Badgers Vs Leamington

Goal scorers- Rahmann, Sean.

Yardley fielded three adults at the start, Anthony in goal, John our regular centre back and Stan as sweeper. This gave a solid central spine which enabled our younger Badgers a chance to shine.

The Badgers were caught out from a very quick early goal, scored by one of the many excellent girl players Leamington has. 1-0 down but Yardley never dropped their heads and soon were settling into a very slick looking team. Passing accurately, moving into space for passes. This culminated in the move of the game. From a side-line ball from Ubaydah, Yardley strung together over ten passes incorporating little triangles, pass and moves and some quick “one two’s”. If a few more passes had materialised the supporters were getting ready to cheer “olé” for each pass. Good hockey which boosted the team’s confidence. Yardley Badgers started to gain midfield dominance which resulted in the two goals. Sean up front was, as always, causing a nuisance up front battling the Leamington back line into mistakes and winning all the 50/50 balls. Aysha in midfield controlled the ball and passed accurately as did Ross and Rahmann.  The two wingers Barakah and Ethan were given some new tactics for this game and they both listened and transferred this onto the pitch excellently.  Zak as the second striker was a thorn in the Leamington defence with his stick skills.

The first goal was a good team goal with build up outside the “D” which eventually fell to Ross to set up Rahmann to score his first goal. (Not sure if it is first goal?). Ubaydah playing as right back was having a very productive game and made numerous runs deep into the Leamington half. With his confidence boosted he decided to make even deeper runs resulting in the second. He took the ball in his own half, drove past three opponents and strode into the “D” and shot. With the keeper beaten Sean took the goal ward bound ball and made no mistake, giving Yardley the lead.

Yardley were starting to get the upper hand, so the Captain decide to remove our sweeper Stan (adult) and give youngster Ross the chance to try the sweeper’s roll. Within minutes he was charging up into the Leamington half trying to assist the strikers. This was fine because he was prepared to get back to his defensive duties ASAP. Yardley didn’t want the half time whistle to come as they were playing some “good stuff”.

Being praised for their flamboyancy at half time may have resulted in Yardley taking their foot of the gas, because in the second period Leamington were camped in our half. Yardley midfield defended deep and helped the defence. Our keeper had to pull off some fantastic saves. Noah as left back was being tested constantly and he calmly defended his side resolutely. Many goal mouth scrambles ensued and were “last gasp” cleared. Everyone defended well and Yardley were limited to four or five breakaways into the opponents’ half, sadly cut out by their lone adult defender (he only came on late in the first half, to halt our solo drives into the “D”).

Both teams won five or six penalty corners but both failed to take advantage of these. Yardley did defend them well but will need to work on the attacking penalty corner routines before the next game to take advantage of the awards. An evenly matched game and either team could have won a very enjoyable game to watch.