Sils triumph in bruising encounter

Sils made the short journey across town to meet local neighbours Solihull Blossomfield in this Ladies Warwickshire Division 1 match with changes to the successful side of last week.

Blossomfield had the pushback and within seconds had forced a short corner and having moved the ball around the D a strong strike took a massive deflection to end up in the back of the net. Not the best start to the game for Sils who managed to regroup and set about playing their game and making inroads into the opposing half. Sils gained a short corner on 8 minutes and from the injection Kate Huntington slammed the ball home to equalise.

Sils were now in the game and starting to raise the pace from another short corner Ruth Dovey’s flashing shot just evaded the far post as well as the onrushing forwards but it was now that the game plan took a turn for the worse. Hard tackling central midfielder Rebecca Leaning limped off with a groin strain and shortly afterwards Jai who had only just been brought on to refresh the forwards had to be taken to hospital following a rash stick challenge leaving a gaping wound and broken finger. The resulting re-shuffle allowed Blossomfield some respite and they started to take advantage of the situation as Sils were forced on the back foot with Huntington coming to the rescue with a number of pacey interceptions.

The crucial part of the game came in the 33 minute when Blossomfield scored against the run of play as a shot was squeezed through a ruck of players. Buoyed on by this Sils were found to be on the back foot as Blossomfield threw everything at them the centre back partnership of Claire Robinson and Huntington were at full stretch and backed up by a solid display by goalkeeper Joanne Brett when they did get through. With a minute to go to half-time Brett was forced into another great save as the blue tide still couldn’t be stemmed with the whistle blowing for half-time allowed the team to re-group.

Sils started the second half on the offence and started to push Blossomfield back throughout. Blossomfield did force a short corner but this was easily kicked away by Brett. Further forays faltered on Dovey covering the central midfield and running down the short corners as they arose. Sils equalised on 50 when Samantha Cooper controlled the ball well in the area before swivelling to slam the ball home at the far post. Blossomfield did attempt to stretch Sils but the defensive backs of Caroline May and Tori Breillat rose to the challenge.

As time went on the players started to tire and the speed of Clara Miles and Maria O'Malley were taking affect as they pulled their larger centre backs from one side of the pitch to the other. On 60 minutes Tamara Majevadia fed O'Malley wide on the right who sprinted down the right before pushing the ball into space, Miles was the quickest to react and squeezed the ball home from an acute angle to end an excellent move. As time was running out Blossomfield raised their game and did force a short corner which was easily dealt with by the resolute defence.

A great win on the road and new debutants bedding in well to add to the strong squad available.

MoM: Tori for another accomplished display.
DoD: Awarded to Tori who turns up wearing a pair of mittens!! its 20 degrees Tori what are you going to do in the winter!!