Yate edge a close encounter at Winterfield Road

Match Report from Andy Harris

Although this proved to be Rovers’ third successive defeat at home there was very little to choose between the two sides.

The game began in dramatic fashion as in the 2nd minute Aaron Blakemore went down in the Rovers’ penalty area under a challenge from keeper, Kyle Phillips but the referee correctly waived play on. The home side should have taken the lead a minute later as Rob Claridge’s header set Ricky Hulbert free and his fine run and cross from the left set up a great chance for Josh Jefferies but he completely missed his kick! On 16 minutes Phillips produced a good save to deny Daren Hawkins after the Yate midfielder had travelled some distance with Rovers’ defenders backing off. It was end to end stuff now and on 18 mins Ben Cleverley’s great through ball sent Hulbert clear again, this time down the right and his cross was met by Dan Cleverley, but Yate keeper, Danny Woodhall, produced a fine save.

The home side were now enjoying their best spell of the game as Jefferies was only inches away from touching home a deflected Ben Cleverley cross from the left on 25 mins. Rob Cousins then hit a tremendous 25 yard shot from a corner that just cleared the bar and then debutant, Callum Stewart saw his touch from a Ben Cleverley corner on the right come back off the post. In the second minute of injury time in the first half a neat Yate passing move saw Blakemore free but his shot from the right hand corner of the box was well saved by Phillips.

The visitors almost made a dream start to the second period as substitute, Mike Whittingdon, produced a good cross from the left but Phillips was able to save Blakemore’s header.  Both sides continued to play some good attacking football at a furious pace, aided it has to be said by some excellent officiating that allowed the game to flow. It was Yate who finally got the all important break through on 63 minutes as a corner from the right saw skipper, Scott Brice, out jump everyone to head home.

Rovers should have levelled on 79 minutes as Ben Cleverley’s ball forward saw Hulbert’s pace take him clear and he calmly lobbed Woodhall, despite the suspicion he was being held back by the keeper, but Brice was able to get back to clear the ball off the line. The game then rather petered although Whittingdon did force a save from Phillips on 86 mins and Hulbert had a header wide from a Ben Cleverley free kick right on full time.

Manager, Andy Jones, will not be too disappointed to exit this competition as the league remains the priority and will no doubt take comfort from an impressive debut by Stewart and a substitute appearance from young central defender, Jack Wyatt.

Team: Phillips, Tovey, Boys, Jefferies, Stewart, Cousins (Wyatt 78 mins), B Cleverley, French, Claridge, D Cleverley (C), Hulbert
Subs not used: Lane, Trought,Evans, Redwood

Referee:  Mark Derrien
Assts:  Mike Long / Richard Taylor

Attendance: 99

Star Man: Scott Brice (Yate)

Rovers’ Star Man: Kyle Phillips