Page 4 - Yate Town FC Salisbury 200822

WELCOME

Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon’s fixture against Salisbury. We would like to
extend a particularly warm welcome to Steve Claridge and his squad, the supporters and
officials and wish them a safe journey home.
Our opening home match of the season proved to be very entertaining but ultimately ended
in a narrow defeat. Hanwell took the points by virtue of a lightning start which saw them net
three goals inside the first twenty-five minutes. However the Bluebells, with nine players on
home debut, produced a spirited comeback to narrow the gap before half time. City U23
loanee Prince Henry started the Yate comeback when he reacted quickest to finish from
close range after a Brandon Smalley effort had been blocked by the visitors keeper. It was
soon 3-2 when Joe Tumelty picked his spot from the edge of the box as the Hanwell defence
failed to deal with a corner. The second half was a much more even affair although arguably
the better chances fell to Hanwell and we struggled to create inside the visitors half who
showed why they had the second best defensive record in the Isthmian South Central
Division. Pierce Mitchell was picked out as the star man.

Midweek we visited Weston-Super-Mare who were still in the glow of a 3-0 home victory
against Gosport. On this occasion it was Yate who opened the scoring early with Olly Mehew
on nine minutes. The lead did not last for long and the hosts levelled the score just eight
minutes later. The Bluebells restored the lead with an early contender for goal of the season.
Leighton Tuodolo sent in a deep cross and Barney Soady was able to casually volley from
distance back over the stranded keeper into the top corner. This time the lead lasted a little
longer but within reach of the half time break Weston got back on level terms. The second
half proved goalless right up until the dying seconds when with a draw looking the likely
result the hosts were awarded a penalty in injury time. The Bluebells went home pointless
but a performance to take pride in.

Looking ahead for our next game we are back on the road visiting another new team to the
Division playing at step 3 for the first time in their history. North Leigh gained promotion
from the Central Division 1 via the play offs in manager Eddie Odhiambo's first season in
charge. The club is based in the picturesque surroundings of the Eynsham Hall estate in
Oxfordshire and well worth a visit for our travelling fans. The Millers have had a tough start
to the season and are yet to register any points from their opening three matches.

And so to today’s visitors who are very well established in the division. Steve Claridge has
strengthened his squad over the closed season in defence and midfield, with forwards Sam
Ashton and Brandom Goodship both products of Bournemouth AFC academy signing f the
club. Brandon is one of two forwards joining from Weymouth this summer, the other being
Ben Thompson. Salisbury have made a solid start to the season with a 1-0 home victory over
Beaconsfield and then losing by a single score to Hayes & Yeading the following weekend.
On Tuesday evening they suffered a surprising home defeat 1-3 to Hartley Wintney
conceding two goals in the first five minutes. Expect a reaction this afternoon!
C’mon you #Bluebells………….

Regards,
Iain