Villagers’ Solent Crossing Success 

In an exhilarating Hampshire Saturday Vase Cup clash, Silchester Village showcased their prowess as they secured a clean-sheet win against Bembridge Reserves on the Isle of Wight last Saturday, writes Tony Spencer.

Both teams observed two minutes’ silence for Remembrance Day before kick-off.

Bembridge started strongly in the opening 10 minutes and, thanks to several great saves from Silchester keeper Joe Wooldridge, the scores remained 0-0.

Silchester played some nice football with Connor Stratton and Callum Bush dictating in midfield.

On 18 minutes the Bembridge keeper tipped over a shot from Harry Cook and, from the resulting corner, Cook whipped in a fierce cross met with a bullet header from Connor Stratton. (0-1)

The pitch conditions didn't help either team, with the ball skidding off the surface, a long ball over the top of the Silchester defence caused a problem, but Wooldridge was quick off his line to save at the feet of a Bembridge player.

Merson Webb caused problems with his electric pace down the wing.

On 23 minutes Silchester made it 0-2 from yet another Cook corner that Trent Barrington finished with a diving header.

Great saves by the Bembridge keeper from Tom Haggith, Cook and Stratton, kept the hosts in the game at half-time.

The second half was much the same and again a brilliant save from Wooldridge kept Silchester in command.

Barrington hit the crossbar on 74 minutes from a long-range shot.

The Silchester defence held firm to deal with everything Bembridge threw at them and the Villagers came away with a deserved clean-sheet win, their seventh victory on the bounce.

In Division 1 CK Andover and Overton United Reserves drew 1-1, with Lewis Harris netting for Andover.