For the 2nd year running, Yate Mixed entered the National Mixed Cup and were drawn away to higher ranked Swindon. In a remarkable first half, Yate dominated possession and had a plethora of golden opportunities but ended the half 3-0 down as their hosts were clinical in the few times they got into the Yate 'D'. The 2nd half was the opposite with Swindon dominating possession and added a 4th goal midway through the half before Angus Friell scored a late consolation goal with a neat flick.

 

Moving into the Plate, Yate hosted local rivals Bristol & West, who had the ex-Yate GK Darren Ashley between the sticks for them. In a game where Yate dominated the play, they deservedly took the lead through Millie Vale-Webb. Yate were wasteful in front of goal and were punished midway through the 2nd half when B&W equalized. However, Rhys Gamlin stepped up and hit a thunderous reverse past Ashley to restore the lead and Vale-Webb added her 2nd to complete the victory. 

 

Into the last 32 where we visited Bristol University. The game started with the hosts looking as if they were going to be short of a full squad and Yate took advantage with Milo Young scoring from a PC to open his account for the team. After 20 minutes, the reason for the University being short was that a host of their National League men had just finished their Championship winning season and 5 of their players joined the match. Yate were then indebted to GK Alex Gardner who made several terrific saves to deny the University, although he could nothing with 2 outstanding goals. After the break, Yate came out with a more determined approach and Kyishia Cooke was in superb form, running superb lines to cause the defenders all sorts of issues. Cooke scored to equalize and then Danny Pearce scored with a strong forehand hit to nudge Yate ahead once again, only for the Uni to once again draw level. Issy Collins scored from a well run short corner and Cooke applied the coupe de grace by rolling the ball into an empty net for the 5th goal. A thank you for 2 guests, Red from BAC and Eilidh from Wotton, both performed admirably for us in both this match and the B&W match.

 

The draw for the last 16 saw us on the road again, this time further afield to the South Coast where Trojans OG (Southampton) were the hosts. It was clear from the outset that this was going to be a high quality fast-paced match with both teams producing some exciting hockey. In a tight opening exchange, it was Trojans who drew first blood, with 2 quick fire goals, both from unmarked players in the 'D'. The response from Yate was brilliant though and we fought hard to get back in the game, with Conor Pinnell missing a gilt edged chance and Antonia Joy being denied by a great save. Yate eventually managed to pull one back when a fine move down the right involving Maria Jones, Dylan Bruce and Vale-Webb resulted in a clever flick by Friell. This was very quickly followed by Antonia Joy and David Sharpe linking up for Vale-Webb to calmy stroke the ball past the advancing GK.

 

With Trojans having 3 National League players, it was always going to be tough and Trojans scored just before the break to lead 3-2 and the odds of a comeback were lengthened when Yate conceded a PC. The 1st attempt was denied by a great tackle by Dom Chambers, deemed illegal by Adrian (the subject of some discussion on the way back), but Trojans scored from the resulting corner. However, we refused to lie down, with Alex Whittle, Lucy MacKenzie causing problems down the left side which gave Cooke a great chance, again superby saved by the GK. Two more good chances went begging but the scored remained 4-2 to Trojans.

 

Thanks to Adrian and Clare Kane for umpiring the matches and all the players who played for the team.

 

Following on from the success of the Mixed Cup run, we've entered the Mixed Summer League for 2024, where all the games are being played at Coombe Dingle and the intention is to enter the Winter Mixed League for 2024/2025. 

 

Fixtures will be organised between ourselves and other local clubs, home and away so there should be an opportunity for all players in the Club to play in the Mixed team.

 

Additionally, we'll continue to enter the EHA Mixed Cup too as that has proven to be such good fun and the squad has enjoyed playing in really high quality matches.