Yeovil Town advanced in the Emirates FA Cup in dramatic fashion after a penalty shootout victory over Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
In a similar fashion to Saturday’s draw, Yeovil Town took the lead in the first half as Worthington flicked a header beyond a stranded Ross Fitzsimons, before Josh McQuoid levelled the affair.
Despite a late penalty miss, the Glovers were able to dust themselves down and secure a 2-1 victory from the spot.
Darren Sarll made two changes to the side which were held on Saturday afternoon, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton returned to the fold, replacing Tom Knowles in the Glovers’ midfield. In the defence, Jack Robinson returned to the back four, moving Jordan Barnett into a midfield role with Ben Seymour dropping to the bench.
Looking for more attacking impetus after a frustrating second half in the original fixture, Yeovil began on the front foot. Joe Quigley held the ball up well and dropped it into Barnett’s path, but his first-time strike flew over.
Continuing to create chances, in the sixth minute Dan Moss’ delivery was met by Worthington who couldn’t direct his header on target.
Not making the same mistake twice, the Glovers found a way in front through a Worthington header. After a hectic phase of play which saw Quigley hit the bar, the ball was recycled around the box excellently, eventually being crossed to Worthington who flicked his header beyond Fitzsimons, leading to raptures in the away end.
With the wind in their sails, Yeovil did not rest on their laurels, both Dale Gorman and Barnett fired narrowly wide from the edge of the box minutes after taking the lead.
In the dying stages of the half, Quigley was unlucky not to double Town’s advantage after being poked through by Charlie Wakefield, but his effort was well-saved by Fitzsimons.
It took until the 50th minute for the hosts to find an effort of note, Brad Ash cut inside at the edge of the box and tamely fired into Smith’s gloves.
Hunting for a second, Yeovil’s first chance of the second half fell after Robinson pounced onto a loose ball and played Wakefield through and after driving to the edge of the Weymouth box, his effort was saved at the second attempt by Fitzsimons.
Wakefield was Town’s bright spark in the opening stages of the second half. The Chelsea academy graduate looked for options around him at the edge of the box and they didn’t come, instead took the onus upon himself as the Glovers’ no.19 fired on goal from 20-yards, but a block thwarted his effort.
Enjoying success behind the Weymouth defence was largely at a premium in the first half, but in the second Town found routes in behind far more often. Lo-Everton broke beyond the Terras’ backline and rounded the goalkeeper, after being ushered wide the Watford loanee then found Quigley who sent an effort goal-bound, but once again Weymouth got bodies in front of the Glovers’ effort.
Continuing as the ascendancy throughout the half, Barnett did excellently to dance his way into the box with just over twenty minutes to go, but a heavy touch saw the ball escape his grasp and find Quigley who once again had his effort blocked.
The hosts had done very little to threaten Yeovil throughout, but with fifteen minutes to go they grew into the game. The 78th minute saw a heart in mouth moment for Glovers fans. Thomson burst in behind but a heroic recovery challenge from Josh Staunton held Town’s advantage.
There was a sense of deja vu with 86 minutes on the clock as Weymouth equaliser, as Ollie Harfield found McQuoid at the back post to head home the leveller.
Despite late set-pieces from both sides, neither could capitalise as the game went to extra time.
Having made more substitutions, the fresh legs of Weymouth saw them start extra time on the front foot, yet chances didn’t fall their way.
For the third time in two weeks, Yeovil Town were robbed of a seemingly good goal. After Gorman’s corner was met by Quigley at the near-post, his header was at least three yards over the line, but the referee and linesman remained unmoved.
With the last attack of the game, the Glovers won a penalty after substitute Adi Yussuf fired an effort on goal which was adjudged to have been blocked with a hand. Quigley stepped up but he had his effort saved by Fitzsimons, meaning the game would be decided by a shootout.
Not taking chances had been a common theme in this tie, and that continued in the penalty shootout. Despite misses from Ben Seymour and Tom Knowles, Weymouth missed three of their first four penalties whilst Yussuf and Gorman converted to secure a memorable victory for Town.
Yeovil Town: Smith; Robinson, Hunt, Staunton, Moss; Gorman, Worthington (Simper), Barnett (Knowles); Lo-Everton (Seymour), Quigley, Wakefield (Yussuf)
Bookings: Barnett, Smith
Subs not used: Evans, Dyer.
Report courtesy of YTFC. See more details and all the latest news at YTFC.net
