A young City side, averaging just 21 years of age, eventually fell to defeat at Lodge Road. Although the final margin of the home side’s victory appears comprehensive, it was only late in the game that Yate truly dominated the game. Indeed on the hour City had stepped up several gears and at 1-1 were very much in the game. Sadly two late errors from Antony Hall, who had until that time played an absolute blinder, gave the home side the impetus to push on and dominate the final stages.
Certainly City were slow to settle on the boggy surface, with Antony Hall in particular struggling with his kicking from both hand and ground. Indeed from one loose moment Jake Jackson narrowly missed opening the scoring for the home side, glancing just wide from a James Harmer cross. The opening period was a backs to the wall experience for the visitors, and it was no surprise when after continued pressure Jamie Thoroughgood was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area. Up stepped Yate’s prolific Lewis Haldane but his effort was brilliantly saved full stretch by Antony Hall. Although limited in number, City’s forays into the Yate half were lively, with Sam Spencer and Nuno Pereira interchanging well, with support from debutant James Jewers. Indeed after 15 minutes Pereira played Spencer into the box but his powerful effort was blocked for a corner. Just minutes later Jewers 30 yard effort sailed harmlessly wide. On 25 minutes Yate opened the scoring when not for the first time Harmer crossed from the right, and although Haldane’s effort was blocked by Hall, Jake Jackson was on hand to slot home. Both sides had good opportunities just prior to the interval. Firstly Mike Bryant’s towering header was brilliantly saved by Hall, and then Sam Spencer cut in well from the right but his shot was comfortably saved at the near post when a cross was probably a better option.
Half Time – Yate Town 1 – 0 Guildford City
City opened the second half brightly and on 52 minutes they had brought the scores level. The impressive James Jewers won a 50:50 challenge on the right flank. Taking the ball to the by-line his cross was met brilliantly first-time by Sam Spencer whose shot powered into the corner of the net. Stirred by this goal Guildford’s young side stepped up again and Spencer’s stirring run was only halted by illegal means. Sadly for the visitors two goal-keeping errors in four minutes changed the complexion of the match. On 64 minutes Hall miskicked a clearance and suddenly after two quick passes the ball was in City’s net via Lewis Haldane. Minutes later Hall slipped as he went to gather a loose ball in the box, and Ross Staley was on hand to run in one of the simplest goals of his career. At 3-1 there was just a sniff of a chance that City could recover. On 75 minutes Antony Hall’s clearing kick found Nuno Pereira who found space in the box to shoot. The ball fell loose to Sam Spencer whose early effort powered wide. A shot from the hard-working Jordan Taylor cleared the crossbar, but with the spirit sucked from the side the last ten minutes seemed long indeed. There was time for Jake Jackson to pick his spot for Yate’s fourth, and in the final moments the home side could have added to the scoreline.
Team: Antony Hall, Dammy Bada, Corey Knight, Bruce McPhail, Jamie Thoroughgood, Ben Rayner, James Jewers (Danny Williams 75), Jordan Taylor, Sam Spencer (Hanif Boyle 84), Dominic Ogun, Nuno Pereira (Ryan Wallis 84). Unused subs: Aaron Hennessy, Mike Hall.
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
Referee: Adam Matthews
Attendance – 180
Match Day Photographs Here
