Not quite enough

Following a few defeats on the road Sils travelled to Leamington hoping for a change in fortune. Sils started well and evaded the usual setback of being at least a goal down within the first few minutes with Annabel and Louisa making good progress down each wing with plenty of space available to exploit. Most of the early play was taken to the opposition although Leamington have a number of experienced players and were holding a solid defence line across the top of the D whilst hitting Sils on the break. But with the centre being a highly contested affair with Jess and Ruth in the thick of it from the start Leamington were finding it hard going. Just as Sils were looking to take control they were halted by a Leamington breakaway resulting in a short corner that was well executed and slotted home.

All the defence were working well with Jo mopping up as attacks breached the line and was called on just before half time to kick the ball away from an advancing striker. The rest of the half carried on in the same manner with Sils pressing hard but being contained by Leamington who counter attacked well and in numbers.

For some reason the half time rallying call didn’t go to plan as within a minute of the restart Sils pressed ahead, lost the ball, got caught on the break and with the defence over whelmed it was a tap in at the back post now chasing a for what seconds ago was manageable now seemed daunting. But to their credit the girls pretty much took control of the second half pushing the home side back on their heels but couldn’t find that elusive goal. The Leamington keeper was tall, agile, and competent enough but made to look even better with the majority of shots aimed straight at her rather than moving her around the area.

Sils were easily out scoring Leamington in the short corner tally but they were quickly closed down before any effective shots could be dispatched those that were either whistled past the post or met the boot of the keeper.

As the half-progressed defending became more fraught and with Emma Fell demonstrating some of the finer arts to her young back line the umpire decided that maybe her tactics were too strong and unluckily waved a green card at her for overly strong shoulder pushes. Not to be put off the team battled away and at last unleashed Tammy into open space and the speedster leaving defenders in her wake raced onto goal to slot home.

Annabel was still causing chaos on the left and in one swift move danced around three of the opposition before feeding the forwards to start another attack. The forwards worked hard all game but jest fell short in having enough guile to find a way through.
Sils edged the possession and the number of short corners gained but unfortunately could not turn this possession into the goals needed. Much better performance al round than the previous week and no doubt carrying on with this attitude will surely turn everything around.

MoM: Fully deserved award to Annabel who is going from strength to strength and was a constant thorn in Leamington’s side and didn’t seem to stop running all game.

DoD: This time whist demonstrating the finer arts of defending to her young cohorts Emma Fell gets caught by the umpire picking up a green card in the process.