A James Hayter goal in the second minute of stoppage time gave Yeovil Town a massive three points against Oldham Athletic this afternoon.
Hayter’s close range finish completed a great comeback from the Glovers who went a goal behind to Carl Winchesters first half goal. They then replied through Joel Grant on 55 minutes before Latics defender Brian Wilson received a second yellow and then red for tripping Adam Morgan. The result was huge for Terry Skiverton and his side as the five teams above them all suffered losses today. It will give Yeovil heart ahead of Tuesday nights Derby clash with Bristol City at Huish Park.
Skiverton had opted for four changes from the side that lost to Walsall last Tuesday. Stephen Kingsley and Liam Davis missed out through injury with James Hayter and James Berrett dropping to the bench. Steven Arthurworrey and Nathan Smith returned to the defence with Adam Morgan and Joel Grant coming into midfield.
Yeovil started the brighter of the two sides and consistently created chances throughout the first half without converting any of them. Arthurworrey was proving a real nuisance at set pieces and twice headed over before then volleying wide from a cross on the stretch.
Kieffer Moore also volleyed over from a narrow angle and Sam Foley’s direction was adrift on two occasions, firing way over. It took Oldham forty minutes to have their first attempt on goal as Carl Winchesters shot was wide. But three minutes later, their second chance led to the opening goal, Mike Jones finding space to set up Winchester to fire home left footed from the edge of the box.
It didn’t take long for Yeovil to level in the second half, ten minutes to be precise. The ball was played out wide to Morgan on the right flank; the striker then cut inside and unleashed a left foot screamer that former Glovers keeper Jake Kean did well to push on to the post but it fell to Joel Grant to knock in his third goal of the season.
Brian Wilson and Josh Sheehan then clashed on the touch line,both earning yellow cards and it was to prove important in the end. Yeovil then brought on James Hayter for Moore on 68 minutes and immediately, the game took on a more niggly feel with yellow cards for Liam Kelly and Winchester before the game turned on 78 minutes. Morgan broke down the flank but was tripped by Wilson. Ref Lee Collins waved on the advantage and once the ball went out of play, he returned to issue Wilson a second yellow.
The game could have gone either way at this stage with James Wilson heading over for the visitors and Foley’s shot blocked. But just as it seemed destined to end in a draw, Yeovil pulled the rabbit out of the hat. After a scramble in the box when Grant appeared to be brought down, the coolest man in the stadium was James Hayter who slotted home his third of the season to give Yeovil the win.
There was still time for a scare for Yeovil fans in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Oldham headed home from a corner but it was disallowed for a push on the keeper. In the end, Yeovil were good value for their three points and can look forward to another tough game on Tuesday v table topping Bristol City.