Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper saw “only positives” as the Glovers made it 14 wins in a row with a 3-1 win at home to Farnborough.
In doing that, Cooper’s side moved nine points clear at the top of the National League South, and are currently on pace to break the National League points record by eight points.
A hat-trick from ex Gloucester City midfielder Jordan Young, on top of Rhys Murphy’s opener was enough for the Glovers to push past the Yellows in one of their two games in hand over second-placed Aveley.
3206 spectators watched Young spectacularly claim the match ball at Huish Park against part-time Farnborough, who were spirited in defeat, pouncing on two of the Glovers’ mistakes to score at the end of each half.
It was the visitors who started out the better side however, with Michael Folivi scooping a shot wide left of Joe Day’s goal after four minutes, and putting another attempt over the crossbar eight minutes later.
After 14 minutes the Glovers had their first chance of the game go just wide after Young threaded through Murphy to his right, but the former FGR forward’s shot across the goalmouth went inches past the far left post.
Six minutes later, Murphy opened the scoring for Yeovil, taking a touch with his back to goal, turning to his left, and firing past Jack Turner in the Farnborough goal.
Young was the provider on that occasion, combining with Sonny Cox to create the opening goal of a six-goal thriller, before nearly adding a second on the 28-minute mark, with a whipped attempt curling just wide of Turner.
Yeovil doubled their lead three minutes before halftime, with Young’s tricky feet taking the ball round Turner, and slotting into the back of the net.
Jordan Young #NLS Stats 2023/24
— Jonathan Hooper (@hoopsss) November 15, 2023
16 Appearances
12 Starts
7 Goals
5 Assists
Goal involvement every 87 minutes#YTFC @Jyoung897
🔥🔥🔥
But, the Glovers were caught switching off on the stroke of half-time, with Ricky Holmes combining with Saied to pull the deficit back to one goal.
The home side reclaimed their two-goal advantage just before the hour mark, after a bizarre free-kick from Young on the far right sideline that curled in off the left post and caught Turner off guard.
Jake Hyde, who was introduced with 20 minutes to go in replacement of Sonny Cox had an instant impact, going close a few minutes later.
Hyde’s diving header met fellow substitute Josh Owers’ cross, but went inches over the bar.
At the opposite end, Farnborough substitute Connor Cullen hit a well-struck dipped shot that clattered the bar, the closest the visitors had come to goal so far in the second half.
Seconds after the indication of three additional minutes, Jordan Young completed his hat-trick, tapping in a low cross from Matt Worthington, who pounced on a loose ball won by Frank Nouble.
The game wasn’t over there however, after a miscommunication between Michael Smith and Joe Day allowed Connor Hall to chase after a misplaced pass and score a second for Farnborough moments before Richard Eley blew the final whistle.
Yeovil will look to make it 15 in a row when the face Torquay United in the FA Trophy second round on Saturday, whilst Farnborough travel to Slough Town.
