Well that didn’t go to plan

Buoyed on by a positive performance the previous week the young Sils side were hopeful that this could be carried into the first league performance of the campaign against local side Hampton and for the first 10 minutes there was an even sway to the game with both sides having an even share. However, the older visitors soon identified the lack of a cohesive defensive pattern and Sils were severely punished as they raced into a 0:5 lead by half time and the game was effectively over. Not that Hampton were better but the lack of pretty much any defensive responsibility allowed the Hampton centre forward to poach 4 of the goals as continuous attacks overran the limited defence that was in place.

After a stern half-time lecture Sils did improve and over the second period managed to get into the opposing D on 20 occasions from which 3 goals were clawed back through Tamara Majevadia, Jessica Jecketts, and Lauren Hobday. However, whilst Hampton were restricted to 10 incursions into the Sils D they converted a further 2 goals showing a more clinical approach to the game. Sils did control the second half although it still took some resolute defending by Kate Huntington and Joanne Brett to restrict further goals being conceded.

Sils when pushed can perform with the best and this was a wakeup call following the more relaxed summer league opposition. Everyone needs to be aware that defensive responsibility starts with a press from the forwards and it is a team game but performance did improve throughout the second half and Hampton were asked some serious questions which they failed to answer but the game was lost in 25 mad minutes at the end of the first half.

MoM: Not awarded today

DoD: The team as a whole