| Match Report |
We all arrived bright eyed and eager for a competitive game of hockey. Last time playing Edgbaston we lost 4-0 at home but we were not apprehensive at all. It all came to a grinding halt though as we couldn’t get on the Astro at Edgbaston High School for Girls. A broken key and no spare, made it look like another cancelled game. After two weeks already away from hockey the Badgers frustration started to show. Every player had a look at the lock offering their expert ideas (ladders) and opinions (ram gates with car). Eventually after 45 minutes the hosts got the gates opened and we quickly set up, starting within 5 minutes (another game followed).
We started a little bit slow in midfield, but with a solid back three, of Noah, John and Muhammed, they guarded the keeper and Edgbaston never came into the “D”. The front three of Ross, Ethan and Edan worked hard finding space and helping the midfield settle. Once the midfield settled we began to get more and more possession. If we lost the ball the battling midfield always fought to win back possession. We struggled to get the ball to flow, but this was mainly due to the work rate the hosts put in. Ubaydah again made frequent runs from deep midfield into the opponents 23 and tried to release the ball to the strikers. The only goal of the game came from a wide cross which bypassed our last defender and fell nicely to a lad waiting on the back post to sweep in. This came with ten minutes left in the half and was harsh as both teams were even. We came close to equalise before the half time whistle but it went wide.
A quick turn around and the second half was to be cut short ten minutes.
John mentioned we regressed in that half and our improvements over the season were not apparent. The Badgers pushed hard this half and had many chances getting in the “D”. The best fell to Edan whose shot went narrowly wide. It was crying out for a player on the back post to tap in like the goal we conceded. Ubaydah had two chances and failed to hit the ball hard enough which would have given the defenders no chance. Edgbaston also had many chances but Jack our keeper again saved their shots and cleared his line superbly.
Our midfield worked hard and all should get a special mention. Aeysha battled and charged forward at every opportunity. She selflessly passed the ball to bring on the forward play. Her central roll stabilised the team and in combination with Ubaydah made the Badgers strong spine. Zak, Barakah and Sean played the wide midfield positions magnificently and caused Edgbaston problems the whole game. Abdullah and Rahmann constantly rotated to all rolls making seamless transitions. They both read the game well and enabled the younger players respite. Once on the field they provide strength and their agility helped our team ethos.
In the final ten minutes Edgbaston were defending deep under constant pressure from Yardley Badgers who were trying to get the equaliser. The final chance came to Ubaydah who managed to get a good shot away but was saved on the line and cleared. The whole team turned a possible backward step in their progress into a development positive, and I congratulated everyone for that. Only three more games left to this fantastic season. Olton at home next week.
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