This morning I typed up the results of our pre-season survey. The consensus we reached was that Yeovil have a great side, and are going to really achieve something this season. However, we were all brough heavily down to earth with a big defeat at Scarborough this afternoon, the 5-0 scoreline being about fair.
As expected, Yeovil played with three strikers starting the game, even if Eaton's position on pitch wasn't in the frontline. There was a slight surprise when midielder Matt Hayfield started in the centre of defence instead of Terry Skiverton. Like many others, I had assumed this to be an injury-driven change, but in fact it was a tactical decision.
The teams had been greeted by a thunderstorm, and there was a big hailstorm during the game, but that can't be blamed for what happened on the pitch this afternoon.
The first ten minutes set the style of the game, with Scarborough looking marginally more accomplished with the ball, passing better than their Yeovil counterparts. And althought the visitors got the ball into Boro's are on occasions, no real threat was made.
On the other hand, the home team were causing problems in the Yeovil defence with great ease. And with Steve Stott as the only tackling midfielder, the defence were exposed frequently.
Scarborough took the lead when Darren Roberts nearly scored with an excellent chip shot; it came back off the bar, and Steve Brodie reacted quickest to nod home.
The second was an own-goal, and particularly unlucky for Kevan Brown, who was so solid against the onslought in the first half; as he tried to block Roberts' cross, his hand knocked the ball past Pennock into the net.
It was 20 minutes before Yeovil brought a significant save out of Kevin Martin, as he turned Warren Patmore's long-range effort away for a corner. Scarborough added a third before half-time, when Ben Smith's good blocking tackle only managed to know the ball to McAlindon who fired home throught the legs of the Yeovil keeper.
A half-time substitution saw a little more bite brought into Yeovil's midfield, with David Norton replacing Ben Smith. But still little was created until late in the game when it was all over. The home side hit the fourth from the penalty spot, Roberts converting after Fishlock was adjudged to have fouled. Although they really could have done with having Steve Thompson out there, his injury meant that sub options were limited. Chandler and Skiverton made appearances for Cousins and Brown, and Matt Hayfield pushed on into midfield, which improved things there somewhat. Stott had been his usual solid self, but was frequently without support.
The fifth goal saw McAlindon round Tony Pennock, and there was nearly a sixth when Piper and Fishlock collided to allow Ian Millbourne through, but Pennock made a great block.
It seems that there was a problem with the balance of the team today, but it's not just that. Scarborough passed better, and fought hard in the vital early stages.
Yeovil have a chance to fight back with a home match against Kidderminster on Tuesday evening.
The good news is that. just as I'm typing this last sentence, Somerset have taken the final Surrey wicket, and are in the final of the Nat West. Hurrah!
 Matt Hayfield gets in a sliding tackle. |
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 No, this isn't a vidcap from Channel 5, it's summer in Yorkshire! |
