Season Opener Stretches Sils

Atherstone played energetic and spirited hosts to a Sils 2nd XI that comprised the young [5 players under 18], the old [5 players over 50] and a legend [Keith]! Early Sils play was encouraging with hints of good movement and passing of the ball creating the first chances, but Atherstone found their way into the game quickly enough, with better possession and confidence to use passing to eliminate the slower moving and often static Sils. The Atherstone keeper kept them ahead in the game when despite short corner and penetrating attacking moves, Sils were restricted to a scrambled goal at the third, fourth, fifth attempt was it from a short corner?!? 3-1 down at half time, the second half continued a frustrating performance that never quite got going despite the flickers of ambition and intent, everyone played 'OK', and everyone had their moment or two but the Sils needed less dribbling and more awareness of space and movement to start the season with proper structure and ideas. At the end of the day [cliche alert], the difference between the two sides could be summarised in the oppositions determination to play as a team. It was good to see Sils young and old playing on the same pitch, hopefully next week we can play together.