Yate Town 2 Helston Athletic 0
Stearn (80, 82)
Southern League Division One South
Saturday 21st December 2024
Yate Town returned to winning ways as a late double from substitute Ross Stearn secured the points against a resolute Helston Athletic side.
Yate Town manager, Darren Mullings, kept faith with the same side that lost at Bemerton the previous Saturday and the home side started on the front foot straight from kick off. Lloyd James’s shot from the edge of the penalty area, which went straight into the arms of Helston goalkeeper Kyle Moore, set the tone as Yate won a succession of first half corners to pen the visitors back in their own half.
Ollie Dewsbury bursts between two Helston defenders early in the game.
Ollie Dewsbury had a shot blocked and Ross Staley was a constant outlet down the left with Dewsbury. After 9 minutes Lucas Tomlinson fired just over from 25 yards after being set up by Marlon Jackson and then, following a corner, Tomlinson’s effort was cleared off the line. Minutes later a swift break down the right saw Jackson and Tomlinson again combined and Kyle Moore managed to push Tomlinson’s effort away from danger at the second attempt.
Marlon Jackson and Ollie Dewsbury putting pressure on the Helston defence.
Yate were reminded of Helston’s attacking threat, from the team that are the second highest goal scorers in the division, when Jacob Smith and Reece Thomson combined well before Thomson shot straight at Aaron Sainsbury in the home goal but this was an isolated foray into the Yate penalty area.
Another excellent move down the right saw James Taylor cross the ball into the Helston penalty area which was eventually scrambled away off the goal line.
Tomlinson then missed an excellent chance at the near post after 30 minutes following a cross from Ollie Dewsbury and two minutes later James Byrne’s cross was met by Marlon Jackson on the penalty spot, who shot straight at Moore, when well placed.
With the half drawing to a close a cynical foul on Lucas Tomlinson by Tyler Elliot, for which he was booked, saw Tomlinson having to receive treatment, after which Lloyd James’ free kick from the 25 yards was pushed round the post, at full stretch, by Moore.
The second half started at a slower pace but Yate then started to exert pressure again on the Helston defence, whilst not creating as many frequent chances as earlier. Ollie Dewsbury fired just wide and before he then brought a fine save from Moore whilst Lloyd James’ shot was deflected just wide for a corner, as the visitors defence still held firm. Moore then spilled the ball and Marlon Jackson could not quite take advantage of this and a minute later their ensued an almighty goalmouth scramble, but the ball was eventually cleared.
Second half action as Marlon Jackson wins this header in the Helston penalty area and hits the crossbar.
With about 20 minutes to go Darren Mullings shuffled the pack - Stan Wyatt came on for Ollie Dewsbury and Ross Stearn replaced Ross Staley. Lucas Tomlinson hit the post and shortly afterwards Marlon Jackson then hit the crossbar with a header and it seemed as if it was going to be one of those days and Yate would rue the missed chances.
However, it was the experienced Stearn who eventually broke the deadlock when James Taylor delivered the ball into the area and Ross Stearn was in the right position to shoot home from 10 yards to put the Bluebells in front - and it was no more than they deserved. And two minutes later Stearn was on the score sheet again as a shot from Joe Guest was blocked and Ross Stearn fired into the roof of the net.
Joe Guest (middle) and James Byrne celebrate with goal scorer Ross Stearn (left).
There was 8 minutes added time and with a couple more substitutions for the home side they effectively played out the remaining minutes to secure the 3 points and maintain their healthy lead at the top of the table with a mouth-watering local derby against Bristol Manor Farm to follow at the South West Interiors Stadium on Boxing Day.
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Taylor (Christopher 89), Staley (Stearn 73), Hall, Larvin, James, Byrne, Guest, Jackson (Jeremy 90+4), Tomlinson (Jeremy 82), Dewsbury (Wyatt 68) Unused sub: Dempsey
Bookings:
Helston Athletic: Moore, Mitchell, Jago, Bentley, Colwell, J. Smith, Thomson, R. Smith (Eastman 77), Elliott, Sullivan, Copp (Crago 70)
Unused subs: Bentley, Simmonds.
Bookings: Elliot (38)
Referee: N. Templey
Attendance: 301
Photographs by Aaron Norman
Yate Town Man of the Match: Marlon Jackson