Badgers Vs Coventry & N W

Yardley Badgers must first of all say a, “big thank you” to all the parents for such a large turnout. Five parents at an away game on the side cheering on all the team, is always a great start for the Badgers.

All the team were well prepared for the start as we arrived in good time for warm ups and team plan. The main plan for the game was movement. Movement off the ball, movement on the ball and ball speed movement. The game started evenly matched and both teams starting tentatively.  Yardley Badgers were set up with a solid defence of Muhammed, Ubaydah, Usamah and Noah. This solid back four protected our keeper Jack excellently. Jack was always alert as he had very little to do in the first half. I was very impressed with Muhammed's first half display on the right, pushing up helping the midfield continuously. Usamah was our most experienced player on the pitch and this showed throughout the game and winning him the Man of the Match award at the end. Ubaydah took a freer role in defence and mopped up trouble that leaked through midfield.  Noah had the most work to do as the home side constantly tried to break down their right, but he worked hard and kept our left well protected. Ross and Zach were put up front for the whole game. It was impressed on them that they’re our first line of defence and they took on board that remit. They pressured the home defence, intercepted poor passes and always helped our midfield four when needed. Our midfield four duties were split between six of the squad. Rolling subs for 70 minutes gave the players rest periods as they had to work hard, up and down continuously keeping their shape over the whole of the pitch.

As you will have read we fielded no adult players. This was a game for the next band of Badger players to shine. Before push back a few parents and a few more players were worried. Coventry was setting up with two adult players. They were nervous about the result. They shouldn’t have worried. Every Yardley Badger on that pitch against Coventry and NW stepped up and produced a display that they should all be proud of.

Mahbubur Rahman, Ethan, Aeysha, Edan, Barakah and George were the rolling on/off midfielders who kept switching from left midfield to right continuously, seamlessly rotating positions. Always ready to take the new position without complaint, always listening on the side when the coached offered advice. They tackled their opponents; they linked up the defence cohesively and passed the ball accurately.

First half was an evenly matched contest and even though we got into the attacking 23 on more occasions the adult defenders used their experience and longer reach to thwart us. Going into half time 0-0, but there was lots of action that made the 35 minutes fly by. We offered advice to the attackers that they needed to pass around the adults or run wide around them.  We continued in the second half with the same plan as in the first. Unfortunately the home team got an early penalty corner which was initially defended well, but the resulting scramble gave them the lead. Yardley Badgers never dropped their heads, but for a good ten minutes they came under heavy pressure. This eventually eased and our central defenders started to push forward to look for an equaliser. We had our own ten minutes of dominance but the home team defenders and keeper kept us at bay. As the game was nearing the end it became more open and both teams managed to get good shots at goal. Then ever alert Jack our keeper pulled off a fantastic goal line clearance. Their striker found he was unmarked on the far post with an open goal beckoning, Jack didn’t give up, he scrambled over just as the shot was made and kicked it clear. Our own breakaways were entertaining stuff too. On a handful of times we had four players in the circle against two defenders, we managed to beat them but the keeper saved the shots.

It was a very enjoyable, entertaining game for all the supporters. Frustrating at times when their adults cut out our attacks, but we will learn from this. It was a 1-0 loss on the score sheet, but we had so many positives to draw upon. Team work was excellent. The camaraderie was a joy to see. Well done everyone, and thank you again parents for the tremendous pitch side support.