Yeovil Town proved too much for Aldershot Town at the EBB Stadium this evening as they ran out 4-1 winners.
Three changes were made from the side that beat Hartlepool United at the weekend as Kwame Thomas, James Clarridge and Dejan Tetek returned to the starting XI in place of Hady Ghandour, Ben Jackson and James Henry.
It was Aldershot had the first sight at goal as Ryan Hill’s positivity down the left forced a corner in the fourth minute. Though the corner was cleared, it fell to Archy Taylor on the edge of the box who got over the ball well to narrowly fire over with a fierce half-volley.
But despite a positive start from The Shots, it would be Yeovil Town who took the lead in the 11th minute. Taylor was caught in possession by Junior Morias who raced into the Shots box and forced a good save from Marcus Dewhurst, but the ball fell straight to Tahvon Campbell who saw his shot bounce over the line via a deflection to score against his former side.
About five minutes later, Yeovil came close to adding a second as Andrew Oluwabori robbed Ryan Hill of possession and stormed towards goal. Dewhurst did well to stick out a strong hand to deny him, though.
On the 21st minute, The Glovers did add a second. Oluwabori was causing problems again and Junior Morias was the beneficiary as he picked up the ball down the left of the Shots’ box and cut inside to fire past Dewhurst.
The visiting side should have had a third not long later as Oluwabori was given too much time on the edge of the box to get a shot away and Dewhurst’s save fell straight to Josh Sims who should have done better as he fired wide.
They did get their third in the 25th minute though as The Shots’ defence was caught out by a ball from deep and Luke McCormick was able to break through and keep his composure to find the bottom corner.
Ryan Jones was subsequently introduced to provide a new threat down the left in a defensive shake up that saw Charlie Penman substituted, Archy Taylor move into the back-three and Ryan Hill change over to the right-wing.
Jones’ substitution did bring a new dynamic for The Shots as he continued his return to full fitness. His good work down the left provided an opportunity for Josh Barrett who forced Jed Ward into a good save just before the break.
HALF-TIME
Yeovil were in command and whilst The Shots were showing good energy to try and get back into the game, the visitors were still a huge threat going forward. Tahvon Campbell should have scored as he fired a ball well over from close-range.
Yeovil were awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute as Ryan Hill was adjudged to have tripped his man and Campbell stepped up and sent Dewhurst the wrong way to grab his second and Yeovil’s fourth.
A powerful strike from Ryan Jones came very close to hitting the target not long after as it took a nick and went out for a corner. Jed Meerholz met Barrett’s delivery at the front-post but headed wide.
There was some consolation as the game edged into added time as James Henry scored. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box, his finish was sublime and left Jed Ward with no chance.
It was too little, too late from Aldershot as just minutes remained with a three-goal deficit, but Archy Taylor almost got another back with a great strike on his left-foot cutting in from the right forcing an incredible save from Jed Ward.
Attendance: 1931 (203 Away)
Shots lineup: 1. Marcus Dewhurst, 6. Theo Widdrington (C), 7. Cameron Hargreaves (30. Tristan Abrahams, 61′), 9. Kwame Thomas, 10. Josh Barrett (17. James Henry, 72′), 14. Jed Meerholz, 15. Charlie Penman (11. Ryan Jones, 25′), 19. Ryan Hill (18. Kiban Rai, 72′), 28. Archy Taylor, 32. James Clarridge, 34. Dejan Tetek (23. Hady Ghandour, 72′).
Subs not used: 16. Pat Nash, 5. Ben Jackson.
Yeovil lineup: 1 Jed Ward, 4 Morgan Williams, 5 Finn Cousin-Dawson, 6 Jake Wannell (C), 7 Junior Morias (2. Byron Pendleton, 56′), 8 Luke McCormick, 17 Andrew Oluwabori (3. Alex Whittle, 79′), 18 James Plant (10. Ben Wodskou, 79′), 19 Josh Sims (21. Harvey Greenslade, 65′), 26 Kyle Ferguson, 29 Tahvon Campbell.
Subs not used: 22. Matthew Gould, 30. Ollie Hughes.
