This was a shockingly bad Yeovil performance, the worse since Hednesford away, and in some ways worse than that one. Forest Green were better in every department, not least midfield (ruled by ex-Glover David Norton), and up-front (featuring Marc McGregor who Yeovil have tried to prise from the Rovers). The 3-0 margin was about fair and right on the day
Boss Steve Thompson started himself ahead of Ben Smith, and surprisingly dropped Dave Piper. Matt Hayfield was preferred up front to two recognised strikers Adrian Foster and Jason Eaton, who warmed the bench.
There wasn't much sign of either side creating too much until Drysdale put Marc McGregor away down the left; he danced past Chris Sparks and others to beat Tony Pennock at the near post from close-in.
From this point on, Forest Green were never in danger of taking fewer than three points. Yeovil couldn't get their passes together, couldn't get crosses in, and hardly ever got first to a loose ball. Even Paul Tisdale, surely the best passer in the side, was putting the ball all over the place.
No surprises then when he home side bagged a second, and even less surprise who scored it. Jason Drysdale again had plenty of the ball down the right and found Tony Daley on the edge of the box. Yeovil got in a half-hearted tackle only to see the ball fall at the feet of an unmarked Marc McGregor. He doesn't miss those, 2-0.
Steve Thompson tried a first half substitution; having taken an early knock he replaced himself with Ben Smith, who immediately created Yeovil's first notable opening.
But the second half didn't see a great deal of improvement. Forest Green were happy to let Yeovil come at them, and Yeovil obliged. But with little real incision. Matt Hayfield hit a post, and Paul Tisdale blasted a free-kick miles over when Chris Sparks was waving unmarked at the far post.
Forest Green had the ability to break quickly, and with McGregor, Bailey and Daley looked the most likely team to score. Dennis Bailey had a couple of good long range efforts, one into the side netting, and one well saved by Tony Pennock.
David Norton continued to have the freedom of the midfield, and it was fitting that he got the final goal, tapping in a Tony Daley cross.
This was one day when Yeovil could really have done with having Norton in the side, and with Steve Stott unavailable for a while, and Thommo himself not finding full-fitness or top form yet, finding a new midfield general must surely be the top priority.
The results lifts Forest Green off the bottom of the table up to 20th, and Yeovil drop one place to fourth.
full results list and table
