The Glovers began their pre-season schedule with a trip to Dorchester. A trialist’s goal just before the hour was enough to see Darren Way’s men gain victory over a hard-working Dorchester side. Yeovil could have increased their lead, had it not been for the efforts of home goalkeeper Shane Murphy.

It was Way’s first chance to see his side in competitive action following the summer break and his starting line-up saw two players make their Glovers debut; Otis Khan and Swansea loanee Ryan Hedges got their first taste of action in a Yeovil shirt while Liam Shephard returned for another loan spell.

The Glovers started well and forced Murphy into two excellent early saves. The first came from Khan, whose stinging shot was palmed away before his second effort was blocked by a home defender. Soon after Murphy was in action once again as he brilliantly kept out A Trialist’s header from Matt Dolan’s wicked inswinging cross.

Kevin Dawson was the next Yeovil player to try his luck but the Irish midfielder saw his effort fly just over the bar from the edge of the area. Way’s men came even closer to opening the scoring when Ryan Bird thought he had put the Glovers ahead, only to see the linesman raise his flag for offside.

Khan, a threat all night, latched onto a great through ball but could only fire straight at Murphy under considerable pressure from Dorchester defenders. That was the last notable action of the first period in a half which the Glovers dominated but could not find a way past the impressive Murphy.

As Darren Way gathered his players on the pitch during the interval to impart some half-time wisdom, he was contemplating changes. When the players re-emerged for the second period, Yeovil fielded a completely changed eleven. Josh Ezewele, Omar Sowunmi and Joe Lea came on, along with a host of other trialists including Jemar Loza, who was on loan at the club acouple of seasons ago.

Trialist 22 forced Murphy into two more great saves but the Dorchester goalkeeper had no chance on 58 minutes; Jermar Loza was left unmarked in the box and volleyed home into the top left hand corner to give the Glovers a deserved lead.

Yeovil were nearly pegged back immediately as Nathan Walker hit the crossbar with a fantastic header for the home side. Dorchester were starting to get chances and another excellent cross found Walker unmarked at the back post, only to head wide when it looked easier to score.

The Glovers had a couple of late chances to increase the scoring but in the end, Way’s men had to settle for a hard-earned 1-0 win. Next up, Yeovil face Bristol City at Huish Park this Saturday and it promises to be a great encounter. The match is not only a local derby but also promises to be a battle of the managers on the touchline as Way comes up against former Glover and teammate Lee Johnson.