YARDLEY saved their best performance of the MRHA West Midlands Division One campaign until the final day of the season with a 4-1 victory over Droitwich Spa.
Work commitments and injuries meant Yardley started the game with ten players.
The numerical disadvantage did not seem to worry the hosts as they set about their task in earnest, setting the early pace of the game.
In spite of this it was the visitors who missed an early chance to grab the lead.
Yardley’s pace on the break was causing Droitwich some problems and after a brilliant breakout from defence, the ball found its way to Noor Zaman who went on to beat a couple of defenders before rounding the keeper and calmly slotting the ball home.
Another attack initiated by influential skipper Zach Jarvis led to Noor getting on the scoresheet for the second time in the game.
In spite of these setbacks, Droitwich kept on pressing forward, trying to make their extra man count.
They forced several short corners before half-time but could not make any of them count and Yardley took a deserved lead into the break.
At the start of the second half Yardley continued to press forward, making light of being a man short and they were unlucky not to add another during this period.
Yardley’s positive forward play was rewarded with a series of penalty corners, the third of which led to Robin Stanley firing home a fierce shot to extend the home side’s advantage.
The hosts added a fourth when Jeevan Chagger got hold of a great cross from the right and swept the ball into the goal.
Droitwich, to their credit, kept to their game plan and even forced the Yardley keeper, Neal Makepeace into some spectacular saves and clearances.
Eventually the visitors got a consolation when they scored from one of their corners.
