Match Report
Yate Town 1 Didcot Town 0
Guest 25
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 26th April 2025
Needing just one point from their final league match of the season, to secure the title, Yate Town, in front of a record-breaking League attendance of 1,514, won the game with a first half header from captain Joe Guest to secure all three points and become champions of the Southern League Division One South.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, kept the same side that started at Bristol Manor Farm on Easter Monday, with Nick McCootie starting in place of the injured Marlon Jackson, who was forced off in the first half during Monday’s game.
After a dangerous cross from Conor McGrath just evaded the advancing Didcot forward, Daniel Warre, Yate Town showed their intent and went in search of the decisive opening goal.
Following a move down the right involving James Taylor and Lucas Tomlinson, Nick McCootie’s shot was blocked at the near post and with Taylor and Tomlinson ever dangerous down the right a chance was set up for Stan Wyatt whose shot just cleared the crossbar. McCootie then turned and shot from the edge of the area but straight at Didcot goalkeeper, Leigh Bedwell. Following a corner in the 20th minute, as Yate continued to apply pressure of the Didcot goal, Joe Guest’s effort was inches over the crossbar.
But five minutes later the Yate Town captain, Joe Guest, was not to be denied when he headed home a right wing cross from Lucas Tomlinson to score his eighth goal of the season, and spark a great cheer from the large crowd.
Elated Yate Town fans celebrate Joe Guest’s goal.
The Bluebells then went looking for a second goal and when Nick McCootie dispossessed a Didcot defender on the byline his pass to Lucas Tomlinson’s saw the forward’s shot blocked. Lloyd James then was inches over with a 30-yard shot but twice Didcot showed that they had attacking potential when Isaac Finch had to be alert to save from Sameul Barder and just before half-time, following a Didcot corner, he produced an acrobatic save when a shot from Dylan Conlon was deflected off Nick McCootie towards the top corner.
Yate Town had to make a change at half-time when Dan Dempsey was forced off through injury and Jamie Adams slotted into the back four with Martin Lenihan taking his place in midfield. The news from Evesham, who were in second place in the table at the start of proceedings, was that they were drawing 1-1 with Bashley.
Yate Town were totally dominant in the second half and Nick McCootie’s low shot forced Leigh Bedwell in a fine save. King Baidoo, who came on for Stan Wyatt, and made an immediate impact on the left shooting just wide as Yate kept up the search for another goal. Lloyd James twice tested Leigh Bedwell, King Baidoo headed just over the crossbar and Lucas Tomlinson had a penalty appeal waved aside by the referee.
Lucas Tomlinson in the ball in the second half.
The ever-dangerous James Taylor on the attack.
Nick McCootie in second half action.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, ensured that all his substitutes were involved before the end of the game and at the final whistle there were jubilant scenes from players and fans alike, - see photos below - to celebrate this magnificent achievement in the club’s history, as the Bluebells returned to the Southern League Premier Division South, after an absence of two seasons, and with Evesham losing 1-2 at home to Bashley, ended up by winning the league by 6 points.
Yate Town captain, Joe Guest, holds up the Southern League Division One South Shield following on from the squad receiving their medals.
Yate Town: Finch, Taylor (Christopher 90), Byrne, Dempsey (Lenihan 46), Hall, James, Tomlinson (Nderemani 90) (Lenihan 85), Guest, Wyatt (Baidoo 55), McCootie (Stearn 87), Adams
Unused subs: None
Bookings: Tomlinson (80), McCootie (81)
Didcot Town: Bedwell, McCrath (Cooke 81), McNeill, Smith, Carnell, Learoyd, Conlon, Barder (Parry 70), Scott (Wright 60), Duggan, Warre (Hedges 70).
Unused sub: Bishop
Bookings: None
Referee: Daniel Lamport
Attendance: 1.514
Photographs by Aaron Norman and Declan Jones (from SGS)
Yate Town Man of the Match: Joe Guest with one of the match sponsors from South West Interiors.
