Men's 1st Team Vs Old Halesonians 3

Old Halesonians 3s 4-2 Yardley 1stXI

Goal Scorers: Jeevan Chagger, Noor Zaman

Yardley got their new campaign up and running away at Old Halesonians. A squad of 14, with the same 13 from pre-season and the addition of Harry Brice returning to the fold. Yardley found themselves 1-0 down within the opening 15 minutes with Old Halesonians scoring from open play. Yardley started to press with Harry, Zach and Alex linking well with Jordan and Kyle on the wings. An aerial was played out of the back by Yardley, initially finding its way to Noor before Jeevan took control, ran into the circle and struck it neatly between the keeper’s legs to make the scores level. Yardley found some momentum and kept pressing, Jeevan controlling an aerial from Alex, neatly skipping two defenders and slipping the ball to Noor in the circle who slotted it past the keeper to give Yardley the lead. The visitors continued to put pressure on Old Hales, Jeevan having another strike saved low in the bottom corner. The home team piled on the pressure and scored on the stroke of half-time from a penalty corner. Scores level at the break.

The second half saw more joy for Yardley though very few chances making it into the shooting circle. Alex, Kyle and Jeevan had shots saved whilst Noor and Jeevan came close from short corners but no result. Old Hales held back and threatened down the flanks but Mat, Eden and Noah kept them at bay, Old Hales countered numerous times and were awarded 2 short corners in quick succession, both goals put away to build their lead once again. Late on, Yardley lost Captain Alex to a challenge which saw him break his knuckle and neighbouring bone.

Next week Yardley host Bournville at home.