Badgers Vs Bournville

Score: 0-3

The last game of the season and Yardley turned up enthusiastic and buzzing with energy. Unfortunately, Aeysha, Barracka and Zakeryia were all unavailable and Muhammed was due to come but didn't which left us with a 9-man team against a 10-man team. We played a 3-4-1 with; Ubaydah, John and Noah in defence, Rahman, Eden, Kyle and (our new player playing his first game) Kayden in midfield leaving Ethan in strike.

We started the game a little slowly  but the defence held well. Some exceptional runs and tackles from Kayden gave us possession of the ball quiet often which enabled us to start attacking. A numerous of good chances lead to Kayden getting a 1-on-1 with their keeper who unluckily didn't score as the keeper saved it. The defence stayed firm and unbreakable with the support of the midfield as Bourneville weren't not able to apply the finishing touch to score after their many chances. Bourneville's adult, sensing how a goal would give them control over the game, started advancing into our 25, desperate to help the strike score but Yardley held unassailable and ended the first half at 0-0.

At the half time team talk John gave us a bit of man-to-man talk. The opposition were bigger and stronger than most of us, especially their 16 year old upfront, and  we were urged and forced to stay strong and to keep our ground. They may have been able to get past us but to make up for it we would have to chase them until they lose the ball.

With this in mind we started the second half with high hopes. One thing that was clearly evident was that Bourneville were told to apply more pressure ( as we did to Hampton last week). As soon as the whistle was blown the quickly passed it to Ethan and began to run at us. Some very quick thinking from Ethan and a brilliant string of passes from our midfield and we were counterattacking them. The midfield were constant in doing this and as a present for their hard work we won 2 short corners. As much as the midfield were attacking they wasted so much energy going up that they didn't have enough to come back and defend which left the defence outnumbered and overrun. Goal after goal went it; their first one was a good shot into the corner of our goal, nothing Jack could do about it, the second goal was a reverse hit which looked as if it deflected of Ubaydah's stick and went over our keeper. Their last goal was a 1-on-1. Their striker swept the ball at Jack who made a good save but the ball was hit straight back at him and their 16 year old got his first goal of the match.

A very unfortunate result as the Badgers did work extremely hard to beat a 10-man side with 3 adults while only 1 adult and 9 players overall. Some proficient performances from the whole team, especially the keeper but the man of the match goes to Kayden for his sublime performance in his first game.

Club Day will be on the 9th of April so don't let your fitness drop as we will all be glad to see you again.

Ubaydah Iqbal