Jinxed by the Villa

A re-arranged match against Sutton 3’s was played just down the road from Villa Park and seemingly the Villa jinx followed Sils there. Although missing a number of regular starters Sils were hoping for good things having beaten Sutton at home earlier in the season but it wasn’t to be as Sutton started strong and within the first few minutes Sils had conceded yet another penalty flick as a goal bound shot found a foot on the line. Joanne Brett was once again called upon to work some magic and although the initial flick was saved the momentum of the ball and added back spin saw it trickle over the line. Sils gathered themselves together and started to make some inroad into the Sutton backline and forced a short corner although this was not converted. Midway through the half a superb reverse stick shot from Samantha Cooper found its way to the back post for Amy Stainton to level the scores, game on. This only spurred Sutton on and their fleet footed attack force where soon starting to ask serious question of the Sils backline and on one of the numerous quick breaks they managed to score through a rather scrappy affair to once again take the lead. Despite the Sils midfield working overtime in attempting to plug the gaps between defence and attack Sutton seemed to settle with more purpose and were playing the ball around well. Soon after scoring Sutton were once again rampaging through the Sils ranks and as their winger reached the bye line and pulled the ball into the D it was left to Jo Brett to sweep it away as the defence arrived to clear up. But Sutton were increasingly first to the ball and with more endeavour mounted further attacks and as two Sutton forwards broke through the defensive line Brett was once again on hand to save the day but the warning signs were starting to be raised and Sils were finding difficulty in matching the intensity with the ball coming straight back as it was cleared.

Sils rode their fortune and started to make some progress down the right hand side with Charlotte Harmer and Molly Sullivan combining well. With Georgia Smith and Naomi Ennis probing well on the other side Sils were starting to create more and a short corner gained on half time was slipped to Samantha Cooper who fired home to equalise.

But as with last week Sils were slow to start the second period and within minutes of the re-start a fast break by Sutton saw them fire home from open play to once again take the lead. If this was not bad enough within 10 minutes more the defence lost the ball attempting to bring it forward and caught on the wrong foot were slow to get back as the winger hit the bye line and cut the ball back a further forward was sat on the back post for a simple tap in to increase Suttons lead. Sutton were pushing Sils back on a more regular basis and although Sils did threaten the opposition goal Sutton were starting to exploit the flanks more where most of their chances were coming from as defensive legs began to tire and with another Sutton forward breaking through Brett was once again faced with a one on one situation which she smothered well as the defence struggled back.

Within the last few minutes of the game a Sutton short corner was not fully cleared and an angled shot found its way into the net to take the final score to 2:5.

MoM: Tammy, worked so hard we thought her lungs would burst!

DoD: This time another defender sweeps the award after being continually skinned and eventually owned by her 12 year old opponent the award duly goes to Ali Leeke, better luck next time matey!