Men's 1st Team Vs Redditch 2

YARDLEY    6       REDDITCH   3

GOALSCORERS:  Noor Zaman 3, Kyle Letts, Zach Jarvis, Jeevan Chagger

On a very cold and wet afternoon, Yardley managed to gain their first league victory of the season in a high scoring game.

Redditch, started with ten players and both teams began a little cagily with some careless possession as both teams got used to the poor playing conditions. Playing for once, with somewhere nearer a full-strength side, Yardley took advantage of their numerical advantage. A very promising early attack along the right flank led to a shot on goal which rebounded back into play off the post, it was quickly seized upon by an alert Kyle Letts, following up to calmly put the ball into the goal for an early lead. Both teams continued to probe for openings and Redditch were boosted by the arrival of their missing player. The visitors appeared to be more settled with their full complement, but it was Yardley who added to their lead when Noor Zaman scored with a fierce shot to round off a brilliant long clearance from defence.  Yardley were also showing good defensive awareness with Mat and Noah prominent in breaking down the visiting attacks. Yardley added to their lead when a Zach Jarvis’ drag flick effort from a short corner gave the keeper no chance. Neal Makepeace was called upon to make several timely saves, but it was no real surprise when Redditch pulled one back before the interval with a well taken short corner routine.

At the start of the second half, Redditch sensed that they were not out of this game and enjoyed a period of dominance. Neal make a great save from a short corner, but shortly afterwards another short corner routine led to the visitors’ second goal. With their tails up, Redditch continued to look likely to score again. Another goal from a short corner brought the scores level.  It seemed like the visitors would go on to snatch victory, but somehow Yardley raised their game again and another right-wing attack lead to a cross from Kyle into the D that was not cleared, but pounced upon by Noor to restore Yardley’s lead.  Soon afterwards another attack led to Jeevan bursting into the D to score Yardley’s fifth and settle their nerves again. Before the end, Noor completed his hat-trick to give Yardley a very pleasing and  well-deserved first league win.

This was the first part of a double-header week-end with a re-arranged game against West Bromwich 2nds, tomorrow