Torre del Grecco, home of Serie C side Turris, was destroyed several times by ash from nearby Mount Vesuvius, but on Wednesday their side was destroyed by the equally explosive Frank McMahon. The redhead was as fiery as he looked, and after scoring twice, making a third, he only lasted a few minutes in the second half before getting dismissed for punching out Salvatore Albano.

Yeovil got the tournament under way in sensational style, thanks not least to referee Ron Crabb. Two penalties in the first eight minutes for the home side set the game up; the first was for a push by Albano on Kevin Albury as they went up for a cross, and was hotly contested by the Italians. McMahon's spot kick was saved, but a retake was ordered due to encroachment, and he scored at the second attempt. Albano was in trouble again minutes later when he brought down Doug Hickton in the area. McMahon put away the spot kick at first attempt this time.

Shortly after the break, McMahon's shot could only be parried by Turris keeper Vincenzo Strino, leaving Albury to tap away the rebound for a slightly flattering 3-0 lead. But within two minutes, McMahon's contributions came to a halt; being harried by Albano, the Irishman turned around and flattened the Italian defender with a right-hook, leaving Crabb no alternative but to produce a red card.

Giuseppe Grecco deservedly pulled one back by lobbing Mike Franklin, before Yeovil sealed the game with two late goals, Hickton knocking in the rebound from the bar after a Dick Plumb shot hit the woodwork, then Plumb himself getting the 5th right at the end.

The crowd was only 1,445. Stan Harland said: "I just don't know what the public want. This was a highly competitive match against new opposition, and the football was faster than we normally play in the Southern League. Yet the fans didn't turn up."

There's no doubt that the missing fans missed a treat. But those that stayed away for the next game, against Bari, missed one of the most dramatic games I've seen in 30 years of following Yeovil Town.

Bari report