Dubious Penalty Steals Point from Glovers

Goal Number Four
By
November 2 2010

Yeovil Town have been defeated 3-2 with the winning goal coming from a much contested penalty on the 86th minute.

Skiverton made just one change with John Sullivan coming in for injured Stephen Henderson who has also completed his loan and returned to Bristol City.

MK Dons did manage to field a substitute, four in fact, despite Dons manager Karl Robinson stating he didn't expect to name a single substitute. 

Both sides were coming off the back of disappointing results for different reasons, with Yeovil surrendering a 3-1 lead and Dons losing 4-2 to Tranmere.

The game began encouragingly for the Glovers, with striker Sam Williams- regaining a starting position- firing just over the bar from the edge of the box in under a minute.

And it was the Somerset side who continued to look the most likely in an earily empty Stadium MK, when Gavin Williams forced Stuart Searle into a good save.

It would be fair to say that the game was far from a classic, with neither side able to create any meaningful chances or thread together any number of passes.

But it was Yeovil who stole the lead just before the twenty minute mark when a Nathan Jones long ball was allowed to bounce by the Dons defence who then failed to clear, allowing Dean Bowditch to run onto and slot home to open the scoring. 0-1.

MK Dons responded with Lewis Guy, whose flashed header was saved well by an athletic John Sullivan showing he has lost none of his match sharpness.

Within minutes of Guy going close, Yeovil went close at the other end, when Gavin Williams attempted an audacious chip from the edge of the box which just dropped over the bar much to the thanks of a beaten Searle in goal.

MK Dons began to take hold of the match, showing why they are often bookies favourites for at least the play-offs each season.

And they soon drew level when Dean Lewington was given far too much room just ten yards out to head in a Peter Leven corner. 1-1.

Skiverton would again have been disappointed with his sides defence, something which could not have been said when the defender was playing himself.

Yeovil looked to feel a bit sorry for themselves after conceding the equaliser and allowed Dons to dominate the game, although Bowditch did bring a smart save out of the Milton Keynes 'keeper.

Half-time: MK Dons 1-1 Yeovil Town

MK Dons were missing 7 first team players due to illness and injury, and it would be fair to say Yeovil would fancy their chances against a far from full strength MK Dons side.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second continued the trend of Dons domination, with Yeovil's creative players struggling to make an impact. 

And it was the Milton Keynes side who took the lead, when Yeovil seemed to freeze waiting for the referee's whistle which never came, allowing Jemal Johnson to curl an effort into the bottom corner, emphasising the phrase 'play to the whistle'. 2-1.

After coming from a goal down Dons were obviously confident and nearly extended their lead when Peter Leven hit the bar with a delicate chip. 

Home grown Sam Baldock was next to go close, when he wriggled into space to force a good save from Sullivan, impressing on his return to the Glovers side.

Chances were few and far between for the Green and Whites with Owain Tudur Jones going close with a glanced header which flew just wide of the post, albeit against the run of play.

Dean Bowditch had to be replaced to do a slight knock, with Andy Williams replacing the in-form striker in a like-for-like change. 

Yeovil began to slowly creep back into it, and were soon back in the game as with twenty minutes left Adam Virgo got his fourth of the season. Sam Williams held off his man well as the ball ran onto Virgo who pivoted and smashed in off the post to draw Yeovil level. 2-2.

More bad news on the injury front though as Luke Ayling had to be replaced by Andy Welsh with what seemed to be a rib injury. Due to a lack of fit defenders JP Kalala had to move into the right-back position. 

Substitute Andy Williams had the chance to put Yeovil back in front, when he found himself through on goal, but the ex-Bristol Rovers man lacked the composure and his shot went straight at Searle. 

And the miss turned out to be costly, as with three minutes remaining the Glovers conceded a penalty. Luke Chadwick went down in the box under challenge from Shaun MacDonald which the referee deemed a penatly, much to the rage of the Yeovil side who protested intently. 

Up stepped Peter Leven who converted the spot-kick as he did last season to steal all three points and condemn Yeovil to a fourth defeat in four. 3-2.

Yeovil couldn't muster any sort of comeback and tamely played out the final few minutes, with Dons taking all three points and leaving the Glovers 22nd. Manager Terry Skiverton will again be disappointed with the manor of the goals, as his side have now conceded 6 goals in two games resulting in them having the second worst goal difference on -11. 

Skiverton and Yeovil travel to Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday in the FA Cup, where they hope to record a firt cup victory under Skiverton and get back to winning ways after a worrying dip in form.