Sils Edged Out at the Heath

After back to back wins Sils were hoping to get something out of this latest fixture against Edgbaston 2’s who were going well at the top of the Division scoring heavily and pushing Rugby all the way. As the sides lined up the young Sils forwards were dwarfed by the opposing Amazonian defence but this didn’t deter them and they went about their task with determination in a freezing cold wind.
Much of the early contest was battled out in midfield without either keeper being troubled in the first fifteen minutes. Slowly Edgbaston settled into their game plan benefitting from the fact that Birmingham University have had an overload of good quality hockey players those who didn’t make4 the squads have filtered down in to the more local teams and their athleticism was already starting to show as the Sils defence were at full stretch to keep up with the Edge forwards. Edges main weapon was a fast break down the right hand side with a clinical smash towards the far post where the onrushing forwards were on hand to try and hit home it was one of these occasions that led to the first goal as the ball came across to a waiting forward Joanne Brett reacted quickly to smother leading to a short corner. As Ruth Dovey again reached the top of the D in record time the ball a further short was conceded. This time Edge were awake and slipped the ball sideways as the rising shot was parried by Brett it was deflected high onto the post and flew across the goal where it was met high and swotted in by a forward for Sils to unluckily go behind.

But undeterred Sils went about the game with renewed vigour and the quick forwards were making inroads into the defence which found it hard to keep up with the darting runs and tight turns without committing fouls. The forwards were rotated on a regular basis to keep them fresh and running hard with full support from Samantha Cooper as she supported on a number of maizey runs. Charlotte Harmer and Fleur Gallagher were in the thick of the action and didn’t shirk their responsibilities with a hard working performance by each. On 26 minutes Edgbaston edged further in front due to a spate of inconsistency by the whole Sils team which stopped and didn’t close down quickly enough as Edge shot home through a crowded D leaving Jo in goal completely unsighted.

Sils were once again on the attack and a few minutes later a melee in front of the Edge goal allowed Charlie Harmer to smash her first goal for the 1’s high into the net to reduce the deficit. Edge were rattled and soon after the restart Majevadia latched onto a loose ball and raced down the middle supported by Ami Stainton but the shot was narrowly deflected wide.

As the half time came there was frantic discussion in both camps and Edge must have had a strategic rethink as the came out all guns blazing with quick attacks over loading the Sils defence with the defenders running from one player to another as the threats piled down either flank within 15 minutes of the second half Edgbaston had scored a further 3 goals using the plan of a fast attack smashed across the D where an overload of players drew the defence away for a further attack to hit home. All the goals and physical attrition was just too much for the normally cool and collected Kate Huntington who decide to push a forward for backing into her unfortunately under the nose of the umpire who promptly carded her.

Edgbaston added a further goal before Sils manged to get on the score sheet again following a short corner with Dovey the quickest to react and swept the ball over the advancing keeper. Edge were soon on the attack again and another sprawling save by Brett saved the day although only momentarily as a few minutes later another speedy attack overcame the now tiring defence and the back of the net was found again. But as Sils gained another short corner Herbert was on hand with a looping shot to claim her second of the game and reduce the deficit to 3:7.

Sils came upon a well drilled outfit that was heavily adult based, experienced, physical and fit but credit is due that they didn’t give up and there were some courageous performances all round. The players now are aware of the frailties and how to play as a team rather than 11 individuals self-belief is key and so onto the next game.

MoM: Charlotte Harmer for an inspiring performance and two goals to boot.

DoD: After ensuring the impetuous defensive line were on good behaviour and didn’t cause any unnecessary fouls Kate Huntington decides to push an opposing forward in the back right under the eyes of the Umpire, just marvellous and got her first yellow card of her career.