Didcot Town 0 Yate Town 1
Lawrence 56
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 12th October 2024Yate Town continued their impressive start to the season with the victory at Didcot Town being achieved with a well worked goal from Bristol Rovers loanee, Jerry Lawrence, against a side known for their defensive capabilities.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, was forced to make a change to the starting line-up that beat Melksham in the FA Trophy, with Bristol Rovers loanee, Ollie Dewsbury unavailable, as he was called up for the Welsh Under 17 squad, as it was international weekend, with Stan Wyatt taking his place. Marlon Jackson was on the bench having been out injured for the past 3 weeks.
The game was played in windy conditions on a pitch that showed the effects of the recent very wet weather and Yate Town were forced to make a change inside 4 minutes when full back Lewis Hall had to go off with a hamstring injury and was replaced by James Byrne. In a slow start to the game James Taylor went on a mazy run into the penalty area but was eventually crowded out but there was little goalmouth action with defences being dominant. However, it was the visitors who started to gain a foothold in the game and Jerry Lawrence brought a fine save from Leigh Bedwell in the home goal as he tipped his 20-yard effort over the crossbar.
Didot goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell pulls off this fine save from Jerry Lawrence’s effort from just outside the penalty area.
Lucas Tomlinson fired just over following a corner as Yate Town created a number of efforts on the home goal. Following a foul on Lucas Tomlinson, Ross Stearn’s free kick was turned round the post by Leigh Bedwell and Ross Stearn then fired just over the crossbar but when put clear but scuffed his left foot shot just wide of the far post.
Ross Stearn drags his shot just wide of the far post.
Didcot had been restricted to just a couple of efforts during the first half, with one 30 yard shot straight at Aaron Sainsbury and then a free kick on the right that was headed over.
The second half started with Didcot having more possession but the deciding moment in the game came after 56 minutes when Stan Wyatt passed out to overlapping full back James Byrne on the left. His cross was pushed away by Bedwell but was returned into the penalty area by Lloyd James and despite both Ross Stearn and Lucas Tomlinson failing to connect with the ball, Jerry Lawrence stabbed home the ball at the far post, from just a couple of yards out.
Didcot goalkeeper, Leigh Bedwell, pushes James Byrne’s cross away prior to the goal.
Jerry Lawrence scores to put Yate town 1-0 up.
Jerry Lawrence celebrates his goal with Stan Wyatt.
There were few chances created in the final half hour with the Yate Town defence in command. Stan Wyatt fed substitute Ross Staley but his shot went just wide of the post and when substitute Marlon Jackson came on, he showed all his experience in keeping the ball and ensuring that Yate Town not only maintain their lead but also kept the Didcot defence on their toes.
As the clock ticked into added time Didcot did create their best chance of the game and Aaron Sainsbury pulled off a fine save from substitute Conor Barrett to ensure that three points went to the Bluebells.
This was the type of game that showed that Yate Town can win when not at their best and was another three points on the road as the Bluebells maintained their position at the top of the table. However, there are a number of teams in the chasing pack and there is still a lot of football to be played before the season ends in April. But seven wins from nine league games is an excellent start and the club will be hoping for their best crowd of the season when they entertain Tavistock next Saturday for their Community Day when fans can “Pay What You Want”.
Didcot Town: Bedwell, Conlan (Osborne 71), McNeill, Jay-Bedwell, Carnell, Learoyd, Smith (Barrett 74), Barder (Glover 61), Davis (Preen 61), Wright, McConnell.
Unused subs: None
Bookings: None
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Taylor (Christopher 77), Hall (Byrne 4), Dempsey, Larvin, James, Lawrence (Hillier 89), Guest, Stearn (Jackson 77), Tomlinson (Staley 61), Wyatt
Unused subs: None
Bookings: Larvin (21), Guest (90)
Referee: Richard Walker
Attendance: 280
Yate Town Man of the Match: Stan Wyatt
