Men's 1st Team Vs Whitchurch

This week’s hockey report :

WHITCHURCH   3      YARDLEY   2

Yardley were just edged out in this keenly contested and entertaining game in the Warwick Printing Hockey League, West Midlands Division1

Both teams went on the attack straight from the start, with play flowing from end to end. Yardley had to draft in several youngsters and they did not disappoint. Yardley were able to attack with pace along both flanks with Shawqi Naji and Junaid Ali prominent. Youngster Alex Makepace did a sterling job holding the midfield, allowing skipper Zach Jarvis to push forward in support of the forwards. In spite of this Whitchurch managed to score first through good work by their right winger. Yardley continued to push on and created several good chances often forcing the home keeper into action. It’s probably fair to say that he was the busier of the two keepers during this first period. However, it was no great surprise when Yardley did equalise when Ali’s right wing run and cross found Noor Zaman in the D and he made no mistake.

The second half provided more of the same. This time it was Yardley who scored next. Alex Makepeace picked up the ball in his own half and drove forward only to be fouled as he approached the 25. His quick thinking free hit took him to the bye line. His fierce shot on goal was deflected into the net by the lurking Munib Altaf.  Stung into action, Whitchurch pressed forward and forced a series of short corners with Yardley’s keeper Neal Makepeace producing several crucial saves. Whitchurch eventually pulled level again, somewhat against the run of play, when they scored after a breakaway attack.

Just when a draw seemed odds on, Yardley’s valiant effort came to nothing.  Yardley’s keeper stepped out to intercept a cross from the right but the ball deflected off a defender’s stick, looping the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Yardley will feel aggrieved that probably one of their best displays of the season came to nothing. This week Yardley’s final home game is against Newtown.

Report sent in by Peter Brainch (Publicity Officer)