10-man Glovers slump to defeat at high flyers

IN the Vanarama National League, Boreham Wood beat 10-man Yeovil 2-1 to move up to fourth in the table

Dale Gorman put the Glovers 1-0 up but a Josh Staunton own goal and Josh Rees’ effort helped hosts Wood take three points after Adi Yussuf ’s dismissal in the 38th minute.

Yeovil goalkeeper Grant Smith was called into action early with a superb dive to his right to deny Will Evans. Yeovil took the lead in the 15th minute through Gorman after his free-kick went under the Boreham wall and past Nathan Ashmore.

Wood got the equaliser in the 26th minute when Staunton found his own net. The Glovers were reduced to 10 men as Yussuf was shown his second yellow card for a challenge on Jamal Fyfield. Rees got the winning goal on the hour mark, tucking away a Kane Smith header.

In National League South, Bath City were Maidstone United’s latest victims as the Kent side maintained their unbeaten start to the 21-22 season with a 3-0 victory at Twerton Park.

The visitors took the lead on 15 minutes. Debutant keeper Maurice Mahoney did well to keep out an initial effort but the ball dropped kindly for Taylor Curran to side foot it home from eight yards.

Bath’s Mo Touray was desperately unlucky four minutes later when his curling shot hit the post.

The Stones dealt City a hammer blow with a breakaway second goal, Joan Luque steering home a cross. City continued to push but even with the introduction of top scorer Cody Cooke from the bench they found Maidstone’s defence in resolute form.

The Stones ensured the points would be heading back to Kent in the 78th minute as Luque evaded several challenges on the edge of the box before finding the corner of the net with a well-placed low shot.

Also in National League South, a fine performance from Chippenham Town secured a 3-0 win over hosts Concord Rangers. Will Richards put the Bluebirds 1-0 up after 17 minutes before Marlon Jackson and Ross Stearn added another two after the interval in the 75th and 86th minutes.

In National League North, Gloucester City sacked manager Paul Groves, with former Bristol Rovers player Lee Mansell installed as interim boss.

The club confirmed Groves had been relieved of his duties along with his backroom team after the 3-0 defeat at Gateshead on Saturday.The result left the Tigers - who were top when last season was brought to an end by Covid - 20th in the table and only one point off the bottom.

They suffered a humiliating 9-0 defeat at Chorley on September 4 and they have conceded 20 goals in seven games. Groves, 55, was appointed at New Meadow Park in December 2020 following the departure of James Rowe to Chesterfield. He had previously been in charge of Grimsby Town and AFC Bournemouth along with a spell as caretaker boss of Portsmouth.

The club statement from cochairman Alex Petheram said: “Owing to recent results, I can confirm this evening that Gloucester City AFC has parted ways with Paul Groves and members of his back room staff.”

It added: “We have appointed Lee Mansell as interim manager, taking charge from Monday.”

Gloucester-born Mansell, 39, enjoyed a professional career with the likes of Luton Town, Oxford United, Torquay United and 81 appearances for Bristol Rovers, where he has also worked as a coach within the academy.

Hereford played out a goalless draw with visitors Leamington.

In the Southern League Premier South, Yate Town followed up an excellent FA Cup win against Gosport with a 4-0 home win against Beaconsfield Town.

Dave Sims-Burgess, whose two goals sunk Gosport, opened the scoring with a 17th-minute penalty, and Olly Mehew added a second five minutes later. Sims-Burgess converted another spot-kick just before half-time, and Yate’s afternoon was completed on 79 minutes when James Harding finished off a breakaway.

In contrast, Weston-super-Marewere unable to build on their 5-1 FA Cup win against Taunton as they lost 3-1 at home to Hartley Wintney in Premier South.

Ben Wright’s 13th-minute strike put the visitors ahead and, although Scott Laird equalised in the 42nd minute, Hartley ran out winners thanks to goals from Josh Webb, on 72 minutes, and Reece Wylie, on 87 minutes.

Paulton Rovers brought a poor run of results to an end with a 5-1 success at bottom side Barnstaple Town. Dave O’Hare broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, and Jake Sloggett added a second for Paulton just before half-time. Ed Butcher made it 3-0 in the 58th minute, and although Harry Bamforth pulled a goal back, late strikes from Will Harvey and James Byrne completed an emphatic win.

Mangotsfield United’s search for a first win goes on after a 2-0 defeat at Highworth. Harris Edwards gave Highworth a seventh-minute lead, and Felipe Barcelos struck late on.

Elsewhere, Salisbury beat visitors Swindon Supermarine 4-2. Zackarian Kotwica put the visitors ahead on 19 minutes before Oliver Knowles levelled for the hosts in the 27th minute. Salisbury then took control to go 4-1 up by halftime with goals from Jack Ball, Antonio Diaz and Sam Ashton in the 33rd, 36th and 38th minutes. Conor McDoonagh got one back for Supermarine in the 67th minute but that proved little more than a consolation.

Taunton enjoyed a 3-0 home win over Walton Casuals, courtesy of goals from Gethyn Hill in the 27th minute, Andrew Neal on the hour and Tyler Harvey after 72 minutes.