Ten-man Yeovil Town suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium in a feisty match in South Yorkshire.

 

The hosts took the lead inside 30 seconds through striker Andy Williams, before the visitors enjoyed the better of the first half only to be denied by a number of saves from the home ‘keeper.

 

James Coppinger doubled Rovers’ lead ten minutes into the second half before Yeovil replied instantly with a volleyed Ryan Hedges effort.

 

With Town threatening to equalise they were reduced to ten-men when Bevis Mugabi received a second yellow with a quarter of an hour remaining, with Williams making the most of the numerical advantage to net twice in the last 10 minutes to complete his hat-trick.

 

Darren Way stuck with the starting XI which earned plenty of plaudits from the mid-week trip to Premier League Everton in Round Two of the EFL Cup, with the trio of new signings – Izale McLeod, Kyle Copp and Ben Whitfield – all named on the bench.

 

Before some supporters had taken to their seats, the Glovers fell behind inside 30 seconds when an early Doncaster corner fell to the former Yeovil striker Williams who volleyed home from inside the box.

 

Despite scoring in the opening minute the hosts failed to build on their start to the match and it was Darren Way’s side who controlled much of the play in the opening 45 minutes.

 

Yeovil had the first of two penalty appeals turned down just past the 10 minute mark when Ryan Hedges’ cross appeared to hit the arm of Mitchell Lund, but referee Michael Salisbury wasn’t interested in pointing to the penalty spot.

 

With the home crowd growing in frustration, Darren Ferguson’s side almost added a second when Williams’ cross found Marquis, but the Donny front man was thwarted by Krysiak who had rushed from his line.

 

That was as good as it got for Doncaster for the remainder of the first period as Town dominated the game both in terms of possession and chances.

 

Tom Eaves glanced a header inches wide from a Liam Shephard cross after 33 minutes before Matt Butcher blazed an effort over the bar from 20 yards moments later.

 

As the onslaught continued, Hedges skipped past a number of challenges before having a shot saved by Marko Marosi in the home goal, and the ‘keeper was called into action again after 44 minutes, this time to save with his legs from Eaves after neat build-up play from the Glovers.

 

On the stroke of half-time Eaves had the second Yeovil penalty appeal turned down as he appeared to be hauled to the ground inside the box from a Hedges corner, as Way’s side headed into the break a goal down.

 

In a frantic start to the second half, Krysiak produced a stunning save after 53 minutes to get a hand on John Marquis’ header from close range, but the hosts doubled their lead a minute later.

 

Tommy Rowe swung in a cross from the left and Coppinger was perfectly placed 12 yards from goal to volley past the Polish stopper.

 

But Darren Way’s side weren’t to be written off and replied instantly thanks to a superb goal from Hedges.

 

A sloppy back-header from Doncaster only found the on-loan Swansea winger who chested the ball down before volleying a pinpoint effort into the corner of Marosi’s goal with 55 minutes on the clock.

 

Town introduced Izale McLeod for his debut and Tahvon Campbell in place of Eaves and Khan respectively, as they continued to look to turn positive play into goals.

 

With momentum favouring the Glovers, the pendulum swung back in favour of Doncaster on 75 minutes when Town defender Bevis Mugabi received a second yellow card for a foul on Williams.

 

Despite being a man down Yeovil threatened to equalise as first McLeod saw an effort from the edge of the box drift wide, before Butcher’s header from a Whitfield corner landed on the roof of the net.

 

Operating a 4-3-2 formation after going a man down Darren Way’s side looked vulnerable to the counter-attack and Donny made sure of the three points when Williams netted his second of the afternoon from Coppinger’s cross with 82 minutes on the clock.

 

There was to be further punishment for Yeovil, however, as Williams completed his hat-trick in stoppage time to complete a miserable afternoon for the Glovers in South Yorkshire.

 

Yeovil Town: Krysiak; Shephard, Butcher, Smith, Mugabi; Dawson, Lawless, Dolan; Hedges (Whitfield 74’), Eaves (McLeod 55’), Khan (Campbell 61’).

Bookings: Dawson 53’, Mugabi 66’, 74’ (red card), Dolan 85’.

Subs not used: Maddison, Lea, Sowunmi, Copp.

 

Doncaster Rovers: Marosi, Lund (Middleton 55’), Wright, Butler, Evina; Blair, Houghton, Rowe, Coppinger (Mandeville 85’); Marquis, Williams.

Bookings: Coppinger 66’.

Subs not used: Etheridge, Calder, Fielding, Beestin, Pugh.