The Glovers returned to winning ways in their pre-season with a 2-1 victory over Farnborough in the Ted Pearce Memorial Cup. Late goals from Dylan Morgan and Jordan Thomas allowed the Glovers to come from behind and secure the silverware commemorating Ted Pearce’s life.
In the opening stages, Farnborough had the better chances, the best coming in the 8th minute. A long throw-in from the right was flicked to Taylor Clark at the back post, who was denied by a brilliant low save from Ollie Wright before prodding his rebounded effort wide.
Despite it being a pre-season friendly, the official wasn’t lenient with the cards. Frank Nouble became the first player booked for a challenge on Ricky Holmes in the middle of the pitch after 9 minutes.
Olly Pendlebury struck a free kick well from range, but it was comfortable for Ollie Wright, who was able to make the save. Moments later, Ricky Holmes saw his effort go over the bar after Farnborough squeezed up the pitch and piled on the pressure.
As the game settled, the Glovers managed to get the ball down and play but struggled in the final third. After a drinks break, they finally had their first shot through Michael Smith. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton laid the ball into Smith’s path, but his thunderous shot was blocked.
Michael Smith was in the thick of the action again just after the half-hour mark. After turning his man, Smith clipped the ball towards the back post, but it was headed clear before Alex Whittle could arrive.
As the first half entered stoppage time, Frank Nouble had a great opportunity to put the Glovers ahead. Aaron Jarvis dispossessed his opponent on the halfway line before lofting the ball through to Nouble, who took the ball around Jack Turner, but the angle was too tight, and his effort ran across the face of the goal.
The second half saw no changes for the Glovers, but an early forced substitution was required when Charlie Cooper took a knock in the 48th minute and was replaced by Brett McGavin.
On 52 minutes, a smart clip over the top from Michael Smith sent Aaron Jarvis chasing the ball, but it was hit just too hard and ran through to Jack Turner in the Farnborough goal.
Moments later, Farnborough had a wonderful opportunity through Olly Pendlebury. Pendlebury teed up a free kick from 25 yards, curled it around the wall, but just clipped the wrong side of the post. Down the other end, Jordan Young broke forward and saw an effort from range sail over the crossbar.
Following a drinks break, Mark Cooper made five substitutions at once. One of the standout players was Jordan Thomas, making his first appearance for the Glovers after being sidelined with a slight strain.
It took just one minute after the changes for the deadlock to be broken. A free kick into the Glovers’ box was met by a trialist whose header was too strong for Ollie Wright, giving Farnborough the lead.
The lead lasted only seven minutes as a moment of magic from Dylan Morgan brought the Glovers level. After dispossessing an opponent in the middle of the park, Morgan took off up the pitch, squeezed between three defenders, and tucked the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 1-1 on 75 minutes.
As the match neared its conclusion, it seemed the Ted Pearce Memorial Cup would be decided by a penalty shootout, but Jordan Thomas had other ideas. In the 87th minute, a pinpoint pass from Brett McGavin was met by Thomas, who surged through on goal and curled his shot around Jack Turner into the bottom corner.
In the remaining minutes and three minutes of stoppage time, Farnborough dominated but never truly troubled Ollie Wright, allowing the Glovers to get Pre-Season back to winning ways.
