The Mighty 4s roar on with an impressive 10-1 victory over Bromsgrove 5.

This was the first weekend that Bromsgrove were able to play on their brand new Astroturf pitch. We were looking forward to it but unfortunately the new surface was covered with a thick layer of sand and this made playing conditions slow and difficult. Apparently the new sand had become damp before it had all filtered down into the fibres so it is just a temporary issue. Teething problems aside this is a superb facility for Bromsgrove and when the sand settles down they will have a great pitch right on their doorstep. As it turned out Sils adapted to the surface much more quickly and effectively than the home side who had the more difficult time of it.

Strolling casually across the sand under the blazing sun wearing his retro shades and favourite long shorts Mick looked as though he was back in Tenerife - ron de miel pour favor - iSalud! Shaun soon brought him back to earth!

For the first time the Sils technical area looked fully staffed with stalwart Analogue Pat manning the clock alongside new apprentice, Digital Dom, recording the match stats on his high tech iPad. Progress!

We got off to a flying start when John Harrison scored a really good goal after just two minutes and forty-five seconds. This must be our quickest goal ever and it was just the start we needed.

Sustained early pressure continued when Alex Willetts drew a defender before slipping the ball across the D to Keith Willetts who knocked it into the net. Yogi has a word for it which escapes me.

The next ten minutes saw Keith make three really good attempts on goal. He put the first just inside the near post at waist height but the deflected it wide with his outstretched hand. The second was a cracking snap shot just inside the far post but he was denied again, this time by the tip of the keeper’s boot. Finally, John put in a fine cross which Keith swept just inches wide of the far post. That’s life. Shortly before half-time Andrew Rush scored Sils third with an excellent drag flick.

Within a few minutes of the restart Alex Willetts scored with a trade mark reverse stick shot and this was followed by a goal from Simon Russell who thumped in short corner. By now the goals were coming at regular intervals. Andy scored again and this was quickly followed by a second from John and then a second from Simon. Shortly after this Andy swept through into the D to score again and complete a thoroughly deserved hat-trick. Well done.

The goals were rolling in but it was hard work and some of the play was of a very robust nature. Having conceded so many goals one might have expected Bromsgrove to lose heart but at no point during the game did they give up. They worked really hard and frequently put our defence under pressure. Fortunately Mick, Mike and Craig were working well together and defending as a unit. They looked in control and solid enough to allow Steve, Shaun and Dave to press high. Shaun had a cracking shot that went inches wide and he also fired a great ball into the D which we, unfortunately, failed to connect with. It deserved better.

There came a moment of confusion at the back. A poor defensive error left one of their forwards with a simple tap in. They obviously felt they deserved a goal because of all the hard work, effort and determination that they had maintained throughout the game. Yogi, however, was understandably annoyed because he had been denied the chance of a clean sheet through no fault of his own. Ditto because I desperately need the Fantasy League points.

Andy was beginning to feel some pain in his recently injured ankle so, with the last game of the season pending, he wisely elected to come off before it got any worse.

With just minutes remaining Steve Aylin pushed very high up our left wing. He pulled off a great tackle to retrieve the ball before driving into the D to shoot from a narrow angle. The keeper had it covered but Keith deflected it across to the far post. In doing so he inadvertently took all the pace off the ball. It looked as though it might just cross the line but Tony Dwyer darted in to make sure it didn’t. He then scuffed his shot but the ball had just enough pace to creep two inches over the line. It never crossed my mind to try and stop it!

This was yet another great team performance from the Mighty 4s. Non-stop effort from start to finish and the first time the 4s have reached double figures. Great work at the back from Yogi, Mick, Mike and Craig, lovely skills from Shaun and Steve, solid graft from Dave and Tony, great tackling and forward play from Simon and Alex, determined driving attacking runs from John and slippery flowing runs from Andy. If the game lacked anything it was a stroppy aerial from Harrison but then you can’t have it all.

Roll on the final game at home against Worcester 8. Let’s go out and play the ball around with early short passing and long through balls only when the opportunity is right. Can’t wait.

Man of the Match: Simon Russell

Still to achieve with one game remaining:
• original target 40+ goals, upgraded to 60+  (Now for 70+ !)
• 38 points
• 12 league games
• Andy to score 20+ league goals  (25?)
• John , Keith, Simon  to get double figures in league goals
(Keith has reached 9 so still one to go)
• a clean sheet for Yogi
• get Betty over the half way line (both feet or it doesn’t count!)
• Win the team trophy

And finally…
I know the whole team would wish me to extend our thanks and gratitude to Simon and Rachel for providing us all with such delicious food and generous quantities of restorative drinks. A truly memorable and a joyful evening. Loved it.

Thank you both so much

Keith (on behalf of The Mighty 4s)