Glovers keep pace with the play-off pack
YEOVIL TOWN ................. 2 WOKING ............................ 1
DARREN Sarll believes his Yeovil side are coming into their own as they close in on a play-off place in the National League.
The Glovers are just two points shy of the play-off spots, although they have played more games than many of their rivals.
Rhys Murphy scored twice in a victory over Woking that made it seven home wins in a row.
Boss Sarll said: “I think this team is really close to being a really good team, I really believe that.”
In an opening spell of few chances, Kyran Lofthouse had the best effort for Woking, bringing a save out of Glovers goalkeeper Adam Smith, but it was the home side who took the lead after 31 minutes.
Josh Neufville caused chaos in the visitors’ box and the ball broke to Murphy, who scored his tenth league goal of the season.
Murphy was on target again just before the hour as Lofthouse conceded a free-kick and the striker acrobatically converted Alex Bradley’s delivery.
Woking were not giving up and Max Kretzschmar headed in with 25 minutes remaining.
Murphy flashed a long-range effort wide with five minutes to play as he looked for his hat-trick, but his two earlier efforts were enough to secure the points for the Somerset side.
Yeovil: A Smith, Bradley (Worthington 65), Dickinson, Hunt, Knowles, Lee, Murphy (Quigley 90), Neufville, Sass-Davies, Skendi, Reid (Dagnall 84). Not Used: J Smith, Kelly.
Booked: Hunt, Bradley, Reid, Lee.
Goals: Murphy 31, 59.
Woking: Ross, Cook (Casey 48), Gerring, Diarra, Cooper, Kretzschmar, Lofthouse, Dempsey, Muir (Wareham 61), Ashford (Napa 76), Loza. Not Used: Ferdinand, Jarvis.
Booked: Loza, Lofthouse, Gerring, Diarra.
Goals: Kretzschmar 65.
Referee: Scott Simpson (Staffordshire).
There will be no relegation from or promotion to the National League at the end of the current season, subject to agreement by the FA Council.
The National League decided last month to carry on despite concerns over funding caused by the continued absence of fans from venues due to coronavirus pandemic, but the leagues directly below it – the National Leagues North and South – opted to end their seasons by majority vote.
The FA’s Alliance Committee has announced that it supported the National League resolution, and that: “The 2020-21 season is declared null and void at Step 2 (the North and South leagues) with no promotion or relegation from Step 2 (or relegation from Step 1).”
A proposal from a group of Step 2 clubs, including Gloucester City, who led the North division at the time of suspension, to play on was rejected by the committee “in the interest of the integrity of the National League System”.