Alfie Lloyd bagged a brace to secure a hard fought 2 – 2 draw for the Glovers against the Grecians.
Yeovil continued their quest for success in the Merit League as they welcomed Exeter City to Alvington on matchday two.
Riding high after last week’s opening league victory, the Young Glovers, adopting a 4-3-2-1 formation, gained the early initiative when a fine through ball over the top from Stephens was controlled and expertly finished by Lloyd to make it 1-0.
Yeovil’s early play was full of purpose and belief and they were unfortunate not to score a second when Hughes saw a drilled shot palmed to safety by the City keeper. The menacing runs of Aborra and Lloyd were causing havoc in the opposing back line and another shot from Hughes sailed narrowly over.
Exeter City have a famed academy pedigree and began to raise their game as the half wore on. The equaliser came in the 27th minute as striker Hanson buried a cross from the right with a fine hooked volley, 1-1. The goal seemed to rattle the home team and City went ahead just minutes later when Nevile rose highest to head home a free kick to make it 1-2. The final stages of the half saw the Young Glovers dig deep and defend a series of threatening attacking moves to hold off the visitors and gain a welcome break.
Yeovil began the second half much like the first and Medrano, playing in a more advanced role for this game, saw an early header go just over. The Glovers passed up a great opportunity to equalise after an excellent pass from Hughes set Lloyd on his way, but the young striker could only fire over. City sent on replacements as the half wore on but it was Yeovil who snatched an equaliser, Lloyd continuing his fine goalscoring form with a close-range finish following a corner, 2-2.
Head Coach Mark Challen would have been delighted with his team’s response and Stephens, who was displaying a keen knack for turning defence into attack, saw a low shot drift wide as the Glovers chased another goal. Andrews and Skiverton came on for home team but the final 10 minutes of an absorbing match saw Exeter gain the upper hand. In the 84th minute Lye was adjudged to have committed a foul on the edge of the box which gave City a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Substitute Cox saw his low drive well saved by Pike and the Glovers breathed a sigh of relief. Minutes later Exeter thought they had the game won but a rasping shot from deep cannoned of the crossbar, bounced on the line and was cleared to safety. In a frantic finish Aborra and Lloyd combined well once more, but on this occasion the normally lethal Lloyd couldn’t get his shot away.
In what was a great advert for academy football the final score was 2-2.
Next up for Yeovil is a home match versus Plymouth Argyle in the Merit League on April 3rd.
