Page 4 - Yate Town FC v Bracknell Town FA Cup 011022

WELCOME

Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon’s FA Cup tie against
Bracknell Town. A very warm welcome to Jamie McClurg and Carl Withers
and their management team, the squad, club officials and supporters who
have made the trip to the West Country this afternoon. We hope you enjoy
your visit and wish you a safe journey home.

This week we part company with another of the club’s senior management.
Richard Thompson has decided to step away from his role as Director of
Football. 'Thommo' started the role in June 2020 but has been involved at
the Football Club for 25 years with stints as a player and manager. He is
Yate Town through and through. Richard, appointed Paul Michael who led
us to a very credible 7th place finish exceeding expectations, as well as a
historic FA Cup run and GFA Cup success. He will be stepping back from the
role, but the Football Club would like to put on record that the Director of
Football role is still open for Richard to return, and we hope he does so in
the near future.

This afternoon is the second of a run of 7 consecutive home matches with
ties in the three cup competitions (FA Cup, FA Trophy, GFA Senior Challenge
Cup) all being drawn at home. Good news for the team and supporters but
hard work for Roger Hawkins and his team of ground staff, eager for rain
but cautious to keep the ground firm enough to sustain this unusual run of
home games.

Next Tuesday we welcome Slimbridge for a rare local derby in the GFA
Senior Challenge Cup. Entry for this game will be reduced to £5 (adults/
concessions) and U16 free with fee paying adult. As holders of the cup we
hope to attract a good crowd as we begin the defence of our title.

And so to this afternoon’s visitors. The Robins have made a very strong
start to the season since gaining promotion from the Isthmian League
South Central taking the title with 96 points out of a possible 108 and with
a 20 point winning margin. They began the league campaign very nearly
beating the division’s current top team (WSM) were it not for a 97th minute
equaliser (we have been there!!). Since that draw they have inflicted heavy
defeats on Merthyr and Harrow Borough, also beating Hartley Wintney.
With three matches drawn and only two defeats they are well placed in the
middle of a congested table. Bracknell’s FA Cup run thus far they beat
Harrow Borough 4-1 and Chesham 3-0 in a replay after the first tie ended
2-2. One to watch is prolific striker Jordan Esprit who frequently appears on
the score sheet, significantly four of his goals have come within ten minutes
of kick off. We cannot afford to start slowly!

C’mon you #Bluebells………….