Yate travelled to Norton Lane for Thursday Evening’s fixture.
Starting in a 3-4-1-2 formation, on a slow surface, Yate were made aware of the task ahead when the opposition exerted a high energy, physically direct game.
Challenges were robust, with Yate finding it difficult to impose their passing game. The hosts went close on several occasions in the first quarter, but emergency defending saw opportunities pass by. At this stage Yate were infrequent visitors into the opposition half, as approach play was to aerial and central, leaving the hosts imposing centre back to repeatedly clear.
As the match reached the thirty minute mark, opposition challenges became over zealous, with the much younger Yate team looking to match the opposition’s endeavour. Tempers frayed and the referee decided to dismiss a Yate player from the field of play, despite a melee of players being involved.
To their credit, Yate maintained their discipline and composure to gradually gain more ascendancy in the game, and were awarded free kicks and corners in the attacking third in quick succession. The referee brought the half to an end shortly after, giving the staff and boys chance to regroup for what was surely to be a challenging second period.
The decision to remain with a back 3, midfield 4 base with a 10 and lone striker proved a positive decision on the night. The second half saw the boys and replacements work to a point of exhaustion to negate the opposition, but more importantly to constantly threaten in the opposition half. From the resultant pressure the host’s goalkeeper over ran a back pass from a defender and could only watch in despair as the ball crossed the line to give Yate a 1-0 lead on seventy minutes.
Whilst Hengrove played into Yate’s final third regularly, a compact Team shape saw chances comfortably dealt with. However, with only minutes left on the clock, and Yate looking visibly tired, a ball was allowed to bounce in the defending third, with an opposition forward picking up the loose ball and putting it into the far corner of the net to bring the scores level.
The referee who had had a busy night brought the game to an end following a short period of injury time.
The energy and attitude displayed by all players 1 to 14, make it unnecessary to mention players individually in this week’s report or to name a man of the match per se, as this really was a collective Team performance that will stand the boys in good stead long term!
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook Joe Steward, Todd Sims, James Fortune, Yigithan Kepil, Kevin Contreras ,Will Down, Luke Money, Tyler Wood(Capt), Max Davies
Replacements: Rowen Smith, Nico Baird, Dalton Ross