Yeovil Town U18s 4

Forest Green Academy 0

By Richard Joyce

At Huish Park

FOREST Green academy boss Scott Bartlett took the positives in defeat as Four second half goals condemned  his side to an FA Youth Cup first round exit at the hands of Football League Yeovil Town.

He said: "It was a cracking cup tie and the end of an eventful run for us. I was delighted at half-time.

“We started the second half brightly as well but they scored and we conceded again quickly, which knocked the stuffing out of us.

“I have to be happy with where we are and how far we’ve come, but I always want that little bit more.

“It wasn’t to be but we wish Yeovil all the very best in the next round. I’d like to also say thanks to all the people that have supported us.”

Goalless at the break, Rovers had impressed against their higher level opponents, but were soundly beaten in a one sided second half at the Glovers Huish Park home.

Jack Freeman’s early strike, which whistled past the post, was representative of the encouraging start Scott Bartlett’s side made to the tie.

The hosts were restricted in their attempts to go forward, although they did force Luke Merchant into a brilliant save just before the break when the goalkeeper kept out Philipp Strobel’s good effort.

At the break the tie was finely balanced, although quick fire strikes from the hosts ensured they would progress into the second round.

Jack Ball and Paul Akinuli both scored within minutes of each other, while Samyan Ismail added a crucial third shortly after.

Although Joe Stokes did try his luck with two long distance efforts, it was the home side who wrapped up the victory late on when Oliver Bassett scored with an eye-catching attempt from distance.

FGR: L Merchant, M Dodson, M Evans, E Ripley, E Simpson, W Hayward, J Freeman, J Stokes, J Morris, J Islip, T Anderson, W Emery, T Leonard, O Yates, T Ravenhall, I Mahmood