In came Shaun Cooper into midfield, Neil Young slotted back in at the back and my least favourite player of all time Steve Fletcher made an appearance.
At this point I should like to point out that Steve Fletcher had an excellent game! He has had many games where he has been way off the pace this season but credit where it is due - he offered much more up front than Rodrigues has done recently, linked up well with Hayter and scored a good goal.
The goal on 33 was a low right footed strike following a ball from Purches who had made ground down the right hand flank. Not bad at all!
Not a great deal happened before the goal, a couple of meek efforts from Hayter but that was it. Collis in the Yeovil goal also made a smart save from a long range Hayter effort 2 minutes before the goal.
In general we played with far greater resolve and determination than the last few performances. The back 3 of Howe, Young and Griffiths all looked like they knew what they were doing, strong in the tackle, well organised, nothing spectacular but all doing their jobs well. Purches and Hart operated as wing backs. Neither were great but both did alright.
Purches seems to be taking an age to get back to full fitness but he is still a good player and will hopefully get there again soon. Hart has improved immeasurably over the course of the season but Amankwaah was a handful and had him worried throughout. Anyone play Sunday morning football? I think of Hart a bit like when you are short of numbers one week and have to get someone's younger brother to play. They do a job short-term but will never be a world-beater.
Fletcher picked up a booking after an aerial challenge with Paul Terry. At least Neil Young isn't significantly uglier than his more illustrious brother. Paul Terry probably only earns 1% as much as his brother does and is also 90% uglier.
Gareth Stewart made a good stop (away to his right I think) just before HT to ensure we went in with a slender lead.
HT: 1-0
The 2nd 45 wasn't as entertaining. We ground it out and did just enough to hold on. A few long range efforts from the Green and White hoops but nothing to have us too worried to be honest (I was thinking they looked just like Whyteleafe - been watching too much Ryman League footy this season).
Yeovil had the ball quite a bit in the middle of the park. This was a game of two teams that have been struggling for form and confidence and it wasn't the best quality. Having said that, we certainly did enough in the 1st half to deserve the win. Shaun Cooper did a tremendous job in the middle, doing all the donkey work, harassing, probing, chasing and keeping things moving. An energetic performance. He made a big difference.
James O'Connor replaced Hart early in the 2nd half, not sure what was wrong with Hart but he wasn't wearing his tights today.
Most memorable point of the whole game was probably Andy Durso's obdurate refusal to play the advantage which twice cost us when advanced in good positions. In an era when referees are berated for everything I usually stick up for them but these decisions were horrible!
Near the end Gareth Stewart didn't come for a ball which went across the face of his 6 yard box (a facet of goalkeeping Neil Moss is infinitely better at), but thankfully no-one from the Somerset outfit was quick or sharp enough.
Very, very relieved to win. We needed the win desperately. Enjoyed the game as we showed some tenacity, got our foot in and stuck at it. We are not out of the woods yet, plenty of tricky fixtures to come but a good day none the less.
Hayter was probably our best player (he usually is). Howe had his best game for a while and Fletcher made a big difference and can feel pleased with his performance but Cooper shades it for me. AFCB: Stewart, Young, Howe, Hart, Griffiths, Browning, Cooper, Foley, Purches, Hayter, Fletcher
Subs: Moss, Cooke, Pitman, O'Connor (for Hart, 55), Brown (for Foley, 89)
Vinny Goodfield, Richmond