Yateley Men’s 2nd XI 2-0 Chichester Men’s 3rd XI

Yateley 2nds kicked off their league campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win against relegated Chichester at Frogmore on Saturday.

Starting the stronger Yateley were quickly into their stride, creating several half-chances and were unlucky not to be in front mainly down to some fine goalkeeping by the Chichester keeper.

However, after 15 minutes, the Yateley breakthrough came. A swift right wing attack through Chris Hedges saw the loose ball roll to Veteran striker Andy Speed, who finished calmly into an empty net.

This seemed to galvanise Chichester who started to control the game through the middle of the park, however, for all their amount of neat passing and possession they could not create any clear chances due to the excellent midfield screen of Player Coach Lee Clark and Craig Pearcy, and on the few occasions that they did penetrate into the Yateley “D” the back line of Holden, Moor-Bardell, Edwards, and Joyce stood firm and to give Yateley Keeper little to do.

With the half drawing to a close Yateley scored their second which would ultimately kill of the game. Again some superb right wing play by Sam Marchant, who took on three defenders and the keeper before rolling the ball to Speed to complete his brace with a calm finish into the roof of an empty net.

At half time Yateley skipper Justin Hatch rightly praised his player for a fine 1st half display whilst warning not to let any complacency slip into their game.

As the game progressed Yateley really should have won by a greater margin, with the visiting keeper producing a string of fine saves to keep the score line at 2-0. Speed though should have completed his hat-trick when he managed to amazingly find the defenders stick on the line rather than the huge open net in front of him! Jason Clegg was also unlucky not to open his League account when he was adjudged to have obstructed the keeper before finishing off another fine flowing move from the home side.

In the searing heat both side were clearly happy to hear the final whistle, although, Yateley were obviously the far happier!

Sam Marchant was awarded the Man of the Match performance for a superb display followed closely by Joe Edwards.

Next week sees the 2nds travel to Southampton the take on the University 3rd XI.

YATELEY: R Hooker – J Edwards, D Joyce, I Holden, J Moor-Bardell – S Marchant, L Clark, C Pearcy, J Hatch – A Speed, J Clegg – C Hedges, R Goodchild