Injury halts fightback

As dawn broke over the Warwickshire countryside Sils found themselves on the way to one of the earliest starts of the season against University of Warwick who trounced them 0:6 earlier in the season.

With Warwick sitting third in the league it was always going to be tough and the game started with Warwick on the Attack from the off. Sils sustained the heavy pressure with everyone once again working well for each other and the forwards closing down the play from the top where they could. Debutant Jess provided stability on the right allowing the midfield to push forward and keep the attacks rolling onto the Warwick defence.

All was going well until the 18th minute when after sustained Warwick pressure within the D miscommunication along the defensive line allowed an unmarked forward to get a shot in and score. But undeterred Sils were straight back onto the offensive with Frankie Levey and Naomi Ennis combining well down the left whilst Jess, Tamara Majevadia and Ami Stainton were doing their best down the right to keep the Warwick defence on their toes with continues hard running and making themselves available for the midfield to find them. But whilst the attacks were mounting gaps were also appearing and frighteningly the ball suddenly arrived to a Warwick forward who was unmarked one yard from goal although Joanne Brett reacted the quickest with the ball bouncing off her pads to safety. Warwick kept probing the Sils defence and Ali Leeke was once again the saviour as a goal bound shot was smashed off the line to safety. The game was opening out and Warwick were starting to ask questions as their higher level of fitness combined with good structured play kept pushing forward but Sils were resolute and the defence held firm allowing the midfield battles to carry on as normal. With Georgina Dalby back to assist Ruth Dovey any loose balls were latched onto by Samantha Cooper to once again start the attacks. As half time came Sils had given a good account of themselves and were looking to push on further in the second period.

Warwick once again started off at a high tempo and forced their first short corner within the first minute of the restart with the defence continuing to hold firm and repel everything coming their way with Jess and Ali Leeke being well marshalled with Becky Bakewell in full command. Space was still being found down the flanks and the Sils forwards were working well to exploit any room they could find and it wasn’t always one way traffic. But the Warwick short corners were increasing in number and their well rehearsed routines were starting to find a few openings as the defence were being pulled around the D to cover and eventually in the 55th minute Warwick increased their lead a short corner was brough back to the top of the D and rifled into the corner to make it 0:2. Undeterred Sils battled on and the best move of the game came shortly afterwards as Dovey gathered the ball in the midfield and calmly brushed off the challenges of her opponents before slipping the ball to the fast moving Ennis on the right who calmly took it to the bye line before crossing to Frankie Levey who mesmerised the keeper by sweeping the ball in behind her to deservedly score.

As Warwick restarted the ball was soon turned over and Sils were on the attack again with Dovey once again at the forefront and the shot was padded away by the keeper. Sils were now on the forefront with a new found vigour which was starting to taker the game to Warwick. Following a break away Warwick gained another short corner and in defending the play Tamara Majevadia laid her body on the line for the team took a stick to the head and with blood oozing from the cut and then went into shock and passed out, as the ambulance turned up and the paramedics ambled across the pitch (nothing like on the TV) the captains decided to end the match with 90 seconds remaining on the clock. A few more performances like this and there will be nothing to worry about.

As a footnote Tammy is now understood to be ok but maybe won’t be back at hockey for a while but does have a few more tales to tell her school friends.

MOM: Tamara another storming game, before laying her body on the line, taking one for the team and once again being carted off to Hospital although we understand she is now fine apart from another scar! – hope to see you back soon Tammy

DOD: Not awarded on this occasion as everyone was being sensible(ish) for once.