After last week's snow-affected cancellation, Sils took on Cannock looking to go one better than their draw from the first half of season. With 100-goal Northcott now retired from playing, Will Cobb focussing on A-levels, Aamer away for the weekend and Alan returned to Mexico, the team took the opportunity to continue blooding young players into the side.

Early signs were good, with the fitness and speed of Fin Davies, Ollie Cooper and Jimmy Gayton allowing the team to commit players forward whilst also being able to recover against the older Cannock side. Ben Harmer went close early on, expertly receiving an aerial from Tom Harrison before smashing just over; the Cannock keeper made a close range save from Calum Cleland, and Jamie Glynn's PC effort went just wide. However, slightly against the run of play Cannock took the lead, with one of their former National League player skilfully dribbling out of the defensive left corner to then fire a reverse stick pass to Cannock's nippy and skilful forward who sprinted into the D and then was a little lucky as his cross-shot deflected in off Kipper's foot.

However, it was not long before Sils were level - a good passage of play down the right led to Cleland cutting across the the top of the D, and firing a low reverse-stick shot toward the far post where the fourth of the U18 players, Ollie Burtenshaw, was on hand to deflect the ball home.

Sils continued to play some attractive hockey for the remainder of the half, but other than a couple of mis-fired PCs and a good close range save from the visiting cooper, there was no other output to show for their endeavours.

Shortly into the second half though, the Sils goal-tally did increase; Jamie Glynn receiving another Harrison aerial, only to swivel and smash the ball through the young Cannock keeper. This time it was Cannock's chance to hit straight back though - this time it was Tom Harrison that managed to deflect the ball past Freshie - the reverse stick shot from a PC being turned in past the Sils keeper by his skipper.

Thankfully for the home team, this did not impact their confidence to continue playing their passing hockey, and this, combined with their higher fitness levels, meant that the next 10 minutes put the result beyond doubt. First, a PC goal from Tom Harrison restored the lead, and within a few minutes the lead doubled and then trebled. Glynn scored the 4th goal, this time his reverse stick shot from the edge of the D was too hot to handle, and then Harrison scored a second PC. The final goal of the game, and creating a third different player with a brace, was scored by Burtenshaw reacting to a loose ball at the far post to drag the ball back and into the goal from close range.

There was still time for Freshie in goal to be called upon to make a couple of good saves from PCs before the final whistle and a good start to 2026.

Player of the match was a close run competition but Burtenshaw's two goals swayed things in his favour. DoD was far more convincingly won by Kipper for his bowel indiscretion in Eti's car over the Christmas break!