Match Report: Yeovil Town

Despite a late Hamzad Kargbo equaliser, it was penalty heartache for the Stones as they fell harshly to defeat against National League side Yeovil Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Round.

Even though it was a well drilled and organised performance from George Elokobi’s side, they fell victim to the lottery of spot kicks in a game that only really took off shortly before the 90 minute mark.

It was clear from the offset that the game plan was to frustrate the home side and were happy for Yeovil to have the ball. Despite this, the Glovers struggled to find pockets of space and David Sesay and Leo Hamblin did an excellent job of shutting off the flanks, forcing Yeovil to play through the middle a lot.

James Daly popped in a high cross after Hamblin couldn’t see the ball out for a goal kick which found the head of Aaron Jarvis but his downwards header was comfortable for Lenny Holden. Following that, the Stones were resolute and stayed composed defensively whilst Dajon Golding and John Gilbert were doing well with the high press forcing Yeovil to play into touch on a number of occasions.

Ex-Stone Michee Efete who was brought on as a first half sub immediately got into the action as he made his way into the box before setting Brett McGavin but his first time shot was deflected over the bar.

Along with the defensive work, Hamblin was getting time and space in the final third and whacked a fair amount of crosses into the danger area but with no one to challenge on the end of it.

The Stones carried on in the second half with their discipline out of possession but again Yeovil were finding clear cut chances hard to come by. Daly who was one of the real threats throughout the game took the ball in his stride before seeing a flying effort from 25 yards out go narrowly wide with Lenny Holden at full stretch.

Set pieces were going to be key for the Stones which throughout they wasted including one from Papadopoulos when it was played short to Jephte Tanga who blazed the effort well over the bar.

Yeovil thought they had their chance when Luke McCormick controlled a low volley from Andrew Oluwabori’s cross deep cross but went inches wide of the post with Holden rooted to the spot.

With 89 minutes on the clock, we looked destined for penalties but then that’s where the drama really unfolded at Hush Park. Daly knocked a cross in from the left which found an unmarked Joshua Tobin who powered a low header past Holden despite George Fowler’s best efforts to clear it off the line.

The gaffer had no choice but to throw on two more changes in one last attempt to stay in the competition including Ruben Carvalho. It is an instant impact from the young winger as it was his inch perfect cross two minutes into stoppage time which set up Hamzad Kargbo for the header from close range to grab an unlikely equaliser.

With the momentum in the Stones favour, they perhaps had the slight psychological advantage going into the spot kicks but two saves from Jed Ward in the Glovers goal to deny both Papadopoulos and Sesay put Yeovil on course to go through.

The home side were ruthless in their spot kicks, giving Holden no chance and it was Oluwabori who finished the job off with still a kick spare to ensure the Somerset side’s name was in the hat for Monday’s draw.

Yeovil Town: Joshua Tobin 89’

Maidstone United: Hamzad Kargbo 90+2’

Yeovil Town: 1. Jed Ward, 3. Alex Whittle (20. Michee Efete 29 mins), 5. Finn Cousin-Dawson, 6. Jake Wannell (C), 8. Luke McCormick, 9. Aaron Jarvis (29. Tahvon Campbell 45 mins), 11. James Daly, 14. Brett McGavin, 21. Harvey Greenslade, 26. Kyle Ferguson, 28. Leo Ramirez-Espain. Subs not used: 22. Matthew Gould, 15. Dan Ellison, 19. Josh Sims.

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 2. David Sesay, 3. Leo Hamblin, 4. Lexus Beeden (24. Taylor Foran 90 mins), 5. George Fowler (C), 6. TJ Bramble (23. Hamzad Kargbo 71 mins), 7. Jephte Tanga (19. Ruben Carvalho 90 mins), 10. John Gilbert (8. Sam Corne 64 mins), 12. Dajon Golding (9. Deon Moore 64 mins), 17. Riley Court, 20. Antony Papadopoulos. Subs not used: 1. Nathan Harness, 15. David Agbontohoma.