In part two of our "Review Of The Season", we look back at October and November, a time where the good league form continued but another cup defeat marred the landscape...
The side's form coming into the third month of the season was very encouraging. Just one defeat in four (to two very dubious penalty decisions at Southampton) had breathed life into the squad after a hit-and-miss start. The side's first October trial was a trip to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic.
The game was played in windy conditions and although the Glovers "scored" with a goal ruled out for handball, the game ended goalless and the side returned with a valuable point. Next up was a home match with Russell Slade's Brighton & Hove Albion and a Scott Murray double rescued the Glovers from a two goal deficit after Andrew Crofts and Liam Dickinson had given the Seagulls the lead. Murray had waited several months for his milestone 100th career goal but only another 37 minutes for number 101.
The following weekend saw the Glovers host their furthest travelling visitors in Carlisle United and the Brunton Park side didn't travel well at all, the Glovers triumphing by three goals to one. Two first half strikes from on-loan Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason gave Yeovil a two goal interval lead before Ian Harte reduced the arrears for a penalty given after Terrell Forbes fouled Scott Dobie. However a late goal from Keiran Murtagh, on as a substitute and scoring with his first touch, ensured the scoreline took on a realistic look.
Five games unbeaten turned to six with a 2-1 win over local rivals Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. You would have got good odds on the visitors turning round a 1-0 deficit into a victory and even longer odds at the scorer of the winner. Chris Dickson had thumped home the opening goal just after the half time break before manager Terry Skiverton played a trump card by replacing Scott Murray with sub Jonathan Obika.
Obika flicked home the equaliser within sixty seconds of arriving and three minutes later, the comeback was completed when Terrell Forbes, yes, Terrell Forbes, bundled the ball over the line from an identical Andy Welsh free kick as the first goal.
By now the Glovers were buzzing and all eyes turned to one of the marquee games of the campaign, Leeds United at Elland Road. The team were brought down to earth with a 4-0 defeat though the final three goals came in the last twenty minutes of the match.
Bradley Johnson's 42nd minute deflected opener gave United the lead and after holding out for almost thirty more minutes, further goals from the hosts powerful strike force of Max Gradel, Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol ended Yeovil's impressive run.
November normally starts with fireworks and with an FA Cup tie at Conference pace-setters Oxford United to look forward to, Glovers fans had high hopes of the same but sadly the first weekend ended in a damp squib as the home side killed their giant visitors. Almost 800 Yeovil fans were at the Kassam Stadium to see a 55th minute chip from Jack Midson decide the tie.
Two successive Saturday home games offered hopes of a quick return to good form with the visit of Southend and Charlton. The Shrimpers, up first, were beaten by a goal to nil in a game where the scoreline hardly reflected the pattern of the game. Dean Bowditch, returning after a three month layoff, scored just five minutes after coming on as a sub.
Charlton arrived the following week and shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw; a game ruined as a spectacle by the dreadul conditions. Charlton were reduced to ten men when Sam Sodje brought Ryan Mason down as he was through on goal. His team-mate from Spurs youth set-up, Jonathan Obika fired Yeovil ahead right on half time and Akpo Sodje restored some family pride by rifling home a beauty in the second half to secure the points.
The last game of the month was one of those trips that rarely ensure strong numbers of fans turn out to support the team. 99 hardy souls traipsed over to Gillingham on a Tuesday night to see the Glovers defeated by a Simeon Jackson penalty early on. The miserable trip was compounded by a red card for combative midfielder Jean-Paul Kalala for two bookable offences and would have no doubt turned out much worse had it not been for the form of keeper Alex McCarthy who was outstanding on the night.
