Drama at the Heath as Sils come back from the brink

University of Warwick were the latest side to visit the Heath in a bid to take all 3 points following Sils slow start to the season but turned up in some disarray with no umpire and a kit that clashed in spite of numerous e-mails and discussions explaining what was required, oh the youth of today. Eventually after a delay whilst all the above problems were somewhat resolved the game got underway with Warwick pressing from the start undeterred with all the mayhem that they had caused. Within a few minutes of the start a University shot was blocked on the line by a Sils body and a flick was awarded before the majority of the player had even touched the ball. All went quite as the spotlight fell on the lone forward and the goalkeeping presence of Joanne Brett, as the whistle blew Jo launched herself across goal and superbly turned the ball around the post in her own indomitable way to keep the scores level. However, this setback didn’t seem to stop The opponents who carried on attacking and eventually managed to score following a smother from Jo they reacted the quickest and manoeuvred the ball home to take the lead.

Ten minutes later again the defence blocked the attack but the quick university forwards were the fastest to react and pushed home their advantage to take it to 0:2. Not that Sils were playing badly chances were being made at the other end but the University were simply more clinical.

At half time coach Jessica Jecketts explained the era of their ways in simplistic terms expecting a better performance all round in the second half this didn’t quite go to plan as within 5 minutes of the restart an unmarked forward in the D had time and space to fire in the third, no way back one would think from yet another 0:3 deficit. With Jess and captain Isabelle Thomas attempting to rally the troops a transformation started to take place the young forward line at last started to use their pace in getting in behind the defence and the hard working midfield were managing to feed the forwards rather than simply blocking the attacks.

With Jecketts playing in a slightly higher position the attack was taken to Warwick forcing them on to the back foot short corners were being won and effectively hit on target with a number of new manoeuvres on show with both Kate Huntington and Frankie Levey having goal bound attempts hacked off the line. Eventually the pressure told and with yet another short corner not being completely cleared Jess Jecketts was able to hammer home to start the rebuilding process. Having seen the ‘boss’ lead by example the forwards came alive and started to play some good interchanges living up to the potential that they have which had not really been on show in recent weeks. Sofia Cusack and Lauren Hobday were now starting to ask questions of the Warwick defence with their quick running and endless energy and as the ball was driven into the D Molly Sullivan managed to get the ball though to Hobday who somehow managed to claw the ball out of the air and smashed it home. Sils were buoyant and Warwick deflated although they still managed to create attacks which were dealt with admirably by the Sils defence which was now looking like a more cohesive unit with Ella Stirling slotting in well.

Sils were up for the equaliser and attacks were raining down on the Warwick 25 as yet another short corner was created the ball was not sufficiently cleared allowing Kate Huntington to advance into the D and her pinpoint shot finding a gap unluckily pinging back of the post before an attacking stick could get there. Not to be thwarted a few minuted later a further short corner was not cleared and Frankie Levey was the quickest to react and deservedly hammered home the equaliser. Sils were in the ascendency and with Sullivan flying down the left hand side a superb pass found Levey who was again faced with a chance on goal before being unluckily blocked out by the over worked defence. With time running out Sils were unable to rest on their laurels and with two minutes to go Warwick forced a short corner but with tension high this was a make or break moment but the defence held strong and dispatched the ball away.
Many positives to take out of the game, confidence levels were high and players are now playing up to their potential which had been hidden away in the last few weeks. They found out that yes Jess can be scary, defensive responsibility is not just down to the defenders responsibility has to be taken by all, and claiming any rebound in the D is decisive.

Good performance all round and hopefully next week a three goal deficit isn’t gifted away before they start playing.