Promotion dream fades as the Mighty 4s lose to Edgbaston 7.

This was an important game for both teams with the second promotion spot waiting for the winning team. Unfortunately the result went against us so let’s get the summary out of the way first.

Sils came up against a fit, fast, skilful and well organised Edgbaston side that passed the ball early, accurately and intelligently. They were in control right from the start and immediately put Sils under sustained pressure. This was a much stronger and more youthful side than the one we had faced in the first half of the season. In that game we were much more evenly matched and the result was a one-all draw. We lost this game by five goals to two. Three of their goals came from well worked short corners, another came from a close range shot during a goal mouth melee and the final one came from a breakaway down their right wing. We replied with two well taken goals and a really spirited fight back in the second half. Though we were very disappointed to lose we can take heart from the fact that (to echo Dave’s sentiments) we gave it ‘absolutely everything’.

In the first half we struggled to get to grips with their fast flowing play. They scored three goals, hit the post twice and had a few near misses. When we had possession they closed in on the player with the ball very quickly indeed, often in pairs. This was going to be a very tough game and the signs looked ominous. However, as the half progressed we gradually clawed our way back into the match through sheer hard work and effort.

We began the second half much more strongly with a sense of purpose and determination. We pushed forward from the start and began to put their defence under some pressure. We were awarded two shorts in quick succession. They were well taken by Simon Russell and one powerful shot certainly tested their goal keeper. This was much better from the Sils. Shortly after this Alex Willetts picked up the ball just inside the 23 and dribbled into the circle through a number of defenders. He then unleashed a reverse stick shot from the edge of the D to score a really good goal. Just a few minutes later and he repeated the very same manoeuvre only to see the reverse stick shot go just wide. They looked and sounded rattled and the goalie shouted at his defenders, “They shouldn’t be getting shots in.” Had the second shot gone in the gap would have closed to just one goal and this could have unsettled them. Unfortunately for us it didn’t and they mounted a quick counter attack and scored to regain a comfortable three goal lead.

With about ten minutes remaining they seemed to throw caution to the wind and all of their defenders and midfield pressed up very high. They were either very close to the halfway line or else well inside our half. They left Ali Allana completely alone and unmarked on their 23. John spotted this and lifted an aerial over their defenders towards Ali. It bounced just short and rolled straight onto his stick. He charged forward towards the goal. The keeper had little option other than to come out in order to close him down and narrow the angle. Ali remained composed and took the ball neatly round the keeper and pushed it calmly into the net. Great stuff. I believe this is the first time ever that John has attempted an aerial in a league game and what a time to do it! Their match report contained a reference to ‘Stroppy’ our right winger. We’ll settle for a ‘Stroppy’ aerial!

With the game drawing to a close they scored the final goal from a breakaway down our left which culminated in a fine shot into the net. In the end we were beaten by a very strong Edgbaston 7 side. It can be painful to be honest but quite simply they were better than us.

However it was by no means all doom and gloom and there were many positives aspects to the way that we played. First and foremost was the fact that never once did we give up or stop trying. As the game progressed we gradually got to grips with their pace, positional play and early passing. We never quite nailed it but we certainly came close. Secondly, every single player managed to dig deep and find that little bit extra to improve the overall performance of the team. This was particularly evident in the second half when through sheer hard work and dogged determination we managed to match them goal for goal. (It is easy to ask for ‘more effort’ but when everyone is already stretching themselves to the limit it is hard to achieve. The fact that we did is testament to the tremendous team spirit and collective will that is a hall mark of the Mighty 4s). Thirdly, reverting to a flat back four at the start of the second half really made a difference. I don’t know who instigated the change but it was an inspired move.

Ultimately and despite the result this was a very good team performance and everyone tried really hard. In particular Yogi kept the score down by making numerous saves and strong clearances. His kicking has come on a treat. Steve used his long reach to great effect, tackling consistently well throughout the match and distributing the ball calmly and effectively. Dave intercepted cross after cross after cross and either cleared the ball or deflected it away from danger, a super effort. Mick, Sam and Craig stuck to their task. Tony and Andy Jackman (glad to see you back playing again) defended well down our left and pushed forward when they could. Ali kept focussed, waited for his chance, and took it well when it came. Stroppy put in a great shift by frequently forcing his way deep into the corner and then crossing the ball into the danger area. Matt Lyons (great to have you back) used his skill with far less strop to great advantage, especially when linking up with the midfield and attack. Simon and Alex worked their socks off from start to finish. They covered an enormous amount of ground between them in order to recover possession and set up our attacking play.

We have battled neck and neck with Edgbaston throughout the season for the coveted second place promotion spot. With only two games left this result seems to have settled it in their favour and we look destined to achieve a very respectable and well deserved third place. Miracles do happen but achieving second place now seems as remote as Tony being selected for the Harlem Globe Trotters. Don’t hold your breath!

With two games remaining we still have plenty to play for:
• score 60 plus goals
• achieve 38 points
• win 12 league games
• get Andy to score 20 plus league goals (already has for all games)
• get John, Keith, Simon into double figures (close on 8 and 9)
• get another clean sheet or two for yogi
• get Betty over the half way line

And finally - the rise and rise of the Mighty 4s.

Whatever happens over the next two games we should celebrate the fact that this will be our best season ever since joining the league in 2008. We all know what a joy it is to play in the Mighty 4s and what a fantastic team spirit we have. It is something we should protect and never take for granted. With this in mind it is worth taking a moment to appreciate where this great team spirit came from. The statistics below chart our rise through the ranks but they don’t tell the whole story.

From the archives:
• Season F A GD Points Position
• 08/09 17 157 −140 3 Last
• 09/10 19 99 −80 8 Last
• 10/11 18 69 −51 7 Last
• 11/12 25 41 −16 22 7th
• 12/13 33 39 −6 25 8th
• 13/14 42 71 −29 18 7th
• 14/15 34 30 4 27 4th
• 15/16 59 32 27 32 3rd (2 still to play)

Prior to joining the league we were 5th team playing friendlies in the so called Fathoms. The pre-match warm up consisted of a couple of pints followed by a sharp intake of breath. Half time was taken up with trying to find somewhere discreet to relieve the pressure of the pre-match warm up. The debrief was a race to the bar, tactics involved trying to avoid getting into too many rounds and strategy was all about trying to think of something plausible to say when you eventually arrived home far later than expected. What could possibly go wrong?

At the end of 07/08 the club suddenly lost the entire 3rd XI. The net result of this was that in 08/09 the 4th XI became the 3rd XI and the 5th team (us) had to step up from the Fathoms and become the 4th XI. Not only that but we also had to take on the fixtures in South West 1, a step up from the league we are in now. The first season was a baptism of fire. We lost 24 games and won just one. Some of our losses were eye watering; 16-0, 14-0, 14-1, 11-0 and 11-2. In this first season we scored just 17 goals while conceding 157. If you include the pre-season friendlies the tally was 20 for and 177 against. The ball was hitting the backboard so often it was like being on a building site. Through these dark days we developed a sort of perverse admiration for each other and this is where the team spirit we enjoy today came from.

The next couple of seasons were pretty tough too but there was no way that we were going to let the team fold. No one gave up and we kept going through thick and thin, or should that be ‘thin and thin’, with a dogged determination to get better and that’s just what we did - get better.

Man of the Match: Simon Russell