Match Report
Bluebells lose at home
Yate Town 1 Havant & Waterlooville 2
Evans 37 | Seager 8, Maloney 11
Southern League Premier Division South
Saturday 13th December 2025
Yate Town suffered only their second home League defeat of the season as Havant & Waterlooville scored two early goals and despite getting a goal back before half-time, the Bluebells could not break down the visitor’s defence again.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, made a number of changes from the side that lost at Gloucester, starting with on loan Bristol City defender, Jack Hooper, in place of Dan Ball in defence and bringing in Oli Jenkins in place of James Taylor with Josh Bennet returning in defence, after his suspension. Adulai Sambu made his debut in place of Lucas Tomlinson and Marlon Jackson started on the bench.
After Rex Mannings had gone close in the opening minutes for Yate Town, and with just 8 minutes on the clock, a cross from Brendon Wilson was met by Ryan Seager, who found himself in space to head past Aaron Sainsbury to put the visitors in front. Three minutes later a cross from Henry Thorpe was thumped home from 12 yards by Leon Maloney to further extend their lead.
James Ollis shoots for goal.
Yate’s James Ollis was just off target and the home side reduced the arrears after 38 minutes when Corey Evans’ mazy run into the box saw his shot beat visiting goalkeeper, Lorenz Ferdinand, to put the Bluebells back in the game.
Corey Evans scores to reduce the arrears.
Just before half-time Yate gave away a free kick but Havant & Waterlooville failed to take advantage with the ball going out for a corner.
Adulai Sambu and Havant & Waterlooville’s Leon Maloney (number 10) in action.
Early in the second half, Ferdinand saved with his legs from Jack Hooper and Adulai Sambu’s mishit shot caused confusion in the visitor’s defence before the ball was eventually cleared. Just before the hour mark, Harry Thorpe headed just wide for the visitors whilst Havant & Waterlooville defended in depth with Ferdinand, only extended once, when he tipped James Ollis’ shot over the bar to ensure that the visitors gained all three points to win their fifth league game of the season and Yate suffered their second successive defeat, after previously going five games unbeaten.
Jack Hooper shoots through a packed defence but his effort is saved.
This was a disappointing performance from the Bluebells who will need to get back to picking up points in order to secure their mid-table position in the league.
The Bluebells now entertain Taunton Town at the South West Interiors Stadium next Saturday before visiting Evesham United on Saturday 27th December, for their final game of 2025.
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Jenkins (Taylor 65), Larvin, Hopper, Bennett (Ball 86), Monks (Britton 86), James (Tomlinson 75), Sambu, Ollis, Mannings (Jackson 75), Evans.
Unused subs: None
Bookings: Bennett (35), Monks (61), James (86), Britton (90)
Havant & Waterlooville: Ferdinand, Taylor, Milner-Smith, Wilson, Pendlebury, Seager, Maloney (Nkwonta 75), Thorpe (Fosu 75), Rooney, Aston, Laidlaw
Unused subs: Giwa-McNeill, Osusu, Goddard
Bookings: Taylor (81)
Attendance: 417
Referee: Neil Pratt
Photographs by Aaron Norman and Jack Palmer.
Yate Town Player of the Match: Lloyd James chosen by match sponsors, Shane Andrews and friends.
