Match Review: Silchester (3) vs Whiteley Wanderers (0)

1st March 2025
Silchester Village 3 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

First Half

Both teams started cautiously, adjusting to a pitch that looked decent at a glance but proved to be wet and sticky in patches. Early opportunities came for both sides, with Owei going closest for Whiteley after latching onto a long through ball from Lyle, only to strike the side netting.

Silchester broke the deadlock early with a direct ball through the middle, which Charlie and Vickery attempted to block, but the striker slotted home. It became clear that much of the game would be played bypassing midfield, with long balls over the top.

Silchester kept the pressure on, forcing Charlie into a crucial block before the rebound was fired over the bar. A free header at the back post then drew a sharp save from Vickery. Whiteley responded with promising play through Kerby, who battled down the left and delivered a cross to Lyle, whose effort flew over.

Bailey and Dylan built the next attacking phase, feeding Kerby down the flank, but he ran out of room. A Whiteley corner taken by Kerby nearly curled straight in, signalling a strong spell for the visitors. However, Silchester came back into it, applying pressure that kept the Whiteley defence busy.

The game became scrappy, with fouls from both sides disrupting the rhythm. Charlie delivered two dangerous free kicks into the box—one fell to Kerby whose pass was blocked, and the other to Zac who shot wide.

As half-time approached, Lyle was pulled down on a break down the right, earning the Silchester defender a yellow card. Unfortunately, the resulting free kick came to nothing.

Half-Time: Silchester Village 1 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

Second Half

Whiteley made a half-time change, with Rory replacing Bailey. Early in the half, Vickery came off his line to challenge a Silchester striker but conceded a penalty. The spot-kick beat Vickery but struck the upright—an important let-off for Whiteley.

Silchester began shooting from distance at every opportunity, while Whiteley looked for chances on the counter. Rory sent Owei through, but the ball ran away from him. At the other end, Whiteley’s defence was again called into action, with Vickery’s safe hands keeping them in it.

Dylan and Bell linked up well down the right, with Dylan feeding Owei, whose cross was blocked. Back at the other end, Whiteley were under the cosh again, but resolute defending kept the scoreline intact.

Kerby remained central to Whiteley’s attacking efforts. He combined well with Rory and Owei before seeing a shot saved. He then won the ball in midfield and threaded it through to Owei, who was flagged offside.

Marcus sparked another attack, winning the ball deep and sending a long pass to Kerby. He flicked it on to Owei, who crossed for Jack at the back post—his close-range effort drifting just wide.

Silchester continued to pose a threat and extended their lead with an overhead kick from a corner, finding the top corner in spectacular fashion.

Still pushing for a way back into the game, Whiteley created chances through Dylan’s long-range effort and another move involving Rory and Bell setting up Owei, but the final touch eluded him.

Silchester remained a threat from distance but lacked accuracy until the closing moments. Deep into added time, they won another corner, and during the clearance, the referee judged Rory to have fouled the striker. This time, the penalty was converted, rounding off the game just before the final whistle.

Full-Time: Silchester Village 3 – 0 Whiteley Wanderers

Post-Match Reflection

A tough result for Whiteley, who created numerous chances but couldn’t find the breakthrough. The scoreline didn’t reflect the team’s effort and attacking intent, particularly in the second half. Dylan Harding earned the Man of the Match award for his tireless defensive work and solid link-up play throughout.

Line-up

Starting XI: Vickery, Harding, Finn, Hancock, Perry (57), Sherwood (79), Kirby (45), Bell, Kerby-Dickinson, Harry (76), Owei
Substitutes: T Davies (76), Hills (79), Newman (45), Paramor (57)
Man of the Match: Dylan Harding

Goal Scorers

Silchester Village: 7’, 73’, 90+2’
Whiteley Wanderers: –

Cards

Yellow Cards:

• Finn (45’)
• Silchester (44’, 57’)