2000/1 review

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end-of-season review 2000/1 - april 2001

A season isn't decided by just one game, but the match on the 21st of April at Huish Park is crucial. Rushden's lead is such that a win for them will surely make them unassailable, while a draw leaves Yeovil running out of games to catch up. The Glovers need to win this one, but the second highest conference crowd of all time sees a goal-less draw.

The game sees the opening of the redeveloped home end. The terrace has been extended, a roof put on, and it's full. Result apart, it's fantastic as the atmosphere makes an ordinary game into an exciting event.

The month kicks off with the bad news that Martin Barlow, the midfielder on loan from Plymouth Argyle, is injured in training, and is unlikely to play again this season. His short appearance in the Dover game had suggested that he'd have made an important contribution. There's an exciting a dramatic game at Kingstonian, but although Yeovil run out 4-3 winners, Howard Forinton is also lost to injury. Initial claims that it isn't too bad aren't borne out in reality, and he'll miss the rest of the season.

A poor defeat at Doncaster leaves the club with a major striker crisis. Warren Patmore limps off injured, and Barrington Belgrave is dismissed for violent conduct - he'll miss three games. Bizarrely, especially given that Warren's problems were known about before the game started, no striker cover is available on the bench.

With James Bent as the only recognised striker, partnered by defender Terry Skiverton, one wonders where the goals are going to come from against Leigh. But come they do, as a decent side (one that will finish about 17 places higher than most predictions!) are swept away 6-1. Still there's enough action at the other end for Tony Pennock to be a candidate for MOTM.

Confident then going into the game against Dagenham, but Yeovil struggle against the strong physical team, and are easily beaten on Easter Monday.

Then it's the big one, but the goal-less draw is better for Rushden than for Yeovil. Two away wins, and Telford and Leigh RMI show that the side can still take the title if the Diamonds slip up.

The month ends with defeat in the NVCT - several months too late Colin Addison realises the (lack of) value of the competition, and fields a weak side.

The month also ends with the title a possibility - but Rushden are clear favourites. The leaders are three points clear, having played one more game. Yeovil will need to finish ahead on points, and the Diamonds have a vastly superior goal difference.

kingstonian 3, yeovil town 4

It doesn't get much more exciting than this, though Kingstonian fans probably don't agree, as they head nearer to relegation. The home side put up a battle, and are a handful up front, especially Gavin Holligan returning on loan. Kingstonian take the lead three times, but Yeovil keep fighting back, and an injury time winner from Warren Patmore steals the points.

The sad moment from this game was seeing Howard Forinton, scorer of Yeovil's first equaliser, stretchered off. We won't see him play again this campaign.

doncaster rovers 2, yeovil town 0

Something isn't right here. Warren Patmore doesn't look fit from the start, and soon has to go off. Bizarrely, given that Warren's shaky condition was known before the start, James Bent isn't on the bench, so there was no specialist cover.

Paul Steele has to step in as a stand-in striker, and works hard, but without great successl. Yeovil are already two down by now, Doncaster starting very brightly indeed, and looking a significantly better side then when they visited Huish Park earlier in the seaon.

Right at the end, Barrington Belgrave's frustration boils over, and he kicks out at a defender - straight red card for violent conduct, and a three-match ban, just as the Glovers are heading for a striker crisis!

yeovil town 6, leigh rmi 1

Striker crisis? What's all that about then? James Bent starts up front, with Belgrave, whose suspension hasn't kicked in yet. Bent gets a pair, and Terry Skiverton does too - prompting a move up front in later games.

A goal each from Nick Crittenden and Anthony Tonkin, but special mention has to be made of Tony Pennock - surprisingly busy given the scoreline. A lesser keeper and this could have been 6-4 or 6-5.

dagenham & redbridge 2, yeovil town 0

The same starting XI as the Leigh game, but not quite the same result! Each time Yeovil comes up against a strong physical side, things don't go so well. This is no exception, and Dagenham are comfortable winners.

yeovil town 0, rushden & diamonds 0

The redevloped home end opens for the first time, and it's quite a sight (and sound!) It's full for this game, but Rushden fail to sell their allocation, so no conference record is set. At just under 9,000, this is the 2nd best attendance ever in this league.

The atmosphere is great too, but the game doesn't really live up to it. Both sides seem scared of losing, but Yeovil really needed the win, so could have taken a few more risks. Only late on do they really apply much pressure.

Yeovil risk an unfit Warren Patmore - probably a sensible choice this time, but he has to be replaced by James Bent after half-an-hour.

This is time to apologise for an embarrassing mistake, too. In my original match report, I noted that Billy Turley made an astounding save from Tom White right at the end. I sincerely regret casting unnecessary compliments in the direction of the keeper - having watched the incident on TV later I now realise that White's shot deflected off of a defender, and hit a keeper who knew nothing about it!

leigh rmi 2, yeovil town 3

An excellent performance - Yeovil play better against 'footballing' teams. A cracking goal for the home side gives their score some respectability, but Yeovil are the better team.

With Belgrave's suspension now kicking in, defender Terry Skiverton starts as a make-shift striker, and does well.

telford united 1, yeovil town 2

An excellent battling peformance, after a shaky start in Telford's rebuilt stadium. The pitch is very wet and muddy, and this makes it difficult for Yeovil to defend the worst end in the first half.

It's against the run of play when Michael McIndoe puts the Glovers ahead, and Telford deserved their equaliser. But Paul Steele, another defender-turned-striker, comes on at half-time, and scores the winner as Yeovil look a much better side.

yeovil town 0, kingstonian 5

It's the NVCT, it's a weakened team. Should have put out the reserves months ago in this one!

results for april 2001

internet player of the month

Nick Crittenden bags his third consecutive 'Internet Player of the Month' award and his fourth for the season., winning him the poll for the season. Congratulations to Nick, and thanks to Paul Chesterman for organising the MOTM polls on which the monthly and annual awards are based.

table for matches played in april 2001

table at end of april 2001