Old Silhillians 1 - 4 Redditch

Old Silhillians 1 (0) - (1) 4 Redditch

Goalscorer: Sam Straw

The recent run of good results for the Simon Russell Army ended at the John Harrison Arena and Home for Retired Gentlefolk on Saturday, as the league leaders Redditch arrived buoyed by results that had seen them astride the table much as Alexander the Great dominated the ancient world before the ascendancy of Rome. The Threes were depleted by injury and unavailability, and were not helped when Jim injured himself in the first ten minutes, and was replaced in goal by the willing and able (if maybe not ready) Steve Aylin.

Redditch are a strong and physical unit, and were always a threat. However, the Sils are a team on the up, and despite going 1-0 down early on, played some of their best hockey of the season. Captain for the Day Rich Foord led by example, and the young players stood up to every challenge. Both Bartons, Dom, Jimmy, Ollie and the redoubtable figure of Sam were brilliant. In fact the whole team raised their game. Sils had several chances, and it was no more than they deserved when Sam slotted home a PC just into the second half.

The game was hard, tough and fast. Redditch play to their strengths, and the heroic Aylin was called into action on several occassions. Despite great efforts, Sils were hampered by having no subs (sounds like the Royal Navy - Ed), and as our energy (if not our effort) flagged, they score three times toward the end of the game. Sils never gave up though, and in many ways this was the best performance of the season. It made me very proud to see the younger players matching the league leaders for the whole game. It was also excellently umpired by the behemoths of Sils hockey umpiring Andrew and Jono.

The traditional post-match revelry saw Sam win his second player of the match award, and heavy fines for some of the more senior and unlucky members of the team. We move on - to the next challenge against West Brom.