Match Report
Yate Town 2 Poole Town 2
Bennett (30), Mannings (43) | Gwengwe (13), Slade (77)
Tuesday 24th March 2026
Southern League Premier Division South
In a highly entertaining game at the South West Interiors Stadium, Yate Town ended their recent poor form, in a game that saw a couple of goals that will stick in the memory for a long time, against a Poole Town side who are in a play-off position and have the division’s leading goal scorer in their side.
Darren Mullings rung the changes following on from the defeat against Weymouth and the side certainly responded, with the inclusion of Josh Bennett, Archie Taylor, Joe Guest and Omar Taylor-Clarke all making an impact.
With a very wet surface and windy conditions an Archie Taylor header, straight at Poole Town goalkeeper Adam Parkes, was the first effort on target after 9 minutes but four minutes later Ik Hill’s astute pass found the division’s leading goalscoring, Shaquille Gwengwe, in the Yate penalty area, and as Yate Town goalkeeper, Aaron Sainsbury advanced Gwengwe cleverly chipped the ball over the diving goalkeeper to put the Dolphins into the lead.
However, Yate suddenly found their passing rhythm, which has been missing lately, forcing a couple of corners and with both Marlon Jackson, who led the line well, and Joe Guest, nearing his best back in midfield, the Bluebells started to dominate play. Following a good passage of play Josh Bennett received the ball on the left and his long cross was caught in the wind and sailed over the head of Adam Parkes, for a slightly fortuitous goal, but it was nothing less than the Bluebells deserved.
Above: Josh Bennett sends the ball into the Poole Town penalty area and below: the ball sails over the head of Adam Parks into the net to level the scores. Photos by Jack Palmer
Yate continued on the front foot and two minutes before half time a long throw from Josh Bennett was headed out of the penalty area by a Poole player and the ball reached Rex Mannings whose wonder strike in the top corner from 25 yards would have graced any football ground.
Rex Mannings volleys the ball to score. Photo by Jack Palmer.
The second half started with Josh Bennett heading on straight at Parkes but Poole started to gain more possession and the Bluebells had a let-off when Daniel Carr’s 25-yard shot rebounded off the crossbar and later, Harvey Slade had an effort that was just off target.
Charlie Moody on the ball supported by Josh Bennett. Photo by Declan Jones.
Omar Taylor-Clarke set up Rex Mannings whose shot cleared the crossbar but Yate limited Poole to any clear-cut chances but on 77 minutes a left-wing cross from Poole substitute Antonio Diaz found Harvey Slade at the far post and he coolly volleyed the ball home to equalise for the Dolphins.
With both sides looking for the winner it was the Bluebells who had the best chance, with two minutes of full time remaining, after good work from Marlon Jackson, Archie Taylor’s shot from just inside the area struck the base of the post and was eventually cleared and a couple of minutes later Selim Saied saw his shot blocked for the visitors.
Archie Taylor’s shot comes back off the base of the post. Photo by Jack Palmer
With 6 games to go, the Bluebells future is in their own hands and this coming Saturday’s game against Hanwell Town, on Non-League Day, will be a vital fixture as they look to retain their Step 3 status at the end of the season.
Yate Town: Sainsbury, Taylor (J), Bennett (Mehew 83), Jenkins, James, Guest, Jackson, Mannings, Taylor (A), Moody, Taylor-Clarke (Ball 83)
Unused subs: Sady, Zebroski, Evans
Bookings: Moody (86)
Poole Town: Parkes, Campbell (R), Olumuyiwa, Campell (K) (McCormick (90), Gwengwe, Hill, Carr Diaz 66), Saied, Slade, Jordan Faniyan (73), Dore
Unused subs: Whisken, Davies
Bookings: Jordan (70), Diaz (75), Dore (87)
Attendance: 354
Referee: Daniel Lamport
Yate Town Player of the Match, Rex Mannings, chosen by match sponsors PJ Bryer
