| Match Report |
The first home game of the season in a new Conference League against a strong West Bromwich team proved a little too big a challenge for our young team. As the visitors didn’t bring along any adult players I decided to field only our eleven youngsters on their own with me coaching from the side-line. We had no substitutes whilst the visitors had four subs.
We were a little subdued for the first few minutes and West Brom got the upper hand and scored quickly with a well worked goal down our left. Their next goal came five minutes later and was a solo effort as all our defenders backed off the advancing forward to let him strike, 2-0 to West Brom. The Badgers showed their true grit in the rest of the half and battled in midfield, eventually taking some chances and testing their keeper. The home team never dropped their heads and all worked hard to get a goal. Eventually this hard work resulted in Edan’s goal which started by a fine run on the right and the cross made its way into the crowded “D” falling to Edan who used good footwork and stick control to calmly slot home. 2-1 down at half time was a fair result of possession and attack play.
Second half Yardley again came under pressure for long periods and to the Yardley Badgers’ credit they worked hard to clear the lines and all defended deep to hold off the visitors advances. Jack in goal again had a magnificent game and in this half had to save and clear a lot of shots to keep the score creditable. Our back three without an adult to support were under constant pressure but Stephen, Ubaydah and Noah remained calm throughout and played “out of their skins” to repel most attacks. Our midfield central duo of Ayesha and Kyle were getting tired in the second half after all the excellent hard work they put in, and considering the visitors’ strength they played brilliantly breaking up the opponents advances with great tackles and interceptions. They also made intelligent passes to the forwards and we were unlucky not to score at least one more goal. Tired legs eventual told and the midfield on both sides were soon by-passed and end to end attacks ensued, unfortunately West Brom made their efforts count and got three in the second half. Our two Zaks on the pitch played well and were always looking for space out wide to spread our play. Barakah, Sean and Edan all contributed to the team effort and helped link up with the defence and midfield. Our Yardley Badgers should be proud of the performance against a well drilled team and Yardley’s own gritted effort will eventually be as well drilled when we link up our defence, midfield and forwards closer throughout the whole game. Next week, away to Wednesbury before our two-week school holiday break.
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