Match Report
Bristol Manor Farm 0 Yate Town 3
Tomlinson 19, Dempsey 45, Taylor 55
Southern League Division One South
Monday 21st April 2025
In a season of late twists and turns, this Yate Town win at Bristol Manor Farm, on Easter Monday, saw the Bluebells return to the top of the table after the overnight leaders, Evesham United, succumbed to their first defeat in 10 games when they lost to a late goal at Bishops Cleeve.
With King Baidoo ruled out with an injury picked up in the Good Friday win against Cinderford, Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, brought Stan Wyatt back into the side and there were a number of changes on the bench.
Kicking down the slope and with an excellent away following, the opening exchanges in the game saw Joe Guest and Marlon Jackson combine to win the Bluebells an early corner and Harry Lucas tried his luck from 20 yards out for the hosts but his effort flew over the crossbar. But after 19 minutes a cross from the left by Stan Wyatt was flicked on by Marlon Jackson and Lucas Tomlinson was at the far post to tuck the ball away to give Yate Town the lead.
Stan Wyatt then had a dangerous cross cut out by the home defence before the winger then fired wide (pictured below) when well-placed after Marlon Jackson’s shot had been blocked and later on Wyatt shot just over from 20 yards when he cut in from the left.
Lloyd James and Lucas Tomlinson were both booked a couple of minutes apart and Marlon Jackson had to go off with an injury just before half time to be replaced by Nick Mc Cootie.
With the half drawing to a close a Lucas Tomlinson’s cross from the right flew across the six-yard box with no Yate Town player able to make a touch to force the ball home and when the ball was returned into the area Tomlinson had an effort that was blocked before the ball was eventually cleared.
However, with only seconds of the first period remaining, Yate won a corner on the right and Lucas Tomlinson took a short corner to James Taylor who beat a defender and his low driven cross was converted at the near post by Dan Dempsey, to score his first goal of the season and put the Bluebells 2-0 up with virtually the last kick of the first half.
Nick McCootie in possession.
The second half saw the visitors in control of the game and within 10 minutes they had added to their lead when a move down the right saw Nick McCootie and Lucas Tomlinson combine to set up James Taylor who fired home with accuracy and composure.
James Taylor (right mostly hidden) is congratulated after his goal.
Bristol Manor Farm responded and Evander Grubb let fly from 20 yards but Yate Town goalkeeper, Isaac Finch, produced a good save to push Grubb’s low shot away for a corner.
Further efforts from Stan Wyatt and James Taylor, who brought a good save from home goalkeeper, Sethan Lock, plus a fierce 30 yard shot from Bristol Manor Farm’s Jamie Bird that brought the best out of Finch with another fine save were the main opportunities created as Yate Town were determined to keep a clean sheet.
Yate Town’s Lucas Tomlinson (in blue) in action during the second half.
This was an excellent all-round performance by Yate Town, who were back to their best, playing some excellent football on a dry pitch and in windy conditions. This now sets up a wonderful finale to their season when they must gain at least a point in order to be crowned champions of the Southern League Division One South when they entertain Didcot Town at the South West Interiors Stadium on Saturday.
Bristol Manor Farm: Locke, Winter, Robbins, Spence, Lucas, Sama (Lashenko 80), Grubb, Dowling (Bird 60), Howe (Tate 74), Dodimead, Thomas (Fowler 88)
Unused: John (GK)
Bookings: None
Yate Town: Finch, Taylor, Byrne, Dempsey, Hall, James, Tomlinson (Lenihan 85), Guest, Jackson (McCootie 42), Wyatt (Jeremy 80), Adams
Unused subs: Christopher, Felix
Bookings: James (36), Tomlinson (38)
Referee: Adam Wilson
Attendance: 637
Photographs by Aaron Norman
Yate Town Man of the Match: Dan Dempsey with Chairman Mark Thorne
