Between their starting XI Yate had over 1250 matches at Step 2 and above! Including over 150 in the professional divisions. They had won all 8 of their home matches this season by an aggregate score of 13-1.

Thus, with a little trepidation, the seagulls arrived on a dry but bitterly cold night. Our fans turned up in good numbers to swell a near 400 crowd and they were not to be disappointed with the display. Adopting a more defensive approach that is the norm, Mousehole were airtight at the back but allowed themselves to be free-flowing going forward. They had the better chances early on and took the lead when Hayden Turner fizzed in a cross that Joseph Guest flicked over his own keeper. More a good host than a good guest! The one frustration of the night was that the lead disappeared so quickly. A flashing move down the left caught Mousehole cold and Marlon Jackson smashed it home. 30 minutes gone, honours even and it stayed that way till the half. Neither side really creating much.

The second half was a tale of attack, Yate’s, versus defence, Mousehole’s. Whilst the Bluebells rang on the door a number of times they found no way past a very solid defence held together by player of the match Ollie Chenoweth. On the only occasion he was beaten Medo Konte was on the line to repel the ball. A valiant point nearly became a fabulous three when Mousehole broke away near the end. He won’t like the tag, but Saturday’s Super Sub Ross Derham found space in the Yate box as the seconds ticked away. The ball reached him. He opened up his body to find the angle but pushed the ball just wide. Not many teams will get points at top of the table Yate this season and so this was definitely a good one.

We’re away again on Saturday playing on the plastic at Bishop’s Cleeve. We’re on a mini-roll at the moment, here’s to keeping it moving.