n SPORT Poor run puts Yate back in trouble

A RUN of five successive defeats dropped Yate Town back into the Southern League Premier South division relegation zone.

February started with a 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Hendon, with the Bluebells coming back from a goal down thanks to goals from Ross Staley in the first half and Darren Mullings in the 82nd minute, in a match both side finished with ten men.

But three days later a 4-0 defeat at title contenders Truro City started a slump.

A trip to Hanwell Town saw the Bluebells go 3-0 down before half time, with Zak Drew's goal after an hour proving to be a consolation rather than the start of a comeback.

Yate went a goal up on promotion-chasing Poole Town in under 30 seconds at their next home game, thanks to a Ross Staley header, but the visitors replied a few minutes later and went ahead on the stroke of halftime before increasing their lead on 75 minutes.

A debut goal for Rex Mannings, from 30 yards out, made it 3-2 but the Bluebells could not find an equaliser.

The loss of Ross Staley, who made a big impact after arriving in January but has now left to play football in New Zealand, came before another club with play-off ambitions, Hayes & Yeading Utd, inflicted the fourth defeat on the bounce at the South West Interiors Stadium.

The visitors went 2-0 up before Alex Lambert pulled one back, but he would go on to miss a chance for an equaliser when through on goal in stoppage time.

Perhaps most damaging was the away defeat to another relegation-threatened side, Winchester City, who scored three minutes from time on February 21, after Alex Lambert had had an effort ruled out for offside.

The Bluebells have brought in further reinforcements to the squad: centre back Mike Baker, who played at Lodge Road during the 2017/8 season, has arrived from Frome Town, while midfielder Tommy Backwell and defender Callum Wood have arrived on loan from Bristol City.

Midfielder Rex Manning has signed from Bath City. His arrival is described as a "big signing" by the club, which says Manning had many offers from elsewhere.