Men's 1st Team Vs Wolverhampton

This week’s hockey report:

WOLVERHAMPTON     5     YARDLEY   0

Yardley had to face promotion candidates, Wolverhampton for the third time this season in the Warwick Printing MRHA Hockey League, West Midlands Division 1. Yardley started rather slowly being put under pressure from the home team and as a consequence it was no great surprise that Wolverhampton quickly established a two-goal lead in the opening minutes. Yardley began to settle but struggled to make any meaningful progress. As usual the visitors were indebted to their keeper who was forced into making several double saves to keep the score down. However, he as powerless to prevent two further goals before the break.

During the second half, with the game already lost, Yardley seemed to find their feet, enjoying possession of the ball for long periods and playing with more team-work and generally putting pressure on their hosts. Key interceptions from DJ Bryan in midfield and good  link-up play between skipper Zach Jarvis, Jeevan Chagger and Noor Zaman offered much greater threat to a Wolverhampton team, somewhat taken aback with Yardley’s new-found energy. Unfortunately, Yardley could not press home this period of dominance and neither could Wolverhampton find any further way through from open play. Yardley’s keeper had a relatively quiet second half. However, Wolverhampton had the final say with a simple tap-in near the end to maintain their pressure at the top of the league.

Yardley will have been delighted with their second half performance and will take this spirit into next week’s game for the fourth game against this same opposition, this time at home.

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