Yeovil Town suffered their second defeat in a week after a narrow loss to FC Halifax Town. An early goal from Angelo Capello proved decisive, securing all three points for the West Yorkshire side.
Mark Cooper made three changes to the team that was heavily beaten by Barnet earlier in the week, with new signings Ryan McLean, Frankie Terry, and Marcel Lavinier all named in the starting line-up.
Lavinier was quick to make an impression, bursting forward in the opening stages to chase a ball over the top from Charlie Cooper, only for it to run just beyond his reach. At the other end, Zac Emmerson had the first opportunity to test Aidan Stone, but Frankie Terry was well-placed to block his effort.
The deadlock was broken after just 12 minutes when Luca Thomas found Capello in space on the right. The winger drove into the box and drilled a low shot past Stone to give Halifax the lead.
Yeovil looked for an immediate response, with McLean working his way down the right before cutting the ball inside to Frank Nouble, who was unable to make a clean connection. Moments later, McLean had the best chance for the visitors in the first half, latching onto a pass from Brett McGavin before cutting inside and firing over the crossbar.
Halifax continued to threaten and came close to doubling their lead in the 35th minute. Florent Hoti found himself in a similar position to Capello but was denied by a fine save from Stone.
As half time approached, the Glovers had one final opportunity. A deep free kick from McGavin was flicked towards Nouble, but his header was comfortably gathered by Sam Johnson.
Yeovil came out after the break looking for an equaliser and almost found one through McGavin. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton battled well on the left before teeing up McGavin, who struck a powerful effort against the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Shortly after, the first change saw McLean make way for Ciaran McGuckin. The substitute nearly made an instant impact, driving forward and unleashing a shot from 20 yards, but his effort sailed over.
As the second half progressed, Halifax began to create the better chances. Jamie Cooke was denied from a dangerous free kick by Stone, while in the 73rd minute, Josh Emmanuel led a rapid counter-attack and played the ball across to Owen Bray, who somehow fired over from close range.
Yeovil responded with further substitutions, introducing Sean McGurk, Dom Bernard, and Josh Sims in place of Lo-Everton, Lavinier, and Kyrell Wilson. However, McGurk’s afternoon was cut short, lasting just 12 minutes before pulling up, forcing him to be replaced by Lewys Twamley.
Inside the final 10 minutes, Twamley was at the heart of Yeovil’s best opportunities. McGuckin flicked on a Nouble cross, forcing Johnson into a save, but Twamley was unable to beat the keeper to the loose ball. In the final minute of normal time, a long throw from Charlie Cooper was flicked on by Nouble to Twamley, who volleyed over the bar.
As the match entered six minutes of added time, both sides had one last chance. Bray saw a low effort saved by Stone before the Yeovil goalkeeper launched a deep free kick into the area, where McGavin struck agonisingly over the bar with the final kick of the game.
As the ball cleared the goal, the full time whistle sounded, confirming Yeovil’s second defeat of the week. The Glovers now turn their attention to Tuesday night’s fixture at Huish Park against Boston United.
