Yeovil Town signed off from a disappointing season with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Boreham Wood.
In a game with very little to write home about, the Glovers showed glimmers. Youngster Ollie Haste was the shining light of the evening, making his first professional start for Yeovil.
Boreham Wood’s Tyrone Marsh scored the goal which ensured the Hertfordshire outlet would play in the play-offs, but for Yeovil, it was another forgettable afternoon.
Mark Cooper was forced into a late defensive change to his line-up, with Josh Staunton unable to complete the warm-up through illness, Haste came into the side to make his full National League debut.
The Elite Player Development Programme graduate was called into action on a number of occasions early doors, but he, alongside Max Hunt stood strong to the Wood’s attack.
With 12 minutes on the clock, Charlie Cooper had Town’s first effort from a free-kick, but his strike struck the wall and went out for a corner.
Six minutes later, the midfielder found shooting room once again, but his strike flew narrowly wide of the target.
The hosts had enjoyed vast spells of possession in the opening stages, but after winning the ball high up from Scott Pollock, the Wood were able to take the lead. After snatching the ball from Pollock in a wide area, the ball was sent into the box to find the unmarked Marsh to head home the only goal of the game.
In fairness to the Glovers, this was the only lapse in concentration from the back-line all afternoon, but a lapse in concentration that proved costly to the end result.
It took until the stroke of half-time for Yeovil to fashion another opening. Miguel Freckleton, in the final game of his loan, and Zanda Siziba combined well on the left flank, with the latter forcing a corner with his strike.
The second half saw Yeovil improve, and just two minutes into the half, Nathan Ashmore was called into action. Chiori Johnson tried his luck from distance and forced a good save from the Wood’s no.1.
Less than ten minutes later, there was a penalty appeal which could’ve gone either way. Malachi Linton collided with a Boreham Wood defender in the box, but the referee remained unmoved.
At the other end, the hosts looked to hit Town on the break. With just under an hour played Boreham Wood looked in, but a fantastic challenge from Haste halted their attack.
Seconds later, Cooper tried his luck once again from the edge of the area and had Ashmore beaten, but his effort flew narrowly over.
With just over twenty to go, the best chance to equalise fell Yeovil’s way. An excellent pass from Siziba sent Griffiths through on goal, but the forward fluffed his lines and forced an easy save from Ashmore.
Chances then dried up for Yeovil, but the closing stages did see a National League debut for Benjani Jr who had been recalled from his loan at Sherborne Town on Friday afternoon.
The fixture was largely a summary of the Glovers’ season, with a lack of cutting edge once again proving costly.
As the final whistle blew, many Yeovil fans will be forgiven to feel relieved that this season has come to an end. 226 supporters travelled to Hertfordshire on Saturday evening, and the players & staff showed their appreciation to all of them at the final whistle, with a number of shirts given away. As ever, we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you in the Summer.
Yeovil Town: Smith; Johnson, Hunt, Haste, Freckleton; Cooper, Pollock, Clarke; Young (Benjani Jr), Siziba (Oluwabori), Linton (Griffiths)
Report courtesy of YTFC click here for more.
