Match Report: Yeovil Town v. Colchester United
By Alex O'Loughlin
February 18 2010
Arron Davies made his first appearance for Yeovil since the Play Off Final at Wembley but resumed his Glovers the same way it last ended- with defeat.
After the dismal game against Gillingham the Glovers looked to get back to winning ways against Colchester United who are looking to gain automatic promotion.
The early minutes of the game looked more promising when Arron Davies' weaving run was only haulted by a cynical foul.
However, as the ten minute match approached the game had become scrappy with neither side playing very attractive football most likely due to the pitch which had become some what a replica of the battle of the Somme.
After quarter of an hour the first notable chance came when a U's free kick wasn't dealt with leading to a goal mouth scrambled with the ball eventually getting poked clear.
Just moments later Yeovil nearly stole the lead when Andy Welsh cut in from the left and hit a curling right foot effort which had to be tipped round the post by the Colchester 'keeper Ben Williams.
The game was now more open with both sides creating chances, next to go close was David Prutton, whose brilliant snap shot caught Alex McCarthy out who was a relieved onlooker as it drifted just wide.
Colchester were looking dangerous on the break and nearly stole the lead when a good cross from Clive Platt evaded Stefan Stam and fell to Kayode Odejayi who lashed an effort on to the bar from close range.
The result of that attack was the withdrawal of Stefan Stam, who injured himself in the build up to what seemed to be a serious injury. The Dutchman was replaced by Craig Alcock who took up the captain's armband.
On the half hour mark Yeovil had a glorious chance to take the lead when Magnus Okuonghae played a risky ball inside towards Matt Heath who slipped to allow Andy Welsh a clear run on goal, his effort was saved and the follow up from Dean Bowditch was blocked.
Eight minutes later the deadlock was broken when a good flowing Colchester move ended with Odejayi slotting home a well placed effort from the edge of the box. 0-1.
Yeovil responded well and were nearly level just before the break when Sam Williams saw his header tipped over the bar.
Half Time: Yeovil Town 0-1 Colchester United
The game deteriorated in the second half with the U's seemingly happy with a 1-0 lead and the Glovers lacking any forward momentum.
Yeovil looked to play off Sam Williams but every knock down he won no one reacted to therefore Yeovil lost possession.
On the 52nd lead Colchester nearly doubled their lead when Clive Platt was allowed time to flick on a free kick which found David Prutton who looked certain to grab a goal before Nathan Smith dispossessed him with a perfectly timed challenge.
Colchester removed Odejayi who had teased the Yeovil defence and replaced him with Steven Gillespie.
Just before the hour David Prutton was again left frustrated when his strike was saved well by McCarthy, who immediately launched a counter attack ending with Dean Bowditch expertly controlling a cross before losing composure and blasting over the bar.
The game failed to produced any flowing football with the onlooking 3,469 fans getting increasingly frustrated with the lack of attacks from the Glovers.
With little under fifteen minutes left Owain Tudor-Jones nearly grabbed his second Yeovil goal when his curling effort landed just wide of the goal.
Moments later again Prutton was denied by another great save from McCarthy who had frustrated Prutton all evening.
Yeovil were then awarded a free kick 20 yards out in the dying moments of the game but Tudor-Jones' effort whistled agonisingly wide and rippled the side netting.
The game finished 1-0 to the U's but the Glovers can feel hard done by as they deserved to atleast pick up a point. However, the dwindling gates at Huish Park may pose a point to Terry Skiverton that his sides performances aren't entertaining.