Atherstone blown away in opening half hour

Up North this week as Sils ventured up the M42 to Atherstone for the latest encounter. Atherstone having been promoted last season were keen to take the spoils on their home pitch to stop their slide towards the bottom reaches of the Division with their coach having them warm up with an array of shuttles and exercises. Sils on the other hand methodically went through their own tried and tested method of a warmup with Coach Jess in full command.

The game started promptly and Sils came out of the blocks at full speed pushing the Atherstone defence back on their heels as the direct running from Tamara Majevadea and Lauren Hobday quickly made inroads down the left hand side. Within two minutes Sils had won a short corner and with some intricate passing the ball was moved to Frankie Levey who brought Ruth Dovey into the move before the ball was slipped back to Tammy who smashed it home. With Atherstone stunned the waves of white shirts continued to assail their defence with threats coming every few minutes as the marauding midfield were feasting on any loose balls and feeding the eager runners up front.

But intensity and eagerness has to be tempered with caution and with Ella Stirling eager to prompt Atherstone into quicker ball time was judged to have encroached to closely and the long arm of justice was quick to wave a green card to curb her enthusiasm. Despite the lack of a player any goal threats were being dispatched by Claire Robinson at the back with Georgina Dalby showing her adaptability and dropping back whilst Ella had a rest.

As Ella was waved back on Tammy was content in destroying the opponents defensive capabilities single handily and despite being bounced by the goalkeeper on several occasions was still causing havoc inside their D and with a further short corner being awarded Frankie was on hand to calmly dispatch it to increase the lead.

By now Tammy was on fire with the Atherstone defence standing off her as she mesmerised them with her speed and sleight of hand as she continually sliced through the back line with defenders trailing in her wake. As yet another loose ball was seized upon by Molly Sullivan she inter-changed passes with Frankie before Tammy was once again let loose making no mistake from close in.
With only 30 minutes having elapsed Sils were still creating glorious chances that were going begging and the intensive pressure was creating short corner after short corner with Atherstone having only the slightest breather as they tried to mount a few attacking forays of their own but had to battle all the way as Sils were first to the ball and were more positive in their outlook.

But chances have to be taken and right on the stroke of half time an Atherstone break out led to hesitation in the Sils defence and the slightest of deflections was enough to wrong foot everyone for the flukiest of goals.

The Atherstone coach was heard to be berating his side during the interval and they came out with nothing to loose taking the game to Sils within ten minutes they had pulled another goal back through a ruck of players. Sils were in danger of given the game away as another attack evaded the back line and with Joanne Brett flying out to smother was enough to push the attacker wide giving the cavalry enough time to get back to cover. Sils were nothing like the side of the first half and the rigours of the intensity produced was starting to have an effect and it was left to the senior players to haul it around and project some stability into the side as they slowly took back control although it it wouldn’t be Sils without a few nerve racking moments before the game was closed down for a deserved win.

Brilliant team performance and all credit to a side that is growing in confident and stature each week, could have been a lot easier if all the chances had been taken but the main thing is that they are being created in the first place.
No official notification coming out of the team with regard to awards but from the sideline MOM would have to go to Tammy for yet another powerful display as well as notching a couple of goals. As for DOD it would be hard placed not to award this to Ella for picking up her fourth card of the season for the same offence, hope the exam revision is going better!