Yeovil went into this game three points behind Bath City, and the only chance of making the final was for Bath to lose at Teramo, and Yeovil to win at Parma. This seemed unlikely, but actually nearly happened.

Out of this world keeping by Parma's Benevelli denied Yeovil the victory that, given Bath's defeat at Teramo, would have put Yeovil into the final.

This match was dominated for long spells by Yeovil, but the £250/week (in 1977!) shotstopper made three fabulous saves to deny the Glovers. Local journalists described Yeovil as a much better side than Bath, who had won 1-0 with a penalty three days earlier.

Parma had been expected to be strong opposition, being near the top of Serie C. But they were on a slump, losing six in a row after their visit to England, and missed out on promotion. Their crowds dwindled from 13,000 to 2,000, and they fielded youth-laden sides against Yeovil and Bath.

sat	27/4/77	Yeovil Town	5,	Turris	1	report
wed	30/4/77	Yeovil Town	4,	Bari	3	report
wed	22/6/77	Teramo	3,	Yeovil Town	1	report
sat	25/6/77	Parma	0,	Yeovil Town	0	report

The Glovers made one change from the side that lost 3-1 in Teramo, putting Terry Cotton in the defence, moving Stan Harland into midfield. But plans changed after 33mins when big striker Doug Hickton hobbled off with cartilage trouble, Cotton moving into attack.

Benevelli set his stall out with a superb 25th minute save from a Frank McMahon header. Parma threatened on breaks, but couldn't get past Mike Franklin.

As news came over that Bath were losing, Yeovil piled everyone forward in search of that elusive goal, but another superb save, point-blank from a Harland header on a Brian Thompson cross, kept things goal-less.

So Yeovil went out of the tournament, but with great honour. Bath went through to the final against Lecco, where the Italian side won 3-0.

Team: Franklin, Thompson, Cottle, Jones, Cotton, Harrison, McMahon, Harland, Hickton (Annalls 33), Leigh, Clancy.

Parma report