Football: Hard work is paying off for Yate boss Cousins (From Gazette Series)

Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West: Stourport Swifts 0 Yate Town 3

9:17am Thursday 22nd December 2011 in Yate and Sodbury Sport By Rob Iles

YATE TOWN’S recent resurgence is testament to the hard work of manager Rob Cousins, according to his assistant Michael Meaker.

Two goals from Matt Groves helped the Bluebells to their fourth win in five games at bottom club Stourport on Tuesday night, and after 13 games without a league win they have taken 16 points from the last eight games.

“To be honest the players have been behind Rob Cousins from day one,” said Meaker.

“Everyone wants to play for him and it was only a matter of time that results were going to come.

“The good thing is with Rob it’s all about hard work, which people don’t see.

“He was losing sleep when we weren’t getting results. He’s a winner, and now the hard work is showing.”

Yate were initially due to play Stourport in October for what would have been a bottom of the table clash, but it was postponed due to their FA Cup replay at Bodmin, and such is their improvement since that they are now 13 points off the bottom in 15th, two places higher than they were at Christmas last year.

Jake Cox and Hector Mackie went close for Yate in the first half before they took the lead in the 37th minute when Groves cut inside and scored with a powerful shot.

Four minutes after the break, Mackie picked up a loose ball in the box to fire into the net and double Yate’s lead.

Groves and Dave Stone almost added to their advantage but were denied by good saves from Stourport goalkeeper Haydn Witcombe, but Groves wrapped up the points with two minutes to go as he fired in his second goal.

“Their manager (Rod Brown) said we’re by far the best team they’ve played this season,” said Meaker.

“In the second half we were fantastic and played them off the park. We’re dominating teams week in, week out, and everyone is really pleased for Rob.”

Yate take on struggling Clevedon Town in a local derby at Lodge Road on Boxing Day (3pm), but they will be without suspended left back Tyrone Mings, while Meaker (hamstring) is still out.