Zain Westbrooke scored his first Yeovil Town goal and substitute James Daly struck within a minute of coming on as the Glovers beat Hornchurch 2-1 at Hornchurch Stadium, ending the hosts’ three-match home league winning run despite a late reply from Charlie Pegrum.
Yeovil manager Billy Rowley made six changes following Saturday’s defeat to Altrincham, handing first starts to Bristol City loanee Seb Naylor and forward Owen Dean. Ben Radcliffe was absent through suspension, while Hornchurch suffered an early setback when Ryan Inniss was forced off injured and replaced by Tom Dallison-Lisbon in the eighth minute.
The visitors created early openings through Charlie Lennon, whose deliveries into the penalty area caused problems for the Hornchurch defence. Johl Powell also sent a dangerous ball across goal in the 20th minute, but the hosts cleared before Dean could reach it.
Yeovil came closest to scoring in the 36th minute when Brett McGavin struck with the outside of his boot, forcing Arthur Nasta into an excellent save to tip the ball over the bar. The Glovers then lost Jordan Norville-Williams to injury, with Hayden Muller replacing him in the 39th minute.
Hornchurch threatened before half-time when Ryan Loft drove an effort towards goal, but Jos Barker saved with his legs. At the other end, Powell released Stephen Walker, whose left-footed shot was gathered by Nasta as the teams reached the interval goalless.
The hosts had an excellent opportunity five minutes after the restart when Pegrum squared for substitute Henry Sandat, but the forward sent his effort over the crossbar. Loft then headed narrowly wide before Nasta denied Dean as both sides searched for the opening goal.
Rowley introduced Ryan Jones, Slavi Spasov and Mason Obeng shortly after the hour, and Yeovil finally broke through in the 72nd minute. Joe Gubbins delivered from the left and the ball broke to Westbrooke inside the penalty area, where the midfielder reacted quickest to drive home his first goal for the club.
Daly replaced Powell in the 77th minute and doubled Yeovil’s lead almost immediately. The substitute met the ball with a powerful half-volley from the left side of the penalty area, with Gubbins credited with the assist, to make it 2-0.
Hornchurch nearly reduced the deficit when Pegrum directed a header towards goal, only for Barker to tip the ball onto the post. Muller then headed narrowly wide at the other end before Daly broke down the left and forced another good save from Nasta.
The hosts eventually pulled a goal back in the 90th minute when Myles Weston’s effort was turned home by Pegrum, setting up a tense finish. Yeovil held on to secure an immediate response to their defeat against Altrincham, moving fourth in the National League with 28 points from 15 games. Hornchurch remained 11th on 21 points after a second successive league defeat.
