The Young Glovers put on an exciting display of attacking football with goals from George Geraghty, Alec Thomas, Ashton Brown and a brace from Liam Nardiello to finish off their visitors from Hampshire.
Under sunny skies at the Yeovil Town Community Sports Centre, the Young Glovers sought to build on their encouraging start to life in the National League Alliance League as they welcomed Basingstoke Town.
After Seb Woods spurned a glorious early chance for the hosts, the visitors threatened with two great opportunities; a header tipped onto the bar by Ryan Collins followed by a smart save after a slip in defence by Archie Bryce.
Basingstoke continued to press and saw a stinging drive rattle the bar before taking a deserved lead when a deep cross was stabbed in at the second attempt despite a valliant effort from the defense, 0 – 1.
This setback sparked a superb response from the home side who immediately raced up the other end and saw a forceful low drive from striker Geraghty hit the back of the net to make it 1 – 1.
Minutes later Yeovil seized the initiative with a well worked move down the left falling to Alec Thomas who stabbed past the visiting keeper to give the Young Glovers a half time lead of 2 – 1.
Yeovil made a sluggish start to the second half and were indebted to a fantastic block from Jaydon Biss before surviving a controversial moment when the referee waved away claims from the visitors of a handball outside the area from the advancing Collins in goal.
Manager Matt Percival sent on forward James Horrocks to bolster the attack and midfielders Denzil Gurung and Ashton Brown stepped up their efforts in a combative display which began to pay dividends.
Geraghty missed a chance when through on goal and had a later effort blocked well by the visiting defence but it mattered not as shortly after this Brown unleashed an unstoppable effort from fully 25 yards which nestled in the top corner to make it 3 – 1.
After subs Matt Reed, Archie Rodber and Liam Nardiello entered the fray both teams saw tremendous efforts come narrowly close with Horrocks seeing a low shot well saved and Basingstoke smashing the bar for a third time in the match as the game entered the final ten minutes.
Horrocks beat three defenders with a mazy run down the right before squaring for Nardiello to smash home from five yards and the youngster grabbed his second goal in the closing minutes to make the final score 5 – 1 to the Young Glovers.
