The return of Ben Smith to the starting line-up brought more flair and invention to the midfield. But the price was a lack of physical presence that someone like Matt Hayfield can give. And at times, the whole side looked a little lightweight today, as Woking seemed just a bit bigger and stronger in each department, and although they aren't a particularly good side, they did deserve their win.
Yeovil just about got the better of the first half, even though they went into the break 1-0 down, but then fell away in the second only really getting back in control late on when the came was already lost.
Steve Stott had to work phenominally hard in the midfield as the main tackling player there, while Ben Smith showed plenty of his tricks.
After an early weak shot was easily saved by Tony Pennock, Yeovil created the first decent chance when Adrian Foster just failed to connect at the far post to an excellent Jamie Pitman cross, which was tipped on by Woking keeper Flahaven. Pennock was again called upon to deal with a long-range effort after ten minutes, but there was insufficient strength in the shot to cause great trouble.
Around the half-hour mark there were clearances off the line at both ends, first from Steve Stott's header across the goalmouth, then Tony Pennock did well to scoop out a Steve West effort. But just before half-time, a Scott Steele free-kick produced a good cross into the Yeovil box, Pennock came out for it but didn't catch or punch clear, and the ball fell to Darren Hay who knocked it home for a single-goal half-time lead.
Eight minutes into the second-half, the inconsistent referee gave Woking a let-off when a Ben Smith flick through the defence was handled in a situation which would have put Warren Patmore through. Although some were calling for a red card, a yellow would have been right, yet the gloriously inconsistent Mrs Toms awarded neither, only shortly after handing out a batch for other incidents of varying gravity.
Woking were causing most trouble to Yeovil when putting crosses into the area, and Michael Danzey should have extended the lead when he got a free-header in front of goal, but he put it well wide.
The second goal did come soon after, however, when a free-kick was nodded back across the goal and met with a superb Steve West volley. Although he now plays as a defender, this was a strike worthy of his previous calling as a forward.
This prompted a change-around of the Yeovil team, going to 4-3-3; as Jason Eaton came on to replace Murray Fishlock, Jamie Pitman moved to left-back with Kev Brown covering the right. Eaton looked like a man working hard to get his starting place back, and got into a few good positions, though his final shot let him down.
Tony Pennock did well to stop Woking getting a third, when he blocked with his feet from Nassim Akrour and Grant Payne as they broke free of the Yeovil defence.
The side looked better balanced when Tony Pounder came on at left back, sending Pitman back to his preferred right-back position, and Phil Simpson showed some nice touches when he came on. But still there was no real penetration, and Flahaven had a quiet day in the home goal.
A first-half free-kick from Ben Smith curls around the wall, but over the bar.
