Match Report: YTFC v. Walsall
By Alex O'Loughlin
December 2 2009
Yeovil played host to Walsall hoping to get back to winning ways after a disappointing loss to the hands of Gillingham last Tuesday.
Yeovil had their first game of December at home at Huish Park under the flood lights in gale force winds and driving rain.
It was the wind which nearly gifted Walsall an opening goal after just two minutes when the wind slowed up a bouncing ball, catching out both defender Terrell Forbes and 'keeper Alex McCarthy allowing Darren Byfield to attempt a lob which luckily dropped onto the top of the net.
Things didn't get better for the Glovers and just two minutes later the Saddlers too the lead when Steve Jones' cross found ex-Bristol City man Darren Byfield unmarked three yards out which he nodded home for an early lead. 0-1.
With the elements against them, Yeovil struggled to get into the game despite attempting to play some attractive football.J
ust before the 15 minute mark, Yeovil had their first chance with a counter attack eventually leading to Shaun Macdonald trying his luck from 25 yards which sailed over Clayton Ince's goal.
However, that gave the Green and Whites confidence and soon after a clever Ryan Mason pass allowed Scott Murray (making his 500th league appearance) to shoot from a tight angle, forcing a smart save from Ince.
With Yeovil becoming more imposing on the game, Walsall grabbed a opportunist’s second goal when Troy Deeney took advantage of a poor Danny Hutchins header to cross for the busy Steve Jones, who looped a header over the stranded McCarthy. 0-2.
Yeovil immediately pushed for a reply and nearly grabbed a goal back straight away when Scott Murray met an Andy Welsh cross which flew inches wide of the post.
With the half hour mark approaching, Yeovil gave themselves a life line when a surging Craig Alcock run allowed the right-back to slot a perfect through ball to Jon Obika who slotted past Clayton Ince at the second go. 1-2.
This gave Yeovil a surge of energy and they soon created another chance. This time Ryan Mason shot wide after some fast, flowing interplay during the build up.
Walsall played out the remainder of the half with the Glovers fully aware that the wind would be on their side in the second half.
Half time: Yeovil Town 1-2 Walsall
The second half began with great intensity, when on the 47th minute Yeovil carved open the Walsall defence with good link up play between Tottenham pair Jon Obika and Ryan Mason, with Obika having his shot blocked brilliantly by a sliding Saddlers defender.
Yeovil continued to press when a Shaun MacDonald shot was seemingly going goal wards only for the shot to be blocked by fellow team mate Ryan Mason!
Despite having the advantage of the wind, Yeovil seemingly were happy to pass sideways and backwards trying to find a perfect through ball instead of utilising the wind.
Terry Skiverton recognised this and replaced firstly Andy Welsh with Dean Bowditch and then Jon Obika with Sam Williams- a more direct threat.
Despite Walsall being penned in their own half, the Glovers created nothing which aggravated the on looking 3,508 fans not to mention the management team of Skiverton and Jones.
With time running out, Walsall replaced goal scorer Darren Byfield with experienced Sam Parkin hoping to play out the remainder of the game.
However, it was Walsall who had the last laugh when they created their only chance of the second half which substitute Parkin bundled over the line to kill off the game. 1-3.
This triggered a mass exodus and a murmur of boos at the end of the match which is sure top give manager Terry Skiverton plenty to think about before he takes his Yeovil sideto high-flyers MK Dons on Saturday.