Sils up and running with opening win

First game of the season and Sils entertained newly promoted Olton who were keen to establish local bragging rights. Sils welcomed a number of new payers into the squad including a whole new backline for Jo to sort out. The game started slowly without much goal mouth action at either end as the teams tried to establish themselves but Sils soon started to apply pressure at speed with quick stick play causing a lot of problems within the slower backline of their opponents. Chances were starting to be created and Annabelle was causing havoc down the right hand side with her speed dragging opponents out of position for Sils to swarm forward through the gaps. Sils were looking a lot sharper and faster than they had for a while but it wasn’t until the latter stages of the first half that the game really came alight. Sils were awarded a short corner and as Frankie powered in the strike Captain Tam was the quickest to react to get a stick on the ball and deflect it past the keeper. Within minutes a further short corner was dispatched with aplomb by Frankie and both the main strikers had opened their tally for the season.

Coach Jess could still see room for improvement at half time and with instructions still just about being remembered the second half started at a brisk pace and within minutes Tam had pushed into the D punishing the static defence to increase the lead. Olton attempted to make a comeback but resolute defending by the new back line kept them at bay and attacks were once again mounted and after moving the ball at speed around the opposition D Amy was able to avoid an over dramatic dive by the opposition keeper collect the ball and as it came back into the centre Jess was on hand to smash it home. Olton after storming Division 2 last season were stunned with seemingly no way back but they plugged away making the odd raid where they could and eventually gained a short corner. As the ball came in Jo’s clearance careered off Jess’s head leaving her in a heap and a penalty flick to Olton. The resultant flick was mishit and unfortunately went under Jo’s dive expecting a much fiercer shot but all was not lost and as Sils held against Olton’s revival they were able to exploit the gaps that were being created within the opposition defence whose main release was big hits from the back. But it was effective to a certain extent and Jo was called on a number of times in the latter stages to make crucial saves as the defence was breached.

As time ran down Sils were still flying down the wings attacking in force and creating numerous chances that went begging, short corners were gained and executed on target but no further scoring took place and Sils ran out deserved 4:1 winners.

A marvellous start to the season and hopefully this performance can be taken forward into the next game but at least school would have been a happier place than normal come Monday morning with local bragging rights established.