An absolutely stonking performance from Yeovil today was, unfortunately, in front of the lowest league crowd of the season. Rushden boss Brian Talbot refused permission for the tie to be moved, and those that preferred to watch the England game missed a corker.
Yeovil went into the game with a striker shortage, but came out of it with midfielder Matt Hayfield taking the plaudits for his tremendous performance, standing in up front. But it was defender Terry Skiverton who was the first half hero, not only looking solid at the back, but scoring two goals.
His pair were almost identical. The first came in the first minute of the game; his header met Jamie Pitman's corner, and although Billy Turley got a hand to it, the ball found the back of the net. Turley didn't get so close to Skiverton's second; again a header from Pitman's corner, the ball went straight in on 44 mins.
This was no less than Yeovil deserved; apart from a few spells, Rushden rarely looked threatening, whereas the home side controlled the match. The visitors were lucky to find themselves only one down at the break; in injury time a good move from a free-kick saw Underwood alone in the box and he fired home from about 15 yards out.
In the second half, the chants of 'what a waste of money' greeted the most expensive side in the Conference, as they were outclassed by Yeovil. The two goal lead was restored by Matt Hayfield, very deservedly getting on the scoresheet. Ben Smith was full of his tricks this afternoon, but it was a common-or-garden punt to the far post that found Jamie Pitman. He did well to get it under control, and knocked the ball across for Hayfield to fire home from short range.
The stand-in striker should have had a hat-trick. He did get a second when Warren Patmore's cross/shot was palmed into the bar by Turley, and Hayfield met the rebound. This pair were involved in the most controversial moment of the match, as Matty was put through with just Turley to beat; he knocked the ball just past the keeper, who brought him down as he raced on. Straight through on goal, and the ball only just missed the goal as Hayfield was unable to get up in time, and it was outside the area. As clear a red card offence as you'll ever see, and surely no-one other than the referee thought that a yellow-card was the correct decision.
Still, it gave Yeovil fans the opportunity to see Turley pick the ball out of his net five times. Ben Smith got the final strike, a superb volley from 12 yards or so.
So, the stay-away fans missed a corker, and Talbot got his come-uppance for his refusal to allow the game to be moved. In Steve Thompson's first league match since being confirmed as the new boss, he will be so proud of his team. I thought we had the best combination of central defenders available, and they worked well together. Paul Tisdale, seemingly discarded until a good performance against Hereford in the league cup during the week, started and did well in midfield. Glenn Poole's performance on Tuesday also earned him a first team call-up, coming on as a sub. David Norton also made a second-half appearance.
This was so comprehensive that the 5-1 margin did not flatter Yeovil. Hopefully, now that the doubt over the head coach situation has passed, we'll see more of this! Next up is Sutton United, at Gander Green Lane, next Saturday.
