Match Reports 2009-2010

Match Reports 2008-2009

Match played on 27th March: PERSHORE 4 YARDLEY 0

Yardley had been hoping to finish the season well, but in the end were well beaten in the Bodykraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2. The game started brightly but it was Pershore who created most of the scoring chances. However, Yardley’s defence was determined not to make it easy for their hosts, aided by Neal Makepece making several good saves to keep the forwards at bay and by Matt Bartlett, amongst others, working hard to close down the opposition threats. By half time the teams were still level.

The second half started, as the first, with Pershore making most of the running. Finally, a ten minute spell mid-way through the half led to Pershore making the game safe. First a soft goal from open play gave them the lead, followed by a second from a short corner. Two more goals in rapid succession ensured the three points. To their credit, Yardley raised their game for a final flourish albeit without success.

Yardley will be happy with the way they have played in patches but they will rue their lack of consistency. They will be pleased with the way that several of their youngsters have acquitted themselves over the season and will anticipate the future with much optimism.

Matches played 20th & 21st March Yardley 1 Rugeley 4

Yardley 1 Aston University 3

It proved to be a very disappointing week-end for Yardley in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2. Strangely enough both games followed a similar pattern with Yardley taking the lead in both games and then failing to build on their early good work.

Against Rugeley, Yardley did well to absorb some early pressure but then began to create some good chances. Charles Chikasha completed a good move by beating a couple of defenders before calming slotting the ball home for an early lead. To their credit, Rugeley fought back straight away and levelled the scores very soon afterwards. With both teams working hard to create chances there was no further score before half time. Rugeley stepped up a gear early in the second half and two goals in a very short period seemed to have won the game. Rugeley were now quicker to the ball and more confident than their hosts. A late fourth goal ensured that there was no way back for Yardley.

On Sunday Yardley began by forcing the early pace and Andy Elves seized on some hesitation in the University defence to force the ball into the net. The students raised their game and pushed hard for an equaliser. The scores were levelled by a well-taken goal from a narrow angle. Another goal before half time gave the University a deserved lead. The second half began evenly enough but gradually the University took control and only some resolute defending by Yardley prevented more than just the one goal during this period.

Yardley will feel rather disappointed with their efforts and will not be too sorry to see the season come to an end after next week’s visit to Pershore.

Match played on 13th March BARLASTON 2 YARDLEY 0

Late cry-offs did not do Yardley any favours in this Bodykraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2 game and they had to play throughout with only ten players.

Although under constant pressure Yardley’s defence managed to thwart their hosts and prevent them from scoring. Yardley’s attacking efforts were restricted and they could only muster a few half chances in the first half. However, their spirited efforts meant that they reached half time with honours even.

Barlaston raised their game during the second half and created more attacking chances. Mid-way through the half a short corner led to them taking the lead. The home team were still non-too convincing and Yardley created a couple a good chances to pull level but were unable to make them count. With only a couple of minutes to go Barlaston made the game safe. Yardley’s depleted troops gave a good account of themselves but were always going to find things difficult with a man down.

This week-end Yardley have a double-header against Rugeley at home on Saturday and home again against Aston University on Sunday.

Match played on 6th March YARDLEY 0 KINGSWINFORD 2

Yardley might well have settled for this as being a good result before the start of this BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2 game.

Playing the league leaders and top scorers Yardley started tentatively as if they were steeling themselves for the expected onslaught to come. The visitors had to make some hurried adjustments as their keeper failed to arrive before the start. As it happened Yardley wasted an excellent opportunity to go ahead before Kinswinford really go going.

Nevertheless it was Kingswinford who scored first following a right wing attack. The scorer was injured in the process and there was a lengthy delay while he received medical attention before leaving the field of play. During this pause the goalkeeper arrived and the game continued with Kingswinford back to full numbers. Yardley remained rather lacklustre during the remainder of the first half, paying their high flying opponents far too much respect and it was no surprise when another goal was added before the break.

During the second half Yardley began to assert themselves and make life a lot more difficult for their opponents. During a better spell Yardley made some good chances but just could not make them count. Kingswinford had plenty of good play themselves but they found it much more difficult to break down a resolute Yardley defence.

The game ended with Kingswinford glad of the three points but with Yardley having given them a good run for their money with a much improved second half performance. This week Yardley travel away to Barlaston.

Match played on Sunday 28th February YARDLEY 6 DUDLEY KNIGHTS 2

For this re-arranged match between the league’s bottom two teams in the Bodykraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2, Yardley were below strength and Dudley Knights could only turn out with nine players.

The game started with Yardley forcing the pace against their depleted visitors and taking an early lead when top scorer, Ismail Mutlib completed a solo run on goal and giving the keeper no chance. Yardley continued to force the pace and a fine run by right -winger Charles Chikasha set up Mutlib and his assist found Munib Altaf for a simple tap-in.

Dudley Knights, to their credit, kept plugging away and forced the Yardley keeper into action several times in a brief spell of pressure. However, just before half time more good work by Mutlib gave Andy Elves the chance to put in a shot that gave the keeper no chance.

Although well in the lead, Yardley did not really make the most of their numerical advantage. Charles Chikasha followed up well from a short corner to add Yardley’s fourth. Then the Knights had a spell when they pulled back two goals, one from a followed up short corner and another from a speculative cross that caught Neal Makepeace unawares. For a while it looked as if the Knights might make a brave comeback. However, Yardley’s nerves were settled when Chikasha scored his second, a cracking goal moving in from the right wing. To finish the scoring, that man Mutlib again produced an assist for Munib Altaf to score his second and Yardley’s sixth to complete a comfortable win for the home team and a lift of two places up the table. For the Knights it completed a miserable week-end with six goals conceded in each of the two games played.

Match played on 13th February BLOXWICH 7 YARDLEY 0

Yardley were well beaten by one of the strong favourites for promotion in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2

It did not help Yardley’s cause to have to play without their leading goal-scorer. In spite of this Yardley made a spirited start, but it was soon evident that Bloxwich were much stronger and quicker to the ball both in defence and attack. All four of Bloxwich’s first half goals came from open play but Yardley’s efforts could well have seen them put away a couple of chances themselves.

During the second half Yardley still struggled to get the ball up to their front men and it was no great surprise when the home side scored their fifth. Inevitably the visitors tired towards the end allowing two more late goals to seal a comprehensive victory and move Bloxwich to top of the league with most goals scored. At least Yardley’s spirited efforts showed more promise than in other heavy defeats recently. They will hope to be back to full strength for two home matches this week-end, against Aston University on Saturday and Dudley Knights on Sunday.

Match played on 6th February Yardley 4 Oswestry 3

Yardley gave themselves a massive boost with this hard fought victory in the Body Kraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2

Earlier in the season these two teams shared an eight goal thriller and at one time it looked as if this result was going to end up the same way.

The visitors had the better of the early exchanges and Yardley’s keeper was soon hard at work to prevent his team going behind. Oswestry made their early superiority count when they took the lead, albeit through a soft goal after some slack defence. Yardley seemed to be stung into action and soon equalized after good work by Ismail Mutlib set up Luke Menzel for a simple tap in. Yardley continued in attacking mode as they looked to take the lead. However, Oswestry were always looking dangerous on the break and when a right-wing attack was again poorly defended they edged in front again. Yardley equalised again, before half time when John Skidmore’s cross found Rob McGuigan close in and he made no mistake.

With honours even at half time, Yardley started the second period eagerly pushing on and their pressure paid off when Andy Elves’s shot from the edge of the D found its way into the corner of the goal at the far post. Oswestry were still fighting to stay in the game and levelled the scores again, somewhat fortuitously, after a harmless looking shot spun into the net off the keeper’s pads. Another determined attack by Luke Menzel led to leading scorer Ismail Mutlib putting Yardley into the lead with a well-taken goal. With both teams looking dangerous on the attack the game looked as though it might end up with the same result as earlier in the season. However, Oswestry could not find any further way through Yardley’s determined defence and Yardley could not add to their slender lead and the final result was just reward for a spirited performance, the perfect reply to last week’s debacle!

Match played on 30th January Leamington 8 Yardley 0

After the promise shown in the previous week’s match , this result was a shattering blow to Yardley’s confidence in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2.

This was a performance to forget by Yardley, up against the favourites for promotion. Leamington were always quicker to the ball and much better organised. Yardley began slowly and were soon over-run in midfield. The hosts always seemed to have players to spare. It was no surprise that they raced into a 4-0 lead by half time.

At the start of the second half Yardley did show greater purpose and had some good possession but could not it convert into goals. Leamington scored a fifth to confirm their supremacy. With about ten minutes left, both teams had a player yellow-carded for violent conduct. Yardley’s efforts dwindled further and three more goals were scored by the league leaders to compound Yardley’s thoroughly miserable afternoon.

Match played on 23rd January 2010 Kynoch 2 Yardley 2

Yardley gained a well-earned away point as the second half of the BodyKraft MRHA West Midands Division 2 league programme finally got under way after the winter snows.

In spite of having to re-shuffle the team due to a late cry-off, Yardley started well and moved the ball around with promise while managing to soak up early pressure from the home team. Mid-way through a fairly even first half Yardley forced a short corner. Zach Jarvis’s shot was parried by the keeper. Good work by Andy Elves set up Ismail Mutlib to give Yardley the lead. Yardley’s lead was short lived and they will claim that a harsh decision led to Kynoch equalising from their own short corner.

During the second half Yardley continued to exert pressure on their hosts, but in spite of several good chances another goal seemed very difficult to come by. Eventually,however, a right wing break by Luke Menzil who beat a defender to cross the ball to set up Ismail Mutlib who scored his second and restore the visitors’ lead. Another short corner shot should have made the game safe but the umpire saw things differently! Kynoch managed to scramble an equaliser and for the remainder of the half both teams became rather edgy but could not score a winner. Yardley will feel that this was two points dropped rather than one won.

Match played on 12th December YARDLEY 3 PERSHORE 6

Yardley will feel disappointed not to have earned at least a point from this BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2 match against third placed Pershore.

In spite of a hat-trick from Ismail Mutlib, it was not enough to enable Yardley to gain anything from this entertaining game played out by two teams bent of attacking hockey.

Both teams made a steady start but it was Yardley’s keeper called into action first. Pershore steadily gained the upper hand for a while and took the lead from a short corner. Yardley hit back almost immediately and a brilliant piece of individual skill by Ismail Mutlib put Yardley back on level terms.

There was no more score before half time in spite of both teams producing good chances.

Early second half pressure by Pershore led to a second goal. A seemingly harmless looking attack led to a cross from the right wing being met by an on coming forward who deflected the ball into the net giving the keeper no chance. Again Yardley fought back strongly and good work by Rob McGuigan led to Ismail scoring his second to level the scores again. Shortly afterwards another superb individual run led to Ismail’s hat-trick and Yardley sneaking into the lead. Pershore were not to be outdone and they attacked back immediately and equalised. A defensive error by a Yardley defender let in Pershore to regain the lead. Two more late goals made sure the visitors clinched all three points to claim third place in the league.

Yardley will be very disappointed with the final result but pleased that the first half of the season has seen them playing some confident hockey, boding well for the future.

Match played on 5th December Rugeley 1 Yardley 2

Yardley must have thought that Christmas had come early as they fought their way to three points in the body Kraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2.

Rugeley made the best of the poor conditions during the first half. Yardley found it hard to pass the ball about on a bumpy pitch, in the pouring rain and under poor floodlights. Rugeley went ahead midway through the half. A left wing attack led to a shot on goal that was partially saved but the rebound off the keeper’s pads was scrambled in. With Matthew Bartlett showing some great anticipation and decisive tackling Yardley managed not to concede any more before half time.

Yardley came out for the second half in a more determined mood and began to pass the ball around much more positively. Luke Menzil drove down the right wing and crossed the ball into the D, it took a deflection into the path of Andy Elves who made no mistake to level the scores. Honours remained even for the next period of play, but then another right wing attack this time led by Scott Olliver led to the cross again falling to Andy Elves to score his second and put his team in front. For some reason Rugeley were not happy, words were said, leading to their goalkeeper being yellow carded.

Rugeley pushed hard to get back into the game but some valiant tackling and determined team work saw Yardley deservedly hang on for only their second win of the season. Moving up the league slightly will put Yardley in confident mood to face Pershore at home this week.

Match played on 28th November

YARDLEY 0 BARLASTON 3

Yardley will claim they deserved better from this BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2 encounter.

However, two goals in as many minutes mid-way through the second half were Yardley’s undoing after a spirited performance up until then. After a shaky start Yardley began to pose serious questions of the Barlaston defence as their youngsters attacked with speed and no little skill, but just could not finish off their promising moves. Barlaston too were attacking at every opportunity, their most promising moves coming down their right wing. Yardley’s defence, somehow held out and it was honours even at half-time.

During the second half both sides were looking for every opportunity to attack. Yardley’s keeper, Neal Makepeace, was the busier of the two and called upon to make several good saves. Two goals in a two minutes spell sealed the game in the visitors’ favour. The first came from a goalmouth scramble and the second almost immediately from a right wing attack that was not cleared effectively. Somewhat shell-shocked from this setback Yardley could not recover and conceded a third just before the end.

Yardley looked good going forward, but their defence seemed a little brittle at times. The whole team will need to be on their mettle this week for the difficult away game at Rugeley.

Match played on 21st November

KINGSWINFORD 4 YARDLEY 0

Yardley put in a gutsy performance against the current league leaders in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2

Still playing without their injured captain and also without their leading scorer Yardley were always going to be hard pressed against a team that beat them heavily last season. Indeed, Kingswinford set the early pace and took the lead through a short corner. Yardley rallied and tried to create some chances to get back into the game. However, it was goalkeeper Neal Makepeace who really kept his team in with a shout with a series of fine saves. He could do nothing about a Kingswinford breakaway attack that lead to the second goal. Kingswinford settled into their passing game and it was no surprise when the third goal went in. Yardley were finding things hard going, apart from the driving rain and howling gale, but were a little unlucky not to have pulled one back before half time.

During the second half Yardley rallied and began to create more chances and the league leaders were not having things all their own way. Dave Donkin was trying hard to set up Yardley’s moves from defence, but goals were not to be. Kingswinford added a somewhat fluky fourth from a shot going wide and left by the keeper, deflected off a defender and onto a post, leaving the forward with a simple tap in.

Yardley’s gutsy second half performance deserved something better, but at least they made the leaders work hard for their victory. Yardley will be hoping for something a more rewarding at home against Barlaston this week.

No Match played on 14th November

Match played on 7th November

Aston University 3 Yardley 0

Yardley’s recent blip in form continued in the Body Kraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2 as they slumped to another defeat against Aston University and failed to score for the first game this season.

Yardley started well enough but without any real penetration in their attacks. Eventually the students began to exert their own pressure and forced a short corner which led to a good shot to give them the lead. There was not much difference between the two sides during this period and Yardley missed a good chance to get back on level terms. The University added a second as a result of a goalmouth scramble that Yardley just could not clear, leaving the chance open for a simple tap in.

For most of the second half play was again very even. Yardley produced chances that they just could not convert. The students’ third goal resulted from penalty flick given as the ball hit a defender’s body on the line. Overall Yardley will rue their missed chances but will admit they didn’t play well enough to have got anything from this game. It’s probably just as well that they do not have a league game this week. Time to take stock and recharge the batteries!

Match played on 31st October

YARDLEY 2 BLOXWICH 12

After having played with a newfound enthusiasm over the last few weeks, Yardley will want to forget this performance in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Div 2 as soon as possible.

Playing without their injured skipper and also first choice goalkeeper against the league leaders was never going to be an easy task. A period of early pressure led to a short corner, the follow up from which the visitors took an early lead. A second goal soon followed from a similar situation and Bloxwich were now comfortably in the lead. Their speedier more direct approach had Yardley in all sorts of trouble two more goals in quick succession stamped their authority on the game. However, briefly, Yardley raised their game and a great solo run by the skilful Abra Baig into the D and led to a strong shot that deflected into the goal off a defender’s stick. This gave Yardley a littler more confidence and a free hit from Abra just outside the D was steered into the goal by the alert Ismail Mutlib. There followed a lengthy break in the game while the Yardley keeper received some attention for an injury received making a brave clearance from yet another Bloxwich attack.

Yardley’s brief resurgence was finally dented when Bloxwich added a fifth just before half time and their cause was not helped by a yellow card offence just before the break.

The second half brought no joy to Yardley and it was mainly one way traffic towards their goal. Midway through the half things got a little heated and two more yellow cards followed, one from each side. The captains were asked to take a time-out to calm their sides. Bloxwich plundered seven more goals during this half and Yardley were mighty glad to hear the final whistle to put an end to a thoroughly miserable performance.

Yardley will hope to be able to turn out with a full strength side for their next game away to Aston University.

Match played on 24th October

OSWESTRY 4 YARDLEY 4

Yardley almost pulled off an amazing victory in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2 after an eventful journey to the northern reaches of Shropshire to take part in an eight goal thriller in ‘a game of two halves’ of contrasting fortunes.

The start of the game was held up as several of Yardley’s players were delayed on their journey to the game. In spite of a hectic start it was Yardley who pressed first in the early stages. Then, somewhat against the run of play, Oswestry scored first from a break-away attack. This completely upset Yardley’s rhythm and they seemed to lose their way completely as Oswestry added another three goals before half time, when they must have thought that the three points were well and truly in the bag.

Whatever was said at half-time transformed Yardley’s fortunes. Right from the start of the second period the visitors stepped up a gear or two and sorted out their approach to the game. Within the first five minutes a very determined left wing attack led to a cross being put into the D to be met by Scott Olliver who made no mistake. A similar move soon afterwards led to Yardley further reducing the arrears, this time Luke Menzel was on hand to finish off the move. Oswestry hardly knew what had hit them during this time as Yardley continued to press forward. The skilful Ismail Mutlib added a third to give his side real hope of saving the game. Luke Menzel added his second as Yardley finally drew level to complete an amazing turn-around in fortunes showing a great strength of character. Further chances were created but Yardley just could not snatch the winner their second half display surely merited.

Match played on 17th October

YARDLEY 1 LEAMINGTON 2

Missing several first choice players Yardley still managed to put in a spirited performance in the BodyKraft MRHA West Midlands Division 2. Both teams made a steady start, but it was the visitors who looked most likely to score first. However, it was Yardley who edged in front after Andy Elves made a persistent run down the left wing, avoiding several attempted tackles, and managed to put in a cross which eventually fell to Luke Menzel for a simple tap-in. Leamington tried to raise their game but wasted several chances before eventually levelling the scores from a short corner. Leamington tried to add to their score but good work by the Yardley keeper kept the scores level at half time.

During the second half it was Leamington forcing the pace for most of the time, but Yardley’s defence remained pretty sound and keeper Neal Makepeace was called into a fair bit of action before Leamington eventually scored what turned out to be the winner. Leamington should have added to their slender lead but a combination of spirited defence and wasted opportunities meant that they finally just edged the three points.

Yardley’s performance was once again full of promise and they will be hoping that their injured players will have recovered for the journey to Shropshire to play Oswestry this week.

Match played on 10th October

YARDLEY

Yardley were somewhat unfortunate to end up on the wrong side of a seven goal thriller in the BodyKraft West Midlands Division 2. With both teams having won their opening games last week this always promised to be an exciting game.

However, Yardley were caught napping right from the first whistle as Kynoch cleverly took the ball right through from the start and slotted the ball home before the home defence had got itself settled. Yardley quickly set about trying to make amends and came close to levelling the scores on several occasions. Finally, after some good approach play, forcing a short corner, Yardley did draw level. One of Yardley’s promising youngsters, Zach Jarvis, flicked the ball home giving the defence no chance. At half –time it was something of a mystery why the scores were still level as Yardley had frequently threatened to pull ahead.

It was Kynoch who came closest to scoring first during the early exchanges of the second half, but later, after a period of Yardley pressure a short corner attack led to a penalty flick after a goal-line offence. Zach Jarvis confidently sent the keeper the wrong way to score his second and put Yardley back in front. Both teams were making threatening attacks whenever possible and Kynoch levelled the scores again from a short corner. Further good play by Yardley saw another youngster, Ismail Mutlib, make an excellent solo run, beat the keeper and drive the ball home. After more exciting play by both teams it was the visitors who again levelled the scores. Kynoch sensed victory and pressed hard but found the Yardley defence in resilient mood until late in the game when a shot from the edge of the D found its way into the net to give Kynoch the lead once again. Although Yardley worked hard they just could not get back into the game.

Although it was a disappointing end result, Yardley can take heart from their performance as they prepare to take on Leamington at home this week.

Match played on 3rd October

DUDLEY KNIGHTS 0 YARDLEY 8

Yardley could not have dreamed of making such a start to the new league campaign in the BodyKraft West Midlands League Division 2. Last season’s basement boys, themselves on the receiving end of many a beating dealt a harsh lesson to the newcomers to the league.

Four goal Ismail Mutlib led the way in an impressive display to shoot Yardley to an early lead at the top of the table. Good wing play led to Yardley taking a three goal lead within the first ten minutes with goals from Ismail Mutlib, Luke Menzel and Scott Olliver. Yardley remained in attacking mode for the remainder of the half but could not add to their lead before half-time. During this time Yardley ‘keeper only touched the ball once.

For the first period of the second half Yardley kept on the attack mainly directly down the centre of the pitch but found some resistance from the league newcomers. However, in the latter stages Yardley seemed to step up a gear. Two more goals each from Ismail and also from Abra Baig put the game way out of Dudley’s control. Yardley were awarded a short corner just as the final whistle blew and Ismail rounded off a thoroughly impressive personal display to add his fourth.

Yardley will be hoping that this early form will continue this week when they play at home against Kynoch.