Disappointing day for Sils 2s

After their bright start to the season taking 7 out of the available 9 points, Sils 2s came in to this game confidently. Having just conceded 1 goal in their opening 3 games the team were looking to continue where they left off and concentrate on scoring more goals. With the return partnership between the 2 experienced forwards Adam Kent and Max Levenger, and the new signing Tom Merriman, Sils wanted to open their goal scoring flow as so far they had only managed to score 1 goal in each of their opening games, even though that had been enough to bring them 2 wins.

Stone, on back of losing 2 of their opening 3, conceding 15 goals in the process, however, had ideas of their own. Their team looked rejuvenated and hungry from the start, as they began the game well. The hunger was evident as Stone started to beat Sils to most of the 50:50 balls and seemed to want the win more than the home side. 10 minutes into the game Stone got their reward following a short corner, Though Brin Jones saved the initial shot, he was left with no chance from the rebound as he conceded his first goal in since the opening game of the season. The goal also ended the clean sheet record for the central defensive partnership of Millan Chauhan and Sam Howe, who had gone on the first 150 minutes of their club career without conceding. Stone continued to look dangerous on the attack threatening Sils yet again, but Sils managed to slowly get themselves back into the game. Mo Hadian should have put them on level with their first short corner, the initial shot had been saved, but with the rebound falling kindly in front of him, he pull his shot 2 inches wide of the post. Joe Houlcroft who played left of the midfield was looking dangerous again, and with 20 minutes played, he managed to create a good chance for Mo Hadian across the top of the D. From the wide right hand side Mo was able to fire a shot to the opposite post where another on of the club's former top goalscorers, Max Levenger, would take advantage and deflect the ball in for 1-1.

What then followed arguably changed the momentum of the game yet again. With Sils defending a short corner, Sam Howe closed down the attacker at the edge of the D, but he was struck in the face with the ball following a dangerously executed reverse stick shot. Unfortunately Sam had to be take to A&E, and later it was confirmed that he will be missing the next few games for the club due to a nasty cut and split of his lower lip and chin. With Sils in disarray, Stone took the lead just before half time with a goal that should have been prevented if Sils' players had taken more responsibility over man marking. A disappointing end to the first half.

In the second half Sils pushed on for the equaliser, but almost instantly were caught asleep yet again, as a fine through ball from Stone defence found its way perfectly into the path of their center forward, who was unmarked and had all the time he needed to put the ball past the Sils helpless goalkeeper, 3-1. Sils pressed on and had most of the possession in the 2nd half but in reality they failed to create a meaningful chance. Mark Dovey, often their creative midfielder had to drop back into defence which did not help their cause. Further attempts on goal came from 4 short corners that Sils had, however, the keeper was not tested well enough as the chances were wasted. Joe O'Malley who had a bright start to the season saw a green card for criticising the umpires, and late on Joe Schuppler who had a below par game by his high standards this season, was sent off with a yellow, after pushing one of the opposition players who fouled him. 3-1 it ended on a disappointing note, with most players not pleased with their performance and questioning the diamond 4-4-2 formation. Mo Hadian and the team will now have to go back to the drawing board to see how they can pick themselves up from this defeat and setback.