Goal and points drought over as Sils share points

Despite missing a number of regular players (Aylin, Bates, Ffitch and Rush) M4 produced a composed and assured display at Sutton and managed to put an end to a run of defeats. Sils started brightly, forcing two short corners inside the first fifteen minutes. The second of these saw a Higgins shot rebound off the keeper's pads, and in the ensuing scramble the ball fell to Matt Lyons who ushered the ball into the net with a reverse-stick push.

Sils created further chances in the first half, with Willetts going close on a couple of occasions, but Sutton tested the Sils defence regularly, forcing a number of long corners and creating several good chances that the Sils defence snuffed out. Mick "Terry Butcher" Lane took the pre-match teamtalk literally, and had to leave the pitch after twenty minutes for a head injury, but returned to the game quickly as, like the rest of the team, he was in no mood to allow Sutton back into the match. However, that was just what happened with ten minutes of the first half remaining,

A change in formation, and a growing belief that they could win the game, helped Sils increase possession in the second half. M4 used the counter-attack to great effect, with Munemo and Harris a constant threat down the left hand side of the pitch, and the midfield using the width of the pitch to great effect, whilst being careful to keep possession. Several short corners were won, with Harrison and Willetts unlucky not to find the back of the net. Matt Lyons narrowly missed a chance to restore Sils' lead when he was unable to deflect a Harrison cross the right side of the post.

At the other end, a great save from Yogi in the final ten minutes ensured that Sils stayed in the game as M4 pushed men up front in search of a winning goal.

Sils will take great confidence from the game, and sense that this result could be a turning point in the season. It is difficult to single out players for praise, as to a man the team played some great hockey, but special mention will go to Tony Dwyer who put in a tenacious performance at left-back, filling in for the incapacitated Captain Ffitch.

The workrate is great, the passing is effective and controlled, and now the goals and points are coming. Next Saturday can't come quick enough !!