Yate to face Yeovil in historic FA Cup clash
Never before have two teams beginning with Y ever met in the competition, in its 150 year history
Last updated 5th Nov 2021
Seventh tier Yate Town are preparing for what could be the biggest game in their history this weekend, as they face National League Yeovil Town in the FA Cup first round.
In what is the 150th anniversary year of the competition, the match will mark the first time ever that two teams who's names begin with Y have ever faced each other.
Yate, who play in the Southern League Premier Division South, have already progressed through four qualifying rounds to reach this stage, most recently seeing off Dover Athletic 1-0 last month.
We've spoken to Mark Thorne, Yate's commercial manager:
"It's an amazing achievement (to make it into the first round)," he told us.
"Everyone is really excited about the prospect."
Yate have only made it this far once before in 2012. On that occasion the Bluebells were beaten by another local side Cheltenham Town in round one.
"As you said it is our second occasion into the first round proper," Mark said.
"The last one, when we got through against Cheltenham was away, and this time we've been drawn a home game, which actually spices it up a bit because it gives us plenty of opportunity to invite members of the community down to the ground and get a good feel factor going."
Tickets for the match sold out within six hours of being made available at their ground Lodge Road, otherwise known as The South West Interiors Stadium.
Yeovil have also managed to sell out their away allocation. The total capacity at Yeovil's ground is 1600.
"I spoke to Paul Michael the manager, and he said they're looking to go into the game with an open mind, just really to enjoy the experience, but also I think they'll push Yeovil and give them a good game."
Yeovil currently play two tiers above Yate in the National League, where they sit 15th in the table.
Yeovil's side are fully professional. Yate in contrast are an amateur outfit.
Their manager Paul Michael and player Andy Lewis are both teachers.
"This game has really brought people out," Mark said.
"Listening to people down at the ground, they're really, really excited to bring on the Yeovil game and really just see what it entails."
Mark calls it "amazing" that two sides beginning with Y have never met before.
"Can you imagine the pub quizzes coming up in the future that would probably ask that same question?" He said.
"Yate's name is gonna come up in those sorts of environments around the country."
Despite the excitement, Mark called the possibility of getting through to the second round a "massive challenge".
"We're not going to jump above our station and look too far into the future," he said.
"We're just going to enjoy the experience on Saturday, give Yeovil a good game and then we'll see where it takes us."
Kick off for the match is at 3pm on Saturday.