Report | Yeovil Town 0-2 Argyle

Yeovil Town 0

Argyle 2

Hardie 48’

Azaz 60’

Argyle signed off their pre-season schedule with a routine 2-0 win over Vanarama National League side Yeovil Town.

Second half goals from Ryan Hardie and Finn Azaz saw the Greens past a spirited Yeovil side at a cloudy but dry Huish Park.

One week out from the start of the Sky Bet League One season opener, Steven Schumacher made four changes from the side which beat Torquay United in the week, with Callum Burton, James Wilson, Joe Edwards and Ryan Hardie coming into the starting line up in place of Mike Cooper, Niall Ennis, Mickel Miller and Finley Craske.

Argyle’s new man, Morgan Whittaker would have to wait for his first appearance in Green, named amongst the substitutes.

Argyle began the game, as they have throughout the majority of pre-season, with the two inverted wingers behind the striker, and it wasn’t long for them to make an impression. Mayor picked up the ball in a pocket of space on the right, slid a pass through to the onrushing Mumba and his cross, aimed at Hardie, was cut out and cleared for a corner. A fast start.

After 10 minutes in which Argyle almost dominated possession and chances, Yeovil broke free. They worked it nicely through the thirds and into the Argyle half. Tom Knowles picked up the ball and saw a small opening. He ran into it and unleashed a right footed drive which worried Burton enough for him to put a full-length dive in. The ball though, went just wide.

The Greens quickly settled into their dominance and tapped the ball from player to player up the pitch. Azaz found himself wide on the left and once he got the pass from Mayor, he drove the ball into the feet of Hardie on the edge of the six-yard box. With six goals so far in pre-season and high in confidence, he controlled it, turned and fired goal wards. The shot was too close to Smith in the Yeovil goal, but Argyle were looking good.

26 minutes in and the first exceptional bit of quality from Argyle, in an attacking sense. Gillesphey found room on the left-hand side and curled a magnificent ball into the path of Hardie. His shot was blocked by a strong challenge from Staunton, but the ball broke to Mumba. He jinked his way past the tackle of Jamie Reckord and picked out Azaz with quality pull back. After a great first touch and a decent hit, the ball was smothered by Smith and the danger was over.

The Greens were purring now and the. Midfield four of Butcher, Randell, Mayor and Azaz were on top. Azaz picked up the ball on the edge of the box and laid it off to Randell. Without hesitation, he struck it towards goal and with the aid of a deflection Smith was able to make the save.

Three minutes into the second half and the Greens struck. A sweeping move from right to left saw Azaz pick out Mayor on the wing. He looked up and crossed low for Hardie, who did the rest. A deserved lead for Argyle and a seventh goal in pre-season for the Scot.

Schumacher’s side didn’t rest on their laurels and assumed the familiar role of monopolising possession. Azaz, who was impressive again, was the latest to go close, curling an effort from five yards outside the box, narrowly wide of the post.  The midfield, in particular, really seems to be working well.

The Green Army in the stands were enjoying the game as much as the players seemed to be. ‘Ooohs’ and ‘ahhs’ greeted a Mumba foray forward on the left. He cut one way then the other an smashed the ball into the side netting.

It was a sign of things to come as Argyle soon doubled their lead. Smith couldn’t keep hold of a rasping strike from Gillesphey and Azaz was on hand to turn home the rebound. More than he deserved for another impressive performance.

The goal was his last action, as Schumacher looked to his bench to make three changes. Azaz was replaced by Luke Jephcott with Niall Ennis on for Hardie. The third change saw Morgan Whittaker come on for his debut, replacing Danny Mayor.

The hosts also made a trio of changes and one of their replacements, Ollie Hulbert, almost clawed one back. He was set free on the left edge of the box but dragged his shot wide. A warning sign maybe for the Greens.

With 20 minutes to go, the game was halted by a brawl in front of the dugouts. Mumba felt he was fouled by Matt Worthington and took exception to the challenge. What happened after was a bit of a blur, with a lot of players coming together in a large melee. The result of it was a red card a piece, one for Mumba and one for Worthington. Not something you often see in a friendly.

The game soon calmed down again with Schumacher turning to his bench again to replace the midfielders. Randell and Butcher made their way for Alfie Lewis and Jordan Houghton, and both had to be aware as Yeovil tried to launch a counterattack. First Lewis cut out a cross from the left, before Houghton calmed things down to clear the danger.

After a few more changes from both sides meant the game meandered towards the end. Yeovil still have a couple  of pre-season matches to play before their league campaign begins in August, but for the Greens, all eyes will now be on being ready for next weekend, Barnsley, and the start of the Sky Bet League One season.

Argyle: 25 Callum Burton (gk); 3 Macaulay Gillesphey (Endacott 82’), 5 James Wilson, 6 Dan Scarr, 7 Matt Butcher (Lewis 73’), 8 Joe Edwards (capt) (Craske 82’), 9 Ryan Hardie (Ennis 60’), 10 Danny Mayor (Jephcott 60’), 17 Bali Mumba, 18 Finn Azaz (Whittaker 60’), 20 Adam Randell (Houghton 73’). Substitutes: 45 Zak Baker (gk), 4 Jordan Houghton, 11 Niall Ennis, 16 Alfie Lewis, 19 Morgan Whittaker, 22 Brendan Galloway, 31 Luke Jephcott, 36 Finley Craske, 37 Brandon Pursall, 42 Jack Endacott.

Booked:

Sent off: Mumba 69

Yeovil Town: 1 Grant Smith, 2 Morgan Williams, 3 Jamie Reckord (Trialist 73’), 5 Max Hunt, 7 Matt Worhtington, 9 Alex Fisher (Trailist 60’), 11 Tom Knowles (Stephens 82’), 14 Malachi Linton (Wakefield 60’), 16 Sam Perry (Trialist 73’), 17 Chiori Johnson (Hulbert 60’), 32 Josh Staunton (capt). Substitutes: 12 Max Evans (gk), 8 Lawson D'Ath, 19 Charlie Wakefield, 20 Toby Stephens, 22 Ollie Hulbert, 35 Ollie Haste, plus a number of trialists.

Booked:

Sent off: Worthington 69’

Attendance : 1565