Men's 1st Team Vs West Bromwich

Yardley 1sts   .v.  West Brom 2nds (or was it 3rds?)

A stunning hat-trick from Jeevan Chagger and a super-strike from debutant Ricky Morton gave Yardley a comfortable start to their season.

Yardley lined up with starts for new recruit, Ricky Morton and returnee, Shawqi Naji, but otherwise with much the same line-up from last season, albeit with injured skipper, Zach on the side-lines and blowing the whistle. Alex was acting skipper for the day.

In spite of  a fairly bright start by both sides, it was the visitors who seemed to be creating the better chances. Their pressure finally earned a penalty flick after a foot infringement on the line. However, a brilliant save by Neal Makepeace seemed to settle Yardley’s play and they began to create some good chances of their own. After some good play from Noor and Tahir up front the ball came to Jeevan who made no mistake to edge Yardley into the lead. Yardley continued to create chances and from another opening, left side in the D, Jeevan was on hand to score his and the team’s second. This gave the home side a deserved lead at the interval.

Yardley went on the attack again right from the start of the second half and from more positive approach play, Jeevan completed his hat-trick and gave his side a seemingly unassailable lead. West Brom were not out of the game by any means but were unable to make the most of their chances and Neal again saved his side with some timely saves. More chances from speedy Yardley attacks should have lead to more goals but for some wasteful finishing and good work by the West Brom keeper. Yardley did eventually make their good work pay off when debutant Ricky Morton scored with a cracking shot against his former club-mates.

West Brom had the final say with a well-taken consolation goal right at the end of the game.

Yardley will be pleased with an increasingly confident performance that should bode well for the campaign ahead.