The Glovers secured back-to-back victories with a 3-2 win over Ebbsfleet United, marking their first home triumph of the season at Huish Park. Early goals from Brett McGavin and Michael Smith gave them a dream start, but Ebbsfleet fought back with goals from Page and Samuel. However, the Glovers’ quality shone through, with Harvey Greenslade netting the late winner.

There were two changes from Saturday’s away win at Braintree Town, with Jordan Young and Harvey Greenslade making way for Sam Pearson and Josh Sims, who earned his first start for the Glovers.

In the 7th minute, the Glovers earned the first corner of the game. Brett McGavin’s delivery was met by Jake Wannell, whose header glanced wide of the post. Moments later, another McGavin set piece kept the Ebbsfleet defence on alert as Mark Cousins collected his cross into the box.

Josh Sims, making his home debut, soon had the crowd on their feet. On 21 minutes, he drove into the penalty area from the left, but his shot was well blocked, and Cousins gathered the loose ball. Sims continued to trouble the Ebbsfleet defence, with a good link-up play giving him an opportunity to cross, only for the offside flag to be raised.

The deadlock was finally broken on 25 minutes after sustained pressure on the Ebbsfleet goal. A neat flick from Frank Nouble set Alex Whittle down the left wing, who crossed towards Sam Pearson. Although Pearson couldn’t make contact, Brett McGavin was waiting on the edge of the area to drill the ball into the bottom corner with his left boot, sending Huish Park into raptures.

The goal rattled the Ebbsfleet defence, and a defensive error nearly saw them fall further behind. A loose pass across the field allowed Aaron Jarvis to react quickly, challenging the defender and sending the ball just wide of the post from about 25 yards out. Moments later, Morgan Williams came very close with a header following a Matt Worthington cross, flicking it around the post.

The Glovers doubled their lead in the 40th minute. Some excellent build-up play between Sam Pearson and Josh Sims resulted in a cross towards Aaron Jarvis, whose strong shot was saved by Mark Cousins. However, Cousins was unable to deny Michael Smith, who reacted quickly to poke the rebound into the net.

Despite little time remaining in the first half, the Glovers pushed for more. The first chance came from a corner that dropped to Matt Worthington, who managed to skip over a tackle before his shot was well blocked. Josh Sims, continuing to look a real threat, then cut inside from the left wing and unleashed a curling effort that flashed just wide of the post.

During the half-time interval, both sides made changes. Mark Cooper switched Alex Whittle and Josh Sims for Raphael Araoye and Charlie Cooper, with Whittle nursing a slight niggle and Sims’ minutes being managed following his arrival. Ebbsfleet introduced the attacking threat of Dom Poleon, replacing Wes Foguck.

The Glovers resumed the second half with attacking intent, with Nouble and Williams both having chances in the opening stages. However, Ebbsfleet also had opportunities at the other end, which changed the course of the game.

On 64 minutes, Luke O’Neill delivered a ball into the box that was spilled by Ollie Wright, falling into the path of Lewis Page, who managed to squeeze it under Wright and into the back of the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Just moments later, O’Neill caused more problems from the right. His cross was headed clear by Morgan Williams, but Franklin Domi beat Worthington to the ball and set up Dom Samuel, who curled his effort beyond Wright and into the net, bringing the game level.

Mark Cooper immediately responded with a switch in attack, as Aaron Jarvis was replaced by Harvey Greenslade. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was also introduced for Brett McGavin, and Sam Pearson made way for Jordan Young. On 77 minutes, Michael Smith put in a dangerous cross towards Greenslade, who made contact with the ball, but it flew wide of the far post.

A fifth goal was soon to come, and it went in favour of the Glovers. A brilliant attacking run from Frank Nouble saw him break into the box and unleash two shots, both denied by Cousins. The second shot, however, cannoned off the post and fell to Greenslade, who drilled the ball through a crowded goalmouth and into the net.

The Glovers’ third goal took the wind out of Ebbsfleet’s sails. Despite their valiant comeback to 2-2, they couldn’t create a threatening enough chance to trouble Ollie Wright, as the Glovers made it two wins out of three in their return to the National League.