match report

A solitary Liam Shephard goal just after half-time was enough to secure victory against a hard-working Merthyr side.

The Glovers continued their pre-season schedule with a trip to Wales. Darren Way’s side faced Southern Football League Premier Division outfit Merthyr Town at Penydarren Park, managed by former Glover Gavin Williams.

Yeovil made one change to the team that started against Bristol City on Saturday. Trialist Dom Gape came in for fellow trialist Kane Ferdinand.

Yeovil first half team: Artur Krysiak, Liam Shephard, Ryan Dickson, Matt Dolan, Alex Lacey, Nathan Smith, Kevin Dawson, Dom Gape (trialist), Tom Eaves, Otis Khan, Ryan Hedges.

On an artificial 3G pitch and bathed in sunshine, both sides were struggling to create chances. Ryan Hedges and Kevin Dawson had dangerous runs down the right-hand side but saw their path to goal blocked.

Otis Khan was close to opening the scoring within half an hour when he cut in from the left but his shot was well saved by the Merthyr goalkeeper.

Khan had two further chances to put his name on the scoresheet before half-time but first headed wide from a Dawson cross before seeing his near post shot palmed away for a corner.

Half-time in South Wales saw the two teams go into the tunnel level but it was not long before the Glovers would find themselves ahead; Liam Shephard crossed in from the left and his attempted pass was missed by everyone as it nestled into the far corner on 52 minutes.

Just before the hour, Merthyr had a chance to level but Krysiak maintained Yeovil’s lead with a smart save at his near post.

On 62 minutes, the Glovers made wholesaleanges; Jonny Maddison, Josh Ezewele, Joe Lea, Ollie Bassett and Omar Sowunmi came on, along with a number of trialists.

Bassett nearly made an instant impact but saw his effort fly over the bar from long range.

Yeovil were close to doubling their lead on 87 minutes but Sowunmi, though rising higher than the Merthyr goalkeeper, headed narrowly wide.

In the end, one goal was enough to ensure the Glovers started their Welsh training camp with a victory. The first-team squad will now spend the next couple of days in Wales. It will be an opportunity for some of the new signings to get to know the rest of the squad better as Darren Way prepares his side for the new season.