Levey hammers three as Sils get back on track

Newly promoted Stratford were the next on the list to visit Sils for the latest Warwickshire encounter but once again Sils were forced to make a number of changes primarily in the defensive line due to injuries and availability with Jennifer Ross making her first start for the team as centre back and tasked with trying to keep her flying wingbacks somewhere near the D to assist with defensive responsibilities.
Within seconds of the start Sils forwards had manged to force a short corner and although the shot was narrowly wide Stratford had an early indication of what to expect as their older more adult team was already finding the pace of Sils young forwards a problem. But as has been the norm in recent games Sils early pressure didn’t really amount to goals and Stratford withstanding the early pressure managed to claw themselves back up field and force the play back onto Sils. On one such encounter Stratford forced a short corner and they managed to unleash a powerful strike to take the lead against the run of play but fortunately this setback lasted only a few minutes before Frankie Levey managed to find space in the D to hit home the equaliser. Stratford continued their attacks with the main threat coming down the left through their fast winger which kept Ella Stirling busy for the majority of the game. Stratford manged to force another opening and bore down on goal but keeper Joanne Brett was quickly out to smother with the defence now on hand the ball was slipped wide and once again Sils were on the attack. The fast paced Sils forwards were now causing endless problems for Stratford with their speed and inter-changing and with the possession held Sils should really have been in the lead but the score remained into half time.

As the second half started Jennifer Ross continued with her impressive display in defence calmly breaking tackles and feeding the eager midfield who were working overtime in supplying the balls to keep the forwards working hard. It wasn’t long before the increased pressure applied by Sils started to take effect and following another Sils short corner Frankie was on hand to hammer home her second and to provide some breathing space. Tamara Majevadia was once again causing all sorts of problems up front with her direct running and as she took off once more with the ball slicing through the holes in the Stratford back line Lauren Hobday, who is exceling on the left hand side, was on hand to accelerate even faster past her leaving everyone in her wake to take the slipped ball from Tammy in her stride to hit home taking the score to 3:1 and a deserved lead. As the time went on the Sils forwards were still causing all sorts of problems for Stratford and with Jess Jecketts anchoring the midfield any loose balls played out of their defence were now being latched onto by the praying midfield of Sils with Ruth Dovey again finding time and space to make numerous encroaching runs into the opposition 25. But with five minutes to go there was some disarray in the Sils defence as a seemingly inerrant whistle was blown milliseconds before a Stratford shot was dispatched providing a slight hesitancy in the defence as the goal was awarded but not to be outdone Sils fought back and Frankie was once again on hand to dispatch a crossfield pass to complete her hattrick and to ensure a victory for a side that is now gelling and had put together a great team performance.
Everyone played extremely well and special mention must go to Jennifer Ross who was superb at centre back and quietly got on with her job in an admirable style whilst trying to ensure her young wingbacks kept up their defensive duties and Ella Stirling whose attacking options were restricted but still found time to help out up front whilst nullifying Stratfords main goal threat.

MoM: Frankie Levey, lynchpin of the attack and deservedly getting three more goals to add to her tally.

DoD: Well when one admits to being late because no one had scraped the ice off her car for her and with other associated memorable statements made during the game there is only one real candidate, Amy Stainton what would we do without you to cheer everyone up!