The Mighty 4s finish the season with a 5-2 win over Worcester 8.

We got off to an absolute flyer with a rapid attack down the right. Alex Willetts crossed the ball into the D to Keith Willetts who took a snap shot to score a cracking goal. The timekeeper (yes we have one, Analogue Pat) recorded the time at 2min 14sec which is a shade quicker than John’s from last week which was recorded at 2min 45sec. Astonishing.

This was just the start we needed and soon we were playing good, flowing attacking hockey. Perhaps the most attractive hockey we have played all season. Andrew Rush scored an excellent hat trick with all the goals coming off the end of well worked team play with the ball being passed early, accurately and with pace. Just in case you are wondering, his goals were timed at 8min 27sec, 10min 43sec and 15min 43sec. I know what you are thinking and yes, this could get tedious but Pat was insistent and who am I to deny her! As well as scoring four goals we also had a number of shots go inches wide. After such an excellent first half, more of the same in the second would surely bring more goals.

We started the second half strongly and Simon Russell delivered a thumping shot from a short corner only to see it stopped on the line by a defender’s foot. The resulting penalty stroke was calmly converted by Andy with a flick high into the net.

However, something was different. Worcester seemed to have changed their strategy and began pressing very high. They also appeared to have changed their formation slightly with two of their younger forwards playing much closer together. They combined really well and began applying pressure down our right. We countered by defending much deeper but this led to a gap opening up between the defence and attack which just took the edge off our play. They were able to take advantage of the situation and scored two good goals in quick succession. It could easily have been two more if it were not for two excellent saves made by Jim Goldstraw.

This was a sticky patch for Sils. There is no doubt that we were still the better side but excellent shots by Alex, Simon and Andy all went inches wide. Also we were rather fortunate to get away with just a short corner after Jim came sliding out and appeared to connect with their forward rather than the ball. Worcester appealed for a stroke and with some justification but the appeal was dismissed.

Their sweeper possessed a tremendous hit and, on a few occasions, he had passed the ball directly from a 16 to one of his forwards standing inside our 23! He came up for their shorts and after one of them he stayed up. They regained possession quickly and passed the ball to him. He unleashed an awesome reverse stick shot that screamed across the face of our goal. If it had been on target it would certainly have gone in.

As the game progressed we continued to attack strongly but, try as we might, we could not get the ball into the net.

After the game one of their players commented, “At least we won the second half!” They were obviously pleased with their second half performance and so they should be. We should have extended our lead but all credit to Worcester they battled away and closed the gap.

Man of the Match: Andy Rush

Overall this was still another very good team performance and the three points took us 16 points clear of our nearest rivals in fourth place and just three points short of Edgbaston 7 in second place. A great finish to a great season.

Some League statistics to finish with. (friendlies not included).
Played 18 - Won 12 - Drawn 2; Lost 4 - Points 38 (70.3%) Position 3rd.
Goals - For 74 - Against 35 – Difference - 39.
Scorers - Andy 25 - John 11 - Simon 10 - Keith 10 - Alex 6 – Tony 3 -
Ali 1 - Dave 1 - Matt 1 - Murray 1 - Shaun 1 - James 1.
(3 awarded by default when the opposition failed to turn up.)
Clean Sheets – Yogi 2. Just One Conceded - Yogi 7.

Pending.
The Team Trophy – the winner will be revealed at the Dinner.
Promotion – highly unlikely unless three go up as happened last year.

This has been our best season ever. We have played some really good hockey on the pitch combined with a wonderful team spirit and, at times, the off-pitch banter has been outstanding. Despite promotion looking decidedly unlikely this has still been a season to celebrate and every single player, whether regular or occasional, has contributed to the team’s success, so well done everyone.

The long standing stalwarts, Mick, Mike, Craig, Murray, Keith and Tony have proved to be both durable, reliable, competitive and very effective. Yogi has been great in goal. Sam has gained in confidence and improved no end as well as bringing the average age crashing down. Captain Dave has put in some commanding performances this season, especially in his new found deeper role and what a second half against Edge 7. And what about Stroppy Choppy Harrison? He has been fantastic in his attacking role down the right wing this season– truly great stuff John. Matt also put in some very skilful performances before his elopement to Stone (presumably to tie the knot in Staffordshire?) For the first time ever the 4s have managed to secure a core of players with great ability and get them all playing together in the same side at the same time. Just read the list; Steve, Shaun, Alex, Simon, Andy – simply awesome!

This report is intentionally shorter than usual to allow enough space for the end of season comments from each member of the team as per Captain Dave’s instruction. He imposed a two-sentence restriction but that’s just not going to happen - is it?

I thought it better and more interesting to include your comments just as they came in. The only editing [italics] has been to clarify names and references when they may not be clear to all readers. I will leave Dave to do the analysis and deliver the verdicts at the Dinner.

Italics and Bold doesn't seem to work on this site for me so Edits are just in [brackets] like so.

Yogi
Most memorable moment (apart from making it to the end of the season in one piece) is the one where Mick Lane came onto the pitch with Seans [sic] stick or something like that, or the one where 3 people nearly came onto the pitch [they did come onto the pitch] too early to make 14 on the pitch and nearly got sent off!!

Most improved - JH - virtually no hacks this season, excellent attacking play down the right with no cards and virtually no case for refs giving him any!!

Most valuable player - Simon - came back to us, stayed with us and put in a shift every game. (close second Shaun (obvious reasons), Rushy (obvious
reasons), Alex (providing a forward attacking option from midfield we have not had before), Keith (somehow finding a yard from somewhere on occasions), Tony (dedication to defensive duties on the occasions when required to play left back, Dave (similar versatility when required to fill the hole left by Shaun when required)

Steve
moment of the season - Mr Bates earning a green card and not knowing what to do next
most influential player - Simon R
most improved player - Alex W

Mike
Hope this is not too late. [very late but squeezed in]
Most improved player = Yogi who converted himself into a most reliable keeper.
Player of the season = Andy Rush open play goal scorer with a tremendous tally. His skills always unsettled every opposition.
Moment of the season. Well there have been so many and the post-match banter in both the changing room and the bar has, as ever, been tremendous. On pitch perhaps mention should be made of the coaching session by Brendan Creed on Boxing Day - How to do a reverse-stick slap pass. Brendan: "First you need to get down onto your haunches." Keith: "Hang on a minute."

Mick
As requested by Dave, I confirm that my most memorable moment of the season was, on a personal basis, playing against my grandson Tom in the match against Lichfield 7ths on 27 Feb and, on a team basis, the team training the week before on the 20th – the numbers and enthusiasm for the training were unprecedented!

Most improved player for me was Jogi with his confidence growing week by week – he deserved more clean sheets than he got and made several superb saves at vital times in matches. Simon was our most valuable player with his never ending effort to control the midfield in matches – a midfield dynamo!

Craig
There were many memorable moments in a great season so difficult to pick one out in particular. I do recall one game (it was at home so it could have been vs Olton or Edge 7) [it was Edge 7] where Shaun, with a look of, "I've had enough of this", tore over the 25, [actually the 23 Craig] through the opposition and slammed a tremendous shot from the edge of the D into the goal.

Most improved - I'd probably have to say Yogi as he's now, from a standing start, turned into a keeper we can pretty much rely on. Just as long as his instructions to the defence in front of him don't conflict with what Sean has just said!

Most valuable - I could say Shaun again or even JH who's channelled his aggression into beating the opposition down the right wing instead of arguing with them (and the umpires!) or Simon for his overall workrate every game coupled with his considerable skill but I'd probably choose Rushy as he gives 100%, terrorises the opposition and he's pretty likely to score at least one goal a game.

I reckon, over all games, friendlies and league, we achieved 57.6% of the available points. No other OSHC adult team is over 50%. Our league percentage is 70.3%

Shaun
Most improved player - Tony - not least for playing a number of different positions plus sub without any complaint or moaning.

Most valuable player - Simon - the rock - engine of the team. Massive work rate, total commitment, desire, aggression & very importantly goals

2 moments:
1) has to be your [Keith’s] historic hatrick.
2) the injured Sam being led from the field by Pat, to then do a complete turnaround recovery following comments about Pat's injury treatments.

Dave
Most memorable moment: My first league game as captain when we beat Khalsa 9-3 and Rushy bagged 5. I wondered whether the season had peaked after only 70 minutes and was delighted to find out (as the season progressed) that it hadn't.

Most improved player: Arun Yogi. I need reminding at times that it's only his second season as a stopper.

Most valuable player: Simon Russell. Remarkable consistency and energy, the powerhouse behind so many of our goals this season

Murray
• Most memorable moment - the three substitutes at Worcester
[Murray organised three subs but failed to organise three departures. With 14 on the pitch the umpire stopped the game, required that three players depart and then threatened to send the three subs off as well! It was a tricky moment but fortunately common sense prevailed.]
• Most improved player - Sam "The Mallard" Teal
• Most valuable player - The Rush – as we were always in the mix with Andy on the prowl!
His Honour [fine sentences – Your Honour!]

John Harrison
Most improved player - Yogi, easily.
MVP - harder - I'd have 4.
• Dave - outstanding captain
• Andy - without him we lose shape and don't look the same
• Simon - what an engine
• Shaun - gave us belief

Most memorable moments:
1. The tale of the bruiser in the boozer (though you had to be there really I think...)
2. The laughs in the bar throughout the whole season - made the whole season
3. My 40 yard aerial to set up Ali v Edge - never done one before, probably never do one again!
4. Brendan's 70yd bullet of pin point accuracy, reverse stick v Olton
5. Last weeks League clinching Fantasy performances by Rushy, Simon, Thurman and Frankie Levey!!! Get in!!

Alex
The most improved player goes to Yogi for transforming himself from an accomplished outfield player into an accomplished goal keeper in just two seasons.

The most valuable player: Shaun Bates for using his knowledge of the game to turn us into a better team and for his uncompromising presence on the pitch.

Memorable moment: The reverse stick flick over the keeper from Keith Willetts.

Simon Russell
Most memorable moment: lasting approximately 7 minutes at 9.15pm on the 6th February - Dave Higgins takes apart the children's TV round with the self-assurance that we expect from our captain. Who lives at 29 Acacia ro....? 'Bananaman.' Which tv series featured animals with special powers? 'Battlecats' I state, pleased to get on the scoresheet. 'No!' interjects Dave. 'It's thundercats.' Which tv soundtrack starts...? 'Rhubarb and custard.' When...' 1978.' Wh...? 'Ringo Starr.' I'm sure Dave answered the final questions before they were asked. A storm force performance and more than just a hint of life in a young Higgins household. [It was amazing!]

Most improved player: yogi (judging by the evidence in the last game of the season)

Most valuable player: Dave 'Mike Brearly' Higgins. A fantastic year as captain, managing everyone and everything so well on and off the pitch. Leader of the mighty 4s.

Well played yesterday [Keith] - very well taken goal.

Andy
Hard to pinpoint a most memorable part of the season but I'm hoping that it will come later when the Mighty 4s are awarded team of the season at this year's dinner. Second to that would be our win over Khalsa on home soil. We set the precedent for what would turn out to be our strongest season to date.

Most Improved: Without a doubt, Yogi. Over the last couple of seasons, he's gone from strength to strength between the sticks. Our success this year has been thanks, in no small part, to his increasing development.

Most Valuable: This is less cut and dry as I feel that 3 names seem more than fitting for this accolade. Simon, Shaun and Dave. I think Simon deserves it for the 100% he always gives on the pitch and the superb job he's done as VC and social sec off it. Shaun has brought us together as a unit and the discipline he's beaten into us has made us the team we are. Last but by no means least, I feel Dave has done a tremendous job as skipper and all-round midfield/defensive chameleon. Literally, we would not have been the team we have this season without his efforts.

Really can't call this one, Keith, and part of me doesn't want to. From a purely on-pitch perspective, I'll say Shaun.

Hope there's something amongst this nonsense you can use. [All of it!]

Keith
Firstly, on a purely personal level, it has been a real delight to find myself playing league hockey with Alex, I never expected it.

For me the most improved player is Yogi. From never having played in goal before to becoming a really good keeper in just two seasons takes some doing – from Dyson to Tyson!

The most valuable player? This is a tough one.
• Andy for his tremendous goal scoring ability
• Simon for his powerful play and midfield dominance
• Shaun for his total commitment, rock solid defending and high quality play
Yes, okay, I know that’s not one player so I will turn to the ‘Shaun effect’. The statistics show that a dramatic improvement in the team’s overall performance coincided with the arrival of Shaun. He used his knowledge and experience from playing at a high level to improve our individual and collective performances with instructions delivered in ‘real time’ during the actual games. Taking this into account I will plumb for Shaun.

Most Memorable Moments.

The off-pitch banter. It has been superb, hilarious, occasionally unprintable but totally uplifting.

The ‘Simple One’
Mick was looking confused as to where to make a pass. Shaun shouts guidance, “The simple one.”
Mick has a ‘light bulb’ moment and instantly picks out Mike Bettridge with a suicidal pass. Shaun, “What the hell are you doing?”
Mick with indignation, “You said the simple one.”

The Fence by Steve Aylin
“Yeah, it’s like a piece of, you know, chain link fencing. You can stretch it out and compress it in and it’s still the same piece of fence. (Surreal or what but we were all listening by now.) By stretching the fence, you can reach out to the extreme left and extreme right (Corbyn/Farage) offering the option to switch the play from one side to the other to find a route out while, crucially, still retaining possession. (by now my jaw was definitely in the dropped position.) When facing an attack from the opposition (who else would it be from Steve?) you compress the fence into the centre (Farron) creating a strong narrow defence. At all times the back four remain ‘linked’ (wonderful) together.”
“Yes Steve but does it work?”
“Depends which side of the fence you’re on!”

Words of Wisdom
Yogi, “Even if it’s right it is always wrong!”
Shaun, “I know exactly what you mean.”

It has been a privilege to write the match reports this season and I hope you have all enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them. I’ll sign off with my favourite, John and Yogi’s tale of:

The Bruiser in the Boozer.
John described the watering hole as the “roughest pub I have ever been to in my life.” This was confirmed when he noticed a faded holiday snap behind the bar that had been signed by the Kray twins!

John ordered a brandy and Yogi elected to have double with a single malt to chase it down. Together they settled on the settle to get warm.

The pub pooch, a hungry muscle bound Staffordshire bull terrier took a shine to Yogi and sat on his lap. Rather worryingly he had LOVE and HATE tattooed on his front paws and the remains of a human ear stuck between his teeth.

The landlady, idly cracking walnuts two at a time between her eyelids, sensed Yogi’s unease and warned, “He can smell fear so you better stroke him.”
Yogi duly obliged.

John mused over likely names for the pooch, Whimsy, Dahlia, Sugar etc.
Yogi could only manage Satan followed by Jaws while whispering a prayer of thanks for the fact that he was already wearing his protective box.

With a slug of brandy inside him and a furry muff on his lap the temperature inside his box began to rise dramatically threatening the very integrity of his credentials. The pooch sensed a potential titbit in the offing, or more accurately, in the box and started dribbling.

Yogi indicated to the landlady that they were ready to leave but he couldn’t get the dog off his lap.

“Get down Bruiser it’s not time for your dinner yet and by the way would either of you like to try my pickled walnuts?”

Yogi, “No thanks I’ve already got two.”

With that they returned in time for the start of the game full of spirit and with Yogi’s credentials still intact.