By Alfie Gendall
Yate Town are back on the road to face bottom of the league Malvern Town.
The Bluebells take the trip up the country after back to back home matches.
The Opposition:
The Hillsiders have not had a great start to the season, only collecting five points in their first ten matches. Malvern currently sit level on points with Havant & Waterlooville but are still five points away from safety. The Hillsiders claimed a point in a 2-2 draw on the opening day of the season against Hanwell Town. A week later, they claimed another point in a 0-0 draw away at Bracknell Town. Their next points would come just over a month later in an emphatic 5-2 home victory against Gloucester City who went down to 10 men early in the game. Since that victory, The Hillsiders have had three away games in a row, two of which have been league contests. A 2-1 away loss at Bath City and a 4-1 defeat to Basingstoke Town on Saturday.
Malvern Town are also out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. The Hillsiders FA Trophy campaign was ended by Mickleover who beat Malvern on penalties after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes. In the FA Cup, Malvern were defeated in the first qualifying round by Redditch United after a replay where Redditch claimed a 4-0 victory.
Player to Watch: Harry Clark
Harry Clark has been the standout player so far for The Hillsiders. Clark has scored six goals in ten starts so far this season which puts him fourth in the league for goals scored. The Malvern winger has been a key part of the team for multiple seasons and will be hoping to add to his tally against The Bluebells
Previous meetings:
Yate Town and Malvern Town last met in Yate’s 2024/25 Southern League South Division winning season. Whilst Yate Town sealed the title, Malvern weren’t far behind as they clinched a playoff spot. Malvern Town reached the playoff finals that season but couldn’t beat Evesham United to secure promotion.
In the two meetings between the sides in that season, Malvern and Yate Town drew 1-1 at the Langland Stadium after The Bluebells equalised late in the game. In the reverse fixture at the South West Interiors Stadium, Malvern Town came out as dominant winners in a 3-0 victory.