Men's 1st Team Vs West Bridgford

West Bridgford 4ths 2-1 Yardley 1stXI

Goalscorer: Jeevan Chagger

This week, Yardley 1stXI faced a trip to West Bridgford in their last pre-season friendly before the new league season. Arriving early pitch-side, the team gathered on a warm but windy day to prepare for what will be a tough season.

The side, unchanged from last week’s win, got underway to immediate pressure from an energetic opposition. West Bridgford tried to force play down both flanks with Noah and Edan doing well to keep attacks at bay. The midfield trio of Zach, Alex and Kyle saw much possession, turning over play with help from the wingers to force attacks. West Bridgford opened the scoring 15 minutes into the half. Yardley continued to press with Jeevan seeing his reverse shot saved and Jahed’s follow-up, parried away. Islam and Noor continued to support attacks with Jordan winning the ball and squaring up Jeevan who won a short corner. Alex saw his shot saved but Yardley continued to pile on the pressure with the keeper making several key saved.

1-0 down at the break and the team talk, much the same as last week, was to press as a team and show we wanted it more. And the opening minutes, we did just that. Alex and Zach combined well to find Jeevan who turned his two defenders and slotted home a reverse shot to equalise. Mat then fed the ball out from the back to Alex who played a lovely aerial into the “D” for Noor to receive, with his shot crashing against the post and going out. Kyle would follow up moments later with another effort going agonisingly wide. A turn of possession saw Yardley in control for 15 minutes in the opposition half, Noor going wide from a short corner and Jeevan forcing an excellent save from the keeper. In the final 5 minutes, West Bridgford found themselves and put pressure on the Yardley defence to find the winner in the final two minutes at the back post.

2-1 the final score, with much to ponder had the earlier chance have been put away. Next week, Yardley start off the new campaign away against Old Halesonians.