COOP HAS HOPE FOR GLOVERS!
MARK Cooper insists Yeovil can still make a great escape from relegation despite another missed opportunity which typified their season.
The Glovers had to settle for a point from a much-improved display as Tommy Widdrington began his reign as Aldershot Town boss with another underwhelming home performance, leaving Yeovil on the brink of a fourth relegation in ten years.
“Great performance, great following,” enthused Cooper of the backing his side received from over 500 travelling supporters. “From start to finish we were outstanding.
“I thought we deserved to win the game but if we play like that until the end of the season, we have a chance.
“We’ve got to keep going. If we win on Monday then we could be two points (behind). If we can get to the last game, who knows?”
After Tuesday’s capitulation against Gateshead, the division’s lowest scorers rediscovered a modicum of passion and cohesion but for all of their renewed attacking threat, and the dynamic contribution of Matt Worthington, once again failed to find the cutting edge which could easily have brought an invaluable victory against their tepid hosts.
Yeovil forced a slew of corners but the best chance of the half fell to the Shots, Josh McQuoid’s angled effort well parried by Grant Smith.
The real suckerpunch came on 48 minutes, when Tyler Cordner rose highest in a crowded penalty area to head Ollie Harfield’s corner into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
Briefly, the visitors were visibly deflated but the introduction of Callum Harriott soon galvanised a lethal response. Linton and Worthington combined down the right and crossed for Harriott to flick in his first Yeovil goal.
The game built to a chaotic finale. Linton drove a shot into the side-netting, and Justin Amaluzor’s 25-yarder grazed the top of the crossbar, but the result hinged on two penalty appeals.
Chiori Johnson slid in on Tahvon Campbell, only for Jake Hutchinson to blaze his 87th-minute spot-kick high and wide. Yeovil were then denied what Cooper called “a blatant penalty” by James Durkin’s “horrendous decision” to not penalise Michael Klass’s clumsy pull on Malachi Linton.
“Where both clubs are, it’s probably a better point for us than it is for them,” suggested Widdrington. “It was a game of very fine margins, but when you lose the lead it always feels like you’ve given points back.”
In reality, for Widdrington as much as Cooper, it was a frustrating story of what might have been.
STAR MAN: Matt Worthington (Yeovil) ATT: 2,896 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: James Durkin