Old Silhillians 3rd XI 2 - 2 Sutton Coldfield 7th XI

Old Silhillians 3rd XI 2 (2) - (1) 2 Sutton Coldfield 7th XI

Goalscorers: Maddy Fox, Sarah Gahan

Sils went into the game with their youngest ever (legal) team, against a Sutton side who had significantly more "experience". Other than Kate in goal, the next oldest player was 14! However, the side played with enthusiasm, supported each other, and there were some excellent performances all across the pitch, with several players putting in their best performances of the season.

Sutton started stronger, with their central midfield pairing pulling the strings, and they took a deserved lead from a straight-strike at a PC. However, Sils' heads did not drop, and they came straight back into it. As Melissa Thurman and Sarah Gahan started running at the opposition, the Sils were able to take more control of the game. Flo Collins was winning the midfield battle, ably supported by the excellent Abby Richards, and every time Gahan got the ball, she was causing problems for the opposition. The home side scored two goals through this route, with Gahan firstly winning a PC, with Thurman's shot finding its way to the far post where Maddy Fox converted from close range to equalise, and then Gahan herself scored having out sprinted the visitors' left back before crossing to Thurman - her shot was saved, but then Gahan was on the rebound to score from close range.

In the second half, the Sils continued to have more of the ball, but Sutton Coldfield had moved their best player to mark Gahan, and the forward threat needed to come from elsewhere, and all too often, the Sils held the ball a little too long, or Sutton were able to get a last ditch tackle, and whilst having a lot more of the ball, the home side were not able to convert their possession dominance into goals. This forward effort was supported by the superb Evie Cadman who won tackle after tackle on the left, and Georgia Byrne doing similar on the right - but the all important third goal never came.

Meanwhile, Sutton started to press higher and higher up the pitch as the Sils tired, and with only a few minutes to go, the visiting centre midfielder took a quick corner, and then crashed the ball into the D. The ball deflected off the unlucky, but as always excellent, Megan Croft and fell to the Sutton striker lurking at the far post who equalised.

Minutes later and the game was over - however, the side has last 2-0 to Sutton earlier in the season, so being disappointed by "only" drawing 2-2, is a significant improvement for this ever improving young side. With the skilful Jess Bray and the hard-working Frankie Cox adding to the other players on display, this side is full of ability, potential and most importantly, plenty of smiles. The future is very bright and these players continue to impress.