There seems to be a pattern to games against Hereford. They always seem to look a decent side, yet Yeovil get the result. Today's performance for the visitors was about guts more than guile, battling hard as the home side applied late pressure. But Barrington Belgrave's strike just before half-time remained the only goal of the game, so Yeovil took the points.
An unchanged eleven took to the field following the excellent performance on Tuesday, but unlike the earlier game this team found themselves on the back foot early on. Tony Pennock (one of Yeovil's band of ex-Hereford players) pulled off an excellent point-bkank save as early as the 5th minute, and Hereford managed to apply some pressure for most of the first quarter of the game. For the most part, the Yeovil defence held firm, though perhaps there was room for concern about the ease with which Hereford got the ball into the box. Perhaps Yeovil is a little short of bite in the middle at the moment.
The game was half-an-hour old before Yeovil really started to create openings, though the final ball wasn't quite right. Too often the cross was a trifle short, and Belgrave isn't the sort of player who can attack the ball in the air. Warren Patmore rarely got the better of his tall marker. However, as the Yeovil pressure began to look more convincing, the Glovers finally broke the deadlock. Just before half-time, Jamie Pitman's throw-in was flicked on by Terry Skiverton for Barrington Belgrave to knock it home from inside the 6-yard box.
Yeovil allowed Hereford to come at them somewhat in the second half, though it was a while before the home team looked likely to bag an equaliser. Yeovil were mainly relying on breaks, and Belgrave came closest to increasing the lead when his header pulled a fine save out of Scott Cooksey. At the other end, Hereford had their best spell late on. The left side of Yeovil's defence featured two of the youngsters, and both Tonkin and Steele worked hard but were given problems. Steele missed a few key headers, though he looked much better with the ball at his feet. Tonkin also remains full of promise, though he got caught out of position a couple of times, and Hereford's main thrust came through that channel.
Still, both players worked hard, remain full of promise, and will have learned from this game. And, perhaps apart from Bent v Barrington, this is Yeovil's best available line-up at the moment.
With five minutes remaining, the solid Terry Skiverton made a rare mistake as he misjudged a ball over the top, presenting Leroy May with a golden opportunity. His header looped over Tony Pennock, but was well wide. And with virtually the last kick of the game, Matthew Clarke hit the woodwork for the home side, but Yeovil held on for a confidence-boosting win.
The turn-out from Yeovil was given as 108, perhaps disappointing given that we have quite an exciting side at this time.
Results and updated table
above: yes, there are two goalkeepers in this shot! Scott Cooksey joined the Hereford attack late on.
above: the melée as Hereford apply late pressure.
