‘It’s the biggest match I’ve been involved with’
YATE Town’s players are ready for the most prestigious home game in their 114-year history tomorrow afternoon.
A sell-out Lodge Road crowd of 1,600 will watch enthralled as the Bluebells take part in the FA Cup first round for only a second time – an all-West Country encounter with National League side Yeovil Town.
Striker David Sims-Burgess, a will and probate consultant by day, said: “This run of ours has been brilliant. We’re a hardworking team; the manager (Paul Michael) is getting the best out of every one of us. He speaks to us so well, individually and collectively; and it’s about proving to ourselves we’re worthy of being where we are, with so many young players in the side.”
The 25-year-old former Chipping Sodbury and forward added: “I’ve been fortunate to have experienced big games at this level. In 2017 I came on for Paulton against Sutton United at the fourth qualifying stage and scored to pull it back to 3-2 before Sutton squeezed through.
“I was then involved in both play-off semi-final games, when I scored in the shootout, and final (against Cinderford) a couple of years back with Yate when we were promoted to the Premier Division.
“To be part of the first round proper, though, is massive. We have to go into what will be an electric atmosphere confidently after getting past Dover in the last round.”
Sims-Burgess scored his ninth and tenth goals of the season on Tuesday night as Yate put themselves ninth and only three points off a play-off berth with a 5-2 defeat of Salisbury.
Former Newport and Cinderford centre-back Liam Angel, 22, said: “I’ve played for Wales a few times at youth level up until under-19 level, but this is the biggest men’s match I’ll have been involved with.
“It’s a huge deal for everyone at the club, as well as for the supporters and area. Many of our team may not get an opportunity like this again.
“You have to feel privileged to be part of it. I see it that we have nothing to fear; it’s 11 versus 11, and it suits us to be underdogs.
“Everyone’s champing at the bit and we need to give it a right go and leave everything out on that pitch.”
Midfielder Sam Kamara, 26, a former Bristol Rovers scholar and now HGV supermarket driver, added: “The play-offs that saw us promoted to the Premier Division were big occasions. But this is on another level. We did well in both games against Dover and we know we have another opportunity on Saturday, definitely.
“It would be great to make everyone at the club, and supporters, proud, and see if we can create for ourselves an even crazier occasion than the night we beat Dover!”
Aside from the turnstile revenue, Yate’s FA Cup run has banked them £20,625 from the competition prize pot so far. A further £22,629 is up for grabs to tomorrow’s winners, as well as a place in the second round. Win that too and Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United may await.