Match report
Yate Town 1 Larkhall Athletic 0
James 71
Southern League Division One South
Yate Town came up against another packed defence that tried to deny Yate Town space and time and it took a moment of brilliance with a superb strike from Lloyd James to win this match.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, was forced to make a number of changes to his starting side with both Dan Dempsey and Marlon Jackson out through injury and Stan Wyatt on the bench. He brought in Oli Jenkins, Ryan Hillier and Wayne Nderenami, who had all featured as substitutes on Saturday against Bideford.
The game started with possession even but few chances created. Lloyd James shot over from a free kick and midway through the half, after excellent interplay down the right, it ended with Joe Guest's header striking the bar but play was then stopped for an offside. Larkhall threatened little but on the half-hour, Wayne Nderemani had to leave the field following a hefty challenge from a Larkhall player and Stan Wyatt came on.
Oli Jenkins in action.
Chances were at a premium at this stage in the game. Lucas Tomlinson cut in from the right but shot straight at Larkhall goalkeeper Adam Forster and then Forster had to be alert to push away a shot from Stan Wyatt while an Oli Jenkins effort was deflected just over the bar. Just before half time Larkhall carved out a chance but Jake Hicks effort was blocked and it remained goalless as the first 45 minutes came to an end.
Yate came out for the second half full of determination to break through the well organised Larkhall defence and started to dominate possession but Larkhall were always dangerous on the counter. Stan Wyatt shot over and following a corner Joe Guest’s powerful downward header bounced up and went just over the cross bar. After a good run by Ryan Hillier his shot was turned away by Forster for a corner.
On the hour Larkhall broke down the left and Aaron Sainsbury, making is 50th appearance for the club in goal, was at his best to block a well-directed shot from a Larkhall player but Yate were back in the groove with a Lloyd James free kick saved by Forster.
Yate Town goalkeeper, Aaron Sainsbury, who made his 50th appearance for the club.
Larkhall made a couple of substitutions but almost immediately had Bradley Norris sent off for a second bookable offence.
The game then had a goal to remember when Lloyd James decided to shoot from 25 yards and he found the top corner of the net with a superb shot.
Lloyd James lets fly to score the winner.
Ross Stearn came on as a substitute to make his debut for Yate Town after being injured in pre-season
With a 1-0 lead Yate Town had to be at their best, not only to try to extend the lead but also to deal with a Larkhall side that were looking for an equaliser but despite Larkhall gaining more possession, Yate Town made sure that they restricted their visitors to few opportunities and with Larkhall losing a bit of discipline, they had captain Sam Boulton sent off for two bookable offences in the space of less than a minute.
This was another game that Yate Town managed to break down a well organised and determined defence and although the team didn’t perform at its best, it was a moment of brilliance that won the game but as a team, they got the job done, with a few key players missing.
Ross Stearn (right) who came on as a second half substitute to make his debut form the club.
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Byrne, Christopher, Hall, Larvin, James, Tomlinson (Staley 88), Guest, Hillier (Stearn 72), Jenkins, Nderemani (Wyatt 30)
Bookings: Byrne (39), Guest (72)
Unused subs: Taylor, Felix
Larkhall Athletic: Forster, Cannings (Lambert), Evans (Passco 73), Boulton, Graham, Mortimer-Taylor, Williams, Hicks (Beckinsale 78), Pritchard (Pollard 78), Norris, Camm
Unused sub: Bradley
Bookings: Norris (30), Evans (48), Pritchard, Pollard (82), Boulton (84), Camm
Sent-off: Norris 62 – (second bookable offence), Boulton
Referee: Adam Gregory
Attendance: 339
Yate Town Man of the Match: Lloyd James
