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end-of-season review 2000/1 - december 2000

November was the month that confirmed Yeovil as title candidates, and December continued with more of the same - end set up the FA Cup run too.

Just three league games are played, with the tie at Kettering being a victim of the weather. But Yeovil win all three, to finish the year 2000 seven points clear at the top, and with two games in hand. Manager Colin Addison is doing a fine job extending what David Webb started.

In the FA Cup, the second round is away to Blackpool, and it's live on Sky. Nice little earner, and the victory puts us in with the big boys. We get Bolton away - a draw that disappointed a number of Yeovil fans. But other than a Premiership side, it's about as good a draw as you can get - the Reebok is a fantastic stadium, and Bolton are riding high in the First Division.

yeovil town 2, telford united 0

The 100% home league record rolls on, and the attendance finally hits the 3000 mark. But this game does bring the first signs of a problem that will persist for some time - the pitch doesn't drain well, and the wet winter takes its toll.

Telford are a decent side, but an own goal sets the Glovers on their way, and Tom White's first goal in senior football doubles the lead. Telford play their part, and Yeovil keeper Tony Pennock wins your MOTM vote.

blackpool 0, yeovil town 1

An early start on a Sunday to allow live coverage on Sky TV, and again the weather plays its part. The pitch is in a bad state (though not as bad as the stadium, and indeed the rest of Blackpool!). The surface isn't helped by the pre-match balloon release - someone must have swapped the Helium for CO2 as all the balloons stay on the ground, have to be burst, and the débris played on. Quality set up, Blackpool!

The home side start strong, and put Yeovil under strong pressure. Their finishing was hopeless, though, and most shots would have gone into Row Z if there was such a thing. At that end, there isn't even a Row A.

The only goal of the game comes late in the first half, and it says everything about Nick Crittenden, and why he's such a success this season. He just never gives up. No moaning at refs or teammates, no rolling around, just getting on with it. And when he loses the ball, he works darned hard to get it back. He's in their area, he's tackled, but just keeps battling, and finally gets into position to shoot, and it's 1-0.

Tony Pennock is in absolutely astounding form as Yeovil hold on to the lead. Not the convincing win that was achieved over Colchester, but an away win against league opposition nonetheless, and we're Bolton-bound.

yeovil town 1, northwich victoria 0

STILL a 100% home record! Although Northwich were bottom of the league not long ago, they are a rejuvenated side under new manager Keith Alexander, and have a highly regarded young striker in Gary Fletcher.

There is a sombre moment at the start - a silent tribute is paid to three Nuneaton fans who died in a road accident on their way home from their FA Trophy match during the week.

Yeovil do just enough to win, and that's 10 out of 10 at home. The only goal of the game is after 37 minutes, from Warren Patmore.

hereford united 4, yeovil town 0

A defeat against Hereford? Surely not? Well, this is the LDV Vans Trophy, a competition as ridiculous as the NVCT.

Manager Colin Addison puts out a 'squad' side. There were some top first-teamers out there, but also a few fringe players and reserves.

This competition is treated as a joke by the rest of the footballing world, but Hereford seem to think they've won the World Cup, finally getting one over on us.

forest green rovers 0, yeovil town 1

Boxing Day, traditionally for local derbies. But we don't have any since Weymouth and Bath disappeared from the Conference, so travel to Forest Green, which is a suburb of Nailsworth. Which is a suburb of Stroud. Which is basically a village. All the more impressive that they have a side in the Conference, then!

It might not be a traditional local derby, but some edge is added by FGR having a number of ex-Yeovil players. Rob Cousins, Dave Norton and Adrian Foster turn out for Rovers. They're 19th in the league, so not desperate enough to pick Dean Birkby.

It's a dull dull dull match. Barrington Belgrave's strike with 17 minutes left is the only goal of the game, but the main talking point is a pair of cast-iron penalties, one for each side, but not given by a poor ref.

In the crowd is Colin Addison's first signing for Yeovil - Simon Betts, a utility player from Addison's old club Scarborough.

results for december 2000

internet player of the month

Nick Crittenden wins the Player of the Month, on the way to a few such awards that will see him take out Player of the Season award.

player     points nick crittenden 513 tony pennock 432 terry skiverton 264 tom white 123 anthony tonkin   108

nick crittenden pic (c) tim lancaster

table for matches played in december 2000

table at end of december 2000