Men's 1st Team Vs Barlaston

Yardley enjoyed a comfortable but hard earned victory in the Warwick Printing MRHA West Midlands Division 1 against bottom club, Barlaston.

Yardley began the game having made some tactical changes and a renewed plan of attack. Barlaston began the game with only ten players. Yardley soon settled into their stride and their changes in tactics seemed to be  working. Good work by skipper Zach Jarvis led to the opening goal by Navid Akram. Continued good team-work led to more chances being created, even after the opposition gained their missing player. Barlaston were finding it hard to gain much meaningful possession and rarely threatened the home team goal. Yardley broke away after a rare threat by their visitors and added a second when Usamah Iqbal forced the keeper into an error that led to the ball falling  over the line. Yardley continued to press forward but were unable to add to their lead before the break.

The second half began with Yardley again on the attack and were unlucky when a good shot from Alex Makepeace struck the post but rebounded harmlessly away. All Yardley players were playing their part but the lively Navid Akram was at the heart of their best work. Yardley thought they had scored their third, but the goal was disallowed for an obstruction offence seen by the umpire.

There followed a short period of some careless passing by the home side but the visitors were unable to capitalise.  Normal service was resumed when good work by Harry Brice set up Noor Zaman for the third goal. A breakaway attack by Barlaston caught the Yardley defence napping and they grabbed a consolation goal.

Yardley completed their afternoon’s work when full back Jabran Mir crossed in from the right and was put away by Alex Makepeace.

Yardley will have been delighted with the result but will be realistic enough to realise that some much tougher games lie ahead, starting this week with a tricky away game against Pershore.