Men's 1st Team Vs Pershore

This was the last chance for Yardley to get any joy from the first half of the season in the Warwick Printing Hockey league, West Midlands Division 1.

On another wet and blustery afternoon, Yardley’s young side lined up to face a much more experienced Pershore team, hoping they might be able to grab something from the game. Yardley started very positively creating several early chances but were also able to defend well against Pershore’s advances. Both teams were in fact looking to attack at every opportunity and Yardley were grateful to keeper Neal Makepeace for some fine saves to keep Yardley on level terms. As half-time approached, Yardley were awarded a short corner from which a shot on goal was stopped by a defender’s foot on the line. From the resulting penalty flick, skipper Zach Jarvis made no mistake to enable his team to take a slender lead into the break.

The second half continued in much the same way as the first. Yardley’s defence holding up well, with Gavin Hetherington at the heart of much of the action and also able to surge forward at times to bring  the ball out of defence to help set up attacks for his side. Pershore were creating many chances but were unable to convert them until eventually they were able to grab an equaliser from a short corner. The visitors seemed to step up a gear after this and from another short corner edged in front. In other games that might have been the end for Yardley but their spirit and determination enabled them to stay well in the game. From a short corner, skipper Zach Jarvis produced a superb drag flick effort on goal which gave the Pershore keeper no chance. With a deserved equaliser under their belts, Yardley probed for a winner but in the end it was honours even in a thrilling game.  Yardley played well throughout were pleased to have grabbed their first point of the season and give themselves some cheer as the festive season approaches.