YATE TOWN will play North Leigh at the Jelf Stadium in the FA Trophy first qualifying round later this month after North Leigh won their preliminary round replay on Tuesday against Bridgwater.

And manager Paul Britton said that, despite the dark days of August when Yate Town could not buy a win in the Evo-Stik Southern League South and West Division, he is thoroughly enjoying his first season at this level of football.

The Bluebells beat near neighbours Mangotsfield United at Cossham Street on Saturday with strikes from Mitch Tippins and Josh Morgan-Williams in each half to reach the next stage of the Trophy.

At the same time on Saturday, struggling Division One South and West outfit Bridgwater, who are managed by ex-Yate boss Craig Laird, surprised everyone by holding out a dominant North Leigh at home to earn Tuesday's replay.

Leigh won the replay 4-1 and now play Yate on Saturday October 29.

Britton said continuing the recovery in the league season is the ultimate priority but the FA Trophy was a good competition to be in and a run in it would be tremendous.

“We are focussed on our league position,” said Britton. “But the FA Trophy has prestige.

“We are not going to get anywhere near the final, we know that, but it’s a competition we want to progress in.”

As for facing North Leigh, he added: “They are a difficult team to play against and we know they will be well set up and disciplined.”

Britton could not wait to get started after taking the Yate hotseat in April, and added: “I am enjoying every minute.

“The supporters have been great and the players have turned around performances.”

Britton was pleased with his team’s approach at Mangotsfield.

“I thought we were terrific. We battled well. We knew we had to compete against them because they are a good side and we did that.

“We could not have asked for a better start. We nearly gave it away a minute later but it was a great save from the keeper so we are delighted to be in the next round.

“At half-time, I just re-iterated what we said before kick-off which is to be professional, do your jobs properly, understand your roles and responsibilities and I thought they carried out that to a man.”

Tippins scored early and is making strides after being out for almost a year with an horrific injury picked up on the first day of last season when he ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament and damaged his knee.

The Bluebells manager said: “It was a great strike (for Tippins’ goal).

“We are delighted for him. He is coming back from injury and we are still nursing him back which is why he came off early in the match. That is two in two for him now.

“We are just generally settling him back in.”

And he was delighted to see striker Josh Morgan-Williams getting his name on the scoresheet after helping colleague Jack Ball with the goals during September’s run of success.

The manager said: “He had been away all week on holiday which is why he was on the bench for this game. He has been assisting goals for Jack Ball, who takes the credit for the goals.”

Yate take on Bideford at the Jelf Stadium on Saturday afternoon and will be hopeful of making it another victory and leap-frogging their opponents in the table who are just two points above the Bluebells.

But the boss is keeping the squad’s feet on the ground after six wins and one draw in all competitions since August and one point from the whole month.

Britton added: “We are a new team and we are evolving. This is another step in the right direction.”