Men's 1st Team Vs Leamington

Yardley 1, Leamington 5.

Goalscorer:   Noor Zaman

Yardley faced a tough task against a well organised Leamington side in this Warwick printing Hockey League West Midlands Division 1 game. The visitors arrived at Muntz Street early and undertook a very lengthy warm up routine involving all members of their squad. Their preparation was immediately rewarded when their first attack led to them taking the lead within the first minute of the match.

Yardley could not have made a worse start and were immediately put under pressure with Neal Makepeace in the Yardley goal being called upon to make a string of important saves. Leamington continued to dominate in midfield and it came as no surprise when the visitors doubled their score from a penalty corner.

Yardley gradually worked their way back in to the game and after twenty five minutes pulled a goal back as Noor Zaman took advantage of the new ruling that allowed sticks to be lifted above head height and steered a high ball into the top corner of the net.  Leamington hit back with third goal just before the interval making the half time score 3-1.

Leamington continued to impress in the second half and Yardley’s defence was kept at full stretch. A long driving run led to a fourth Leamington goal converted from close range and a fifth soon followed.  Yardley managed to defend a number of penalty corners and keep the final score to 5-1.

Next week sees Yardley taking on an Evesham side whose first game led to a heavy defeat and they will hope to post their first points of the new season.