4th August 2019

The green and whites started the match in the capital with eight debutants whilst Nestor Shako came off the bench to make his first senior appearance after signing a professional contract in the summer.

After a summer of change – which included appointing Sarll as the man to rebuild the club following relegation – the 36-year-old saw positive signs from what was only the start of the journey. 

Speaking after the match, he said: “Physically, I thought we were great. It’s a massive learning curve for a group of players who’ve been forced together late on and we keep going.

“I’m really disappointed we couldn’t get that sort of fairy tale ending to it because I thought the supporters were fantastic, it felt like a home game at times and the supporters were magnificent but they’ve got to be patient.

“We’re rebuilding a football club and this is something that will take a little bit of time, but I thought the players showed enough fight to showcase how much they really care about that rebuild.”

Simeon Akinola’s second half penalty was enough to secure victory for the Bees, with the Glovers unable to build on a positive opening 45 minutes.

Sarll’s side were dealt a blow at the break when Myles Hippolyte had to be substituted due to a head injury, but Town’s boss felt a loss in momentum in the second half. 

“I felt what I call good energy, I felt that good energy in the first half but I thought we started the second half far too floppy and flimsy for me.

“These things we’ll have to get through over the course of the season, but I’m disappointed – that middle third we have got to win more in that middle third when the ball comes dropping down. I know the game was quite direct as a whole, but when it’s direct – and it will be direct because the opponent will make it direct as well as us at times – we have to make sure we’re really on the front foot and driving forward.”

Yeovil are straight back in action with a chance to make amends in back-to-back home fixtures.

Eastleigh visit Huish Park on Tuesday night before Stockport County head to Somerset on Saturday. You can be part of it at Huish Park with tickets on sale now.

For full ticketing details, click HERE.