Yate secure win in final home game of pre-season
The Bluebells' sixth pre-season fixture saw them welcome Bristol Rovers U18s to the Southwest Interiors Stadium, with Yate looking to bounce back after a frustrating defeat to Melksham Town last Friday evening.
Following a slow and scrappy first half, Yate found their rhythm after the break to secure a deserved 2-0 victory thanks to a goal from Trialist G and an own goal from the Rovers' number six.
The first chance of the game fell to the hosts in the 13th minute. Sam Hendy swung a free kick into the penalty area, where Trialist A's effort was well saved by the Bristol Rovers goalkeeper.
Yate came agonisingly close to opening the scoring just before the midway hydration break. On 22 minutes, Hendy unleashed a thunderous strike that crashed against the crossbar.
Opportunities remained few and far between for the remainder of the half, and the sides went into halftime level at 0-0.
Yate Town 0-0 Bristol Rovers U18s
The Bluebells started the second half with greater intent. In the 52nd minute, Oli Jenkins delivered an inviting cross from the right which was headed on by Sam Morcom into the path of Chris Zebroski. The striker's acrobatic effort looked destined for the net, but the Rovers goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to turn the ball behind for a corner.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute. Trialist E showed excellent footwork to weave into the penalty area before sending a teasing low cross across the six-yard box. Trialist G was on hand to cleverly backheel the ball into the net, giving Yate a deserved lead.
The victory was sealed ten minutes later. A misplaced pass from the Bristol Rovers goalkeeper was intercepted by Charlie Moody, who quickly squared the ball across the face of goal. Under pressure, the unfortunate Rovers number six could only turn the ball into his own net, making it 2-0.
It proved to be a comfortable finish for the Bluebells, who kept a clean sheet and returned to winning ways with an encouraging second-half display ahead of the final preseason test on Saturday away at Leamington.
Yate Town Line up:
Sainsbury, Jenkins, Morcom, Trialist A, Duffus, Guest, Hendy, Taylor-Clarke, Zebroski, Mannings, Monks.
Subs:
Trialist B, Trialist C, Moody, Trialist D, Trialist E, Higgins, Taylor, Trialist F, Trialist G.