By Dan Howell

Yeovil Town’s FA Trophy campaign came to a disappointing end as local rivals Weymouth secured a 2-1 victory at Huish Park. A brace from Brandon Goodship proved decisive for the visitors, who advanced to the next round, leaving the Glovers to rue missed opportunities on a frustrating evening.  

Mark Cooper made just one change to the side that triumphed over Woking in the league, with Josh Sims replacing Bristol Rovers loanee Kofi Shaw in the starting XI.  

The Glovers began brightly, creating early chances as James Plant narrowly missed the target following a low cross from Pedro Borges. However, the visitors struck first in the 12th minute. Jaiden Bartolo outpaced Alex Whittle down the wing and delivered a pinpoint cross to Goodship, who curled a right-footed effort past Ollie Wright and into the far corner.  

Yeovil nearly responded instantly. Straight from the restart, Frank Nouble forced Josey Casa Grande into a low save after being teed up by Plant. The Glovers continued to press, with Josh Sims seeing a cross collected by Casa Grande and Aaron Jarvis heading narrowly wide from a Nouble delivery.  

Persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Aaron Jarvis levelled the score. Brett McGavin’s free kick was floated into the box, and Jarvis bravely beat Casa Grande to the ball, heading home despite a collision with the goalkeeper.  

As the first half wore on, both teams had opportunities to take the lead. Bartolo tested Wright with a curling shot from the edge of the area, while Jarvis came close again in stoppage time, only to be denied by Casa Grande. Weymouth made an enforced change before the break, with Harry Jones replacing the injured Tom Bearwish.  

The second half began with a setback for Yeovil. McGavin lost possession, allowing Bartolo to break forward and set up Goodship, who drilled a low strike beyond Wright to restore Weymouth’s lead with 40 minutes still to play.  

The Glovers sought a response, with Morgan Williams heading over from a Charlie Cooper corner and substitutes Kofi Shaw and Michael Smith introduced to add fresh impetus. Despite dominating possession, Yeovil struggled to create clear-cut chances, as Weymouth’s defence remained resolute. McGavin came close to an equaliser in the 68th minute, curling an effort just wide of the post.  

Further changes saw Dylan Morgan and Matt Worthington enter the fray, but the Glovers’ frustration grew as opportunities went begging. Wright was called upon again to deny Bartolo in the 78th minute before James Plant’s breakaway led to Shaw being thwarted by Casa Grande at the other end.  

In stoppage time, substitute Euan Pollock thought he had sealed the win for Weymouth with a goal, but the linesman’s flag ruled it out for offside, giving the Glovers a lifeline. Yeovil’s final chance fell to Nouble, who headed over the bar in the dying moments, sealing the Glovers’ fate.  

Referee Reubyn Ricardo’s final whistle marked the end of Yeovil Town’s FA Trophy journey for the 2024/25 campaign, with Weymouth claiming the derby day bragging rights.