| Team | Yardley Men’s 1st Team |
| Opponent | West Bromwich |
| Date | March 12, 2016 |
| Result | Loss |
| Score | 1 – 4 |
Goal scorer: Noor Zaman
This was west Bromwich’s last league game of the season. This win in the Warwick Printing Hockey League West Midlands Division 1 made sure that they remain still well in the promotion hunt.
West Bromwich made a confident start, passing the ball about well but did not really threaten their hosts’ goal at this stage. In fact it was Yardley who had the first shot on target when Rob McGuigan forced the West Brom keeper to be alert to keep out his shot on goal.
Further West Brom pressure led to a short corner from which they opened the scoring after about ten minutes. At this stage, although defending resolutely enough Yardley were limited in their attacking chances. However, Yardley did manage to grab an equaliser from a short corner of their own. The initial shot on goal was only partially cleared with the ball falling to Noor Zaman who only needed a simple tap in to score.
With skipper Zach Jarvis working hard to push his team forward, it was also great credit to Yardley’s defence with Gavin Hetherington and Matt Bartlett at the heart that West Brom could not add to their initial goal. Yardley keeper Neal Makepeace was also in good form making many crucial saves.
With a West Brom player carded off before half time, Yardley were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage. However, Yardley held their own until half time and were happy enough to be level pegging at the break.
At the start of the second half both teams probed for openings and both defences were called upon to work hard. West Brom edged back in front when one of their attacks was only partially cleared. Alert following up put the ball into the net.
With the visitors now sensing they might be on the winning trail, another attack led to a third goal. Yardley now realised that there was realistically no way back from this but they kept manfully to their task. There followed a rather disjointed period when both teams were affected by yellow and green card situations at different times. The game was finally well and truly won when well taken West Bromwich goal meant that they remained in second place in the league. Promotion or otherwise, will have to wait until third place Leamington have played league leaders Stafford this week. It’s all to play for.
Yardley will finish their season with a visit to Pershore content that they will not finish bottom as they have done for several occasions recently.
Sent in by Peter Brainch (Publicity Officer and Club Secretary