5th team win in unlikely style

A mix of youth and experience took the field against Droitwich looking to put the previous defeat against Yardley behind them.

Looking at the line-ups, the teams looked evenly matched in terms of ages, but the home side were definitely the first to get into their gear, dominating the early exchanges in the middle of the pitch, and it was no surprise when they took the lead, reacting to a loose ball in the D to fire home from 6 metres out to take a deserved lead.

However, with a couple of positional changes, the Sils began to string together some better moves, with the right-hand side looking particularly dangerous at times. However, it was with the side's first meaningful attack down the left that the equaliser came. Some short sharp passes were exchanged between Thomas Loughran, Harvey Wilson and Tony Dwyer, to find space for Josh Rice at the top of the D. He drove into the D and fired a reverse-stick shot towards the goal which is brother Calum Rice cleverly latched onto and fired home from close range.

At half-time the team talk was about patience, and to keep playing the way the side were, ensuring that the one or two key home team players were isolated and would hopefully tire.

The tactic began to pay dividends, with Brandon Munemo working hard in the centre of the pitch to break down the home team attacks and John Rice then releasing attacks down both flanks. With Nick Rice and Thomas Loughran being expertly marshalled by John Harrison, the Sils defence was looking pretty secure - Captain Stephen Tabb making his debut in goal was even able to make 3 or 4 telling (fairly regulation) saves to ensure Droitwich were not able to score again.

As the game went on, Droitwich's stronger players were dropping deeper and deeper making it look less likely that Sils would be able to score a winner, however, Harvey Wilson was able to win a PC and Thomas Loughran came up from his defensive role to fire the initial shot, and then react quickly to pounce on the save and then flick home with aplomb. A few minutes later, and the victory that the Sils just about deserved was secured when Brandon Munemo won a PC, and once again Loughran reacted first in the D to fire home from a loose ball - securing him the Player of the Match award with his two goals giving him the slight edge over Nick Rice who had also put in a very solid defensive display.

Sam Teal and James Harris should also get mention for their tireless efforts running in midfield and stretching the play when required.

Next week the M5 have a week off, but no doubt most of these players will be playing M4 or Lions; the youngsters in particular are developing very well as players and the future is looking very bright.