HOCKEY: ANY hopes of starting the second half of the season on a positive note ended badly for Yardley after they tasted an 8-1 defeat at home to Pershore in the Warwick League West Midlands One.
After three weeks away from action Yardley were back in action on Saturday but they got off to the worst possible start with just five minutes on the clock.
Pershore’s first threatening attack down the right wing was thwarted by birthday-boy Alex Makepeace’s attempt to put in a tackle, but in the process he incurred a head injury that resulted in him needing hospital treatment for stitches. With no substitutes on the side, Yardley had to carry on with just ten players.
Pershore seized their opportunity and soon began to boss the game, moving the ball about threateningly, however, their first attempt on goal from a short corner was well saved.
Although they kept manfully seizing any opportunity that came their way, Yardley were increasingly fighting a rear-guard action and they soon found themselves 4-0 down by half-time.
Pershore started the second half in much the same positive way, but Yardley were sticking to their task well, with all defenders and in particular, keeper, Neal Makepeace, performing heroics to keep the visitors’ attackers at bay.
A fifth goal was conceded before life became even more difficult for the home side when defender Gavin Hetherington began a surging run out of defence but on reaching half-way pulled up with a leg injury.
Nine-man Yardley dug deep to prevent an avalanche of goals, however Pershore were able to score twice more but also put quite a few chances wide.
To their great credit, Yardley had the last say in this eventful game. After a rare attack, Yardley were able to force a short corner from which Noor Zaman was able to put in a firm shot that gave the keeper no chance.
