22nd January 2022

Yeovil Town fell to a controversial defeat against Wrexham at Huish Park.

After striking ahead through Tom Knowles in what was a positive first half performance, the visitors turned the game on its head in the second.

A goal from Paul Mullin whilst Dale Gorman was down with a head injury levelled the affair, before a Morgan Williams own goal handed Wrexham the lead, which they held onto to secure victory.

When team news was confirmed, there was a noticeable absentee in the centre of defence, Max Hunt was not in the squad due to a training injury, so Josh Staunton and Williams partnered at centre back.

In the full back roles, Mark Little made his first start at right-back with Jack Robinson on the left. Gorman started deepest in midfield, Jordan Barnett and Matt Worthington started either side of him.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Knowles began in the attacking midfield roles with Charlie Wakefield leading the line on his own.

The Glovers began the brighter, finding routes in behind far more often than the visitors. On 8 minutes, a clipped ball from Gorman sent Knowles through on goal, and after striking the side-netting, the linesman had his flag up for offside, which was a very tight call.

Just two minutes later, Wrexham had a shooting chance. Jordan Davies’ free-kick did not threaten Grant Smith as the Yeovil wall stood tall to force a corner.

With 14 minutes on the clock, Town took the lead. A short-throw in caught Wrexham off guard, Knowles and Gorman combined with the Glovers no.11 hammering the ball beyond Rob Lainton to strike ahead!

From then, the Glovers had the wind in their sails, and just a matter of moments later Knowles had an almost identical effort saved as he drilled an effort on his left-foot on goal.

The front three of Yeovil kept popping up in pockets where they could threaten. A superb piece of skill from Sonny Blu Lo-Everton on the right flank sent his marker and worked room for a cross. The Watford loanee then found Josh Staunton charging in at the back post but he headed over.

As the half grew on, Town would’ve been frustrated not to add a second. With just over five to play in the half, Lainton’s poor clearance fell to Worthington, who sacrificed a shooting chance to find Wakefield, but the forward was off-balance.

The second half saw Wrexham equalise in controversial circumstance. Whilst Gorman was down with a head injury, referee Sunny Gill looked at him, laughed and allowed play to continue against the laws of the game and giving Wrexham time to score. After Mullin put the ball in the back of the net, there was a delay whilst Gorman received his delayed treatment.

Despite the poor officiating, Yeovil did all they could to try and find a way back in front, with a penalty shout on 65 minutes after Worthington was hauled down in the box.

Adding to Yeovil’s already depleted numbers, Staunton was forced off with around 20 minutes to go, with Sarll unsure on the extent of his injury. This forced another defensive reshuffle, with Little in an unfamiliar central role.

With ten to go, Wrexham took the lead after Town failed to clear a cross, the ball was forced back across the six-yard box, spurning off Williams for the goal which ultimately secured a victory.

Despite defeat, it was a performance that Yeovil players can take positives from ahead of a trip to Woking next weekend.

Yeovil Town: Smith; Little, Staunton (Bradley), Williams, Robinson; Gorman, Barnett (Reid), Worthington (Yussuf), Lo-Everton, Knowles; Wakefield

Bookings: Bradley, Williams

Subs not used: Evans, Stephens