The Glovers kicked off 2024 with a professional display against fellow Somerset side Bath City to extend their lead at the top of the National League South table. Goals from Jordan Young and Frank Nouble saw the Glovers make it 6 games unbeaten.

Like the first encounter at Twerton Park just a month prior, the game got off to quite a tight encounter with either side troubling either goal. Michael Smith was set through on goal down the right but the offside flag was up before he could get a shot away.

Jordan Young, who was celebrating a new contract renewal which was signed ahead of kick off, had more to celebrate on 14 minutes when he tucked in an impressive series of play to put the Glovers ahead. Frank Nouble picked out Michael Smith with a pinpoint pass between the defence before the Northern Irish Full Back laid the ball into the path of Young who poked the ball into the bottom corner.

The game then settled again as the midfield battle continued following the goal. Bookings for Scott Wilson and Luke Russe were handed out as the Glovers tried to take control of possession during the first half.

On 32 minutes, Ewan Clark drove in from the right wing and pulled the trigger but his effort was well blocked and deflected over the goal of Joe Day. Moments later, Joe Day was called into action for the first time when Jordan Dyer rose highest following a free kick but his headed effort was tipped over by Day.

Just before the break, impressive footwork from Frank Nouble saw him create space for Matt Worthington who latched onto a through ball before shooting from range but his driving effort was blocked by Danny Greenslade. With just two additional minutes indicated at the end of the first 45, the Glovers headed in at the break with a lead.

After the break, Bath City set about searching for an equaliser. They made an attacking change in the form of Cody Cooke who came on to replace Luke Russe as Bath changed the way in which they went forward.

On 58 minutes, the Glovers were lingering around the Bath City area when Courtney Senior laid the ball off to Charlie Cooper who managed to get a shot away which almost caught out Slav Huk in the Bath City goal. The Bath number 13 between the sticks had only previously played 1 league game for the Romans before which was against the Glovers due to Will Buse being their first choice keeper.

A string of corners were dealt with by the Bath defence as the Glovers began to look like the side who were likely to score next. On 60 minutes, Mark Cooper looked to the bench as Jay Foulston replaced Courtney Senior as the Glovers looked to prepare for more pressure from the Romans. Moments later, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton replaced Rhys Murphy to add fresh legs as we entered the closing stages.

With 20 minutes remaining the away end were the ones cheering. Dan Hayfield stood over a free kick around 25-yards from goal and curled his free kick over the wall but just the wrong side of the side netting for the Bath midfielder. Despite the effort being off target, it nestled against the net in a way that saw the supporters behind the goal assume it was on target only to discover it was not.

7 minutes later Frank Nouble found the net and there was no doubt about it. Charlie Cooper’s deep corner found the head of Jake Wannell who flicked it back across goal to Nouble who shrugged off two defenders to squeeze the ball in. This goal being Frank Nouble’s third goal in three games.

As the game entered the final minutes with Yeovil now holding a two-goal advantage, they managed to see out the game very well. Yellow cards were dished out to Danny Greenslade and Dylan Morgan, who came on immediately after the goal for Jordan Young. Joe Day was only troubled in the final minute of the 90 when there was almost a mix up between himself and Michael Smith but he was on his toes to collect the ball.

As the game entered additional time, the best chance fell to debutant Dylan Morgan who skipped down the right wing before shooting from a tight angle but his effort hit the side netting. The Glovers secured a professional victory as the final whistle sounded to ensure the majority of the 5,032 supporters inside Huish Park went away with a smile on their faces.

With results going in favour of the Glovers, they restored the 10-point lead at the top which they lost with the postponement of the Taunton Town fixture on New Year’s Eve.