Men's 1st Team Vs Kings Heath Pickwick

This week’s hockey report:

YARDLEY    0       KINGS HEATH PICKWICK       8

Due to the way the league has been set up for this season, this was the third meeting between these two sides in the Warwick Printing MRHA Hockey League, West Midlands Division 1.

Kings Heath produced the early pressure but it was their lowly hosts who produced their own attacking moves to force a series of early short corners. However, this promise could not be fulfilled and gradually the visitors upped their game and began to look as if it was only a matter of time before they scored. Although Yardley were trying hard to give as much as they were receiving, it was Kings Heath who scored their first, midway through the half. Yardley remained very much in the game and went close on a number of occasions. However, two goals on the approach to half time virtually made the game safe for the visitors. Yardley will have felt a little hard done by to be three down at the break.

The second half began with both teams probing for openings but eventually Kings Heath’s stronger approach play began to pay dividends. A fourth goal came from a 23 yard (the old long corner) hit into the D that was not cleared and put away. As Yardley began to tire, Kings Heath took full advantage and added more goals to give them an emphatic win and keep them well in the promotion hunt. Yardley face the daunting prospect of having to play this team again before the end of the season. The next two weeks will not get any easier for Yardley as they now face their third and fourth games against another strong promotion side, Wolverhampton. Yardley will also be hoping that a YES vote in the Open League ballot will give them some hope for the future.

Report sent in by Peter Brainch (Club Secretary and Publicity Officer)