The Glovers continued their pre-season with a strong display at Buckland Athletic, securing a 5-0 win. Two goals from Harvey Greenslade, along with strikes from Jordan Young, Michael Smith, and Frank Nouble, ensured the Glovers achieved their fourth win from six friendlies.
The Glovers had the ball in the back of the net after just four minutes when Sam Pearson latched onto a through ball from Jordan Young and slotted it past Seedhouse-Evans. However, the goal was disallowed as Pearson was flagged offside.
The wait for a legitimate goal was brief, as only a minute later, Sam Pearson turned creator, flicking the ball into the path of Harvey Greenslade. Greenslade used his pace and power to stride clear of Myles James before finding the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.
Buckland Athletic had their own chances shortly after the goal. Myles James sent a long ball to Ryan Bush, who controlled it well and got a shot away, but Matt Gould was there to palm the ball away. Ryan Smith also attempted a curling shot from the edge of the penalty box, but it was off target.
Despite the hosts’ efforts, it was the Glovers who doubled their lead. Quick build-up play saw Sonny Blu Lo-Everton find Sam Pearson, whose shot was saved, but Jordan Young was on hand to poke in the rebound, making it 2-0 after 16 minutes.
Following the goal, the Glovers continued to press and exert their dominance. Harvey Greenslade came close after receiving the ball on the edge of the box, but his curled effort went wide of the post on 21 minutes. Sam Pearson then had a chance after some quick footwork enabled him to shoot from range, but his effort was blocked. After a drinks break, Finn Cousin-Dawson came close on 29 minutes, heading wide from a corner.
The Glovers made it 3-0 on 32 minutes as Harvey Greenslade netted his second of the evening. Greenslade broke away, took the ball around Todd Hanrahan, and blasted it into the bottom right corner.
Following the third goal, the Glovers had a couple of chances to make it four before the break. Dylan Morgan latched onto a pinpoint through ball from midfield but flashed a low effort just wide of the far post. Jordan Young saw his free kick hit the wall just before the interval.
The second half was a quieter affair, with only Sam Pearson having a notable chance in the opening stages, striking wide of the post on 50 minutes after bringing down a long ball.
After an hour, Mark Cooper looked to his bench to manage players’ minutes. Alex Whittle, Frank Nouble, Josh Ansell, Michael Smith, and a trialist were introduced, while Jordan Thomas, Morgan Williams, Finn Cousin-Dawson, Jordan Young, and Corey Koerner made way.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, Frank Nouble had a golden opportunity to add a fourth, but the ball got caught up in his feet after Michael Smith squared it across the goal. A minute later, Nouble would be kicking himself again as Dylan Morgan broke into the area and found Nouble, whose effort was saved by Adam Seedhouse-Evans. Fortunately for the Glovers, the rebound fell to Michael Smith, who drilled his shot through a crowded area to make it 4-0.
The final change came in the 77th minute when Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was replaced by Krystian Woods.
As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Frank Nouble continued his search for a goal. Brett McGavin laid the ball off to Nouble, who struck his effort over the crossbar. Buckland then had a great chance to make their mark on the game, but substitute Jared Lewington was denied by a point-blank save from Matt Gould.
The Glovers thought they had their fifth goal on 83 minutes when Sam Pearson found Dylan Morgan, who slotted the ball past Seedhouse-Evans, but he was denied by the offside flag. However, it did not take long for that fifth goal to come, courtesy of Frank Nouble. Sam Pearson clipped the ball over the backline, and Nouble charged onto it, drilling it into the bottom corner to make it 5-0 with just under five minutes remaining.
The final chance of the game fell to Dylan Morgan, who found himself in space on the edge of the area and curled a low effort just off the wrong side of the post. Moments later, the final whistle marked another win and another strong display from the Glovers as the season draws ever closer.
