Nuneaton Ladies 3rd XI 1 - 2 Old Silhillians 3rd XI

Nuneaton Ladies 3rd XI 1 (0) - (0) 2 Old Silhillians 3rd XI

Sils travelled to Nuneaton having just about managed to get a side together with availability dramatically impacted by 1/2 term. However, with Jen Cox offering to help out, and Kate Huntington playing outfield (due to only 10 players being available), the Ladies 3s had a very strong, and well organised back line; this duo was ably supported by Georgia Byrne providing her usual cool head and composure under pressure.

With Nuneaton having a numerical advantage, they had more of the game in the first half, with Sils conscious they needed to ensure they defended as a team. However, they still managed forays forward, with the ever willing Imogen Constable (making her senior debut) supporting the efforts of Jess Bray and Flo Collins to cover as much ground as possible in the middle of the pitch.

However, with half-time, came the arrival of Emily Hilton, who had dashed from the first team game in order to play in goal. As she took her place in goal, this gave the team confidence to push forward, and the pace and skill of the young players that Sils are now developing within their junior ranks soon began to pay dividends. Melissa Thurman and Beth Tomlinson used the tenacity and speed to be constant threats for the opposition, whilst Frankie Cox also got herself in some really good attacking positions and Beth Davies (again making her debut) was able to ensure the home defence always had plenty of players to worry about.

The opening goal came from Melissa Thurman - a great run by Imogen Constable pulled the defence across, and her pass to Beth, allowed the young striker to cross the ball to Thurman, who turned the ball home with aplomb from close range. A few minutes later, and Tomlinson turned goalscorer - Thurman and Collins this time, combining to give Davies the chance of a shot, but her effort instead found its way to Tomlinson who scored at the near post.

Nuneaton upped their game, and started playing higher up the field, a few times, the young Sils players decided to take on the wrong players in the home defence, and lost the ball, and then probably could have worked harder to get back into defence. However, Hilton made a couple of saves, and in the main, Kate, Jen and Georgia mopped up any Nuneaton attacks. Nuneaton did score the goal their attacking play deserved though, with 10 minutes to go, as Hilton was left unable to stop a flicked shot.

The remaining time was spent with the play going end-to-end, without either side really looking like they would score another goal, and hence, the game ended 2-1 with Sils and another impressive performance by some of the latest graduates from the club's junior set-up. Player of the Match votes went to several players, but Tomlinson ended up taking the award, due to being a constant pain in Nuneaton's side.