Men's 1st Team Vs Old Wulfs

There would never be a good time for Yardley to face the current league leader s in the Warwick Printing Hockey League West Midlands Division 1. To have to face them with a team missing several regulars through injury was always going to be even more of an uphill task. And so it proved to be. However, to their credit, Yardley made the brighter start and took the game to their lofty opponents. Several promising openings were made but the Old Wulfs’ keeper was never really troubled. Gradually the visitors settled into their game and began to demonstrate why they are where they are in the league. They eventually took the lead albeit somewhat fortuitously. A goal bound shot from a short corner led to a foot infringement on the line. The resulting penalty flick was confidently dispatched. Increasing the pressure, Old Wulfs created several more excellent chances but they were confidently dealt with by the Yardley keeper. Shortly afterwards a good build up on the left led to a cross that gave the oncoming forward a simple tap-in. Yardley were now finding things very difficult but they did themselves no favours by wasting possession and some careless clearances. It was another defensive error that led to the visitors’ third goal before half time.

The pattern of the second half was much the same as in the first, with Old Wulfs dominating and Yardley finding it very difficult to cope with the constant threat on their goal. Further injuries did Yardley no favours at all and although Old Wulfs did score two more goals, not only did they waste many chances they also found the Yardley keeper in good form to help to keep the score down.

In spite of a late rally it was much too late for Yardley to gain any consolation. In the end Yardley were well beaten but will have to console themselves that they got off lightly in the end.

It is to be hoped that their injury problems resolve themselves before they travel to fellow strugglers, Barlaston this week.