MANAGER Dave Mogg believes Yate Town are now a more potent attacking force, which could help them improve their poor away record.
The Bluebells face two trips on the road in the next week as they take on Andover on Saturday before a trickier test at second-placed AFC Totton next Tuesday night.
Russ Church scored his first goal for the club since signing from Western League club Brislington to inspire Yate’s dramatic late comeback in the 2-2 draw against Paulton Rovers last Saturday.
That result made it six Zamaretto League Division One West games unbeaten but Yate have only won once away from home all season, a 1-0 win at Taunton Town way back in September.
However, Mogg believes that striker Church has made them more of a threat and he is looking to bring home three points on Saturday.
“We’ve got to go there positive and I expect us to go to Abingdon and get a win,” said Mogg.
“We’ve been tight defensively, our goals against is not bad.
“Russ Church has brought something to the table and he has not played away yet so that will be interesting.
“We’ve suddenly looked more threatening and going forward with more purpose, which is something we haven’t done away from home.
“At Frome, where we drew 0-0, the only thing lacking was that we did not score and we were unfortunate not to win the game.”
Mogg also says his side could benefit from more self-belief on the road, which they showed to earn a point against Paulton.
Chris Lane gave the visitors the lead on five minutes and former Yate favourite Joe White looked to have secured the win on 87 minutes but Church pulled one back in the 90th minute and strike partner Mark Reynolds levelled from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Mogg said: “Sometimes a game peters out but fair play, we showed great deal of resilience to come back, show a bit of mettle and we deserved a draw.
“Russ Church showed great composure to score the first goal and for me it was a penalty.”
Yate made a few changes for the 1-0 defeat against Tiverton Town in the Red Insure Cup on Tuesday night.
After Joe Bushin put Tiverton ahead on 14 minutes, former Bristol Rovers and Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Steve Book kept Yate out, making good saves from Jon McAlinden and Church.
Mogg said: “The game served its purpose, it gave the lads who haven’t been playing some playing time but I don’t think we should be too downbeat.
“For the first 15 minutes they looked like they were in the league above us but after that it was even stevens.”
Scott Thomas (ankle) is hoping to return for the trip to Andover after he was on the end of the hefty challenge that saw Lane red-carded in the derby clash last Saturday. Reynolds (groin) should also be fit but Callum Stewart is still injured.
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