Yeovil Town 3 Manchester Utd XI 2

IT was only fitting that Yeovil Town showed strength in the face of adversity to overcome a goal deficit to beat Manchester United on Saturday.

The Red Devils, led by ex-striker and reserve team manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, were at Huish Park to honour Glovers' technical coach Darren Way in his benefit match.

As a midfielder, Way was epitomised by his tough-tackling and never-say-die attitude, refusing to accept he was beaten until the final whistle.

This was exactly what Yeovil demonstrated as they flew out of the blocks in the second half to silence their young opponents with three goals in five minutes.

Way, who announced his retirement through injury earlier this year, watched on as the Glovers built on first half promise to brush aside their highly-rated opposition with three goals of genuine quality.

Jean Paul Kalala did what he had been threatening to do ever since returning to Yeovil last season, cancelling out Rodrigo Possebon's opener with a fierce, swerving 25-yard drive.

Moments later Andy Williams' teasing cross caused panic among the United defence, with Craig Cathcart serving on a plate Sam Williams' close range finish.

With the crowd barely settled from half time, two became three when Stefan Stam calmly nodded back across goal from Andy Williams' corner for substitute trialist Adam Virgo to head beyond United keeper Conor Devlin.

The goals, but maybe not the lead, were richly deserved after Yeovil had looked lively in the first half. Dean Bowditch was a menace in attack, dropping deep before popping up in dangerous positions.

Twice in as many minutes, the former Ipswich Town man had Devlin panicking.

First, a long range shot crept narrowly over, before the keeper was beaten by an effort that crashed against the crossbar. At the other end, ex-Millwall stopper John Sullivan was kept busy in the Yeovil goal, having to be alert to thwart Joshua King and Ravel Morrison.

Possebon's goal was straight from the Carrington training ground, as Cameron Stewart and King passed their way through Yeovil to allow the highly-rated Brazilian a 32nd minute one-touch finish.

The Glovers' trio of strikes knocked the wind from United's sails, until they regrouped and gave themselves hope on 74 minutes when Robert Brady lashed home from a corner.

However, it proved too little too late as Yeovil held on to victory.

Both manager Terry Skiverton and Way entered the fray in the dying minutes, as the crowd were given opportunity to applaud their playing contributions to the club.

The 6,664 fans inside Huish Park rose to their feet to welcome Way, cheering his every touch as he drew a line under his playing days.

It was a send-off and a performance to be proud of from the Glovers, who rose to the challenge against immensely talented opposition.

United looked fit, sharp and mobile in attack, showing a deftness of touch and movement that Yeovil are unlikely to witness in npower League One.

Victory after falling behind was not only encouraging ahead of the new campaign, but a tribute to Way, Yeovil's Weasel in midfield.

YEOVIL TOWN (4-4-2): John Sullivan; Craig Alcock (Danny Hutchins, 75), Stefan Stam (Scott Guyett, 75), Paul Huntington (Adam Virgo, 46), Nathan Jones (Darren Way, 89); Andy Williams (Billy Gibson, 75), Luke Ayling (Sean McAllister, 75), Jean Paul Kalala (Ed Upson, 75), Luke Freeman (Terry Skiverton, 87); Dean Bowditch (Lloyd Matthews, 75), Sam Williams (Craig Calver, 75). Unused sub: Richard Martin.

MANCHESTER UTD (4-4-2): Conor Devlin; James Chester, Craig Cathcart, Oliver Gill, Joe Dudgeon; Cameron Stewart (Nicholas Ajose, 71), Rodrigo Possebon (Robert Brady, 46. Jesse Lingard, 83), Magnus Eikrem, Oliver Norwood (Ryan Tunnicliffe, 64); Joshua King, Ravel Morrison. Unused subs: Ezekiel Fryers, Sam Johnstone.

REFEREE: Andre Marriner.

FOR more pictures from Saturday's match visit www.thisis somerset.co.uk/darrenway