Yeovil Town completed a late turnaround against Torquay United to get 2021 off to a flyer with a 2-1 victory.
Following a tight first half, the league leaders took the lead through Aaron Nemane early on in the second.
However, the Glovers never say die attitude shone through as goals from Josh Neufville and Luke Wilkinson in the last ten minutes saw the Glovers heroically claim all three points against the Gulls.
Darren Sarll was forced into two changes to the side that beat Aldershot on Monday afternoon. Adam Smith remained in goal, but it was a return for Alex Bradley who replaced Gabe Osho at right back who has been recalled by Luton. Max Hunt and Luke Wilkinson began in the middle with Carl Dickinson left back.
The midfield compromised of the same diamond from Monday, with Charlie Lee at the base, Matt Worthington and Lawson D’Ath ahead of him but just behind Albi Skendi.
After an impressive cameo, Josh Neufville replaced the suspended Joe Quigley to partner Courtney Duffus.
The first half was cagey throughout, with neither side showing their hand during the opening stages.
Wilkinson had Town’s first shot on target in the 13th minute after he connected with Dickinson’s cross, but his header fell straight into Covolan’s gloves.
Largely, both teams were restricted to sighters, with the most notable for Town falling to Duffus on 24 minutes as he fired an effort on goal that Covolan was once again equal to.
Town looked most threatening from set-plays, and Wilkinson went agonisingly close on the verge of the break as he sent an effort crashing off the crossbar.
The second half saw Torquay open with intent and open the scoring on 47 minutes with an incisive breakaway. Slicing apart the Glovers midfield, Nemane was sent clean through on goal and calmly slotted beyond Smith with their first clear cut chance of the afternoon.
After the goal, the visitors rarely threatened and looked to maintain what they had.
The 54th minute left a sour taste in the mouth for the green and whites, midfielder Lee looked to be in some serious pain as he hobbled off to be replaced by Emmanuel Sonupe.
With fresh legs injected into the midfield, Sarll’s side began to play with more impetus, and were seemingly denied a penalty on 58 minutes as the always-bright Neufville was hauled down in the box.
Despite being denied by the referee, the decision did little to dishearten Neufville, bursting beyond the Torquay defence again on 77 minutes but he mishit his effort, sending the ball just wide of Covolan’s goal.
Eventually, it was third time lucky for Neufville as he clawed Town back into the game. After Torquay failed to clear their lines, the ball dropped to the Luton loanee who deftly placed the ball into the top corner and claw the greens level.
After levelling the affair, Yeovil smelt blood, continually harassing the Torquay backline and creating chances.
As the game entered stoppage time, the turnaround was completed. An emphatic Wilkinson header at the back post from Dickinson’s corner sent Yeovil into a deserving lead.
With lead secured, Yeovil weren’t done yet, as both Albi Skendi and Tom Knowles had chances in stoppage time to add a third for Town, but the visitors did well to usher both wide.
Ultimately, Yeovil Town began 2021 just as they started 2020, with a dramatic victory over Torquay United. Next up for Sarll’s side is a trip to archrivals Weymouth.
Yeovil Town: A.Smith; Bradley, Wilkinson, Hunt, Dickinson; Lee (Sonupe), Worthington (Knowles), D’Ath, Skendi; Duffus (Warburton), Neufville
Bookings: Neufville, D’Ath
Subs: Dagnall, Palmer
