Match preview
Kidlington v Yate Town
FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 17th August- Kick-off 3.00pm
Following on from their opening two wins in the League, Yate Town resume their FA Cup journey with a visit to Oxfordshire, to play Kidlington. Yate Town are one of only three teams in the Southern League Division One South who have won both their two opening league fixtures – the other two being
Mousehole and Exmouth.
With Ross Stearn and Ewan McMillan doubts for Saturdays game as they recover from injury, Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, may continue to choose from the same squad that did so well on Tuesday evening in their win against Bishops Cleeve, but may have Stan Wyatt available again too.
Previous meetings
The last time that the teams played each other was in a Southern league fixture on the opening League fixture of season 2017/18. The teams drew 2-2 at Kidlington with Mike Baker and Brad Norris scoring for Yate Town and the return fixture, on 23rd December, saw Yate Town win 3-1 at Lodge Road with Nick Peare, Lewis L.Gilchrist and Brooks scoring for the Bluebells in front of a crowd of 128.
The first ever competitive match played at Lodge Road was played on 18th August 1984 was in fact against Kidlington with Yate Town running out 4 - 0 winners with Rob Walker, Billy Gillespie, Terry Northam and Russell done scoring to send the home fans home in a good mood. The return game was played on 10th November with Steve Moore bagging both goals in a 2-0 win for the Bluebells.
Our opponents
Last season Kidlington finished in 13th position out of 19 teams in the Southern League Division One Central – the same level as Yate Town (Step 4). In the FA Cup Preliminary Round, they beat Tuffley Rovers from the Hellenic League 3-0 at Tuffley with their goals being scored by Jack Smith, Zarius Edwards Giraud and Charlie Bacon. They started their League campaign last Saturday, at home to Kings Langley, which they lost 0-1 in front of a crowd of 118. On Tuesday night at Beaconsfield, they lost 2-4, with their goals scored by John Dennis and Ben Richards, having been 1-2 down at half time.
Getting there
Kidlington Football Club is based in Kidlington and they play at Yarnton Road, Kidington, Oxfordshire OX5 1AT and the 70-mile journey should take about 90 minutes by car from Yate.
Next up
Possible replay: Please note that if the game at Kidlington is drawn then the replay will take place at the South West Interior Stadium on Tuesday 20th August with a 7.45pm kick-off. If this game, on Tuesday, is all square at full time, then the game will go into extra-time and if the result is not decided the tie will be settled on penalties. The winners of this tie will go into the hat for the draw for the First Qualifying Round with these games taking place on Saturday 31st August. The draw will be made on Monday 19th August.
Yate Town travel to Bashley on 24th August and then entertain EXMOUTH TOWN, who are the visitors to the South West Interiors Stadium, on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August, with a 3pm kick-off.