With Ben Smith and Warren Patmore out suspended, Yeovil were forced into a number of changes, and the bench was occupied mostly by reservists. But there was so much more heart (and football!) on show today, that the win was thoroughly deserved.
The Yeovil side was weakened further by the early loss of Matt Hayfield, which saw Jamie Pitman move up into midfield where he was superb. David Piper came on into the right-back slot. Forest Green fielded the same starting eleven as demolished Yeovil last Monday, and although the first half was fairly even, the home side controlled the second half. As one linesman infuriated both sides, Forest Green lost their heads to see Wayne Hatswell dismissed late on.
Forest Green were the first side to threaten, as Marc McGregor got in an overhead shot which Jamie Pitman cleared off the line. Tony Pennock just got his fingertips to a cross to prevent a far-post chance from a Tony Daley cross. Yeovil were looking good in midfield, but not really threatening up front at this stage. Jason Eaton got into good positions a few times but couldn't get in a telling shot (though he had one near-post effort saved by Perrin), and Adrian Foster worked hard with little success.
Things improved greatly for the home side in the second half, coming out of the blocks running after the break. Foster was getting into his stride, while Pitman and Tisdale continued to do well in the middle. But the real threat seemed to be coming from corners, Murray Fishlock in particular putting them right into the trouble area.
A 1-2 set up Paul Tisdale with a good chance, his shot going just wide. Adrian Foster then hit the bar after a neat turn/run/shot in the area, and finally got his deserved goal with about fifteen minutes remaining: A cross from the left appeared to be pulled back too far, but a touch put it into the path of Foster with an advancing Perrin to beat. Adie finished well to bag what turned out to be the winning goal. Eaton should have doubled the lead, but hit over when well placed after referee Wendy Toms had allowed him the advantage when Jamie Pitman was hacked down outside the Forest Green area.
At the other end, Forest Green were threatening less than in the first half, the central three defenders doing a good job against a quick front-line. Tony Pennock was called on to scramble the ball off the line from a miscued backpass, but Yeovil looked safe to hold on to the lead.
There was some controversy at the end, as one Assistant Referee incensed home fans by not seeing a handball in the area by Billy Clark right in front of him, and then annoyed Forest Green too by flagging for an obstruction; Hatswell's protestations went too far and he was dismissed.
An excellent second-half performance from Yeovil, then, producing a well-deserved win. The turnaround from last week was striking. Next up is a tough trip to Dover, but Warren Patmore should come back in for Jason Eaton to strengthen the front-line.
today's results and updated table
