8th September 2020

Yeovil Town learnt a lot from their trip to the seaside with a 2-2 draw with Weston-super-Mare.

The hosts would make things difficult for Town in the first half, but the second half saw the game burst into life.

Goals from Courtney Duffus and a trialist were ultimately not enough to secure Darren Sarll’s second pre-season victory as the hosts would continually peg the travelling Glovers back.

Sarll opted with a strong line-up to face the Seagulls, with Adam Smith between the sticks, Carl Dickinson, Alex John, Josh Staunton and Dan Leadbitter in front of him.

The midfield boasted some of the Glovers brightest creative talents with Jack Clarke, Albi Skendi, Lawson D’Ath and Jimmy Smith providing the creative spark for Rhys Murphy and Courtney Duffus.

Yeovil would largely dominate the first 45 minutes, with a number of chances falling to the visiting Glovers.

The first fell to Duffus who made space for himself in the middle, but Murphy’s cross narrowly escaped him.

An even better chance would fall to Skendi just minutes later as the powerful midfielder saw the ball drop kindly over his shoulder, but his half-volleyed effort was dragged wide.

The hosts would have chances, but they were few and far between in the first half and largely came from Yeovil mistakes. After D’Ath was caught in possession, Weston would counter but an excellent goal line clearance from Alex John denied the host.

Yeovil would close the half with another great chance, this time it would be J.Smith who saw his effort fly narrowly wide after an excellent cross from Clarke.

Unlike the other pre-season fixtures, the break would see few changes, with Matt Worthington replacing Dan Leadbitter.

Yeovil would find their goalscoring touch just one minute into the second half, as Duffus fired the Glovers into the lead. After receiving the ball with his back to goal, the towering forward turned excellently and fired into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Luke Purnell stranded.

Just five minutes later, the hosts would equalise, after a stunning shot from a Weston midfielder struck the post, Ben Griffith was there to turn in the rebound.

The goal saw changes, with a number of trialists and academy products taking to the pitch for Yeovil.

The second half really saw the game burst into life as in the 66th minute there would be a second goal for Town. After a driving run, a trialist found space on the edge of the box and hammered the ball beyond the scrambling Purnell.

The hosts were not done yet, winning a penalty in the 73rd minute which would be converted by former Forest Green Rovers man Dayle Grubb.

It was end-to-end in the closing moments, but clear-cut chances were a rare occasion with the friendly ending level.

Next up for Yeovil is a trip to Taunton Town on Friday night.