By Izzy Jackopson
Yeovil Town held Altrincham to a goalless draw at Huish Park after their second home game in the space of a week. The game ended 0-0, with both teams unable to find the back of the net, making it the third draw in the last three meetings between the sides.
Both teams were unsuccessful in finding a breakthrough in the first half of the match and struggled to find the final ball into the box after progressing down the pitch, leaving the first half with limited excitement.
The first chance of the game came for Yeovil in the sixth minute, after a great pass from skipper Matt Worthington was played into Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, who cut inside his player and laid off a shot directly at Altrincham keeper Ethan Ross.
Soon after, Altrincham had their first chance when Regan Linney found himself in front of goal after a run down the right-hand side, but the ball was sent high and wide of the target.
Altrincham had another opportunity in the 21st minute when they won a free kick around 25 yards out. Alex Newby stepped up to take the shot but sent it wide of the goal.
Sam Pearson made a great run through the middle of the park in the 33rd minute, reaching just outside the 18-yard box, where he laid off a shot that was blocked by an Altrincham defender. Man of the match Matt Worthington received the loose ball and took a shot, which was also blocked, resulting in a corner for the Glovers.
Yeovil pushed for a breakthrough in the one minute of additional time, winning two late corners, but they were unable to hit the target.
Altrincham looked particularly dangerous as the second half resumed, creating some good chances going forward.
Ollie Wright’s first test of the game came in the 47th minute when Altrincham’s Alex Newby found captain James Jones in front of goal, but a great stop by the Glovers’ number one denied the visitors the lead.
Altrincham thought they had broken the deadlock in the 54th minute when Sam Linney made a good run down the left and cut inside, laying off a shot that deflected into the path of Alex Newby. A scramble with Ollie Wright followed, but the goal was ruled offside, giving the Glovers a reprieve.
Wright made another fantastic save in the 60th minute when Linney, Altrincham’s number 9, made a great run down the right, putting himself through on goal, but his shot was denied by Wright.
Echoes of frustration were heard around the ground as the Glovers progressed up the pitch but couldn’t find the final ball for any efforts on goal.
The best chance of the game came from a spectacular shot by Michael Smith in the 76th minute. He decided to shoot from around 30 yards out during a 2v2 counterattack, leaving the crossbar shaking and Altrincham defenders scrambling to clear.
Yeovil’s last chance came in the 81st minute when Charlie Cooper won the ball brilliantly in midfield. He drove forward with Yeovil players on either side of him but chose to go for goal from more than 30 yards out, sending the ball just over the crossbar.
After five minutes of additional time, the final whistle blew, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
