Badgers Vs Olton & W. Warwick

Yardley Badgers were unlucky to lose this game, the performance deserved so much better. Yardley playing 3 at the back, 2 holding mid fielders, 3 attacking mid fielders and 2 up front caused Olton all sorts of problems. Yardley started the brighter of the two teams building up a series of good attacks down the right, plenty of attacking intent being shown. This led to a number of opportunities to draw first blood but the Badgers couldn’t find the final touch to the balls played into the D. Also some players were guilty of not shooting when they had the opportunity. Yardley had several good attacks and Olton were really on the back foot. Olton took the lead against the run of play with almost the first serious attack when the ball broke through the centre. We forced the ball wide and Olton conceded possession back to Yardley’s defence. Our attempt to clear was hurried and across the face of goal. The Olton centre forward intercepted and scored from around 2 yards out. Yardley went back on the offensive and equalised through Jordan. Owen had hit a thunderous shot to the back post and it hit the post on the angle fair and square bouncing back out about a yard were Jordan pounced to slot into the corner. We were still pushing Olton back, when Noah received a painful blow to the back of his heel / ankle and had to leave the pitch which left us playing with 10 ( no sub offered from the 14 or 15 they had). 1-1 at half time.
We knew the next goal would be important and after the break we continued in the same vein attacking in waves but the game opened up with Olton now playing with two outfield adults. Olton won a short corner and with a shot which bobbled towards goal scored from a mis-hit, it defeated the player on the post. Yardley continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but Olton survived until the end. Considering Yardley played the entire 2nd half with 10 players for those on the side of the pitch it looked like Olton were the team a player down.
A great performance, pity about the scoreline. Well done everyone and thanks to Zach for stepping in as our adult outfield player. This will pay dividends in the long run having a first team player to help balance the team.
Oh and Nigel was in goal again, he did well but bring back Anthony!

Scorers