Badgers Vs Leamington

Goalscorer: Jordan McGuigan 2

Yardley prepared to start the game with nine players as some players on route were delayed due to traffic congestion.  But as we waited for the Leamington keeper to get kitted up they all arrived before push back. Jeevan came to help coach a few new players but he also stepped into defence until some of our late arrivals had fully warmed up.

It was a tough first ten minutes as our players were finding their feet and Leamington pushed hard for possession and looked the more likely to score in the initial tirades. Our Adult defence of Stan and Jeevan complemented by Noah held firm and protected our keeper Jack amicably. Jeevan then went side-line to orchestrate the substitutes. We were again fielding two new players (a total of seven new players in the first two games of the season!) With Jeevan’s help they played really well, holding their positions and linking up with the more experienced players working as a good team unit.

After eight minutes Leamington took a deserved lead, and this “pushed on” the more regular Yardley Badger players to establish themselves and they began to take charge of the midfield. On the thirteenth minute mark a pass from deep in our own half was expertly picked up by Usamah who sent it through to Jordan waiting in the middle of the pitch. He collected the ball and ran into space through the Leamington middle, then kept running into the circle turning two defenders then a third and shot, beating the keeper. It was a great piece of attacking hockey. Jeevan continually rotated the substitutes and every player would take up their position quickly and knew exactly their job they had to do. Leamington pushed hard to retake the lead but the defenders held firm. A cracking shot just inside the circle from a Leamington 12 year old was heading goal ward bound and Stan bravely halted the balls progress with his stick/hand, getting injured in the process. Stan playing as our Adult alongside Usamah and Jeevan really kept the strong Leamington attackers at bay for long periods. Without this solid defence any chance of victory would have been impossible. Both teams level at half time.

During the second half the Leamington side changed tactics and didn’t try to continually push through our solid midfield. They used their wide players to full effect, whom put in some excellent telling crosses.  Jack the Yardley keeper was called to make several saves off the line, with expert kick clearances.  It was an extremely competitive half as both teams tried to get a lead. In the middle of the half Yardley began to control more possession and had many chances and the Leamington keeper also had to make good saves, clearing with effective kicks. This pressure in the Leamington 23 began to show cracks in their solid back four. The chances went close but Yardley were unable to make the pressure tell. Hitting the post and some goalmouth scrambles always narrowly missing the target. Leamington then took charge in the final twenty minutes and the second Yardley goal came from a quick breakaway which Ross slipped to Jordan whose solo run into the circle duplicated his earlier effort 2-1 to Yardley Badgers. The supporters from both sides were witnessing a very thrilling conclusion to the game as Leamington’s pressure looked like it would finally tell. Urged on by the vocal family and friends, Leamington tried attempt after attempt. Once the final whistle went both teams gave a very vocal three cheers as they all knew they had all contributed to a very enjoyable competitive game of hockey. Jack was voted Yardley man of the match with four votes. His second half display was courageous, congratulations. Jeevan at the final team talk describe a great team effort from both new and regular players and they all should give themselves a round of applause. This was very true and as our applause subsided I heard all the Leamington players giving themselves a round of applause too. Thoroughly deserved. Well done everyone.