Saturday 11th October | Enterprise National League | Focus Community Arena

Richard Dryden made one enforced change from the side that fell to Boreham Wood a week earlier, with James Plant replaced by Alex Whittle after suffering a shoulder injury.

It was the hosts who started the brighter, launching several direct balls toward the Yeovil defence, though none managed to trouble Jed Ward in the Glovers goal.

At the other end, Luke McCormick had an early opportunity to deliver a set piece into the box in the 11th minute. Despite the ball dropping invitingly inside the area, no Yeovil player could get a clean shot away as Hemel cleared their lines. Moments later, Andrew Oluwabori registered Yeovil’s first effort, cutting inside from the edge of the area after Tahvon Campbell’s hold-up play, but his curling strike failed to test Michael Johnson in the Hemel goal.

Hemel threatened down the left in the 18th minute when Millar Matthews Lewis drove into the box and squared across goal, only for Kyle Ferguson to intervene with a crucial clearance.

The match took a major turn in the 25th minute when Hemel’s Isaih Noel Williams was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident involving Ferguson, an offence spotted quickly by the officials. Moments later, Finn Cousin was booked for a foul in midfield as tensions briefly flared.

Despite being reduced to ten men, the hosts took the lead shortly before half time. Hemel captain Kyle Ajayi bundled home from close range after a set piece dropped kindly inside the six yard box, giving the Tudors a 1–0 advantage heading into the interval.

As first half injury time approached, Morgan Williams received a yellow card for a foul in a dangerous area. George Williams’ resulting free kick was struck superbly, rattling the woodwork before a scramble ensued inside the Yeovil box, with the Glovers fortunate to avoid conceding again.

The half ended with a Luke McCormick free kick being cleared only as far as Alex Whittle, whose driven effort was deflected but comfortably gathered by Johnson.

Half Time: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 Yeovil Town

Knowing the importance of the second half, Yeovil came out with intent. Andrew Oluwabori weaved his way around the penalty area before laying off to McCormick, whose tame shot was easily saved.

The Glovers made an early change as Byron Pendleton replaced Whittle, pushing higher up the pitch. Pendleton almost made an instant impact in the 56th minute, threading a clever ball through to Campbell, who just failed to bring it under control before Johnson rushed out to collect.

With time ticking down, Dryden made further attacking changes, introducing Brett McGavin and Harvey Greenslade in search of an equaliser. And it was Greenslade who provided it.

In the 71st minute, the substitute latched onto a low through ball, took a touch, and calmly slotted past Johnson into the bottom left corner to level the scores at 1–1.

The goal galvanised the Glovers, with Campbell and Josh Sims driving the side forward amid loud encouragement from the travelling supporters.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, Yeovil were forced into another change as captain Jake Wannell was replaced by Ben Wodskou after appearing to pick up a knock. Hemel, meanwhile, freshened things up with substitutions of their own.

In the 87th minute, the hosts regained the lead when substitute Finley Wilkinson met a Dorwich cross with a looping header that struck the post and dropped agonisingly into the net, restoring Hemel’s advantage late on.

Ten minutes of stoppage time offered Yeovil hope, but despite sustained pressure, they were unable to find a way through. The Glovers’ FA Cup journey came to an end at the Fourth Qualifying Round stage for the second consecutive year.

Full-Time: Hemel Hempstead Town 2-1 Yeovil Town
Scorers:
Hemel Hempstead Town – Kyle Ajayi (39′), Finley Wilkinson (87′)
Yeovil Town – Harvey Greenslade (71′)

Focus now turns back to league action as the Glovers travel to face high flying Rochdale on Saturday 18th October.