Page 4 - Yate Town FC v Harrow Borough 150122

As the saying goes, patience is a virtue, and so it proved for Yate Town as they were eventually
rewarded with all three points to kick off the New Year, coming from behind with two late goals to
defeat Dorchester Town on New Year’s Day, in front of a league high attendance of 451 people.
It was the visitors who made the most purposeful start and there were 25 minutes on the clock
before Town, although enjoying greater possession, registered anything resembling a shot on
target.
Dorchester edged in front midway through the first half when Andy Hannah failed to collect Charlie
Gunson's free kick from the edge of the box and, as the loose ball squirmed around in a congested
box, Sam Bayston reacted quickest to get it over the line.
The visitors then had good chances to increase their advantage. A speculative long-range effort
from Oakley Hanger was turned over by Hannah and Billy Lowes whacked the upright with a
rasping left-foot drive.
The Bluebells grew into the contest as the second half got under way with Luke Hopper curling a
shot wide before several corners and then some promising attacks came to nothing following
offside decisions.
Persistence finally paid off with an equaliser on seventy-one minutes. A rising drive from Joe
Tumelty brushed the crossbar and in the scramble that ensued, Will Tunnicliff was upended in the
box and Hopper rifled the spot kick powerfully into the top corner.
The eventual winner soon followed, Olly Mehew driving into the area after being set free by Sam
Turl before unselfishly squaring the ball to James Harding who was left with the easiest of tap-ins
for his thirteenth goal of the season.
Some anxious moments and a long period of stoppage time did little for the nerves with Dorchester
having appeals for a penalty of their own waved away when Billy Steadman went down under a
challenge inside the box, but Paul Michael’s men held on to take the spoils. The result means that
Yate have only lost one of the last 14 league matches in a run that stretches all the way back to
September.
The postponement of last Saturday’s match with Wimborne Town means that today’s match will be
the start of the second half of what has so far been a promising season, with the Bluebells holding
on to the coattails of the playoffs with games in hand, as well as the memorable FA Cup run.
We wish a very warm welcome to everyone attending today associated with our visitors Harrow
Borough. We hope you enjoy your stay at the South West Interiors Stadium and hope you have a
safe journey home.
Today’s opponents come into today’s fixture in a solid 11 position, four points behind Yate having
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played three more matches. They have been no strangers to a bit of cup magic this season either
– the Round One draw gave Steve Baker’s men a dream tie away at 2008 winners Portsmouth, who
they only lost to by the odd goal. League form of late has been poor however, with a win at home
to Tiverton their only one in the last eight games. That run has also included a 7-1 hammering,
dished out by Taunton on December 21 .
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We would also like to thank midfielder Josh Allen for all of his efforts for the club, as earlier this
week he left Lodge Road for Merthyr Town in search of regular game time. We wish Josh all the
best of luck in Wales.
Three more matches are to come in January following today’s fixture, starting with the rearranged
trip to Tiverton on the 19 (7.45 KO). This is followed by hosting Hartley Wintney on the 22 (3pm
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KO) before closing out the month with a trip to Buckinghamshire to face Chesham on the 29 (3pm
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KO). As ever, all of your support home and away is massively appreciated – please contact the club
at yatetownfootballclub@outlook.com if you would like to travel to Chesham and support the lads
as we slowly move towards the business end of the season.
C’mon you Bluebells!
Lewiss Smith