Mangotsfield United 2 Yate Town 1

THIS eagerly awaited contest was settled in Mangotsfield's favour late in the game with a free kick that deflected into the Yate net.

The result means that Mangotsfield maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Southern League Western Division while Yate drop to third place, with Evesham now in second spot following their 3-0 win over Stourport.

Both the Mangotsfield and Yate managers, however, were keen to press the point that there were still seven games to negotiate before the honours are handed out.

Yate suffered a massive blow when they lost hugely influential central defender Lee Jefferies to a knee injury suffered early in the game, forcing manager Rich Thompson to seriously re-arrange his side.

Dave Elsey moved from left back to central defence alongside Shane Andrews and player-coach Paul Chenoweth dropped back to make way in midfield for sub Steve Campbell.

Yate started strongly but it was their keeper, Tony Court, who had to bring off a good save on the half-hour to deny Robbie Claridge, with Dean Pendry also going close for the home side.

Mike Wyatt and Andy Beal threatened for Yate but in first-half injury time Mangotsfield got the breakthrough when Claridge gave Court no chance with a powerful strike after Michael Meaker's shot had been blocked.

Claridge missed an easy chance at the start of the second half and Yate equalised from the spot through Justin Pritchard on 53 minutes after substitute Kevin Slack, making his debut from Bishops Cleeve, had been scythed down by Matt Locke.

Meaker scuffed a good opportunity for United to restore their lead, while Yate's Steve Campbell had a shot cleared off the line.

But the derby tie was settled in the 77th minute when a powerful free kick by David Seal deflected off the defensive wall with Court going the wrong way.

Mangotsfield manager Martyn Grimshaw commented: "It was a frantic local derby with little in the way of good football played in the first half but we went on to play well in the second half and get on top. Yate are a good side and there were a lot of nerves about.

"It was important for us to win to maintain our position at the top of the league and I am delighted with the result."

Rich Thompson, the Yate manager, observed: "The occasion got to both sides. We let ourselves down a bit but Mangotsfield were not much better.

The defeat has now put us under a lot of pressure in our efforts to gain automatic promotion."