Match Preview
Yate Town v Willand Rovers
Southern League Division One South
Tuesday 4th March 2025 – kick-off 7.45pm
Be there to support YOUR local club.
Yate Town started March with a 3-1 win at home against Shaftesbury on Saturday and head into a busy week with this game on Tuesday evening followed by an away trip to Evesham United. The excellent crowd of 527 on Saturday was encouraging for all to see and the club are hoping for a good crowd again for what is likely to be the last evening game under the lights this season when it’s always a special atmosphere.
Form Guide:
Willand Rovers currently sit in 18th position in the table with 34 points from 30 games having won 8 draw 10 and lost 12 scoring 42 goals and conceding 43.
Their recent form has seen them drop down the table and last Saturday their game at Didcot Town was abandoned after 37 minutes when there was a medical emergency in the home section of the ground, with Didcot leading 2-0, and Didcot released a statement that evening stating that the spectator had sadly passed away.
The previous Saturday, having taken the lead at home to strugglers Tavistock Town through Jamie Richards, two second half goals from the visitors saw then return to West Devon with all three points.
A 3-3 draw at Cribbs in midweek was in the end a good point, having come back from 0-2 down and Bailey Kempster (2) and Harvey Dorothy got their goals. A close game at Bashley saw them lose by the odd goal in five with Bailey Kempster scoring twice, both from the penalty spot.
Going back further there were loses at home to Evesham (0-1) and at Bristol Manor Farm (0-2) and you have to go back to 22nd January for their last win when a late Joshua Baker goal brought at 1-0 home win against Melksham Town. Prior to that, 2025 had started with a 0-1 loss at home to Falmouth Town then a 1-1 draw at home to Exmouth with Kempster scoring the goal for Willand.
Previous meetings:
Yate travelled to Willand at the end of September and came away with a 1-1 draw in a game that saw three players make their debuts for the club – Bristol Rovers loanees Ollie Dewsbury and Jerry Lawrence plus defender Sean Keet (this being his only start for the club). In a tight game James Taylor (pictured below) put the Bluebells in front late in the game but Willand managed to force an equaliser through Josh Baker with four minutes to go.
Last season saw a 2-2 draw at Willand Rovers on a wet and windy Tuesday evening in February with Owen Howe scoring for Willand after 4 minutes but two Nick McCootie goals before half time put the Bluebells in front. The points were eventually shared when Ross equalised on the hour.
In their last visit to the South West Interiors Stadium, in April last year, the Bluebells ran out comfortable winners with goals from Calum English-Brown (pictured below) and Nick McCootie before half-time and a Joe Guest header in the second half made it 3-0.
Match day information
Admission prices:
Adult: £12
Concessions: Over 65, Students, NHS, armed forces and fire services – just show correct ID information: £8
Children: (11-17) £5
Under 11: Free
Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Forest Green fans - show your season ticket at the turnstiles to gain entry for £8
The left-hand turnstile is for CARD payments and programmes can also be purchased at this turnstile
The right-hand turnstile is for CASH payments.
Please arrive early to ease congestion.
All U-11’s entering the ground must be accompanied by an adult. If the adult has a “School Ticket” they can enter at half price along with their child.
The bar is open from 6.15pm
Turnstiles open: 6.15pm
The match day programme front cover
Programmes: £3.00 – this is a double programme covering the games against Shaftesbury and Saturday’s home against Willand Rovers and will be a 48-page edition with lots of information that is only available via the matchday programme including a look at the final run in for the top teams and how late goals can really affect the season – so BUY YOUR COPY AT THE GAME – with forward King Baidoo on the front cover.
Programmes can be purchased outside the ground, at the left-hand turnstile and at the club shop.
Club Shop: The club shop will be open before the game, at half time and after the game.
PARKING
There is plenty of space is available but if you are parking on the roadside, or once the car park is full, PLEASE CAN YOU PARK WITH CONSIDERATION TO THE CLUB’S NEIGHBOURS.
· Please do NOT park in Addlings (a new road near the end of Lodge Road) as the estate roads are tight and there is limited parking for residents
· The Fox pub car park is for patrons only
· If you park over on the trading estate, please make sure that you are aware of any parking restrictions that may be in place.
Food and drinks are available inside the ground.
Please note that the South West Interiors Stadium is a NO dogs ground (apart from guide dogs).
Visit the club shop
The club shop is open on match days, where you can buy a whole host of new club merchandise, including shirts, tops, Yate Town fixture mugs, key rings, mouse mats, badges, coasters and much, much more.
The Yate Town umbrellas that have been ordered are ready for collection and you can also place orders as well.
So, make sure you take a look. Tracey, who will also be selling match day programmes and 50/50 tickets
Next up:
The Bluebells travel to Evesham United on Saturday 8th March (and a Supporters Coach is available for fans – details on the website) and then return to the South West Interiors Stadium on 15th March when Melksham Town are the visitors.