Badgers Vs Solihull Blossomfield

Yardley Badgers 0 – 1 Solihull Blossomfield

The weather heavily influenced this game with snow and bitingly cold temperatures.

Just as our First team finished their match the heavens opened and heavy snow fell. It looked as if the game would be cancelled even before it could start. The Umpires, coaches and Captains discussed the situation and Solihull Blossomfield mentioned that it was their last game of the season and would ideally like to play on. As pushback approached the snow eased up and the now white Astro wasn't slippery and the pitch markings just about visible, play commenced.

Yardley started brightly, bossing the midfield with their strength and speed. The team also put some excellent passes together linking up the wide players. This resulted in many attacks and the Blossomfield adult had to continuously defend deep to thwart the attacks. By now the sun had come out and melted the snow covering. Our two strikers up front, Evie and Emily did get a couple of chances shooting from narrow angles but alas they went narrowly wide. Jahed and Islam were getting some brilliant crosses into the “D” but the resulting shots were saved by the visitors’ keeper.

The blustery snow again fell causing problems but both teams braved the bitterly cold conditions. As the game wore on the visitors got more into the game and our three defending players held strong and Solihull Blossomfield never got a shot away in the first half.

The cold temperature was having an effect on our talented midfield. Stick skills were becoming difficult as players’ hands were cold. The second half was more even and the game more end to end. Both teams had good chances to score and most came from break away charges through the middle. After 55 minutes the visitors got a goal from such a break away and was precisely placed into far corner. The home team pushed high for the final 15 minutes to get a deserved result but Solihull Blossomfield threw on their second adult to bolster their defence and Yardley were left disappointed not to get something from the game.

Throughout the game we had four lots of snow fall and three sunny melt defrosts, and constant windchill effects of -3. Both teams braved the conditions and played some good team hockey and displayed personal individual skills. I was impressed by all the Yardley players turning on the ball to round defenders. A great skill with impressive results.