Silhill D F.C vs Castlecroft Rangers F.C
1 - 4
14 September 2019 · Birmingham & District Football League<br>Division Five
Away league match played on 14 September 2019.
Kicked off at 2:30 PM
1-4
vs Silhill D F.C
Away league match
Silhill D 1-4 Castlecroft Rangers
Blake Ansell scored a superb hat-trick as the Crofters registered their first league win of the season in sunny Solihull.
It was a perfect response to a disappointing opening day defeat with the Crofters temporarily moving into 3rd position in Division 5. Manager, Max Woodhouse, welcomed no less than 4 players back into the fold; influential figures Paul Dann, Mitch Morrall, Nick Guise and Luke Salter.
The Crofters began on the front foot as Ansell’s neat back heel found the onrushing Collins who squared for Prosser, only for the veteran utility man to fire wide. However, the visitor’s dominance was rewarded shortly after. Prosser atoned for his earlier miss by unselfishly squaring for Ansell for his first competitive goal of the season following an impressive pre-season. The lead was soon doubled as Salter found Wilson who opened his account for the season. The host’s opportunities were few and far between in the first half as the Crofters defence was marshalled admirably by Dann, replacing the departing Bremner as a ball-playing defender.
If the Crofters felt their first half dominance deserved greater reward, they will have been more satisfied mid-way through the second half. The returning, reliable Guise sent a pinpoint long pass in the direction of Ansell whose exquisite touch allowed him to round the goalkeeper to slot home for his second of the game. The Crofters did get complacent in patches in the second half and will be frustrated to have surrendered their clean sheet as sloppy marking allowed Silhill D’s towering centre-back to nod home at the far post. However, the introduction of the calm presence of Wright and a fourth goal ensured any jitters were soon quashed. This time, Ansell seized on an error to calmly claim his hat-trick.
It was a much-needed, morale boosting win for Castlecroft Rangers who get their season up and running. The cup awaits on Saturday as manager, Max Woodhouse, may be tempted to ring the changes to keep his big squad fresh and give opportunities to new players.