Match Report: Taunton Town 1, Yeovil Town 2

SOMERSET PREMIER CUP FINAL

TAUNTON TOWN 2, YEOVIL TOWN 1

STEVE SOWDEN REPORTS FROM THE HAND STADIUM, CLEVEDON

THE Nationwide Conference championship parties and celebrations probably took their toll on the heroes of Yeovil Town as they lost out on completing a league and cup double at Clevedon on Tuesday night.

Yeovil manager Gary Johnson resisted the temptation to bring in his more recognised starting line-up and stuck with the same group of fringe and squad players who had taken the Glovers to the Final of the Somerset Premier Cup.

But there is no doubting that the partying and excitement of Saturday and subsequent celebratory exuberance when Yeovil were presented with the Conference championship trophy had some reason as to why the Glovers put in a poor performance at the Hand Stadium against Taunton Town on a wet and windy night.

Gary Fisher gave Taunton the lead on the stroke of half-time when he shot past keeper Steve Collis, although it was obvious the marksman had pulled the shirt of Abdelhalim Elkholti to set up his strike.

Taunton doubled their lead in the 78th minute when Fisher beat the defence and met a cross from the right to knock home.

Yeovil, who had been on the end of some terrible tackling, got back into the game late on when big Jimmy Aggrey scrambled the ball into the net. But it was too little, too late for the Glovers and they had to settle for runners-up in the competition they have now not won since 1998.

It was a disappointing way to round off what has been, without question, an absolute dream season. But a poor playing surface at Clevedon, a below standard performance from the referee and his officials, and a lack-lustre Yeovil display made it a night to forget.

Yeovil gaffer Gary Johnson said: "We weren't at our best. A couple of individuals did okay, but overall we were poor. There was no finesse.

"I like to be entertained by my teams, but I wasn't here tonight. I do feel guilty because I expect my players to entertain the crowd."

Johnson admitted that the partying of the weekend had probably had a reason as to why things did not go according to plan.

Highlight of the night however came at the end when Francis Hillier, president of the Somerset FA, presented Yeovil chairman John Fry with an award for the Glovers becoming the first club in the county to be promoted to the Football League.

Mr Hillier said: "Yeovil Town are now on a very sound footing which augurs well for continued success and, with the excellent support from the catchment area they can draw upon, the future has to be bright."

And with that in mind there were not too many inquests into the cup defeat among Yeovil supporters after the match. While they travelled back down the motorway towards home, thoughts immediately turned to life in the Football League.