BGB Southern League Premier: Yate Town's relegation battle (From Gazette Series)

BGB Southern League Premier: Yate Town's relegation battle

9:21am Thursday 2nd April 2009 in

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YATE TOWN are looking for the maximum six points from their next two games to keep their hopes of staying up in the Southern Premier League alive.

Last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Hemel Hempstead was followed by Tuesday night’s 3-1 home loss to local rivals Chippenham Town, leaving Yate five points adrift of safety with only goal difference separating them from bottom club Mangotsfield United.

With just seven games remaining, boss Dave Mogg is still hopeful his side can achieve the target he set them of five wins, with five of their next six against bottom half opposition and teams around them.

The next two games in four days could have a massive bearing on Yate’s season. They host Bashley, who have recently pulled away from serious relegation danger, on Saturday and on Tuesday night they travel to Hitchin Town, the side currently occupying the 19th place that would keep them up.

Mogg said: “After we had two victories in a week (against Bedford and Brackley) we’ve had run of games where we’ve played Corby, Halesowen, Chippenham, Hemel Hempstead and Swindon Supermarine.”

“Those were bonus games, they’ve now passed us by and we got one point from it so now we enter a period of five of the next six games that we can win.”

“Bashey were around the bottom and that’s a game we must win and then obviously Hitchin is another six-pointer.”

Mogg was left to rue a poor start against Chippenham on Tuesday as a defensive mix-up allowed Sean Seavill to give the visitors a second minute lead.

“I told the boys before the game it depended on how well we started, but you cannot legislate to concede a goal after two minutes that was perfectly defendable,” said Mogg.

“Lee Matthews has got to take the flak because it was a simple ball he should have dealt with.”

Marcus Palmer added a second goal on 22 minutes for Chippenham. As Yate fought back in the second half, Dean Griffiths hit the bar and Joe White followed up to score against the club he played for earlier this season.

Jake Reid was denied an equaliser by goalkeeper Chris Snoddy before Dave Pratt settled the game in the 90th minute for Chippenham.

Despite one of Yate’s best performances of the season at Hemel Hempstead, a momentary lapse in concentration just before half time cost them dearly.

In the 45th minute, goalkeeper Adam Growcott found difficulty in dealing with a pass back when put under pressure by an attacker, and the resulting confusion ended with the always dangerous Anthony Thomas scoring what proved to be the decisive goal.

Meanwhile, Yate have signed former Cinderford player-assistant manager Jamie Price as defensive cover, while reserve team striker Justin Pritchard has been signed on first team forms.

Paul Metheringham (calf) is still injured and will definitely miss Saturday’s game at Lodge Road (3pm), while Jason Wood, Aron Robbins (both hamstring), Matt Beadle (thigh), and Aaron Blakemore (heel) are all doubtful.