Don't you just love it when they say Sils scored 9 (NINE)?!

Sometimes everything goes right, and this was the game when it did for Sils Mighty 4s, who came away from Sutton Coldfield with a thumping victory. It was a fine team performance and Man of the Match was shared by all 13 players.

The starting line-up saw Tom Whitfield on the bench, with a strong midfield of Fletcher Johns, Harrison, Will Hodge and Olly Harris supplying the twin strike force of Rush and Willetts. Defensively, we were as solid as ever with Higgins and Bettridge in the middle flanked by Lane and Flash Gregers. Steve Aylin, having played his own version of the sat-nav postcode lottery – and lost – eventually arrived via the wrong venue nearly 10 minutes into the game and he found Sils already a goal up, Rushy having seized on some untidy defending to pounce and score after just 2 minutes.

Tom W did what he was asked by the skipper, watching the game unfold and “looking for the gaps” with a view to coming on and taking advantage. This he did to magnificent effect on 10 minutes, immediately picking up the ball on the half way line and racing through the Sutton defence before cutting in from the left and slotting home from a narrow angle. (The ‘dubious assists panel’ is still out on whether Bettridge’s pass out from the 16 can really count as an assist - personally I think Tom should get the assist and the goal for his dribble!)

Sils continued to pile on the pressure and Willetts added a third when a powerful shot ricocheted down off the crossbar and he tapped in from about 4 inches. (My sincere apologies, but the original shot was a definite assist – I just can’t remember whose shot it was… sorry!).
Andy Rush then did what Andy Rush does best and popped up twice to complete a first half hat-trick. First a direct shot conversion of a penalty corner and then a follow up to slam the ball high into the net as it rebounded nicely to him from the goalkeeper’s pads. Five-nil at half time and it was an easy team talk for the skipper.

However, talk of double figures is dangerous, and more useful perhaps were calls to ensure we registered a clean sheet. Whilst Sils spent a bit too much of the break congratulating themselves, the home side used it to review and re-shape, and they came out fighting hard in the second half, and for the first 10 or 15 minutes looked the side wanting it more. With the exception of one outstanding save late in the first period by the ever-watchful Josh Bowley, Sils defence had had little to do, but now they were pushed into action and defended well.

Perhaps inevitably though, Sils found their stride again and totally dominated the last 15 minutes. Whitfield added his second from a well worked short corner, slotting home Rushy’s return pass after making the initial injection. Fletcher added two in four minutes, one a firm conversion from a right-wing pass and the second being the slightest deflection from a speculative hit into the D - contested at first, but rightly awarded after both umpires conferred (who needs VAR?). Olly Harris notched his first (I think) for the M4 when he stayed alert on the right-hand post and pushed the ball home as the Sutton defence hesitated too long as they appealed the lack of an umpire’s whistle.

Our best result of the season, and one which sees M4 now with a 50% record of 6 wins, a draw and 6 losses, and sitting 6th in the league. Interestingly, only league leaders Olton have scored more goals than Sils. What is more important is that the side is blending well, with younger players like Hodge, Johns and Harris, and others, getting better with every game - and everyone seemingly enjoying their hockey. One final note worth reporting – about 8 Sils went back to Sutton’s clubhouse and enjoyed an outstanding tea – or in Josh’s case, two or three teas!! (I’ve been around a long time and don’t remember many better teas, anywhere on the circuit - those who didn't come back to the home club missed out!). Good work Josh, and an enjoyable end to an enjoyable afternoon.