IT'S A PARTY IN THE PARK!

ALL - CONQUERING Yeovil Town smashed their own National League South attendance record on Boxing Day – and then took another giant step towards ensuring they will be playing top-flight football again next season.

- Jon Couch

A huge crowd of 6,301 – surpassing Yeovil’s previous league best of 6,289 set back in October – packed into Huish Park to see the Glovers power past west country neighbours Taunton Town 4-1 – a result which stretched their lead at the top of the table to a whopping ten points.

“I really enjoyed it,” beamed Glovers boss Mark Cooper. “I thought we were magnificent; the players were incredible, and the supporters, especially behind that goal were incredible too.

“To break the record again and score four goals to go further clear at the top, it was a really good day.”

Frank Nouble latched onto Michael Smith’s pass to fire the Glovers in front on 15 minutes before Irishman Smith turned goalscorer six minutes later for his first Yeovil goal since his arrival in Somerset in September.

Rhys Murphy might have had a hat-trick as chances fell his way, but he wasn’t to be denied on 69 minutes when he coolly slotted the ball past Dan Lavercombe in the Taunton goal.

Three minutes later, substitute Sonny Blu Lo-Everton added a fourth, deeming Austen Booth’s effort for Taunton as mere consolation before visiting striker Nick McCootie was sent off late on for two yellow cards.

Yeovil’s lead at the top stretched even further after second place Hampton & Richmond Borough were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by in-form Slough Town.