Sils hit five to take the points

Without yet another set of players unavailable for various reasons a new look Sils side took to the field against Warwick 2’s to keep the momentum of recent weeks moving forward. Sils once again started well and advanced into the opposing half with the majority of the play. But as with the rest of the season so far a loose pass in midfield caught the team on the backfoot and allowed Warwick to attack in numbers, over power the remnants of the defence and score against the run of play. Once again Sils found themselves losing from a dominant position but gathering themselves up they regrouped and the forwards started to once again make inroads into the Warwick defence and within five minutes Jessica Jecketts managed to skilfully feed Sophia Cusack who had found some space in the D to slot home the deserved equaliser.

Warwick found renewed energy and started to force Sils back and forced 3 short corners in quick succession but with the defence working overtime and marshalled by Kate Huntington and Joanne Brett the corners were dealt with admirably. Warwick were slowly being pegged back by the constant speed of the inter changing forwards who with some playing in unfamiliar roles were causing problems for the defence and as the holes started to appear they were quickly capitalised on by the speed of Tamara Majevadia whose unlimited energy was a compounding threat from midfield allday. As Tamara made another energising run through the defence she was picked out by Jess who once again slid the ball through the defensive lines for Tamara to strike home from the top of the D, 2:1 to Sils and game on. Sils were now in the ascendancy and Helen Rose starring in her new found role of a forward was managing to find space to utilise her speed and determination and as yet another pass threaded it’s way through the packed defence Helen latched on to it and advanced at speed to the keeper who cruelly took her out as she was about to knock it home, with Jono deciding that a flick was in order Kate Huntington volunteered for the responsibility and never one to shirk away from a goal attempt (frustrated forward!) the ground went quiet as the ball was smashed home for a 3:1 lead going into half time. But again indiscipline hit the Sils with Lauren Hobday picking up a green card as the whistle blew.

Coaches are never happy and although winning there was the call for a greater level of intensity, more energy, and a greater level of confidence. Which for once seemed to take effect as the forwards were taking advantage of the tiring defence which was made even worse for Warwick when Ruth Dovey getting itchy feet after her defensive duties started to pick up loose balls in the midfield area and was cutting a swathe through the Warwick players as she charged through to the D unleashing either a shot or playing the forwards in. Sils dominance was starting to take effect and although chances were being missed they were at least being made and from another short corner Helen Rose was the quickest to react to score a well deserved goal. With the Warwick defence tiring chances were now being created on a more regular basis And Tamara was once again involved from a short corner as one of the Warwick defenders managed to force the ball over her own line just before Tamara hit home to take the final score to 5:1 and Sils biggest score of the season.

Warwick still had some fight left in them though and launched a number of attacks in the last few minutes with a succession of short corners with Elle Stirling committing yet another foul, carded, sent off and as the whistle sounded Sils were faced in defending the last short corner of the game with the whole of the Warwick team camped around the D but this was once again well dealt with by the resolute defence who dispatched the ball well out of play.

A deserved victory but with green cards picked up by Lauren Hobday, Olivia Timmins, and Ella Stirling with her two yellows this coupled with club fines for the cards and late arrivals club funds are doing well and standing orders are available if required. But this does point to self discipline which needs to be improved, if in doubt ask!
But the positives are that new additions to the team are slotting in well, goals are being scored, presses are being understood and applied, and the team is starting to gel, well done all.

MoM: A joint award this week to Helen Rose for her tireless running all game with a well deserved goal, involved in the award of the flick, as well as creating numerous other chances which unfortunately did not receive the success that was deserved. Sharing the award was Tamara for yet another hockey power display which eventually ran the Warwick defenders into the ground.

DoD: Only one contender this week Ella Stirling, who else could pick up two yellow cards for the same offence in the same game and subsequently get sent off albeit in the last minute!