St Silas 4- 1 Houston:

(Sorry for the lateness of the report)

Houston, if you remember, where the team which beat St Silas in the cup final last year and over the last 3 seasons we have had some hard fought match. Turning the fixture (for St Silas atleast) into a grudge match. The St Silas's football team played well and deserved to win:

Before the match we all met for breakfast at the church as usual. For probably the first time the whole team met at church instead of some going straight to the pitch and there was a great buzz and an atmosphere of anticipation as we sat and joked. Also for the first time I can remember we really talked tactics. This sounds bad, but often amateur teams don't have the skill or time to sort out "how" we are going to play rather than just the formation. It just shows how far the team has come. After some more tea and toast (oh and wheatabix for valley boy) we headed off to the game.

The team was:

Derrick (Goals)

Davie L, Richard Olliot, Davie Stewart, Murdo (defense, left to right)

Richard Grant, Graham, Ali, Tam (Medfield, left to right)

John, Frank (attack)

Subs: Olly, Paul (Replaced Ali), Sonny, Gordon, Willy


After a good opening spell St Silas managed to break the dead lock after about 20mins with a well worked passing move started by the defense with 3 Medfield making vital passes and a slotted finish from John. 1-0

The second came as an own goal. St Silas's pressure resulted in a corner which Tam whipped in dangerously leaving a defender helpless as he headed the ball into his own net. The goal (I am told) was credited to Frank.

A third goal came before half time. Frank managed to tackle and then beat 3 Houston defenders before he unleashed a superb strike beyond the goal keeper.

At half time it was 3-0.

The second half saw Frank score a 3rd. The move, started from defense again, caught Houston in attack as Ali collected the ball and ran down the pitch, passing the ball to john who was forced to the wing. John did a one two with Ali at the side of the Houston box before guiding a ball into the path of frank who headed expertly past the Houston keeper.

The Houston Keeper made an excellent save as he tipped Tam's long range effort over the bar. Houston's goal came from a throw. The attacker then spun and his shot agonizingly trickled into the bottom corner. Poor goal to loose from St Silas but still a good individual effort by the attacker.

St Silas's Davie Stewart picked up a 2nd yellow card in the last 5mins but thankfully it didn't effect the over all result which keeps St Silas on top of the league, by goal difference and extends the winning streak.

Its very encouraging to see the team grow and grow. Thank god from answered prayer. Also a big well done to the team! Special mention to Tam who played the best I've seen him play since he started last year. Oh and I got MoM (5/5 for me). Thank you god for blessing me with this gift!

Next week the teams will meet again. This time in the first round of the cup!

(Small Print: This is a biased and probably inaccurate report of the actual events. Please comment to correct any mistakes I have made. Please do not be offended by this report. Houston are a very good team!)