SAM Pashen fired Yate Town into the first round of FA Cup qualifying as The Bluebells beat Holyport 1-0 on Saturday.

Pashen's angled finish in the 42nd minute proved to be the match-winner for Yate, who will now face Merthyr Town in the first round of qualifying on September 2.

It was also the first win of the season for John Rendell's men, who bounced back from Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to Malvern Town in the Southern League Division One South. 

After a quiet opening, it was Yate who got on top with Arron Sainsbury virtually a spectator as the visitors pressed forward and got their reward on 42 minutes when Pashen fired home from a narrow angle.

There was another chance to extend the lead further before the half-time whistle but after a goalmouth melee, Ewan McMillan headed just over the bar.

Yate dominated the start of the second half with Kyle Tooze a constant threat as they continued to play some good football.

But the final 20 minutes saw the hosts mount a strong challenge against the Yate rearguard but they stood firm and keeper Sainsbury was only troubled once as Yate saw out the game, for their first win of the season.