Comeback Victory in Epic U16 Match

Old Silhillians U16 Boys 4 (1) - (2) 3 Sutton Coldfield U16 Boys

Goalscorers: Luke Wood-Edens (2), Jacques Banton, Josh Rice

Having conceded their first match due to lack of availability, the Sils U16s were hungry to get points on the board.

In an early start, Sils did not start well, with Sutton clearly attacking through their two best players through the middle of the pitch. It took a while for the home team to get a handle on this, and by this time, Sutton were already 2-0 up, with Sils being left short of cover at the back on a couple of occasions.

The home team grabbed a vital lifeline to the game, when their guest player, Luke Wood-Edens, made his first telling contribution of the match. He nipped in to rob one of the Sutton midfielders before accelerating away from that man, and then beating a further two defenders leaving him in space to drive into the D, and fire past the home goalkeeper. Game on.

A quick half-time, and the two teams were keen to get back out and resume their battle. Five minutes into the second half and a slight moment of controversy - a defensive clearance by Sils was charged down by a Sutton striker who then went onto feed another forward who collided with Nick Rice and somehow deflected past Theo Olifent in goal. At this point, the goal was awarded, but then two of the Sutton defenders stated that their striker had been hit in the thigh when charging the ball down - a quick conversation between the umpires and the Sutton umpire had to over-turn the goal.

A few minutes later and the Sils were level. Calum Rice was fouled heavily in the 23, providing an opportunity for Jacques Banton to smash home the equaliser from the resultant PC.

Then, another tense moment. Sils awarded a second PC - Banton again smashed towards the goal, and a Sutton defender deflected the ball down into his own net; no goal, original strike was too high - this game had it all.

Sutton wrestled back the initiative by taking the lead again with 20 minutes to go scoring from one of their own PCs.

However, Sils were not finished. By now the home side were passing the ball around effortlessly, and the two main players on the Sutton side were noticeably tiring. Josh Rice and Sam Johnstone combined to release Luke Wood-Edens into space to attack the 23, and another tired tackle on him lead to a further PC. Seconds later and Wood-Edens had despatched a drag-flick into the roof of the net. 3-3 with 15 minutes to play.

Theo Olifent was called upon to make a couple of important saves before Wood-Edens again produced a moment of class - noticing Josh Rice in space beyond the Sutton defence and throwing a 50 yard aerial over the top to pick him out. Rice attacked the D with purpose, cut inside the defender, and unleashed a reverse stick shot which took a deflection and slammed home into the goal for the winner.

By this stage, a crowd of around 60 people were watching and had been treated to an absolute spectacle - what a match, and what a result. Great play, and great perseverance by the home side .Roll on the next fixture on the 8th November.