Badgers Vs Barford Tigers

A pleasing result, against a strong team in the Conference League.

We were apprehensive as we travelled to Barford Tigers at Hamstead Hall Academy on Saturday 5th November. This is a new Conference League (North) that we have moved to, the worry of the unknown has weighed on our minds over recent weeks. Thanks to Jeevan we were also informed that Barford have an England coach working with the youth section and are a strong team. We as a club also have a close historical link to this club and have shared their pitch location in the past and have been invited to various gala’s and presentation events they hold.

Both teams started with 9 players as the match had to start promptly at twelve as a National League game was on straight afterwards. After ten minutes of play each side was at full strength. Both sides took time to get composed and find their shape. With one adult player on each side, everyone eventually settled down and it soon became a very competitive hockey game. Both teams were putting some good passes together and spreading the play. Yardley were also developing two more KESH Academy students in this game and both hadn’t played a match on a full size Astro before. They settled in very quickly and looked confident throughout the game.

As the game approached half time Yardley were put under constant pressure, but the defence supported by the midfield defended deep and protected the “D” impressively, thwarting any chances Barford had. Jack was tested a couple of times and he cleared his lines effectively.

With Ubaydah working hard at the back in the first half, he needed to rest as the second half started and we then played two adults to strengthen the defence and to keep the Barford attacks to the minimum. After ten minutes Ayesha took a nasty knock to her ankle so Ubaydah came straight back on and helped in a midfield roll. We had a very solid fifteen minutes and when Ayesha eventually returned onto the pitch we had some attacks in the “D” which was our first foray into the opponents “D” in the game.

With ten minutes left in the game Barford pushed hard to get a winner but our two adult defenders cleared their lines and also set up a few counter attacks as Barford pushed a high line. As the final whistle blew, Yardley were very happy to come away with a well-earned point. Both teams were well matched but Yardley had the slightly younger squad and produced a quality display.