Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Yate Town v Hereford

Jelf Stadium. Saturday. KO: 3pm

MANAGER Paul Britton will send his youthful Yate Town side out against the runaway Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West league leaders Hereford on Saturday saying: “We want to do ourselves justice.”

It seems like mission impossible for the Bluebells to get anything from a Hereford outfit that has swept all before them on their way to dominating the top of the table.

Yate, meanwhile, have picked up just two points from their last eight matches since beating Didcot Town 3-2 at the Jelf Stadium on December 3 – and one of the six defeats was by 4-1 at Edgar Street to Satruday’s opponents.

But while Britton admits it is a major task to cause a shock and beat the Bulls, who have won almost all of their league games so far, there is always a chance that an upset can be caused.

Hereford’s one slip came on January 14 at Edgar Street when they lost 2-1 to Taunton Town.

And Britton hopes they have another ‘off day’ this Saturday where a bumper crowd which is hoped to be around a thousand will watch the game.

The Yate Town manager said: “We are massive underdogs. They are a terrific side and we played them before Christmas and they beat us 4-1. In the first twenty minutes of that match, we were comfortably worse as they were rampant.

“It is part of the learning curve to be involved in these sort of games and we have to take any positives we can from this game that will help us move forward.”

But with last Saturday’s tough game at North Leigh postponed due to the weather and Tuesday’s clash with Shortwood United called off because Shortwood were involved in knock-out action, Yate have had over a week since their encouraging 1-0 defeat at home to Tiverton Town, in which the Bluebells played well before a late goal won it, to prepare for Hereford.

And the physiotherapist and massage tables of Bristol and South Gloucestershire have probably been getting plenty of clients as all the squad want to be in contention for a starting place on Saturday.

For Britton, it is ‘a nice headache to have’, adding: “There is no doubt that everyone who have had niggles and slight injuries will be declaring themselves fit for this game!”

Yate will have to play out of their skins to get anything from the match, but the manager added: “Although we lost 4-1 at their place, defensively, they were a little bit shaky at times but, regards going forward, every side has played them once now and I think, player for player, they are the best team in the league.

“For us, our goals per game is not an issue, it is about goals through the back four. Hereford are a good side and Peter Beadle (manager) has put together a strong squad. They will be champions (of the league), no doubt about that.

“So they have to have an off day although we know what format they will play.”

The match at the Jelf Stadium kicks-off at 3pm on Saturday.