Britton urges his players to retain focus

HEADING to the halfway point of the season in Division One South, Yate manager Paul Britton will give his title contenders a clear message ahead of the match at Thatcham today.

“We have given ourselves a platform and we just have to keep it going,” said Britton. “That has to be our main objective. There is a little gap opening up at the top, but I would like to see it bigger.

“It is certainly not big enough to discount any of the clubs in the top ten, and I remember that we went on a ridiculous run last season and didn’t lose a game for a long period, so we’ll probably see a team coming through.”

Psychologically, Yate struck a huge blow last weekend when they beat leaders Blackfield & Langley 2-1 away to reduce the deficit at the top to one point – with Yate having the advantage of a game in hand. It has also helped leave Yate seven points clear of Evesham in third.

Yate followed up with a rousing 4-3 win over rivals Mangotsfield United on Boxing Day with two goals from Dave Sims-Burgess and further strikes from Jack Twyman and Josh Ford.

“In the team talk before the Mangotsfield game, I said to the players that after beating Bristol Manor Farm we lost at home to Barnstaple, the bottom team, so we have to have the same mindset for the teams at the bottom as at the top,” added Britton.

“To be fair, the players have been brilliant and they take all the credit really. It has been a good Christmas and now we need to make sure it is a good New Year for us as well, although the games against Thatcham and Melksham Town (in fourth) away on New Year’s Day will be tough.”

Britton is without Sam Boulton, Nick Peare and Mike Bryant this afternoon.