Noble debut helps Yeovil Town edge relegation clash with Swindon Town

Full-time: Yeovil Town 1 Swindon Town 0

A goal from loanee Jonathan Obika was enough to earn Yeovil Town a vital victory in their relegation clash with Swindon Town at Huish Park this afternoon.

The Tottenham loanee scored his first Glovers goal in the 33rd minute to secure a maiden victory for rookie manager Terry Skiverton at the eighth attempt aided by the debut of Bristol City loanee David Noble.

It provided a vital three points for Yeovil in their battle to beat the drop and closed the gap between the West rivals to just three points. Swindon endured a disappointing afternoon and showed little of the attacking verve that had seen them win their last three matches to ease their relegation fears.

There had been little to choose between the teams before Obika opened the scoring to finish off a well-worked move. The Tottenham man was involved in the creation by chesting down a long Danny Hutchins ball out of defence in the centre-circle. He immediately turned and got beyond the Swindon back four to latch onto a Paul Warne pass before lobbing coolly over goalkeeper Phil Smith’s head.

Obika, however, could have opened the scoring even earlier than he did, but spurned a good headed opportunity from Gary Roberts’ cross. Roberts, David Noble and Andros Townsend also saw shots flash wide of the post, while goalkeeper Chris Weale pulled off a fine save to deny Billy Paynter the opportunity to convert Swindon’s best chance.

Swindon were also unfortunate to suffer two injuries that forced manager Danny Wilson’s hand earlier than he would have liked. Defender Sean Morrison hobbled away from a robust Terell Forbes’ challenge unable to continue before Hal Robson-Kanu limped off nursing a pull just minutes later.

Phil Smith denied Gavin Tomlin a chance to double the lead soon after the break with a fine save and the goalkeeper came out on top again when smothering from close range when the two went head-to-head again.

Weale was in similarly alert form and was in the right place at the right time to repel a near post flick from cross on the hour mark that looked destined for the back of the net. Cox should have added goal number 28 of the season ten minutes later but guided a close-range free header wide when he should have done much better.

Tomlin spurned another good opportunity at the near post to put further daylight between the sides before being replaced by Luke Rodgers in the 78th minute – but it didn’t prove costly as Yeovil hung on to claim a vital victory.

Yeovil Town (4-4-2): Weale; Hutchins, Forbes, Peltier, Smith; Warne, Noble, Roberts, Townsend; Tomlin (Rodgers 76), Obika. Subs not used: Jones, Welsh, Schofield, Murtagh.

Swindon Town (4-4-2): P Smith; Amankwaah, Greer, Morrison (Ifil 14), J Smith; Robson-Kanu (Kennedy 24), Timlin, Nalis (Pook 75), McNamee; Cox, Paynter. Subs not used: Brezovan, Razak.