KO'd by KH (so Rush back please)

Unbeaten runs are great while they last, but hurt when they come to an end, as M4 found out in the late-morning match against Kings Heath.
An enforced late change to the starting line-up (courtesy of FlyMayBe who failed to get the Wizard of Oz to Wythall until midway through the first half) didn't unsettle Sils, who were keen to get revenge for the 9-5 home defeat suffered in the reverse fixture. The early exchanges suggested that this would be a much closer encounter, with both teams enjoying good levels of possession. However, it was Kings Heath took the lead after 10 minutes when Sils were unable to close down an attack down the left wing. Surprisingly the ball found its way into the D where an unmarked forward converted a simple chance from close range.
As has often happened this season though, this setback stirred Sils into action, and it was no surprise when M4 equalised 10 minutes later following a fine move that was started and finished by Tony Dwyer. He picked the ball up midway inside the Sils half before slipping the ball to Simon Russell, who pressed forwards and released the ball down the left to Harrison. A sharp cross picked out Willetts, who bustled past two defenders before crossing the ball from the right-hand side into the path of Dwyer, who netted from close range.
The scores were level at half-time, but M4 knew that better distribution of the ball could see them take the points back to Copt Heath.
The second half was a little scrappy and ill-tempered at times, with several decisions that baffled both sides. It didn't help that the KH centre-back decided to bring his handbag as well as his stick onto the pitch for the second 35, but no matter. Sils enjoyed at least as much possession as their opponents, but there were too many occasions when simple passes were turned down by some in favour of hopeful passes that resulted in M4 gifting possession to KH. M4 created several chances from short corners and breaks down the right wing, but this was a day when Sils' shooting accuracy was wanting, with Dwyer and Higgins in particular spurning chances to put M4 ahead.
Half-way through the second half, KH regained the lead when a forward took the ball deep into the D, evaded several challenges, before squaring the ball to a teammate who gave Yogi no chance from a yard out. Yogi's frustration was clear and understandable, but surprisingly, it was the parentage (not the commitment) of some of his teammates that he questioned as the team set up for the restart.
Sils worked hard to get back into the match, with Aylin & Russell in particular working tirelessly in the centre of the pitch, but M4 were unable to create another clear cut chance, with the fluency of play from some of the team, unmatched by others. As the final minutes of the game ticked by, an altercation in the KH D resulted in Keith Willetts joining Harrison & Dwyer in M4's (yellow) card school. A shame that the card was only issued after what seemed to be an appeal/request from a KH defender.
Next up a home game against Old Halesonians - a great opportunity to put this result behind us.