Scintillating Sils turn on the style

With Christmas a distant memory and past performances put aside Sils turned up to face runaway leaders Rugby who had only dropped two points all season. Undaunted Sils started well and within 20 seconds had got their first shot away which was parried down by the keeper and was latched onto with lightning speed by Naomi Ennis who shot home. Rugby were in disbelief with many of the players yet to even touch the ball. What followed next can only be described as an onslaught on the Sils goal with Rugby laying siege within the 25 and gaining short corner after short corner but the defence stood firm and battered everything that came their way. Sils have been learning from previous games and were considerably less gungho in their approach and were hitting Rugby on the break as soon as they could get the ball free. There were many battles being fought all across the pitch with good pressing on the ball which was moved well across the pitch as Sils searched for an opening. The midfield area was not for the faint hearted as tackles were crunching in both on and off the ball but Sils stood up well to their more aggressive opponents and gave back as good as they got.

The second half resumed in much the same fashion as the first with Rugby launching attack after attack and the Sils defence standing firm and when the defence was breached Joanne Brett did her thing making awesome saves look easy. Sils were finding room down the channels and as the hard working midfield found the chance to slip the ball wide the forwards were asking questions of the Rugby defence with Ennis a thorn in their side all match suitably backed up by Georgia Smith. The speed of Tamara Majevadia and Samantha Cooper was on hand to supplement the forward play at every opportunity and Rugby had their hands full trying to nullify the goal threats that came their way.

Rugby continued pressing hard and short corners were traded, as the game went on tired legs were starting to drag and with ten minutes to go after intense pressure Rugby fired in yet another shot on goal which this time squeezed in for the equaliser. But unlike other games this season Sils didn’t let it get to them an instead stood tall continued battling and saw the game out for a well-deserved draw after a pulsating encounter.

All the players deserve a special mention and it was a true team performance with the youngsters certainly coming of age in this one and the self-belief that they can stand with the best teams in the Division and beat them

MOM: Sophie Price, as amongst all the mayhem that was occurring Sophie Price battle hard, closed down attackers, marked threats, made herself available in all areas of the pitch and was encouraging everyone at every opportunity.

DOD: Vice Captain Becky Bakewell, smashed two rings into her finger then had difficulty getting them off (any excuse for some more!), tried to line up with the opposition in the second half but they wouldn’t have her, and then to top it all decided to smash the ball into Ruth Dovey’s chest, marvellous – who said the defence weren’t special!!