By Alex O'Loughlin
August 28 2010

Yeovil Town earned their first clean sheet of the season, with the 'keepers coming away with most plaudits.

168 Yeovil fans made the trip to Oldham, and weren't treated to a exhibition of football, but did observe a dogged defensive display from the Glovers.

After last weeks dismal performance against Hartlepool, Terry Skiverton made four changes, with Nathan Smith, Owain Tudur-Jones, JP Kalala and Andy Welsh all coming in for Nathan Jones, Luke Ayling, Rob Kiernan and Luke Freeman respectively. 

However, the Glovers nearly slipped behind after just a minute, when Chris Taylor's effort was excellently tipped round the post for a corner, by 'keeper John Sullivan.

The momentum stayed with the Latics, when ex-Glover Ritchie Jones found space before wastefully shooting wide.

It wasn't until nearly the half hour mark until Yeovil registered their first shot on target, when Dean Bowditch found space well on the edge of the box unleashing a shot which was comfortably saved by Dean Brill.

Chris Taylor supplied Oldham with a dangerous attacking option, and it was he who brought the best out of John Sullivan, as the Yeovil stopper had to tip Taylor's effort over the bar.

As the half wore on, it became evident Yeovil's intentions were to remain solid at the back, and looked limited in attack.

Dean Bowditch looked to surprise Brill by shooting from a tight angle, but the Oldham 'keeper matched the effort.

Half Time: Oldham Athletic 0-0 Yeovil Town

The second half began with a wave of controversy, as Andy Williams stormed into the box and was seemingly clipped by Latics player Kieran Lee, just as he was about to release the ball across goal, but referee Oliver Langford waved away strong appeals, much to the disbelief of Williams and the rest of the Yeovil team. 

The second half was a much improved pinnacle, with both sides reverting to a more attacking style.

Andy Welsh was replaced by Cameron Stewart, due to match fitness, and also to add a new dimension to the Glovers attack.

But it wasn't until the 80th minute that Yeovil had their first meaningful chance, when the physically dominating Paul Huntington met a Andy Williams corner with a looping header which Dean Brill tipped over brilliantly.

From the resulting corner Tudur-Jones was denied a debut goal, when his headed effort was cleared off the line by Kieran Lee, denying Yeovil almost a certain winning goal.

The three minutes additional time became a frantic period, with firstly Andy Williams showing his capabilities by turning his marker before shooting from 30 yards, which was headed for the top corner, only for Dean Brill to somehow produce a stunning save.

However, Williams picked up an injury in the process and was immediately replaced by Luke Ayling.

Despite his heroics, Brill nearly went from hero to zero, as he misjudged a back pass missing completely, which Luke Freeman could have latched onto had he anticipated the event, something which Reuben Hazell, did clearing the danger.

With practically the last kick of the game, Yeovil had the ball in the net, only to be denied by the referee's whistle after Dean Brill ran into a crowd of players allowing Bowditch to tap in, which referee Langford adjudged to had Brill penalised in the build up.

Skiverton will be pleased with his sides defensive performance, with centre-back pairing Adam Virgo and Paul Huntington seeming a solid force at the back. But Skivo will have to find a way to mix the defensive strengths with the attacking options, as the Glovers often seemed restricted in attack.

But there was much promise ahead of Tuesday's JP Trophy tie against Exeter City.