Yate Mixed entered the EHA cup and were edged out 3-2 by Swindon in a very close fought game, with an outstanding performance from youngster Chloe Wallace. This defeat meant that we were placed in the Trophy competition and we duly dispatched Newent 7-0, including a hat-trick from Josh Whittle, and University of Bath B team 8-3, with Danny Pearce netting 6 goals, to earn our place in the last 64. What was very noticeable in both of those games was that Newent and UoB struggled to contain the speed of forwards Millie Vale-Webb and Heidi Bruce and our 2 young defenders - Jess Vale-Webb and Kathryn Park - were very solid and helped give the team a strong platform.

 

A feisty encounter at Bridgwater ended in a 2-2 draw, the highlight being an exceptional goal by Angus Friell, and we ended up winning on shuttles, with our girls (Antonia Joy, Shannon Saunders and Jess Brain) making the difference & Matt Smith inspired in goal. 

 

Onto the last 32 and we had a home tie against the University of Bath A team. This was another close encounter, Yate leading 1-0 following a neat finish from Alex Whittle. The University equalized with possibly the slowest moving shot from a penalty corner in the whole season and despite chances at both ends, it was shuttles again. Yate were clinical (Antonia, Shannon & Alex) and Matt played another blinder and we moved into the last 16.

 

Drawn away to Cheltenham, we had the disadvantage of playing the morning after our Awards evening and - shall we say - a few players were not at their best. However, we actually started brightly and player of the match, Issy Collins, scored following a breakdown off a penalty corner with a calm finish. We held firm until the last 5 minutes when a well worked PC from Cheltenham found a player unmarked at the back post for a tap in. Yate remained calm and continued to attack and with the very last hit of the match, Dom Chambers scored the winner from a PC.

 

For the last 8, we were drawn at home against Telford & Wrekin and they had a few excellent players, with their Men - in particular - being very strong. They took the lead mid-way through the 1st half and although both teams had good chances to score, that was the only score in the first period. Captain Milo Young delivered an impassioned team talk and Yate came firing out of the blocks and were rewarded with a great finish from Matt Robins to restore parity. It was end-to-end and Yate missed a couple of really good chances to take the lead and they were made to pay for this when Telford restored their advantage with a slick finish. Yate continued to press and were caught on the counter-attack to fall further behind.

 

With time running out, Yate took off Matt Smith (GK) and were rewarded with a brilliant deflected goal from Pearce to reduce the deficit. Despite continued pressing in the last few minutes, Yate were unable to find the equalizer and Telford ran out the winners.

 

This was the furthest that Yate have been in the Mixed competition since the team was resurrected a few years ago and the squad showed real promise and togetherness, with the passing being of a particularly high standard. Some lessons to learn but the experience will stand us in good stead for next season.

 

Thanks to Milo and Antonia for organising the team and to Adrian for umpiring.