Badgers Vs Olton & West Warwicks

Olton Badgers 1-3 Yardley Badgers

Goal scorers: Islam x2, Zak x1

Yardley Badgers played Olton in a late afternoon pushback. The start was delayed by 10 minutes due to the previous game ending late and Yardley waiting on the arrival of their goalkeeper. It would also be debuts for two new players Evie and Emily who would share the game up front. The game got off to a bright start with Olton keeping possession in the opening minutes. Yardley would then look to break this rhythm with Ayesha and Barakha winning the ball in the midfield to give Yardley some much needed possession. The opening 10 minutes provided lots of action in the centre of the pitch, Jack and Edan pushing up well to influence the game with Jahed and Islam. It would be Olton who scored the first goal, a slip-up in the defence resulting in an Olton short corner. The initial short corner saw Edan getting hit with the ball in his face (thankfully his gum-shield saving his teeth, which is why they are ever important to wear!). The resulting short would lead to a goal via a deflection off a Yardley stick into the top corner. This goal seemed to inspire Yardley with Zak, Ayesha and Barakha winning the ball back and making some good play to wingers Jahed and Islam. Brilliant inter play would see a ball played from outside the 25 into the Olton circle, Emily dragging a defender with her for Islam to make a diving effort, deflecting the ball into the opposite top corner of the net. 1-1 the game remained into the break.

The half time talk was a very positive one, encouraging players to continue their work, link up play and to create a rhythm to hopefully win the game. The most important thing was to enjoy the game as much as they could. Yardley started brightly again this half with lots of action out wide and several passes put together creating chances for Evie and Emily who did brilliantly to stop the ball and take a shot at goal. It would be a string of passes between siblings Ayesha, Barakha and Zak which would see Zak finish a nice run into the bottom corner. The final goal would come from a great ball played by Jahed on the left to Islam on the right wing, driving the ball into the circle and placing the ball perfectly into the corner as Evie once again dragged out a defender creating the space for his run and goal. Yardley were threatened late on by Olton with their adult pushing up into our circle, but a great save from Anthony saw Yardley walk away with a win, big smiles on faces and a performance they created themselves to be proud of. 

Recognition at the end of the game went to everyone who played, a team win. Islam for his goals and Zak also, with also a big well done to both Evie and Emily who had a fantastic debut in the Badgers. Hopefully a team performance that can be built on till the close of the season.

Report by Jeevan Chagger