The Glovers ensured the travelling support had something to smile about for their long trip back west after a 1-0 win against Eastbourne Borough. A Frank Nouble goal was enough to see the Glovers extend their lead at the top to 8 points. 

With the arrival of Courtney Senior on Friday evening, Mark Cooper didn’t hesitate at bringing him straight into the side with an altered formation with Matt Worthington and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in midfield. 

The windy conditions saw both sides struggle to get a hold of the game immediately. Sam Beard put a low cross into the box early on but it was no threat for the back line. 

On 13 minutes, the Glovers properly tested Harrison Foulkes for the first time. Frank Nouble done well to win the ball on the right before cutting it back to Sonny Blu Lo-Everton who pulled the trigger from the edge of the box but Foulkes got down to tip it around the post. 

On 20 minutes, the Glovers broke again down the right. Frank Nouble poked the ball into the path of Matt Worthington who charged into the box before trying to square the ball to Murphy but Freddie Carter managed to get back and clear the ball. 

The first caution of the game went the way of Jack Paxman on the half hour mark when he tripped Matt Worthington in the centre circle. 

The game remained a midfield battle until 36 minutes when the Glovers took the lead in bizarre circumstances. Jordan Young went down after trying to squeeze between 2 defenders before taking a whack to the head. The restart saw a drop ball placed at the feet of Freddie Carter who hesitated which gifted Rhys Murphy the chance to steal the ball and find Frank Nouble who slotted the ball beyond Foulkes in the Eastbourne goal. 

Moments after the goal, Frank Nouble found himself in the referee’s book again, this time with a yellow card for an incident during a break in play. 

The Glovers almost added a second when Rhys Murphy latched onto a perfectly timed ball but Harrison Foulkes rushed out to close down Murphy’s effort. 

The bookings kept coming as Sam Beard was the next name on the list with a heavy challenge on Michael Smith just before additional time. During the additional three minutes, the ball sat up nicely for debutant Courtney Senior who took aim from distance but his effort trickled wide off the post. As Foulkes sent his goal kick towards the Glovers’ half, the referee brought the first half to an end with the Glovers leading. 

In the opening stages of the second half, Callum Kealy had sight of goal but his effort from the edge of the area was no trouble for Joe Day who watched it wide. 

Mark Cooper then made a change on 64 minutes as the game had settled for both sides. Courtney Senior was replaced by Will Dawes as he looked to freshen up his attacking options. 

Just after the substitution, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton drifted a free kick in towards Morgan Williams who headed towards goal but Foulkes came out and collected the ball. 

On 74 minutes, Jordan Young and Rhys Murphy linked up well as Young latches onto the ball and cut inside before curling his effort just wide of the far post. Moments later at the other end, Jack Paxman had a chance to find an equaliser for Eastbourne but his low effort was comfortable for Joe Day who collected the ball. 

Just after the latest chance, Charlie Cooper replaced Rhys Murphy as Mark Cooper’s side looked to solidify with Eastbourne increasing the pressure in their search for an equaliser.

Despite the increased attacking intent from Eastbourne, the Glovers held firm and Joe Day remained untroubled as the referee brought an end to proceedings with three points heading back to Somerset.

With some results going in the Glovers’ favour, they managed to increase the lead to 8 points at the top of the NationalLeague South table.