy Sass-Davies, 14 - Michael Kelly, 21 - Tom Knowles, 7 - Matt Worthington (replaced by 9 - Rhys Murphy on 83 minutes), 24 - Josh Neufville, 18 - Albi Skendi (replaced by 19 - Joe Quigley on 91 minutes), 10 - Jimmy Smith, 33 - Reuben Reid (replaced by 22 - Charlie Lee on 83 minutes)

Substitutes

26 - Max Hunt, 22 - Charlie Lee, 9 - Rhys Murphy, 19 - Joe Quigley, 34 - Chris Dagnall

Boreham Wood

1 - Nathan Ashmore, 3 - Femi Ilesanmi, 5 - Tom Champion, 12 - Jamal Fyfield, 4 - Mark Ricketts, 8 - Gus Mafuta, 10 - Keiran Murtagh (replaced by 15 - Matt Rhead on 57 minutes), 11 - Corey Whitely, 19 - Kane Smith, 9 - Kabongo Tshimanga, 23 - Tyrone Marsh (replaced by 6 - David Stephens on 87 minutes)

Substitutes

25 - Donnabhan Green, 2 - Danny Woodards, 6 - David Stephens, 14 - Krystian Pearce, 15 - Matt Rhead