Deficit Reduction!!

Sils made the short journey to Hampton for their latest adventure in the league on another blustery day and only able to field a bare eleven due to injuries and other commitments. However, they started well and for the first few minutes started to play some good hockey but eventually after six minutes the ball was passed directly to a green Hampton shirt with the Sils side pressing forward, difficulty was found matching the pace of the counter attack coupled with indecision in defence saw Hampton take advantage with a well taken goal.

Hampton were roused by the advantage and their physical play was taking toll as they were first to the ball and winning many of the on pitch battles. Joanne Brett in goal was once again called onto to make some miraculous saves and with the defence working overtime there was concern that Sils could get overrun. Samantha Cooper was working valiantly in midfield to try and get something working but her runs were often covered by a swarm of green shirts. As Sils brief ventures upfield stalled Hampton were quick on the break and as yet another shot was fired into the D it was blocked with a defenders knee with the flick dispatched with venom high into the roof of the net.

It wasn’t until midway through the first half that Sils managed to get a shot on goal as Ruth Dovey battled through the defensive line but was easily dealt with by the keeper. Sils had lost some of their early lacklustre performance and were starting to come into the game more with Cooper finding space to drive into the D more and more causing some panic within the Hampton defence which was not the most disciplined although any break in attack was punished with a fast counter in numbers.

As half time came Sils regrouped and started the second half well and within a few minutes had claimed a short corner with the routine enabling Naomi Ennis to slip the ball under the advancing keeper. Sils started to attack more but to make matter worse as Sils were fighting to get back into the game a further Hampton attack found a goal bound shot bouncing off a defenders foot for another penalty flick which was again dispatched at pace.

The real difference between the two sides was basically fitness and a more physical approach to the game which needed to be matched. One goal conceded from open play through a mistake and two penalty flicks conceded does indicate that discipline and fitness are going to be the key to success and that goals aren’t always scored by smashing the back board to bits and that a well placed shot will work just as well.

MoM: Samantha Cooper, a true Captains performance in the thick of the action from start to finish.
DoD: Frankie Levey, “So if the Scots, Irish, and Welsh have their own language why don’t the English!!”