Match Report
Westbury United 2 Yate Town 2
Jenkins 8 (pen,) Witchell (40) | Tomlinson (23), Jackson (90)
FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Saturday 30th August 2025
Yate Town travelled to Southern League Division One South side, Westbury United, for this FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie, having played the Wilshire side four times in the League during the last two seasons before their promotion, but this game played in wet and windy conditions turned out to be a close affair and it was only a late goal that saw the Bluebells earn a replay.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, made one change from the side that played Hungerford on Monday, starting with Chris Zebroski up front, with Dayle Grubb dropping to the bench but Mullings was able to field a strong bench with Marlon Jackson, Rex Mannings, Matt Britton and Will Larvin returning from injury, along with Jack Karadogan and Wil Turner, who were both on the bench at Hungerford (seven subs being allowed in FA Cup ties).
After just 8 minutes Westbury took the lead when Ben Starr was fouled in the Yate penalty area and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Josh Jenkins fired the ball the ball past Aaron Sainsbury in the visitor’s goal.
With both sides looking for openings it was a free kick that brought Yate Town back into the game. James Taylor was fouled on the edge of the Westbury penalty area and as Lucas Tomlinson and Lloyd James stood over the ball it was Tomlinson whose shot of pin point accuracy found the bottom corner of the net.
Lucas Tomlinson fires home this free kick to score his first goal of the season and level the score.
After 34 minutes Chris Zabriski closed down a Westbury defender and goalkeeper Joel Manning and as the ball ran loose, he managed to get in an angled shot in that hit the base of the post.
Chances were hard to come by as both sides struggled to dominate possession but with five minutes to go to half-time Aaron Witchell curled an exquisite shot into the top corner of the net to restore Westbury’s lead with an outstand strike.
The second half saw Yate get more of a foothold on the game but a resolute Westbury defence limited them to few real chances whilst Westbury were always dangerous on the counter attack. Rex Mannings replaced Bevan Cross at half time and when Dan Dempsey went off injured shortly after the interval Matt Britton replaced him.
Rex Mannings takes on a Westbury defender.
A Charlie White cross was deflected onto the roof of the Westbury net and Chris Zebroski fired wide from the edge of the area but despite further pressure and substitutions Joel Manning in the home goal was not extended.
Chris Zebroski in action during the second half.
James Taylor tried to unlock the Westbury defence but his cross only led to a corner. Despite more players in offensive positions for the visitors, it looked like the home side would pull off a shock victory and with a minute of normal time remaining, Aaron Sainsbury was forced to make a good save from Ackeem Stewart.
But Yate Town were not to be denied and a minute later Marlon Jackson managed to find the net, shooting through a number of players to earn the Bluebells a replay, which they, on the balance of play, deserved. Despite 8 minutes added time their pressure could not find a way through as Westbury hung on for a replay.
Yate Town were far from their best but Westbury were full value for their chance to try again and it should be an interesting encounter when the two teams play at the South West Interiors Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Please note that this will be an all pay fixture for the replay.
Westbury United: Manning, Greenland, Cockerill, Restorick, Witcombe, Francis (Sen 82), Witchell (A), Starr, Witchell (E), Stewart, Jenkins
Unused subs: Cannings, Porter
Bookings: Witcombe (37)
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Taylor, Moody, Dempsey (Britton 50), White, James (Grubb 70), Tomlinson (Jackson 70), Guest, Jenkins (Karadogan 82), Cross (Mannings 46), Zebroski.
Unused subs: Turner, Larvin
Bookings: None
Attendance: 168
Photographs by Jack Palmer.