Sils slip to defeat

Sils were again faced with a depleted squad to face an important fixture against Edgbaston 3's who themselves had been struggling all season. The game started well for Sils with constant pressure throughout the first half resulting in goalkeeper Jo Brett spending much of the time at the top of the D trying to sty on contact wither defence. The Sils attack though were finding it difficult to generate any fluidity and passes were again going astray and developing play not anticipated quickly enough. although by now Edgbaston had become aware that there was no real direct goal threat to worry about and gaining confidence were starting to make a few forays into the Sils half which at this point had been a rarity. But this is turn was there undoing as in the 20th minute another Sils attack was faltering in the D and as the ball came loose along the edge of the area it was latched onto by the experienced Ally Taft who drove it into the back of the net for a deserved lead the rest of the half continued in the same vein with good approach play with the final ball going astray.

The hard fought for lead was hoped to be the launching point for further goals in the second half to close the match down but instead it was Edgbaston rather than Sils who took the initiative and Brett was soon in action coming out to kick the ball away from a striker that had broken free and then minutes later a lighting smother as again Edgbaston were breaking through in numbers. Yet another Edgbaston attack was mounted and from the ensuing melee in the D a penalty flick was awarded. As the ground went quiet the whistle blew and Brett diving decisively pushed the flick around the post to acclaim from the whole team. Minutes later Edgbaston were on the attack again a short corner was awarded and dealt with only to be followed by another which having been played around the D was eventually converted for the equaliser. Sis seemed to go to sleep at this point as more attacks were being mounted and seemingly within minutes another foray into the Sils D resulted in the attacker kicking the ball into the net and although being seen by almost everyone in the vicinity the goal was bizarrely awarded by the umpire. There were to be no heroics of last week as the Sils slipped to defeat in a game that should have been easily won. But until all players understand that defence starts in attack and if the ball is lost attempts must be made to retrieve it, results are going to be difficult to achieve and it is a team game after all.

MOM: Lucy Gilbert thoroughly deserved after an accomplished performance slotting into the defence as though having played there all season. Helping out in an hour of need after playing for the 2'searlier.

DOD: Or season, Caroline May say no more....................