Drew ploughs up Yeovil

So a New Year and a new dawn? Or was last night’s drink really in the last chance saloon? 3CR apparently all doom and gloom again pre-match, rumours all around of impending departures, of skipper Chris Coyne for one and surely Edwards and Bell.

But for a day at least, to sleep perchance to dream. Still Jaroslav Fojut, David Bell, David Edwards, Matthew Spring and Dean Brill in the team, unchanged from Boxing Day’s famous away victory at Port Vale.

And in final proof that Santa still exists a 4-4-2 formation what’s more:

Brill

Keane Perry Fojut Goodall

Bell Edwards Spring Currie

Andrew Talbot



On the bench: Furlong, Robinson, Jackson, Hutchison, McVeigh.



Green and white hoops in respectable numbers in the Oak Road, and reasonable numbers in the Kenilworth, though the Main Stand had lots of empty seats.

A tremendous ovation for Jaroslav Fojut in his last game and then we were off. And within two minutes Calvin Andrew and Talbot combined and Andrew fired a dipping shot from 30 yards which bobbled uncomfortably in and out of the keeper’s arms.

On 4 a great move from Currie and Talbot gave Edwards the first of his usual chances on goal, but blocked for a corner. Seconds later it was Talbot again stretching for and winning a ball he had no right to reach and setting up Currie, whose curling left wing cross was just a tad too high for Andrew. Oh what joy to see two forwards operating in tandem. And Talbot tackling back too like a kid enjoying his football.

After 10 minutes the Town’s second corner, Currie from the right. And what a peach it was as the cluster of Town ‘giants’ went near post taking the defensive cover with them. And as the ball floated over them all to the penalty spot in came Matt Spring, racing like a greyhound and powering a fierce diving header goalwards. Cleared off the line, but only just. Clever and nearly worked too.

On 19 Edwards burst down the right onto a through ball and was brought down on the edge of the box. Bell floated over the kick but to no avail, and almost immediately made a monkey of the Yeovil left back and curled another beauty over, which the keeper plucked from off Calvin’s head.

Yeovil were attacking at pace on the break, and Brill had to look sharp once or twice. But the Town were dominant where it hurts – surely a goal was coming?

And on 27 a Bell through ball found Talbot on his own on the right apex of the box. He seemed surprised to have the time to receive and shoot, but
steadied himself and feinted perfectly to commit the defender before turning inside to create the space for a left foot shot.

Crash! As it thundered against the underside of the bar and out rather than in. God knows how.

And then it went quiet for 10 minutes or so until Bell delivered a thunderbolt from 30 yards, deflected over for a corner, which seemed overhit, but as Spring chased with the defender in the box a sudden bobble and immediate shouts of Handball from the entire Main Stand, studiously ignored by the ref. Seconds later a left wing cross was brilliantly controlled and fired, unfortunately at the keeper, in one extraordinary move by Andrew, then before we had recovered four shots in ten seconds as Talbot beat the defence for speed and crossed low and hard into a crowded and confused area.

And again Talbot beat the left back and crossed low, and this time Edwards just failed to beat a diving keeper to the ball.

And then it was half-time and still, amazingly, 0-0, but with football that flowed like it used to. A great hand for the players and a solid round of boos for the ref. Pinball football? Or panto football perhaps.

So no changes at half-time.

And straight from the off it resumed, Currie and Talbot teasing down the left, and earning a corner. It came to nothing but seconds later they were at it again, and eventually the ball reached Bell on the opposite flank. His cross to the near post was at last met on the full by Andrew’s forehead and this time there was nothing the keeper could do.

1-0 after 47 minutes.

And seconds later Andrew turned his marker and fired across a static keeper who watched helplessly as it crept just wide.

Then Talbot , on the byeline, flicked the ball over his head and marker and was away on goal. He pulled the ball back to the waiting Currie, 12 yards out, whose shot somehow struck a covering defender when it seemed easier to score.

It was like watching a cat toy with a field mouse, though with the result somewhat less certain.

On 69 Drew chased a lost ball down the left, retrieved it of course and fired from a hopeless angle past the keeper and, to his relief, past the post.

And two minutes later he beat his man on the right edge and fired low and
hard. As the keeper dived the ball caught the boot of a defender and looped
over the keeper, a certain goal. But somehow a desperate lunge and it was cleared off the line.

Then on 78 a flying Andrew was pulled down to earn the Yeovil defence their
fourth booking, and as the Currie free kick floated across a melee of players attacked it at the near post. Who touched it I have no idea but all a despairing keeper could do was flick it onto the inside of the post from where it bounced, tantalisingly, back to his arms.

Incredible. And the chances kept on coming, and meantime at last a dismissal for Yeovil’s Warne for a second, and harsh, booking.

Then into injury time and yet another Town chance as great work down the left created a pull-back to Spring on 12 yards – surely Spring of the Howitzer-shot variety would bury it? But no he tried placing it, and was foiled.

But 1-0 and as Blackwell said afterwards the most convincing 1-0 you’ll see.

An emotional farewell from Fojut, with another ovation and his shirt thrown to the crowd.

Bring on the Scousers – if we have any players left.

Scores:



Brill 7 a couple of good saves, but like Peter Shilton they
seem no more than normal now

Keane 7 calm and confident at full back and a threat going
forward

Fojut 8 the rock on which this church has been built

Perry 7 solid

Bell 8 typical Bell, taunting and teasing, weaving in and
out,

Spring 6 not his best but hard-working as usual

Edwards 7 worked tirelessly

Currie 7 beautiful to watch as he effortlessly floated cross
after cross.

Talbot 9 the duracell bunny personnified

Andrew 7 fans MoM which was a bit OTT, but very good