LEICESTER CITY 1 YEOVIL TOWN 1
Report by Paul Weston
The build up to this match had been dominated in fans minds by Nigel Pearson’s short stay in hospital for tests. I have nothing but admiration for Nigel and the way in which he conducts himself and manages the team. I wish him well and hope that there are no long standing health concerns because, on this showing, there are still some shredded nerves to come before the end of the season and hopefully that word that we dream about- promotion!
No-one had really given Yeovil a second thought, although it was clear from their recent results that they were capable of challenging any team in the Championship. To their credit they came with a more adventurous game plan than many sides would have done in their league position. They were a tall muscular side, especially in defence and played with two up front for much of the match.
A few diehard Yeovil fans had made the marathon mid-week journey, although they probably could have been fitted into four taxis! Who on earth came up with the mid-week fixture list for fans like these?
City started brightly and Vardy should have scored in the first minute when, looking miles offside, he shot straight at the keeper. Soon after, from a great Vardy dummy, Mahrez shot wildly over. He was soon to shoot over again from a good position.
Yeovil held the ball up well, with Miller proving a handful- who also later shaved the post with a good shot. After the 23rd minute Yeovil won a free kick from a Drinkwater foul. In an interesting move a Yeovil player stood in front of Schmeichel when he was lining up his wall. As a consequence, when a good shot came in from Ralls, Schmeichel was slightly out of position and could not get to the ball. A well worked free kick and 1-0 to Yeovil!
More chances came and went although City were not playing well. Wasilewski inadvertently stopped a shot from a team member close to goal. If one looked at the statistics in a scientific way after the match one would have thought that a team with 30 shots at goal was playing well and on top.
However, it was a strange atmosphere and a strange match. Moves broke down with misplaced passes and no-one seemed quite on their game, despite trying their utmost. It was almost like a malaise had swept over the side. Perhaps too many baked beans and a serious case of flatulence was the cause!
Nugent and Vardy seemed unable to keep and control the ball and it was quite evident that Vardy’s liveliness in the tackle had waned now that he is one booking away from a suspension. As a result the Yeovil defence was less under pressure than we expected. The midfield generals of James and Drinkwater both were out of sorts and losing possession. The defence had their hands full although this did not stop De Laet and Schlupp bombing forward when they could.
Frustratingly City persisted with long balls too often which were easily dealt with by the Yeovil defence.
The expected changes in the second half did not really transform the game, despite bringing on Dyer, Wood and Phillips. Phillips missed two chances and Wood seemed unable to head the ball at all. Dyer hardly saw the ball for about 15 minutes after he came on.
City started to pile on the pressure and play at last with more pace as time was running out. Dyer saw more of the ball and put in some inviting crosses which came to nothing. Yeovil still looked dangerous on the break.
Only three minutes of injury time were awarded which was a surprise and it was “throw the kitchen sink time”. This strange match ended in a bizarre way. With only one minute to go Kasper went up for a corner. Throughout the match our corners had, as usual, been very ineffective. The ball came out and from defence and, amazingly Kasper stayed up field with our goal unguarded.
Drinkwater put in a good cross and Kasper powered in a bullet header that hit the bar and definitely went over line. Mayhem ensued and Chris Wood got his head to the ball (at last!) in a crowd of players and it went over the line again. 1-1 and the Yeovil players sunk to the floor in despair. Whilst a draw was a fair result overall they had come so close to what would have been for them an incredible result.
After later confusion it looks like the Schmeichel “goal” was not awarded and, as there is no goal line technology in the Championship, Chris Wood received the accolades. City players and fans celebrated more in relief than anything else at the end of the match.
So what did we learn from this match? Firstly, that this team never knows when it is beaten, even when it is not playing well. An eighteen game unbeaten run is very impressive. Secondly, we create chances even when not playing well.
Thirdly, promotion is tantalisingly close but still not guaranteed. There are some really tough games to come. The team’s performance has just gone off the boil and it needs a fresh spark to get us over the line and hopefully also news that Nigel Pearson is on the mend too. I would not be surprised to see a few changes to the side for the crunch games against Burnley and Wigan which lie ahead.
Leicester: Schmeichel, De Laet, Wasilewski (Dyer 62), Morgan, Schlupp, Knockaert, Drinkwater, James, Mahrez, Nugent (Phillips 67), Vardy (Wood 67). Subs not used: Hammond, King, Moore, Logan
Yeovil: Stech, Ayling, Webster, Duffy, McAllister, Dawson, Edwards, Ralls, Lawrence (Davis 90), Miller (Hayter 84), Moore. Subs not used: Hoskins, Lanzoni, Dunn, Nana Ofori-Twumasi, Morgan
Attendance: 26,240 Referee: Andrew Madley
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation