Badgers Vs Khalsa

Khalsa   2 V 0   Yardley Badgers

This was a very early game on the far side of Coventry on a cold and drizzly Saturday morning.

Yardley were again at full strength with a strong eleven, but with no substitutes. It was a pity that four of the squad turned up as the game was about to begin! But the distance and early start played a part for a few other players as well. Six players missing from the half hour warm up and team discussion is not a good thing

The Yardley team had a change of formation this week to a 4 4 2. Unusual to have four at the back but it was to help the girls in the team (who are moving up to league hockey next season), to practice on this set up.

Aeysha and Barakah were put into right back and left back rolls. This tactic is how the Ladies team play with the roll taking up defensive duties and also the winger’s duties too. Aeysha took to the roll immediately and when she won the ball or was passed to,  she drove deep into Khalsa's half up the right wing, getting crosses off or doing “one twos’ with the midfield. Barakah remained defensive as the home team was attacking a lot on our left, down their right.

Zak, Rizwan, Jake, Cem and Wahaj in midfield worked really hard against a very strong and capable opposition. The link up play with defence was sporadic and possession was lost to easily when players tried to go solo and not link up with their team mates. But this quartet worked hard and tried to get control of the middle of the pitch but the home team where just a little to strong for them. They never gave up and helped to team with defensive duties too.

Sean up front was having a great game starting from deep near the half way line and making intelligent runs into the “D” calling for the telling pass from the wide players. His Kate runs left him unmarked on numerous occasions but alas the crosses just evaded him. He also dropped deep at certain times to help bolster the defence when the midfield players started to tire.

Khalsa were the stronger team and Yardley defended for long periods but Paul and Dawood protected the Yardley keeper Noah from having to make too many saves in the first half. Khalsa scored after winning a lot of penalty corners consecutively. This pressure build-up eventually told with them striking a well hit shot low into the corner beating two defenders and the keeper.

After a positive half time team talk the Yardley team had their best play of the game. Cem had a great part in this, by marking the oldest player on Khalsa team, limiting his link up play. Yardley were  making quality moves,  passing to each other, looking for return passes and including every player. But after ten minutes, disappointingly the shape and discipline completely vanished and the Yardley players where all over the place, out of position. The team was trying individual play and forgot all about team play. On many occasions the lone Yardley defender at the back was over run by two or three attackers. Luckily Noah in goal stopped the shots and saved numerous half chances. Eventually this pressure led to the home team’s second goal, which the Yardley keeper was disappointed not to stop. Yardley did get a few chances towards the end of the game with good crosses into the “D” by Zak and Aeysha but the crowded area proved hard for the strikers to get a touch.

I honestly believe the Yardley team could have got something from this fixture if they had held their shape and remained disciplined for the full 70 minutes. Players need to be patient and build up play with more trust in the whole squad.