2000/1 review

 player profiles

 lookalikes

 surveys

 yeovil in europe

 photo gallery

 interviews

[ august ]	[ september ]	[ october ]	[ november ]	[ december ]
[ january ]	[ february ]	[ march ]	[ april ]	[ may ]

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

A crucial month in the championship chase, and one where things unfortunately are unravelling somewhat. The "games in hand" are still there, but as the points gap behind Rushden grows, they turn from "bonus points" into "must win" games. The month ends with a five point gap - with two games in hand, and Yeovil's inferior goal difference, both will need to be won to take the Glovers top.

But wins are hard to come by at the moment. In six games, there's just one victory. Although there's only one defeat, the four draws don't return enough points.

The results are taking their toll on various relationships around the club. The Chairman seems to put excessive pressure on the manager and players, saying that there will be "no excuses" if Yeovil fail to win the title - even though the league is led by the best resourced club in non-league history. Fry says that he will get tough on the staff and players if the title is not won. And he certainly will...

The good news is that Howard Forinton, hero of the promotion campaign from the ICIS League in 1996/7, rejoins the club on loan from Peterborough. Also coming in is Martin Barlow from Plymouth - it is hoped that he will be more successful than team-mate Martin Gritton, who returns to Home Park.

The other good news is that work on the roof is progressing, and Southend's bid for Barrington Belgrave is rejected - for now.

Warren Patmore and Terry Skiverton play for the England semi-pro squad in an international match against Wales at Nene Park. Tony Pennock keeps goal for the Welsh. In a fairly uneventful match (apart from Patterson scrapping with everyone again), Skiverton shines as the best player on the park.

yeovil town 1, stevenage borough 1

Yeovil deserve to get the full set of points here, and this is a pretty decent performance. The Glovers appear to be heading for a win when Warren Patmore puts them ahead with 15 minutes remaining, but Robin Trott equalises within minutes.

kettering town 2, yeovil town 1

This was a shocking defeat really. Even though Kettering are improving rapidly under new management, they're still a relegation-doomed side, and Yeovil lead with minutes left.

Terry Skiverton puts the Glovers ahead before half-time, but Dale Watkins hits a late equaliser - helped by poor defending. Yeovil still have a chance to seal it - but Darren Way fails to score from the penalty spot, having his kick saved. And to cap it all, poor defending again lets Watkins in for a second for Kettering.

Rivals Rushden draw at Boston, so are three points ahead, but Yeovil still have those two games in hand.

yeovil town 0, nuneaton borough 0

The gap at the top reaches five points, as Rushden beat Kettering, while Yeovil battle out a tame 0-0 draw at home to Nuneaton Borough.

The Glovers start brightly, but fizzle out late on, and are unable to force a win.

morecambe 0, yeovil town 0

The third of four draws this month - though perhaps a more expected one. Morecambe are improving, and Yeovil have a few players out injured. Paul Steele has to be recalled from loan at Woking for this one, with both Skivvo and Tom White out injured.

Surprisingly, the shortage of central defenders sees Yeovil move to a different formation that uses three of them! Steele is joined by Roy O'Brien and Marcus Jones.

yeovil town 3, hayes 0

This match is used by Sky TV to fill a slot before the England game against Finland, and gives them a dry-run for next season's live conference coverage. The pitch is in a terrible state, as embarrassing as the ignorance of the Sky pundit panel!

It's a fairly comfortable win, though. A Jason Goodliffe own-goal starts things off, then Paul Steele adds a second. Although playing as a defender, he creates a good few chances in the first-half. Barrington Belgrave heads home to wrap up the win just after half-time.

dover athletic 1, yeovil town 1

Yeovil have to come from behind to earn a point at Dover, and don't look a great side until Howard Forinton and Martin Barlow are introduced as subs. The change is dramatic, and one that gives us hope that ground can be made up on the leaders.

The Dover goal comes when Tony Pennock is trying to shake off an inury - and minutes afterwards he is replaced by Chris Weale. Yeovil don't really threaten until the subs are made, though it isn't Forinton who gets the goal. Barrington Belgrave rounds keeper Paul Hyde only to be brought down. Darren Way's penalty isn't well struck, but somehow it finds its way through Hyde and into the net.

results for march 2001

internet player of the month

Nick Crittenden wins again, and is well on the way to becoming the Internet Player of the Year. Of the six matches played, Darren Way won the MOTM vote in four, to Nick's two, but Darren was pipped by Critts scoring highly in all games.

table for matches played in march 2001

table at end of march 2001