Sils 4s draw 3 each with Kidderminster in mid-season friendly.

This weeks match report by Andy Rush.

It would be all too easy to come away from this week’s game feeling somewhat frustrated for being held to a home draw against Kidderminster but let’s discard the negative and focus on the important things that resulted from what was an enjoyable fixture. In the words of the esteemed Mr. Aylin, “Positive. Positive. Positive.”
And so to the game.

We attacked well from the start with some great linking play and exhibitions of brilliant individual skill from debutants Maxim and Tom (If any of the higher sides are reading this report, they were both terrible, please don’t steal them). We linked some successive passes together and looked threatening at all times so it came as no surprise when one such attack found Maxim in the D able to artfully guide the ball into the back of the Kidderminster net. Great run of play. Fantastic finish.
We carried on pressing forward but sometimes found it difficult to contain the opposition’s two main playmakers who attacked well and distributed the ball with pace and accuracy. A well-deserved nod to Messrs. Lane and Fitch who provided stalwart defence and bravery, making life very difficult for the opposition’s wingers throughout the game.

Our pressure continued to pay off and we managed to win a handful of short corners. One of which saw a pinpoint injection from John H out to Rushy who managed to beat the advancing defender and flick (for a change) the ball into the back of the net. The Fours had found their stride.

Kidderminster kept up the pace however, their centre midfielders keeping our defence on their toes. A challenge to which they rose. It is unfortunate that a short corner materialised late in the first half that resulted in a shot and subsequent Kidderminster goal. I am told by our tenacious GK, Yogi, that the shot “ballooned up and bamboozled...” I’m not quite fluent in Goalkeeper so if anyone can help me out with this one, I’d be grateful.

Half time. Sils 2 – 1 Kidderminster.

Due to an unfortunate not to mention poorly timed thumb injury late in the first half, I wasn’t there at the half-time team talk but I imagine it went something like this:

Dave addressed the breathless but high spirited Mighty IVs like an ancient general, stick held aloft like a scimitar, woad battle paint glowing under the harsh floodlights. Cries of “load the left” and “short simple passes” echoed through the twilight air. And like the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, the IVs’ vigour was restored and they took to field again, bloodlust piqued, ready to once more face the Persian hordes of Kidderminster…

…or something like that anyway…I eat a lot of cheese and don’t sleep that well.
Anyway.

Sils found themselves held a little more defensively at the beginning of 2nd half due to an elevated pressure from the Kidderminster midfield and attack which, whilst making life harder for our defence, they refused to be walked over and we saw some absolutely exemplary play from the entire back line and a stunning, highlight reel tackle from Steve Aylin at the top of the D that certainly prevented a shot on goal.

Eventually, the pressure paid off for the opposition in the shape of another short corner which, despite Sils’ best efforts, was slipped back to their injector and slotted into the back of the Sils net. 2 – 2.

Undeterred, the Mighty IVs pressed on into the opposition half with some great distributing play from the back line and individual skill from midfield. Midway through the half, John Harrison picked up the ball and made a characteristically surging run down the right wing. A perfect pass found Rushy. Rushy found the roof of the net. Victory was in sight.

However, it was not to be and a rare defensive mishap saw Yogi and Craig tied up and the ball in the goal.

Man of the match, young Mick Lane for great defensive play.

Closing Figures:
70 Minutes of Hard Work (again)
3 Goals
30+ Total League Goals
+17 Goal Difference
2 Ambitious and Skilful Youngsters
1 Undefeated League Campaign
1 Force to be Reckoned With

Bring on Olton