Men's 4ths vs Old Halesonians' 5ths

After a disappointing narrow defeat last week, it was important that we picked ourselves up and got back into the groove. We always said we’d give an opposition a spanking one day and that day came yesterday with a terrific 5 – 1 win over Old Halesonians to whom we lost 0 – 2 away in mid-October.

In spite of a bitterly cold day, both sides looked fairly lively for while. John Harrison was particularly effective down the right and unlucky not to score with a cracking shot from a narrow angle. Old Hales then managed to create some pressure with simple passing but stout defence from Shaun Bates, as usual, plus poor finishing meant little reward for their efforts. It was now Sils’ turn to start putting some nice moves together with even Andrew Jackman roaming upfield from left back to have a decent shot which the Hales keeper did well to save. In spite of being awarded two short corners, we still couldn’t convert but Andy Rush settled Sils’nerves by putting the first of his goals past the keeper from close range. Old Hales then came back at us but, just like us, were unable to score from the two shorts they were awarded.

After the break, Sils upped the workrate with Steve Aylin and the rest of the midfield beginning to control the game and force Hales’ captain and playmaker back towards their goal. Particularly tireless pressure from Simon Russell led to opposition errors, their passes were intercepted and our passes were able to reach Keith Willetts and Andy Rush who, with Simon now able to join them around the opposition D, all exhibited a level of effective attacking hockey not seen too often by the Sils 4ths so far. Short corners were secured, shots were made by Keith but either saved by the keeper or put just wide. However, having recovered, just about, from his hamstring pull two weeks ago, Andy was able to use his skill to crack in two goals to put Sils 3 – 0 up.

Somewhat hopeful appeals by Sils for a penalty when Simon’s reverse-stick shot cannoned off a Hales defender’s head when he had no chance to move fell on deaf ears. Sils kept up the pressure though and from another short corner, Keith managed to flick the ball into the net after it was parried back to him from his initial shot.

To their credit, Hales did not give up trying and, while Yogi was able to save a shot from the bye-line to his left, a reverse stick shot from the left of the D was skilfully deflected behind him by a Hales forward to bring the score to 4 – 1.

However, by this time, Sils were dominating the game and Andy Rush was able to cut straight through their defence, beat the full back on the bye-line and score a terrific goal from a narrow angle on the left.

The 5 – 1 win was the best of the season and means Sils 4ths have won four of their last five league games and, with growing self-belief, can seriously think of moving up the league table.

Our sympathies to Tony Dwyer whose previous hamstring pull recurred in the warm-up and meant he was forced to spectate from the subs’ bench.