REPORT: NOTTS COUNTY 1 – 2 YEOVIL TOWN
COMPETITION |Sky Bet League 1
SCORERS| Petrasso 63| Clarke 84, 88
ATTENDANCE|7,746 (250 away)
REFEREE| Stuart Attwell
Two late headers from Yeovil’s Jordan Clarke sealed three points against the ten men of Notts County, as they won 2-1. Michael Petrasso gave Notts the lead in the second half, but they couldn’t hold on. The win takes Yeovil off the bottom of the League One table, whilst Notts slipped down to sixth.
There was very little in the way of chances during the first half, with Ajay Leitch-Smith the first to test Roy Carroll in the Notts net. A flick from Jordy Hiwula sent James Barrett clear midway through the home side’s half. Barrett played the ball to his left, where Leitch-Smith was waiting. The striker only had eyes for goal, as he hit his shot first time with his left foot, but Carroll got down well to deny the former Crewe striker from breaking the deadlock.
Notts did have chances of their own too. Michael Petrasso, on loan from QPR, with the best sight on goal for the home side. He found himself with plenty of space on the right wing, but his opportunity was foiled by Jed Steer in the Yeovil goal, catching the winger’s shot with ease.
The first half was marred, however, by a controversial decision made by referee Stuart Attwell, after he showed midfielder Gary Jones a red card for a tackle on Nathan Smith. The player looked to have got the ball, but Attwell didn’t hesitate in sending off the former Bradford man. Both players and fans were shocked by the decision, as Jones left the pitch to a huge applause from the home fans.
Yeovil defender Stephen Arthurworrey came closest during the remaining 15 minutes of the first half, he weaved his way through two Notts defenders before he forced Carroll into a magnificent save to keep the scores level.
The ten men of Notts County came out in the second half and showed great character to take the lead against all odds. Pressure from both Jake Cassidy and Michael Petrasso made Yeovil defender Arthurworrey pass back to his keeper, however his pass was short, as Petrasso pounced onto the loose ball, before rounding Jed Steer in the Yeovil goal and slotting into an empty net.
From then on, Yeovil bombarded the home side with pressure as Simon Gillett and Kevin Dawson tested Roy Carroll, but the keeper denied them on both occasions going into the latter stages of the game.
However, with six minutes of normal time remaining, defender Jordan Clarke equalised for the visitors. A corner was whipped into the box and Clarke got to the ball first as he headed it into the back of the net, despite efforts from Carroll to clear off the line.
At that point, the Magpies collapsed and Yeovil took the lead late on. It was Clarke again waiting at the far post, as a cross was placed onto the head of the defender. Clarke showed good aerial ability to nod the ball in off the post and give Yeovil three points to take home.
Teams:
Notts County: Carroll, C Thompson, Adams (McKenzie 35), Hollis ©, G Thompson, Cassidy (Harrad 75), Jones, Noble, Edwards (Murray 90), McLaughlin, Petrasso.
Substitutes: Spiess, Dumbuya, Wroe, Murray, McKenzie, Traore, Harrad.
Yeovil Town: Steer, Smith, Edwards, Dawson, Berrett (Gillett 72), Leitch-Smith (Hayter 54), Foley, Clarke, Nugent, Hiwula (Grant 54), Arthurworrey.
Substitutes: Krysiak, Hayter, Hoskins, Twumasi, Grant, Gillet.