Yeovil Town’s unbeaten start to the new season came to an end on Saturday 5th September as Southend United recovered from two goals down to win 3-2 at Root’s Hall.
The Glovers looked set to record an impressive away victory after Archie Davies gave them the lead in the first half and captain Luke McCormick doubled the advantage shortly before the hour mark. Southend responded with three goals in 19 minutes from Darren Oldaker, Leon Chambers-Parillon and substitute Promise Omochere.
The result leaves Yeovil with the frustration of having been 2-0 ahead with 30 minutes remaining. The match report said the second-half changes appeared to disrupt the visitors, with the departures of Brett McGavin and McCormick from midfield having a particular impact.
Davies gives Yeovil the lead
Yeovil boss Billy Rowley made four changes to the team that started Monday’s 3-2 home win over Tamworth. Jordan Norville-Williams, Archie Davies, Zain Westbrooke and Ryan Jones came into the starting XI after beginning that match on the bench.
There was no place in the squad for Crawley Town loanee Ben Radcliffe, who had been taken off early in the second half against Tamworth. Defender Jack Kingdon returned to the squad, although he was listed among Yeovil’s unused substitutes.
Southend selected former Yeovil winger Lewys Twamley from the start. Bristol Rovers loanee Promise Omochere began on the home bench but would later play a decisive role in the comeback.
The opening 15 minutes were cautious, with Southend enjoying more possession and territory but neither side forcing a save. The contest matched Rowley’s pre-match description of “a chess match”.
Yeovil took the lead with their first shot on target after 25 minutes. Davies made a forward run on to a pass from Westbrooke, beat Southend defender Harry Taylor and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Joe Duncan.
The goal prompted more pressure from the hosts. Ryan Colclough tested Yeovil goalkeeper Jos Barker with a 20-yard effort from the edge of the penalty area, which Barker caught. Chambers-Parillon then produced a run and shot that also required attention from the visiting goalkeeper, before another effort bounced into the ground and went wide.
Southend were finding opportunities in the wide areas, with Colclough making progress down the left and Twamley offering a threat on the right. Even so, Yeovil protected the lead and went into half-time 1-0 ahead.
McCormick makes it 2-0
Southend began the second half with renewed urgency. Colclough tried another shot from the edge of the area within three minutes, and Barker turned it wide. The home side then appealed for a penalty after Colclough went down under a challenge from Norville-Williams, but referee Tolu Sangowawa did not award one.
Chambers-Parillon dragged an effort wide in the 54th minute. A minute earlier, Yeovil had replaced Slavi Spasov with Ste Walker.
Southend should have levelled on 57 minutes when a ball into the area deflected off Joy Mukena and fell to Chambers-Parillon. His header lacked the required contact and the chance went begging.
Yeovil immediately took advantage. Jones collected the ball on the right, carried it into the area and laid it off to McCormick, who placed a composed shot beyond Duncan. The goal arrived in the 58th minute and put the visitors 2-0 ahead.
At that stage, the match report described Southend as being in complete control of the second half, despite Yeovil’s scoreline and the effectiveness of the counter-attack. Twamley then forced Barker to tip an effort over the bar, in what proved to be the former Glovers winger’s final contribution.
Southend made a triple substitution on 63 minutes, including the introduction of Omochere. Yeovil made two changes of their own shortly before that, sending on James Daly and Hayden Muller for Jones and McGavin.
Southend turn the match around
Southend pulled a goal back three minutes after McCormick’s strike. Oldaker won a free-kick just outside the penalty area and lifted the ball over the defensive wall into the far corner. The quality of the finish revived the home support at Root’s Hall.
The hosts continued to apply pressure, although Harry Cardwell missed a good chance to score with a header from a cross in the 77th minute. Southend did not have to wait long for an equaliser.
Two minutes later, Omochere helped Southend break into the penalty area. The ball was laid back to Chambers-Parillon, who sent his shot through a crowded penalty area and past Barker to make it 2-2.
The comeback was completed with five minutes remaining. A well-delivered ball reached Omochere, who rolled Joe Gubbins and struck the ball firmly into the net for Southend’s third goal.
Yeovil made further changes during the closing stages. Charlie Lennon replaced Mason Obeng, while Johl Powell came on for McCormick. Powell was involved in a late penalty appeal when he was caught by a wild kick from Vontae Daley-Campbell inside the area, but no spot-kick was given.
Southend held on for the points after completing a comeback that had looked unlikely when Yeovil took a two-goal lead. The report said the result would be particularly frustrating for Rowley and the travelling supporters, given the visitors’ performance for much of the match and the fact they had been ahead by two goals with half an hour to play.
Southend United 3 Yeovil Town 2: match details
- Competition: National League Premier Division
- Venue: Root’s Hall
- Date and kick-off: Saturday 5th September, 12.30pm
- Attendance: 8,246, including 295 away supporters
- Scorers: Archie Davies 25, Luke McCormick 58; Darren Oldaker 66, Leon Chambers-Parillon 79, Promise Omochere 85
- Referee: Tolu Sangowawa
- Yeovil booking: Zain Westbrooke
- Pitch and conditions: The pitch was reported to be in good condition, with dry and bright weather that warmed as the afternoon progressed.
Yeovil’s substitutes were Ste Walker, James Daly, Hayden Muller, Charlie Lennon, Johl Powell, Jack Kingdon and Loick Ayina. Southend’s unused substitutes were Jack Sims and Zavier Massiah-Edwards.