YATE Town manager Paul Britton’s smile matched the glorious weather at the Jelf Stadium on Saturday as his side won 3-2 against North Leight, thier fourth victory in the last six Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West matches.

And, if they had not taken their foot off the gas and let North Leigh, who hammered them 6-1 at the Bluebells’ home last October, back in to the match in the second-half, it would have been a more comfortable victory than it was.

Two goals from Jack Ball, a prolific goal-getter this season for Yate, and one from Mayson Evans – although Evans blotted his copybook by being sent off in the dying moments – put Yate 3-0 up in the second-half.

But goals at the other end from North Leigh’s Roger James and Michael Hopkins and pressure on the home defence in the final minutes as North Leigh hunted an equaliser made it a nervy end to the game.

Nevertheless, it was a great win just days before the side’s meet again, this time at North Leigh, and Britton could not be more proud of his side.

The Yate manager said: “Last week, against Swindon Supermarine, was probably the best 45 minutes (first half) that we have played this season and we took that into this game.

“When we have got the third goal, there is only going to be one winner but, for some reason, ten minutes after the third goal, we have just dropped and dropped and invited them onto us.

“Up until then, we are the better side. The goals were terrific. The second and third goals were great deliveries and being met on the back post. Again, the age of the side is so young that they invite pressure sometimes.

“They sit back and get a little bit nervy. They are still learning and developing. We had eight teenagers in the squad last week and probably similar today but it just bodes well and I think we are going in the right direction.”

Yate take on Wimborne away on Saturday before facing Larkhall Athletic on Easter Monday in their final home match of the season.