Match Report Willand Rovers 1 Yate Town 1 Baker 86 Taylor 78 Southern League Division One South Saturday 28th September 2024
Yate Town, with three players making their debuts for the club, came away with a point from their match in Devon against Willand Rovers, with the hosts still undefeated in the League so far this season.
Yate Town, with a number of injuries in their squad, gave debuts to 19-year-old Jerry Lawrence and 16-year-old Ollie Dewsbury, both on loan from Bristol Rovers, plus centre half Sean Keet signed from Westbury. Dropping to the bench, following the Larkhall game, were Ollie Jenkins and Stan Wyatt and Wayne Nderenami was unavailable following his injury on Tuesday evening.
Willand Rovers applied some early pressure and Aaron Sainsbury, in the visitor’s goal, was forced into a couple of straight forward saves. Ollie Dewsbury helped create the first chance for Yate and after a good run down the left he passed to Jerry Lawrence whose 20-yard shot went straight into the arms of George Burton in the home goal. Owen Howe and River Allen went close for the hosts but this was generally a half of few chances, with both defences on top.
Ollie Dewsbury, on loan from Bristol Rovers, in possession.
The second half saw Yate Town start to gain a foothold in the game and after 55 minutes Ryan Hillier was fouled on the edge of the penalty area following an excellent through ball from Jerry Lawrence but the resultant free kick by Lloyd James went marginally wide of a post.
Just after the hour James Byrne, who was overlapping well, saw his shot come back off the far post and Will Christopher brought a good save from Burton shortly after.
James Byrne (on the ground in blue) see his shot hit the post.
In the next few minutes, Yate manager, Darren Mullings, made a couple of changes with James Taylor coming on for Will Christoper and Oli Jenkins replacing Sean Keet with James Byrne switching over to left back from right back. Ryan Hillier was replaced with Ross Stearn.
Willand also made a number of substitutions. There were a few robust challenges from the home side as Yate Town eventually managed to put more pressure on the home defence with Ross Stearn firing over twice from outside the penalty area. The breakthrough came when Jerry Lawrence and Lucas Tomlinson combined to set up James Taylor inside the Willand penalty area and Taylor fired home from 8 yards for what looked like the winner.
James Taylor shoots towards goal and as he falls sees the ball about to enter the net with Ross Stearn in attendance.
However, Willand responded and eight minutes later, following a free kick on the right, Josh Baker, was allowed too much space in the penalty area and headed home the equaliser.
Having worked so hard to gain the lead and then to concede so late in the game was a bitter pill to swallow but probably on the balance of things this was a fair result, with the Bluebells not being at their most fluent and effective on the day.
Yate Town, top of the table, now travel to second from bottom club Cinderford Town on Tuesday evening, with Forest of Dean side having won the first game in the League this season on Saturday, when they beat Westbury United 2-1 away.
Yate Town substitute, Ross Stearn (12), in the thick of the action late in the game as Willand goalkeeper, George Burton, punches clear.
Willand Rovers: Burton, Searle, Guppy, Medway (Kennell 65), Edwards, Richards, Dorothy, Hewitt, Howe (Rooke), Allen, Camilo (Sully 29 – Baker 77)
Unused subs: None
Bookings: Searle (35), Guppy (70), Allen 76), Rooke (90), Richards (90+6), Kennell (90+7)
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Byrne, Christopher (Taylor 65), Larvin, Keet (Jenkins 77), James, Lawrence, Guest, Hillier (Stearn 66), Tomlinson, Dewsbury
Unused subs: Staley, Wyatt
Bookings: James (40), Byrne (50), Dewsbury (88)
Referee: David Steele
Attendance: 193