by Izzy Jackopson
The Glovers’ seven match unbeaten run in the National League ended after they suffered a 1-0 blow at Huish Park to FC Halifax Town on Saturday afternoon following a goal from Florent Hoti from range.
It was a goalless first half between the two sides who, prior to the match, sat 2 points apart from each other and one place separating them between the seventh and eighth position.
Yeovil Town started off strong in attack with two early corners within the first five minutes of the match which were taken by Brett McGavin, both of which resulted in the Halifax Town goalkeeper, Sam Johnson, catching the ball.
It was Ollie Wright who had to deny the visitors an early goal in the 15th minute after a ball from the right hand side of the pitch found their forward, Billy Waters, who was able to get in between the last two defenders and be put through on goal, Wright, however, was there to make a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
To the rescue again in the 34th minute Ollie Wright was forced to make yet another great save after a long range shot from Florent Hoti was almost drilled into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Some brilliance was shown by Kofi Shaw in the 35th minute of the game after his quick feet were able to get him away from and past the last defenders, finding himself to the right hand side of the goal he took a right-footed shot but was laid into the hands of Sam Johnson.
The Glovers again started off strong into the second half with three successive corners within the first five minutes however none were able to be put past Halifax goalkeeper Sam Johnson.
Despite this it was the visitors who opened the scoreline in the 57th minute of the match as a great set back from a Halifax player in the box found Florent Hoti, in acres of space, who was able to smash the ball into the roof of the net making the score 1-0 to Halifax Town.
In the 67th minute substitute Josh Sims came close to leveling the scoreline between the teams but his effort on goal was saved by Sam Johnson.
Jake Wannell was denied one of the closest chances from the Glovers to equalise after a close range header in the 72nd minute was saved by Sam Johnson following a great cross in from Kofi Shaw which found him in the middle of the penalty area.
Pedro Borges forced Halifax Town captain Sam Johnson to make yet another save in the 78th minute after he controlled the ball down brilliantly with his chest and took a shot on the half volley, sending the ball out for a corner.
The Glovers were really putting on the pressure in the last ten minutes of the game, Kofi Shaw was unable to find the back of the net in the 84th minute following a cross in from Josh Sims who was in miles of space on the right hand side of the pitch.
Jake Wannell was shown a straight red card in the 90th minute of the match after frustrations were rising due to scrambles in the Halifax defensive third of the pitch.
The Glovers gave it their all until the final whistle went after seven minutes of additional time despite being one man down but were very unfortunate to not get an equaliser, and beyond, a winner in the late stages of the match.
