Experience key for Yate, says Britton

YATE boss Paul Britton insisted there have been no new year celebrations at Lodge Road after the club returned to the top of Division One South.

The club go into the match at home to Street this afternoon back in pole position after taking ten points from 12 over the festive period, with the 2-0 New Year’s Day victory at Melksham putting them to the top at the expense of Blackfield & Langley.

“We have some very grounded people here, including five or six ex-captains in the squad,” said Britton. “We also have a very experienced management team, so we never get carried away.

“As I always say, I never get too high when we win and never too low when we lose.

“We just stay professional and keep doing our job to the best of our ability.”

As for returning to the top of the league, Britton is happy to accept the extra pressures it brings.

“We are delighted to be there and we know that brings extra pressure as everyone wants to beat you and teams set up with a different mindset,” added Britton.

“But we have been there before and I think we have become accustomed to it and can deal with those pressures in the correct way and go about business in the right manner.

“There are a lot of very tough games coming up.”

Britton is pleased to bring captain Nick Peare back into the squad to face Street, who are in the hunt to make the play-offs in their first season in the league, but is still missing Sam Boulton and Mayson Evans.

Ross Grimshaw keeps his place in goal, but Britton is hoping a deal can be finalised to bring back Lewis Thomas on a loan deal from Forest Green Rovers.