Badgers Vs Kings Heath Pickwick

Yardley Badgers 4 – 1 Kings Heath Pickwick

Goal scorers:   Islam, Sami, Zak, Jahed - Both sets of brothers scored

With three players crying off early on Saturday morning, Yardley were expecting a tough game against the visitors. Fortunately for Yardley, the Umpire Nigel brought along his son, who kindly agreed to be the team’s “tenth man”, this combined with the visitors also having ten playing evened things up somewhat.

The home team put in a tremendous effort throughout the game and the team bonding was the best so far this season.

First half was a pretty even affair with Yardley slightly edging the lead with most attacks. The majority of the visitors’ attacks were swiftly dealt with by the adult defender who remained deep, sweeping up the loose long balls. Most home team attacks came from long sprinted runs by the brothers Jahed and Islam deep inside their own half into the opponents’ 23m, then putting in excellent crosses. Sami who had a bad collision with a keeper last week had numerous chances from these great crosses, bravely getting close to the keeper. Eventually, the home team took a deserved lead into the break.

As the second half began the visitors had their strongest spell, putting the home team under ten minutes of intensive pressure. This purple patch resulted in their equaliser. Again, as throughout  the  season,  the team didn't drop their heads but set to the job in hand. Thanks to Owen controlling the centre he restored the home team’s shape and order. Soon the home team regained the lead, when Sami scored from an incoming right cross to the back post where he swept it in.

The home team then went to a level of play 20% more than at any-time in the game. The impact of this was the visitors resorted to long ball tactics' which were simple cut out from the back. The home team grew in confidence.  Speed from the two brothers was getting frighteningly quick, hounding down on every pass. Jack and Edan (wide defence) were pushing high into the opposite half pushing the visitors deeper. Ethan and Zak were pressing the backline giving them no time or space. Yardley's purple patch lasted twenty minutes, right till the end of play, two more goals and many chances was the reward.

Yardley Badgers be proud of your accomplishments, more next week please at Edgbaston, 12:30 away.