Badgers Vs Bromsgrove

Saturday the 8th of November saw Yardley matched up at home against Bromsgrove. Hopes were high following good results against Worcester, Hampton and Solihull Blossomfield, where we drew one and won two. However this was a week of frustration for the team and the coach.
Firstly a call 45 minutes before kick off to inform us the ground was unfit due to torrential rain. 15 minutes before the meet time is just not enough time to stop everyone travelling to the ground.
Secondly on arrival the pitch was playable, an agreement was made with the sports centre to play and thirdly, nobody had informed the opposition.
The outcome was everyone arrived at the ground and we played the game.

Yardley started off the stronger and for the first 10 minutes we missed numerous opportunities to score. We were experiencing success down the right in particular with Ziaur and Kathryn getting good quality ball into the D, but we seemed nervous of shooting and nobody was taking responsibility for putting the ball in the net. Wave after wave of attack with no end result. More confidence required from the whole team when in possession of the ball. Then, you guessed it a breakaway! We had opportunities to tackle but didn’t. We had opportunity for players to play in the correct position, but they didn’t. The goalkeeper was exposed and a moment’s indecision - 1-0 to Bromsgrove.
The restart saw much of the same with Yardley pressing high up the pitch and getting plenty of turn over ball, we just didn’t use it effectively. Passes were wayward or we didn’t look and just passed blindly giving the ball straight back to Broms. Another breakaway, no marking, no tackling, goalkeeper exposed again and 2-0 Bromsgrove.

Relief of half time and a chance to talk about where we were going wrong and a chance to make some tactical changes.

After the restart Yardley piled on the pressure again and despite more chances we were lacking the composure to finish. It was looking like "one of those days" when after good work down the right from Ziaur and Aeysha a cross found its way to the back post were Sean, predatory, swept the ball into the net. 2-1 (anyone think of another player who scored all his goals like this)?
With 15 to 20 minutes of the game still to go there was plenty of time to repair the damage done in the first half. Despite at least 6 consecutive short corners and a flick we just couldn’t find the net. However we were playing better, but still survived one more scare when, you guessed it, we pushed up, we gave away possession they passed it the unmarked forward, who ran up the pitch unchallenged and maybe should have put the game out of reach of Yardley. Callum also had time to make an excellent save following some good Bromsgrove play and a great charge out to sweep the D followed that.
All in all I feel like we were mugged for the points and deserved at least a draw. We worked hard and huffed and puffed but without Jordan we lacked quality in front of goal and someone who was prepared to make the effort of chasing the ball onto the keepers pads hoping for a tap in. This was a game that got away, it wasn’t the first and it won’t be the last but to have so much possession and lose was disappointing.
Next up Redditch away, need I say more!!!

Scorers

Sean Brookes