Yate Town 2 Bristol City 1

YATE were delighted with their GFA Senior Challenge Cup win over Bristol City on Tuesday night.

YATE's game against Bristol City in the GFA Senior Challenge Cup on Tuesday was marred by serious injuries to Yate's Paul Metheringham and City's Michael McKay. Both suffered double breaks to a leg when they were involved in a challenge for the ball late in the first half.

Yate boss Rich Thompson said: "It was tragic for both players. We will seriously miss Paul, who has broken his tibia and fibia and will obviously be out for the remainder of the season. He is a versatile player who has a big influence on the side with all-out attitude and will take some replacing.

"Yes, the injury is very serious but if anyone can come through it is Paul, with his will and commitment."

The match itself was a good game of football, watched by a crowd of more than 400. Bristol City brought a young side, and as you would expect, they were technically very good with high fitness levels.

Yate took the lead 18 minutes into the game when Steve Campbell's inswinging free kick was headed in by Shane Andrews.

Despite Dave Elsey twice going close with free kicks City scored an equaliser right on half-time when Luke Ballinger, who had come on for injured striker McKay five minutes earlier, finished off a good move by Danny Wring and Craig Loxton. However, there was certainly more than a suspicion of offside in the goal.

Both sides tussled for a decider. Lee Jefferies had a goal disallowed for Yate and on 68 minutes Ballinger created an opening for City's Jennison Williams but his close range shot hit the bar.

What proved to be the winner came a minute later when Justin Pritchard stepped over a ball leaving Mike Wyatt to fire home with his left peg. Yate will now meet Forest Green in the semi-finals.