25th January 2020

Yeovil Town fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Woking at the Kingfield Stadium.

Former Glover Shaun Donnellan netted the only goal of the game in the 21st minute, as Town never really got going in Surrey.

Yeovil did show some promise in the second half but did little to test Craig Ross in the Woking net, ultimately falling to the first defeat of 2020.

Darren Sarll made just two changes to the side which drew to Hartlepool United at Huish Park.

Courtney Duffus returned to the fold after a short injury lay-off, replacing new signing Marc Richards.

Jimmy Smith made his first start since extending his loan spell, he replaced Matt Worthington in the starting side.

The first half offered a similar tale to most weeks, with a succession of questionable refereeing decisions. Seemingly clear decisions such as corners and throw in refused to go in Yeovil’s way, leading to frustration within the green and white ranks.

Despite this, Town never really got going in the first half, playing with an uncharacteristic lack of aggression at times, with the hosts dominating the midfield battle.

The Cards would make their physical presence pay, taking the lead in the 21st minute through Donnellan. The Yeovil defence would step of the Woking full back, allowing the former Glover space to place his effort beyond Ted Cann.

As the half continued, clear cut chances didn’t fall for either team, however on the stroke of half-time, the referee was involved in a controversial decision once again. Allowing play to continue beyond the designated additional time, Myles Hippolyte launched a dangerous throw in into the box, with the ball falling to Murphy, the forward was hauled down leaving the referee unmoved and blowing the half time whistle with the ball inside the six-yard box.

The second half saw Town’s aggression increase, with Skendi moving into a much more advanced role.

It would not take long for Skendi to be involved, profiting from Hippolyte’s long throw but dragging his effort wide of the mark.

The Albanian would continue to cause havoc for the Cards, drawing fouls regularly, leading to shooting opportunities. The best would be for Luke Wilkinson who forced Craig Ross into a save from 30-yards out.

However, as the half grew, Town became increasingly frustrated with chances not falling their way.

The best would fall to substitute Marc Richards as his seemingly goal-bound effort smashed into a Woking defender’s face.

Ultimately, it was Town’s final ball that lacked, with much of the game being played in the midfield, frustrating the likes of Murphy and Jimmy Smith.

The best chance of the half would actually fall to the hosts as a quick break found Godfrey Poku in space, but his effort was cleared off the line by Luke Wilkinson.

This would be the game’s final clear-cut chance, as the green and whites fell to a disappointing defeat.

 

 

Woking: Ross, Casey, Parry, Diarra,Tarpey, Ferdinand, Hyde, Poku, Donnellan, Harris, Neufville.

Bookings: Poku, Hyde

Subs: Howes, Gerring, Kretzschmar, Collier, Wall.

 

Yeovil Town: Cann; Dickinson, Collins, Wilkinson, Hutton (Worthington); Lee, Hippolyte (Dagnall), Smith, Skendi; Duffus (Richards), Murphy.

Bookings: Worthington.

Subs not used: O’Brien, Bradbury