Disciplined Display leads to Strong Second-Half comeback

Hampton started much the stronger of the two teams, and took the lead in the first 5 or 6 minutes with Greg Wade picking up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and exchanging a couple of passes before slotting home past a stranded Jim Goldstraw in goal. Hampton continued to dominate as they moved the ball around the pitch and attacked down both flanks, which resulted in a PC being awarded for the ball catching Richard Thurman on the foot, and from this resultant PC, Wade fired home his second.

At this point, Sils began to play some better hockey, not rushing their passes quite as much and using Mark Dovey and Dave Baylis in the middle of the pitch more sensibly to then allow space for our attacking three. One such move, involving Dovey and Simon Russell down the right, managed to release Andre Tchakhotine on the right of the D, and his resultant cross (having been impeded a number of times) was emphatically slammed home by the on-rushing James Ball, meaning it was 2-1 at half-time.

A (for once) tactical team-talk at half-time focussed on the Sils aiming to play higher up the pitch and not invite pressure from the home team onto them, and this tactic reaped its rewards, with firstly a cross-shot from Gary Perkins being deftly deflected home by Tchakhotine, and then minutes later Tchakhotine was released again only for the home keeper to make a fine save with his helmet!

The tactics were definitely working though, and shortly after Tchakhotine had been released for another chance, he then was able to lay the ball on a plate to Sam Stephen who just about bundled the ball home. The fourth Sils goal came after a few minutes, this time Stephen Tabb turning the ball over in midfield, passing to Tchakhotine, and once again he squared the ball for Sam Stephen to fire home his second in more resounding fashion.

From being 2-1 down, the Sils had turned this game around and were now 4-2 up with about 15 minutes to go. Hampton were not going to take this lightly though, and their defensive lynch-pin began to carry the ball forward to break the Sils press and overload in attack. A number of chances were thwarted by the excellent work-rate and tackling of Mark Dovey and Man of the Match Dave Baylis in the centre of the pitch, but both were powerless to prevent another marauding run by Wade, who managed to react to an initial save by Goldstraw to just about force his hat-trick goal home.

With 10 minutes to go, all was to play for, but Sils did a fine job of not panicking, and ensuring they kept the ball as much as possible. As the minutes counted down it looked like Sils would hold on for the victory, but Wade had other ideas and charged at the D again. This time, as he released his shot (slightly off balance, and wide of the mark anyway) - there are suggestions that Mark 'The Blade' Dovey cunningly attacked Wade with a switch-blade without anyone knowing, as, by the time Wade hit the ground, his forehead was "pouring" with blood (well, he had a large cut). It was decided that this was a suitable time to end the game, and the Sils were pleased to have registered a victory to put the previous week's Warwick misery behind them.

A fine array of check shirts were on display in the bar afterwards with the noticeable exception of the Chairman, The Blade and the Kit Man.....with over 2 weeks until the next Vets match, one of these offenders (at least) will not have the excuse that his wife had not got round to washing it for him!