First ever Dovey hat-trick inspires home victory

In blustery and damp conditions, the Sils recorded an emphatic result with a very accomplished performance.

On paper, the side looked as if it might be lacking some attacking flair, particularly with John Rice in usual fashion arriving late for the match. This meant that someone who you would not automatically picture in the mould of star striker, was given the opportunity to display that an ability to strike the ball first time, and a great sense of space is clearly what many "normal" attackers lack.

After 10 minutes, Sils had scored twice, or more accurately, Andrew Scott had scored twice, both times with thunderous first time strikes leaving the keeper with no chance. On both occasions Stratford hit straight back, pulling the score back to 1-1, and then 2-2. Scott was not done there though, and picked out Mark Dovey at the top of the D, allowing him to find space and crash home the first of his 3 goals. Scott was substituted at this time to prevent him for scoring his hat-trick, but this allowed Simon Russell to add his name to the scoresheet just before half-time.

The second half was not all one way traffic, but Stratford never really looked like scoring. In goal, Jim Goldstraw did not have a totally quiet game, pulling off a number of good saves to allow the Sils to pull further away from the opposition; however, he did have enough time to flirt with the lovely guest umpire Lynsey for at least 50% of the half!

At the Stratford end, Nick Danks scored the team's 5th goal just after half-time, virtually killing off any comeback chance for Stratford, and then there was enough time for Dovey to hammer home his second, and then finally push/duff home his hat-trick goal, managing to wrong foot the keeper - though probably not through the power of his strike!

An enjoyable post match jug was duly purchased by Dovey, and though we did not know it at the time, we probably could have also taken the opportunity to toast the birth of Sam Stephen's 3rd child (his second daughter) Imogen - congratulations from all of your Veteran family.