Match Report
Yate Town make it 3 wins in a row
Yate Town 1 Basingstoke Town 0
Britton 49
Southern League Premier Division South
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Yate Town extended their fine run in a hard fought, entertaining and close game against a Basingstoke side that asked many questions of the Bluebells, who responded superbly on a frosty evening, to gain all three points, thanks to Matt Britton’s second half goal. This was also the first time that fans could watch a whole game under the club’s new impressive floodlights.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, was forced into a couple of changes following the 4-1 home win against Bracknell on Saturday with Jack Hooper and Chris Zebroski not in the starting eleven, with Dan Ball and Marlon Jackson taking their places, with fit again, Omar-Taylor Clarke and Alex Monks on the bench.
There was plenty of goalmouth action and incidents in the first half starting with Matt Britton, early on, trying his luck from near the half way line when he spotted Basingstoke goalkeeper, Joel Halliday, off his line, but Halliday back peddled and managed to catch the ball. Oli Jenkins then combined well with Lucas Tomlinson who saw his shot blocked and Aaron Sainsbury, in the home goal was forced into action saving from Conor Harris. Corey Evans brought an excellent save from Halliday, who saved low down by his post, and James Ollis set up Lucas Tomlinson who found the back of the net but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Lucas Tomlinson shoots for goal in the first half.
On the half hour James Ollis was forced off with an injury and replaced by Rex Mannings and Basingstoke managed to create a number of chances with Sainsbury saving a 25 yard shot from former Bluebell, Joe O’Loughlin, and Liam Ferdinand hit the base of the Yate post after cutting in from the right and also forced a save from Sainsbury with the Yate goalkeeper getting his angles right to save when Ferdinand was well placed. Just before half time Marlon Jackson created an excellent chance for Lucas Tomlinson but his shot cleared the crossbar. A Josh Bennett cross caused confusion in the visitor’s defence but Halliday managed to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner, which Britton headed wide.
With the temperature falling Yate Town started the second half with intent. Jackson’s shot was blocked following a long throw from Josh Bennett and Rex Mannings’ effort was blocked for a corner on the left. Lloyd James’ pinpoint corner has headed home at the near post by Matt Britton, scoring his first goal for the club.
Basingstoke responded well with Blake’s shot blocked for a corner and D’andre Brown’s free kick was well held by Aaron Sainsbury.
Basingstoke goalkeeper, Joel Halliday, punches clear as Yate Town apply second half pressure.
Both Marlon Jackson and Corey Evans tested Halliday as the game swung one way then the other as Basingstoke substitute Dan Rowe brought a smart save from Sainsbury. Yate substitute James Taylor went on a fine run down the right but his pass into the box was blocked for a corner. Corey Evans, who was a threat all evening, following a mazy run, saw his attempted pass to Lucas Tomlinson, which would have set the Yate player free on goal, was just in front of the oncoming Tomlinson and the chance was gone.
Corey Evans and Marlon Jackson test the visitor’s defence.
With six minutes stoppage time announced Yate Town played down the clock to frustrate their opponents, however, created an excellent chance to put the game out of Basingstoke’s reach, as Marlon Jackson’s shot seemed destined to find the back of the net but hit the inside of the post and
rolled agonisingly along the line before being cleared. Basingstoke still went looking for an equaliser in the closing moments but could not find a way through the Yate defence with Aarron Sainsbury pulling off a good save in the final minute.
This was three hard earned points, for the hosts, against a good Basingstoke side and the Bluebells showed real determination, tenacity and skill throughout the side, to extend their run to five games undefeated, four of those games being victories, and they now occupy 12th place in the table, leap frogging their visitors.
The Bluebells now face, what might be two of their toughest away games of the season, at Farnham on Saturday and Gloucester City on Friday 5th December.
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Jenkins, Larvin, Ball, Bennett, Britton (Monks 68), James, Tomlinson (Taylor 86), Jackson (Taylor-Clarke 90+2), Ollis (Mannings 30), Evans
Unused subs: White
Bookings: Jackson (40), Bennett (58)
Basingstoke Town: Halliday, Legg, O’Loughlin, Harris (Gallagher 61), Armsworth (Rowe 68), Upton, Blake, Green Cook 86), Ferdinand, Dolling (Clarke 79), Brown (Barrett (86)
Unused subs: None
Booked: Harris (44),
Attendance: 324
Referee: Daniel Ellis
Photographs by Aaron Norman
Yate Town Player of the Match: Dan Ball