Yateley Men’s 2XI were quick to get things started against rival Trojans. After last week’s incredible win, Yateley came out guns blazing. We carved out plenty of chances and could easily have been 3 or 4 up in the first 10 minutes. However, a break against the run of play from Trojans became dangerous. With a rocket-paced ball launched into the D and a quick thinking deflection, Trojans drew first blood.

Going 1-0 down and feeling hard done by, Yateley continued to press hard for an equaliser. Sure enough after a few more waves of attack, Yateley passed their way into the box and with smart thinking, Jake Morgan passed the ball back to Chris Renshaw just as the keeper dived, allowing an easy tap in goal.

Feeling a sense of passion and determination, Yateley’s were fired up. However, Trojans had given Yateley a false sense of hope, as with the very next attack they won a controversial short corner and scored.

Yateley again on the back foot refocused and tried to find a way back into the game. With a new-found fire in their belly, Yateley began further turning the screw. Jake Morgan’s pace was too much to handle and he slotted in Stuart Brimble for his second assist and a well-deserved equaliser. It was then a matter of continuing the hard work and pushing for that desirable win. Only moments later, Yateley drove fast again with Jake Morgan playing in Mark Laskey who calmly set up Stuart Brimble who beat the oncoming keeper. Yateley finally had the lead after fighting hard to get there.

Trojans fought back well and put the pressure on Yateley with high intensity breaks, finding a gap in the middle of the park.

Yateley’s formation became weaker with it looking more like 5:0:5 than a 2:3:2:3. The subs worked hard but with captain Phil Cundy putting them in a 5minute rotational system, the team burned out with 10minutes to go. Yateley trying to hold on to those precious 3 points it became a difficult task to do. Eventually with a fast break from Trojans, with minutes left on the clock, Hatch, Cundy and Heighes were swarmed by several Trojans players in the D. Goalkeeper Tom Laskey made some impressive saves to keep them out, the ball being cleared a few times only as far as the 25yrd line, Trojans finally used the overload, rounded Tom and got the scores back level.

Yateley pushed and pushed to get the winner but it wasn’t to come. Trojans must have felt like they had won, but to Yateley it was 2 points dropped and a sour taste of what happens when you don’t deal with mistakes, a lack of fitness and missed early chances to increase their lead.

Things became even more sour after captain Phil Cundy got Green carded with a minute to go to the final whistle. Not backing off 5yrds from a foul after waiting for the foul to go his way. A key lesson in playing to the whistle and playing to the rules.

Yateley Mens 2s are still unbeaten but if they want to continue battling for a top spot they must acknowledge the errors and work on correcting them ready for Andover next week. The effort is there, the passion is there, Yateley Mens 2s will battle on.
Congratulations go to man of the match and hero goalkeeper Tom Laskey.