Silhill V BNJS (Division Three)

​Silhill were looking for a result yesterday to continue their brilliant start to the season in division three. The Solihull side have been one of the standout teams at step eight so far with six consecutive wins in all competitions to leave them in 2nd going into yesterday. They also beat division two side AFC Solihull in the LJ Challenge Cup on the opening day.  

BNJS have been competitive in division three so far this season under manager Gurj Nagra. They beat AFC Birmingham at home 3-2 a few weeks back for their first league win and there’s some players to build around for the months ahead such as Randy Sarpong. Despite their league position of 13th there were reasons for optimism for BNJS

The atmosphere around Sharmans Cross was friendly and welcoming prior to kick off. The people at the club were helpful with any queries raised and do a lot of hard work behind the scenes to make it a good matchday experience. The clubhouse was well presented and is full of character that showcases the history of the club.

The ground is accessible to get to by public transport with plenty of options available. The best option would be to get the 4A from Birmingham to Solihull where the bus stops off right near the ground at Sharmans Cross Junior School where it’s only a short walk. It’s well worth a visit for supporters of non-league football across the West Midlands. 

Starting line ups

The starting line up for Silhill included Matt Pickford starting in goal and Lewis Williams captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 3-4-3 with Gilad Grant playing up front and being supported by Josh Sarmento and Ben Davis on the wings.

The starting line-up for BNJS featured Gopola Mensah starting in goal and Darryl Barnett captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Randy Sarpong and Jose Viegas being supported by Natnael Hagos from attacking midfield.          

​First Half

Silhill got off to a bright start in the early stages of the match and took the game to BNJS in search of the opener. They were playing a possession-based style and looked to work balls into the box under manager Leon Blake. BNJS were mainly looking to soak up the pressure and catch Silhill out on the break. There were a lot of runs off the shoulder from the visitors that worked well.  

Lewis Williams had an early chance for Silhill with his effort being well saved by Gopola Mensah in the BNJS goal. The hosts took the lead a few minutes later thanks to a free kick into the box that found Ben Davis who produced a quality header into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.

​BNJS found an equaliser a few minutes later to make it 1-1. Jack Mason was caught playing out from the back and Randy Sarpong won the ball back before going through on goal. He produced a composed finish into the bottom right corner to make it all square in an action-packed start to the match.

Silhill re-took the lead in the middle of the first half thanks to a well taken corner into the box that found Jon Myrie at the back post who headed the ball to Josh Sarmento who finished well to make it 2-1. Set pieces were a main strength for the hosts yesterday and they looked an attacking threat in the box.

BNJS had a good chance to get an equaliser in the closing stages of the first half thanks to a brilliant passing move. Jose Viegas found space in the box and ran with the ball before crossing it to Natnael Hagos who put his effort wide. It was a key moment in the match a few minutes before half time. One of the most encouraging things for BNJS was that they created chances yesterday.

Silhill made it 3-1 just before half time by capitalising on a goalkeeping error at the back. There was a miscommunication between Nhlalwenhie Siso and Gopola Mensah with the keeper struggling to get to the ball and having to kick it out for a throw in. He was out of his box and Silhill took advantage by taking it quickly and giving it to Ben Davis who cut inside and scored into an empty net.

This gave Silhill some control of the match and ended an entertaining first half

​Second Half

The pattern of the match continued where it left off with a lot of happening in front of goal. A moment of quality on the ball from Silhill saw a brilliant through ball played to Ben Davis who finished well into the bottom right corner to make it 4-1.

BNJS showed character and responded with a classic poacher’s goal thanks to Jose Viegas getting first to a shot that hit the post by Mohammed Taj and finishing into the bottom right corner to make it 4-2.  Full credit to the visitors for committing players forward at 4-1 down and making a game of it in the second half.   

There were some good substitutions from Gurj Nagra that helped BNJS get up the pitch more in the second half. Victor Nwobilor was bought off the bench and played in central defence with Randy Sarpong being moved into midfield. Both players impressed for the visitors and helped them get a foothold in the match.

A free kick for BNJS from the right-hand side was delivered into the box and found Jose Viegas who finished well to make it 4-3 and set up a nervy finish for Silhill. The hosts struggled to clear the ball from the free kick, and it bounced in the box before the striker made no mistake and finished it.

Silhill were put under some pressure in the second half and had to show character to hold on and weather the storm from BNJS who had a fifteen-minute spell in front of goal. The best chance for an equaliser came when Nathan McBean couldn’t quite connect with a corner delivered into the box.  

The hosts produced the quality when it mattered in the closing stages of the second half. Josh Sarmento beat a few players down the left-hand side before playing a good ball into the box that found Ben Davis who finished well at the back post to make it 5-3.

Silhill scored a sixth goal in the final stages of the match when a handball from Luiz Junior in the box resulted in a penalty. Josh Sarmento took a composed penalty into the bottom left corner to make it 6-3. He was brilliant yesterday and a real threat for Silhill down the left-hand side.

Not long after the referee Simon Tibke blew for the full-time whistle with Silhill getting their sixth league win of the season to go top of the table following Boldmere Falcons drawing 2-2 against Wake Green Amateur.

Full Time

It was an entertaining match at Sharmans Cross yesterday with both sides playing well and being positive on the ball. A player who went under the radar for Silhill was Jon Myrie who was dominant in the air and constantly heading the ball away. Ben Davis played well and looked a real threat in the box for the hosts. There was a lot of quality on show from Silhill in this match which is encouraging.

BNJS competed well against one of the standout teams in division three and made a game of it. The game plan worked well and they were close to getting something from this match. They had a few chances to find an equaliser in both the first and second half. Darryl Barnett and Victor Nwobilor also impressed at the back.    

FT score: Silhill 6-3 BNJS

Man of the match: Ben Davis (Silhill)

Attendance: 81

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League