Badgers Vs Cannock

Yardley Badgers 2 v 0 Cannock Badgers

This was a very entertaining game with both sets of players producing high quality plays throughout the whole 70minutes. The Cannock squad were slightly younger and smaller on average compared to the home team but probably edged it in the skills department. Cannock fielded two adults, one in defence and another in midfield whilst we fielded a solitary adult, John Ballard in defence.

The visitor’s adults snuffed out the vast majority of our attacking forays and set up their own teams forward plays continuously. The home team were holding their shape fantastically and this helped to thwart the Cannock attacks. The back three of Noah, Edan and John defended diligently and also started up a lot of our own attack plays by playing it from the back through the midfield. When Cannock did get their shots away they were fired with accuracy and power but Jack in goal was playing the best game sofar since joining Yardley.  Time and again he cleared his lines with fine saves, the best was from a reverse stick shot rising to the roof of the net, and Jack got his glove to the fast approaching ball to make a tremendous save.  

Kyle, Rahmann and Aeysha were the Badgers central midfielders; all linked up together well and also linked the wide players and forwards. Being the king pins in the formation was tiring and rotation of all players was required for shot 5 minute breathers in this fast paced game.

At half time with both teams evenly matched Cannock withdrew one adult and used their two youth substitutes to work to full advantage. Having the visitors experienced midfielder missing from the centre of the pitch gave the Yardley midfielder trio a chance to shine and they bossed the middle for a good twenty minutes. This constant pressure put the visitors on the back foot and Kyle got our first goal. On the hour mark the ball fell kindly to Kyle on the left side of the “D” and he hit with power a sweetly timed ball through a group of players into the far corner. It was a well taken goal that their keeper didn’t have a chance of stopping, and the team celebrated.

Cannock tried to force an equaliser and again Jack made some good saves from powerfully hit shots, keeping Yardley in the lead. With the game getting stretched, the home team was able to put pressure on the Cannock adult at the back, badgering him, sometimes three players at his heels trying to win the ball back. This pressure resulted in Yardley’s second goal and all the points from the game. Ibrahim playing his first game in Badgers from Small Heath Secondary School played a very positive role in the game and was rewarded with a goal. It was another powerfully hit shot which like Kyles gave the keeper little chance of saving.

First victory of the season and all the Badgers should be proud playing very stylish hockey against a very good team. Congratulations.