Southern Fresh boost for rejuvenated Yate as City loanees extend their stay

YATE Town’s ‘Fab Four’ will be staying at the club until the end of the season, giving a massive boost to the club’s ambitions of staying in Premier South.

Manager Paul Britton revealed the on-loan Bristol City Academy quartet of Samuel Bell, Tommy Conway, Joseph Lowe and James Taylor agreed to extend their spells with the club after making a big impression.

“The loans were up after Tuesday’s unbelievable win over Chesham but City have agreed that all four can stay with us until the end of the season,” said Britton.

“Brian Tinnion (ex-Ashton Gate legend who manages the club’s loan players and works as an ambassador for City) plus City’s head of the academy (Gary Probert) were at the game on Tuesday and I think they can see we are looking after their players.

“They are enjoying being here and we are enjoying having them, so we are both benefitting from it. We are very grateful to Bristol City for allowing the players to stay with us until the end of the season and, hopefully, we can play just a small part in their development.”

Bell and Conway, in particular hogged the headlines in Tuesday’s win over the leaders with Bell scoring twice, as he did the previous week against play-off contenders Taunton Town, and then set up Conway for the fourth - which was arguably the best of the lot.

“It has been a good week for us as we are now three games unbeaten and have moved out of the relegation zone,” added Britton.

There is no let-up, though, with Yate taking on seventh-placed Poole Town at the Universal Com

Samuel Bell is one of the four Bristol City loanees who will now be staying at Yate Town until the end of the season

ponents Stadium this weekend before travelling to Truro City, who lie second, on Tuesday.

But they’ll be without captain Nick Peare for both games after he suffered a bad injury from a terrible tackle in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Walton Casuals, while Luke Spokes has joined Taunton Town.

At the same time, Britton has strengthened the squad by signing another ex-Bristol City Academy player, defender Kieron Smith, from National League side Gloucester City.

Paulton Rovers manager John Rendell is hoping to announce a new signing of his own in the next week as he moves to strengthen the side as they continue their push towards promotion. Rendell believes the team are back on track after a recent dodgy spell, notwithstanding last weekend’s draw at home to Larkhall Athletic when they threw away a two-goal lead as Phil Bater’s side scored twice in the last two minutes.

With that in mind, Rendell is delighted that the hugely experienced Nuno Felix is back in the squad for the away match against Moneyfields as he can steady the team when the pressure is on.

“Nuno’s been out since midDecember and we’ve missed him, without a shadow of doubt,” said Rendell. “He’s a very professional player and really helps the other lads both on and off the pitch as he communicates so well.”

Combative midfielder Braeden Symes also returns after his onegame ban, but Brad Abrahams will miss the game after being sent off against Larkhall. He serves a onematch ban. There is also a fitness doubt over Dave Sims-Burgess.

Mangotsfield United manager Ollie Price would settle for a clean sheet after conceding 17 goals in their previous seven league matches – though they have scored 17 goals in the same period as well.

Away to in-form Larkhall this weekend would be a searching examination at the best of times but even more so as Price is without his leading central defenders Trey Anderson and Lee Hartshorn, who serves the final game of his ban. To bolster the defence, Price has signed 17-year-old Newport County Academy left-back Ioan Evans on a work experience deal.

Bristol Manor Farm boss Lee Lashenko will be hoping this week ends as it started with victory so that he can forget the bit in the middle.

A deserved win against Bideford was unfortunately followed by a 5-1 hammering at Cinderford Town on Tuesday which saw Farm drop to 14th place, three places above AFC Totton, whom they take on in Hampshire.

New loan signing Ellis Watt will be hoping to make his full debut after coming on as sub at Cinderford.