A second half bonanza saw Yeovil Town U18s coast to a 6-0 win over league newcomers BRS Coaching
Securing a second successive league victory, the Young Glovers cemented their league position in 3rd thanks to goals from Jacob Shore, Charlie Bateson, Josh Sutton, a brace from Mason Hunter and a defensive own goal.
Sporting a familiar 3-5-3 formation, Yeovil Town U18s welcomed BRS Coaching up from Christchurch in the latest South West Counties Youth League fixture. Both Aidan Skiverton and Ethan O’Sullivan were missing through injury allowing Max Dyer to slot into a back three. Up front the team were without the influential Benjani Jr who was unavailable, but welcomed Mason Alden back to the programme with a spot on the bench.
The match started with several high press attacks from the home side and their pressure paid off as early as the 6th minute when Sam Hodges sent a cross in from the right, which Jack Bareham was able to control and poke through for Jacob Shore who was ghosting in at the back to steer it home, 1-0.
The Young Glovers continued to press home their advantage in the opening half hour with striker Charlie Bateson going close on two occasions. However, BRS almost snatched an equaliser when the number 9 was presented with a chance from 5 yards out which Rob Hollard did very well to save with his foot.
The weather took a turn for the worse and the wet blustery conditions were something of a leveller as Yeovil gave up possession in some promising positions and the visitors sensed an opportunity to get back in to the match as the half came to a close.
Manager Matt Percival had obviously asked for more from his team during the break as the home side started the second period strongly and were beginning to boss things with Hodges and Jake Graziano prominent in midfield. A second goal came in the 52nd minute when the ball broke down the left and Bateson strode into the box and finished smartly with a low shot across goal, 2-0.
BRS were beginning to look overrun at times as the Young Glovers sought to further their lead. Dyer tried a shot from distance which was saved, but the rebound fell to the advancing Josh Sutton who was on-hand to net, 3-0.
Alex Stevens was putting in an industrious performance up front and his endeavours were rewarded when he laid on a chance for Mason Hunter up from wing back who slammed one into the top corner to make it 4-0 with 62 minutes gone.
With the game seemingly won, Percival was able to shuffle the pack and sent on forward Alden and defender Mikey Archibald. Shortly after, the home side grabbed another goal with a fine run and cross from Graziano down the left enabling Hunter to grab his second with a side foot finish to make it 5-0.
In the final quarter Mason Hunter was denied a hat-trick when his shot was deflected for an own goal to make it 6-0. Joshua Haskett and Nathan Hart were introduced up front and Ryan Price came on in defence as Yeovil were continuing to control matters. To their credit, BRS never gave up and Hollard was forced into a fine save at the end to preserve the clean sheet.
An encouraging second half display will have pleased the home support; a solid defensive performance from Shore, Harrison Foster and Dyer providing a platform for some fluid and fast flowing attacking football up front. The squad are no doubt benefiting from the continued support of Scott Wickens, Lead Sport Scientist with the first team, and the energy levels and desire to compete will send the squad into the next fixture with confidence.
After the match, Percival was full of praise for his young squad:
“Things are starting to click with the lads with regards to the patterns and systems we’re trying to work. We were a little disappointed not to carry a bigger lead into the break having had a lot of the ball, but our second half performance was excellent and the fitness levels looked good.
“We’ve got a couple out injured so it’s great to see others step up and get out there on the field. As a squad the lads are working really hard in the week and it was particularly pleasing to keep that clean sheet today.”
Yeovil have a weekend off before returning to league action on the 29th October with a trip away to face Bath City FC.
Team: 1 – Hollard, 2 – Hunter, 3 – Sutton, 5 – Shore, 6 – Foster, 7 – Hodges 8 – Graziano ©, 9 – Bateson, 10 – Bareham, 11 – Stevens and 14 – Dyer Subs: 15 – Alden, 16 – Archibald, 17 – Price, 18 – Hart and 19 – Haskett
