M4s salvage a point against Edgbaston 8

Sils got off to a promising start against visitors Edgbaston 8 with John Harrison looking dangerous (as only John can) down the right. He fired some well struck balls into the D right across the goal mouth. Our forwards were ready and waiting having taken up good positions in the D. Unfortunately the understanding from previous games wasn’t quite there and we didn’t make the best of these opportunities. Perhaps getting a few more players into the D would have enabled us to cover all the options.

Nevertheless Sils continued to apply pressure and looked the most likely to score. Then somewhat out of the blue, Edge burst forward and scored a breakaway goal and a pretty average one at that.

Sils continued to apply pressure and a goal still seemed likely giving every reason to feel optimistic. A couple of well struck shots flew wide and a few ‘less well struck’ were dealt with easily by their keeper. Pressing hard in their D resulted in a goal mouth melee and their keeper managed to smother the ball. He resisted all attempts to poke it past him into the net. The resulting penalty corner was well taken but did not produce the much needed goal. Shortly after that Matt Lyons attacked the goal from the right and pushed the ball firmly towards the bottom corner. He was denied a goal by a defenders foot - surely a penalty stroke? The umpire awarded a short corner. Perhaps he felt another defender was close enough to stop the goal.

Twenty minutes gone and Sils were still striving for their first goal. During another goal mouth melee the keeper tried again to smother the ball but this time he wasn’t so successful. The play became very untidy but John Harrison’s persistence paid off when he managed to poke the ball under the keeper into the net. Well done John, now we were back on level terms.

A great strike from Simon Russell flew across the keeper at chest height. A wonderful reaction save by the keeper saw him deflect the ball wide with his outstretched stick. A very good save.

An increasing amount of stick tackling from Edgbaston began to unsettle us and the fact that it went unpunished was very frustrating. More on this later.

With seconds left on the clock before half-time Edge mounted a lightening counter attack and scored a very ordinary goal to regain the lead. In three break-away attacks Edge had managed to score two goals. This was gutting and did not reflect the balance of play, very depressing.

Edgbaston had a couple of very capable defenders and some very quick forwards. At left back a young player, probably in his teens, proved to be very competent, composed and quite skilful. In the centre at the back they had a much older player, Kembie, certainly in his sixties but despite his age he was extremely difficult to beat. We should have devised a strategy to deal with both of them but we didn’t. During the first half we had taken the ball much too close to these players instead of passing it around them. This would also be a feature of the second half.

The second half proved to be equally frustrating. Time and again they disrupted our build up play and regained possession through illegal stick tackling. They wasted no time in exploiting the umpires’ apparent leniency on this issue and took full advantage of it. One of their older guys had clearly identified what was happening and he constantly urged his team to keep playing until the whistle went. He reinforced this with frequent shouts of, “Play to the whistle.” He understood exactly what was going on.

We on the other hand were a little naïve and were caught napping on several occasions when we expected to hear the whistle – and didn’t. We were getting hustled off the ball. One counter-tactic is to shield the ball and make the easiest passes available to retain possession until the gaps open up. Of course this is much easier said than done. An alternative is to follow the example of our opponents but that doesn’t promote good hockey.

Ultimately it is up to the umpires to control the game and promote fair play. This one issue remained unchecked and carried the potential to boil over and get out of hand – fortunately it didn’t.

As ever, Shaun understood exactly what was happening and began to get stuck in with real determination. Rock hard, great awareness, great tackling, great passing; he really does lead by example and is a true inspiration for us all.

That’s not to imply that there was any lack of determination and effort from the rest of the team. Far from it, Sils showed grit and determination and continued to press high at every opportunity. There was absolutely no question of us giving up. We definitely wanted to score again.

Following some strong forward play we were awarded a Penalty Stroke. John elected to take it and flicked it reasonably well but unfortunately the goal keeper saved it.

There was one rather bizarre moment. John Harrison produced a visionary injection at a short corner. Unfortunately no one else shared the same vision.

The pace of their forwards posed a constant threat and as we pressed they countered. Fortunately the defence kept them at bay through sheer hard work. Mick, Mike, Murray and Sam put in a real shift. Yogi in particular played out of his skin to keep the ball out. In one ten minute period he made a succession of important saves, good saves that kept us in the game. Well done Yogi, great play.

Young Sam Teal could easily have been fazed by the relentless pressure and tension in this very tough game. Not a bit of it. He remained focussed throughout, stuck to his task and played with composure and confidence. Well done Sam, great to have you in the team.

Despite not being on top of the game there was no lack of effort from the Sils. In mid-field Dave and Simon worked their socks off.

Time was starting to run out. Then it came. Someone picked out Matt Lyons at the top of the D. He immediately passed back to Shaun on the 23 who passed it straight in to Andy. He slipped it to Matt who slotted the ball to equalise. Matt’s first goal this season could not have come at a better time hence, ‘Butcher Boy Saves Sils Bacon’ (thanks for the tag line Dave). His father John Lyons, retired Master Butcher and erstwhile Sils goal scorer, was watching from the touchline with a wry smile – ‘a chop off the old block’ comes to mind.

The goal came from a great piece of interplay and shows what we can and should be doing more often. It was also a fitting reward for playing hard right to the end of the game.

There was a feeling of frustration and disappointment after the final whistle, not because we could have won but because we should have won.

On a more positive note it’s worth reflecting on the statistics. After three league games we are undefeated and top the table with 15 goals and 7 points. Who can remember the last time that happened?

Enjoy the break and remember that we have an extra hour in which to prepare for the next game – use it wisely.

Post Script

Yogi. The challenge word is included if somewhat heavily disguised.

Finally a true Revelation.

Murray has just walked the entire length of the Thames, from mouth to source, without getting his feet wet. Surely a miracle.
His Christian name’ Murray’, from the Irish Gaelic, is Mac Giolla Mhuire. This translates as: “descendant of the servant of the Virgin Mary". Are you sensing a theme?
His surname ‘Creed’ means Faith.
His salutation ‘Your Worship’ means reverence to a deity.
He judges from on high, I’m thinking Sermon on the Mount.
He works with a jury of twelve. This is getting scary, stay with me.
He plays with a Hockey Stick, Shepherds Crook - The Good Shepherd.
He has a perfect parting in his hair, the Parting of the Waves in the Red S….

This is no Monkey business – I’m a Believer!