3/1 To Win
Young goalkeeper Matt Yates has experienced a good Christmas period as he kept back-to-back clean sheets for Hereford FC against Kidderminster Harriers and Chester FC in National League North.
The shot-stopper has been in fine form as he helped himself to successive shut outs as Hereford recorded wins in both fixtures.
He stood firm as they beat Kidderminster 1-0, whilst on Saturday, they beat Chester 2-0.
Speaking following that game, Yates said: “I’m really happy with the clean sheets. Credit must go to the lads in front of me who have been superb and looked really solid over the past few games.
“I’d like to think that I have played my part and done my job when called upon. We’ve done really well against some of the top teams in this league and that is encouraging.
“I’m really enjoying playing here. It’s a good club to be at with a great fan base and the competition helps to really keep me on my toes, which can only be a positive thing.
“Keeping clean sheets and helping the team pick up points is the only way I will keep my place, so I’d like to think that there will be more to follow.”
Elsewhere, in Sky Bet League Two, Kellan Gordon came off the bench to help his Lincoln City side turn the game on its head against Cambridge United on Saturday.
The winger was introduced on 66 minutes with Lincoln trailing by a goal, however, within the space of 10 minutes, they were leading and eventually won the game 2-1 to maintain top spot in the division. He had also come off the bench in their 2-1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day.
Staying in that division and Timi Elsnik played an hour for Mansfield Town as they stretched their unbeaten run to 16 games. They drew 0-0 at home to Swindon Town and remain third in the table, after defeating Bury 2-1 at Field Mill on Boxing Day.
The only other Derby County loanee involved for their respective club this weekend was Aaron Eyoma. He played 66 minutes for Woking in the National League South as they beat Eastbourne Borough 2-0.
Luke Thomas (Coventry City) and Max Lowe (Aberdeen) both missed their side's games at the weekend through injury, whilst Nick Blackman (Sporting Gijon) and Alex Babos (Real Union) did not have games due to the Spanish international break.
Chris Martin (Hull City) and Jonathan Mitchell (Oxford United) were unused substitutes at the weekend, with the former coming off the bench on Boxing Day in a 2-1 win at Preston North End, whilst Ethan Wassall (Hereford FC) and Zaid Al Hussaini (Gloucester City) did not feature.
