Yeovil Town manager Billy Rowley acknowledged the team’s defeat after an early goal secured Truro City a 1-0 victory on Boxing Day. The decisive moment came in the 13th minute when a long throw-in caused confusion, allowing Tyler Harvey to head the ball into the net and give the home side the lead.
Rowley admitted the early set-piece goal disrupted Yeovil’s momentum. “They got an early set piece goal, which they are famous for. We didn’t deal with it well and it put us on the back foot,” he said.
Despite falling behind, Yeovil dominated large portions of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances. “We had some decent moments but not enough,” Rowley reflected. “My gut feeling is we were slightly the better team but didn’t test the opposition keeper enough.”
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Yeovil’s goalkeeper, Jed Ward, was instrumental in keeping the scoreline close with several key saves. He denied Harvey early on with a fine stop and later produced an excellent fingertip save to deny Yassine En-Neyah’s half-volley.
The Glovers’ best chance to equalize came late in the game when captain Jake Wannell’s header struck the crossbar. “Shame it didn’t drop in; it would have made the night a bit sweeter for our fans,” said Rowley. “Jake was good today, defended well and took some punishment.”
Rowley praised the passionate support from the traveling fans, who sold out their allocation. “They were incredible today, our best players. That’s for sure,” he said.
Reflecting on the impact of his substitutes, Rowley noted that although Andrew Oluwabori performed well, Harvey Greenslade found it tough against a tiring Truro defense. “Andrew did really well when he came on, but Harv found it difficult,” he said.
The manager took responsibility for Yeovil’s lack of creativity in the final third. “Creativity is a funny word in football. Many creative players cost millions. Our job is to help the forwards with more ideas—to work shots, deliver the final pass, or take shots from outside the box,” he explained.
Rowley was clear about owning the result: “We lost fair and square and will move on.”
Despite consecutive defeats during the holiday period, Rowley remains optimistic. “I can’t wait to get back out there. There were a few arguments and heated conversations, but that’s football,” he said, referencing the spirit within the dressing room.
Yeovil Town now prepare to welcome Eastleigh to Huish Park this Tuesday for their final match of 2025, aiming to close the year with a victory.
Match details:
Truro City: Stone; Dean, Donnellan, Harrison; Oxlade-Chamberlain, En-Neyah, Hasani, Lowe, Law; Harvey, Johnson-Fisher. Subs not used: Lavercombe, Kinsey-Wellings, Bell, Palfrey, Deeming, Jephcott, Marsh.
Yeovil Town: Ward; Wannell, Ferguson, Efete; Plant (Oluwabori 70), McCormick, McGavin, Cousin-Dawson, Tobin (Jarvis 65), Daly; Campbell (Greenslade 65). Subs not used: Gould, Ellison, Jolliffe, Sims.
Referee: Ross Martin
Attendance: 3,148