Badgers Vs KingsHeath/Pickwick

Yardley fielded two adults, although Kings Heath started with none we decided to keep to our original plan and go for a 5-3-2 formation. If our adults proved too over powering we would simply substituted one off the pitch. Our 5-3-2 formation was a new idea for our young team and for ten minutes they grappled with its intentions. In this time Jack our excellent keeper was called upon to make numerous saves to keep us in the game,  Kings Heath were over running our defences.

Our five forward players soon realised they all needed to drop deep to support the midfield and defence when possession was lost. Yardley Badger’s then began to quell the home team’s attacks and make some good strides into the opponents 23m zone. As this shift happened and the Yardley Badger’s began to control midfield Kings Heath put on an adult defender. This stopped the forages into the “D” and any chances of further shots at their keeper. The game then balanced out with most play in the middle of the pitch, with both teams battling hard to gain possession, Kings Heath still had shots in the “D” throughout and won many penalty corners (Yardley Badger’s won no penalty corners), but the whole team defended well, keeping it 0-0 into the break.

5-3-2 formation means the whole team attacks as a unit, but also defends as a unit behind the ball. Each player needed to offer support to their team mates. This was a high tempo game and this 5-3-2 formation meant no player could stand around having a rest. High work rate was asked for and the whole team put in 100%. The coach calling from the side-line continually reminded the players of this, and offered substitutions to rest tired legs:-

2 defenders were John and Club Captain Zach, who continually talked to each other and their youth players. Their prompts and encouragement settled the team and breathed confidence into them. They never pushed outside their own 23m, deciding to stay back so the youth team could develop.

3 midfielders were Noah, Aeysha and Muhammed. They were the heart of the team. Aeysha was, as always battling away. She made fantastic tackles, sometimes crunching tackles, but always honest tackles. It was a little congested in the middle but Aeysha always tried to find space and get passes through to the forward line. Muhammed made a welcome return and along with Noah thoroughly dominated their sides of the midfield. They both are not comfortable in midfield, but they looked calm, collected and they had an excellent game in the positions.

5 forwards rotated between Sean, Barakah, Zak, Ethan, Edan, and Kyle. All six put in a shift and a half in this game. Kyle in only his second game was playing brilliantly. His speed on and off the ball was threatening Kings Heath continually. Ethan and Edan both played their best games of the season so far and adapted to the new formation the best. They saw more of the ball in this game, tackled and hassled the home teams back line and made some good runs with the ball. Zak, Sean and Barakah played mainly wide to give us width, and this in turn made space for our players in the middle (by drawing out players to mark them wide). These three probably had the most running to do. Continually up and down the pitch helping their team mates with support and being a constant release option. They were also the players who got our three best shots at goal and were unlucky the keeper was alert to the shots, and saved them well.