Match Preview | Yate Town

Tiverton Town v Yate Town 

Saturday 25^th October 3pm Kick off  

The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium  

The Yellows prepared for this reverse fixture against the South Gloucestershire side, with a convincing 5-1 win versus Elburton Villa, in the Devon Bowl, albeit against opponents that play their football three steps lower than the Southern League Premier South. It was only last month that Yate hosted us in a midweek fixture. Their 2-1 win that evening and subsequent results mean that our visitors have overtaken us, but we do have the caveat of being able to draw level with them on points with a victory. 

Both sides are yet to register a win in October, although the Bluebells did secure a draw against Berkhamsted, who we were defeated by last Saturday. The respective managers Asa Hall and Yate’s Darren Mullings should view this game as a six-pointer. Asa Hall and his Assistant Steve Orchard will be plotting to win and pegging back a Bluebells side who will equally be looking to put significant daylight between the two sides. 

A few regular starters had bit part roles on Tuesday night, and Asa Hall also watched the game from the dugout, so changes will be expected for the matchday line up. A few injuries minor or otherwise resulted in both Finn Rooke and John Ross going off against Elburton Villa, so each player will be monitored and assessed by physio Tony Cornish. Will any of our fringe players have given Asa and Steve food for thought, regarding team selection at the weekend ? Will Collins, who`s been making a name for himself with the under 18’s also of course came on in the Berkhamsted match. 

Yate as mentioned in my away preview, have plenty of guile, experience and pedigree in their squad, but have only fared marginally better than the Yellows so far. We welcome back our captain from last season, combative midfielder Matt Britton who has been used as a centre back at his new club. I’m sure Britton who was a favourite at The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium, will be warmly received. 

Heavily inspirational midfielders Lloyd James and Joe Guest are former Taunton players. James enjoying a hugely successful EFL Career too. Capped 10 times for Wales at under 21 level, the gifted playmaker now 37, played nearly 350 Football League games, for the likes of Southampton, Colchester, Leyton Orient and Exeter City. 

Guest is a strong player in this standard of football and a big influence on this Yate team, although he has been missing in recent weeks. Up top vastly experienced EFL striker Chris Zebroski and much travelled ex Bristol City frontman Marlon Jackson provide pedigree for the Bluebells in attack. 

Zebroski’s football journey in the EFL began at Plymouth Argyle in 2005 and ended at Newport County in 2015, having played in between for Millwall, Torquay, Wycombe Wanderers, Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham. His non-league playing days have seen him represent Eastleigh, Chippenham, Swindon Supermarine and Taunton amongst others. 

Jackson has appeared for Hereford, Aldershot, Northampton, Bury and Newport County in the EFL. Although the popular striker/winger played for Weston Super Mare, before his arrival at Yate. Ex Bath City and Frome attacking midfielder Rex Mannings is a skilful technician. 

Former Forest Green and Weston Super Mare midfielder Dayle Grubb is an immensely talented footballer and at 34 still has plenty to offer. Making almost 400 appearances for Weston, he moved to Gloucester City last term before moving to the Bluebells this term. 

A trio of regular starters for Yate, other than our ex-skipper Matt Britton, have worn the Yellow of Tiverton. Versatile and dependable Dan Ball played five times for us on loan in the 2018/19 campaign, whilst a Bath City loanee. He amassed over 250 league appearances for The Romans and has featured for both Taunton and Gloucester in recent times. 

Midfielder Oli Jenkins who impressed in his loan spell from Weston is another to join Yate for this campaign and defender Charlie White showed plenty of promise as a Bristol Rovers loanee in the Leigh Robinson era. The Gas remain his parent club. 

In the away fixture, defender Will Larvin was a standout player for the Bluebells. The ex-Bristol Rovers academy player established himself in the side, during last seasons promotion to this division. Keeper Aaron Sainsbury is a goalkeeping coach for Bristol City and is an excellent shot-stopper. 

Darren Mullings side possess a lot of knowhow despite being in the fourth relegation place at the moment. I mentioned earlier in this preview, if we triumph here, we will be level on points with the South Gloucestershire outfit, but in addition to that we have a game in hand too. So, Asa, Steve and the lads will be going all out for victory on Saturday so let's get behind them and show our support !