Men's 1st Team Vs Newtown

Newtown   3     Yardley   1

Goalscorer:  Rob McGuigan

After an unbeaten pre-league build-up, Yardley came back down to earth in the first game in the new  Warwick Printing Hockey League, West Midlands Division 1 season.

Forced into several changes before the game, Yardley did not really get going until they were already two down. Careless mistakes in defence led to Newtown capitalising on these errors to build a two goal lead by half time. Yardley can only blame themselves for some careless play and not building  many clear cut chances in attack.

During the second half it was a different story. Yardley pressed higher up the pitch and moved the ball about much quicker and did not allow the home side much of a look-in. Many more chances were created but unfortunately not pressed home. Junaid Ali and Zakariyya Asif were using their pace down the wings to good effect.   During this period and somewhat against the run of play, Newtown managed to extend their lead. Eventually Yardley’s more positive approach led to them reducing the arrears when Rob McGuigan converted a short corner. Then right at the death Yardley thought they had pulled another one back when Junaid ‘scored’ but it was ruled out due to an infringement in the D.

A somewhat careless start but a much improved second half will give Yardley some positives to take from the game as they prepare for a home game against Leamington this week.