Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley expressed pride after his team secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Kidderminster Harriers.
The match-winning moment came when Johl Powell, coming off the bench, calmly slotted the ball into the net following a precise through ball from Slavi Spasov, just four minutes after replacing Zain Westbrooke.
Despite Kidderminster creating several opportunities to take the lead, goalkeeper Jos Barker made crucial saves, while Yeovil’s defence stood firm to preserve the lead and claim all three points.
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Rowley described Kidderminster as a tough opponent and noted that the match hinged on a small number of key moments. “It was a game of one or two moments that’s changed the outcome,” he said.
The manager praised Powell’s composure and goal-scoring instinct, highlighting his development since his youth days. “I’ve seen Johl do that since he was 12 years old; he’s so hungry for a goal,” Rowley remarked. “He’s a superb finisher.”
Defensive resilience was another cornerstone of Yeovil’s performance, particularly as Kidderminster intensified pressure in the second half. Rowley credited Barker’s goalkeeping and the defensive unit for their collective strength, adding: “It comes down to a good goalkeeper performance, a really resilient defensive display and one top finishing moment.”
Acknowledging the physical nature of the match, he said, “It was a real bitty game, there was a lot of stop and start, they are a physical team and we dealt with it well.”
Looking ahead, Rowley expressed confidence in his squad’s ongoing development and called for further improvements in discipline and organisation. “I said to the lads that I really believe in them,” he said. “I asked them to show a bit more grit from their body language and a bit more organisation and passion. If we can improve our small nuts and bolts then we can be a real top team.”
Yeovil now prepare for a busy week, with two home fixtures at Huish Park on the horizon. The first comes on Tuesday, when they will host National League newcomers Worthing in Somerset.