HOCKEY: A WEAKENED Yardley side slipped to a disappointing 11-0 defeat away at Redditch in the Midland League West Midland One division, report Peter Brainch.
Yardley knew they were in for a difficult trip against a Redditch side who sat second in the table and the visitors were without several first team players due to unavailability.
The young visiting side made a bright start as they held their positions well with Neal Makepeace being called upon to make a series of early saves.
Although Yardley’s defence coped well enough early on it was not long before Redditch scored their first goal after a home forward was able to run clean through and slot home unchallenged.
Yardley did create a few good chances themselves but were unable to make any of them count, while Redditch continued to press forward and forced a number of short corners which were converted to hold a comfortable 4-0 lead at half-time.
The hosts continued to dominate the second half and with the visitors wilting under the onslaught it was mainly one way traffic and they were able to score seemingly at will.
With another tough away game next week against another of the promotion candidates – Old Wulfrunians. Yardley will hope that at least they will be back to somewhere near full strength to give a better account of themselves.
