The Glovers got back to winning ways in style as they halted Braintree Town’s 14-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 win. Frank Nouble’s perfectly placed header in the first half ensured the Glovers collected all three points.

Jahmari Clarke made his first start following his arrival from Reading earlier in the month, with Jordan Young and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton also making a return to the starting line-up. It was Clarke and Young who linked up in the 7th minute, as Jahmari Clarke had just Sims to beat, but the whistle had already gone for a foul caused by Jordan Young when regaining possession.

The Glovers continued their fine start as they kept Braintree on the back foot during the opening stages. Frank Nouble made a strong run down the right to bring the ball forward before winning a corner. The resulting corner, from Jordan Young, was met perfectly by the head of Frank Nouble who glanced the ball into the bottom corner.

Moments after the opener, Lewis Miccio was able to find Shaq Coulthirst with a whipped cross from the left but his header fell into the hands of Joe Day.

The game then settled more in favour of the Glovers as attacks came and went but were unable to trouble Jack Sims in the Braintree goal. On 35 minutes, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton put in a dangerous cross that was well collected by Sims before setting up Charlie Cooper moments later, but his shot was blocked before it could reach the keeper.

Just before the break, Lewis Miccio had his own chance to shoot at goal as he progressed down the left. He managed to pull the trigger from the edge of the area, but his effort flew over the top of the crossbar.

The second half saw Braintree make an early change. Shaq Coulthirst was replaced by Jayden Davis as they adjusted their attacking line-up for the second period. Aaron Blair dispossessed Matt Worthington on 52 minutes before bearing down on goal before shooting from range, but his effort was no problem for Joe Day as he watched it over the bar. The substitute, Jayden Davis, was then called to action as he stepped over a couple of challenges before firing a shot over the bar.

The Glovers overcame this flurry of chances before creating some of their own. Brooklyn Genesini, who moved into a back four for this fixture, pushed forward and put a dangerous cross into the area, but his delivery was headed behind. The resulting corner from Charlie Cooper was scrambled away from danger.

Next, Mark Cooper made some changes as Jahmari Clarke was replaced by Olly Thomas in a straight swap to add fresh legs to the attack. It almost worked instantly as Frank Nouble set Thomas through on goal with just Sims to beat, but the flag was up for offside.

The second switch saw Dylan Morgan replace Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Lo-Everton, who had played in a wider role compared to normal, had worked hard to help bring the ball out of defence and created chances throughout the afternoon. However, the fresher legs of Dylan Morgan almost gave Yeovil some breathing space when, on 84 minutes, he put in a beautiful curling cross towards Jordan Young who could not have done much more as Jack Sims somehow tipped his header over the crossbar.

The Glovers spent the remaining 5 minutes of normal time taking some pressure as Braintree looked to cause some late drama. The final change saw Young, who had a big chance to double the lead moments earlier, replaced by Sam Pearson as Cooper continued to add fresh legs to more attacking areas.

The 4 additional minutes following the 90 consisted of crosses that were consistently claimed by Joe Day and a couple of efforts that were wide of the target as the Glovers got their first win since the start of the month.

With late drama elsewhere at Wordsworth Drive, Chelmsford was able to rally late on to ensure the gap at the top remained at 10 points.