By Dan Howell
Yeovil Town slipped to a narrow defeat on Easter Monday as a first half goal from Chris Maguire and a red card for Otis Khan saw them leave Eastleigh empty handed. Despite a strong second half showing, the Glovers couldn’t find an equaliser and fell just short in South Hampshire.
There were four changes to the side that drew with Forest Green Rovers, with Marcel Lavinier, Michael Smith, Kyrell Wilson and Otis Khan all coming into the starting eleven.
It was a dramatic start, with the hosts nearly going ahead inside the opening minute. Chris Maguire’s cross from the right looped over everyone and clipped the crossbar. Yeovil responded well and were soon on the front foot. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton sent a shot wide and Kyrell Wilson was denied a clear strike at goal after the ball was ruled to have struck his hand in the build-up. All of this happened inside the first five minutes.
Wilson looked lively down the right and created two good chances. One cross was easily gathered by Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell, while the next found Khan in the box, whose deflected shot skimmed just past the post.
Eastleigh grew into the game with Jai Semenyo causing problems. His first shot from distance was easily saved by Aidan Stone, but his second was a more dangerous effort that the Yeovil keeper had to beat away.
Soon after, Eastleigh took the lead. A move started by Maguire saw Tyrese Shade roll the ball back into his path, and the Eastleigh number seven finished calmly past Stone to make it 1-0.
The goal gave the home side confidence, and they pushed for a second. Things went from bad to worse for Yeovil just before the break. A coming together between Khan and Maguire ended with Khan throwing an arm towards the Eastleigh man, and the referee showed a straight red card. That incident bringing an early end to Khan’s loan spell with the Glovers.
Yeovil managed to hold firm until half time, with Stone making another smart stop to deny Shade in added time.
The second half kicked off under pouring rain, but Yeovil didn’t let the red card affect them. In fact, they looked the more determined side after the break and gave it everything in search of an equaliser.
Changes came early in the half, with Harvey Greenslade and Michael Smith replaced by Ciaran McGuckin and Josh Sims. Eastleigh still had moments going forward, but never did enough to seriously trouble Stone. Substitute Paul McCallum headed towards goal at the back post but Stone gathered it comfortably.
Charlie Cooper came on for Harry Kite as the Glovers looked to freshen things in midfield, and they continued to grow into the game. The travelling support — 624 fans who never stopped singing — did their best to lift the players in the final stages.
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton curled a free kick wide before Lewys Twamley came on for Marcel Lavinier. Josh Sims was Yeovil’s brightest spark late on. He cut in from the left and fired a shot that appeared to take a touch off McDonnell, but the officials awarded a goal kick.
As the clock ticked into added time, Yeovil kept pushing. Chances fell to Sims and Lo-Everton again, but both efforts drifted wide and time eventually ran out.
Results elsewhere meant Yeovil’s safety in the National League was confirmed. With two games remaining, the Glovers can now look forward to their final home fixture of the season this Saturday against Sutton United at Huish Park.
