Yate Town 1 Evesham United 0
Guest (56)
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 23rd November 2024
With Storm Bert raging across the country these two teams did well to produce an entertaining game of football on a pitch that stood up remarkably well to the conditions, as Yate Town maintained their unbeaten home league record this season, with a Joe Guest goal in the second half.
Following the previous game against Hampton & Richmond in the FA Trophy, Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, made just one change, starting with Dan Dempsey in the centre of the defence, with Will Larvin serving a one match.
Evesham started brightly with Levi Steele firing just wide from a William Owens cross. Yate Town’s Ross Stearn and Will Christopher were also just off target as was Reegan Messenger for the visitors in a half with few chances and defences on top.
The second half started with Yate Town starting to gain more control of proceedings and three minutes in to the half Ross Stearn went down from a strong challenge in the penalty area but his appeals for a penalty were waved aside by referee James Tewson.
Marlon Jackson in possession with an Evesham United defender close at hand.
However, Yate did take the lead after 56 minutes when full back James Taylor laid the ball back to Lloyd James and his cross was met with a firm header by Joe Guest that flew past Alex Harris in the Evesham goal.
Joe Guest celebrates his goal with Ollie Dewsbury (11).
With Yate looking for a second, James Byrne’s shot was well saved by Harris. With conditions deteriorating Marlon Jackson went on a great run into the Evesham penalty area but his effort was blocked and then following a marauding run down the right James Taylor’s cross eluded everyone and the chance was gone.
James Taylor crosses the ball into the Evesham penalty area.
Two minutes later a scuffle broke out in front of the dug-outs following a strong challenge on Ollie Dewsbury and Evesham player Jordy N’Gathe was eventually booked.
With Yate Town continuing to press forward a flowing move involving Joe Guest ended with substitute Theo Jeremy looking to clip the ball over Harris but his effort just missed the target.
Evesham were never out of the game and whenever the in-form side attacked, looking for the equaliser, they came up against a well organised Yate Town defence.
Yate Town, after 16 League games, have gained 39 points and sit proudly in first place in the table, having lost only one game, and the goals against column still in single digits with just nine conceded. Another game against a top five side awaits them next Saturday when they travel to fifth placed Melksham Town, who have only lost twice this season, and despite being 14 points behind the Bluebells have three games in hand.
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Taylor, Christopher, Dempsey, Hall, James, Byrne, Guest, Jackson (Hillier 90), Stearn (Jeremy 65), Dewsbury
Unused subs: Staley, Wyatt, White
Bookings: Dewsbury (90), Guest (90)
Evesham United: Harris, Barlow, Raison, O’Regan, Heap (Middleton 70), Steele, Awadh, Messenger (Bitencourt De Oliveira 80), Owens (Bojang 85), Bremner, N’Gathe
Unused subs: Bailey, Dunn
Bookings: Heap (25), Bremner (40), Awadh (74), N’Gathe (80)
Attendance: 287
Referee: James Tewson
Yate Town Man of the Match: Joe Guest
